the closed door world opened. the power of community.

(Today I wrote a post called Why Community Builds Hope for the site Hope for the Weary Mom. This is a continuation of those mullings about community and women.)

We live in a world of closed doors and garages that are shut and back decks and car rides from point a to point b and back to point a and living in a world that although connected is rather isolated.

It's easy to stay hidden.

Behind layers of stuff and busyness and front yards with geraniums that are cultivated with Miracle Grow and cut lawns and hair that is done just right and cars that back up and do a courtesy wave and nods to our neighbors.

It sometimes is just this surface thing.

There's this layer, this buffer of protection, of not letting people really into our lives. Life is messy, and yet, so often we live in a world of masks and facades and we've got it all togethers and if you're like me sometimes you shut the door to your home, and in my case it's my perfectly picked out rusty red painted door that matched perfectly with the dark coffee brown siding and white front porch, and we shut the curtains and we feel alone.

What happened to the community? To the women rallying together? To the neighbors who embraced each other in the journey and gathered together? A once a year block party on National Night Out, even though they're fun, really doesn't cultivate community. Even with the rows of noodle salads and chips and kids racing around on their bikes on a street blocked off. It's a start, but community and friendship runs deeper than sharing hotdogs and burgers together.

Community begins when you and I decide that we're going to be real.

To share with each other. To open our door to our neighbor and invite her in even if the living room is a mess. And then? Then we're not going to apologize for the mess. Let me tell you that again - we're not going to apologize for not having our lives perfectly together.

Do you know why?

When we apologize for real then we are in essence creating the need for the masks and layers and drive for perfection to remain.

When one is real and honest then it frees others to be real and honest.

When I cooked with the women in Haiti not one of them apologized to me for the stains on their skirts. No one said they were having a bad hair day. They didn't tell me they were sorry that there was a metal thing on the floor that I tripped on. They didn't apologize for the coal stoves or the smoke that hit my eyes when they added more coals. They welcomed me into their space as they were.

And I realized how much time I spend on things that in a way kept others from seeing the real me.

I don't want to live that way.

I just wish I could figure out how to adopt the posture of realness from those beautiful Haitian friends of mine in a culture of closed doors. Do you know what I think? I think it starts with each of us. Individually. When we decide that the friendship is more important than having it all together.

It's not about venting or lamenting or wallowing in troubles. It's about admitting that life is hard or challenging or great or fabulous or boring or whatever it is and then loving our friends where they are and pushing each other to keep trying. Keep moving. We can do all those grand things we see on pinterest or have those geraniums and all of that - we just don't need to do them so that we feel like we measure up. We can do those things because we enjoy doing those things.

And if we don't? Or we really don't care that our house isn't perfect? Well that's awesome too. You see there isn't one right way to be. I like that. I love that the women in Haiti embraced their differences. That some didn't want to cook certain dishes or that some did the laundry or that others teased me. They embraced the individual beauty of each person and still did community.

Community is powerful.

Needed.

Let's reclaim it. One open door after another after another.

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ten things mothers in Haiti taught me about motherhood

I've written tips posts about mothering before - like ten bits of mothering advice I would give myself  {link} - but they were all written before going to Haiti. Haiti changed my heart and my perspective. It's made me look at the world with a different lens, a different paradigm, and I am excited to share my findings with you because I believe the perspective on life that I learned in Haiti, a third world and yet joyous country, is one that our hearts must hear.

1. Be involved.
These mothers were at every event. Not just dropping them off, but there pushing their kids in the door, giving me a hug, giving their child a hug, and then watching them. Motherhood isn't passive - it simply cannot be. Motherhood is an active, in your face, life giving role. Is it tiring? Absolutely. Give of yourself  and in that giving you will not only bless your children but yourself.

2. Help other mothers.
Let me repeat that - help other mothers. You should not be alone in this journey. The other mothers at preschool class should not be alone. Motherhood is not meant to be a solo journey of perfection. Motherhood is meant to be lived together with other mothers - not in competition - but hand in hand, with encouragement, and the attitude of we're in this together. It's not about one upping or being the best - it's really about raising children together and living life in community - not solo.

3. Celebrate your children.
Love what they love. Celebrate when they do life - those things matter. There was a little Haitian girl who sang You are My Sunshine to us in Haiti. While she sang her mother stood in the side of the church and glowed with delight over her daughter and her accomplishments. Your kids needs to see you proud of them. Loving them. For the littlest things. These are the times when you stop your agenda, you look them in the eye, and you tell them I love you and thank you for sharing. Those words matter.

