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A few weeks ago Randy and Pat Mortensen of World Wide Village shared the news about an exciting opportunity they had to partner with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to bring the gift of hearing to about 200 Haitian kids. They were tasked with taking molds and getting them sent to Minnesota in order for hearing aids to be made quickly and brought back down. Last weekend they asked if Paige would want to join them on the day the hearing aids would be delivered. Paige took them up on the sweet offer and was excited to be able to go along today to translate for Miley Cyrus and a few others as the Starkey Foundation, Miley, and WWV delivered custom fit hearing devices to kids in Haiti.
Paige missed a day of school last week in order to be with the midwives to help teenage mom Enisse bring Sophia into the world (per Enisse's request for Paige to be present) and she missed a day of school this week in order to go be with a famous teenager from America. We've nominated Paige for the "Weirdest Life Ever" award. Vote here if you agree. ;)
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| Paige & Sophia |
We've always wanted to be sure that school does not get in the way of other ways for our kids to be educated. Allowing them to be a part of work and ministry here as they are able is very important to us as parents. I've never been convinced that learning happens best in classrooms. When our older girls have been involved in helping with programs and projects they have learned much and benefited greatly. Britt learned a lot about her gifts as a direct result of being allowed to help with medical needs in our first few years here.
Occasionally we get an anonymous comment or an email informing us of what horrible parents we are to bring our kids here and deprive them of the American lifestyle they are entitled to live. (Which is just odd since half of our kids are Haitian but I digress.) We completely get that not everyone can come to a place of understanding our decisions, and we don't expect or need that.
The fact is, often times living here is not very easy or fun for Paige (or the other kids). Without a doubt she misses out on some fun things. There have been some difficult times in the last five years. At times she really misses being "normal". We're not trying to convince anyone its all rainbows and unicorns raising kids here.
Here's the thing though ... Paige is an amazingly well-rounded sixteen year old. She can relate to very wealthy people and she can relate to very poor people. She is comfortable standing and talking with both groups and currently practices both within the same week. She can hold her own in a room full of adults or children, confident in who she is in either setting. She can wrap her arms around an illiterate teenager from Cite Soleil and she can interact with crazy-wealthy kids that can fly to Paris to shop at her school. Her friends don't all look and sound exactly like her. She is learning things that cannot be taught by her parents or school or anything other than the diverse life experiences she is having while living in Haiti.
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| Pat & Randy Mortensen, WorldWideVillage |
32 comments:
i l.o.v.e. that you said this:
"We've always wanted to be sure that school does not get in the way of other ways for our kids to be educated."
This is a very difficult statement for so many to read, let alone digest and whole-heartedly cheer you on for saying.
but. . . .
those of us who live the same philosophy and fear to even think this statement (b/c of the nay-sayers who have the great talent of slinging mud even in our thoughts!) raise our glasses and throw out a boisterous "here!here!"
Tara, we were foster parents for ten years in Alameda County, California. In those ten years we cared for 50 medically fragile, high-risk babies. I once had a lady at church tell me that another foster family in our church that was involved in the same program were doing a great disservice to their own children by having all those babies and their dysfunctional families in their home. I could hardly answer her nicely. I explained to her that taking care of "all those babies" was the best thing we could have ever done for our own children. We never had to explain to them about the risks of using drugs or of having premarital sex. We saw the consequences every day in the lives of our dear little babies. And they've all become great parents and two of them are considering being foster parents in the same program so their own children will benefit in the same way.
Keep doing what you're doing. Your children will bless you for showing them how to love as Christ loved.
Bottom line....as Christian parents, we are not called to give our kids the "great American experience". We are called to teach them to love Jesus, to follow Him, and to be his hands and feet until He returns. To live in this world but not of it. That said....you two are some of the best parents I know. Paige and all of your children shine the light of Jesus like no other family I know. Your kids have true servant hearts and they became that way by watching their parents. I will never forget Brittany sharing her humble story of Issac asking how her neighbor may not know Jesus since he was, after all, HER NEIGHBOR. Thank you for being examples dear friends!
I so agree with you in all of this. Real life is much better at teaching then sitting in a class.
Carlita
" I've never been convinced that learning happens best in classrooms." I couldn't agree more!
