A field trip to the Apparent Project in Port au Prince

A couple weeks ago we were treated to a tour of the 'Apparent Project' in Port au Prince. A group from eastern Iowa that had just spent a week with Many Hands for Haiti at the dorm in Pignon had used the Apparent Project as a source of fundraising at their church.  The team was traveling home by way of Port au Prince so we coordinated a visit.

Please click this link to read more about the organization  

http://www.apparentproject.org/our-mission/4572682269 

The following is taken from the Apparent Project link shown above.

"OUR MISSION IS TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER

There is a clear and redundant mandate in the Hebrew Scriptures to care and provide for 'the fatherless, the widow, and the alien.'  God seems to look out for the poor and those enduring loss with special even preferential treatment.  The New Testament book of James says that God's religion of choice is to "look after orphans and widows in their distress."  The majority of Haiti's orphanages are founded with the intent of responding to this mandate.  But what makes a child fatherless or a wife widowed?

In Haiti, poverty and the legacy of slavery have caused a staggering culture of child abandonment and male neglect of family commitments.  70% of labor aged Haitians are unemployed, while those who are employed earn an average annual wage of $400.  Mothers give up their children, and men leave their wives because of the stress of trying to provide from within a devastated economy. There is a strong cycle of fatherlessness and neglect that probably stems from the severance of slaves from their African families and from the commodification of children by slave traders. Whatever the forces are that have made fracture and dislocation the norm for Haitian families, it is poverty that maintains this status quo.

Unfortunately, orphanages have often only enabled this dissolution of Haitian families.  Haiti was said to have as many as 500,000 orphans before the devastating earthquake of 2010.  The vast majority of these "orphans" were actually not true orphans.  They were children given up by living parents because of extreme poverty.  A history of corruption and inefficiencies in the Haitian government's adoption processes has caused orphanages to be overcrowded and short on funding, also creating emotional, physical, and developmental problems for institutionalized children. "

               After feeling like we were on a wild goose chase finding where we were to go.....

                      ....We finally arrived.  Many Hands for Haiti purchases goods to sell at 

                           Many Hands Market in Spencer, IA and The Mango Tree in Pella, IA

                            Hand made metal art is displayed for sale in their retail sales space.  

            Some of these same pieces can be purchased at Many Hands Market and The Mango Tree.

                                               Metal art Christmas ornaments for sale

During a tour of the production area we were shown how the paper beads are made 

that are used in Jewelry making.  After being rolled, the beads are glued while on a stick.

After the glue is dry the beads are removed from the sticks

Next the beads are sorted by color to be packaged to fulfill orders for customers

that will create the jewelry designs

These ladies were making the 'micro bead' version of the paper bead, the smallest size bead made here

Micro bead drying process

A wonderful outdoor workspace

                                        Here we could see clay and clay beads curing in the sun

These workers are cleaning out the hole in the center each clay bead

                                           The clay beads can be painted many colors

                  The Apparent Project also employs artisans that make various pottery pieces

Finishing touches before glazing

The head of the fabric creations shared a lot of information about her department.  We were telling her that we were from Iowa.  She said, "Oh, we have a huge order we are fulfilling for someone in Iowa.  I think it is for the Iowa State Fair."  We knew from our inside connections that it is an order for Many Hands Market that will be merchandise available for sale in September at the Clay County Fair in Spencer!! 

....More from the Apparent Project link....

"Most orphanages are focused primarily on childcare, without addressing the roots of child abandonment.  Unfortunately, many, many orphanages also take in way too many kids way too easily. While the Apparent Project advocates passionately for the adoption of true orphans we also believe that preventing child abandonment by economically empowering Haitian families is the best way to rescue children.  This is why we have created opportunities for empoverished parents to earn an income through our artisan program.  We train each parent in a specialized skill, such as jewelry making, bookbinding, sewing, or another craft, building relationships along the way.  Through addressing educational needs, homelessness, joblessness, nutritional problems, medical needs, and building emotionally and spiritually enriching relationships, we are trying to bring the dignity and wholeness to the whole person, strengthening each to be a support and encouragement to others.

This is why we are called the "Apparent Project".  We are trying to help mothers and fathers in poverty be A PARENT to their children.  We are education and taking care of street kids who don't have A PARENT.  We are using media and the arts to make the needs of Haiti APPARENT to those who can help, and we are doing this all with the hope that the love of God will be made more APPARENT to those we humbly serve and that He will be known as A PARENT to the parentless."

