funny things about haiti

A new car costs less than a used one

 

I think if you have one cell phone you have more money, but if you have 2 or 3 you are either poor or just careful with money.  You might use one for text messaging, one for calling people in Haiti and one for calling other countries.  Rich people can just get one to use for everything

 

People look at you funny until you start speaking Creole to them.  Sometimes they look at you even more funny, but most of the time smile.

 

The line to get into the airport felt like there was going to be a riot at anytime (ok maybe it wasn’t that bad)

 

The last hotel we stayed at had a no smoking sign.  The room came with two ashtrays. 

 

Bottles of Acid are the equivalent of Clorox

 

Haitian culture dictates that if you have two of something the other one is excess and therefore can be taken without asking.  I never actually experienced this, but this was what I was told.  When you get there and realize how little people have, you are ready to give it up anyways.

 

Lucas Simmons

 

fini for this time

Friday-the end

What?  Today is our last full day with the kids Haiti is a different place than what you hear about in American media.  We tend to forget, I think, that Haitians are people and instead focus on all the safety concerns.  These children in are glowing with God’s glory and are such happy kids.  I love them and I hope I don’t get all worked up about coming back again.  I am definitely being changed by being here.  Today we piled into three trucks and a bus.  Alicia & I were in the bus and I can only describe this adventure as a constant game of chicken.  The best part was the gas tank for the bus was sitting right next to the driver.  We are on our way to Kaliko now, a beach resort in Haiti where we will play with the kids in the pool. 

 

That place was amazing and most of them loved the pool.  It had air conditioning too so we were actually cold.  We had a great time of worship and prayer that night and got to really encourage each other.  The next morning we returned and finished our time of worship and prayer together.  How awesome.  Then we all went to the pool again.  Then, it was time to leave and we had a teary goodbye.  I don’t think any of us can believe that week is over and I know my heart is still there.  Seeing the kids leave knowing they are still there – it is so hard for me to imagine now that I am back in California.  After we left Kaliko, the bus we were on broke down 3 times.  Good thing we had some handy guys around.  After a 4 hour journey, we arrived at the Hotel Montana, which is a nice hotel in Port-Au-Prince.  We shared a meal, debriefed and went to sleep.  This morning we got up and the hotel had no clue they were supposed to take us to the airport (not a surprising thing in Haiti) but eventually we got a bus.  As soon as we sat down in the terminal, they started boarding the plane.

 

More pictures coming soon…

 

Lucas Simmons

 

pa gen internet

i think that's how you say we had no internet in creole.  That was what happened yesterday and why I didn't update.  This week has been a blur sort of, so I am trying to remember things as best I can.  yesterday, our medical guy, Kurt, gave the kids some basic medical training which they really enjoyed.  We had worship after that and then Alicia showed the kids the dance she made up (which they loved!).  You would think in a normal camp day you would have worship first, but we have to plan our worship times around when we have electricity.  That's not always easy because it doesn't seem to always have the same schedule.  Group dicussions followed.  Then we had these big air filled bumper things that we put on and had relay races.  After that it was just a normal day of soccer and crafts and playing around followed by an amazing time of worship at night.  After the "official" time of worship was finished we played worship from a CD and most people danced around and worshipped.  Oh yeah and we got to see what's for lunch today, goat.  They bought them on the street.  The goat slaughter also woke me up this morning.
 
Today we had a time of worship, but in Creole.  This normally makes me cry, I was on the verge of crying... it's just so beautiful.  It was only drums and singing.  No guitars!  Tonight we are having a talent show.  Tomorrow we head to the beach and then we are almost done.  I don't know about everyone else, but I certainly don't want to come back to America :)

 

This whole electricity thing is limiting the amount of time I can read/respond to e-mails, sorry.

More photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/

i will try to update you all again, but keep us in your prayers for the last couple of days that God would touch their hearts and that we would just be a blessing to them

update but no pictures

No pictures tonight, I am working on a slideshow of the kids for tonight's gathering.  Maybe in the morning, when we get electricity. 

