Well my mother informed me it was time to blog, so here I am. This week has been crazy but so much fun! This group is called the "Restore Retreat" so it has been like a conference on top of a mission trip. I have really enjoyed the times of worship, prayer, and fellowship.
Apart from the devotion times, we have also been going out to different sites. The other day we went to Ansefalour. I was able to return to the house that had the new baby. The baby was doing great, as was the mother. It meant a lot to me to be able to continue the relationship with them. I felt like it helped them understand that we really do care about them. We are not going to meet them once and forget about them.
My group was originally supposed to go to La Baie, which is my favorite campus. They then decided to go to the Beauchamp campus. I can't lie, I was pretty upset because I was really looking forward to going to La Baie. However, it ended up a couple of other interns were already going to Beauchamp, and they took my group. I was able to tag along with another group going to La Baie. I had so much fun there. We were able to eat lunch in different families from the community's houses. It was an amazing opportunity to experience more of true Haitian culture. At La Baie campus, there are fourteen orphans. I had already fallen in love with Kenny, when he was at the baby orphanage in Saint Louis. By the time we left today, I was in love with all fourteen. They were the sweetest kids ever, and they had the biggest personalities. They were so excited to show us how they could count to ten in English. You could clearly see how much they craved for attention, and I'm so thankful I was able to go love on them. We took them to the playground that the church helped build, and seeing their faces light up was something indescribable.
My time is quickly coming to an end. As much as I miss my family, I am not ready to leave at all. These people have given me such a different appreciation on life in general. I am going to miss this place so very much. uch a different appreciation on life in general. I am going to miss this place so very much.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Blessings of Typhoid
Well I figured it's past time to blog again. I feel like I don't have anything to blog about though. The day my mom left, I woke up with horrible stomach cramps. I had them all day, but I didn't think much about it. I went to bed early and woke up around 10pm. I felt like I had no energy whatsoever. I didn't even feel like I could keep my eyes open. Someone got Lisa for me, and she took me down to our urgent treatment clinic. The nurses put an iv in me and gave me some Motrin. They put me in a room to sleep and a couple hours later the fever started. I was lying awake in this unairconditioned room with an iv, and I was scared to death. I had no idea what was going on, or why I felt so bad. I reached a level of having to rely on God that I have never reached before. The next morning they took my blood and discovered I had typhoid and anemia.
In all honesty, I couldn't have gotten sick at a better time. We have been on a break, so we had no groups here on campus. At first, I was bummed about being left on campus while the other interns went out to do things, but it has been a blessing in disguise. I have been able to connect with some of the staff members here, and I would not have had that opportunity if I had not been sick. I was also able to rest and recover from the craziness of the last group.
While I am thankful for the chance to rest, I was beyond excited to finally get off campus the other day. We went to Ansefalour and went to some of the different voodoo sights. We went to the place where the rainbow serpent lives. We also went into the house of spirits, or what I would call a big bat cave. It amazes me how people can put their faith in things that seem so bizarre to me. I am glad we went because I feel like it is important to understand the spiritual warfare we are up against. It is eyeopening to be in a country where spiritual warfare is so prevalent. I know we have it at home, but it is not as blatantly obvious as it is here.
Throughout the summer, the interns have been participating in survivor. We have two different teams and have been doing challenges all summer. Yesterday, we had two challenges. The first was we drew a number and were given that number plate. We had to eat whatever was on our plate, and the first team done won. My team lucked out, and our plates were a sandwich, cookies, and cheese. The other team had spam, fish, and Cheetos. Of course, my team won! The second challenge was super gross. We had to partner up with someone from the other team. We had a tube with a raw egg in the middle. We had to blow the end of the tube until someone got egg sprayed on them. I argued the fact my lung capacity was down from being sick, but I still had to compete. I lost, but I ended up spraying my opponent (Spencer) with the raw egg. Even though I lost, he was one with egg all over his clothes. It made losing worth it! While the challenges are sometimes gross, they have been a lot of fun and allowed the interns to bond together.
We have a couple more days before the next group gets here. I am looking forward to spending time with the interns and staff, but I am really excited for the next group to get here! I am sad that I only have two groups left this summer, but I am excited to pour out into them. I ask for your prayers for the health of all the interns and staff as our summers are wrapping up. Thank you for all the encouraging notes I have gotten this last week. They have definitely made being sick a little easier!
