Estapha Louisimon

Bonswa,

As of today, I now support this little five year old Haitian girl named Estapha. We share the same birthday and I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to celebrating future birthdays with her in mind.

Over Christmas, I decided to support a child in Haiti. For a while (up until this afternoon actually), I couldn't decided whether to go through World Vision or Compassion International or one of the many other ones. I got on WV and Com's websites today and after I did a search of Haitian children and birthdays, her picture came up. I decided that she was the one I would support (at least for right now, hopefully more in the future).

I'm encouraged to continue this after reading some of the accounts of people involved in this type of program, supporters and supported. I hope that I can continue to do this for many many years and that she and her family will be blessed through this organization.

Those of you who support a child or children yourself or are involved in Operation Christmas Child or one of the many many other organizations dedicated to helping poor and needy children all over the world, you know what feeling I'm talking about. For those of you who aren't involved in something like this, please try it out at least once. Hopefully, you will find yourself changed for the better and continue to stay involved.

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti. There is still suffering there, but there is hope.

Robert

Haiti Earthquake Anniversary

I received this email from a friend and thought I would pass it on to anyone who reads this. Please continue to pray for Haiti and its people. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the country, but there is still a long road to recovery that still remains to be traveled. I encourage you to always be in prayer for Haiti, specifically for the spiritual battle that is taking place there. You can't always see it, but you can see the result.

Robert

As we come to the first anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies in human history, we want to remember the great solidarity that was demonstrated all around the world toward the Haitian people. We woud like to thank all of you for your prayers and support. We remember the many dead today, but we know that life is about the living. We pray for a greater solidarity for those that are still under the tents and for the country as it's recovering from cholera. Today the churches all over the country are on their knees before God, we want to pray for true repentence and a change of heart.

Thank's to all for helping us serve the Haitian people.

Gersan Valcin 

-touching every nation-

Veteran's Day

I got this video off of YouTube. It is a tribute to the men and women of the US military. I encourage you to watch it and to read what it says. I'm not a huge fan of Nickelback, but I think that the song goes well with the overall theme. Take it for what you will, but at least please watch it.

Tomorrow, November 11th is Veteran's Day. If you know someone who is currently serving in the military or is a veteran, please contact them and say thank you. Call them, text them, email them, facebook them or whatever but please thank them for their service. If it wasn't for them and all the men and women like them, you wouldn't have the freedoms you have today.

Robert

A New Adventure to Live

Have you heard the saying that "you can change your life in one day" or something like that? Well, I definitely did. For those of you who don't already know, I joined the Air Force a little over two weeks ago. It was a decision that I have had a lot of thought about and it was a long time coming. I will try to explain some of my reasons and decisions below so all of you who read this will hopefully understand. If you would still like to talk to me about it, please contact me and I would be happy to talk about it.

A lot of people have asked me, "What happened to Haiti?" Nothing bad happened, I just felt like it was time to leave. I have a college loan I am paying on and I don't feel right about asking for support for missions and using some of that to pay my loan. I don't care if people are okay with doing that, I'm not and I won't do it. Period. I also don't feel like I had the support to stay any longer than I did. I had the support to go and stay for as long as I did, just not any longer. I do want to thank everyone who contributed to this past trip and all the previous ones, I wouldn't have been able to go without your help.

Some people have said that this decision seemed like it came out of left field or something like that. That notion is my fault. I didn't tell a lot of people that I was talking to a recruiter about joining and it wasn't until after I swore in and all that good stuff did I really broadcast it. I'm not sure why I did it that way, I just didn't want a lot of people in my business and decision making. I want to live my life myself without someone else trying to live it for me. I don't mean to offend anyone, its just how I feel and I'm sure that all of you can relate to this in one way or another.

I first got the idea of joining the military when I was growing up. My brother and I use to always play guns and all that fun stuff. I always talked about it growing up, probably from watching all those war movies. I got more serious when I was in high school. I liked the idea of serving my country and I think that it is my duty to serve in some way. I have enormous respect for everyone in the military, police, firefighters, EMS and any other emergency response job. They are the ones fighting for our freedom, protecting us from all kinds of dangers and saving us when we need saving. I want a part of that.

I talked to recruiters from all the branches and even had three of them over to the house to talk to me and my parents. I also got a lot of advice from friends that were in the military and from other friends that have known me for a long time. I ultimately decided to go to college first and then maybe go in as an officer after. Even though now I am going in as enlisted, I wouldn't trade the last six years for anything. I think that I made the better decision.