 

"If God created all this and it's this beautiful, then how beautiful is God." - Patrick one of the kids from the orphanage

 

Today we started out eating breakfast with our teams and then went to chapel and had bible study afterwards.  The kids love soccer and pretty much any other game on the soccer field.  We continue to meet and connect with more people that are here at the facility.  Today we talked with Pierre who is one of the owners of this place (or that's what we got from talking with him.  I also talked to a man named Joseph who asked me to call his fiance in California when I get home and let her know he is ok.  Then, it was back to the soccer court again.  The kids are so great and the people are so friendly.  I just enjoy saying bonjour or bonswa to everyone passing by...

 

Anyways it's almost time to eat...

 

Lucas

another ayiti update

sorry i didn't update yesterday.  there's this thing called electricity and another thing called air conditioning, showers and toilets that are not overflowing with gross stuff that we take for granted in America.  Part of me gets grossed out and part of me goes hey you're in the third world what do you expect?  I try to let that part take over and just figure out how I can survive in another way haha.  I don't think the toilet situation is helped by the fact that they put acid down them.  That's at least what the bottle said, who knows what was in it.

Right now we are at our camp facility in Port-Au-Prince.  Electricity is spotty and internet is slow, we brought our satellite connection with us.  I was going to update last night but I opted to sleep.  First I would like to say that the guitar we thought was lost forever was indeed found at the airport.

So here is what I wrote for yesterday:
Today we woke up early and got ready to go to camp.  We loaded all our bags and mattresses in the truck.  We arrived after about 30 minutes and then did the opposite.  The place is pretty nice for Haiti and there's a lot of staff working here and I have tried to talk to them.  One of the cool things is that the worship we do is really loud.  So people who are at this place just come and sit down and hang out.  The kids arrived over an hour late, but they are excited for camp.  We played soccer, but we had everyone tie their leg to a friend's leg.  Worship and the message was great.  Our topic for the week is heroes of the faith, tonight it was Abraham.  Earlier today we made t-shirts for our different color teams.  The cool thing to say around here is "I am the best"  It sounds so funny with their Haitian accents.  It was cool to see them put "Jesus is the best" or "Jesi se pli bon" on their shirts. 

Back to now, this morning I am realizing how we cannot do this on our own and we need Jesi to be able to do this.  In a few days I will be back in America and these kids will be here.  Pray that we follow Him and that He touches their hearts this week.

Anyways that's the update.  I better go before the electricity cuts out.  Somehow it takes me about an hour to do these!  I will try and have another one later today, but who knows.

here are more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/
lucas

another ayiti update

sorry i didn't update yesterday.  there's this thing called electricity and another thing called air conditioning, showers and toilets that are not overflowing with gross stuff that we take for granted in America.  Part of me gets grossed out and part of me goes hey you're in the third world what do you expect?  I try to let that part take over and just figure out how I can survive in another way haha.  I don't think the toilet situation is helped by the fact that they put acid down them.  That's at least what the bottle said, who knows what was in it.

Right now we are at our camp facility in Port-Au-Prince.  Electricity is spotty and internet is slow, we brought our satellite connection with us.  I was going to update last night but I opted to sleep.  First I would like to say that the guitar we thought was lost forever was indeed found at the airport.

So here is what I wrote for yesterday:
Today we woke up early and got ready to go to camp.  We loaded all our bags and mattresses in the truck.  We arrived after about 30 minutes and then did the opposite.  The place is pretty nice for Haiti and there's a lot of staff working here and I have tried to talk to them.  One of the cool things is that the worship we do is really loud.  So people who are at this place just come and sit down and hang out.  The kids arrived over an hour late, but they are excited for camp.  We played soccer, but we had everyone tie their leg to a friend's leg.  Worship and the message was great.  Our topic for the week is heroes of the faith, tonight it was Abraham.  Earlier today we made t-shirts for our different color teams.  The cool thing to say around here is "I am the best"  It sounds so funny with their Haitian accents.  It was cool to see them put "Jesus is the best" or "Jesi se pli bon" on their shirts. 

Back to now, this morning I am realizing how we cannot do this on our own and we need Jesi to be able to do this.  In a few days I will be back in America and these kids will be here.  Pray that we follow Him and that He touches their hearts this week.