In all honesty, I couldn't have gotten sick at a better time. We have been on a break, so we had no groups here on campus. At first, I was bummed about being left on campus while the other interns went out to do things, but it has been a blessing in disguise. I have been able to connect with some of the staff members here, and I would not have had that opportunity if I had not been sick. I was also able to rest and recover from the craziness of the last group.
While I am thankful for the chance to rest, I was beyond excited to finally get off campus the other day. We went to Ansefalour and went to some of the different voodoo sights. We went to the place where the rainbow serpent lives. We also went into the house of spirits, or what I would call a big bat cave. It amazes me how people can put their faith in things that seem so bizarre to me. I am glad we went because I feel like it is important to understand the spiritual warfare we are up against. It is eyeopening to be in a country where spiritual warfare is so prevalent. I know we have it at home, but it is not as blatantly obvious as it is here.
Throughout the summer, the interns have been participating in survivor. We have two different teams and have been doing challenges all summer. Yesterday, we had two challenges. The first was we drew a number and were given that number plate. We had to eat whatever was on our plate, and the first team done won. My team lucked out, and our plates were a sandwich, cookies, and cheese. The other team had spam, fish, and Cheetos. Of course, my team won! The second challenge was super gross. We had to partner up with someone from the other team. We had a tube with a raw egg in the middle. We had to blow the end of the tube until someone got egg sprayed on them. I argued the fact my lung capacity was down from being sick, but I still had to compete. I lost, but I ended up spraying my opponent (Spencer) with the raw egg. Even though I lost, he was one with egg all over his clothes. It made losing worth it! While the challenges are sometimes gross, they have been a lot of fun and allowed the interns to bond together.
We have a couple more days before the next group gets here. I am looking forward to spending time with the interns and staff, but I am really excited for the next group to get here! I am sad that I only have two groups left this summer, but I am excited to pour out into them. I ask for your prayers for the health of all the interns and staff as our summers are wrapping up. Thank you for all the encouraging notes I have gotten this last week. They have definitely made being sick a little easier!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The Trials of Heartbreak
Today I am blogging with a heavy heart. I feel like this past week has been a week full of trials and heartbreak. I cannot tell you if I have been surrounded by more heartbreak than usual, or if I have just been more attuned to it. This week I have been blessed and honored to serve along side my mom, Mrs. Tolliver, and Cameron. They did some amazing things while they were here.
On Saturday, we headed to a little town called Berger to do a medical clinic. My mom, Mrs. Tolliver, a nursing student, and another doctor saw close to 300 patients. Cameron and I were the "pill pushers" and traffic directors. I had such an incredible time watching my mother work. However, the thing I enjoyed the most was being able to use my little Creole to communicate with the patients coming in. It broke my heart though when I asked a little girl where her mom was, and she said she didn't have a mom. I don't know why that impacted me the way it did, but I know I will never forget the sadness in that little girl's eyes.
On Monday we went to Ansefalour. We hiked up to the monument, walked through the base of the voodoo temple, and spent some amazing time in prayer for the city and the people. After lunch, we split up into two groups. Half of the group went to the beach to do a VBS, and half of the group went to do medical hut to huts. God led us to a house where a lady had had a baby five hours prior to us coming. My mother was able to examine the baby and tell the new mother what a beautiful healthy little girl she had. One of the last houses we stopped at had a woman who told us her husband was in the Port-de-Paix prison. The majority of the group had been to the prison ministering and helping medically just a couple days before. The woman had such a look of relief wash over her face when they told her that. For me, the instant connection that was made was such a God thing. There is no way of telling if they came in contact with her husband, but I am sure it was a relief to the woman to know that people also cared about her husband.
Yesterday is the day that really got to my heart. Most of you know about the relationship my father has with the boy named Kenzie. It has been amazing this week to watch my mom also be able to connect with him. Yesterday Kenzie took us to his house to meet his mother. Kenzie is the youngest of five boys, and his father died a little before we came on our first trip. Kenzie now lives alone with his mother. Kenzie's mother showed us the tumor growing in her throat. Currently, it is not blocking her airway, but it will not take long. She met with an American surgery team at the mission, but they told her they could not help her. She is in a lot of pain. My heart broke. It just does not seem fair to me. Kenzie is such a good kid, and he's already been through enough losing one parent. What is going to happen to him when he also loses his mom? I'm not really sure how to express how I feel about this, but I do ask for prayers for both Kenzie's family and my own as we are trying to figure out the best way to help, if we can at all.