4. Trust your children.
These beautiful mothers let their children load a bus, let us bus them down a mountain to a mango grove where they could run and play, and didn't hover over those kids. I remember watching all these kids run off the bus thinking how we'd have permission slips, buddy systems, checklists and such. All of the kids returned on the bus. Their mothers trusted them. And the beauty? The older kids watched the youngers and made sure they returned.

5. Smile.
Let your kids see you smile. The end.

6. Make them work.
Running water is rare in Haiti. In fact, throughout the day, and all day long, I saw groups of children walking to the water pump. Hour after hour after hour those children came to get water for their families. They laughed and skipped down to the pump with their empty jugs. Work is good for kids. It's way to easy to think we need to protect them from work so that they can do the other stuff in life, but I'm telling you - kids need to learn the value in good, hard, family benefiting work. Teach them to appreciate work now.

7. Serve with joy.
Let your kids see you serve. Joyfully. The mothers of the church that we served at worked almost all day behind the scenes. Prepping food, cleaning, helping with the kids, bringing water to those working. And they smiled constantly. Laughed. Sang. There was never an attitude of grumbling. Let your kids see you serve and help others with joy. When we complain about laundry or dishes or the messy room or all of that we are, in fact, teaching our families to complain about those things. Those things? They are really gifts. Laundry is a gift. Dishes mean there was food to eat. A messy room means that we were blessed with things. Work to change that one thing and you will change your children's perspective.

8. The stuff doesn't matter.
You know this. I know this. But until I lived in an environment so lacking in what we would deem physical success I didn't really realize this. The stuff doesn't matter. What you wear or how you do your hair or whether your living room looks like it came from Pottery Barn or if your car is the latest or if your gardens are beautiful or your kids have the latest gadgets - I'm telling you - that stuff really does not matter. It is so hard to realize that in a world saturated with stuff. But, when I lived in a culture without it and saw the most beautiful joy I began to wonder if the stuff, and the management of stuff actually sucks at joy. Ponder that.

9. Expect good from them.
The reason those mothers let those kids go on the bus down the side of the mountain is because they expected them to be obedient and return. I think it's easy to expect that kids will be up to no good - think of the horrible presuppositions that we place on teenagers at times - but our kids, your kids, the neighbor kids, they need us to expect that they will make the right choice. If one lives in a world where others look at us like we're up to no good then that becomes the target. Expect good. That's the target.

10. Be grateful. Be grateful. Be grateful.
That. Times a million. Times infinity. And again. I grumble about simple things. My coffee wasn't hot enough. The person at the stop light didn't see that it was green and I had to wait a couple seconds. Ridiculous non important things. Check your thoughts. Replace grumbling with gratitude. It takes work. Those Haitian women? They were so grateful. Grateful for the weather. For the water. For help. For their children. For the clothes they were wearing. For moments in a church that we would probably say was too hot or that we were getting sweaty or silly stuff. They were grateful for the space. For fellowship. For the little things. Be grateful.

It's a bit of perspective. Especially in our world of soccer deadlines and science fair projects and pinterest inspired birthday parties. Those things are all good, but don't define motherhood. The mothers in Haiti taught me it's not really about stuff and appearance and externals - it's about being there, being present, being thankful, being joyful, and being a friend.

They taught me more in those days then I've learned in years.

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.
To learn about my Haiti Trip make sure to: subscribe by email (click subscribe by email ) You can also follow me on facebook -> finding joy blog or on twitter @finding_joy or on instagram at finding_joy You can also search the hashtag #findingjoyhaiti on instagram to find my pics right away.

Make sure to follow Praying Pelican Mission on their facebook page Praying Pelican Missions and on twitter at PrayingPelican To learn more about Haiti please read Haiti Short-Term Missions.

perspective

As you all know, last week I was in Haiti for the entire week. That week changed my life - literally. I cannot look at the world the same. Things I thought were one way have now shifted. It's been this intense time of readjustment and trying to find normal and in the midst of it all being very blessed to have a week at the lake with my family.

I've gone to the lake since I was eight years old. (Now, grin, I will tell you that there are many decades that I have gone to the lake.) So, when my Haiti trip, which I only planned for four weeks in advance was scheduled right before the lake my concern was getting everything ready.

I cannot believe how over complicated I made coming up here before.

