How I see Haiti

Haiti is really hard to describe to someone who hasn't been there - especially if they've never seen a third world country. It is a beautiful island with mountains and Caribbean beaches and poverty. After years of political oppression and corruption, the only way I can describe it is a country of contrasts. The landscape and the people are beautiful, but the cities and the living conditions are filthy and not even close to adequate. The roads are barely passable; there is no sanitation; and the water sources are polluted beyond your wildest imagination.


In the midst of all of this is a nation of resourceful and resilient people with a faith and contentment that I believe is sorely lacking in America. Many of the people have the ability to make something of nothing. Everywhere you look you can see beautiful art. Carved wood, paintings, stone carvings, jewelry, hand-made toys -- all made from whatever they can find. The cars are pieced together and reinforced from scrounged parts, even the shelters people call home are from bits and parts they've put together from whatever they could find. They make due with what they have and are grateful to have it. One of the quintessential art projects in Haiti is made from tin. The final projects are amazing.



The biggest difference I saw between this visit and my January 2009 visit was the tent cities. We were right next door to one of the smaller settlements, and had a chance to interact with the people there. We took jump ropes over and spent some time playing with the kids. They have a small school tent, a medical tent, and a tent where people are recovering from amputations. These people have created a community environment including a "mayor" and other leaders who make decisions for the group. One of the experiences that will stick with me was hearing the entire community come out at 5 am each day and sing praises as a group.


I sometimes wonder if all of our affluence, resources, and busy schedules combined with endless striving to achieve, earn and acquire more stuff isn't exactly what keeps us from finding true happiness and contentedness -- stifling the desire to sing praises at 5 am...

Really!! We did all that???

When people ask what I did in Haiti, I surprise myself with how long the list is. In Haiti, everything takes time. Delays and miscommunication are an expected part of the daily routine. At times we were frustrated because of our reliance on others for transportation, information, or other things necessary to accomplish a task. But because of good planning on our leaders part and an openness to go where God led us on a day to day basis, we really touched a lot of lives in the short 10 days in country.

Day 1: (Friday) Set up camp - because of the earthquake and aftershocks, many people sleep outside, even if a building wasn't damaged. So many people where injured and killed, it is probably part of the post traumatic shock to fear being inside a building even 6 months later. We used the guest house for all of our daily activities, but slept in tents outside -- right next door to a tent city with over 2000 people.

Day 2: (Saturday) Filled hand sewn bags with gifts for VBS, drove to the Pure Water Facility to show everyone where we would be working, then went to Notre Maison - Gertrude's orphanage. We stayed and played with the kids, and did a mini VBS with singing and bible stories. We gave all the kids a gift bag (she has about 37 about 1/2 physically and/or cognitively impaired) and gave Gertrude several dozen of the hand made cloth diapers.

Day 3: (Sunday) Went to Church at Croix de Boquet - a church that many Michigan teams have help to build over several years - it now includes a school and is a site for Pure Water Filters. Both years I have attended a service at this church and have been amazed to sit through a service in a different language and still hear God speak to me. We spend the afternoon at Holy Angels orphanage - another orphanage for children with special medical needs and physical and cognitive impairments. We played and provided another mini VBS with songs, stories and crafts. This orphanage also received diapers.

Monday through Thursday the team split up between three projects: Pure Water - providing fresh, clean water to over 160 families in Cite Soliel (one of the world's largest slums); Grace Children's Hospital - delivered diapers to the hospital and helped provide health kits to women in the tent cities who attended family planning or hygiene classes, and women who came in for HIV testing or immunizations for their kids; and VBS at Croix de Boquet - two days of fun in the sun for close to 200 kids with about 40 coming up for the alter call to accept Jesus!

Thursday early evening we visited Bill at Morning Star Home for Boys (a story unto itself). His boys spent much of the week with us, helping with VBS and translating at Pure Water. From there, we went to Frere Campus to see the storage depot for Rays of Hope (an organization in Grand Rapids that helps ship donations to Haiti) and visited the trade school that teaches industrial arts and electrical engineering.