Paige seems like a beautiful person - inside and out, and can safely assume her graciousness is not something she learned in the classroom. I believe that to gently guide our kids into being people that love God, love themselves and love those around them - that is something no school can teach, but will serve them better than any degree (or American lifestyle) ever could.
Love it!
So true!
While we do live in America, our children do NOT get all of the "cool American stuff" that other kids get.
Gotta tell you ... neither me nor my children even know who Miley Cyrus is. Yes, I have heard of Hannah Montana, but wouldn't have put the name or face together. :)
While we believe that "book work" is important, we get much more excited about "life experiences" as education. 5 of our 6 older children (ages 20-26) have traveled to 20 countries in the past 10 years, for short and long term mission trips. We can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for the next 6 kids.
By the way ... I have always been SOOOO.... impressed with Paige, that I've often wondered how I could have her meet my cute, servant's-hearted, athletic, 17 year old son. :)
Laurel
Being in full-time student ministry, I love reading the things you post about your kids. As our church seeks to really promote faith being lived out at home by the parents, and thus instilled into kids, reading these things your children have done and are doing greatly encourages me.
Paige totally has my vote for "Weirdest Life Ever," but "normal" is a misnomer, anyway. :)
P.S. The boys said to tell Isaac & Hope hi for them! They miss them at Kidzone.
Well done parents and well done Paige..... I was an MK and I turned out better than "normal" with a rich tapestry of life experiences and education to draw on.
I grew up in a pretty normal midwest setting but my parents had jobs that exposed me to a lot of different things. My dad worked for health and human services and a facility that helped mentally handicapped people live as indpendent adults. My mom also worked for health and human services. And they also helped start a food bank ona volunteer basis. My parents never balked in exposing me to the people whom they worked with. I grew up going in and out of the homes of people who were "weird" by the world's standards. My mom often taught parenting skills and helped families clean up houses that were too dirty for the family to function well in. She didn't always take me but there were times where she did and I never saw her act like "I can't take my kid to this place because these people are too dirty or too dangerous." My parents taught me how to love all sorts of people, that people who are struggling or a bit different are not people to be afraid of. They didn't teach me by telling me about it; they taught me by letting me experience it. And it was one of the best gifts they gave me.
I loved this post and the so many of the comments made. I am constantly wonder how to give more of "real life" experiences to my kids. Adding two children from Haiti to our 3 bio kids we heard plenty of "not fair to our 3 bio kid" comments, which is absurd to me. Who says we are entitled to all the commercialism of the US, here or anywhere else. I have noticed so much of that "want" attitude in my newer Haitian kids and I wish I didn't see it in them, as they didn't have it when they came to the US.
I am so excited to see how God will continue to use Paige, she is an amazing young woman and I commend you two for raising such a beautiful daughter and giving them so much more of life than they could have here in the US.
Once again, you beat me to it. I was just writing a post on raising Tariq up here. Andy and I spent a long time tonight talking about the example you and Troy are to us. We are deeply grateful for your friendship and the role models you are. Thanks for sharing.
I want this so badly for my girlies (10, 8, 5). You're my hero, Paige.
Totally agree that learning doesn't necessarily happen best in classrooms!
Just wondering how far along in medical school one would be before helping to deliver a baby?
~Carol
My missionary dad always said, "Don't let school get in the way of education!" (Although, for the record, he was also very strict on grades.) I've never forgotten that as we raise our own kids on the mission field, though ours have yet to experience such a crazy week as Paige has and probably never will. :)
But I can definitely empathize as an MK - and now as a mom raising MKs - about the ups and downs of being one. Eventually we realize that the pros outweigh by the cons by far but sometimes, especially in the teen years, it can be a bit lonely to be so different. Paige and her parents seems to be doing a fabulous job of keeping things balanced, though! God bless you all and your ministry for Him.
you can have all the fancy degrees and book learning you want, but you need in real life learning to get by. My mom's cousin is literally a genuis but he can't hold a conversation with anyone and giggles like a school boy when nervous(he's in his 50s)
oh, and my sister who was born in Haiti(8 yrs old next week) thinks it's SO cool that Miley is in Haiti...she couldn't believe it.
I love this and think it's awesome Paige got to help--also I am jealous of her non-boring life :). I am curious, do most Haitian children know who Miley Cyrus is? Or was she just the nice girl helping them out yesterday?
