Day Four in Haiti

Well today started off on a depressing note. We went down to breakfast which was delicious of course and our guide Jay stood up on a chair to make an announcement. He said that the adults in Gervais, the town we were supposed to go to today, broke into the church and stole the food we were going to serve to the children. When asked why they did this, their answer was that they had already had a vbs and they didn't need another one. A Haitian church had come by and did a vbs there. YWAM is going to use this event as a discipleship tool. They are going to explain to the that God will not bless you if you do things like this, etc.

So our hearts are broken. We are sad that we won't be able to feed the children. Isaac broke my heart when he was telling me how disappointed he was that we wouldn't be able to feed them. That child has such a big heart and he and the other boys have done so well on this trip. I've enjoyed seeing them serve and experience Gods hand on Haiti. I can't wait to hear their testimonies when we get back and how their lives are changed.

So because the food was stolen we will not be going to Gervais today. We are going to a closer village and they are excited we are coming. The sad thing is that we will not be feeding them.

UPDATE

We went to Tinonette today. It was a beautiful village. We were able to go to the Market and buy Mangos to take so the kids would have something to eat. I got to go with Jay to buy the mangos. It was a great experience to be able to go into the street market and see the process of haggling. We were able to buy about 150 mangos for 8$ . The Mangos were delicious. I was able to eat one. There were two guys who were fighting over who would get to carry the mangos over to the truck in a wheelbarrow. That was the only time I got a little scared. 

When we got to the village we were able to use the school for VBS. I enjoyed seeing the school. It was very nice. I can't wait to show you all pictures. Vbs was great. After vbs we split into four groups and went into the village with our translator and prayed at each house. We asked them what rrneeds they had and prayed for them. Everywhere we went we had an entourage of children. I went with my cousins Tracia, Noah, and Scott. All the kids were trying to hold Tracia's hands. They would even fight about who got to hold our hands. 

We saw a lot of sickness today. A lot of sick kids. We had one boy who was holding his eye because his dad beat him. There was one little boy with a hermangioma on his ear really bad. The other kids shunned him and wouldn't go around him. We've seen so much in so short of time. There is evidence of Voodoo all around. They have flags sticking out of their house that corresponds to the kind of spirits they deal with and their specialties. Some of the people we spoke to today aren't saved and need prayer for God to guide them. Other prayer requests were for prosperity for their businesses, a lost visa for chile and her husband is going to work in chile. 

We have seen so much kindness here in Haiti and they are so thankful for what we do. We have also seen greed as we experienced today with the village we were supposed to go to. I am in the mind that, Gervais is the village that really needs us. Unfortunately I don't think we would be able to go there after what they did. 

When we got back. We grabbed a coke (my new addiction) I don't even like Coke but there isn't Mountain Dew in Haiti and I have a caffeine addiction and Haitian Coke tastes 100% better than American coke. It is 100% pure cane sugar. We sat down and talked about the day while waiting for Dinner. I could live forever on Haitian food. Delicious!

My family for the week

Fried Chicken, Salad, Pea salad, and a double portion of rice with white bean sauce and red tomato sauce and lots of Franks Red Hot sauce. 

After dinner we had some time to ourselves before we watched YWAM Hait's dance team 'Hope for the Generations'. We got to watch them warm up and then they wanted to see us dance so we did Now Behold The Lamb. We were a dozen members shy but God was still present. I hope that it blessed them a little. Then we got to watch the REAL dancers. They were so anointed! Not only are they dancing for Jesus but they are doing it in another language. In Rejoice we rely on ASL for our dances. Their dance team uses real dance moves and their facial expressions were out of this world. I especially loved their use of huge wooden blocks that they were tethered to. I know God is using them for his glory. You can learn more about them here: http://www.ywamhaiti.org/ministries/dancecamp/ 

Keep praying for us. Tomorrow is our last village and it is far away. We have come to expect the unexpected and to be flexible. Working as a team is key. If we fall apart then our witness falls apart and we are not able to minister as well if we are mad on the inside about petty stuff. (Talking about myself). It's all been a learning experience and by the time we perfect it it's time to go home, but we will be more prepared for next time. 

Ask God to give us Boldness, The gift of Utterance as I am not an eloquent speaker or prayer, calmness, the ability to work together as one unit in accordance to the will of God, not our own. (Again talking about me). That the children will pay attention and retain the message that we are giving them. That God will heal these people and help them to prosper and feed their families, seek medical attention, resist voodoo. God sent us here for a reason and I don't want to leave and not do what we came here for. Thank you all again for being so faithful. We love you all and can't wait to share this experience with you. Justin is going to be preparing an awesome video and has taken some amazing pics!

