Monday Morning

We're off and running again. We had a great weekend.

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Greg and Marcia Erickson (Providence Ministries) are here visiting (their daughter) Tess. We have had a lot of fun chatting. 

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We had more Minnesotans gathered around our table than at any other time. That was kind of cool. We had fun playing six degrees of separation and realizing how many people we all have in common.

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Today Jen's Dad is flying in. As a Dad it has to be kind of cool to come see your kid in action. When I met Jen's parents in March in Minnesota I told them that we credited Jen with saving Lydie's life and she will always be incredibly important in the telling of Lydie's story. It still blows my mind to think about it. Jen also will be celebrating the big Three-O tomorrow. :) Yesterday Paige convinced Jen to jump into the dam with her, Marcia got some really fun photos that I think she will load on her blog later.

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It is a bittersweet time. We're winding down our time with Tess and Jen and it has been such an incredible blessing to have them here with us these last five months. It will be very hard to say goodbye ten days from now. Very hard. :(

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We heard from a few of you who watched the KSTP show last night. I heard Troy is dead-sexy in it. ;) Kidding, I did not hear that. But he is. He had on a yellow shirt, but not *the* yellow shirt. Thank goodnesss. I also heard Noah and Isaac were in it for a nano-second. :)

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Both of the feeding centers you saw in the video are out here in our area. We have not been able to see it on-line down here due to slow Internet so we cannot comment about it one way or another.

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Have a great day! Thanks for checking in on us.

Happy Mothers Day!

Our work here is brief

but its reward is eternal.

Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world,

which passes away like a shadow.

~ Clare of Assisi ~

We're busy preparing for Tess' mom and the Mortensens to come out to LaDigue tomorrow. Everybody is very excited about that. Then Jen's Dad is coming on Monday!

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We'll be taking a blog break for the weekend. Twin Cities residents, remember Sunday night at 10:30 on Channel 5 is the Jason Davis on the Road show that was partially taped here in LaDigue. Write us and tell us how it was - if you think of it. Everyone else should be able to watch it here on line sometime on Monday.

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Have a great weekend. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms - and ESPECIALLY to our Moms! We love you and miss you. :)

troy & tara

ps- good luck Tina! run well.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

We love you! Thank you for teaching us about digging in and sticking it out in the good times and bad - and for being awesome parents.

Gratefully,
T, T, B, P, I, H, N, P, L
and
M, T, A, P, A

By Mrs. Livesay

The team has been safely deposited at the PAP airport to begin their journeys home.

At one point this week a 24 year old on the team called me "Mrs. Livesay" - that was most certainly the only low moment of our time together. ;) I know lots of people prefer their kids use those sorts of titles and teach them that is a respectful way to address someone. But my ego tells me I am not old - and therefore I cannot be called Mrs. Livesay. Ever. The funny thing is, Troy was not Mr. Livesay -- he was just Troy. What is that!?!?!?

Poor Isaac had a tough morning. I am still talking myself down because the mama bear in me rose up instantly and I wanted to take someone down - regardless of the story. I feel my heartrate increase everytime I think of it.

Isaac has been our son for five and half years. He is easily one of the most unique little boys you'll ever meet. He walks around building people up. He says things like, "I love your shirt Tess." "You look beautiful Mom." "I sure love you Jen." He is the ultimate encourager and he is sweet and very innocent ... almost to the point of seeming dopey. (He is not dopey - but some might perceive it that way.)

The last few days he has been joining the school kids to play soccer during recess. Last Saturday I stood on the porch watching him and was welling up with tears just so impressed that he was willing to go down and be the odd man out. He is a Haitian boy that speaks English and has white parents. There are plenty of reasons for the other kids to dislike him. I told Troy that I felt so nervous that they would be mean to him and I wondered if it was okay.

Today he sat waiting for the recess bell to ring so he could go out and play soccer. He ran down with the ball, full of joy and excitement. About five minutes later there was a tap at the gate. The 6th grade teacher handed Jen the soccer ball and told her Isaac was not allowed to play anymore and that he was causing trouble.

