Finding it hard to sleep tonight. It's 11:30 pm (Colorado time) and I have to be at the airport by 5:30 am tomorrow. I remember leaving Melbourne in disbelief that the time had come for me to leave for Haiti. Now that my short stopover in Colorado has come to an end reality is starting to sink in. In less than 24 hours everything is about to CHANGE! Haiti is about to become "home".
Am I ready for it? I don't know.
But I know I am not alone. Last Wednesday some Grade 1 students from Christian College Geelong reminded me that God is with me every move I make. Such a simple truth.
I will put my confidence in my God who has already gone before me. He is faithful.
p.s.- I'd love to post some pics to make this blog more interesting but it'll have to wait til the end of the month. My camera is still in transit! Long story.
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Friday, 22 July 2011
Eliezaire's story....
Everyone has a story; this is Eliezaire's story...
Today is Eliezaire's birthday; today he is 8 years old. Like most 8 year old boys Eliezaire likes playing soccer, riding a bike and playing games.
He lives in Port-au-prince, Haiti with his mother and one other sibling. Typical houses in Eliezaire's community are constructed of cement floors, brick walls and corrugated iron roofs.
Eliezaire's mother sometimes works as a trader at the local market. Most adults in his community are unemployed or underemployed earning as little as $US31 per month. Due to his mother's low income Eliezaire's family struggles to survive.
Eliezaire has begun attending a Compassion Development Centre in Port-au-prince and needs a sponsor. Sponsorship will provide Eliezaire with education, schoolbooks, uniform, health and hygiene education, medical examinations, recreational activities and Bible teaching.
To add to this, sponsorship will provide Eliezaire with HOPE for the future as well as a letter-writing relationship with someone who cares enough to invest in his future! With your words you can encourage someone to dream and develop their God-given gifts; you can express that you care!
For just $11 a week (or the equivalent of 3 coffees) you can help Eliezaire receive what he needs to break the cycle of poverty.
Please let me know if you can help; I can't think of a better birthday gift for Eliezaire!!
p.s.- I have until the 31st August to find a sponsor for Eliezaire (after this date he will be added to a priority list of children waiting for a long while to be sponsored).
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Packing begins.... for the 4th time!
I've actually lost count of the number of times I've rearranged my luggage... how many more times will I have to reorganise my "stuff" before I get it right!
Maybe something has got to leave? But what?
* Mosquito net? (definitely not!)
* Teaching resources? (heavy, but I need them all!)
* Bed linen and towels? (bulky, but one less thing to buy on my arrival)
* Lap top? (useful for communicating to loved ones back home)
Take less clothes? mmm.... which ones? I can't decide just yet.
I think it's time to clear my mind of baggage and go for a run!
Maybe something has got to leave? But what?
* Mosquito net? (definitely not!)
* Teaching resources? (heavy, but I need them all!)
* Bed linen and towels? (bulky, but one less thing to buy on my arrival)
* Lap top? (useful for communicating to loved ones back home)
Take less clothes? mmm.... which ones? I can't decide just yet.
I think it's time to clear my mind of baggage and go for a run!
Saturday, 16 July 2011
What will you be doing in Haiti?
I have been asked this question countless times by those curious about my adventure to Haiti. The more I am asked this question, the more I realise how little I know!
The basics:
* I am moving to Haiti in August to live and teach in Port-au-prince for 2 years
* I will be teaching Grade 3 at Quisqueya Christian School, an English speaking school founded by American missionaries
* I will be working and living with other missionary teachers (including Americans, Canadians, Australians and Haitians)
* I will be paid a minimal wage (one-sixth of an Australian teacher's wage)
What do I hope to achieve?
I want to partner with God and His purpose for Haiti. God is in the business of restoring people to Himself and bringing Hope to all nations. On my first visit to Haiti I was overwhelmed and confronted by the needs of this poor nation; poverty is a complex issue and there is no quick fix for Haiti!
Despite the facts and daily reality for Haitians I believe my God is able to bring HOPE and change to this nation. I want to be a part of His plan to rebuild the nation of Haiti. I want to live life on purpose by being intentional about what I do each day; by showing God's love to the people I meet. I want to encourage and motivate others to live their life for God's purpose and to use their unique talents to make a difference to the world around them.