On Saturday, we headed to a little town called Berger to do a medical clinic. My mom, Mrs. Tolliver, a nursing student, and another doctor saw close to 300 patients. Cameron and I were the "pill pushers" and traffic directors. I had such an incredible time watching my mother work. However, the thing I enjoyed the most was being able to use my little Creole to communicate with the patients coming in. It broke my heart though when I asked a little girl where her mom was, and she said she didn't have a mom. I don't know why that impacted me the way it did, but I know I will never forget the sadness in that little girl's eyes.
On Monday we went to Ansefalour. We hiked up to the monument, walked through the base of the voodoo temple, and spent some amazing time in prayer for the city and the people. After lunch, we split up into two groups. Half of the group went to the beach to do a VBS, and half of the group went to do medical hut to huts. God led us to a house where a lady had had a baby five hours prior to us coming. My mother was able to examine the baby and tell the new mother what a beautiful healthy little girl she had. One of the last houses we stopped at had a woman who told us her husband was in the Port-de-Paix prison. The majority of the group had been to the prison ministering and helping medically just a couple days before. The woman had such a look of relief wash over her face when they told her that. For me, the instant connection that was made was such a God thing. There is no way of telling if they came in contact with her husband, but I am sure it was a relief to the woman to know that people also cared about her husband.
Yesterday is the day that really got to my heart. Most of you know about the relationship my father has with the boy named Kenzie. It has been amazing this week to watch my mom also be able to connect with him. Yesterday Kenzie took us to his house to meet his mother. Kenzie is the youngest of five boys, and his father died a little before we came on our first trip. Kenzie now lives alone with his mother. Kenzie's mother showed us the tumor growing in her throat. Currently, it is not blocking her airway, but it will not take long. She met with an American surgery team at the mission, but they told her they could not help her. She is in a lot of pain. My heart broke. It just does not seem fair to me. Kenzie is such a good kid, and he's already been through enough losing one parent. What is going to happen to him when he also loses his mom? I'm not really sure how to express how I feel about this, but I do ask for prayers for both Kenzie's family and my own as we are trying to figure out the best way to help, if we can at all.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Six Weeks
Six weeks ago today, I was sitting in the airport about to embark on a journey that would forever change my life. I was extremely excited but nervous beyond belief. In six short weeks, this country has become my home. The people, the interns, the missionaries have become my family. These six weeks have not always been easy, but they have been the most rewarding six weeks of my life. I have learned so much about myself, my Savior, and about His calling for my life.
As today marked six weeks, I did a lot of reflecting. I spent a lot of time with the boys outside. The boys that typically drive everyone crazy, including myself sometimes. I was able to talk to them, and a couple of them opened up about their lives. The fact that I have been able to build relationships like that with these boys, makes every challenging thing from these six weeks worth it.
This week my mom brought me notes from a lot of the kids at church. She also brought me notes from my nursery babies. I miss them like crazy, but today I realized how much I am going to miss my kids here when I leave. It made me think of the Haitian proverb "timoun ki kriye nan kay ak sa ki kriye nan pot se menm.". This translates to "the child who cries in the house and the one who cries at the door are the same." It is easy to see the differences, but truly there are similarities between my nursery babies and the kids here. They all want love, they all have a Father who loves very much, and they all mean the world to me.
I'm sure everyone is very interested in how things are going with my mother, Mrs. Tolliver, and Cameron here. I love that they are here. It is so cool to watch them find their niche but also watch them step out of their comfort zone. Cameron has fallen in live with the Miriam Center, Mom has seen more patients than I can count, and Mrs. Tolliver has sewn up more wounds and cuts than I would care to see in a lifetime. I love being able to share a piece of my home with them. When they got here, I was so excited to show them everything. I was excited for them to meet my friends, and I was excited to watch them fall in love. All of these women have supported me the whole time, but I think now they truly realize why I am here.
I can't believe six weeks have already gone by. I have five short weeks left, and I am starting to feel like eleven weeks was nowhere near long enough. Here the days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days. God has really challenged me today to take advantage of these next five weeks. I do not want to go home with any regrets. I am excited to see how He is going to use me, and I am excited to share that with my mom, Mrs. Tolliver, and Cameron this week. Please pray for them as they are being stretched to their max. I can't wait to see how God is going to change them.