Jen and I went out to find out what was going on and Isaac was hiding in the corner of the warehouse area. About 30 school kids were standing and staring at him and seeing what was going on. There is nothing wrong with staring here - not impolite, not rude ... although, my cultural upbringing taught me otherwise. That was hard.

Seeing him hiding made me want to hurt everyone. Seriously, that little boy is the kindest boy I have ever known and someone made him feel ashamed enough to hide. I was SO mad.

I asked him to go upstairs and Jen helped me talk to the teacher. The teacher kept saying that Isaac was not listening and that he had told him no more soccer. Jen explained that Isaac does not understand Creole so he would not have known what was said. The teacher kept saying, "I told him." The teacher was not at all listening to Jen or I. We gave up and came upstairs. Isaac was crying hard by the time we got upstairs. His feelings were hurt and he said he got elbowed/pushed by the teacher and in turn fell down.

At our house ice is the cure for all that ails you so we got out the ice pack for his head and we talked about what happened. He was so sad, he said, "All the kids were laughing at me."

Thank goodness there was no one here to interpret for me because I needed a cooling down period.

I struggle to know what is best for my kids. My Haitian kids are especially on my mind lately. I want them to grow up feeling loved and valued. Sometimes I worry that Isaac will have trouble because he is so incredibly kind and gentle. Those are not necessarily highly valued things. I value it - but culture does not. I want to wrap him in bubble-wrap and never let him leave the house ... I don't want anyone to hurt or embarrass him. ever ever ever. I wonder if living here and being an outsider in his birth culture is maybe harder than being in the states might be? I want to save him from it all. I can't save him from it all.

Being an white adoptive parent of a black child stirs all sorts of things up that you never even knew existed. There are people who say white people should not adopt black kids. There are people who say more white people should adopt. Everyone has their opinions. Obviously I don't really care about any of those opinions ... I only care about helping Isaac be who he is without apology. I care about him knowing that he is incredibly unique and special to us and to God.

When Peter got back from the airport I went and asked him to help me talk to the teacher. I told him I did not want to hear the story again -- because the story was all about telling Isaac and telling Isaac in Creole is the same as saying nothing. I told him we want our kids to respect adults and that Isaac was not disrespecting him -- he was simply not understanding. I did not bring up the pushing thing because quite honestly - I don't think the truth would ever come out and it seemed like a battle not worth fighting. The fact is, while I DO NOT want anyone so much as touching the hair on Isaac's head, this culture allows teachers to discipline and I know better than to fight culture. Sometimes letting things go is just easier.

I told him that we want Isaac to have friends and the only way he will ever learn is if he can go out and hear more language spoken and play with the kids. I asked him to try to remember the language barrier and that Isaac might look older because he is tall, but he is only six. It went well, the teacher seemed to get it with Peter as my voice and we will try again at recess tomorrow.

Waaaaaaaahh.

Today as the team drove out, Matt, the same young guy that called me "Mrs. Livesay" - said to Isaac, "Now remember Isaac - Who's the man?" Isaac said, "I am the man." Matt said - "let me hear you say it louder!" Isaac said a little louder, "I am the man!" Matt said, "WHAT? I CANNOT HEAR YOU!" Isaac screamed at the top of his lungs, "IIII AAAM THE MAN!"

He is.

Thanks Matt.

Song For My Sons
by Sara Groves
this is a song for my sons for when they understand it ~ you know how life is full ~ you know we couldn't plan it ~your dad and i prayed for strength and understanding ~for things we couldn't see or comprehend ~
this is a song from my heart a small refrain to hold you ~ for times when we're apart and i cannot console you ~ i can't say your life will always go like it should ~ but i can say that god is always good ~
and when the cold wind blows like i know it will ~ and when you feel alone like i know you will ~ and when the cold wind blows like i know it will ~ don't let your love grow ~ don't let your love grow ~ don't let your love grow cold ~ this is a song for my sons ~ for when they understand it ~ you know how life is full, you know we couldn't plan it ~ your dad and i pray for your strength and understanding ~ the things you can not see or comprehend

Beach Day

A prayer for all the Moms

"Do not pray for easy lives.

Pray to be stronger (wo)men.

Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers,

pray for powers equal to your task."

