The Rest of the Story

Greetings,  I thought that since we have just been using the blog to post the exciting information from mission trips it would be good to hear about the daily work to keep the project moving forward. Not too glamorous but important.
Communication is the main focus. Communicating from Haiti to US, from Facilitator to Board, from Committees to Board, from organization to anyone who will listen!  There are phone calls, Letters, E-mails, Texts messages, Facebook, web page and of course conversation and meetings.
The logistics at times can be frustrating.  Not to mention a different language, culture and conversations with accents. But then you can take a deep breath and smile. Some how that is communicated through all types of modern day media. And it works. The good works shine even in the not glamorous work. And it keeps you going!  Journeying on with a glorious smile!

Reflections

The return to the US was uneventful except for the thoughts that are clashing in your mind. When you first arrive in Haiti you take a deep breath and quickly adapt to what is, actually every time you go this process is faster to occur. But the returning to the US seems to become more complicated. Leaving the children at the orphanage was not as difficult because the conditions of these children's lives have greatly improved. (The exception would be Lauren who fell in love with a very wonderful but malnurished 2 year old.) But the knowledge that education is necessary both for the sustainablity of La Concorde to be independent and that the future of all of the world children is education, makes you realize the work is far from done. You also realize with all the luxury of our lives, that we each have a reponsiblity to keep working.
The greatest work to be done is relationship and gratitude. The relationship of each person that is a part of this project is key. There are so many who have contributed in so many ways. There is no measure it is the whole that makes so much happen. Just as Christians learn the body has many parts, but all of its parts form one body. We move forward as one body helping another body. Empowering others to be independent and whole. The relationship and trust with our partners in country is a great gift to be cared for well.
The gratitude is the realization that the plan for each of us so greater then any of us.  So again I jump back in, work, wrestling meets, basketball practices, farm animals, 4-H, meals, college applications, friends, book clubs and all, BUT will continue to work with those clashing thoughts and work on! Looking forward to relationships in 2014!

Christmas in Haiti

The Wilkerson Family had the privilege of spending Christmas week at the LOVE Takes Root Haiti project at La Concorde Orphanage. This Christmas Journey was an amazing experience.  Not only did sixteen of our family land in the same place,the same week, but then we were able to share with our extended Haitian family the birth of Jesus.  A little different from the commercial bombardment of our US departure. The first day in Haiti was spent meeting and greeting along with all the update with new facility. The joy of hugs and hellos.  The second day was setting up all the gift bags for each child to receive something on Christmas and planning and setting up a Christmas party at La Concorde. This sounds like it would be simple BUT I thought organizing and making Christmas equal for 9 children took a lot of energy try 50 children! With the help through the heat of the day we came through. Then it was the day of the party. We showered, did hair and dressed each child in a new sweat suit donated by Ron and Nancy Quincy. Wow they looked great! A stage was built, chairs rented and many children from the neighborhood were invited. The children preformed wonderful songs including Jingle Bells. The excitement was in the air. Each child was called by name to receive a bag of new dress, soccer shirt, soccer ball, soccer shoes, legos, a blanket and candy.  Thanks to the Rubino family, the Howe family and all the sponsors. Also a thank you to Janis Strickland for a donation along with the sponsors for a feast!  We had a long table of chicken, prickly, lasagne, and cake! The dining hall was chaos with gift bags everywhere. Each child opened their sponsors cards, which most of them were signing cards, please imagine. They love the sponsor letters and pictures. The visiting children also received a gift of pen, crayons and candy. The music continued the candy was all gone and the night had become dark. A huge surprise was when the Bastiens called for Rick and Barb, they had a very large wrapped gift. We opened it confused and it was a hand drawing of  us at our daughters wedding. Yes they went on facebook and found a photo to have a Haitian paint for us. Overwhelmed would explain the moment. The joy on their faces of giving a grand gift was truly the best Christmas present ever. Upon taking a dark tap tap ride home,  we all fell into a hot sticky bed and quickly fell asleep. It was a Holy day filled with peace,love and joy!