Friday we finished tearing down the back wall at Croix de Boquet and put up a temporary fence to protect the school and church.

Saturday was site seeing and a trip to Wings of Hope - which will have to be a story all to itself, also.

Sunday we packed up, said our goodbyes, cried with our new friends, and left for home.

I am an Isrealite

Every now and then, God convicts me of my "pet" sin. For several years, it was pride. I used to spend a lot of time worrying about what others thought of me; probably because I was a bit judgemental myself and figured everyone else was, too. Through a series of humbling experiences and learning to praying for people to see more of God and less of me, I have overcome my self-centered view of the world. This year, the message God has been sending is to quit complaining.

Over the past several months, we were working to plan a 50th wedding anniversary for my in-laws. In the process, I found myself complaining about people and situations related to the planning. One specific example was the anniversary photo. I had hoped to get it done early so it could be on the invitation, but my in-laws had other ideas. They wanted me to wait for their Rhododendron bush to bloom. We had to drop everything on one of our very busy weekends to drive 1.5 hours both ways to get it done. Needless to say I was complaining about the inconvenience of it all. When we arrived, they were so grateful, and explained why it was so meaningful to them. Even adding, "We love you for doing this for us." I immediately felt like a big jerk for not doing this with a servants heart.

But God didn't stop there. That night, I received an email about the hygiene project we were going to with Grace Children's Hospital and the specific information regarding the funds needed to include this in our Haiti trip. Shortly after reading the email, my mother-in-law called to tell me how grateful she was for the pictures and my time. She understood that I wouldn't let her pay for the photo shoot, so she decided to make a substantial donation for me to use for my trip to Haiti. Not only did God not smite me for my grumbling heart, but he blessed me through the person I was annoyed with. Kind of like the Israelites...

My trip to Haiti and the magnitude of the living conditions and lack of basic necessities may have cured me of my complaining -- I just pray the revelation God gave me doesn't fade in the midst of my busy schedule, convenient and comfort lifestyle.

For the record, my in-laws are wonderful, loving people who have gone out of their way to help us and do things with my kids more times than I can count. And the anniversary party was a great success that I would do all over again. Thank you Dean and Maxine for helping me see God through your actions even when I didn't deserve it.

Haiti, again...

I hadn't intended to blog about this trip; however, I was inspired by two men who joined our team last week in Port au Prince, Haiti. They are photographers, journalists and bloggers. They use their skills to enlighten and maybe change the way people see the world. I may not be the caliber that these men represent; but, if by writing about my experiences, I can help someone else see things differently, it will have been worth the effort.

I have been home for two days and am working to process all of the destruction and need caused by years of political corruption, oppression, and, most recently, the January 12 earthquake. It is hard to come back to such order, cleanliness and excess without feeling a level of guilt for all I have.

I find myself comparing everything to Haiti. We are in the midst of a heat wave, but it isn't as hot as Haiti, and I can find relief in the lake and the air conditioning. My washing machine is broken, so I went to the laundry mat this morning. At least I didn't have to wash everything by hand, with unsanitary water. Yes, I washed seven loads, but what a blessing to have so many clothes, and the money with which to buy them. Showering, flushing the toilet, running to the store, taking my kids to baseball and ballet -- all luxuries beyond what most Haitian can ever hope for....

