Starting From Scratch

Have you ever made something from scratch?

It takes quite a bit of work. First you find the recipe you want make, buy all the different ingredients, and begin mixing it all together. Certain recipes you have to measure things exactly or cut a certain way or they will not turn out right. Sometimes you're a little short of something and a dash to the store is needed and ah! You're almost done and you forgot to preheat the oven! 

When life begins to get away from you and you've had a horrible day, the last thing you want to do is bake or cook anything. Making things from scratch is time consuming, it's messy, it's hard and I guess that's why now you can buy almost, if not everything in a box at a grocery store or from a bakery. It's easier to take 10 minutes (give or take) to go through the drive-thru for dinner or buy a cake for some one's birthday then to make it yourself. And it's not a sin to do these things, I've had those days too.

However, you can truly tell the difference from a store bought and a home cooked meal/dessert. I'm not saying that everything store bought isn't good but our homemade brownies.... Betty Crocker can't hold a candle too. It's harder and time consuming but it tastes better and is so worth it! Also, people appreciate a homemade meal, you took time and effort out of your busy day to make something they'd all enjoy eating. It says a lot without saying anything.

God is the same way. When we accept Jesus as our Savior He doesn't pull a new us off the shelf and things don't immediately fall into place. You still have debt from college loans, you're still unemployed, you still have those pounds you want to shed, you may still be addicted to _____ (though yes I know some people who quit cold turkey after accepting Jesus) etc. but; now you have hope, peace, love and you have a Father to guide you as you walk the path who is forming you and making you into a new creation day by day by day. God starts from scratch with us, wiping the slate clean. Yes. We have a fresh start and the journey is time consuming; we feel like we take two steps forward some days and two steps backwards other days, we aren't perfect. It's messy as we deal with the ugliness of sin. It's a hard and narrow path... but, it's worth it!

All good things take time. To get from one place to another you must travel the distance in between. To run a race you must first train. To turn a triple pirouette you need to learn how to turn a single pirouette. And on and on and on the list goes.

I've started dance classes here in Haiti from scratch. No studio already in place, no dance assistants, no mirrors, no dancewear. And it is hard, it is messy, it is time consuming but God has been reminding me these past two days that it is worth it. I know that it is true, though my head wants things to move much much faster... but, as God put on my heart New Years, 2015 is the year to be still and know that He is God. To draw close to Him and His Word, to grow in my relationship with Him and it's worth it.

 So, I encourage you all to run with perseverance, to continue on though you're discouraged and you would like to "Just be there all ready!" or to finally see progress. I promise if you're doing His work it is always worth it. We don't see all the behind the scene or the future scenes ahead but He is working. Do not be discouraged for you are His, do not long to race ahead to the end of the book for every moment is leading to something far bigger than you have ever dreamed

Shall We Dance?

Started dance this past week! Took the first week off to: adjust back into my Haiti home, learn the new schedule of the preschool, as well as all 38 names of the children that are new to Maranatha's preschool program. Which was a blessing as adjusting back was not as easy as I thought it would be.

Last school year was my first year teaching in Haiti and we learned a lot about the do's and don'ts of teaching dance in Haiti. This year I have new space! My director had the brilliant idea to move dance class inside the carport, no more standing water, the temptation of the swing set or danger of falling coconuts, etc. I now have three walls in my classroom and it's helped immensely as far as keeping the class together and organized! It's only been the first week and I can already tell the difference from last year.

Also, my director changed the schedule of the classes and stations so that we split all of the classes into three groups, on Mondays the A groups have dance class, Wednesday the B groups and on Fridays the C groups. In each group there are 10-11 kids which is very different from simply splitting the classes in half and changing stations at the halfway point. Though this does mean that I no longer have a helper or a translator, yikes! I did pray that I would be learning more creole though before I returned. Don't you love God's sense of humor?!

Monday, the first day of dance class, was hectic. Kids were running around, not listening or obeying, some refusing to do anything and then 2's schedule got all mixed up and I had two classes instead of one; needless to say it was discouraging. But first days are supposed to be tough, they make the progress of the year more exciting and worth it... right? Yes, however this was not my attitude when I woke up Wednesday. I felt like Satan just hung a dark cloud over me as I sat on the floor of my bedroom having not slept well the night before, thoughts of whether what I was doing was worth it or even right hounding me and the C-virus not being kind. As I sat there thought the school next door began to play "You are Holy" and other songs like it and I knew I needed to stand up and go to class. I didn't feel like I had the strength and I wanted to crawl back in bed but I did my devotions and ate my breakfast and headed to class.