Phillips Brooks

Add to the Beauty

It has been so cool to have this group here because they are all so focused on absorbing things and really seeing, thinking, learning, listening and feeling. The perspectives might vary from person to person but what they feel, they feel deeply.

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I think as a whole, the group is emotionally drained, and physically tired. They have seen a lot and it is quite a bit to process and take in over a short period of time.

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I am enjoying reading their thoughts and blogs and seeing things through fresh eyes. It is raw and it reminds me of places I've been and places I am going. Troy and I honestly feel so blessed by this group and without a doubt have begun to build friendships that could go the distance.

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Each of us comes to see and experience a place like this from our own unique history and perspective. I am continually aware that how I feel might not be how someone else feels - and that just as I am entitled to process things my way; they are too.

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Whether we - as short term or long term or whatever term missionaries - can agree about "how to do ministry" here or not is irrelevant. God calls us all to our own walk with Him. We can agree that our greatest desire is to add to the beauty - to show love - to make some small dent in a ginormous hole of hurt and injustice in this big world - to truly feel what we're feeling without reserve or apology and to learn & grow because of those things.

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Sara Groves sings a song called Kingdom Comes...

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When anger fills your heart, when in your pain and hurt you find the strength to stop, you bless instead of curse. When doubting floods your soul, when all things feel unjust, you open up your heart, you find a way to trust. That's a little stone, that's a little mortar. That's a little seed, that's a little water. In the hearts of the sons and daughters this kingdom's coming.

Sara Groves from her album Add to the Beauty

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This page also says some pretty thought-provoking things that resonate with me.

Random Bullet Points

• It is plenty sticky and warm here all of a sudden.
• The mosquitoes are feasting on our ankles.
• We sent Annie to see her former nanny, Jess, in Port today.
• Tess is supposed to be writing a paper - but there seems to be some stalling going on.
• The team did an AWESOME job painting in Bercy yesterday, they did an entire wall mural that brightened everything up at the orphanage.
• Pictures won't post this morning- but I had this random one of Phoebe saved from about a month ago.
• Britt is entering into finals week at Baylor - we're anxious for her to get here in two weeks - actually, more than anxious - totally excited beyond description!
• I have no real plan for dinner tonight for the 23 of us. Planned on meatloaf but realized I don't have one important ingredient. What now?
• The team will visit the McHoul's this morning and the Barbancourt Feeding Center this afternoon.
• Tonight there will be a LOST party and a 30th Birthday party for Jamie Ivey.
• The team will finish out their week at Wahoo Bay tomorrow.
• Adam, an older man from LaDigue went to America for the first time last month. He came to talk to Troy about his trip. He said tons of interesting things. One thing he refused to get over ... and repeated numerous times - "People in America spend $2,000 to take their dog to a doctor!!!!" He could not believe that the money flows freely enough to spend it on a dog doctor. He has seen his friends and relatives die for lack of HUMAN medical care. We did not have much to say about that - what can we say?
• There is a crazy amount of activity going on between May 8 and 22 when Britt arrives (did we mention we are kind of excited about her arrival?) We have lots of friends and family in and out and a big 30th Birthday plan for Jen next week.
• I have writers block and have nothing of great interest to share today.

Loving too much

1. Big brother loves little sister.2. Big brother loves little sister a lot.
3. Big brother takes love too far.
4. Big brother learns about apologizing.
5. Little sister forgives. We move forward to the next offense.

Team Update

The group hiked to Petit Bwa yesterday. The trip was almost 100% successful. Except for the one particular person that scharted in their pants; causing a little hubbub.

Troy said that the poor soul was walking near him toward the back of the group and said, "Uh, man ... I don't know how to tell you this but ... I think I just ____ my pants." HA! Troy said it was his very favorite moment in team history.

Take a look at the photo and see if you can guess who it was. Place your bet in the comments. We'll send a CD to the first correct guess.

Today they are going to the Bercy Orphanage to paint for them. We're STILL trying to get LOST off of Itunes. Why is it not there? There cannot be a LOST party without it.

Hope you have a great Monday! *We have a winner! Sadly, I think the winner already has the CD we were going to give. GO HERE FOR THE REVEAL. (Second guy from left.)

Emmanuel (God with us)

June 2007

Original post here.