Chihuly Exhibit

Steve and I enjoyed a long over-due date on Saturday. The weather was perfect for our trip to Frederick Meijer Garden. After days of rain, it was sunny and mild - perfect for a long stroll through the sculpture garden. The Chihuly glass exhibit was amazing. Here is the link to my web album of the art we enjoyed...

http://picasaweb.google.com/keepsake02/ChihulyExhibitFrederickMeijerGarden##

Photo Album (s)

As requested, here are my photos from Haiti. I had to create 2 albums because there are so many pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/keepsake02/Haiti

http://picasaweb.google.com/keepsake02/Haiti2Of2

Despair and Hope

The last few days have been a whirlwind. Thursday, we delivered several more filters to multiple schools in an area call Port of Jeremiah. Just when I thought I had seen the worst, I was shocked to be in an area beyond any conceivable living conditions my mind could have contrived. The roads were filled with human excrement, the building were complete devastation, yet filled with more people that can be described. The flies, the smell, the sight of such extreme poverty made me feel overwhelmed by the need here. I had a bought of depressed thinking that our efforts were enormously inadequate. Here is a photo of a school that teaches 212 kids -- in shifts, half in the morning, and half in the afternoon.

Friday, we went to Wings of Hope, which is an orphanage filled with handicapped children. The building is an oasis of beauty and art. The children were gathered in a room with native drums and drummers. I met little girl named Josephina. She has cerebral palsy, but is thriving. She is learning to walk and speak English. She and I had an immediate connection. I felt God's grace come through her reminding me that one person can make a difference, and a difference can be made here.

Last night we went to St. Joseph's School for boys. It is a school/orphanage that is connected with Wings of Hope. We were treated to a performance by their professional dance company -- Resurrection Life Dancers. The boys were either street children or child slaves. The performance was incredibly moving. The boys are very talented, the choreography is creative and expressive, telling stories of the boys lives. Several of the boys have physical handicaps. It was incredible to see how these kids had risen above their circumstances, found a way to express their past, and excelled in an art that can reach the heart of others.

If you read the post below, you read about Waterlove. Here is his photo.

Bondye Renmen

Today was the day that broke me. Half of the team went to Pure Water to install the new generator we bought for them and to buy a table saw so they can make their own lids and save some money. The rest of us went to Grace Children's Hospital. They actually have a walk-in clinic, an eye clinic, a HIV and Tuberculosis screening and consulting area, a family planning program as well as the children's hospital. We went to paint beds and bed stands. We spent much of the day interacting with the children.

We did crafts, sang songs, delivered hospital gowns that were made by a group in Michigan. They wanted us to dress them in the colorful gowns, put ribbons in their hair and take photos. We gave them toys and they taught me to count and say my colors in Kreole.

Many of them have HIV, some are so advanced they have been taken off all meds. I spent the afternoon with a baby name Waterlove. He wanted to be snuggled and would pull at my arm if I wasn't close enough. He has all sorts of illnesses and will probably not live much longer. He was so beautiful. My roommate said afterward that she has a hard time seeing God in these circumstances and can't understand how He can allow it. I didn't have any good answer for her. All I know is that the older children spelled out a message with letter stickers on a foam cross that said Bondye Renmen and then their name. It translates: God loves...

Conviction

I am finding it difficult to find the words to describe the level of poverty and pollution that these people live with on a daily basis. This morning I had a conversation with a team member who described a photo opportunity she had missed. It was a beautiful purple flower growing in the middle of a huge heap of refuse and trash.

I feel this image perfectly describes the children we met today. We delivered 3 bio-filters to a rural school. This was an area of the most severe poverty I had witnessed. As we pulled up to the school, there was a beautiful bush of coral and pink flowers growing around a dilapidated building. The children came out to greet us. Their school uniforms, which all the children here wear, matched the bushes but in plaid. The were clean, well groomed, and very well behaved. The beauty of the children was in stark contrast to their surroundings.

The children showed us where thier current source of water is. It was a community hand pump a couple of feet away from a streams that could barely flow past all of the garbage.

I was brought to tears, and strongly convicted in the necessity of the project. I am certain God brought me here to return home and help to promote Pure Water for the World in any way I can. I wish I had a better internet connection so I could post some of the photos, but it will have to wait until I return home.

Here are a few photos of the filtration systems. Friday we were able to help install these into four schools. The program is designed to train the principals of the school how to use and maintain the system with a heavy emphasis on general hygiene. The schools are provided with informational posters to hang teaching hand washing and other ways to get clean water, including boiling. The children can take clean water home with them after school.



