Degaje

ENGLISH CAMP ANKO!

2010-06-23T13:13:00.000-05:00

Head on over to ecdestinationhaitiDOTblogspotDOTcom to hear about what's going on this year in English Camp!

I'm Not Alright - Sanctus Real

2010-02-22T14:11:00.000-06:00

If weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of
The "cool" is just how far we have to fall
And I'm not immune, I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall

Can I lose my need to impress?
If you want the truth I need to confess

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside, broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to You, it leads me to you

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to
Only You are there to lead me on.

'Cause honestly, I'm not that strong.

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside
Broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to You
It leads me to You
Closer to You

And I'll move,
and I'll move,
and I'll move,
Closer to You (x3)

I'm not alright I'm broken inside
Broken inside
I'm broken inside, Broken inside
And all I go through leads me to You
Leads me to You

I'm not alright, I'm not alright
I'm not alright

... that's why I need You.

God's got me - I know it, I just need to live like I know it - moping isn't going to solve anything. God's got it all under control and can heal the wounds I'm facing, that Haiti's facing.

I need You. This all leads me to You.

M'ap Vini, Ayiti Cheri!

2010-02-17T13:29:00.002-06:00

I'm headed to Haiti on Monday - I'm so stoked! I think this will help me get some closure and just grieve a bit... or something. It's so hard to explain. Thank you all for your prayers - I'll do my best to keep you updated!

LOve.Chelsey.

A month.

2010-02-12T15:13:00.003-06:00

A month of sorrows,
A month of despair,
A month of pain,
A month of prayer,
A month of uncertainty,
A month of fear,
A month of strength,
A month of endurance,
A month of little miracles,
A month of awareness,
A month of anger,
A month of grief,
A month of mourning,
A month of caring,
A month of the unknown,
A month of the unbelievable,
A month of the unforgettable,
A month of the unexplainable,
A month of the misunderstood,
A month of the worst,
A month of need,
A month of giving,
A month of insecurity,
A month of misery,
A month of humanity,
A month of repentance,
A month of salvation,
A month of mercy,
A month of grace,
A month of love,
A month of God's hope,
A month of being held.

A month has gone by since the quake, but I have not forgotten. Haiti has not forgotten. We WILL NOT FORGET. Do not let others forget - it is not over and will not be for a long, long time to come.

Haiti Quake

2010-01-16T17:17:00.000-06:00

My heart is broken today as I write this, yet there have been moments of pure joy as a result of the outpouring of love and support from those who have seen the dire needs in Haiti and have striven to meet them. First of all, my family is OK. My parents were in Orlando, FL, for the Disney Marathon (see this, posted previously) to help raise money for an ambulance for our women's center. My five younger siblings, Katie Grace, Joseph, Benjamin, Dominique and Isabelle, along with our dear friend Kelly Tobin (who was standing in for my parents while they were gone) were all in Haiti at the time of the quake. They are all safe and unharmed. Kelly, Katie, Joe, Ben, and Dom were all evacuated by the US Air Force late Wed/early Thurs and are now with Kelly at her home in NH and will soon be reunited with my mom. Isabelle is still in Haiti, in the care of Brittany Gilbert, while my parents advocate for an emergency visa for her. My parents are collecting supplies and funds to send down with my dad and Beth and Morgan McHoul, who are set to fly down on a chartered flight tomorrow. Monetary donations, should you feel the need to give, can be sent to:

Heartline Ministries
c/o Nichols Accounting
5680 E. Franklin Road, Suite 110 Nampa, ID 83687

Be sure to include a note designating it towards earthquake relief. If you are more the internet type, you can go to haiti-relief.org , where you can donate to Heartline via paypal. Thank you for your support and prayers!!!!

LOve.Chelsey

PS - look here and here and here for direct updates, and follow any Tlucek family updates here. Email byrontlucek@aol.com to sign up for email updates from my parents.

Rete nan Mwen

2009-11-17T11:49:00.003-06:00

Abide... Rete... Stay... What do these words bring to mind? "Staying" in while your friends are out partying? Stuck "staying" in a town you don't like? Or, on a more dramatic note, telling a loved one to "stay" with you, to not go...? Abiding with a person with which you do not get along? Abiding with with the one you love, forever? You can take this word and its synonyms (stay, live with, reside, remain...) and look at it from many different contexts, all used differently in different situations. I personally am choosing to "abide" or "rete" in Christ. For He said:

4Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:4-11 NASB)

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(I have included different translations/versions to look at the different ways it's phrased - they're in no particular order)
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4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

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4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:4-11 NLT)

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4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[a] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Love and Joy Perfected

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:4-11 NKJV)

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4"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

5-8"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
9-10"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.
11-15"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. (MSG)

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I am reading the book When God Writes Your Live Story, and they had this quote in there:

"Abide in Me, for without Me you can do nothing." ~Jesus Christ

It made me stop and think, "Am I abiding in Him? Is all that I'm 'doing' going to dust? Is it burning away? (1 Corinthians 3:10-14) Am I as a "clanging cymbal" (1 Cor. 13:1-3), and gaining nothing through all my efforts?" I then thought about how I spent my time and whether or not I was really and truly "abiding" and "making my home" in Him. I was made sadly aware of how I was neglecting Him, and how that has affected my performance in other areas of my life. We can't do anything worthwhile or anything with meaning and purpose in our lives without this Love, this Jesus. I knew that I needed to cut out the things that were hindering me and keeping me from remaining in Him and making my home in Him. So, facebook and television need to be put on the proverbial shelf, internet surfing needs to stop, and abiding must begin.

San Jezi, m' paka fe anyen.

Haiti, Here We Come!

2009-11-12T12:52:00.004-06:00

Many of you know that I am a biology major, premed, at the College of Idaho. I am so blessed to be a part of Campus Ministries, where I am a part of their program team (we plan fun events) and Potter's Clay, a club that puts together service trips to other countries and even to places in the States, such at NYC or San Francisco or even our own city of Caldwell. This year I am blessed to help put together a trip to Haiti! We are going to be helping out my parents at the kids' homes, painting, a medical clinic perhaps, playing with kids at other orphanages, and all sorts of awesome stuff. We have a group of fifteen people going, and I am absolutely stoked! We have a bit of fund raising to do, as we all must get plane tickets (half of us have them bought, the others probably will by next week), pay for our food and such while we're in Haiti, and buy supplies for what we have to do while we are there.

If any of you would like to support us in our endeavor, you can send your donations to:

Campus Ministries
The College of Idaho
Box 52
2112 Cleveland Blvd.
Caldwell, ID 83605

Make checks payable to the College of Idaho. For tax purposes, you may put "Haiti" in the memo, but DO NOT WRITE MY NAME ON THE CHECK, even in the memo. You can include a note with your check, though, if you would like. :)

So, along with much homework and an extensive biology project, that is what I am up to as of late. Know that you're always free to email me if you have any questions or want me to write about anything of interest to you! mk4haiti@gmail.com

~Chelsey

Malaria Central

2009-10-25T15:34:00.004-05:00

Look at this.... wow.
Red = malaria everywhere
Yellow = malaria presence varies
Green = no known malaria

yikesers... that explains a lot!

Click here for a better version of this picture, and make sure to zoom in on the Carribean.

I want to hear from you!

2009-10-03T21:34:00.002-05:00

I have not heard from many of my readers, which I really would love... So, if you have any questions about Haiti, my family, me, or what we do in Haiti or have a request for a blog on a certain subject, just leave a comment or email me at mk4haiti@gmail.com and I'll write a blog in response.

Nan Bondye,

Chelsey

100 Days...

2009-10-03T21:29:00.002-05:00

... until the Disney Marathon! Yikes! I'd better get cooking! As my mom and I prepare to run our first marathon together, I realize that it is a big commitment. Will you all continue to pray for our health and that we continue to train diligently? Thank you all so much! I'll continue to keep you all posted.

Love,

Chelsey

Updating....

2009-09-30T00:11:00.003-05:00

Hello, y'all... (I'm not southern... but I felt like saying, "ya'll," so deal with it. :] )

Much has happened since my last update, but I think I'll try to get most of it in bullet point, and if there are any q's, email me: mk4haiti@gmail.com .

We realized the "cough" was pertussis (aka whooping cough) - we are now over it, no worries
Isabelle contracted chicken pox (but got better at the end of July and is her crazy busy, energetic self, into EVERYTHING!)
My computer crashed - hence the blog block and no pictures to speak of (yet).
Groups from Washington, New Hampshire, California, Minnesota, and Illinois all came and went from EC (my bestie Katelyn came from Idaho as well!)
Ebony (our rottie/lab mix) had nine beautiful puppies (daddy being Marley)
English Camp ended beautifully (pictures to come)
My mother and I signed up/registered for the Disney marathon in Orlando in January (whoohoo!)
Our family (little boys went to their friends' houses and had a blast there ;] ) and volunteers Shalayna (cousin), Damon and Alex all went down to Zanglais (BEAUTIFUL!) for a 3-day vacation to recover from EC madness
Andrew, Shalayna and I all returned to the US. :(
Andrew and I did some chilling in Idaho (some fishing and camping and chilling occured)
School prep began....
School started for me Sept 10th
BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrew left for Ecola (Sept 25th :[ sad day pour moi, happy day for him)
BUSY SCHOOL!!!!!!
Me, doing an update when I should do math homework or go to bed (I prefer the latter =P)

I love you guys and will get going on the blog on a more regular basis SOON!