Many Hands for Haiti is also focused on the prevention of children being separated from families for the reasons listed from the link as seen above.  The Thrive for Five program that is gearing up to reconvene the first part of September offers Spiritual education, nutritional help, and basic medical care.  By helping meet these needs, we feel some 'would-be orphans' destined to be separated from their family are more likely to be adequately cared for right in their own household. 

Recently, the MH Haitian staff studied Psalm 142 in our morning staff devotion time at the MH office in Pignon.  We have been using the exercise of reading the scripture and then writing the passage in our own words.  My own words...."I can call on the Lord in my difficult days.  I can tell God everything and He will lift me up.  Even when no one seems to care.  I can cry out and know the Lord will be by my side.  God will rescue me from my struggles.  As a result, I will praise and thank Him and God shine on me."

MH4H desire is that those we minister to will have the confidence to use Psalm 142 as their prayer for Deliverance from their Persecutors.  God is already moving and showing himself to the Sylvain community, just outside of Pignon, through Many Hands for Haiti.  Please continue to pray for the work God is doing.  During that morning devotion on Psalm 142, the discussion between Appolon, Claudin, Burns, Woody, Ebens, Craig and Christi brought out these remarks, "Prayer gives victory over trouble.  Stay strong, complain only to God.  Prayer is our weapon.  In our spiritual fight, prayer is our 'Christian gun'.  Pray harder when you feel you are NOT in trouble!  Make prayer the ministry of your life."

We ask you to use prayer as a weapon to fight on behalf of the impoverished orphans and widows and to lift up the work being done in Haiti.  Read Psalm 142 and put it in YOUR own words. ...With your voice cry out to the Lord; with your voice make supplication to the LORD.

Planning a party

We are planning a party for this evening, Bon Fet Ebens! (Party for Ebens!) Pictured here with his dad.  Ebens says, "this is my dad but he is my friend also."

            Ebens Renard, a Haitian staff member for MH4H, is going to be married on August 22^nd
                                                                       That is big news.
                     And more big news, he will be married to Meredith Roberts in Falls Church, VA!

                 The party tonight is being held in honor of Ebens at Point Virgule restaurant in Pignon.
                                          There is one menu item…Yep…Rice and Beans. 

The city here has not had any electrical power for over 3 weeks now.  One consequence of this is there are no cold drinks to be found.  The idea of a party at the restaurant and no cold drinks is a problem.  The solution…We stopped by the restaurant late this morning, ordered the bottled drinks for this evening, brought them back to the dorm to refrigerate them in our fridge that runs on a solar charged battery system.  This evening we will take them back to the restaurant so everyone in attendance can enjoy a cold beverage. 

This past Thursday, Friday and Saturday were spent in Port au Prince.  We first visited The Apparent Project, see the website   The Apparent Project   and look for more to be reported on the next blog.

There is a maze of work areas where Haitian artisans and workers are crafting beads, metal art, fabric art, etc. to be sold.

The main reason to travel to Port was to follow up with Chalissa who is the 3 year old girl from Pignon that has cancer.

MH4H has been offering financial help for medical treatment.  Chalissa previously had surgery to remove her eye.  She is currently in the hospital in Port where she has undergone tests to see if the cancer has spread to her bones or to her brain.  We are still waiting to hear the results but the medical personnel have moved forward to schedule a Chemotherapy regimen that is supposed to begin Friday.  Our hope is in God as the great physician and Jesus Christ as the giver of salvation to those who believe in HIM.  The challenge is to try to meet the spiritual needs of Chalissa and her family while in Port. 

The plan after 2 regimens of chemotherapy with a surgery in between is for Chalissa to then travel to the Dominican Republic for a gradual chemotherapy regimen.  SO in the mean time passports need to be acquired.  The hospital only allows female companions for child patients.  This is another tricky situation since she is adopted by her father with no mother in her life.  Another relative will be her companion during the 4 month stay in Port and then followed by the time spent in the DR.  Please remember Chalissa in your prayers as well as so many others facing very difficult days as cancer patients. In the bed next to Chalissa was a boy, possibly early teens, who was literally skin and bones.  Ebens accompanied us as a translator to the hospital so we prayed with these children.  Just heartbreaking.