This was the installation I attended in City Soleil. The school is located in one of the most notorious part of the city.

It is hard to describe Port-Au-Prince. I have seen so much that it is difficult to process. The most outstanding impression for me is the complete lack of attention to basic safety. Not just the lack of safe drinking water, but the pollution, the roads, the food, uncovered sewer holes in the street. The rivers and streams look like landfills. The markets have eggs, meat, and fish are out in the hot sun all day. The only conclusion that I can come to is that because of the political destruction and hurricanes, the people are so focused on survival that everything else is ancillary.

The Pure Water organization has recognized the basic needs of the people and are working install these filtration systems in every school in Haiti within 10 years. They have over 1,000 so far and are making 350 per month. The demand far outways the supply.

Water, water everywhere

We went back to the filtration facility today and worked a little more today. On our break I went up to the third floor and discovered I could see out over a heavily polluted stream in a concrete canal. Six little boys went down to the water with jugs we assumed they were going to fill with water. We were wrong. They stripped and played in the water and sat on the jugs to run down the current. There was all matter of trash including a dead animal we assumed was a dog.

I was pleased to have a conversation shortly thereafter with Roman -- the facility manager. He told us that education on hygiene was one of the main goals for Haiti.

More later -- we are off to find Rum Raisin Ice Cream.

Port-Au-Prince

We arrived safe and sound in Haiti yesterday. The guest house we are staying at is very nice -- clean and sufficient. Today we were able to go to the facility where the water filtration systems are built.

The process is really quite simple. Concrete containers with clean sand to filter the water. Mona (the pastor from Galesburg who is traveling with us) and I were chosen first thing as we arrived to go on an installation. It was surreal being able to go to a school and see the children and the facilities on our first day out.

We jumped in a truck with the installers and drove to the worst part of the city -- the place, we were told, where the kidnappings and gang violence has occured -- referred to as the slums. It was quite an experience.

I have been designated the project photographer and will have a lot of incredible photographs to load when I return to the states and a faster internet access.

We returned to the site and hauled water and sand, and painted filtration systems.

Internet access is limited and others are waiting to communicate home...more soon.

Haiti

Well, I'm off again. Today I leave for Haiti. I have been given an opportunity to complete number nine on my life to-do-list (see Aug. 20, 2007 posting). I will be traveling with 13 other people from Michigan to work in Haiti on a water filtration project. If all goes as planned, we will help build water filtration systems that will be installed in local schools. Here are a couple of links with more information about what we are doing.

See the UMNS article at: http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2433457&ct=3708797

Rotary International http://www.wasrag.org/

Pure Water for the World http://www.purewaterfortheworld.org/

When my pastor returned from his trip to Haiti last February, he talked about the island, the difficulties the people face, and the work he did. When he talked about the impact on the kids, I knew I was being called to go. Although the planning and logistics were stressful for Pastor David, everything, for me, fell into place perfectly. My husband was encouraging and supportive, the timing couldn't have been better, and God provided a means for funding, within $.52.

I decided to start substitute teaching this year to fill in some of the times when I wasn't busy with photography. I wanted to earn enough to pay for the trip ($700) before Christmas. My year to date earnings for the week before Christmas was $699.48!

I am humbled to be given the opportunity to give a little back to the world, especially since God has blessed my family in so many ways.

La Roche Canillac, France

After 33 hours of travel; interrupted sleep on the plane, a taxi ride through Bastille weekend holiday traffic in Paris, a four hour ride on a train with stale warm air, and an exciting (and mildly horrifying) 45 minute drive through the hills France; I finally arrived at my destination. Nauseous, hungry, and tired, I was escorted into the Chateau for bread and soup. Feeling a little stronger, I went for a swim in the salt water pool. The water was cool and soft, incredibly rejuvenating. I felt better immediately.

