Our Hiking Adventure

Amber wrote a great blog about our adventure this week! Here is her post about our 1st day hiking. 

Check out her blog http://alertsfromamber.blogspot.com/.

When discussing what we would do during spring break (here it is called Karnaval break and coincides with Mardi Gras) we decided that we would attempt a hike we had heard a lot about. We wanted to go to Cap Haitien or the Dominican Republic, but those trips were too complicated or too expensive or both. So, we opted to save some money and have a bit more of an adventure and hike from Port au Prince (well, we started significantly south of the city) to Jacmel (the place we drove to earlier this school year). We had heard many different guesses on how long the hike would take and how difficult it was, but we assumed it would take about two days to get to Jacmel and we would camp just outside the small mountain town of Seguin. 

On Monday morning nine of us began the journey. Katie, her friend Lauri, myself, Jill, Josiah, Nathaniel, Damon, Robbie and Irene all loaded up into a taptap to begin the climb up the mountain to begin the journey. An employee at the school owns a taptap and graciously agreed to give up a few hours of sleep on Monday morning to drive us an hour up a mountain. Each minute we drove uphill was less that we would have to climb….or so we thought. We began the hike in the small suburb of Port au Prince known as Kenscoff. The air was noticeably cooler and some of us put on jackets to begin the hike. For the next few hours we hiked uphill and then downhill with the views getting better and better the longer we walked. We talked, we snacked, we stopped to use the natural restroom, we shouted “bonjou” at people we passed by who returned the greeting with a look of confusion on what these nine blan were doing walking up a mountain with huge bags on their backs. 

Around the Kenscoff/Furcy area.

Ayiti bel!

The long hike uphill...

Beautiful view from the top.

This plant looks like something from Dr. Seuss.

Walking on the edge of the pine forest.

The first day we hiked a total of 14 miles with a total increase of 3,300 feet in elevation. After hiking up and up and up and up a hill, we reached the top and were greeted with a site you wouldn’t expect to see in Haiti….a pine forest. We had heard of the pine forest, but it wasn’t what we had expected. I expected a small grove of pine trees but instead saw a forest stretching far and wide filled with tall pines, their needles scattered along the ground. A dirt road cut through the forest and the cool, piney air was all around. What a refreshing site, but one problem stood out...we were almost out of water. It was getting around the time when we would need to set up camp but we hadn’t found a good water source. We had heard of a pump near where we were, but hadn’t found it yet. We stopped for a break and saw a small structure a few yards up the trail. Katie and I went to check it out and yippee, water!! A cement structure was pumping water from a nearby river and we were able to fill up our water bottles. We found a campsite nearby, hidden in the woods and set up camp. 5 hammocks, 2 tents, and a small camp stove later we were ready for the night. I’ll take a second and note the blessing that the Pruitts were on this trip. They are experienced hikers and backpackers and we honestly might not have survived the trip (at least not well) if we hadn’t had them. Robbie doctored our feet along the trail when we were developing “hot spots” on our feet from ill-chosen shoes (ahem, me…), they had water purification drops, camp stove, trail mix, and many other fabulous camping supplies that made our trip much more enjoyable. 

We found water!!!

The hammock set up.

Robbie in his cooking chair.

Delicious dinner.

Jill and I stacked our hammocks...she was very close to me.

After a great dinner made by Robbie, some tea, and some laughter, we climbed into our hammocks and tents at the early hour of 7:45 and settled in for the night. After hearing that the air was much cooler in the mountains we were prepared with sweats and socks and other warm clothes, but I still spent much of the night curled up in fetal position trying to stay warm. The night was fairly quite in the woods compared to the bustling noise of the city that we are all used to. No cars, no horns, no people, fewer roosters. Sleeping soundly, no major injuries, all nine of us still accounted for….our first day was a success. 

Our attitude towards sin

Over the past week my 2nd graders have become experts on saying hurtful things, tattle tailing, being very dramatic and crying. 

This afternoon as a class we had a very important meeting about our behavior and the classroom environment. I explained the importance of being kind and saying encouraging things to each other. We also talked about loving each other even when it is hard. 

After our discussion, I asked my students to raise their hand if they had bullied or been mean to another student over this past week. Almost everyone raised their hand. I was amazed at their honesty and quickness in admitting their own faults.

Next, I asked each student to go immediately to the person they had hurt, apologize, and ask for forgiveness.  