This scripture popped out a couple of days ago…seemingly at the very moment when the words just pierced DEEP inside exactly where it was needed.

Taken from The Message…. Romans 12:9-16 

9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it.  Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.  Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 

11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.  Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant.  Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.  Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 

14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down.  Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up.  Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

What perfect words to eject each of us as Christians out of a rut or routine.

There has been a flurry of activities going on with MH4H over the past weeks.  One BIGGIE is a new well being drilled on the land in Sylvain that MH has been blessed to have.

                 Drilling the well on the land where Many Hands for Haiti will be focusing on for
                        Educational programs, Agronomy programs, and Spiritual development

Drilling went on about 2 ½ days with water being found around 150 feet into the ground.  Today the equipment arrived that will determine the volume of water the well can be expected to produce.  At first sight of this we might get the feeling that this is a well that will NEVER run dry.  MH Agronomist, Claudin, says it might be the most water he has ever seen come from a well!!!  They are gauging 30 gallons a minute right at this time.  So much water is coming from the well, the community was told, “GO, get whatever you can from your house to fill with water.”  There are gallon jugs, 5 gallon buckets all the way to 55 gallon drums being filled from the test water.  Bondye Bon, Tout tan!!!  God is good, all the time!!! 

                                                          Water!  and it just keeps coming!

Jugs and buckets and barrels waiting to be filled.  As MH is getting acquainted with the community we are learning that one of the commonly expressed challenges is the long walk required to get water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing.

This well has the potential to bring much LIFE to this area.  The water from the well will be used for programs run on this piece of land.  This well water will be used for construction of buildings.  The well water will be used for irrigation on the portion of the land already in use for the MH4H agronomy program.  MH will be proclaiming words of LIVING WATER to everyone around. 

Today our words are those of Praise and Thanksgiving to our Lord and His out-of-this-world provision for the ministry work being established.  Please read the scripture from above also from the NIV translation…Romans 12:9-16

Love in Action….9 Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  10 Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  11 Never be lacking in Zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  16 Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.

   Several loads of river rock have been brought to the land in Sylvain to start to create a driveway area

Two loads of gravel to be used for the construction projects that will be started soon on the MH land.
The water will also be a priceless resource for the community in so many ways.


And a third version of this same scripture...NRSV Romans 12:9-16 

Marks of the True Christian  9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.  11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.  12 Rejoice in Hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.  13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.  16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser that you are.

            Read.  Re-read.  Ponder.  Hide these words in your heart.  Live a life of ACTION for God.
                                           Know that HE has every part of your life covered.

Latest details from today....The well was tested for 4 hours straight to see what the anticipated capacity should be.  The well consistently produced a tremendous amount of water.  We will get the exact volume measure from the well driller tomorrow.  Praise God!

AND...The party is over.  The food was delicious but most of all the evening was a memorable time as we all gathered in honor of Ebens as he has worked with MH4H over the past 2 years and to give him our best wishes for his future.

                                                              Point Virgule restaurant

                                               Ebens.  Also known by many as 'Mr. Joy"!

                                                                         Celebration smiles

                                        Co-workers and friends: Appolon, Claudin, Ebens

                                                Tonight was a complete meal at the restaurant.
        Rice. beans, chicken legs, sauce, legume, coleslaw, plantains, pasta salad, beets, carrots, onions

                                                                     BON FET EBENS!
   Front: Burns  Back left to right: Ebens, Nelta, Beatris, Evenie, Claudin, Appolon, Jean Rene, Christi
                                                              Craig is behind the camera

When we care, we can be changed

When we care, we can be changed.

If you were to think about what it means to confess you might first come up with a definition something like this….to declare or acknowledge ones sins, especially to God.

Consider the idea that the act of confession may not be only in the personal realm.  It can be applied in a broader scope simply meaning “to agree, admit, or acknowledge.”

…To acknowledge or avow a fault, a failure, a wrongdoing, (crime, misdeed, weakness, etc.) by way of revelation

…To own or admit as true

…To reveal by circumstances

Here in Haiti, and in many other places as well, there is much suffering and injustice.  Confession in this regard would mean to acknowledge those who suffer, to see them in their real, very challenging life circumstances.  Revelation of these situations can come from God as he asks us to listen to them, to hear their story, to validate their hardship.  As we validate their stories, we validate them, we give them dignity.