A Trip of Faith

Life is back to normal, hustle and bustle no time to rest, no time to love a child who needs a hug that day. This was not the case a week ago for 9 individuals who traveled to a new world and met the most amazing people, many of whom weren't over 3 1/2 feet tall. Faith Lutheran Church's mission team spent 5 days at the Love Takes Root orphanage building a Sukup house and growing in God's love along side the 40+ children. Here is our story.... Day one. We arrived in Port Au Prince on Tuesday and made our way through the winding road over the mountain and into Jacmel (only two of us got car sick). We first went to the orphanage and were greeted with the most amazing singing. The warmth we felt from the moment we entered the lunch room was immediate. The children are amazing and so strong in faith already. Day two. Up and at 'em and ready to begin our building of the Sukop house, which was to be used for food storage at the orphanage only to discover...NO bolts. God had a plan and today it was for our group to talk about and share Him with these children. (We did get the materials of the Sukup house moved to the location we were going to build it). We did VBS with the children as well as put some needed slip guards in the shower areas and put some door knobs in the doors. We played with sidewalk chalk too! Now we were no longer strangers we were friends and children in Christ. What a day! Day three. No bolts so more VBS and play time with the children. More door knobs went in as well. Joan was busy doing some basic medical needs for the children and Theone was busy taking more pictures of these beautiful children. They posed so cute we all got a chuckle from this. Day four. Bolts are here! So the work of the Sukop house began. It was over cast this day so we were blessed to work in the shade instead of the full blast of the sun. We met the contractor Dave, who was a Saint to our building crew. We hired 5 of his workers to help us with our project. They were amazing young men who worked very hard with us that day. We finished nearly 85-90% of the building that day. As we winded down our day and took a minute to rest the children all gathered around our sweaty messes and shared Gods love with us. Kathy, Joan and Theone also did more VBS with the children this day. We also took out the parachute and played with the children....so many many smiles and laughs I think my cheeks still hurt from this day! Day five. Our last day at the orphanage. We were again blessed with Ed and Dave to help finish the Sukop building. We finished fairly early this day so we were again able to do more VBS with the children. A few of our group also attended the church service at the Orphanage...Pastor Lee was able to give an amazing message to the children too. This was a hard day for our Faith group. We needed to look into those big brown eyes and say goodbye. It was amazing how in five days they had touched everyone of our hearts. Our sons, Connor and Reid grew so much in their faith this week I can't begin to even explain. Many hugs and tears were shed this day. Faith Lutheran's mission group went to an orphanage in Haiti to share the love of God and spread the word of Jesus to children who don't have the access to this like we do and we came back more filled with the spirit ourselves! Al said it best...we entered a country with so much need we thought we could never do enough and left an orphanage feeling that Yes we can make a difference. Thank you Rick and Barb for allowing our group to experience this awesome trip. It has forever changed our lives and we hope it has impacted a little bit of those children's lives. Until our next adventure to La Concorde....God Bless!

Moving With God

Hi ho, hi ho, off to move mama into her new home! Another day full of grace, happiness, and celebration. As mama says, "God is good...all the time!" We had another early morning, we watched the young fisherman row his boat across the sea in search for his supper. Then into Dave's truck we pile, and we travel to the orphanage, sadly for our last full day with the kiddos! We again were greeted by the children, all awaiting our arrival. We were quickly put to work...Marty, Diane, Carolyn, Vicki, and myself scrubbed all the windows where mama, papa, and the rest of the caretakers will live. While the windows are far from spotless, they were cleaner than before (let me say it took a lot of elbow grease to scrape the paint and plaster off the windows and sills!). While we were scrubbing windows Ron and Denny finished the soccer goals...they turned out amazing and the kids love them...now no more cheating in the middle of the game! The guys also went and got 30 banana "baby" trees to plant at the orphanage, they plan to plant them tomorrow. The children are doing great, they are adjusting to their new life so well. We had a jump rope contest today, sadly Marty didn't win...while My Love did great, Michel (one of the helpers at the orphanage) came in first.. he even danced while jump roping! Marty handed out sweet tarts and smarties to all the children, they sure do love their candy! Sadly many of the children are sick, two of the littlest children have high fevers and are so miserable, we have been giving medicine to them and hopefully they will be healed. Speaking of sick people...we have a few ourselves, Vicki went back to the hotel early (she took a moto there...I'm so jealous! Maybe I can ride one tomorrow!), and Marty and Carolyn didn't feel very well all day. During the afternoon we started to carry all of mama's belongs to her new room. We carried the dresser, mattresses, and the very large and very heavy armoire into her room, she felt so blessed for all the help. Today Marty and I also went to a diner/supermarket and bought the children ice cream...it was a unique experience. We had to trade our US dollars in at the UNI for gourdes (Haitian money) then went and bought 7 different flavors of pint size ice cream containers. We plan to give the kiddos the sweet treat tomorrow. Carolyn and myself handed out bracelets to the girls and crosses to all the children, they loved them! Before we knew it was time to head back to the hotel. However, we just stopped at the hotel to grabb money, because Dave knew a place where we could get souvenirs for a better price. It was a short trek to the selling area, it was an amazing little community all nestled in the mist of the city, we all bought a few souvenirs to remember this amazing experience! Arriving back at the hotel we said our good byes to Dave and thanked him for his gracious help throughout the week, and wished him luck as his ministry continues to grow. We ended the day as we always do, a quick dip in the pool to find relief from the blistering hot sun, and an excellent dinner, while a few members (Vicki and Carolyn) of our group didn't eat much as they still are not feeling well. As the day ends, I ask many of you to pray for all the sick ones, Vicki, Carolyn, Marty, all the children, and anyone else who is ill. I hope they feel well tomorrow, and ask that God heals them tonight. Also please pray as we travel back to Port au Prince tomorrow afternoon, we should be back in the US before noon on Friday! Tomorrow will be a sad day for us as we have to leave these children, but I believe they have the faith and will power to achieve their highest dreams. "God is great, all the time!" Good Night and God Bless! <3