The Haitian kids did not know Miley was famous. At one point a kid who had a Hannah Montana backpack figured out it was her and there was a little oohing and aahhing - Paige said a few kids decided that she was also famous and asked to have photos with her as well. :) Disney Channel would not be available to these kids - so Miley was just a nice gal with lots of cameras following her. :)
I'm with you on your "school" comments. I believe our 3 children have the same benefits of being able to fit in and be comfortable whatever the situation. Rich or poor, sickness, health, educated, illiterate, etc. It's because we're raising them to be citizens of the world (they're all God's children aren't they?) and not just on a "local" basis. I enjoy your posts - God bless you in your efforts.
Beverly-Ohio
I think that what you and your family are doing is fantastic! God will bless all of you for the work you are doing. As for people saying you are bad parents for taking your kids out of America/classrooms. Pish posh... I know that some of the lessons I have learned in life happened anywhere but the classroom. I've personally never left America, but I would never stay in a place when I felt that God needed me to be somewhere else.
God bless you. All of you and the work you are doing will be in my prayers.
Tara, as always, I LOVE how you are honest and open! Please never change that!!!! And people who criticize- well they should remember what Jesus said about casting stones...
This is not a public opinion kind of blog- it is a personal record, a journal, a place where you record and share your personal experiences. Being PERSONAL, to me, means you share what you feel comfortable sharing with those of us who read. That doesn't give us the right to criticize. People amaze me sometimes at their willingness to share their opinions!
Anywhooo, Paige has an AMAZING life I say, and so do all of you. Praying for you often and the work you do, and the Haitian people most of all!!!
Love from NC!
Well done, Paige! You do have an amazing life! If we are to believe the press here in the US, Miley is not even getting along with her own dad, Billy Ray! Looks like you're doing a fine job of getting along with her, Paige!!
"We've always wanted to be sure that school does not get in the way of other ways for our kids to be educated."
Love it! Life is an education if you allow it to be and/or make it one. Even your younger children are probably more well-rounded than a lot of adults with expensive educations and perfect attendance in schools in the U.S. could even hope to be.
And... highly irritated that anyone would comment on your parenting skills! What is wrong with people that their sole measure of worth is whether something compares to the "American lifestyle".
This story was awesome to me on three fronts: 1. I was a deaf education major in college for two years (loved the language, hated the overly structured program), so seeing that kids are getting help with their hearing tugs at my heartstrings; 2. These were Haitian kids who got the help (my Haitian-born kids, who know some ASL, thought it was super cool, too); 3. I was already a major Paige fan before this post and it just makes me more so after reading this. Thanks for taking your family to Haiti and doing what God wants you to do. You have no idea the difference you are making in the lives of people, even those NOT in Haiti. :)
I vote for Paige in a heart beat! You have one amazing kid there. I agree to not let school get in the way.
Do you know if the kids are able to hear right away or is there some getting used to? What a wonderful gift.
Awesome! I want to BE Paige when I grow up!
Way to go, Paige!!
Our family has been in fostering for years...it was an enriching experiance for us all...7 of our 12 are adopted.. and we thank God often for each one & the things we all learned in our journey...life lessons... Now we as a family are in the process of building & opening a home for kids in Ukraine... People have told we are unfair to our children, too but we believe we set out to raise kids with vision & a heart for the hurting in this world...."It's ok to run the opposite way" Leeland...Jesus did.
Told the story to our kids and showed them the pics. My Sophia (who is 11) was away, so I just showed her today. I reminded her that we saw Paige in Florida during our marathon a year ago.
She said, "Cool." And, "Wait. Paige is 16? She looks like she's 20!" :)
How crazy; Paige is a blessed girl to get to experience all that she has; it is molding her into a top-notch amazing woman. The gift you are giving your kids is priceless.
Every child has ups & downs with education, growing and learning to accept diversity... you have done Paige (and the others) a HUGE blessing by sharing life in Haiti with them... your passions are her passions... and she glows! Keep up the fantastic work!!
Love that Paige got to meet Miley Cyrus - more like that Miley got to meet Paige as I am certain she is an amazing young lady. What a diverse and wonderful education in life she has received. If all children could be raised in a manner such as yours - seeing and accepting everything from wealth to poverty - their parents giving to others - what a wonderful world this might truly be!
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