My first class was 10 of the oldest children in our preschool. They all attended Maranatha last year; and performed a dance on graduation day. They did fantastic! All of them listened, were excited to show me what they remembered, some of them had practiced during the summer and one of the boys, who had had difficulty with jumps in first position, jumped perfectly the very first time!!!!!! For those of you that know me or have taught alongside me you can imagine my happy dance and the cheering that happened. The 2's listened, participated and there was a lot of laughing and giggling as they tried to get their feet into 1st position. Did they all obey? No, but they're 2 and for the most part they all participated.

My final class for the day came. This group were a lot of work last year and I was a little worried but they ended up being the best class of the day! They were excited to dance, to repeat what I was saying, proud that they remembered first position and were just eager to learn. What a turn around!!!

I love teaching dance as well as dancing and am so honored to have the opportunity to use my God given passion and gifts here in Haiti. I don't know what God has planned but I am content and look forward to the future.

Graduation Day at the Preschool

How did it come so quickly? There were things I wanted to say, things I wanted to do with the kids but time seemed to be running away from me no matter how hard I tried to grasp it there just wasn't enough time in the days leading up to graduation.

But graduation day came nonetheless, woke up early knowing there was a lot to get done before the kids arrived at 8 for breakfast and the ceremony started at 10:30. We all dressed up for the occasion and my family had sent me a new dress that was perfect for dancing with the kids. Claire, my closest friend here in Haiti braided my hair into a beautiful bun, slipped on some shoes (I normally run around barefoot but since it was a special occasion I wore sandals) and headed downstairs to see where a helping hand was needed.

Shelley had put together little gift bags for each of the children and so Claire, Mikayla and I punched holes in the tops and threaded string through to tie into bows. James, my fellow intern and best friend for the past 5 months, began putting up a tarp to shade the parents while they watched the preschools perform with the help of Haitian James and the boys: Jeff, Patrick and Emmanuel. Once the bags were done the children started arriving for breakfast! They were SO adorable! They were all dressed in their best clothes, which for some meant tuled, frilly dresses or a skirt and nice shirt. The boys all wore nice pants and shirts and one of the oldest boys even had a white buttoned up shirt! As I came to breakfast to greet them they began shouting "Hope! Hope! Ou bel!" (You're beautiful) they all ran the sheer fabric through their fingers smiling and admiring and I did the same telling them how beautiful each one looked, commenting on each little thing as I knew it meant a lot to them.

After breakfast and assembly Shelley and I placed duct tape to mark each of the children's spots and began leading the classes one at a time in and placing them in "their spot." One of the teachers little two year olds was "trying" to be helpful. I scooped him and bounced him on my hip as I helped direct and place children as well as greet the children that were arriving late. We ran through their program one time, there wasn't enough time to go through the dances but the kids knew their dances and I knew they'd perform better if they didn't run through it. Sounds weird I know but go with me on this. The little rehearsal went really well and the children went back inside for a snack, some water and storytime while their parents arrived.

I don't have a whole lot of interaction with the parents during Preschool. There are a couple parents that I know but only a handful so it was fun to see all the parents, also dressed in their best, arriving and looking just as excited as the kids.

At last it was time to begin!

The classes were lined up youngest to oldest with the oldest in the back. Estacey one of our wonderful teachers led them in singing This is the Day in both english and kreyol.  The 2's then recited their Bible verse: Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." in Kreyol, French and English. They'd been struggling with it the past week but at graduation the majority said it and then they all yelled "Right!" at the end, it was adorable! To finish their little part in the program we did a little dance called Cat and Mouse that the children absolutely love! I'd chosen 4 of the little 2's to be Cats.

In this dance, that my dance teacher in KS choreographed a long time ago, the cat in the dance is asleep in the middle of the dance floor, the rest of the dancers are mice that want to play with the cat and they tiptoe and dance quietly around the cat until it’s time to wake the cat up. They tap the cat three times and then ask the cat to play with them. The first time the cat is grumpy and tells them no and they run away crying (kids favorite part) but the mice try again and the second time the cat says yes! They hold hands and walk around in a circle and then after they’ve “played all day” they’re all tired, so they stretch and then lay down like the cat and go to sleep.