~Chelsey

AUGH! SO SORRY!

2009-08-08T12:41:00.001-05:00

Hey you all! I have not been writing... mostly due to the fact that my computer has issues and I haven't had time to solve them - but Camp is over, so that should resolve itself soon! I will update you and put up some pics in the next couple of weeks, k?

Love you all!

Chelsey

English Camp 2009 Week One!

2009-07-04T13:31:00.009-05:00

Hey there!

Week one of EC is over. Wow... It's surreal, almost that we have begun and are already a sixth of the way done. We have a grand total of seventy-two kids this year, and so far it has been wonderful! We have a group in from MI and WI, along from a couple of people from CA, that have been a tremendous help with planning, scheduling, then actually executing those plans.

Week One's Workers

It's a huge blessing to be able to see how some of these kids keep returning and how their lives have been changed as a result. One young girl has stopped drinking, a little boy has stopped bullying other children, one little girl now goes to a school where she has her English reinforced, while my own life has also been changed - I have grown to understand even better these people of the country that I have grown to love almost more than my native country and have seen a whole different side of our God, how He loves and cares for His children no matter who they are or where they reside. I have seen how much I have been blessed and how important it is to take hold of all the opportunities that I have been given. It saddens me to be in the States and to see how little people my age realize what they have and actually make good use of it. A professor at my college told me that he sees grades drop every year as kids continue to have more and more but don't care to make use of it. They don't realize that the US is not all there is; there are many, many other countries in the world with people that cannot eat everyday and cannot go to school, while they can get a higher education at a prestigious school. They all need to wake up and see what is happening right outside their door! Well, I guess I could write a whole series of blogs on this subject, but EC update is what this blog is supposed to be about, so I will move on...

This week went fairly smoothly. Every morning and afternoon (before and after camp), we had a meeting, always asking these questions:

How can we better do things today?
What went well today/yesterday and did not?
How can we better show God's love to these kids?
How can we make camp more fun and help them to learn in a more fun and better way?

We have already learned a lot of how to make it run better and have continued to tweak and manage better, from when to give kids water and potty breaks to keeping the littlest ones reigned in, to keeping the kids involved and participating in song time. We will continue to do this as time goes on, and hopefully the kids will have the most fun and amazing EC experience ever!

A few prayer requests:

We have a team of 17 from NH coming in this afternoon - please pray for their safety and their adjustment to camp this week. Some will be doing EC, some will be at the children's homes, and some will be doing maintenance at the homes.
Health and Healing: There has been a cough going 'round that has not been fun - thankfully most of us are on the mend, but the cough is very contagious and we pray that it will not continue to circulate. Also, a couple of people have the "Happiness," so pray for their fast recovery as well.
Open hearts and minds for both the campers and the volunteers
Look here for others

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

~Chelsey

English Camp 2009 - Prayer Requests and Update

2009-06-27T11:35:00.005-05:00

English Camp? Some of you may be newbies to this blog, so if you want more info about what it is and how we do it, look here, here, here, and here.

This year looks like it will be very organized and we hope it will run smoothly (but, TIH, right?) We are taking about 70 students and all are registered. We are currently making nametags, labeling water bottles, putting together craft kits and lesson plans and Bible memory lists, praying fervently, practicing the worship time, and trying not to get sick or lose our marbles.

I have a few prayer requests for those of you who are prayer warriors and would love to do so for us ( if you want more or specifics, I'm putting together an email list for that - email me if you are interested: mk4haiti@gmail.com):

This camp is reaching out to the youth of Haiti, the future of Haiti, to multiple classes, so the Devil is not made happy by this. Please pray that we would be protected from attack and that we would stand strong through all that would hit us or oppose us or would try to knock us down.

Currently there is a cough going 'round... Isabelle has a terrible cough that literally made her cry in pain - thankfully we got her some meds for that yesterday afternoon, so she is doing a little better. My dad, mom, three volunteers staying with us, and I all have a cough in varying degrees. I had the first one, but it hasn't seemed to escalate quite as much as some of the others. Andrew also has this stupid infected thing on his chin - so he's going through a round of antibiotics as well. --- Basically, please pray for our health that we would all stay healthy and prepared for the next six weeks - we believe that this is a method of attack that Satan likes to use on us - first with malaria (which we are now taking preventative all the time, b/c we're just plain tired of it), now with this nasty respiratory stuff.

There are many, many people that want a place into our camp, though we have limited space and resources. Please be praying that we would know how to handle this in the next two days as people continue to come to our gate - that we would know God's will concerning each child on our wait list.

Prayers for the campers: That they would have open hearts, minds, and ears to what God may be calling to them or teaching them this summer

For the volunteers, translators, and our family: That we would stay healthy, strong, and united; that we would also keep our hearts soft, open, and patient towards the children; that we would be open to whatever God decides to show or teach us this summer

For funds: The cost for each child to come to our English Camp is $100 USD, though the registration fee for them is 250 gourdes (about $6.50 USD). God has been good and has provided throughout the years. If any of you feel called or led to support a camper or volunteer(it's about $10 USD per person a day to feed and provide electricity for our volunteers for the summer), you can send donations to:

Heartline Ministries
c/o Nichols Accounting
5680 E. Franklin Road, Suite 110 Nampa, ID 83687

(NOTE: make sure to put in a little note designating your donation for English Camp)

For creativity, that we would be able to teach in a way that is interesting, fun, and God-glorifying, so that these kids will be able to have fun learning their English, remembering it, and be able to learn godly principles by seeing our example

Safety for the children as they come and go from camp, as well as our own
That God would be glorified through everything that we do

As for the theme for Camp this year: my mom wrote a newsletter pertaining to EC '09 in her April Newsletter. I believe that she expresses it beautifully.

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ENGLISH CAMP 2009

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
Wow - are we ever excited to see what God has planned for English Camp this summer! A host of volunteers are preparing to come and minister God’s love, some of them having contacted us last August, hoping they would be able to come and be part of English Camp 2009. Additionally, we have been talking with parents, aunts, uncles, caregivers, and grandparents for weeks now - each of them longing to give “their” child an opportunity to participate as a camper at English Camp.
We hear our Savior calling, “Come to Me”. He has called in His work force. He is calling the children. He is calling individuals and Sunday Schools to collect school supplies and backpacks. He is calling us to prayer, to seek His wisdom and direction for English Camp 2009. Do you hear Him calling you?
Perhaps you are being called to a position of intercessory prayer. Many of the children come from difficult situations, where they are already enslaved by superstition and fear. Would you be willing to pray for their freedom in Jesus Christ? That they would hear Christ offer them life - abundant life - if they will come to Him?
Perhaps you are being called to contribute funds so that we are able to accommodate more children this year. Fifty-four children participated in English Camp 2008, at a cost of approximately $100 per child. This money provided lunches, snacks, port-o-potties, translators, cooks, and supplies. For a six week camp, which runs Monday through Friday, from 9:00 to 3:00 this is an amazing bargain. We know God will provide the money needed for each child He has purposed to come to Him this summer. Will you be one who is called to financially support English Camp 2009?
Perhaps you are a shopper, God has given you a gift for locating quality supplies at a fraction of the retail price. Each child receives a backpack at graduation. A Bible is placed in the backpack, with school supplies - composition notebooks, folders, paper, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, crayons, markers, scissors, and a pencil box - and personal hygiene items including a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and deodorant for the older students. Is it possible that God is asking you to be one of a host of shoppers?
God has shown Heartline Ministries much favor, regularly providing opportunities to be His hands and feet to the children of Haiti. We would love to give you an opportunity to partner with us as we endeavor to bring these little ones into His kingdom this year at English Camp 2009. If you hear God calling you to fill a role in English Camp 2009, we are looking forward to hearing from you. Our email addresses are byrontlucek@aol.com and btlucek@yahoo.com, or you can reach us on our internet phone at (208)629-3510.
Updates on Past Prayer Requests:
Cheri Kay Sessions - Ekrissa and Jaryce‘s adoption was FINALLY completed and they returned to the states last month. They have just moved to California so that Ekrissa can be evaluated for a cochlear implant, as she is profoundly deaf.
Emmanuel - Remember the little boy with the clubbed feet? Cheri Kay was his physical therapist. Many of you prayed for a medical visa for him. Emmanuel was treated at a Shriner’s hospital in Boston. His feet have been repaired and he returned home in January. He is now working with a physical therapist to build strength in his legs so that he will be able to walk.
Prayer Requests:
Tenacity - it seems so much is against us while we try to do our work, that sometimes we are tempted to just give up.
Preparation - for English Camp - that our bodies will be strong, our hearts soft, and our minds focused on God’s plans and desires.
Wise stewardship - of the time, energy, and resources which God has given. Exhaustion does not lend itself to wise stewardship.
Focus - we would not be distracted from those things which God most values for us.
Grace - that we would be an extension of God’s grace - to each other, and to all of those to whom we minister.
Administration - we would find better ways to keep order, and make things run smoothly.
Encouragement - we would be encouraged in doing right, and we would be an encouragement to those who work with us.
Progress - we are able to complete the projects which we have started at the children’s homes.
Thank you for your faithful prayers on our behalf. May God bless you richly, as He has used you to be a blessing to our family.