We don't really need much - even though it looks like a ton there. Some clothes, swimsuits, towels, and a deck of cards. And some gluten free food for Samuel and me. But when I look at all the stuff my family brings to the lake I am humbled.

It is so much stuff.

When I was in Haiti a sweet girl braided cornrows in my hair. She worked and worked and worked (I have a great deal of hair). When she was finished she started to put in my aqua lace headband that I purchased at Claire's for $2.98. I stopped her and handed it to her and pointed to me and then to her.

She was so grateful for that headband (you can see it barely in her hand).

She put it in her hair and her friends smiled and clapped. Then she put it on her wrist and held my hand the entire walk back to the car. And when I said goodbye to her later that day she waved and held up her wrist with the headband. So simple. But so powerful.

I probably have seven headbands packed in those bags.

Perspective.

The perspective that I gained about a vacation that used to stress me out for weeks prior because of packing extra blessed stuff? You know what? It's not really about the stuff. It's the time together. Fellowship. Playing. Sitting on the dock and watching the sunset. Those things.

Not physically bought things.

Haiti taught me to see the world differently.

It taught me to slow down. To stress less. To look the cashier in the eye. To say hello to others. To give of time. To listen more. To be patient. To be grateful. To be joyful. To not think of myself first. To let go of complaining. To love. To be bold. To think how I can give. To rejoice. To mourn. To embrace the little things.

Haiti gave me perspective.

And that perspective has forever changed me.

Blessed real perspective.

******

This week, while I am at the lake resting and enjoying family, I am giving myself the grace to write not on a daily schedule but at my leisure. So the posting might not be as frequent, but I do know that if and when I share it will be because I was inspired at the moment to sit at my teeny netbook and write. In fact, my book which I was aiming to have done by 8/1 will now be revised because of Haiti. Thanks again for loving and encouraging me last week. I am so blessed by you all. ~Rachel

And hahaha. Here I am in cornrows. :)


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The end is truly the beginning. Haiti Day 7.

I'm flying home now. In fact, as I write this post, I am 35,900 feet above the earth above Tampa Bay, Florida. In a very turbulent plane. I'm talking the you cannot walk to the back of the plane kind of turbulence where you are grateful for your seatbelt kind of turbulence. And that's okay. It's kind of the culmination of a journey of a lifetime.

Haiti changes lives. 

And it changed mine.

So I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to keep the posture my heart found in Haiti in a world of busy and expectations and way way way too much stuff.

It makes my head spin a bit, which is similar to what this plane is doing right now.

In some ways being in Haiti is easier. It's simpler - you go back to the real basic things - the cooking, cleaning, washing the clothes, sweeping the floor, loving your children, type things. There aren't these extra things that we need to be doing. The kids play soccer in the field - there's no organized soccer sports - so the moms don't have to deal with schedules and cleats and shin guards and cutting the orange slices for practices and making sure their little one knows the rules - the mom in Haiti just says make sure you remove your jeans and run around barefoot playing soccer and be home to help with dinner. Simple.

We say that the modern conveniences make life simpler, but honestly, right now at this moment while I ride in this airplane after walking through the Miami Airport, my life feels like it just became a bit more complicated.

It's confusing, in a way.

I suppose that's the culture shock aspect. While I was standing in the line to go through security after going through customs I had those last moments to reflect. Here I was just a week ago nervous and excited about Haiti and now here I was standing in line with my shoes off and my laptop in one bin and my liquids and gels in the quart bag and my way way way too heavy backpack on the belt getting ready to reenter my life.

And honestly, honestly, I'm still trying to figure out how.

I know it will happen. We adapt. We forget.

But, I want to learn. I want to set a mark in my mind about Haiti and make myself remember. I'm going to put that picture of me doing laundry in my laundry room. I've got a bracelet that I bartered for that I wear on my wrist as a reminder of the simple things. Pictures with kids who I grew to love.

And my heart is different.

Do you know that they don't always have power? The government will turn off the power at certain times to certain districts. Do you know what that's like? It's crazy. The whole town will go dark - the whole countryside - as they wait for the power to return.

And yet they are joyful. Not complaining.

I complain if my power is out for more than several hours.

That's the stuff I want to remember. I want to remember to be thankful for my washing machine and dryer. I want to remember the heat of the coals in the kitchen and how dangerous it was to stand there with splattering oil all around. I want to remember how their laundry was scrubbed by hand and how my hands bled. I want to remember how they loved me and hugged me and called me sister. I want to remember the exhilaration of riding a motorbike on the beach at sunset. I want to remember what it is like to stand in a church while everyone sings at the top of their lungs because they are joyful.