All the 2’s participated and danced, the cat’s stayed asleep and talked loud and I couldn’t have been happier or prouder of them!

Once the 2’s that had parents at graduation were given a gift and sent to sit with their parents while the others sat in a group and waited patiently for their parents to arrive.

Next came the 3’s & 4’s! They recited John 11:40 in Kreyol, French and English. I’d led their group the previous day during PE and had them practice their verse, I knew part of it in Kreyol and French and so I started it for them and much to my amazement they knew all of it by themselves! This group has so much energy and usually are just crazy so it was very encouraging to see how much they’d grown through out the year as they stood in a straight line and recited their Bible verse perfectly and then sang their song, “Into My Heart” in both French and English with the hand motions that Estacey had taught them!

Their dance was high energy, lots of jumping in place, step claps, going fast and then slow and spinning and freezing in a position to end. They all had the biggest smiles on their faces as they ran out to their spots and you could see the pride shining off their faces as they did the dance they’ve memorized and worked hard to learn. I’m probably going to say this with every class, but, it’s the truth. SUPER PROUD OF THEM!

The oldest class was last; they recited John 3:16, hearing their voices I prayed and hoped that each one of them truly understood what this verse mean’s and that they would come to accept God’s gift very soon. Their song was “Rejoice”, throughout the previous week we would hear the girls start singing their song as they rode on trikes or colored pictures, their sweet little voices would be lifted up to Jesus, led by the oldest girl Hosperlinda and her sister and you couldn’t help but smile and sing along. Watching them singing this and how excited a handful of them were it was like God was showing me his disciples for Haiti, I have no doubt that God has huge plans for each and everyone of these kids and it’s my prayer that they all come to know Christ at an early age and impact Haiti for Christ.

Time to dance!

I’d split the boys and the girls up as there is a greater number of girls than boys. The boys went first dancing a partner dance to “Speak Life” by: TobyMac. Two of the boys had been having a “rough” week, I think they were just anxious for school to be over and therefore could not stand still for a second or obey for longer then a minute. As I placed them in their spots I took their faces in my hands and said “Do a good job for me, ok? You’re smart, funny, strong, good boys and you can do this well for your parents, right?” sheepish grins spread over their faces as they nodded and then it was time! All the boys did the dance perfectly with huge smiles on their faces! And when I had them jump over the river near the end of the dance all the parents were cheering for them, which just blessed me and the kids in ways only God knows.

My girls were last. They’d worked so hard and picked up things so fast that I choreographed their own dance to 10,000 Reasons by: Rend Collective, which everyone in Haiti knows and loves! I gave the girls hand motions but I think it was more for my benefit, to keep my hands busy and not cry rather then for the girls. They did such a beautiful job. I will write more about it later, my heart is so full and God’s working in some pretty awesome ways.

Everyone cheered and clapped for the kids and then Byron, with the help of James translating, talked to the parents about Maranatha’s mission and Bryon and Shelley’s hearts for the children of Haiti. After a prayer we handed out Kool-Aid, hotdogs and cookies. It was fun to see the parents interacting with their kids and just everyone smiling and enjoying the day. I tried not to think about the kids leaving and not coming to school on Monday. The red Kool-Aid dyed their lips so they all looked like they were wearing lipstick and we were all cracking up, which kept the tears at bay.

Several of the kids came running up to me, thanking me and wanting a picture with me and I with them. These kids are all so precious and dear to me, their stories break my heart but their smiles and strength give me energy and remind me of the hope we have in Jesus and that we walk by faith not by sight or circumstance. I’ve been so blessed to serve and love on each and every one of the 80 kids that attended Maranatha’s Preschool; God is doing awesome things here in Haiti and I’m so honored to play a small role in it.