Confession of injustice may reveal failure to care.  When we confess we begin to care.  When we care, we can be changed.

Commitment matters as well when we approach suffering and injustice.  Recommitting ones self to God on a regular basis is a necessary habit.  Without genuine commitment there is risk of setting out on a journey that might not be finished.  The more we understand the stories of those trapped in conditions of suffering and injustice the more we can care.  The more we can be changed. 

How do we increase our capacity to care?  Are we increasingly willing to offer ourselves to God?  We can take more risks with others, we can be more honest with ourselves.  When we care, we can be changed.  We need faith to believe, clear vision to see, and ears to hear.  When we ask for courage to live all this out, we can be changed.

Central College in Pella, IA challenged a team of students to take the risk and spend a week serving while having the chance to see God at work.  With the faith to believe and the courage to live it out, those who belong to God are chosen to take radical steps toward bringing justice to a suffering world.

We traveled with the team back to Haiti after spending several weeks in the states.  We had meetings with MH4H board and staff to share in person what we have been seeing and hearing and doing with the ministry over the previous months. 

        As the rainy season begins, travel through the Central Plateau of Haiti can be slow and arduous.  

                                              (Craig says, "Arduous?  I call it nauseating!")

       This was definitely the case on our ride from Port au Prince to Pignon. The rented van carrying 

   16 people and a ton of luggage got hung up in the rutted, muddy road.  We climbed out onto the muddy        road to lighten the load and the driver was able to get free from the mud and on our way we went.

  The team is relaxing and playing after working alongside the Haitian concrete floor crew at this house

                    We heard this man's story as we shared food and God's word.  His name is Tine.

                  It was easy to see the problems he was having at his home as the rainy season begins.

    Inside Tine's one room home was bright.  Notice the sunlight coming through the holes in the tin roof.                                             But the room was also evidently wet after the rain.  

    The team offered to replace the bad pieces of tin with new...Tin for Tine!  Ebens, MH staff member,   tells Tine that this comes out of the love of Jesus.  Telling Tine that he matters in the kingdom of God.                                                            When we care, we can be changed.

Inside the house, the team discovered another need.  

See below: Tine's bed, 

a stuffed rice sack for a pillow and a couple old t-shirts for a cover that were damp from the rain..

                                A mattress was an affordable gift the team could bring for Tine.

                                  "Mesi anpil!" says Tine.  "Bondye Beni ou." said the team members.  

                                                       (Thank you very much   -   God bless you)

     Krisiana Noel was another woman in tremendous need.  The team brought the blessing of some rice 

                                  and beans and saw the need to make a trip to the mattress store.  

                                                         We were frequent shoppers this week.

                                                                  Mattress delivery...No problem!

                                                         When we care, we can be changed

                                The neighbors were happy for the family that received some food.  

                                                           When they care, they can be changed.

An update...These are the twins from the neighborhood whose mother died in childbirth in March. 

Kris Mylove and Kris Dylove are thriving under the care of their aunt.  They came to the dorm to visit. 

Pictured here are four little girls, all sisters of the twin babies.  The MH goat program provided the way for them to receive this goat.  The program asks that the first female goat be given back to the program to then be passed on to another family.  

                         Finally, Many Hands for Haiti Construction Coordinator, Burns Cesaire. 

            Making a trip to Hinche to buy supplies for a house build he has been working on for MH.

We know God has amazing things planned for the ministry of MH.  

Part of the new land in Sylvain is being prepared for planting.... 

a well will be drilled very soon.... 

new storage for Meals from the Heartland will be made.... 

Buildings for security personnel and the THRIVE program are being designed with construction to begin soon.... 

The community members in Sylvain are being interviewed to evaluate the needs.... 

the new THRIVE program details are being mapped out.... 

selection of participants will happen soon.... 

Teams will be serving throughout the summer.... 

                                              "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, 

                 clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

Colossians 3:12  NRSV

"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods 

and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?  

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." 

1 John 3:17-18  NRSV

"But let me run loose and free, celebrating God's great work, 

every bone in my body laughing, singing, 'God, there's no one like you.  