Day Three in Haiti

I didn't sleep as well last night. It was definitely more hot last night. Megan got to wake me up again and I was confused (again), she was like "time to wake up Candice" and I said Whaaaat? Lol. We had breakfast and left for Balalie at 7 this morning. I was a little apprehensive of the ride there, and for good reason. The truck we took has a metal bar that you hold onto and you stand the entire time, which today was 1 1/2 hours. Which really wouldn't be too bad but these roads were really bumpy and I mean bumpy. Think of a bumpy dirt road and times that by ten. I had to sit on the water coolers to hold them down "wink wink". 

The ride to Balalie was absolutely beautiful. The pictures I have do not do it justice. There were endless rice fields with hard working men and boys in them. I loved going through the little villages and seeing the kids shout Blun, which means White person in Kreyol. They would also shout "Terry" who is the Director of YWAM Haiti. I loved every little smiling face who waved back at me with smiles so big and it didn't matter that some of them were naked as the day they were born. 

I got excited when I saw the village in the distance. I recognized it from the pictures on the YWAM Haiti website. These beautiful homes that YWAM built. And as soon as we came into the village we were greeted by kids yelling for us. We got everything unloaded into the church that they built themselves with the help of people who donated materials. I was part of the gathering team today. I got to go out into the village and invite the children to vbs. I got to see the houses and the adults. I really enjoyed that. Once we had all the children in the church we did our vbs program which I will describe once we get the kinks worked out tomorrow. 

My favorite moment today is when the villagers lead worship. You could feel the joy in their hearts and the Holy Spirit filled the room. I didn't have an idea what they were saying but I knew it was full of love and praise. These people who we pity and think have nothing, have so much more than us. They take care of what they have. They are so well dressed. Some of the kids came to the VBS in their Sunday best. We got to hold and love on babies. There was one in particular I wanted to take home with me, but Jay (Our Guide) said I would be in trouble because she was the village leaders granddaughter.

The villagers were so appreciative and thankful for what we were doing. We paid for the food the kids and us ate today, the village leaders family prepared it, and they pooled together money to buy us fish to go with it just for the team. That was so special. Let me tell you something. I was a tiny bit scared to eat food prepared by someone else, which is true for me back in the states, but this food was the most delicious thing I've had yet. I hope we have it tomorrow too. It was spicy rice and beans with onions and the fish. I did not eat the fish, but only because I don't eat fish anyways. 

We were all so exhausted and when it was time to go we were ready. We loaded up our trusty truck and got ready for a grueling ride back. The kids ran after the truck and waved at us till we couldn't see them anymore. The way back seemed to be a lot more bumpy than going in. But the truck made it through with no problems and I've pledged to take up money to pave the roads ;)

The first thing the women did when we got back was take showers. We were so dirty and dusty. The cold water (there's no hot water) felt like nirvana after being in the heat. I still don't know how the missionaries live without A/C here. We are so spoiled back home. Then we sat around and chit chatted for a while and got to see the St. Marc kids play soccer at the YWAM field on base. They had so many different games going on at once with the rattiest soccer balls you had ever seen, a couple we just small balls, not even soccer balls. They were playing without a care in the world. 

Dinner tonight was something I had been looking forward to. We have goat for the first time and it was DELICIOUS! Tastes like beef and deer mixed together. We also had rice with red sauce and pikle which looks like cole slaw but it's spicy. I love the food here. It is spicy and delicious.

I am so thankful they have hot sauce! We were sitting around chatting and all of a sudden a thunderstorm came with a vengeance. It felt so good. For the first time since we have been in Haiti the temperature was perfect and cool. We moved into plaz pose and relaxed for a bit while we regrouped for vbs. I had one of my new addictions, Haitian Coca-Cola. It is SO good. I don't know how I am going to leave I love it here so much. 

My melatonin is kicking in and I am exhausted so I'm ending it here. Continue your prayers for us in Haiti!

Day Two in Haiti

I slept really well last night thanks to some melatonin Megan brought. I woke up earlier than I had anticipated due to some roosters outside. It was nice to have some quiet time and do my devotional before the day started. 

Breakfast was delicious. I made a happy plate. (Of course). I am telling you, this pineapple has healing properties. It is that good. The coffee was sent from Angels. Put some much needed pep in my step. While we were eating Terry Snow the Director of YWAM Haiti joined us and gave some much needed words of wisdom. He asked us if we would like a tour of St. Marc, and of course we said YES! Some of us have read his book Taking the high places. I highly recommend it. Anyways we were able to see some of the places pivotal moments in the book took place. 