Continued prayer for these children and for English Camp as it’s coming up next week!!! Hopefully I’ll be able to slip in some stories and updates in the crazy days ahead

See my photography page on facebook for photos of gradutaion: H.e.rphotography94

Bright Eyes

Sitting on my lap, very quietly but as always very attentive & obedient; his shaved head beginning to sweat, is a little boy with the brightest eyes. It is just after 2:30pm so most of the kids are still racing about, they're all waiting to be picked up after a fun day at Preschool. I wrap my arms around him to hug him close “Ca va?” (how you doing?) as usual he doesn't respond “Ou bien?” (You good?") he nods his head and snuggles closer. We start rocking as the cool breeze plays with the long leaves of the palm tree beside us. I kick the random ball that is kicked my way,  talk in my broken creole to the children and tickle those that get close enough. He quietly rests his head on my shoulder and after a time falls asleep till almost all of the children have been picked up. His beautiful sister loves to play with my hair and is surprisingly one of the three that are very gentle, not that the other children are mean, but their thick hair is tougher than my thin caramel hair and they're used to tugging where my scalp (though babysitting and younger siblings has toughened it up some) can only take so much before it comes out. She begins braiding and twisting the strands together, as he wakes up he too begins to play with the tip of my hair trying to copy his sisters actions.

When their mother arrives she walks over and pats his little cheek as he stares up at her, his fingers still hard at work "Bonswa" (Good afternoon) she greets all three of us, my head is cocked so I can see his face and I'm shocked when from his little mouth comes a whispered "Bonswa". I had never heard him talk!!! His mother assured me that he talks "All the time" at home but the teachers and I all explained that none of us had ever heard him talk; though he's always very obedient and sweet. 

The next morning I didn't see my little bright eyes before it was time to serve the kids breakfast. I helped to serve the plates of oatmeal and raisins to each of the kids and spotted him sitting at one of the long tables. He is one of the last ones to finish eating along with another little girl with bright ribbons in her hair "Bonjour Redjina, comme ye?" (Good morning, how are you?) I ask kissing her forehead as she leans back to look at me "Mwen bien, messi" (I'm good, thank you) she giggles as I tickle her "Bonjour Chilo, comme ye?" I kiss his forehead and he pauses for a moment, his deep brown eyes melting my heart for the millionth time "Bien" he whispers, I can't help the huge smile that escapes my lips "Bien?'" he gives me an almost smile and replies "Oui" my heart felt like it was going to burst  "Oh wow, bravo! Messi por parle avek mwen!" This happened in my second week of being here in Haiti while my mom was here; she happened to walk in as this was happening and I turned to her and whispered excitedly as I pulled him close "He spoke!"

Over the past 3 and a 1/2 months little bright eyes has progressed in school and continues to be a sweet and loving little boy. He's a quick learner and is one of the first in the 2's class to go to first position on his own, he loves dance class and his face lights up as he runs to jump over the river. 

A month ago the children were playing with chalk. We'd been working on horizontal lines and vertical lines and to my amazement little bright eyes began to draw little horizontal and vertical lines on the black gate with his green piece of chalk!!! We all praised him and like the little sweetheart that he is he gave us a little smile, acknowledging the praise and went back to work; vertical, horizontal, vertical, horizontal.

Whenever I've had a rough day it always seems little bright eyes knows and will come at the end of the day to sit with me and wait for his parents to come pick him up. He'll play with my hair, snuggle up against me and the love from his little heart just seems to pour out on me. 

Yesterday he'd waited for the two kids that had "stolen" my lap before him to be picked up, as soon as they left he toddled over and climbed up onto my lap. I snuggled him close and asked him if he'd had a good day, his usual whispered answer met my ear and I felt like I needed to interact with him more and get him to say something else. So I turned him around on my lap to face me. I held his hands and began play "This is the Way the Gentlemen Ride" (the child sits on you lap as you bounce them slowly for ladies, medium for Gentleman, fast for Jockey and than rock them side to side for Old man and let them fall backwards at the end) As soon as I started his face broke into a bright, toothy grin and he began to laugh! I'd heard him laugh a handful of times but it was always just a short little laugh when I tickled him or when he'd get really excited and the rest of his class were laughing. We played this several times and as another little girl was passing by who I always play Kote Ou (Where are you?/Peek-a-Boo) I put my hand over his eyes and said "Kote ou?".... "Voila! Mwen wè ou!" he laughed again and he couldn't stop smiling that wide, toothy smile. After a bit I told him it was his turn, I placed my hands over my eyes and he grabbed my wrist; I told him he had to say the words or "it wouldn't work" I waited for a moment and then came his tiny voice "Kote Hope?" a little bit louder than a whisper!