What an incredible opportunity, I was able to stay in a house in the village that is nestled in the side of a hill. The village had a rich history and boasts spectacular views in almost every direction.

The pictures of the wedding speak for themselves: http://www.imagequix.com/photog.php?id=L93A19G&ec=bajer

As we travelled home, we had the opportunity to spend a day in Paris and see the sights. I could say so much more, but I will let the pictures do it for me.

The trip was a fabulous opportunity, the wedding was beautiful, the families were gracious hosts, and my traveling companions were entertaining and easy to be with.

Thank you, Paul and Kaytee, for allowing me to be a part of your wedding and giving me this amazing opportunity to see France!

Regrets

One of my greatest regrets was that I had not traveled more before my kids were born. We were paying off student loans and trying to buy a house. I never expected to be blessed with so many opportunities to travel as a stay-at-home mom. In the last two years, I have traveled more than in the 38 years prior.

I have taken two trips to Florida; a long weekend in Austin, TX; a rendezvous in Athens and Northern Greece; castles and churches in Germany; scuba diving in Mexico; and today I leave for France.

I only wish Polly were coming with us. My friend Polly died several years ago. I am privileged to take this trip in order to photograph her son's wedding in a small country village south of Paris.

Hopefully I will have photos and great travel stories soon...

I couldn't decide which thought-provoking quote to end this post with, so I chose two:

The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page.
--Saint Augustine

Never take a cross country trip with a kid who has just learned to whistle.
--John Deuel

The Weather is Here...Wish You Were Beautiful

Cozumel

I don't think that anything I write can truly describe my experiences in Mexico. Rob and Bina were fantastic traveling companions -- fun and adventurous -- I can't remember the last time I laughed so much.

The weather was incredible (86 with scattered clouds every day). The people in San Miguel are friendly, helpful, and truly happy. Why is it that we Americans have so much but complain about everything; yet in other countries they have so little and are so content? I am going to work harder to incorporate their happiness and zest for life into my everyday.

We were able to snorkel right in front of the hotel, earned our SCUBA certification and completed 4 dives. Aqua-Safari was our dive shop. They kept us safe, confident and entertained.

The diving was incredible -- we saw many types of tropical fish. I was amazed at how big they were! The diversity we were able to see in just a few dives was amazing: a stingray as big as my dining room table, huge puffer fish, smiling green morays (one was 5 ft long), octopus, barracudas, sea horses (which are less than impressive, they kind of look like sea weed), a group of squid (Bina insists they were a family), just to name a few. We hired a guy to make a dvd of our dive -- he gave us an incredible souvenir. At one point in our dive, he was on the other side of the reef and found a 7 foot nurse shark. I know they are perfectly harmless, but I am glad I didn't see it. I probably would have panicked.

I'll leave you with the image I will always cherish...rows of hammocks on the beach of the Caribbean (or is it the Gulf?), good company, gentle breeze, a little shade, cold cervaza; and five minutes later, a beach massage for $8. As for the rest of the trip -- what happens in Cozumel, stays in Cozumel...

In less than a week I will embark on number 3 on my top 10 to-do list (refer to 8/20/07 post). Our friends Rob and Bina and Steve and I leave soon for Cozumel, Mexico for a scuba diving adventure. I am usually incredibly organized when taking a trip, but this on seemed to sneek up on me. I have been checking the weather -- here is a link if anyone is interested:
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/76649.html

I decided it would be blatant bragging to put the forecast here, so you can look it up if you are interested. I hope to try some underwater photography. It will be interesting to see how much different the light will be. I've also read that the deeper you go, you lose the color spectrum in ROYGBV order. I hope to see some cool reefs and tropical fish. I hope not to see any sharks.

At the very least, I'll be able to go outside without having to find my boots, hat, gloves, coat, etc.

Attn: Football Fans

My friend Anna came to me with an idea for a birthday present for her husband. He is a tried and true MSU fan. Being an MSU alumni, it wasn't hard for me to get into the spirit of the photo shoot.