Byron, Shelley, Andrew (at Ecola Bible School), Chelsey (at College of Idaho), Katie Grace, Joe, Ben, Dom and Isabelle

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Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Love, Chelsey

Dog Days

2009-06-26T14:37:00.003-05:00

Ever wondered why they called hot still days "Dog Days"? Well, here's why:

Marley, an English Mastiff, is the Heartline guard dog of all guard dogs(Why is he at our house? He used to be at the MeHouls, then was moved to the girls' house, then migrated over to our house - he loves people, especially Beth. He'd rather be with her, and mopes after she comes over and leaves.). Last night it was proven to us once again that we are in a HOT place... the Dog sprawled himself out in front of the best fan in the house - smart dog.

Chen gwo, wi?

=D

2009-06-22T21:08:00.001-05:00

It's raining... and the huge group had their last dinner... and EC starts in a week.

De-cluttering and EC planning continues tomorrow.

Peace out.

WOOOOOSH!

2009-06-20T15:23:00.002-05:00

I'm tired... Nanny School was this week, and ended today. We had the biggest group ever this week - 31 or 32... I've lost count. We have fed them lunch and dinner every night - which, adding our family and couple other people that are here for the summer, that's about 52 or so (maybe more) every night for dinner. Man, am I tired!

Oh, and EC starts in 9 days...

M' fatige, wi!!?!?

Okie-Dokes, Here We Go...

2009-06-05T20:19:00.003-05:00

Yes, I said "try to blog everyday." Well, folks, not happening, as you have clearly seen. So... to relay to you all the happenings of last week:

Wednesday (June 3rd)

Fairly crazy, as the peeps (aka Mom and Dad, four oldest little kids) were supposed to be at the airport at two thirty. There was a lot of wrapping up of things happening, packing, and sheer chaos occuring. Once everyone left, we felt like the house was quiet. Really, really quiet. When you take Katie Grace, Joe, Ben, and Dom all out of the house, it's almost scary how quiet it is. So, I must say before I go any further that I probably am not experiencing EVERYTHING that my mother goes through in a typical day, but I can say that I am doing the ministry side of things while she is gone. Not only is she a missionary, but a mom to seven, five of which are still at home at ages ten and under.

First Day - Thursday (June 4th)

First thing in the morning, after dragging myself out of bed at eight (yes, I should have been up earlier, I know!), showered, fed Belle some breakfast, and headed over to the girls' house to make up some milk and set out french toast stuff for lunch - all pretty easy things... I then went back to the house and started preparing for the nannies' English class that my mom does for them every weekday. I was having two of my besties, Rachel and Joy, over for the night, so I started making pizza for dinner and a giant cookie for a fruit/dessert pizza. Once I finished, I headed over to do English class at one o'clock. It is a good opportunity for these ladies to learn to speak to the adoptive parents that come in and missions teams and visitors. The only thing is the ranges in ability that I see. A couple already speak a fair amount, while others can't read and make very slow progress, while there are a few are fast, fast learners and catch on quickly. They help each other out, though, which makes me smile. We worked on basic personal questions that they may be asked by a visitor and making basic convo.

Once I was done with English class, I returned to the house to finish putting together pizza. My friends then arrived and we went swimming then had dinner. Once we had dinner, the children came over for Bible story, singing, and prayer time. This time is used to give the kids a feeling of family and to help them get more English interaction, as well as have some closure to the day.

Note: As the people in this country are desperate, it is not uncommon for workers to ask for/"use" more supplies (such as soap, milk, or toilet paper) than they need in order to have a little extra to take home with them. As a result, most of our cleaning supplies, food, and other necessities are locked in cabinets and handed out in allotted amounts daily, so that we are not burning through money and supplies at a rate that will make us broke. It is unfortunate that we have to do it in this manner, but that is just the way it is. "TIH - This is Haiti." We wish that we could supply all of our workers families with such things, but we do provide jobs and two meals a day for all of them, so we are doing what we can for those that we can with what we have. (very confusing sentence, that there!)

This is only a glimpse, and if you have any further questions, put them here in a comment or email me at chelsa.lee@hotmail.com.

I gotta run! We have much to do in the next 16 days!

~Chelsey

"Se vi a nan Ayiti!"

A Day (or Week) in the LIfe...

2009-06-01T17:42:00.002-05:00

Hey all --

I'm back in Haiti again!!!!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! So thankful.... Andrew and I arrived on the 29th and will be here until August 19th - THE WHOLE SUMMER! We will be here helping our parents (our mother in particular - amazing woman) keep their sanity and with EC. It should be a wonderful summer for the both of us. I'm hoping to become fluent (or at least better) in Kreyol, maybe teach myself a bit of guitar for leading song time (who knows if that will happen or not - but I'll say that I tried) and help my mom with organizing/decluttering the house and some painting, peut-etre.... I try to think of what there is to do, then what I can do, then get done what I can... but it's so much!!! hehehe...

Before nanny school and EC madness begins, my parents are taking the little ones (excepting Isabelle, as she's not legal in the States yet) to FL for a week's vacation. Andrew and I will be left behind to take care of the place and little Iz-a-frizz. So, since I always get the q, "What is a typical day for your mom/dad?" I'm going to write a blog (hopefully daily, but don't expect any promises) about what it's like to be in my mom's shoes for a week. I'm sure it will be eye-opening to not only you guys, but to myself as well.

Ok, must run, but love you all and looking forward to blogging again!

~Chelsey

All Things... (Rom. 8:28)

2009-04-16T23:02:00.003-05:00

I found this in Streams in the Desert, a devotional of mine:

Many people are lacking when it come to power. But how is power produced?

The other day, my friend and I were passing by the power plant that produces electricity for the streetcars. WE heard the hum and roar of the ocuntless wheels of the turbines, and I asked my friend, "How is that power produced?" He replied, "It simply is generated by the turning of those wheels and the friction that they create. The rubbing produces the electric current."

In a similar way, when God desires to create more power in your life, He creates more friction. He uses this pressure to generate spiritual power. Some people cannot handle it, and run from the pressure instead of receiving the power and using it to rise above the painful experience that produced it.

Opposition is essential to maintaining true balance between forces. It is the centripetal and centrifugal forces acting in opposition to each other that keep our planet in the proper orbit. The propelling action coupled with the repelling counteraction keep the earth in orbit around the sun instead of flinging it into space and a path of certain destruction.

God guides our lives in the same way. It is not enough to have only a propelling force. We need an equal repelling force, so He holds us back through the testing ordeals of life. The pressures of temptations and trials and all the things that seem to be against us further our progress and strengthen our foundation.

Let us thank Him for both the weights and the wings He produces. And realizing we are divinely propelled, let us press on with faith and patience in our hight and heavenly calling.

~A.B. Simpson

Give Me Your Passion! (and, please, oh please, don't call me a goat!)

2009-02-23T21:44:00.003-06:00

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)
take me all the way

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)
take me all the way (through the motions)
take me all the way
I don't wanna go through the motions

~Matthew West, "The Motions"

Man, this song speaks to me - I DON'T want to come to the end of my life and ask, "What if I had given everything? What if I hadn't been such a hypocrite and just spent my life in my little self-absorbed bubble? What if I had given of myself so that others might live? What if I had gone out of my way to make someone feel loved and important? What if I had done my BEST, my very best, instead of only going half-way? What if I hadn't been such a jerk to that person, just because I was PMSing, or some other 'reason'? What if I had just been Jesus to just ONE person?" I don't want to ask, any "what ifs." I don't want to regret the way I've spent my life and time and energy. I could make my "what if" list much, much longer, but I'm sure you already have gotten my point.

As I write this, a parable that Jesus told his disciples comes to mind:

Matthew 5

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

I don't want to be a goat. Those creatures are definitely interesting. After living in Haiti for 2 years, I've definitely seen my share of goats. Of all the animals in Haiti, the only ones I've seen thriving there is goats. Goats eat trash - that is the key to their existence in Haiti. Haiti must be goat heaven! For those of you who have not been to Haiti... well... let's just say that Haitians are not sure what a trashcan is - at least not the majority of them (they probably don't have a very good place to get rid of it, either). Goats are sort of gross, especially if they're eating all of your waste. Anyways, bottom line - I DON'T WANT TO BE CALLED A GOAT, especially by Jesus!!! I can tell you one thing about Him - He DOESN'T tell lies! If He calls you a goat, you're a goat!

I can't live my life by going through the motions - it will get me NOWHERE! It will earn me a whole lifetime of regrets, regrets that will make my life worthless. If I just go through the motions and am not completely consumed by God's passion, what will eternity look like for me? Will He turn to me and say, "I never knew you"? That is a scary thought. It saddens me to think that He would have to say that to anyone. All I know is this: I don't want to spend my whole life asking, "What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?"