I can not describe in words to make you comprehend what we have seen. I read blog after blog in preparation for this trip and nothing you read or pictures you see prepare you for actually being here. It is a whole new world for me. We visited a prison today. The cells are open to the outside and cram packed with inmates, some minor offenses and the only reason the haven't been released is they can't pay the 15$ jail tax.

We visited a Super market today. Before we got off the bus we were bombarded with women and children holding out their hands for money or food. Women with babies were standing next to the bus holding their hands out. One of the YWAM staffers said its the same women with different babies everytime. They just go get a baby and come and beg. Of course we all gave in to the children. The supermarket was one of the nicer ones in Haiti. I was able to get a few souvenirs and some much needed powerade. It is very easy to get dehydrated fast here. You sweat out more liquid than you put in so we are constantly drinking water. 

After the tour we came back and ate lunch. Then we organized our VBS materials and presented our VBS idea to Jay and Kate. They taught us some key kreyol phrases that I have forgotten, sorry Kate! After we got all our VBS stuff organized we had some down time before we helped with children's church. We had intentions of taking a short nap but most of the women sat around and talked which was very nice. 

Children's ministry was amazing. I am so glad we got to experience it before we did our vbs. the children all just want to be loved, held, and paid attention to.

 The YWAM Staff does children's ministries every Wednesday. They usually have anywhere from 100-200. Tonight the numbers were down because of a party on the beach. These kids memorize a whole bible verse in minutes. YWAM did an awesome job with them. After the church we got to take pictures with the kids. 

After children's church we ate another delicious meal. I love the rice here. 

Then we went to Kate and Jay's house for movie night. I am so excited for tomorrow. I have a feeling it's going to be hard but very rewarding if we just remove ourselves and focus on the reason we are here. It is so easy to get frustrated in this heat. I appreciate all the prayers that are coming in for us. We need them. Tomorrow is our very first VBS!!!!

St. Marc bound! Day one in Haiti.

The plane ride to Haiti was MUCH put than the one to Fort Lauderdale. I didn't have to take any anxiety medicine and the lady beside me traded seats so Megan could sit next to me. The sun was rising and it was a very beautiful view for my first trip over the ocean. 

I don't know what my expectations were going in to Haiti, but just flying over Haiti was an eye opener. You could see the shacks from the air. Haiti itself is a very beautiful island. Gorgeous green rolling mountains. The air port was tiny. We disembarked via outside steps rolled to the plane. The first thing you notice about Haiti is the smell. There is a noticeable stench in the air. The airport itself was an experience I will never forget. The people were very nice until we went to get our baggage. There were men there who were trying to scam us out of money. Grabbing our bags then demanding to be paid for grabbing bags we didn't even ask them to grab. It was a little overwhelming. Thankfully our YWAM Airport representative came to our rescue, and got us out but not without shelling out some money to the scammers. 

When we got settled on our bus (no a/c) our Outreach coordinator Kate called to let us know there were riots and attacks on the route they would normally bring us on so we would have to go the long way around. It took us 4 hours (maybe more) to reach St. Marc. On the way we were treated to beautiful scenery and a tour of some of the towns people live in. Our driver had some impressive skills. From what I could tell there isn't a speed limit and no rules of the road. There are people weaving in and out of traffic speeding around you and a lot of honking. 

Sometimes when we were in traffic people would walk up to our windows and offer water, fruit, fried plantains, and coca cola. We all said no politely. Pretty much everyone we saw was nice and waved, we only had one rude person the whole bus ride. We saw some nudity. Especially around the rivers where people were bathing and washing clothes. Other times it was children. 

Pulling into YWAM St. Marc was awesome. I had been talking to my friend Kate, who lives there, since last fall. We talk a lot over Facebook. So I was excited to meet her for the first time and to see the base I had read so much about. They had lunch ready for us and some much appreciated ice cold water. After we ate we took a tour of the base. Once we finished the tour we went up to our dorms to fix our beds and put our stuff away. 

While my friend Kristy was fixing her bed net she stood up and hit her head on a metal fan that was running at full blast. We all asked her if she was okay and she said "I'm fine", but when she removed her hand you could tell she was clearly not fine. Our outreach coordinator has EMT training and was able to stop the bleeding, but the base director said she needed medical attention so he drove her and Lee to some American doctors where they patched her up and gave her some stitches and medicine. Asking for prayers for her complete healing!