I want to remember Haiti because Haiti helps keep me grounded.

So while it may feel like the end of one adventure, the end is truly the beginning. It's one of those moments in life when you can remember life before and life after. The life before is beautiful and celebrated. And the life after beautiful and celebrated as well. You just know that this moment was a pivot point and you can simply not return to being the same person as one was before.

The end of this trip is truly the beginning of the next chapter in my life.

Finding Joy.

I saw it in real life. I saw it where it was simply a lifestyle.

That is how I want to live.

And that is how I will encourage you to live as well.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for journeying with me to Haiti and back. I appreciate every share and comment and like. You have blessed me with your support and deep encouragement.

~Rachel

To stay up to date with my Haiti Trip make sure to: subscribe by email (click subscribe by email ) You can also follow me on facebook -> finding joy blog or on twitter @finding_joy or on instagram at finding_joy You can also search the hashtag #findingjoyhaiti on instagram to find my pics right away.

Make sure to follow Praying Pelican Mission on their facebook page Praying Pelican Missions and on twitter at PrayingPelican To learn more about Haiti please read Haiti Short-Term Missions.

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

finding real. Haiti Day 6.

I really have no words for today.

Well, I have some words. I found out that the women in the kitchen, whose names I have now on a yellow piece of paper - Mrs. Dominique, Mrs. Rolene, Mrs. Venise, Mrs. Esther, Mrs. Josiane, Mrs. Jislene, Miss Falone, and Miss Margie - talked about me all day yesterday. They were happy and joyful and loved having me in their kitchen. That was what I was told. (Make sure to read Why Cooking and Laundry Changed my Life)

I am planning on coming back. And walking in that kitchen and telling them in Creole (because I'm going to learn more) that I am ready and delighted to work with them again.

Haiti has a way of changing your heart.

Haiti has a way of helping you find your heart.

So today, today as I drive back from Torbeck to Port au Prince my heart is full and content. I knew I would leave Haiti a different person, but I really don't know how I would be different. I could tell you about the perspective gained, or the value on community, or the celebration of the little things, or the joy that I have found, but that is only part of the transformation in my own self.

Haiti made me find me.

In a way that is not morphed or warped or tinted or influenced by what others think, or what I think I should be doing, or what the media tells me to do. Here I was just able to be me - without the layers of unneeded perfection and measuring up. There was no judging and no presuppositions.

This surprised me.

I thought for sure I would be telling you that I found joy in Haiti - which I did. But, to come to the place where you are so isolated from your old self that you end up finding your real self? That is a gift. A real gift. It's hard to get to that place of comfortable when there are so many extras that we're told to do in our day to day life.

I'm telling you. Those extras, those things, those need to do's, and all of that doesn't really matter.

Love your family. Love your neighbors.

Don't spend your life wishing and waiting for things to change for you to live alive and grateful and full of joy. These people in Haiti are some of the most joyful people I have ever met. And they live in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

The poorest.

But, you would not know it. They are richest, most full of life, joyful people I have ever met.

It took me a bit to stop seeing Haiti through my American eyes. I would see the trash on the street and miss the dialogue between friends. I want to see the relationships. The real importants.

It is freeing to live without the layers of stuff on me.

As I was getting ready for the airport today I pulled out my travel clothes. It was with a sigh that I got ready and did my hair - just a bit, but kept it curly with remnants of corn rows on the top - and put on just some lipgloss. I really didn't care, I guess.

To home. Me, a new person, who will now have to figure out how to live in America again and to not lose the most powerful life lessons learned here in Haiti.

It is the most real I think I've ever felt.

******

To stay up to date with my Haiti Trip make sure to: subscribe by email (click subscribe by email ) You can also follow me on facebook -> finding joy blog or on twitter @finding_joy or on instagram at finding_joy You can also search the hashtag #findingjoyhaiti on instagram to find my pics right away.

Make sure to follow Praying Pelican Mission on their facebook page Praying Pelican Missions and on twitter at PrayingPelican To learn more about Haiti please read Haiti Short-Term Missions.

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

Why cooking and laundry changed my life. #Haiti Day 5

(If you share one post from my Haiti journey - this is the one. My yesterday changed my life.)