2009-02-08T22:35:00.001-06:00

About my last post... It's a work in progress... Apparently all of the pictures makes the blogger REALLY, REALLY slow... and it takes about 3-5 min. to just type in a sentence... so, as you can see, I am having a good ol' time taking FOREVER to type stuff about the pics. I'm working on it, I'm working on it....

L'Année Deux Mille Huit en Paroles et en Images (Juin à Decémbre

2009-02-05T15:42:00.041-06:00

Ok, sorry this has taken me so long to get to - I've finally gotten all of these crazy pictures up - now to tell you all about them!

Juin (cont'd)

(already told you what happened in June, just thought you might like to see some more pics)

My Auntie Shannon, who came with our big family group for our graduation

My cousin Shalayna

Crazy boys, our cousin Shad and Andrew, in the back of the pick-up(John's)

Photography skilz

Me and Shalayna at the Baptist Mission

The paintings sold up at the Baptist Mission

Belle decided to borrow Shalayna's sunglasses

Beautiful flowers at the look-out point over the city(PAP, that is)

My cousin Brie and I (we don't look like we could possibly be related, now, do we?)

Rachel, Me and Joy at our "last" slumber party(we sure are goofballs, aren't we?)

Jou was feeling artzy at our little photo-shoot and I did what she told me =)

Katie and Reeses (our fabulous rottie - he and Ebony make quite the pair - hahaha)

Dominique, having some fun

Little ham-face

Ben aspires to be a guitarist, along with something that requires one to wear safety goggles...

Juillet

Jeffey, a little boy that was at our boys' home (He went home to the States just a week before Christmas, along with his sister, Jenny)

Noami

Naomi again

Yvie

Alissane (she went home!!! hurray!)

Kesline (she went home, too, hooray! yes... I did spell it differently this time... need some variety)

Juillet

At the start of July was also the start of English Camp, and this month was basically ALL English Camp. If you're wondering what that is or want to know more, go to my posts in June, July, and August 2008.

EC Pics:

Ben, always the ham... haha

My favorite student

Fourth of July, Baby!

This picture is priceless

A palm tree in our front yard

Joesph (who, as you can see/or can't see, colored his eyebrows purple... it was the daily trend that day... hahaha)

My best bud of the WHOLE summer (she and I and one other girl were the only ones that stayed the whole summer - we are the man! as my good friend Ari would say!) Kati!

There is no possible way to get a bad pic of this girl!

Do... the master at funny faces...

There are the infamous "Trumpet Lips"!!! Gotta love them

Everyone in their camp tees

Yellow is definitly his color, wi?

All the campers!

Lauren, who helped us out for the first 3 weeks - was she ever good with those little ones!

We went for a day at the beach - super dooper fun!

Soccer was the thing to do during free time - the boys were scared of me and my skilz, by the way (haha! Only because of my very badly aimed kicks.. but of course, I'm better at defense and killing the ball - not control)

One of my favorite pics

My favorite pic of all time from EC '08

Miss AT-ti-TUDE!

The four teen helpers - the three on the left (me, Kati, Jori) were there all summer, while Lauren could only be there for the first three

Août

August brought EC to a close, as well as my life living in my parent's house. Shortly after EC was over, I left for the US of A. On my way to Idaho and college (to start on Sept 4), I made a pit stop in Cali to be with my Aunt Stacie, Uncle Ben, and cousins Brie, Nate, Alie, and JP.

Last day - me and my whole class! I was more fond of my boys - boys are so much less drama! Plus, I could still overpower them! hehehe

On our way to the beach - we spent my last day in Haiti at the beach, Moulin Sur Mer

Goofballs!

She is a doll, isn't she?

Daddy taking Izzle-frizzle out - she was a bit wary to do it on her own

Isabelle was so cute, dancing to the music... Ben was saying silly things... and Isabelle lost her balance.... hahahahahaha!

The aftermath of my little video - WORTH A MILLION BUCKS!!! bwahahahahahaha!

Just a little while later, she changed her opinion of the sand and just put it ALL OVER herself!

Kisses for Mama

Unbeknownst to my mother (that's a word, right? haha) I took these pics of the kids. Once I got to Idaho, I printed them off and framed them for her birthday on Sept. 6th.

Then... I went to Cali!

Brie

Alie

We went to the beach one afternoon, and there was a whole pod of dolphins that came out to greet us!

Septembre

September brought the beginning of school - well, actually more than that - THE BEGINNING OF COLLEGE!!!

Biology... took over my waking hours (but I loved it nonetheless)

My friends from the Stubby. The stubby is a girls' hall on the second floor of the dorm, Anderson (the "academic" dorm haha...), which only has four dorm rooms in it - thanfully, I am one of the honorary members of the Stubby. We have great times there, as you can see!

See, we do have nice faces!!!!

Near the end of Sept, beginning of Oct, the fam came to visit - our friend from Haiti, Danielle, and her daughter, Kay, came from Canada to visit us all while the whole Tlucek clan was together

Out at Melba - one of the open houses. There's my Auntie Sherry and cousin Shalayna avec moi!

All of the Nichols side of the family (except the Cali bunch, as the fam spent a week in Cali before coming on up to Idaho) got together so they could all see the fam - all the guys had a huge family football game - the young ones against the "older" ones (for the most part).

Andrew and Dad were the speedy ones - as you can see, Andrew is pertay fast

While Ben and Joe were joining in on the football, the remaining youngsters had a fun time at the playground nearby

We were fortunate to actually get a family picture for once! ( we didn't manage it at Christmas, but maybe this summer?)

Once the fam left and Andrew was off to Ecola Bible School/during my fall break, I managed to get started on these little cute thangs for Christmas presents for KG, Izzie-boo, and the little girls a the girls' home. I couldn't have done it without my awesome Aunt Becky and cousin Charity.

Aren't they just precious and amazing????

Novembre

Not much picture-wise happened in November... I mostly was just buried in school and then had Thanksgiving with the Nichols fam - I brought a friend from school named Etta (short for a name none of you could pronounce!). Etta is from Fiji - not only was this her first American Thanksgiving, but it also happened to be her birthday this year! 21 years old for her!

After Thanksgiving, I had to prepare for finals.... ewww!

Decémbre

Once finals were over (I did well, yay!), I promptly left for Portland to meet up with Andrew, then on to Haiti to be with the fam for Christmas!!! (very oober excited!)

Mom put on parties for both the girls' and boys' houses

Here are some pics of the kiddos:

Cars and lollipops... boy heaven

Salinda simply DID NOT want her pic taken... or anything, for that matter... little twerp

Naomi ADORED her doll

Lollipops and Dollies... girl heaven

Christmas morning in the Tlucek home!

MMMM....
Daddy got coffee and chocolate

Joe with his new outfit on

When we said, "Smile Isabelle!" she did this... ^

And again... What's with that face?

There's a real smile!!!!

Katie LOVED the new shoes Andrew got for her

This is when Ben opened one of Belle's presents... apparently Katie or Do (not sure which one was playing "Santa" at the time) misread "Belle" for "Ben"

Whoohoo!!! Connects! Very good for the boyz

Ben's "armpit" pants (not hemmed yet)

Andrew is really happy with his new toy, as you can plainly see " )

MERRY CHRISTMAS CHELSEY!!!! hahaha... my sweet Do-boy...

Yay!!!! I got a smile out of Salinda and got a pic to prove it!

I love my sista and my Mommy!

Little turkey... playing peekaboo from the camera...

THANK YOU HONEY FOR THE CHRISTMAS DRESS!!!

Thank you all for your support in the last year and for being patient with me! God bless!

~Chelsey

FINI!!!! WHOOOSH!

L'Année Deux Mille Huit en Paroles et en Images (Janvier à Juin)

2009-01-10T13:08:00.023-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hey all!

I figured that since we are in a new year, I should recap this last one for you all "in words and in pictures," as the title of this entry states - January to December. Much has happened in the last year, and I'm sure you want to know ALL about it!

Janvier

We started out our new year (2008) with a trip to Jacmel, a resort sort of town on the southern coast of Haiti.

Here's a map to show you where exactly it is. If you want to see a better one, follow this link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Jacmel,+Haiti&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.863178,78.75&ie=UTF8&ll=18.437925,-72.531738&spn=5.272063,9.84375&z=7

The kids on the beach, our last evening in Jacmel.

Mid-January...
I was student body president at my school last year, and as part of Student Council, helped plan a trip to Seguin (actually, mostly just picked a date :)), a hiking trip that was about 12 miles/20 kilometers and took ALL DAY to get there! It was very beautiful up there... If I could choose where I wanted to live most in Haiti, I would choose Seguin! (it's fairly close to Jacmel, just a little northeast of it, in the mountains)

This >>>>>>>>>>>^ is a pic I took as we were hiking up - very beautiful... but, just to give you a mental picture - what you see here used to be covered in trees, long ago. This poor country has just been so deforested!