(I was pregnant and highly emotional, and lots of you were touched by his story too.)

Photo taken this week in Cazale - He'll be one this month. What a difference a year makes.

Dreams

While I dream of running for President and the horror that would be, Troy has his own bad dreams to contend with.

He woke up yesterday and in a seriously panicked tone said, "Do you want to stay with me?" I gave him a blank look. Not because I don't want to stay with him, but because that is a really weird question and an odd choice for first words of the day.

I said, "Yeah. I do." He said, "Oh well I am glad because I am dreaming that you chose Mike Tyson over me. He has a tattoo on his face you know!"

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The group here this week are from Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee. They are twenty and young-thirty somethings with lots of spunk. Troy and I are not used to being the oldest ones when teams come, usually it is the opposite. Actually, at 35, I think I am the oldest one here. :( I keep telling them stories from when I was a kid - back when you had to use a telephone to communicate with people and Al Gore had not invented the Internet. They're incredulous that such a time existed. ;-) All kidding aside, it is interesting how this generation uses the Internet to communicate and connect with others. It is called Web 2.0. For this tech-savy group, a laptop ranks third on the needs list; after water and food. We tend to agree with them. We're trying to keep up with these hip youngsters.

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The rest of the weekend looks like this:

We're meeting at the prayer rock at 8:30 each morning (another sign of a younger group of people being here - WHY would anyone set devotions for 6:30 or 7 when 8:30 and 9 are a choice!?!?!) After that they'll get the full mission tour and go up to the dam in the village and get the lay of the land. Peter is coming to take them to the market and the charcoal beach. They raised a bunch of money which they decided will be used for food to donate to a few area ministries. Peter will buy the food at the market today. Given the rising food prices, this will be a blessing in more ways than one. Very cool.

This afternoon we'll work on various projects around the mission and tonight if LOST becomes available on Itunes (it was not there last night?) we will download it and have a LOST party.

Tomorrow the entire group will take off early to hike to church up the mountain.

Team

The team had a great first full day in Haiti. They spent the day in Cazale with Licia and her family. They had an opportunity to love on the kids in the rescue center and to help Licia and Enoch work on their apartment.

They brought down TONS of fun treats ... we're enjoying all the choices of sugar they made available to us. We also have enough Starbucks inventory to open our own franchise here in LaDigue. :) Yum.

Adoption has been such a HUGE thing in our lives ... We're so blessed by our Haitian Sensations - and thankful that God brought them into our lives. So, to get to be a small part (in the audience) for moments like this - is just super-cool. I love this photo of Aaron and Jamie with their kiddos earlier today.

Pensive

Arrived

For any family/friends of the crew visiting --- all 12 arrived safely. They're exhausted and ready for bed. Tomorrow Troy will be bringing them to Cazale where Jamie will introduce her husband Aaron to the two kiddos they are adopting. :) Exciting!

GoodNight!

Quoting

from an email written by Dan Adler on May 1 (Nat'l Day of Prayer USA)





"As I was watching Charlie Rose last night, interviewing a noted African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Pastor, this African American pastor closed his interview by saying this: "I believe that if the Church will come together, then the nation will follow." I said "Amen!" to that! The challenge to myself and to all of us is, "What are we, as individuals and congregations, doing and going to do, to be actively bringing the Church together across ethnic and denominational lines so that the world will truly know we are Christians by our love for one another?" We all know what we're against and what we disagree with. But what are we for and what do we agree about?

Most of us will acknowledge that our subculture divisions are not the will of God, but how many of us are doing anything tangible to make changes - and how many of us even carry the burden of these divisions in prayer? Let's always remember that every change starts with individuals making choices for good or for evil. And the choice to do nothing is a passive choice to let evil prosper because division is never static.

I'm convinced that politics and politicians aren't the answer. The world needs an army of Holy Spirit filled, humble servants called Christians who are marching on their knees, conquering hate with love, injustice with justice, despair with hope and death with life!

So join with me in continuing to ask God what choices you and I can make to see the beautiful Bride of Christ look as spotless and beautiful as the Groom, Jesus, is worthy of and that the world is longing to see. Revive us, O Lord!"