I didn't even like typing day five in my title. My heart has fallen in love with Haiti and this amazing culture. And yesterday? Yesterday was perhaps one of the best days of my life. Words to describe it to you will not due justice. But, I will try to articulate the beauty and life lessons from my blessed day.

Because yesterday brought more perspective. Perspective is good. Yesterday changed my life.

When we lose perspective we start to grumble about the little things. 
When we have perspective we start to be grateful for the little things.

Think about that.

Where is your perspective on life?  And then read this and find out how mine shifted forever.

I was given the gift, and I say gift, to work with nine Haitian women preparing meals for the teams on our missions trips. I was dropped off, introduced via a translator, and then left in that sweltering outdoor kitchen with these women. Me, the American who quickly forgot that konmen yo di sa'a? meant how do you say? So I was left with pointing. And one sweet women, Juliette, in the mint green dress next to me, who knew my name and called me Ray-Shell  had patience with me. She also quickly learned the word Stop as otherwise I didn't know what to do and would probably keep stirring whatever they were cooking.

So they welcomed me in. Started to find tasks for me to do. I started with cutting pineapple - spiky pineapple where you can't grab the top. And that reminds me - you do NOT need your drawer of utensils - you simply need a large knife and a spoon. That is all they use. They cut the pineapple holding it in their hands. I had to use a tray. They chuckled. I laughed at myself and from that point on they started to warm up to me.

I spent an hour working on beans (second picture) - pulling the strings from the side (using that big knife to start it) and then slicing them on the diagonal. I fried bread fruit - in fact, I made an entire batch by myself. Drained it from the water with my hands, threw it in the hot oil over coal (do not ever complain about your stove/oven again), and then stirred it with that one spoon. Carefully. It was bubbling oil and a blazing hot pan and none of those safety things that we have. But, I got the hang of it and they cheered when my batch was finished.

I got to introduce lunch and dinner meals to the teams because I prepared them. Total joy.

And then I worked for hours rolling these fried hamburger/bread balls with a spoon. In that picture above that is what I was doing. They even got me a stool because they were afraid I was tired, but I just smiled and shook my head no and told them that I was good. Bon. In the beginning I couldn't make those hamburger balls without using my hands.  But, by the end I was almost as fast as them using just a spoon and a bowl. They would look at me and tell me good job and it was an amazing experience of bonding even without speaking.

We became friends in those hours in the blazing hot kitchen.

Everything is done by hand. In fact, one lady was helping me prepare those hamburger meat balls and I noticed a bowl was set aside. No bread was put in it. And then I humbly realized that was my bowl - they were making me gluten free food. So I pointed at the bowl and then me and I said that mwen, mwen. And the look of joy on their faces when they realized that I was the one they were preparing a separate meal for made me teary. And the joy I felt - especially after seeing how hard it was to make meals - that they made gluten free food for me was humbling, incredible, and endearing.

We cooked all day. I mean, all day long. All of us women in the room. They would chat and laugh and I would smile with them and they would pat my shoulder and smile and think of any English word to help me. They knew the word love and one of the girls must have been in love or had a boyfriend because they would point at her and say that and laugh and I would laugh with them. It was amazing as they welcomed me in their community.

Then in the middle of the day they had me help with laundry. Washing the sheets that go on the table for each meal and then some things around the home. They filled bowl with water and powdered soap and I sat on a stool in the middle of the Haitian countryside while I heard the surf crash into the black pebble beach and a peacock (for real) ran in front of me and two cows bellowed behind and I was so incredibly joyful and content.

We scrubbed those clothes and linens by hand. And my hands began to bleed and she helped me with them.

I was humbled.

Do you know that my hands bled within an hour of scrubbing those clothes? One hour and I had raw knuckles. And she washes those tablecloths twice a day.

How many times do I grumble about laundry? I turn a dial and throw clothes in and take them out. I do not think I will ever look at laundry the same. In fact, I am taking the picture of me and blowing it up and putting it in my laundry room above my washing machine.

She never complained. She just worked. Laughed. Helped me.

I want to live that way. Loving life. Not being so concerned about the stuff.

These women loved each other. They loved each other in a way that we need to learn. They didn't care what the other was wearing or what task they were doing. They just worked together, took care of each other, and loved one another.

At the end of the day, another sweet friend (learning their names was so hard for me - I really tried) took me by my hand and led me into the house to the bathroom so I could wash my face. She turned the sink on and then handed me soap and the towel that all of them shared. I was part of them - their group - and they loved me.

