Au Revoir Jenika Mon Amour (Goodbye Jenika My Love)

My name is Shawn Smith,

I have written the first sentence to this blog several times and then deleted it. I promise you that if you read this you will not regret it. Today was a day of days. I pray that God uses it and equips me in his calling and fills your heart moving it to action like he has mine. I will also apologize in advance for the grammar because my awesome wife is asleep and cannot proof read and correct it. I will explain the title at the end but first I will tell you about the 1st half of the day.

Experiencing God in Haiti feels like when you jump into a pool in the deep end. God is all around you and in everything you do, every person you meet and every moment including your dreams. The first half of today we went to Grace Village which is a magnificent place on the side of a Mountain that is funded and ran by Healing Haiti(amazing organization!!) We did a skit about respect with over 50 kids and spend time playing with them and doing a crafts project, playing soccer and basketball and playing. This place really reminds me of Camelot. This place is the light that shines into the darkness and is doing amazing things!

On our way back to the guest house we stopped at the mass gravesite that 3-400 thousand people were buried at after the earthquake and one of our leaders and translators lost his father and most of his school in the quake. He happened to go outside to get water when the quake happened and he fell over. When he could get up he started to run towards his school and the 3 levels collapsed killing almost everyone in his school right in front of his eyes. At the same time his father was working in a bank and the bank collapsed killing his father. There was just a deep sorrow in his voice from all of this loss. He is normally a very jovial person but I could tell all day he was struggling and was in his head and then it was clear when we went to the site that this was why his day was tough because he had to go to this site weekly to show our teams the site. But I could tell he wanted to because his pain and loss were powerful tools of change in the hearts of our team.

When we got back it was about 215 pm and we had the choice of going to either the Home for the Sick and Dying Babies or staying back to rest since we were all very mentally,emotionally, and physically depleted. Four of us and two translators decided to get dropped off at the Home for Sick and Dying Babies which was now our 3rd time here and definitely one if not the most life changing things of this entire trip. I will come back to this at the end. When our time was up we walked back to the guest house which was awesome! Just about a 20 minute walk but it was so great to just walk through the streets of Haiti and see so many nice people and say hello and have a nice day in French or Creole. We can still see Earthquake damage and there art still tent cities all around and I mean ALL AROUND. Crazy thing is everyone else is telling us how the tent cities have shrunk but there is still so many!

The night wrapped up with a great dinner and team time. We have such a passionate team and I am so thankful to God for all of them. Our host and the Haitian workers have been amazing and they are truly gifted with great hearts.

Now to explain the title of this blog. I will apologize in advance that I will not be able to fully explain somethings here because it would just take me a book to help you make it make sense. Stephanie and I have opted to go to the Home for Sick and Dying Babies 3 times on this trip. Every time we go God breaks our hearts more. There were 3 baby girls that I particularly connected with but one in particular I am sure has changed my life forever….

The first day we came here I tried to hold as many babies as I could to spread the love around to as many of them as possible. There is just rows and rows and 4 large rooms of babies that are mostly very ill. There was one girl who was just curled up the first day in the fetal position and did not want to be held. You could tell she was running a bad fever and was miserable. I tried to connect with her but she would not respond.

On Friday we went there again and I tried to hold again as many babies as I could that were ones that seemed to not be getting held. After holding several and connecting with a few from the last time we were there that I just feel in love with I came to the girl, who was still running a fever or very ill. I again tried to connect with here but she just seemed so sad and miserable. I tried to see if she would raise her hands to be picked up and she barely could lift her arm. She was 5 and fit easily in a babies crib. She was obviously very sick, uncomfortable and sad. I brought her out into the court yard where Jeff was playing guitar and just sat with her in my lap. Her head lay in my chest. I could tell she was finding some kind of peace in my arms and was going in and our of being asleep while we listed to the music.

As she sat with me I began to study her and I noticed that his girl had be abused heavily physically for sure but you could tell psychologically, emotionally and verbally she had been abused just by her demeanor. I held her the rest of the time and just went in and out of weeping. I noticed someone had carved into her temple a X that was now a scar. And that she had many scars all over. This girl was so beautiful and I felt a pain in my heart that I had never felt before. I held her as long as I could and when I left I told her good by and I loved her in French but she did not respond. She just went back into the fetal position in her crib. I wept all the way back to the guest house, tears flowing from beneath my sunglasses. When I got back to the guest house I went to wash my face and I wept int he bathroom for awhile. I could not hold myself together. I went into my room and wept further crying out to God because my soul screamed out in pain for this girl. I was beginning to find something in my heart I didn’t know specifically was there. A calling to help children of abuse and the broken people of this world. God was stirring something in me that was making me go crazy on the inside like never before.