What more could a loyal Spartan fan want -- cute babies that share his interests!!! Happy Birthday Dru!

Hey Anna -- when is he going to paint something in your new house Green and White?

What's New in Wedding Photography

I've recently attended several bridal shows and am always perusing photographers websites for trends and ideas. And here are what I've seen as the new trends in wedding photography.

1. Available light. Gone are the days of the huge flashes and perfect lighting. The trend is moving toward softer, more natural and romantic lighting. In order for these shots to maintain quality when enlarged, a photographer needs a lens that works in low light situations. Always ask your photographer about equipment! Digital cameras tend to be a little more inconsistent in creative lighting than traditional film. A good, experienced photographer can handle low light and available light with digital or film.

2. Digital. There are very few wedding photographers left who shoot with film. I believe the reasoning for this is two fold. First, it's what brides want. In our technological society, consumers demand the latest conveniences technology can offer. On-line proofing is a perfect example. No matter how far apart your family lives, everyone can see all the wedding proofs. Curious? Try this:

http://www.imagequix.com/
In the Event Guests - View an Event box type L93A19G for Photographer ID and click Submit Select Wedding of Marta and Alex
Select Enter Proof Viewer

The second reason digital is fast becoming the industry norm is the instant confidence a photographer has that a picture turned out. This confidence with film photography comes only with experience. Photographers also like digital because of the low cost. Film, processing and proofs cost for each shot. With digital, a photographer can shoot unlimited shots without increasing material costs.

3. Digitally enhanced photographs. From adding a splash of color to a B&W photograph, to completely altering the nature of a picture, digital art can add a new dimension to wedding pictures.


4. Umbrellas? Don't ask me, I am just reporting what I see. On-line, in professional photography magazines, in wedding photographer's samples, umbrellas are everywhere. The first one I saw was unique and unexpected in a wedding photo. The result was creative and fun. However, herein lies the problem with the Internet: everyone can see an idea and copy it. At the very least, it can take an element like rain and turn it it to a photo opportunity.

More than Meets the Eye

Important Things to Consider when Hiring a Wedding Photographer

When all is said and done, your wedding pictures are one of the only investments in your wedding budget that will last beyond your wedding day. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the photographer who will preserve your memories for you.

Style – There as many styles of photography as there are photographers. To be sure you get the coverage and quality you are paying for, make sure you see a full set of wedding proofs, not just a portfolio. Anyone can pick out a few great shots to showcase.

Freelance Photographers – Some studios employ a number of different wedding photographers. Be sure you are viewing the samples of the actual photographer who will be assigned to your wedding. Request to meet with the actual photographer who will be at your wedding.

Experience – In addition to viewing a photographer’s work, be sure to find out how long the photographer has been shooting weddings. It is important that a photographer knows how to deal with the intensity of a wedding and work professionally amidst the environment of emotion and excitement. Weddings create high pressure. An experienced photographer will be able to know exactly which pictures to take and when, ultimately giving better coverage.

Price – Wedding photographers will range in price from $500 to $5000 or more. Price does not determine quality. Larger studios have more overhead, and spend more on advertising. Also, make sure you are fully aware of how much additional pictures will cost for you and your family to order after the wedding.

Digital vs. Film – Digital is quickly becoming the norm in weddings. Digital offers many advantages, including on-line proofing, and more shots with less cost. Film still offers higher quality when professional format cameras and film are used.

Equipment – Ask about the type and quantity of cameras, lenses and lighting that will be used at your wedding. If pose shots are done indoors, more lighting should be used than just a camera mounted flash. If choosing digital photography, the photographer should use more than one camera and more than one memory card. If film is chosen, again the photographer should use more than one camera. Pricing should also reflect the type of equipment. The higher priced photographers should be using high-end digital SLR’s with multiple lenses or medium to large format film cameras.

For more information: www.Keepsake-Portrait.com