I cried.

They didn't exclude me because I was slower at what I was doing. They welcomed me. Embraced me. Loved me for me wanting to help and learn.

They taught me about life.

And so when my Haitian friend Jonas arrived we walked back to that kitchen with a partial aluminum roof and a tarp and a space outside where there are three buckets where you wash and clean things and I asked him to tell them words from me.

I want you to know that I am forever blessed by you opening your arms and kitchen to me. I look at you all as my friends and as my sisters. I will remember this day for the rest of my life. I love you all and am so grateful for today.

And I cried.

Big fat tears rolled down my face and I could hardly talk. In fact, even as I write this tears are rolling down my face.

Please tell them these tears are tears of joy, Jonas.

And they were.

Learn from those women.

Open your arms. Find joy.

Even in laundry and cooking.

It's perspective. And mine forever changed.

***********

To stay up to date with my Haiti Trip make sure to: subscribe by email (click subscribe by email ) You can also follow me on facebook -> finding joy blog or on twitter @finding_joy or on instagram at finding_joy You can also search the hashtag #findingjoyhaiti on instagram to find my pics right away.

Make sure to follow Praying Pelican Mission on their facebook page Praying Pelican Missions and on twitter at PrayingPelican To learn more about Haiti please read Haiti Short-Term Missions.

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

beautiful exhaustion. Haiti Day 4.

My heart cannot believe I have been in Haiti for four days now. It feels like just yesterday that I boarded that plane in Minneapolis bound for Haiti and then in the same breath it feels like I have been here for a very long time.

The Haitian culture becomes more beautiful with each day.

There is something so lovely about being around people who are simply joyful for life. They are not only full of joy, but are also full of kindness and generosity. They want to be with you, to learn about you, and to thank you. My friend, Jim, who is part of Praying Pelican Missions told me this, but I did the smile and nod and we'll see kind of posture, but I told him that it took less than 24 hours for me to fall in love with this country. He was right - they are so real and so wonderful that it is almost impossible to not fall in love with Haiti.

Yesterday was an incredibly busy day. In the morning we headed back up to the church in the mountains and began helping with construction efforts. Let me tell you - the physical labor that we all did that morning was perhaps some of the most draining physical labor I've ever done.

We hauled concrete blocks, some still damp, down the side of that mountain in an assembly line. At first it felt like no big deal, but after even mere minutes my arms were already starting to get fatigued and worn. Block after block came and I couldn't figure how to even grip them so I didn't drop them as I knew dropping them would result in broken toes. So I started to balance them on my arms. And in doing that today I have woken up with forearms with large bruises all over and scratches up to my shoulders. There are bruises on my hips from when I tried to balance them there.

I tell you this because those marks humble me.

I worked at this task for maybe an hour. Sixty minutes. And my body became worn.

The Haitian men that worked never stopped, never complained, and always laughed. They were so thankful for the work - as the money from our offerings on Sunday went to hiring men from the community and providing work. This intense physical work that made me want to stop after minutes was an incredible gift for them. So this morning, those bruises on my arm serve as a reminder to me to be grateful for work. And to work with joy.

And it amazes me how much of that wall was completed in one day. They just worked, didn't argue, there was no red tape - they just got the wall built. I can learn from that attitude.

It's inspiring.

Then in the afternoon the team worked on more kids ministry type projects. The kids are really starting to warm up to everyone and have claimed favorites. My little girls come up running and saying Rah-shell, Rah-shell. They love to play with my hair - by the time I leave the work site I probably will have gone through at least a dozen different styles.

But the highlight for me and for the team and those fabulous kids was when we loaded them all in a bus and drove down the mountain to a flat mango grove and field where the kids could run and play soccer. Riding in that bus with them was amazing.

Their joy could not be contained. They screamed and cheered and chanted and smiled and hugged us the whole way down. And then, then when the bus stopped they just ran and ran and ran and ran.

It was so beautiful.

I don't want to lose sight of these most beautiful and most simple things in life. The gift of work. The freedom to run. The fellowship of being together. The gifts of hugs. Or holding hands. Or looking one in the eye and smiling. These things matter. More than all of the stuff. Oh my goodness, if I have learned anything, these things matter way more than the stuff.

Perspective changes in Haiti.

Mine will never be the same.

Today, the exhaustion I feel is beautiful - it reminds me of real and joyful living.