Dinner was delicious. I never knew rice with tomato and bean sauce could be so good. We also had fresh pineapple for dessert and Haitian Coca Cola. I am not a Coke drinker but Haitian Coke is delicious. 

I just ask for your prayers. I feel like Satan is trying to get us down. We had so many hiccups getting down here, then getting to the base, and the minor medical emergency (that we all thought was major at the time). We need prayer because Satan doesn't want us doing what we are here to do and he is trying to stop us. 

Oh my gosh!!! It's almost here!

I've been M.I.A. for a few months. In March I started my new job. Stopped reviewing homeschool products and have been working non stop. We have had so many church activities and I've been busy with other things that it's been hard to find time to do what I love most which is writing. I don't know if anyone reads this, but I'm sorry and I'm back!

Why am I back? A very important event is coming up that I've been praying for for years. The mission trip to Haiti. God spoke to my heart years ago about the mission field. I was in Youth and we were at a conference at Winter Fest in Gatlinburg and they were talking about the need for missionaries. I was one of the kids that stood up and pledged to go into the mission field. High School happened and I fell away from God, but I never forgot.

So one night last year I felt God speak to my heart. I started looking up mission trip information. I knew it had to be Haiti. I've felt the call to go to Haiti since I visited there years ago and then seeing the damage from the earth quake in 2008. I texted my friend from church and she had been talking to her family about doing a mission trip and the rest is history. I found YWAM after reviewing a lot of different missions. God had his hand in it from the beginning. From putting it on my heart to directing us where to go and when. He even picked the people who were meant to go. Everything is in place as he planned. Each person going is going to serve a purpose. God is going to use each of us to be his vessels. To do his work. 

The trip is in FOUR DAYS. I wanna play it off cool and say I am not nervous because God has this, but I have a secret. I am terrified of flying. I have ZERO fear going into a foreign country and serving God. The only fear I have thus far about this trip is all about getting there. I've flown 32 times. I never had an issue flying until after I started having panic attacks. I know it will be fine. BREATHE. 

I have not packed. I am always a last minute packer. I plan on being fully packed Wednesday. I have been buying stuff for my trip each week so I don't have to buy it all at once. I definitely recommend that to anyone traveling. I will be posting some tips for anyone else taking a mission trip. I hope to document this journey through this blog so family and friends can check in to see what all we did. Thanks for your support. good to be back!

Going back to work, homeschooling, and life

I decided to take a part time job to earn a little extra money for my upcoming trip to Haiti and to pay some debt. It's been a rough transition going from homeschooling blogger to working 30+ hours a week.

I have had little time to blog or for the internet at all. I took my son to a sitter, worked, picked up my child, tried to spend time with him and then went to bed with throbbing feet. I have plantar fascitis. I thought my flip flops helped cure it but in actuality it was probably my sedentary lifestyle. My feet are so tender and throb so bad at night that I couldn't sleep and the thought of going back to work the next day brought tears to my eyes. I am back to doing feet exercises and stretches. I've bought two separate inserts for my shoes, but I'm probably going to have to go back to the foot doctor.

Homeschooling while you're working isn't hard if your child is self motivated. Mine is not. He has a laptop that he can take to the sitter and so his work but he had so much fun today at his Nanny's that he didn't do it so I had to be the bad guy and tell him that he was going to do it when he got him, yes I realize it's going to be 6pm but those are consequences of goofing off while I am at work.

I know eventually we will get in a rhythm and be able to balance homeschool, my blog, my social media responsibilities, and work.

I am also looking for a more long term job that has better pay and benefits so prayers are appreciated!

Update on incorporating baked milk and baked cheese

It has been a few weeks since Drama passed the baked cheese oral food challenge. There was some resistance on his part to try new foods with cheese, just like with the baked milk. Would still love to see a paper done on the psychological effects of food allergies. It's very hard to go from life threatening food allergy to growing out of it and learning to eat it again.

He is still learning. Trust is a huge thing. He continually asks me if I'm sure he can have it. It makes my heart skip a beat to tell him yes, I am sure you can have it because what if he was to have a reaction? He would never trust me again.

So far he has had pizza, Mac and cheese, pizza rolls, and taquitos. His allergist suggested he eat baked cheese at least 3 times a week to build up his immunity. Then in September we can do another immunocap test to see if it would be safe to try uncooked milk.

It's been a long and sometimes hard journey but in the end it will be worth it to knock Milk off his food allergy list. I am hoping we can start the baked egg test in September. Then we will have another year of doing the same thing.

Keep Drama in your prayers! Thanks!