Like I said, I wouldn't trade the last six years for anything. I was able to work at Fronter Camp for a long time and also at Camp Redcloud in beautiful Colorado for five months. Through FC, I got involved in Haiti and Jacob's Well Camp. I have been to the beautiful Caribbean country of Haiti six times and loved every time. I also went to school for five years. Four years at Texas A&M and a couple at Blinn College. I worked at Reed Arena on the A&M campus for five and a half years and learned a lot there. Last May, I graduated from Blinn with an Associate's Degree in English and another one in Natural Science. I am pretty far along on my Bachelor's degree too. I also went to Egypt for two weeks one February on a separate mission trip.

That takes care of the education and work, now lets talk about friends. I have made a lot of friends in the last six years and some of them I consider to be my best and life-long friends. I have grown so much spiritually and learned a lot about myself and others. Sure, there have been bad times and times of pain and trial, but the good times far outweigh those bad ones. I have done things that I regret, but haven't we all? We just need to move on and learn from those times.

All throughout college I kept the idea of the military in the back of my mind. I once considered joining the Reserves, but decided not to. When I was in Haiti this summer, I spent some time looking for job opportunities with different non-profit companies and whatnot that were doing work in Haiti. For some reason, the Air Force kept popping up in the back of my mind and I started looking at that. Maybe it was because my Dad and I were talking about it before I left for Haiti or God was dropping some hints, but whatever the reason was I pursued it. I am happy with this decision and the best thing is is that if for some reason I don't like the Air Force and decide to get out at the end of my contract, I have two degrees to fall back on (plus any that I get while I'm in).

I do want to make this statement. I have my reservations for why I decided on the Air Force, but I have enormous respect for ANYONE serving in whatever branch, and I hope and pray that you do too. They told us at the medical processing station that less then 1% of the US population is currently in the military. This 1% is why you are able to have the freedoms and rights that you have. Alright, I'm off my soapbox but I just wanted to say it anyway and I hope you understand.

I believe that this pretty much sums up my thought process for why I decided on the military. After all, college was pretty much over for the next while and Haiti was for the summer, I needed something to do and a new direction to turn. As the title of this entry says, this definitely is a new adventure to live. A friend once told me, "sometimes God leads you to a place just to take you to somewhere else." He has His own reasons and we aren't meant to understand some of them, I just hope that one day I can understand this one.

I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for me and while you are at it, please pray for our country and military as a whole. I have a good friend joining the Marines and please keep him in your prayers as well.

I couldn't find a new address to put for this blog so for the time being, its still robertinhaiti. If you can think of one, let me know. Also, if you want to talk to me more about the military and the Air Force or Haiti or anything, just contact me. I'm pretty much a semi-opened book. I hope you can understand my thought process.

Robert

Leaving

So, I had to leave Haiti today after being there for almost 7 weeks. It definitely was bittersweet since I wanted to stay, but I also wanted to get home. That feeling lasted only until I landed in Miami and went through Customs. It was definitely gone whenever I ordered a sandwich at Subway. I don't like to complain about service, but this one lady obviously had a long day and I could tell. At that point, I wished I was back in Port-au-Prince.

 

I went to bed a little later than I wanted last night. Okay, so a lot later. I think that I finally got to sleep sometime around midnight, the latest time for the whole trip (at least while in Haiti). I tossed and turned and woke up a couple of times during the night, but that's normal. I woke up around 5:30, then again at 6:00 and a couple more times before finally getting up around 7:00. I made sure that everything was packed, ate breakfast and visited with Gersan some. I then went to finish a project I was doing for Betty and am almost done, just have to add one thing. We ate an amazing lunch and then headed to the airport. I will miss all the different kinds of juice, especially Passion Fruit.

 

Gersan told me that Wyclef Jean was coming to Haiti and the airport was going to be crazy. I hadn't flown out of the big airport since the earthquake so this time was a little different for me. Since I am an American, I was able to get checked in and my bags taken care of kind of fast (self-service is awesome). I waited for a little bit in the terminal for the flight and it was actually on time (relatively speaking). Getting to and inside the airport didn't take long at all and I was pretty surprised. I'm use to waiting in Haiti and was actually expecting to wait longer, so again I was surprised.

 

We flew to Miami and I stared out the window almost the entire time. I love looking out the window and it had been a while since I was able to see Haiti from the air (at least more than just the coast) and I was also able to see the Bahamas. We then landed in the "land of plenty" and my culture shock commenced. I should be used to culture shock by now, I mean five previous times to Haiti (two of them this year) and a trip to Egypt, but I still have it. Maybe it's because I was gone for longer this time. I don't know.