This horse is owned by the facilitator/owner of the place that we stayed - he owned the two most healthy horses I had ever seen in Haiti! The one I got to ride was named Hidalgo - looks like the horse in the movie - and I got to ride Western! (most people in Haiti ride English, but I'm from Idaho, rodeo country!)

This is a pic of the road we hiked - this is about the half-way mark - it got SO STEEP at some points, especially at the end! It's amazing how Haitians walk this path every day, some carrying a heavy load on their heads or leading a stubborn donkey/mule! The path wound around all those little mountains, and the end of our journey was at the top of the mountain at the top left. My friend Rachel and I took about seven hours to complete the hike. I packed my pack the whole way, I'm proud to say! I can't wait to do it again sometime!

Février

Other than turning seventeen on the fifteenth, I helped with a Valentine's Day Dinner/Spaghetti Feed at my school (oh yeah, did I tell you that Andrew was a SC representative last year as well? The only guy that got on board with SC, poor guy... He did very well and was very helpful, btw!). I got to go to a new place as well! As part of my duties as SC (student council) president, I went on a trip with the other three officers, Chrystelle Kiang, VP/Treasurer; Arielle Delain, Secretary; and Joy Mears, BFF and Chaplain; and our advisor, Pam DeYoung; to Chicago to a LEAD leadership conference held by the Student Council Association of America... or something like that = ). We had tons of fun, spending five days in the Chicago area, sight-seeing a bit and going to seminars. We learned bunches and got to know each other a lot better, as well as see some snow on the ground and get very, very COLD!
This is a view from the something tower... forgot its name, I think it starts with an H... haha... We were up 91 stories and went up in an elevator that goes 20 mph! That was the first time I had ever been in a skyscraper. Very cool!

Me, Chrystelle, Joy, and Arielle

Pam, Joy, Arielle, Me, Chrystelle

(sorry the pic is kinda dark...)

Thanks to all that sponsored me and helped us to go on this trip!

Mars

Easter came.... as well as B&J's (no, not Ben and Jerry's -Ben and Joe's) birthday on the 25th and Dominique's Bday on the 27th, the twins turning seven and Do turning five. Our wonderful Honey (paternal grandmother) sent beautiful dresses to KG and Izzle - though I only got pics of Isabelle in hers.

I'd better lock her in a closet before she reaches her teen years! My beautiful little sisters... and I'm not there to beat up the boys! Yikes!

Avril

Not too much happened in April... haha, just kidding! Andrew and my senior trip got post-poned due to the food riots, and we got to stay home from school for a few days, which was very nice! I also got malaria around this time, which was not so very nice - I lost a little over 2 lbs in two days... not the nicest weight-loss program out there - it makes you feel really crappy!

Joe, showing off his amazing 360 to the masses! (Pool time when confined to our house during the manifestations)

Mai

For our senior trip mid-May, Andrew and I went to Cap-Haïtien, on the north coast of Haiti. The following link will show you a map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Cap+Ha%C3%AFtien,+Haiti&sll=18.281844,-72.393379&sspn=0.172777,0.307617&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FUyELQEdwEiy-w&ll=19.83906,-72.202148&spn=5.475358,9.84375&z=7&iwloc=addr

The Mosque near Le Palais sans Sousi (not sure of its proper name)

Rachel and I at Le Palais sans Sousi (the palace without eyebrows... interesting name...)

Some of my wicked photography skillz hehehe...

Rachel's Haitian-made wooden flute (can only be found at the Citadel)

- and she could really play it!

Andrew at the Citadel ( a fortress built about 200+ yrs ago)

On our way to the whitesands, in a Haitian boat. (We passed Labadie, a resort/stop for cruise ships, one of which had stopped by for the day - made us all very jealous!)

Jeans + Sand + Ocean = Awesomeness!

I collected lots of sea-glass (It's now in a jar in my room here in Idaho.)

An awesome quiet place, on top of a huge rock.

Week on beach with nothing to do but read and pray and eat and walk on the beach and star gaze and collect sea glass = Happiness

I don't know if any of you have ever noticed this, but I am a Class-A Goofball!

(and I have tons of freckles!)

Rachel Clark, one of my BFFs and poking-buddy when we're

supposed to be paying attention in class
(But we're both got A's in those classes, ok? Give us a break!)

What else comes in May, particularly for HS students? A four-lettered word:

P - R - O - M!!!!!

Rachel and I - we had a double date dinner before-hand, with Andrew and Frank

Andrew and his date...

How can one contain her excitement at a time like this?

Amazingly enough, my date (kinda a blind date, btw) was just as goofy as me!

Me and Frank

Andrew, Rachel, Me, Frank

Didn't my Mom do great with getting me a dress?

(second year in a row she bought me a dress, while in the States, without me present! And winners BOTH times!)

I was also counting down the days to graduation - June 7th, BABY!!!!

Juin

My maternal grandparents, aka Nana and Papa Nichols, Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Kurt, Aunt Shannon, and cousins Shalayna, Shadrach, Gabriena, Nathan, Rachel, Chase, and Kole all came to Haiti to see Andrew and me graduate, as well as spend a week helping us out around the house, making screens and organizing supplies.

June 7, 2008, Andrew and I graduated!!!! I was Salutatorian. 15 of us from QCS graduated that day - all very happy and relieved, that's for sure!

The graduates... Andrew not so impressed with posing with his sis. haha!

Me and my lunch buddies, (Joy, Me, Rach), one to stay for another year, the other to head to college in FL

Sistas!

A week later...

Due to the circumstances, this time would be the last time all four of us MK BFF's would be together until maybe Christmas, so we got together for a sleepover and a pic-taking session. I love my girls, Ari, Rach, and J-Dawg!

Me, Ariana Manassero, Rachel Clark, Joy Mears

Joy's mad skilz coming out - she took this pic

Since this is taking much time to accomplish, I will bring you the next six mos. soon (July-December) I hope you enjoy what I already have here - TOOK ME A FEW HOURS! Shows how much I love you guys. hehehe... Man, I miss Haiti and my warm! Just looking at these pics makes me realize how cold I truly am!

TO BE CONTINUED...

You Know You're a Missionary Kid When...

2008-12-26T17:53:00.002-06:00

Another MK led me to this - even though I haven't been one for long, much of the list applies to me - read it!!!! (you might understand me and my weirdness better. hehehehe....)

http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/msnews3.html

The ones that I found most funny and true are these:

You know you're a missionary kid...

...when your mother gets excited over finding Doritos at 7-11.

...when the family gathers around the computer to check the E-mail.

...when you speak with authority on the quality of airline travel.

... when you go to the U.S., and get sick from a mosquito bite.

... when National Geographic makes you homesick.

...when you consider parasites, dysentery, or tropical diseases to be appropriate dinner conversation. (this one definitely describes what goes on in our household!!! hehehe...)

...when people simply don't understand.

I'M IN HAITI!!!

2008-12-20T20:08:00.002-06:00

As some of you may know, Andrew and I are in Haiti for Christmas! We are very happy to be home in Haiti and are happy to see our friends and visit our alma mater, Quisqueya Christian School. Andrew has been playing basketball furiously with his former classmates, and I've reaquainted myself with the nannies and the kids at the girls' and boys' homes. We got to send two home in the last week, and hope to send another two home in the next few weeks.

We've had a few "degaje moments," but Dad's funky monkeys (coffee drink) help remedy that. I missed all the snow and cold weather up in Idaho, and came to Haiti just in time for the nice, mild weather - not too humid, and nice and warm. I haven't gotten used to the cold US weather quite yet - this Haitian weather is a good respite.

Sorry for the short entry, but I'll do my best to write again after Christmas day! (or earlier, if something interesting occurs)

Toodles!

Chelsey

Decide

2008-11-24T22:39:00.002-06:00

Something struck me as I was walking to one of my classes on campus last week... No, it wasn't a squirrel, but those things sure are scary... ; ) No, I actually overheard a guy talking to a friend in passing. He said, "I wasn't planning on drinking, but..." Wait. There's his problem. "I was planning." He thought that when and if the opportunity came, he would do his best not too drink. There's where he went wrong. He didn't need to just plan not to drink, but he needed to decide not to drink. "Aw..." you might say, "isn't that basically the same thing?" No, I don't think it is. I think that one needs to make a decision before they get into a situation that may potentially lead to something they know they should not do or something in which they do not want to get involved. If you want to stay sexually pure, DECIDE to be sexually pure. If you don't want to get involved in drugs and alcohol, DECIDE not to get involved in those things. If your mind is made up, when the time comes you will not have to think about it - you have already made your choice. You can just get up and walk away. No worries. You already made this choice. No turning back. And, if your friends choose to diss you for that, well, sorry, but they are not your friends. Friends respect your decisions, especially if they are the right ones. Make those big decisions before you encounter the situation. MUCH better plan.

Love is HERE.... Right now....