As today marked six weeks, I did a lot of reflecting. I spent a lot of time with the boys outside. The boys that typically drive everyone crazy, including myself sometimes. I was able to talk to them, and a couple of them opened up about their lives. The fact that I have been able to build relationships like that with these boys, makes every challenging thing from these six weeks worth it.
This week my mom brought me notes from a lot of the kids at church. She also brought me notes from my nursery babies. I miss them like crazy, but today I realized how much I am going to miss my kids here when I leave. It made me think of the Haitian proverb "timoun ki kriye nan kay ak sa ki kriye nan pot se menm.". This translates to "the child who cries in the house and the one who cries at the door are the same." It is easy to see the differences, but truly there are similarities between my nursery babies and the kids here. They all want love, they all have a Father who loves very much, and they all mean the world to me.
I'm sure everyone is very interested in how things are going with my mother, Mrs. Tolliver, and Cameron here. I love that they are here. It is so cool to watch them find their niche but also watch them step out of their comfort zone. Cameron has fallen in live with the Miriam Center, Mom has seen more patients than I can count, and Mrs. Tolliver has sewn up more wounds and cuts than I would care to see in a lifetime. I love being able to share a piece of my home with them. When they got here, I was so excited to show them everything. I was excited for them to meet my friends, and I was excited to watch them fall in love. All of these women have supported me the whole time, but I think now they truly realize why I am here.
I can't believe six weeks have already gone by. I have five short weeks left, and I am starting to feel like eleven weeks was nowhere near long enough. Here the days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days. God has really challenged me today to take advantage of these next five weeks. I do not want to go home with any regrets. I am excited to see how He is going to use me, and I am excited to share that with my mom, Mrs. Tolliver, and Cameron this week. Please pray for them as they are being stretched to their max. I can't wait to see how God is going to change them.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
My Intern Family :]
Now that the groups are gone, there is not a lot going on here. I thought it would be fun to write a little about all of my fellow interns. I am not sure where to start, so I will just start with who lives closest to me.
Spencer - Spencer or "50 Spenc" as his name tag says is also from Lexington. I would have to describe him by his sense of humor. If you know my mother, it is a lot like hers: very sarcastic. Spencer definitely keeps things fun.
Sinclair - Sinclair is from Western Kentucky. We joke that Sinclair is the perfect guy, and many girls from different groups have asked about him. Unfortunately for them, Sinclair is taken. He is a great sport though, and he always lets us tease him.
Logan - Logan is really from Indiana, but I consider him another Kentuckian because he goes to KCU. he is the most go with the flow person ever. I am pretty sure that Logan is incapable of getting mad or being mean.
Lisa - Lisa is from Tennessee. She is the momma hen of the group. Lisa is the medical intern, and her speciality is midwifery. However, she knows how to take care of people from infants to elderly.
Kelsey - Kelsey is from Illinois. I would say that she brings the spunk to the group. Kelsey always has energy and is always willing to do something fun. She is also usually the one coming up with crazy ideas or at least adding to them.
Caitlin - Caitlin is from West Virginia. Unfortunately, she is spending the majority of the summer at the Mole. This is Caitlin's third summer interning, so I pester her with a lot of questions. Thankfully, she always seems happy to help.
Morgan - Morgan is from Missouri. She is also interning primarily at the Mole. Morgan is the most encouraging person ever. Even from another campus, she makes sure that we are all doing well.
Melissa - Melissa is from Florida. The Haitians call her "Ti Blanc" or little white. She might be little, but she is strong. I will never forget when the nurse gave her four lidocaine shots. Melissa could not walk and was throwing up, but she just laughed.
Allison - Aly is from Texas. She is the Miriam Center intern, and she has a heart of gold. She is extremely patient, and you can tell how much she loves the kids of the Miriam Center.
Kelly - Kelly is from California. I feel like I can talk to all of the interns, however, Kelly is always there to listen to me. She listens when I am happy, sad, frustrated, and so much more. She is always willing to help: me, the groups, or the Haitians.
As you can tell, we all come from different places and are very different people. It amazes me to see how God orchestrated us all being here this summer. While we are all different, our weaknesses are each other's strengths. I love this group of interns, and I could not be happier to serve along side of them. I have no doubt in my mind that I have already made some friendships that will last a very long time. We have become more than friends here, but rather a family. We are hardly halfway through our summer, and we have made so many memories. We have some good ones, some bad ones, and a lot of funny ones. I love spending time with each and every one of my new family members.
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