Making deposits

This was the theme of our recent trip to Haiti....
Everywhere we went, we were making small deposits in the hearts of each person we encountered.

A smile

A wave as we drove by

A cup of cool ice tea

A peanut butter sandwich
A classroom visit

A gift to purchase school books
A tour of a orphanage

A tour of a library
A visit to a grieving widow
A picture taken

Worshipping with fellow believers
A gift of checkers

A gift to a man struggling financially
Late night conversations by lamp light with local pastors

Some big, some small acts. But each one making a deposit.

Lord, take these deposits and cause them to grow in hearts.

May each be redeemed in your perfect time!

Our trip was a great success. We were able to accomplish all on our to-do list and then some. We have hired workers to clear the land (take down the trees/remove the rocks). We formed a partnership with a local Baptist pastor, we visited a local library (20 miles away) and received some great insight/contacts, we began the process of finding/hiring a man to oversee the work in Pestel and we held a Celebration service for the community to thank God for the coming library.

It was a refreshing trip and full of opportunities to see God at work. It is hard to come home and jump back into life. I had the opportunity to share in 4 history classes yesterday about Haiti. It was frustrating due to lack of time- but I hope the students were "impressed" with the great needs in Haiti.

Something to ponder...

Just happened upon this quote.....

"God determines who walks into your life; it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."

A little food for thought.....

A funny thing happened .....

.....at Salvation Army

I stopped by "Sals" today to look for items to bring to Haiti- specifically skirts for really tall women and duffle bags to bring down. My arms were getting full with a variety of duffles, tote bags and backpacks! An employee asked me what I needed all the bags for. I told her I was involved in humanitarian work in Haiti and needed to bring compact bags down so that I could divy up supplies/items for various people.

"You like them Haitians?", was her reply

I was stunned.

"Actually, I love them.", I replied.

"Aren't they pretty sneaky?" she asked

"Ummm, not the ones I know." I answered

She continued to tell me about Haitians she has met at the casino and then went into a tirade about all the poor is the US and how we should be helping them instead of people in other countries.
I listened patiently- though I really wanted to pop her one for being so ignorant. I explained that yes, indeed there were many poor in the US. However, the US government has a variety of programs in place to help the less fortunate as well as there being upteen community, non-profit and religious resources available for people. In Haiti, the government is not able to provide such assistance. The country actually survives only because private organizations and citizens provide financial support.
She was not convinced...

I head down to Haiti on Thursday- I keep having to remind myself that I'm going. Hopefully, I'll get around to some packing tomorrow. My "take to Haiti" pile is growing- clothing/food for friends, gifts for my sponsored kids, food supplies for the community event we are hosting in Pestel as well as my clothes.

It has been a busy week and I have a lot to get done this evening. My morning was spent at the church working in the Teen Building. We worked on making a large poster with our purpose statement on it. Our year is underway and it is already busy!

Never a dull moment

A few adventures I've had over the last week....

- wiping the pile of dandruff off my keyboard that was left by one of my students
- having a student storm out cursing from the room, escaping from the principal's office only to run around the building outside to our classroom and yell curses and threats (directed at teachers/students) through the window and later to be apprehended by the police and suspended
- telling upteen boys to pull up their pants and that I didn't wake up this morning to see their underwear
- "encouraging" my freshmen couples to use the lovely seats provided by the school instead of cuddling up on each other's laps
- telling the couples (straight and otherwise) to cool it with the PDA
- listening to one freshman boy make car sounds all through my class
- having to feed by freshmen kiddos who missed out on lunch- one little guy was bawling in class because he was so upset- it was quite precious

And last but not least- enjoying many good laughs with my Amazing department!!!
I really love my job. It is hard some days- full of many new things and often causing me to stretch outside of my comfort zone (I really hate having to call home...)- but God is good! I have great support- really good students and teachers who, for the most part, are willing to provide the accomodations/modifications necessary for my kiddos.

On to other matters....
I went to WOL Inn this last weekend for a Teen Leadership Conference. It was so good. I enjoyed the day off from school and especially enjoyed the time with the other leaders. We had the chance to hear Steve Viars from Indiana and he was amazing! The seminars were very helpful and we got lots of ideas for the coming year. It was good to see that many things they were encouraging us to do, our leadership team had already done (purpose statement, evaluation of space, ministry etc...) . We're on the right track.
Our first meeting last week went well. We had 17 kids and 5 parents with 9 leaders/helpers. A bunch of kids are in sports right now or drivers ed, so hopefully they'll be joining us soon.
The next few months- between now and Superbowl are going to be crazy busy. We have some big activities and service opportunities planned. Pray for us as we plan and organize!

In other exciting news...I'm off to Haiti next week. For a quick 5 day trip (10/5-9) Pray as we plan that we will use our time well and accomplish what God wants us to- we have some pretty important decisions that need to be made while we are there. Also, pray that I will be able to readjust to school when I get back.

I'll keep you posted on things here....hope everyone is well.
~Love to you all~