Now to explain the title of this blog. When we went there today I was on a mission. I wanted to find as much out about this girl as possible, I knew she was changing my life. I went in and found her out immediately. I found our her name which is Jenika. I found out she still had a fever. They were just cleaning her. Once she was clean I asked for her and she immediately recognized me. I saw a look that I had not seen from her and that was one of a little bit of peace in her spirit. I picked her up and said Bonjour Jenika Mon Amour, (hello Jenika my love) she hugged me and again cuddled up to my chest. We went back out to the court yard and sat down. She was again finding peace in my arms. Her scars again reminding me the terrible pain that must of been inflicted upon such a beautiful child….

Unfortunately she was so sick that the nurses came over and took her from me to an middle room between rooms that you could see out into the courtyard from where they began to get her ready to be put in an IV for her fever. I think she was severally dehydrated and could not hold down food. She screamed in fear like nothing I had every heard. I held her hand but it did not help. She was trembling in fear. They took a long time until they actually tried to stick her and the 1st attempt in the hand missed the vein. My heart and soul were being broken down into rubble. What ever was left was being shattered on the inside of me. I tried to hold some of the other babies and helped comfort many of them but all the meanwhile I had to listen to the screams of my dear sweet and beautiful Jenika. I was falling in love with this child as if she were my own. If I was able to I would take her home to america now without a second thought. I could tell now my wife Stephanie could see why my heart was broken and I could see hers breaking as well. We just kept coming back to her to comfort her, holding her hands and rubbing her feet and back.

Finally the nurse got the iv into her arm and then left again with her just taped up. But we had to go. I was shaking and my eyers were filled with tears just welling up inside of them. God was moving me in a more powerful way then I have ever experienced. We had to go…

I knelt down beside her and looked her in the eyes. I gave her a big hug then whispered into her ear “Au Revoir Jenika Mon Amour” Goodbye Jenika My Love, I looked into her eyes both of us crying and she said

“Au Revoir Mon Amour” Good bye my love…….

What Would You Say?

I was busy typing on my computer and a 5 year-old little boy, 

walked over to me and picked up my i-phone and said, 

"Mwen vle ecri Jezi" (I want to write Jesus).  I opened an 

app that was a blank notepad and he began typing as fast

 as he could.  He sat next to me for about 15 minutes, 

which is a long time for this little guy.  Here's what he wrote...

Dxnxkxkxkoxoxoxxxxjxo kxlxoxopsxolsdksllxxlxoksnxmxzkkxnck

ckxkckxlzlxkxkxkxmxkxmlckxlsaMznsmdkd snxnkdjdaksxjd

kxkkssksksjjankakskwkwkwndc bxjanxn. B no xbnnxkxnx

bxbxxbzjnanxkskzkzn n n bNznnxanjssnkZxjbxb jxjizzjuszjj

dksjssidiussodjsieiissoksudidysjdjjducbishvd.

Kazakhs

'M.'xmxjnxzjzkxxxxkskqssxlxlxlslldkskslslks

mdmfmmseloieieowoqqodjfjkdcmkdlslkaqpowi

dipoadpsjfksksdmdokskndlslkfkkdlqkddjkfekkedpdofir

lfooekrkfkskefnckvfkcnfkdkdkejfdkkdkkdd

Djdjdlekjdwkldkddkkeekewkdkldfllflxkdlkcdk

E smdkxmxkfkfkfffkfdkddeddsmckkfkxkfkkkkcvmfkkk

ekiidjkjjfjfjcvokfkcfkkfkfkfkdfjdjkfvjkkfkffkdkkkoooow

Enfckkkfkffkfpfklddlfj.      

I wonder what he was writing to Jesus.  I wonder if he thanked 

Jesus for all of the ways Jesus has blessed him and provided

 for him. I wonder if he told Jesus how thankful he is that He died 

on the cross for him.  John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world 

that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him 

may have eternal life".  I wonder if he asked for forgiveness 

for his sins.  

If I could write to Jesus what would I write?  What would He

 write back?  I imagine encouraging words.  I imagine Him 

telling me how much He loves me and how He is with me

 through life's joys and sorrows.  

I think about life as a journey.  Each day holds many possibilities.  