Out of the corner of my eye I could see 2 girls apologizing and hugging. Suddenly they both broke into tears.  They were hysterically crying. I went over to hug them and asked what was wrong. Annabel said between sobs, "I know what I did was so hurtful to Rebecca, and it makes me so sad that I did it." 

WOW! My eyes filled up with tears as she explained this to me. Instantly I thought of my own heart and attitude toward sin. Is my first reaction to fall at the feet of Jesus completely remorseful for my actions? Does my own sin and brokenness bring me to my knees before the Lord? 

God, I am totally undeserving of Your love. I deserve nothing but death. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place on the cross. Because of that sacrifice I can experience life with You.  I pray that Truth would resonate deep in my heart, and cause me to live my life totally surrendered to You alone. 

Heart for the Kids on the Street

Everyday there are boys on the street that wash cars with old dirty rags. As they do this they beg for both money and food. I do not know if they truly are hungry or in need of money, but I do know they do not often get whatever they are given. They are forced to give what they receive to their "boss". This is just common knowledge on the streets of Port-au-Prince. 

For whatever reason this past week I have really noticed the boys and have paid close attention to what they do. Today one of the 14 year old boys stuck out his hand and asked me for money. I reached out my hand and shook his to introduce myself. It took him by surprise, but we did have a short conversation. After finding out a little about him, I said I wasn't going to give him money and said goodbye. He then smiled a huge smile at me and walked away. 

My heart breaks for those boys. How unfair that they live that life? How frustrating that they are out begging day after day for food and money? Will they ever do anything else? Why does that have to be normal and comfortable for them? 

God, I pray that these boys would know you. I pray that you would bring joy and life into their hearts. I pray they would find value in You alone. Bring them freedom and show them Your love! 

Living in Haiti is hard. It is beyond frustrating to see all the injustice and poverty. God, help me find comfort in knowing one day You will restore all creation and it will be the way You intended. With all my heart,  I pray that day would come soon! 

God still has the whole world in His hands!

"I am able to face the uncertainty of this life, knowing that God is certain and in control."

Today in church we watched a sermon by Andy Stanley. The Lord used it as a reminder to me that God is faithful and trustworthy. 

Take 30 minutes and watch his sermon!

http://praisesermons.com/index.php/videos/viewvideo/1119/strength/andy-stanley-god-is-in-control

Saturday (random) Thoughts

I must be getting old because I cannot sleep in any more. I was wide awake at 6:35. So it was a perfect morning to do yoga with Tiffany.

After yoga Amber, Katie, Tiffany, Jarrett,  Nathaniel and I all went to Petionville to do a few errands. We went grocery shopping at Giant. Giant is a little bigger and has more food options than Eagle, so it is nice to go there every once in a while. While we were out Nathaniel had to go to a book store down the road to get some French books for his class. Amber and I tagged along with him to get some coffee! 

Now I am currently sitting on my couch with a diet coke listening to country music. It is funny how music can take you back to specific times in your life. The music I am listening to now makes me think of Sarah and Katie, my best friends at Appalachian.  I loved the Saturdays we spent driving on the Parkway talking about life! I am so blessed to have such great college memories with those girls! :) 

Time sure flies by. Those times were less than a year ago! 

I am amazed at God's faithfulness. I am in awe of His unfailing love. I am humbled by His death on the Cross. 

I pray I would keep my eyes on Christ alone. I pray that I would experience Him be more than enough for me! 

A quick thought...

Being in Haiti around missionary couples and families has been such an encouragement. Over the past months the Lord has revealed to me glimpses of how He desires a marriage to be. 

It has been incredible to see ways that couples personalities and talents work together to further the Kingdom. It also has been amazing to see families leave the comforts and "normality" of life to serve God alone. 

I do desire to be married one day and have a family. It excites me to be able pray with my husband and consider how the Lord would have us serve Him together. 

Right now the Lord has blessed me with singleness. Some days are much harder than others to see this as a blessing!

In the meantime, I pray God would prepare me to be exactly who He has created me to be. I pray I would learn to be joyful and content in all seasons of my life. 

Beach Weekend

This weekend we had a Staff retreat at the beach. It doesnt get much better than spending a few days in February at the beach in the sun.

Here are some pictures! 

                                                            

 No weekend can be perfect... I am literally covered in jellyfish bites. They itch like crazy. Be praying they go away soon!