 

After going through Customs and eating at one of my favorite places, Subway, I made my way to the gate for the flight to Houston. I knew that I would have a few hours to wait, but there was a surprise waiting for me. I found out that my flight was delayed, making my layover eight hours long. I just found out that the crew is supposed to get here at 1:18 a.m. (EST) and we will start boarding soon afterwards. I was supposed to take off at 10:30 (EST), and land in Houston at midnight. Now, I will be landing sometime around 3:30 a.m. (CST). Fantastic. My parents are going to have fun picking me up.

 

I'm not surprised or mad or anything. I have learned to just "roll with the punches." Thank you mission trips to Haiti where time is relative. I guess that's one thing that I can be thankful for, not getting upset or anxious whenever I have to wait. I like to say while you are in Haiti, you have to "hurry up and wait." That also applies to boarding and un-boarding planes. I also like to say, "This is Haiti" whenever something happens unexpected.

 

So, what will I do for the next couple of hours? Luckily, I have my computer with a nice selection of movies, music and pictures. I also have my iPod complete with some movies and a lot of music, plus a couple of Breakaway podcasts. I also have a Sudoku book and of course, my Bible. I'm sure I will be able to do something to pass the time. I'm planning on sleeping on the plane for sure.

 

I still have a lot to process from my trip and it usually takes me at least a week or more, but I do know some things. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Gersan and Betty for their hospitality, generosity and for looking out for me. They are like family to me and I'm sure that those of you who know them feel similar to me.

 

I also want to say that I appreciate Kevin Mayne and Angela from Laity Lodge Youth Camp. I didn't know any of the 36 team members and only spoke to Kevin on the phone for five minutes before they came to Haiti, but they made me feel like a part of their team. I saw a change in each and every one of them while they were there and I saw how they fell in love with the kids after spending just a little time with them. All the team members that I asked said that they would come back in an instant if they could. I love hearing that.

 

Lastly, I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting me before, during and after this trip and all the previous ones. Thank you to all who have financially, especially for multiple trips. Thank you to everyone who is part of my prayer support network. I was able to see some of how big that is after the earthquake, but I'm sure that I don't have a clue to how big it actually is. Thank you for reading these updates, looking at the pictures and writing to me. I wasn't homesick at all, but hearing from you guys back home made my day. So, I know I have said this repeatedly before in previous updates, but I want to sincerely say thank you.

 

I guess I will find something to occupy my time now, so I want to bid everyone a bonne nuit (good night).

 

Robert

 

P.S. I wrote this update while sitting in the terminal in the Miami airport. I have now made it back home safely and have been up for almost 24 hours. I thought I would sleep on the plane, but that didn't happen. Thank you all for praying for safe travel for me, God answered those prayers.

Sunday

Lets see, what has happened since the last update? I wrote about what Tiffany, Peter Marc and I did last Saturday going to see those three families who lost their homes during the earthquake and receiving temporary houses from Gersan's church. That day still is staying with me. I hope that it does for a long time and that I will never forget the faces of the people that I talked with and their stories. It reminds me why I am here. To help people in whatever way I can.

Last Sunday, we didn't do too much besides go to church for the 6:30 a.m. service. Monday, we just stayed at the house. Tiffany had an appointment with a girl who had been trapped during the earthquake for two days. She wanted to come and talk to Tiffany about it. I'm glad that she came and was able to talk.

Tuesday, we left the house around 7:30 or so to take Tiffany to the airport. Betty and I then came back to the house. The day before, Gersan went to Limbe for a couple of days. For the next few days, I was basically Betty's secretary. I did some emails, updated her computer with some programs and sorted through some pictures for her, among other random things. I probably didn't know what I was getting myself into when I came and told them I would help out with whatever, but it is worth it.

Yesterday, we went to Gersan and Betty's niece's Kindergarten graduation. It was held in the church that Betty grew up in, but it looks different now. Betty wanted me to go so I could take some pictures for her. Have you ever been the object of every one's attention (when you don't mean to)? That's how I felt when I was there. I was the only white person there and I had some people taking pictures and video of me just sitting there watching the program. I had a couple of girls tell their mothers to turn around and look at me. I was definitely the minority, but I'm use to it. There isn't very much that surprises me here anymore. After that we came back to the house and I took a nap because I had a monster migraine. I have had a couple since I have been here, but not any like yesterday.