Sometimes, challenges that come my way are very difficult to

 get through, but I have a God that is with me through them.  

Sometimes, things seem impossible and that is when I need 

to trust 

God in a deep way because He is my strength.  

Philippians 4:13 says, 

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." 

 I am so thankful that I know Jesus.  

Yesterday, a teenage girl asked me 

"Ki le Jezi habité nan ke ou?" (When did Jesus start living
 in your heart?).  

I told her my story about accepting Jesus as a teenager and she

 smiled and told me Jesus lives in her heart too.  

It amazes me how so many people in Haiti have so little, 

yet their hearts are rich because they know Jesus.  

They thank God for blessing them with food, for their health

 and for their family.  They truly trust God to provide 

everything for them.  They live their life in a way that encourages

 me to live mine for the Lord.  

If you wrote a letter to Jesus, what would you say?  

What would Jesus write back?

-Kathy Aslakson, Healing Haiti Long Term Missionary

No Exit

The day began with a strange sense of being in the comfort zone. How quickly one can acclimate. As we walked across the lot of pits and gravel at the Haitian Truck stop (a bathroom, a counter and a tiny food set up) we were marveling at how our senses have changed. When we were at the water well on Tuesday we were apprehensive and reluctant to take a step forward without our leader going first. And today we are walking confident and laughing with our new Haitian friends. Feeling comfortable and competent. All the team members sprang in action the second their foot hit the ground from the top top. Laughter and love filled the air.

However, the afternoon was a different story. The pleasure of comfort zone was shattered as we entered the gates of the Home for Sick and Dying Adults. This time when the feet hit the ground it was with a slowness that could only represent hesitation. The team lingered around the top top as if it were a safe haven to shelter us from the unknown. Our only comfort lying in the companionship of these 14 people that 5 days ago were strangers but somehow today seemed to cross over to friends. When Amy returned from Mother superior’s office we sauntered towards our destination ; women upstairs and men downstairs. The women move in a single file line to the steps and the men step into a large room with rows of beds that held a man lying on each one. Nick’s rapid creole question lead to a bunch of hands in the air as each of our teammates took a deep breath and a slight step backwards. As Jack reached for the lotion bottle many of the Haitian men began taking off their shirts. Karl paused for a moment as he considered his options. Looking around at the other two men who bagan rubbing the lotion on the men’s chests he realized there was no exit for him. He stepped forward receiving some lotion from the bottle in the palm of his hand. He took the giant leap out of his comfort zone and gave the man the lotion. Within minutes the tension of the room eased and the power of connection filled the space.

Meanwhile the women were entering the room upstairs. No creole was needed. The first team member entered the room and an elderly woman put up her arm for lotion. One by one the team members moved towards a bed and a woman. Meak voices spoke “Bonswa” as the eyes said the rest. Lotion bottles moving around the room and olive oil being massaged into the hair occurred in near silence. The only sounds were the occasional murmur from a team member or a patient to attempt greeting and the quiet hum of Junior’s guitar. Just about the time that we were settling into the akwardness of our work Brunet’s beautiful voice filled the air and the room came to life. The ladies singing joyfully with great innocence temporarily leaving behind the broken heartedness of their conditions. Even the women who were terribly sick mouthed the words. The women of the team moved from room to room connecting with the universal language of music and the universal love of touch. The image of our glory days in Heaven when people will sing praise to Our Lord painted the room as the songs were sung in Creole and English. I sat on my knees on the floor massaging a woman’s foot who was terminally ill with a throat condition, most likely cancer, I couldn’t help but imagine how Jesus must have looked cleaning the feet of the disciples. This is the example He modeled for us but so rarely do we get to live it in this raw of an experience. The defenses of the men downstairs melted away allowing them to see the scars marking the beauty of a life lived, even in it’s pain. As the team filtered out of the doors the court yard light up like the sunshine peering through the cloudy sky. The enery of making a difference obvious in each team member’s expression. Each person spoke of the transforming effect this experience has on each of them. To be part of true connection despite language barriers and cultural differences with simple human touch filled the soul of many team mates. The ride back to the guest house was complete with the comfort of gratitude and honor to be able to worship using one of God’s greatest commands “Love one another”.