2008-11-16T22:09:00.007-06:00

come to the waters, you who thirst and you’ll thirst no more.

come to the father, you who work and you’ll work no more.

and all you who labor in vain

and to the broken and shamed:

love is here.

love is now.

love is pouring fromhis hands, from his brow.

love is near,it satisfies.

streams of mercy flowing from his side.

cuz love is here.

come to the treasure, you who search and you’ll search no more.

come to the lover you who want and you’ll want no more, no.

and all you who labor in vain

and to the broken and shamed,

yeah:

love is here.

love is now.

love is pouring from his hands, from his brow.

love is near, it satisfies.

streams of mercy flowing from his side.

yeah

and to the bruised and fallen,

captives, bound, and broken hearted.

he is the lord

he is the lord,

yeah

by his stripes he’s paid our ransom

from his wounds we drink salvation
he is the lord

he is the lord

love is here.

love is now.

love is pouring from his hands, from his brow.

love is near,it satisfies.

streams of mercy flowing from his side.

cuz love is here

love is here.

~Tenth Avenue North

Yes, I know - it's another song. I believe this will give you all a glimpse into my life and what I'm going through - these songs are the ones that are speaking to me at this point, this moment in my life.

Many times we all say things like, "If God loved me, He would do this or give me that, or help me with this..." WHAT!?!??!?!? "If God loved me"???? What, He doesn't already? He hasn't shown you that???? His love is HERE, RIGHT NOW!!! He's already shown us this Love, this Love so great that His Blood gushed from His body, His Life drained to cleanse us, to heal us... His Love poured out over us. This Love is already here for us - available to all.

Now, what do we do with this Love? We take it, we hold onto it, we do our best to become worthy of it - of course, we never will, but our lives now belong to Christ, the One who gave His Life Blood for us - the One that holds our Salvation, our Way to the Father, the Way out of the mess that we are and the mess we make of ourselves and the messes we make and live in. He's here, waiting.... if only we loved Him, if only showed our love by showing His to others, if only we reached out and gave of ourselves, if only we crucified ourselves daily and would take up our crosses and follow - for, to save our lives, we must lose them - that - now that is the only way.

Li la - L'ap tann ou... vini... vini...

Freedom

2008-11-09T22:25:00.002-06:00

All my chains I can’t disengage
And I don’t believe that I want to
One hand sings your praise the other brings me shame
I have selﬁshness to blame

And I'm singing for freedom
I know I’m not the only one
Praying to the One
Who can bring me this freedom
And I'm ready for change

Broken down I lay
I keep holding my chains
No longer bound but here I stay
I scream Father please I need rescuing I need You and You alone

And I’m singing for freedom
I know I’m not the only one
Praying to the One
Who can bring me this freedom
I’m ready for I’m ready for (change)

Still You patiently await
Yet I won’t just let go
I see You and You alone
Saying come follow me despair has come so You can see
Release
And so I’m singing for freedom
And so I’m singing for freedom

The time has come seperation lost the war to love
Take my hand grace has found You where you once began
You're alive
You're alive in the waking of new life
Take my hand in the end there’s only love
There’s only love

There’s only singing for freedom
I know I’m not the only One
Praying to the One
Who can bring me this freedom
And I’m ready for I’m ready for
Father, please, I need rescuing
I need You and You alone...

-Run Kid Run

Well, I must be on a song kick or something.... Actually, I just think that God has been speaking to me through music lately, and I believe I should share with you what He has been giving me.

This song voices what I cannot. I scream, "FATHER, PLEASE, I NEED RESCUING, I NEED YOU AND YOU ALONE!!!" I realize that. Without His help, I cannot -absolutely CANNOT get out of the pit that I continually dig/throw myself into. I am miserable and discontented in my sin, but at the same time, I find enough pleasure in it that my human nature will not allow me to easily disengage (as the song so well puts it). As the apostle Paul once said, "15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:15-25)"

Oh how I struggle with this!!! So, I'm singing for Freedom -- praying to the only One who can bring it to me.

Jezi, m' bezwen Ou menm selman!

Procrastination!

2008-11-06T23:06:00.001-06:00

I was doing this very thing - or taking a work/study break, whatever you wanna call it, and found this video. It made me laugh! wow... I think we can all relate to this in some way or another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXziurFkQxM

Slow Fade

2008-11-02T22:32:00.002-06:00

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

~Casting Crowns

This song is a good reminder for me... One small bad choice can quickly lead down a whole chain of bad choices, gradually getting worse each time. We must stop ourselves before we get started - it's a slow fade; we can be desensitized by each bad choice we make, and in the end question how we got ourselves into such a bad place. Watch yourself - no one ever crumbles in a day. (Unless, of course, you are Oedopus or some other hero of a Greek tragedy. = p)

Pictures! (amongst other things...)

2008-10-24T13:36:00.002-05:00

How do you all like the new look? I'm trying to get pics up of the fam so everyone can stay updated. I'll try to get up a slideshow soon, as well. I have tons of pics!

Love,

Chelsey

This Is Home.... Where I Belong

2008-10-19T23:15:00.002-05:00

This Is Home

I've got my memories
AlwaysInside of me
But I can't go back
Back to how it was
I believe you now
I've come too far
No I can't go back
Back to how it was
Created for a place
I've never known

This is home
Now I'm finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I've been searching
For a place of my own
Now I've found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home

Belief over misery
I've seen the enemy
And I won't go back
Back to how it was
And I got my heart
Set onWhat happens next
I got my eyes wide
It's not over yet
We are miracles
And we're not alone

And now after all
My searching
After all my questions
I'm gonna call it home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see
The sunset
I'm gonna call it home

Now I know
Yeah, this is home
I've come too far
Now I won't go back
Yeah, this is home

~Switchfoot

I have already written a blog on this subject, but as I've kinda been under the weather and have been busy with school and midterms the last week - basically things were hard last week, and I was missing home in Haiti. Amazingly enough, I had one of those moments where I wanted to just go back to the way it was... but, at one of those moments, I was reminded by this song that that can't happen. Change is hard, but we can't go back to the way it was. And once again, I'm reminded that I'm not home until I'm in my REAL home in heaven with my Savior and God. I love this song... keeps reminding me... If you want to see the music video, you can watch it on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ykm1v9xbU .

Travay Dye Gen Fos

2008-10-10T20:03:00.003-05:00

School... school... school... It sure keeps one busy, doesn't it? I really and truly have been in busy-ness up to my eyeballs. It's sure been one crazy month for me! My family made it here and spent two weeks up here, thank you all for your prayers in concern to their travels.

I'm a biology/biochemistry major, and in the last couple of weeks, I've been learning about genetics/inheritance quite a bit in my biology class. I've learned a couple of really amazing things:

First of all, I've learned that every one of us human beings is really, and truly - and as my biology text book says, "not to be trite" - unique. Along with the factors/events that take place in meiosis(when gametes(sex cells/egg and sperm) divide) and fertilization, there are 72 trillion combinations possible for a person's genome(all of the genes a person has). Wow, huh? The possibility of one man and woman have identical children from two separate fertilization events is 72 trillion squared! Isn't that pretty darn amazing???

Secondly, I've learned about Mendelian inheritance. Do any of you remember learning in high school biology about dominant genes and recessive genes and doing the punnett squares? Well, I've learned about it too, and also about how amazing Mendel's pea plant experiments really were. When Mendel(an Austrian monk) did his experiments, he decided to observe seven traits: 1.) purple vs. white flower color, 2.)axial vs. terminal flowers, 3.)green seeds vs. white seeds, 4.)smooth vs. wrinkled seeds, 5.) yellow pods vs. white pods, 6.) inflated seed pods vs. constricted seed pods, and 7.) tall stem vs. dwarf stem. Amazingly enough, out of all the traits he could've chosen, he chose those seven. Why is that so amazing? Well, as I am starting to learn, there are actually many different factors involved in inheritance of traits, as well as many different modes of inheritance, and the fact that he chose 7 genes that were on different chromosomes(or placed so far from each other on the same chromosome), and they followed this simple pattern of inheritance, is astronomically improbable. The chances of him choosing seven such genes is exponentially great. As my bio prof has said several times, "He was pretty dang lucky, even I wouldn't have been so lucky."

You may be wondering what my point is in all of this. Well, here it is: Mendel was a monk. He spent much time in prayer and meditation and God's Word, along with all his experimenting. He was a monk, now, wasn't he? I believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that those findings were a miracle brought about by God in Mendel's life. Now, can you see how amazing that is? With all the statistics right in front of you, you can hardly believe that Mendel had such luck. It wasn't luck. How could such a miraculous thing be just "luck"? Impossible. But, with God, all things are possible.

How can people see such wonders of God and say that it's "luck," or that it's simply amazing or that someone was just that smart, or that it's explained by evolution??? Why do people want to put a God out of their lives and hearts and ignore His work? How can one see the evidence of His work stare them straight in the face and deny it? Why do we turn from our Creator and try to take His Majesty and glory unto ourselves? We are fallen and depraved and diseased... and we're incurable without the One we're trying to hide under our false "truths" and foolish "wisdom" and "knowledge." Lord help us.

Dye... poukisa moun pa ka we travay Li?

Universite... MEZANMI!!