Today, I woke up a few minutes past 6 and realized that I overslept. I got up got dressed for church and just as I finished putting my shoes on, Betty knocked at the door. Its weird to think that getting up at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning is oversleeping, but here it is. We went to church and afterwards, I drove some friends to their house and went back to pick up Betty. I got to see a couple of friends today and I'm glad to be able to do so. I don't know if I will see them again before I leave on Thursday, so it was good to see them today. I know I just repeated myself with that last part, so please forgive me.

I just finished an awesome lunch of chicken, rice and beans, salad and a great desert. Betty has her best friend and her husband over for lunch. I asked Betty the other day if I could take Alicia back with me. She is the cook for the Valcins and there are not too many people who rival her in cooking. I told Gersan that the other day and he said that if it was for a week, then it would be okay. Any longer than that would not be okay. Gersan, like me, loves her cooking.

I want to thank all of you who have supported me by praying for me for the last six weeks. I also want to thank you if you financially supported me, I really appreciate that. It has been a fantastic six weeks here and I have learned a lot. I have been able to see a lot and do a lot. Spending three weeks out at the camp was amazing and spending the rest of the time here has been just as amazing. I may be speaking to soon, but I am also thankful for everyone who has been praying for me to remain healthy. Besides a couple of small stomach aches, I have been healthy the entire trip. This usually doesn't happen.

So thank you again and have a great week. I'll be coming home on Thursday afternoon and land in Houston around midnight. I'm not sure if I am ready to leave this beautiful country. I do know that somehow, someway, I will be back.

Robert

Shots of an incoming storm and the sunset taken from the roof on Thursday evening.

Humility

What is humility? What does it look like? What does it feel like? What do you see when you feel it or see it?

Humility is something that I felt today as Tiffany, Peter Marc and I went and visited three families who lost their homes in the earthquake and who were each given a temporary house to live in. These are the same houses that were donated to Jacob's Well Camp and they are given to families/people who lost their homes from the earthquake. Gersan's church has given 22 homes to people and plan to give another 28 by the end of August.

One of the families has a blind man, his wife, their daughter, son, and two grandchildren. The man could see some lights and shadows and some figures before his house collapsed on him, but now he is totally blind. The wife, mother and husband were all in the house when the walls and the roof collapsed on them burying them inside. The wife and daughter were cooking dinner when it happened and they were able to craw their way out. It was a few minutes later when the son said "where is my father?" and they realized that he was still under the debris. They then went and rescued him. They were overjoyed to have this house donated to them and they are extremely proud of it, because it is theirs.

Another family that we met and talked to lost their home and they are living on the same place as their house used to be. The woman is a trained nurse but currently doesn't work. She lives with her boyfriend right now but they plan to marry next month. She has a daughter who was pregant during the earthquake and gave birth to a son a month and a half later. They also have another grandson and another member of their family who is handicapped because of injuries from the earthquake. None of their family lost their lives during the quake, but some were injured.

The first family that we visited and for me one of the most encouraging ones, is the family of a woman who lost 11 of her family members during the quake. Her husband, son and a couple of other members are still alive and live with her. She was only able to recover two of her family from the debris that used to be her house, the other nine are still buried. She invited us in and told us to sit down on two of her beds and she had her grandson in her arms the entire time. She told us of what happened and how her life has been since that day. Can you imagine loosing 11 members of your family all at once? Unbelievable.

All three families, when asked if they believed in Jesus Christ, all said that they do. They all praise Him for saving their lives and for giving them the houses. They don't know Gersan at all and are still amazed that they were able to receive a new house. To me, this afternoon was a truly humbling experience. These people lost everything (material wise) and some of them lost their family members. They were buried beneath rubble, injured and confused, yet they praise the God who saved them and has blessed them since.

All of them are extremely proud of their new homes and they were overjoyed to have us come and talk to them. I would not be suprised if it made their day, it certainly made mine. They each invited us in, offered us chairs or a place to sit and were very open about telling about their experience. We prayed over each family and a couple of them broke down crying during that time. You could just see the gratitude in their faces and smiles. They meant it.

Today was a life changing experience for me, Tiffany and Peter Marc. Tiffany and I talked with Gersan about it just before dinner and he told us that he is happy that we got to go. I told him that even though I just went along for the ride, I like to watch and listen to people, so for me to sit there and hear their stories, that was incredible. I hope that you are moved by these three accounts of the grace of God and the praise that He is receiving from these families.