You put the down-and-out on their feet and protect the unprotected from bullies!' "

Psalm 35:9-10  The Message

Regular people

Quite likely it won’t be until we all get to heaven that we can be together with ALL our family and friends.  We have spent time with MANY friends and family members over the past weeks while we have been back in the US and it has been a gift from God! 

The conversations over a meal or just a happenstance meeting have blessed us, refreshed us, and often challenged us to think deep into God’s desire and plan for our time and energy.  As we listen to questions and comments and thoughts shared, it is necessary to evaluate our responses and think beyond into the weeks and months ahead concerning the work God has laid out for us with Many Hand for Haiti.  Through these conversations we are challenged to think about strategies and action steps that are fully aligned with the Word of God. 

What a treat it has been to just be ‘regular’ people the past weeks…regular people finding joy in regular things such as writing down quotable words from Oliver, our grandson, 6 years old and in Kindergarten.  One afternoon Oliver was climbing on TOP of the monkey bars while playing at the park.  Grand Dad cautioned that he should only hang from the bars…”You might fall.”  Oliver challenged the remark, “Jesus would never let that happen to me.”  Is that the child-like faith God’s word says we can have?

                                                      A highlight is a family trip to Holland, MI 

                              to celebrate son Jonathan’s graduation from Western Theological Seminary.  

                                  We had the most amazing gift of staying in a house on Lake Michigan 

                                                           all together with extended family.  

                                                         Michael, Oliver, Ivy, Jennifer, Jonathan

     Again, finding the joy in regular things such as Oliver loosing a tooth 

DURING the graduation ceremony.       

Later the audience prayed the Lord’s Prayer with the graduates.  

After the AMEN, toothless Oliver said, “That’s different than what I say.”  

After a pause, “Why does it say ‘time travel’? 

  The printed prayer read ‘Save us from the time of trial'

                                                                    Jonathan with his wife Anna

                                                                            Toothless Oliver

                                                      Michael and Oliver after graduation

                       On our last evening at the house we watched the sun set over Lake Michigan. 

                                            “Good bye sun….until next time.” Oliver said quietly. 

    Another regular joy was being in Jonathan and Anna’s apartment 

where our 7 month old granddaughter sat up “all by herself” for the first time…

and the joy of another quotable remark from Ivy’s big brother,

      “She’s only being held up by the angels of Jesus.”

                                                 Tulip Time in Holland, MI was just a bit cold this year

As we pack to travel back to Haiti on Monday, May 18^th, we have much on our minds.  Excitement and prayers for our son Michael as he will be traveling soon with 2 friends to visit one of the guys parents in Dubai and traveling again on a college ‘study abroad’ semester September-December 2015.

Excitement and prayers for Jonathan and Anna as Jonathan will be seeking a career position in music ministry.

Excitement and prayers of Thanksgiving for our son-in-law John who has completed his Masters degree and for Jennifer and John as they follow Proverbs 22:6 and work to train their children to be Christ followers. 

  Jennifer and Ivy

Excitement and prayers for our return to Haiti and all the work that is ahead.  Plans for new buildings on new land for new programs to make a new difference in the lives of new people we will meet.  New people, including short term mission team members who will be visiting Haiti and serving God throughout May, June, July and August.  Excitement and prayers for MH4H staff, Haitian and American.

Relying on our own strength and knowledge would be sure disaster.  We know God is able to do great things if we move beyond our desires and focus on what God desires.   

Quoting “Possible” by Stephan Bauman…’The way that works involves both hard work and sustained surrender to God so that his strength, his power, works in and through us.  This principle acknowledges one of the great mysteries, and privileges, of our life with God: we are invited to be the hands and feet of Christ for others, be disciples proclaiming good news to the poor, offering the resurrection power of God to bring his healing, his solutions, his salvation to a broken world. A disciple is “anyone whose ultimate goal is to live as Jesus would live if he were in their place.”  The great mystery of following Jesus is that he lives his life through us. Don’t be tempted to work from your own strength as if everything depends on you.  That always leads to exhaustion, tension, and frustration.’ 

Paul said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  God didn’t say it would be easy, but he promised help along the way. 

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; 

the flames will not set you ablaze.”  Isaiah 43:1-2

And from Luke 4:18-19… “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, 

to let the oppressed go free, 

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

So… Go and BE disciples.