Labors of love

Today is Tuesday, how can the time be passing so quickly. We try not to think about it. We arrived early again but this morning most of the kids were lined up outside awaiting our arrival, what a heartwarming sight! I don't think my heart can hold all the love I am feeling. This morning was the unofficial first day of school at LaConcorde. It will not officially start until after the teachers arrive on Sunday. Ellisia first took the more advanced children. It was surprising to see the class was comprised of both older and younger children....it was done by aptitude not age. It was amazing to see how much they had already learned in math. They are very bright children....I must remember the promise I made to my husband when I left....no bringing a child home! But how could you even choose one, they are all so special! The remainder of the kiddos were taught next. Ellesia is very patient with them all, such a good teacher. I learned from our first group that the kids are fascinated by sunglasses so Marty, Diane and I brought them each their own pair. They looked so cool sporting their new shades. Katie and Carolyn gave them fun dinosaurs, what great fun! Late morning we started several projects that we had been assigned. We are thankful that the water issues have been repaired. So Denny and Ron worked on the soccer goal posts. Tom, Diane, Marty, Carolyn, Katie and I started clearing away a plot for the children's garden. Once cleared each child will plant their own plot. It was very hot and dirty work but it was a labor of love. Tom hacked away at the shin high weeds with a machette. The rest of us sat on our hineys in the grass. Well surprise imagine having a tarantella.crawl out from between your legs! It happened to Diane TWICE!!! and here I was looking for snakes. The few kids that were helping us came running at Dianes squeel. It was quite a sight! After we all calmed down it was time to leave for the day. Our ride home from one of the construction workers was done with country music blareing. Once again the pool felt so wonderful.

Daily routine

Today we had a full day with the kiddos. We arrive before breakfast and find the building all spic and span with Mama and the girls preparing the meal. They have a quiet efficiency to their work. The children are all slowly emerging from their beds. Breakfast is quietly served and eaten. We presented Mama with the aprons and oven mits and kitchen towels we had brought her. She was very appreciative and happy. Of course the quiet didn't last. During music time we handed out the musical instruments we brought. What a hit! Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! For almost an hour we heard they joyful music. Their jam session ended with singing praises to the Lord. What a beautiful thing to witness. Denny and Diane gave each little girl a cute handmade doll and each boy a baseball hat with LaConcorde on the front and each boys name on the back. They loved their gifts. We thought with the rain the previous night that we would not be able to go outside but we found a place for Marty and Katie to throw the football. Great fun. The children saw their first cateydid bug. The big green winged bug was very fascinating to everyone. Marty kept poking around at it until it flew up and landed on her shirt. At first she just danced around with it on her but it soon headed for her face and then it wasn't so funny for her. Young Erickson ran up and flicked it off her...everyone cheered as it flew into the tree. Some of the guys worked on the water system again which continues to be a problem. Denny planted grass in front of the school. It will be so nice when it has grown and the mud disappears. We organized the supply room and explained to Ellisia and Mama what we had done. I hope the construction guys can install shelves soon so it stays organized. We finished the day with a walk on the beach collecting shells and taking a swim. Our meal was probably the best so far, lobster with butter YUMMY!!