******

Today the team is going back up the mountain to do more work on the site. Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers. It is very easy to get worn or dehydrated quickly here. I have to drink an incredible amount of water just to stay even. And then the team is going to do a repeat of the kids ministry this afternoon. I, on the other hand, will be joining the amazing Haitian women who prepare all of our meals. They've invited me into their kitchen and I will be working side by side with them learning about their lives and helping them cook. I could not be more humbled or joyful about this opportunity.

And, just for fun, yesterday I was able to ride a motorbike in Torbeck. Let me tell you - it was pure joy. I was taken down to the black pebble beach and we drove along the beach as the waves crashed ashore. I told my driver Bebay (I have to get the spelling right) that I would never forget this moment for the rest of my life. Life is amazing.

To stay up to date with my Haiti Trip make sure to: subscribe by email (click subscribe by email ) You can also follow me on facebook -> finding joy blog or on twitter @finding_joy or on instagram at finding_joy You can also search the hashtag #findingjoyhaiti on instagram to find my pics right away.

Make sure to follow Praying Pelican Mission on their facebook page Praying Pelican Missions and on twitter at PrayingPelican To learn more about Haiti please read Haiti Short-Term Missions.

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I found joy. Haiti Day 3.

 

Tonight as I rest in my room and ponder words to share with you about today I've found myself in a strange place of being at a loss for words. It's not because I have nothing to write about, but rather because today far surpassed expectations that now I simply do not know what, when, and how to start to share. So I will tell you one thing.

I found joy.

A real joy, a deep joy, and a joy that I've never experienced before.

It was high in the mountains outside Port Salut. The church that we are serving is literally tucked on the side of the mountain. You park on the road and hike down a narrow and steep path to the church and then to get to the next part you hike down even a steeper cliff. It's like stairs almost. And then it just tumbles down a hillside of the mountain.

It is breathtaking.

And in that church, in the morning, the Haitian people were overjoyed to see us. They had made signs in English hanging from the walls and intricately cut chains of paper. But, beyond that, it was their genuine delight and appreciation for our team arriving that amazed me.

They loved us without even knowing us.

And so we sat in that church together and we sang praises in two different languages and we worshiped and out of my window were mountains and a view that is one that words will never describe. And as I sat there emotion began to well in me.

Tear fell from my face.

They were tears of joy. Tears of hope. Tears of gratitude. Tears of amazement.

And I let them fall.

So often I've found myself tucking in those tears with those I'm fine words of life. I'll shove them down and push myself to be stronger or to look like I've got it all together or to ignore the fact that I'm feeling real emotion. But, today, today in a church perched on a hill in Haiti with a group of people who absolutely loved me and didn't even know me - today I let the tears fall.

And in the falling of the tears I found joy.

When the service, which was over two hours but I could have sat there even longer, was over, we were rushed by everyone in that church who wanted to tell us thank you and God bless. Everyone. No one left without kissing my cheek or holding my hand or giving me a hug.

The irony is that here I was to serve - to help them, to partner with the local church and their needs, and to build a new church and school - and yet there I was being blessed beyond my imagination.

They loved me as a sister.

And that made me weep with joy.

******

The powerful part of Praying Pelican Missions is their desire to simply partner with the local church. Therefore as a member of a trip you get to get into the community, get to help with what they need, and are able to come alongside and encourage It is a beautiful partnership and the relationship forged are incredibly strong.

And, I'm learning a bit of Creole. I could listen to it for hours - it is a soothing and lovely language. When the Haitians sang in Creole today they sang loud, proud, and with such joy that it astounded me. Emotions aren't hidden here - they are celebrated.

Tomorrow we go back up the mountain and we start working on the foundation for their new church. We're also doing some kids ministry in the afternoon as well as bussing them down the mountain (as it's so steep) to a flat place where they can play soccer.

Oh yes, and one more highlight from the day? Getting some fresh coconut from a tree, that was opened with a machete, and drinking it right there in the afternoon sun. Simply glorious.

To stay up to date with my Haiti Trip make sure to: subscribe by email (click subscribe by email ) You can also follow me on facebook -> finding joy blog or on twitter @finding_joy or on instagram at finding_joy You can also search the hashtag #findingjoyhaiti on instagram to find my pics right away.

Make sure to follow Praying Pelican Mission on their facebook page Praying Pelican Missions and on twitter at PrayingPelican To learn more about Haiti please read Haiti Short-Term Missions.

to receive finding joy via email simply click subscribe.