2008-09-08T18:08:00.002-05:00

I am now a college student, attending classes, driving a car, and doing homework... tons... and tons... of homework. Well, it probably isn't too bad, but let's just say I hit the pavement running! I'm majoring in Biology and am currently taking biology(and a lab), chemistry, writing, and pre-historic civilizations. It looks like I'm going to LOVE my biology class - we are focusing mainly on genetics and human disease, so it's right up my alley. The proff is obviously passionate about her subject, so I'm sure I'll do well - the only problem is reading five chapters in ten days! I'll can do it, I can do it, I know I can... haha..

Well, I know this is a short one, but I hafta go and study and read up on my biology!

OH, and by the way, please be praying for the hurricanes to cease and for Haiti as it recovers from the last three or four that passed through. Also, please pray that the weather will stay nice so that the airport is open on the 16th, the day my family leaves the country to come and visit ME! Well, not just me... but it will be a nice vacation for them! " )

Thank you all for your prayers!

M'ap li, m'ap li anpil anpil! WOOCH!

Dye Bon

2008-08-29T11:27:00.002-05:00

God is good. He has provided and He will provide.

God has answered our prayers concerning a car for me. DiAnn and Pat Adams graciously gifted me a 1994 Ford Explorer, which is titled and licensed and insured, praise God! God is so good, expecially in how He uses His people to bless each other. My car (truly God's) is SO very nice. It is green - my favorite color - and has AC and a CD player, a couple of wonderful bonuses.

We praise God for His provision as I head into my first year of college. Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Dye bon tout tan!

Ete ap Fini... WOOOOCH!

2008-08-19T14:42:00.005-05:00

This is it. The end is near. Well, the end of summer, anyways. I can't believe how fast it went, but in some respects I can believe it, I even expected it, but tried to ignore the fact that it would. Wow... I will be a college student soon, which is both exciting and scary.

EC ended well. We finished up the backpacks, and the kids' final performance was amazing. It made me both laugh and smile. Once I have internet on my laptop again, I will upload a pic of me with my class, together for one last time, for maybe a year, or perhaps until heaven. It's very sobering to realize that I may never see some of them again.

I am in Idaho! It is strange to be here again. It is strange to see the change in scenery, family, and myself. One of the things that I keep thinking about is what it could have been/would have been like if our family had never gone to Haiti, what life would have been like. Even though I have gone through some very hard and trying times in my faith and life since our commitment to follow God's call to Haiti, I realize I do do not ever want to take any of it back, EVER. Not only has my faith grown in so many aspects, but my perspective has completely changed. It is no longer one of this world and this life, but an eternal one. I realize that life is not all about our comfort or about making money or about gaining more power, but it is about God, His glory, and storing our treasures in heaven and making an eternal difference, doing things that will last throughout eternity. The things of this life pass away, but the things done for God and His kingdom last FOREVER. Forever is a big word. I would much rather make a difference forever, than for just a small while, for just fifteen minutes or even fifteen years of fame or glory - for it does not last. Once you have died, the amount of money you made on earth no longer matters. Your "good looks" no longer matter. How many cars or homes or businesses or designer clothes you owned does not matter any longer!

I pray I will always remember this; that I will not get sucked into the belief that material things will make me happier or make my life better. To glorify God and follow His call and will for my life will bring me fulfillment, not a thing this world can offer me.

"Tan vole tankou yon fig cho!" Ari Manassero

Denye Jou

2008-08-07T20:46:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow is the last day. The last day of a long, yet short six weeks of camp. Wow... It's been a wild ride. I must say, it's been good, but, I still do not have the desire to become a teacher. No way... Well, I could be, but I would loathe it the whole time. haha.. Nope, medicine's the way for me.

We have yet to print off all of the completion cerificates for all the kids for tomorrow's ceremony and we have to finish filling all of the kids' backpacks, but that's ok. We'll do it all, somehow. We have made it this far, God will pull us through the rest.

I'm tired, but grateful. God is so good. As my mom said today, "Even though we didn't have as many people as we wanted these last couple of weeks, once we got a system and everything worked out, it went quite well." Well said Mom, well said.

Please continue to pray for the campers, as well as for our last day tomorrow, for the program, and that all will go well. I'm so thankful!

"Nou fini demen! Sa f 'em kontan anpil!"

Gwo Makak

2008-08-02T20:57:00.002-05:00

I watched Peter Jackson's King Kong last night for the first time. Although there is one scene I believe they shouldn't have put in there(some legitimately demonic stuff), I saw something that made me think a bit. In one scene, within the first day of King Kong snatching Anne and taking her away, Anne escapes when she finds the opportunity. Unfortunately, Skull Island is full of prehistoric creatures and predators. After nearly being caught and by some giant carnivorous reptiles, Anne becomes pursued by a couple of tyrannosaurus rexes. Kong then appears and comes to her rescue, battling the two, then three giant predators, risking his own life to save his Anne. After falling down a canyon and killing one of the t-rexes and trapping another, Anne and Kong are faced with one last t-rex. Anne first faces the t-rex alone, then Kong comes to back her up. She then realizes that she can not escape her enemy alone. She must trust Kong and allow him to protect her. Without Kong, she will die. He is her protector, and she must trust him, or die.

While watching this take place, I was once again reminded that I need to trust God, no matter what. He is all-powerful and mighty and strong to save. Why is it that I do not trust Him as I should? He can take down all the rexes in my life. He loves me and will do what is best for me. If I run from Him, I am made vulnerable to my Enemy's attacks. All that running will do is take me from the place that I am safe, putting me into potentially grave danger. God will protect me. Trust. Trust in Him. Trust in His promises. Do not trust in self. Trust of self will only end in sorrow. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

I'm choosing to trust Him right now. I am heading into a new and scary world in a few weeks and I need to trust Him more than ever to guide me where He wants me to go and in the decisions I will be making. I need to trust in Him to strengthen and sustain me, not turning to the things of this world or to myself, but to Him alone, making Him my fortress and salvation.

"Dye se King Kong mwen."

Lakay

2008-07-29T07:47:00.002-05:00

I've seen enough to say that I know
That this old world is not my home
From lustful eyes and tainted lies, pride to hide the way that I
The way that I feel inside

I am ready to go home
I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road
I am ready to go home
I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road

I've seen enough to say that I know
That this old world is not my home
From lustful eyes and tainted lies and pride to hide
The way that I feel inside

Packing my bags and I'm hitting the road
Yes, I'm gonna run, I'm gonna run for my home!
To stand in the sight of the Living God
That's where I'm longing to be

I am ready to go home,
I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road
I am ready to go home
I'm packing my bags and I'm hitting the road

Hitting the road
Hitting the road
Hitting the road

~Home, by Shawn McDonald

This song speaks to me. It really does. It voices the cry of my heart.

When our family was preparing to move to Haiti, I struggled with leaving my "home" in Idaho. Then, after spending a summer here and going back for a visit, Haiti was my "home." I was so confused in my own mind. Where is my home? Where I am? Where I live? Where I was born and raised? Where my family is? Where my family is from? Where is my home??!!!?!?!

Then - I had an epiphany. My home is no where on this planet, this crumbling, fallen earth. No, it's not here. As Paul states, and even Peter states, I believe, we are aliens on this planet. It is not our home. Never has been, never will be, at least since the Fall. My home is with Christ at the right hand of God in heaven, in the place He has prepared for me. That Home is the Home I should be longing for. My Creator waits there for me, longing for me more than my heart even begins to long for Him. He's there, awaiting that glorious day, my homecoming...

Now that I'm leaving my Haiti "home," I am going through those feelings of not having a home again - but I'm reminded once again that as long as I'm here on this earth, I'm not Home. I'm ready to go home, I'm packing my bags and I'm hittin' the road....

"M' pa ka tann ale lakay Papa mwen!!!"

To Do, To Do...

2008-07-21T15:39:00.002-05:00

I love To Do lists. I love making them. I love organizing my thoughts and what I have to do in a given amount of time - I like feeling disciplined, with a set course in front of me. I must say, however, that I can't remember even one time that I have completed everything that I have put on my list. Well, no more than one time, anyways. Often times I get quite close, and don't accomplish one or two of the items on my list. But, it's the thought that counts, right?

Many times throughout our lives we each make our "To Do" list for our life. It makes us feel like we are actually heading somewhere, like we have an end to strive for. People like me want to get those things accomplished no matter what, and that one unchecked box can drive them nuts. They will go out of their way to make sure that box gets checked, but there is one problem with that: What other things get left undone or missed in the struggle to complete the list? What important and eternal things have been sacrificed in the process? Relationships? Faith? Integrity? Time? Were the things on the list that important? We must never sacrifice the better for the good - it's not worth it.

One problem - that's what I said - but there are actually two, and the second one is even more important. Where do we place God in our life "To Do" lists? Does He get set aside? Does He even get a say in the matter? If one has given his life over to Christ, it is no longer "his" to do list, but God's. God should be making our lists for us, for we our lives become His and we are His tools for which He has explicit plans and purposes. We can't follow that old "To Do" list we have made for ourselves, but the one God has set out for each one of us individually. God's agenda must never be set aside for our own. Never. Think about this: What if a box on His list is left unchecked? What are the consequences? What boxes on other lists have been checked instead? What has taken priority over the will of God? Material things? Idols? Human relationships? Selfish desires?

