friends, graduation, and hard good-bye's

Grace Community high school team in Chambrun

I'm pretty sure I've said it over and over but I really love having friends come to visit and serve here at NVM.  This past week was a visit I had literally been counting down the days for.  Before moving to Haiti I volunteered at my church with the senior high students.  Serving at Grace is still something I miss, so having them here on campus was really good for my heart!  The team arrived in Haiti fully ready to jump right in and serve and love on each person they met.  They were truly the hands and feet of Christ and I loved watching as they processed and experienced each day here.  They started the day early with helping to run an English Camp on campus and would spend the afternoons sanding and painting in the hospital or new children's homes.  I thought they would be too tired to visit Chambrun in the afternoons, but they were unstoppable and would spend the late afternoon playing soccer, painting nails, and chasing around all the kiddos.  These high school students aren't just along for the ride and won't be the type that simply settle for the "American dream"---they are already changing the world and I can't imagine just what all God has in store for them in the years to come.   

Kindergarten graduating class!

Last Saturday was a HUGE day to celebrate on campus!!  Pastor said there are three reasons Haitians really go all out and celebrate (some parents even sell land, animals, etc in order to purchase the needed items for the event): weddings, funerals, and kindergarten graduation.  On Saturday the church was packed as everyone gathered to watch the graduation of the kindergarten class.  The students recited scripture, sang songs, performed skits, danced, and overall just looked completely adorable as they went through the program.  I loved watching the looks of pride and happiness on different family members faces as their students were recognized. The parents for each child chose to make sacrifices in order for the child to attend school.  They chose to place value on their child's education.  This is the next generation of teachers, doctors, nurses, policemen, and the list goes on and on.  I love that the accomplishment of graduating kindergarten is such a big deal. They are being propelled into the next several years of schooling with excitement and most of all a huge fan base of people that are cheering them on and praying for them.  

Mama Eunide (house mom for the children's home at NVM) with Widley and Martino

Widley and Martino (twins from the children's home at NVM) both graduated from Kindergarten and received an award for placing first and second in the entire class!  The NVM staff spent the evening celebrating at the children's home in Chambrun with a huge cake and lots and lots of coke and then of course some more music and dancing.  We went around the room and everyone said what they loved about Widley and Martino.  It was amazing to hear stories about how shy and quiet they were when they first came to the children's home a few years ago and to now see how God is shaping their lives.  I love watching as Mama Eunide cares for each of the children in the home.  She doesn't simply just "watch" them because it is her job, but rather she loves them like they are her own.  

They consumed plenty of sugar!  

Natacha and some of the food she prepared.

After graduation I was invited to my first Kindergarten graduation party!!  For weeks before the party I watched as Natacha prepared her home and heard all sorts of talk about what food she would prepare. She rearranged the table, chairs, and dish stand several times and by Saturday it was all spotless and beautiful.  We were fed some amazing food, along with bottles of coke, and of course there was music and dancing.  After we finished our meal at Natacha's, we were rushed off to another graduation party where we were again fed more delicious food.  The women in Chambrun are amazing cooks and I left the village beyond full!  The village was alive with excitement as everyone went from home to house and celebrated.  I felt completely honored to be invited to celebrate along with our friends and to be a part of this big day for their children.  

Aubree, E'tienne and I

I have been blessed to serve here in Haiti with Aubree and E'tienne.  We laugh because we live, work, eat, serve, and basically all breathe together.  There aren't too many moments that you won't find two out of the three of us together--and usually you will find all three of us together.  God truly blessed me with friends to process and grow with as I learn to live and work in Haiti.  Monday was a really hard day because Monday started the next phase for E'tienne.  As I watched her process and say countless goodbye's I was thankful that God has called me to be here longer.  I know that God has a plan for my friend and that no matter where she is He will use her to accomplish great things.  Campus really isn't the same without her here and we are already counting down the days until she comes back for a visit!

The last few weeks have been busy, but at the same time really good.  God is moving here and He is changing the lives of both the Haitians and volunteers that come to serve with NVM.  I feel blessed to have been called to live and serve here in Haiti.