Whether in Haiti, Australia or Timbucktoo... we CAN all make a difference!
The basics:
* I am moving to Haiti in August to live and teach in Port-au-prince for 2 years
* I will be teaching Grade 3 at Quisqueya Christian School, an English speaking school founded by American missionaries
* I will be working and living with other missionary teachers (including Americans, Canadians, Australians and Haitians)
* I will be paid a minimal wage (one-sixth of an Australian teacher's wage)
What do I hope to achieve?
I want to partner with God and His purpose for Haiti. God is in the business of restoring people to Himself and bringing Hope to all nations. On my first visit to Haiti I was overwhelmed and confronted by the needs of this poor nation; poverty is a complex issue and there is no quick fix for Haiti!
Despite the facts and daily reality for Haitians I believe my God is able to bring HOPE and change to this nation. I want to be a part of His plan to rebuild the nation of Haiti. I want to live life on purpose by being intentional about what I do each day; by showing God's love to the people I meet. I want to encourage and motivate others to live their life for God's purpose and to use their unique talents to make a difference to the world around them.
Whether in Haiti, Australia or Timbucktoo... we CAN all make a difference!
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
TeacHaiti Deadline Is This Week
An important message from Ben and Katie, on behalf of TeacHaiti...
"Dear friends and Haiti-lovers, You've heard us talk a million times about TeacHaiti: an educational sponsorship program that provides school for the poorest of the poor kids in Haiti. For $350 a year, you can sponsor a sweet little kid to have daily hot lunch, tuition, books, uniforms, shoes, school supplies, immunizations, doctor visits, etc. etc. The 220 kids go to school in neighborhood private schools (free public schools basically don't exist in Haiti), except for about 70 of them in grades 1-4 who attended the new TeacHaiti School of Hope just down the street from Ben and I (and Quisqueya where we teach) in Port-au-Prince.
Each year there are dozens and dozens of new applicants! Lots of kids in line for an opportunity of a lifetime like this. Each year Miquette and her team have to wade through the applications and select the kids who will be accepted.
How many spots will be open for next year? Well, that depends on you, to be frank..."
Ben and Katie in Haiti
(To read more click here on the green link)
"Dear friends and Haiti-lovers, You've heard us talk a million times about TeacHaiti: an educational sponsorship program that provides school for the poorest of the poor kids in Haiti. For $350 a year, you can sponsor a sweet little kid to have daily hot lunch, tuition, books, uniforms, shoes, school supplies, immunizations, doctor visits, etc. etc. The 220 kids go to school in neighborhood private schools (free public schools basically don't exist in Haiti), except for about 70 of them in grades 1-4 who attended the new TeacHaiti School of Hope just down the street from Ben and I (and Quisqueya where we teach) in Port-au-Prince.
Each year there are dozens and dozens of new applicants! Lots of kids in line for an opportunity of a lifetime like this. Each year Miquette and her team have to wade through the applications and select the kids who will be accepted.
How many spots will be open for next year? Well, that depends on you, to be frank..."
Ben and Katie in Haiti
(To read more click here on the green link)
Monday, 11 July 2011
It shouldn't end at the beginning...
Everyday 22 000 children die, most from entirely preventable causes. That’s one child death every four seconds. We CAN do something about it.
Click here to watch the video and sign the petition
This is just the beginning ...
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Another thank you...
The least I can do for those partnering with me and God's purpose in Haiti, is to say "Thank you!" Today I received a "surprise donation" in the post from Christine at Learning Made Easier. Initially the agreement was a discounted price but when I opened the parcel today I found a note which said "This is all a gift".
I now have grammar and maths dice, reproducible games, as well as cards with spelling and grammar rules.
Thank you Christine! May God bless you and your business for your generosity. I hope this blog gives you some publicity (though at present there are only 3 followers; possibly more on the email list!).
I now have grammar and maths dice, reproducible games, as well as cards with spelling and grammar rules.
Thank you Christine! May God bless you and your business for your generosity. I hope this blog gives you some publicity (though at present there are only 3 followers; possibly more on the email list!).
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