My prayer is that "Chelsey Tlucek's To Do List for Chelsey Tlucek's Life" would be replaced by the wonderful and perfect and amazing To Do List of God for Chelsey Tlucek's Life. He knows what is best for me, so I should trust Him and not myself.

"Sa'm k'ap fe kounyea?"

English Camp Pics!!!

2008-07-20T15:53:00.002-05:00

Hear ye, hear ye all! I have a bunch of pics of EC online!!! Just follow these links:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4940&l=5bad6&id=1133010019

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4885&l=ff86a&id=1133010019

I hope you all enjoy them!!!

"Eske m' ka fe yon foto?"

The EXPLODING Palm Tree

2008-07-20T15:05:00.002-05:00

By popular demand, I am making this story available to the public.

About a week ago, it was Tuesday, I believe, my friend Kati and I were walking down the street in Haiti. All of a sudden, we started hearing these crackling noises and the air felt... felt... I don't know, charged? Upon looking up, we a palm tree that was touching a powerline and was bursting into flame as a result. What were we to do? Kati and I, astonished, looked at each other in wonder.

"Should we go tell somebody?" I asked Kati.

"I don't know!" she replied.

Thankfully, at that point, the yard man to the house that owned that unfortunate palm tree saw what was happening and started to point and shout. Kati and I took that as our cue to skeedaddle on out of there as fast as we could. We were a little concerned for our safety because we were feeling staticky and the tree was so high above our heads - we didn't want to become palm-pancakes or fried blans on a palm skewer, cooked by electrocution. So, to home we continued.

The moral of the story is this: Keep your EDH (city power) outta your trees!

*That there is another good reason that the power companies have their laws about power lines in trees.

"Pye bwa sa'ap kraze, wi??? Kouri!!! Kouri!!!"

Klas Mwen

2008-07-10T16:47:00.007-05:00

I have decided to put some pics of my lovely students up so you can see their pretty faces.

Jean-Elie

Tomy-Lee

David

Bianca

Rebecca

Benjamin

Rose-Renee Rose-Renee

Rose-Renee

Mardoche

Rachelle

Ruth

* Side note: Rose-Renee and Rachelle are sisters, and their cousins are Rebecca and Mardoche, who are brother and sister. Also, Benjamin, Jean-Elie, and David are brothers. And... to top it all off, Tomy Lee and Bianca are cousins.... Whew... so confusing, I know... Everyone in this country is related!

"Sa se klas mwen. Ou renmen'l?"

Isabelle the Ham

2008-07-04T22:31:00.001-05:00

Here are a few pics that I took of Belle today, Happy Fourth of July!

Ti fi belle, wi?

English Camp 2008

2008-07-03T16:56:00.000-05:00

We're at it again... ENGLISH CAMP! What is English Camp, you may ask???

English Camp is a program that Heartline Ministries does each summer for six weeks. Its purpose is to teach about 50 Haitian kids English, while incorporating Biblical teachings and the gospel. We reach children ages 5-16, many of which are children of our nannies and ladies that are a part of our women's program, as well as children from our church and neighborhood.

This year's EC runs from June 30th to August 8th. We are just about to wrap up the first week. I am teaching a class of eleven 12-16 year olds (or most advanced), which is quite a trip, as you can imagine! Please pray for all the campers, that their hearts would be open to the message we are presenting to them and that they would soak up all that we are teaching them, that they would learn how to better speak English so that more doors will open up for them in the future. Please pray for my students by name: Rebecca - age 16, Rose-Renee - age 16, Rachelle - age 15, Bianca - age 14, Ruth - age 14, Benjamin - age 13, Mardoche - age 13, Jean-Elie - age 12, Tomy Lee - age 12, David - age 11, Kesline - age 7. Thank you!!! Also pray that I would be a godly example and that I would do my very best in teaching them English - that they would actually leave camp at the end of the summer speaking English better than when they first came.

I love my kids - they are quite funny! Yesterday they asked whether or not I had a boyfriend, and Tomy Lee asked if I was married, because of my purity ring that I wear. I told him I have been married for ten years. haha... Tomy Lee also wanted to know if I could dance Konpa and Gay Pay, two different Haitian dances... I have danced both, but I suck at it. My class wanted me to dance konpa with the translator, but... NO WAY! haha... Tomy Lee is a kick, as you can tell - he is now known as esklav mwen, my slave, because when I caught him screwing around instead of participating in the class activity, I had him stand up and do it by himself several times. He finally said, "Am I your slave or something??? You keep having me do this! I want to go to free time!" I then explained I was punishing him for not paying attention. I'm not sure he understood, but, oh well.

As you can see, I'm having fun! I thank God that I can play a part in these kids' lives and that I can participate in EC this year.

M' renmen esklave mwen!

Bib la Tan

2008-06-29T14:45:00.000-05:00

Before church today I had my own time where I searched Scripture and read a bit. I read mostly from 1 Peter. I read some Scripture that I had read before, but never really struck home. Here it is:

"Therefore, prepare you minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope full on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I Am holy.'

Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Though Him you believe in God who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God."

God judges all our actions IMPARTIALLY!!!! That's a scary thought, now, isn't it??? God doesn't care who we are or where we come from, or how good we are by human standards, He judges us all THE SAME. We all must remember that. Also, our salvation was not purchased with money, but CHRIST'S BLOOD!!! Think about that for a moment... Christ paid with His blood. Our salvation was not cheap, nor was it paid in a currency that would someday pass out of existence or a substance that would disintegrate - it was bought with Christ's imperishable blood - a payment that will last for all eternity. That just hit me all over again this morning, along with the fact that we need to be holy, just as God is holy. We must give our lives over to the one who paid so we could live - like, duh, huh? Not always do we remember this concept, nor do we heed the call. Now, that is a scary thought, to run away from doing what the King of the Universe tells us to do. I don't wanna ever be in that position - it is my prayer that I do not find myself there at any point in my life.

Living in reverent fear striving to be holy - that's my goal - what about you?

M' vle viv pou Jezi!

Gade, Blan!!!!

2008-06-27T20:48:00.000-05:00

I'm white. So, what? I live in the country of Haiti. I'm a minority. Wow, right?

I'M TIRED OF BEING STARED AT ALL THE TIME!!!!

When you were a little kid, were you ever in a public place, such as the mall or church or someplace, and you just stared at someone because they were interesting, then your mother would scold and say, "Don't stare, it's impolite!!!" ??? I was like that. I was a people watcher, still am, in fact, but I have learned how to look without staring. My mother instilled in me the virtue of not staring, of being polite. So, in my American mind, staring is rude. The only problem with that is I am now a very small minority in a third world country where staring is normal, and not necessarily rude. Not so good for me.

Not only is it rude for someone to stare at me(imao), but I hate, absolutely hate, being in the center of attention of people that I do not know, or do not know well. So, when complete strangers stare at me and give me the visual run-down, I am made very, very uncomfortable. Everyone likes to fit in, correct? Same here, I like to blend into the crowd. Not in Haiti, I don't!!! To try would be a joke. I'm the blannest blan in this whole country! Can't tan no matter how I stinkin' try! Those darn European genes in me... the Czech, English, and German ones... drat them...

A few weeks ago, the constant staring finally got to me. I told my brother in frustration, "Andrew, I just wish I was black!!! Then I would blend in and not stand out!" He just laughed. But, it would be nice... No one in the restaurant staring at you full-on for ten minutes, no one in the tap-tap in front of you looking back and staring at you as long as you are there, no one asking me for things constantly because they think I'm a millionaire. Plus, that beautiful dark skin with cool hair... It would be nice, now, wouldn't it?

Well, doesn't look like this blan is going to get any darker any time soon, unfortunately - but she's doing her best! = D

"Wi, mwen blan, m' konnen'l!!!!"

Degaje

2008-06-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

Degaje (pr. Day-GAH-zhay): make do with what you have. Improvise. This may involve things such as: using a cup or a bucket to wash the shampoo out of your hair because the power went out all of a sudden and you no longer have running water; sifting through your ten pound bag of peanut m&m's to get rid of the ants that somehow managed to get in and wreak havoc with your chocolate; going to the grocery store to get a feeling of winter, or at least some feeling of sanity and escape from the heat because it is air-conditioned; praying all night when the inverter goes out and you are left without a fan and are drenched with and lying in a pool of sweat while being eaten alive by killer mosquitoes; cutting off the moldy parts of a bit of cheese you found in the bottom of your refrigerator and being left with just a tiny cube, but still celebrating because you managed to salvage even a small bit of it; taking a situation in which you are uncomfortable and without the proper materials but still overcoming the odds to find some sort of victory, though you live in the third world country of Haiti as a missionary. A word much used and appropriate for such living. Through it all, God is good, and helps us to utilize the brains he has given us in order to degaje. A word that helps us to laugh even when frustrated. A word that helps explain a fair amount of what we do as missionaries in Haiti.

DEGAJE, Ayiti cheri! M' renmen mo sa...