It's easy to let little things slip by us or to not take something very seriously. But the little things count. A child thats brave enough to be pushed a little harder and higher on the swings, the older child that helps a younger one down from the gazebo or helps them finish eating and takes them to the bathroom,  the child that closes and folds their hands for prayer instead of wiggling around, the child that chooses to obey when others don't,  the one that eats all their food, the one thats brings your attention to a child in pain or with a fever. All the children that hug you for the first time or say something new. The one that used scissors correctly though their paper is almost shredded. They should all be praised, noticed and shown some love because believe it or not; it makes a huge difference.

So, open your eyes this weekend, find the person working hard without any encouragement and encourage them. Find the little, beautiful moments that are worth praise. And hug someone because everyone needs a hug.

The Day She Danced

From the moment she walked through the tall black gate, clinging tightly to her older brothers hand, to the moment she walked out of it into her fathers arms and is lifted up onto the front of the dusty motorcycle; she's silent. Reach out a friendly hand to greet her and she'd immediately pull away or let out a tiny scream. Encourage her to dance, run or even walk and she'd stick her fingers in her mouth and take the tiniest painfully, slowest steps in whichever direction the activity was. Her smile remained ever elusive and her lips sealed in a permanent frown it seemed as words were kept from rising by her tiny fingers constantly pressed to her lips.

Day after day I greeted her with a cheerful smile, kissing and hugging her older siblings and hoping that as I moved to embrace her today she'd accept it. But no, today was not that day as she dodged my arms and continued walking to breakfast; though I thought I saw a twinkle in her eye that I had not seen before as I turned to carry the little backpacks that dangled from my arms. I held on to this little glint of hope as I continued with my day and as her class joined me in the front for chalk I watched as she stuck close to another two year old who is also very quiet. I watched as they sat down together and than watched each other making tiny marks on the cement; and then it happened! Her hand came down from it's perch on her lips and a giggle erupted that hushed all the other sounds of the yard; I sat there grinning from ear to ear, calling both little girls names and trying to get more laughs from them.

The next morning I greeted her and she didn't run or doge my arms, she didn't hug back or look at me but I held her close for a moment. That day dance was scheduled and I couldn't wait to see what God had in store. I worked with my first two classes and several of them were showing great improvement! As I watched the line of 2 year-olds came through the little white gate to the front yard singing their ABC's in both English and French. And there she was my little caterpillar; hands out of her mouth singing a couple letters here and there.

We danced to Cat and Mouse and I watched as she tiptoed and froze, twirled quickly and waited for the rest to catch up! I was beaming!!!! She'd never participated in this dance other than to shuffle her feet and walk around! She'd been watching and learning the whole time!!!! As we asked the Cat to come play I watched her lips move and repeat the words, I couldn't hear her tiny voice but it was beautiful none the less!

Anxiously I pulled out my long red river, the children moved into a long line and when their turn comes they have to stand in first position with their hands up in order to run and jump over it. Several of the children can now go to first position on their own which is awesome and so encouraging. One by one I called each child by name to step forward and go to first position. My little caterpillar was second to the last; as her turn came I looked her in the eyes with a big smile and asked her to go to first position, her little black Mary Janes with white frilly socks wiggled around for a second and then went to first, I couldn't help it, I squealed "BON TRAVAY!" (good work) I placed a hand on her shoulder and told her to run and jump high for me and away she ran, her little red and black tulled "Christmas" dress rustling as her feet left the ground and her little white, flowered clips in her hair bouncing as she ran and jumped for the very first time! Both of the teachers and I shouted and cheered for her loudly and clapped; the biggest smile I have ever seen erupted as she shyly tried to hide it with her tiny hand her face simply shining with happiness.

I love teaching dance and I have tons of stories that I could share with you. I've loved every single one of my little dancers and they all hold special places in my heart. It has blown my mind how my little Haitian dancers have progressed with no barre, no dance attire or footwear, no mirrors, the threat of falling coconuts, people coming and going, sun, wind and standing water. I'm so incredibly proud of every single one but my favorite dance story so far is this one.

I will never forget the day she danced.