Dear God –

Dear God –

I thought I knew what the definition of mercy meant in Your eyes. I have been blessed to walk with the brokenhearted for several years in a care ministry program at church. However, I was taken to a new level of understanding the action of mercy on a mission trip to Haiti. You had our team visit an elderly neighborhood in Haiti. During this visit, I met Edmond; an elderly Haitian man living in a one man tent in the hills of Titanyen. By your grace, I was given the privilege to sit with Edmond. Walking into his tent, I thought that I would be given a chance to show mercy to Edmond. I was allowed to put my arms around him, hold him, feed him, and pray with him. Then, I experienced a moment of a lifetime. Edmond put his arm on my thigh. At that moment, it was not me that provided Edmond mercy. In that moment, God, you were showing me mercy through Edmond’s touch. What’s more, Edmond, could be an angry and outraged elderly man. Yet, I witnessed a man filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Edmond is a man who is grateful for visitors, food, water, and a hug – the simple things in life.

I will be forever thankful, Lord, that you used Edmond to inspire and humble me. Thank you, Lord, that you have positioned Edmond in a place which defines mercy at its deepest core. Thank you Lord for, once again, unveiling my eyes to humanity's basic needs in order to survive which includes mercy. 

Written by Russ Scott

A blog posting from our friends at Real Hope for Haiti.

A blog posting from our friends at Real Hope for Haiti.

Pillowcase Dresses – Such a Blessing!

We are always so humbled and thankful when we see how God is using people all over the globe to show His love to the Haitians here in Cazale.  Real Hope for Haiti has been blessed by receiving so many gifts and donations over the years from selfless, generous givers.  Each one is special and we’d love to blog about them all, but that’s just not possible.  Sometimes, however, a special story behind a donation makes us pause and savor God’s graciousness, and we absolutely must share it with you. 

This is one of those stories.

We got the message recently that a mission team from Healing Haiti had brought in some suitcases filled with donations for RHFH.  Healing Haiti teams have often brought in donations, carrying them in their luggage.  Receiving donations and supplies is logistically very difficult and costly here in Haiti, so it is always a cause for celebration when incoming travelers are willing to sacrifice space in their luggage (not to mention the hassle of handling extra suitcases in the airports) to bring needed items into the country for us.  Once the team arrives in Haiti, all we have to do is drop by and pick up the suitcases from them. 

The Healing Haiti suitcases didn’t just have pillowcase dresses inside, but baby formula and medication as well!  Wow!

This particular team was from St. Michael’s Church in Bloomington.  Prior to their trip, team member Margie Schroeder was aware of a big project that a young lady by the name of Caroline was undertaking:  making a huge number of pillowcase dresses for children who need them.  As God so often does, He brought several people together to accomplish this project, a project that would result in little girls at RHFH being clothed in adorable pillowcase dresses.    

Caroline, from Eden Prairie, MN, is a 17 year old high school senior known for having a heart for the Lord and for serving others.  She is a Girl Scout in Troop 10279.  

 ”I actually learned how to make the dresses about 4 years ago from my great aunt. My great aunt taught my mom and I how to make them just as a fun activity, but this past year I thought that making the dresses would be a great idea for my Girl Scout Gold Award Project. This is the highest award of achievement in girl scouting and it involves about 80 hours of service.”  Caroline sent out flyers to ask for donations of pillowcases to make the dresses out of.  She held a workshop one day in August at Prairie Lutheran Church, where several people gathered to join in the effort to make the dresses.  She had recruited many neighbors and friends to assist in ironing and putting Bible verses on each dress and praying over each child to whom the dresses would clothe.

According to Caroline’s mother, Gail, “This project will continue as over 20 women from our church want to make dresses every August to send to Haiti!”  This is very good news since our girls love the dresses, as do the staff.  They are cool and comfortable, hold up well through handwashings, and make it easy to continue caring for the child while wearing the dress, even if the child has an IV or bandages.  Several individuals and groups of supporters have made pillowcase dresses for the girls here at RHFH over the past couple of years.  Every time we receive a new batch, it’s always fun to see the cute patterns and personal touches the crafter has made.  We just love pillowcase dresses!   

Thank you so much to all those who were a part of making these sweet dresses and getting them to us here at RHFH.  Thanks to everyone who has given of their time and resources to help further this ministry in each and every way God has equipped you.  All for the glory of the Lord!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”     Romans 8:28

Dad, are you going to go fix things down there?

Rick Jones

My son David asked me before I went to Haiti last week, "Dad, are you going to go fix things down there?". I told him that I was going to go help, but could not fix it. While I experienced a great deal and "helped" where I was able, God decided it was time to fix me. My eyes have been opened to the grand treasures we have that we take for granted and the extreme needs of others that are so very real.

Matthew 25