Anyways that's the update.  I better go before the electricity cuts out.  Somehow it takes me about an hour to do these!  I will try and have another one later today, but who knows.

here are more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/
lucas

fini jou 3

bonjou -

 

please look at our blog as I updated that earlier today go to http://www.haiticampinabox.blogspot.com we went to church this morning so cool!  to preface that, Alicia Kelley Robert and I were talking about following God's will and following with what He prompts to do.  So read that knowing that we talked about not missing opportunities for what God is calling us to do.  

 

Today I was hanging out and talking with the security guard Juancito here again and he wanted me to come and hang out with him up front.  So I think I stood there and talked with him for about 30 minutes in Creole.  I can't even remember what we were talking about, but it was cool just to communicate somewhat.  I still had to pull out my Creole book every once in awhile to understand :)

 

Today some people went downtown to the airport to see if Aaron's guitar ever made it.  It somehow got lost on the way from Florida to Ayiti.  I don't think they had much luck... Others worked on the plumbing and most of us went to the boys to hang out with them.  I got to talk to Israel, one of the older boys just about where I am from and everything.  It's been an incredibly busy day for everyone and camp starts tomorrow.  We are not sure how tomorrow is going to work out... we were planning on taking some stuff to the place we are having the camp, but that did not happen.  After a little while we went (or joined in) on the kids playing soccer and basketball. We also got a good amount of rain just before dark, all the kids were running around enjoying it.  Now we are just trying to get ready for tomorrow...

 

look for the latest pics @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/

 

lucas

Get your bounce on

That's what John McHoul, the pastor at port-au-prince fellowship told us while worshipping.  If I saw on the street I would probably think he was homeless.  But this church was so spirit filled.  You could feel God's presence there.  We were worshipping and dancing and John told us to "Get our bounce on"  I so wanted to turn on my little camera and grab some video/audio of it.  I doubt I could have captured it for you and I think you need to come here to experience what is going on in Haiti through the ministries down here.  The sermon today was on Matthew 6:19-34 which happens to be my favorite part of the Bible.  A Haitian man sat next to me and as we were reading the verses I felt God telling me to ask him if he had a Bible.  So I said "Eskee ou gayay La Bib?" and he replied no.  How many  Bibles do I have at home?  This guy probably can't afford one Bible.  So I gave it to him and wrote him a little note.  After service, he asked if I would be back next week and I said no I would be going back to California... so he asked for my number and I gave it to him and he gave me his and I told him I would pray for him.  Such a great experience just following what God asks for you, it's so easy to reach out and the whole sermon the guy preaching kept talking about how you need a Bible to be able follow God.  This guy has the opportunity to do that now.  Yay!

 

anyways i can't just sit here and blog all day i need to go be in ayiti

AYITI Jou 2!

Day 2 was awesome... but first I forgot a few things from yesterday
 
First off.  I think I forgot my toothbrush.  One of the many joys of being married haha.  Also, I brought a copy of my Haiti book and the kids are loving it and tearing it up!  I didn't think it would be such a big hit?!  One of the guys I worked with on the playhouse at the girls home Fritz(nel) was saying he really liked it.  He kept saying this, so we finally got to the point that he wanted a copy.  So I think I will be leaving that here with him.  I was excited to bring it and show the kids and some of them yesterday were reading all the way through it.  Another thing that amused me yesterday was that I am wearing the same hat and shirt and glasses that I wore the last time and one of the kids that came to the airport said he recognized me.  Fritz(nel) also said he recognized me, and Renald too.  How awesome! 
 
Today we got up early and then we worshipped and prayed.  That was an awesome time to just reflect and thank God for what He is doing through us.  Then we went to a VERY crowded Haitian market and I'm not thinking anyone bought anything.  When is the last time you have been to a market and they had live chickens flapping around and everybody was yelling at you to buy something?  It was a different experience, 20 americans in the middle of a thousand or so Haitians.  I was excited to practice my Creole.  On the way back we also saw a parade for some Haitian rapper(s) that died recently.  We also were able to hang out with the boys and girls at their homes and play soccer, football or make bracelets.  I love the look on people's faces when Alicia or I speak Creole.  We talked to the guard today at the Manassero/Hojara home about if he likes it here, where he is from and stuff.  So much has happened today I feel like, I am trying to still process it all.  Then we got to go check out the ravine, where it seems to be some of the poorest people.  We gave some of the kids candy and talked to the people.  One guy was shaving with a razor blade, so I got to ask him if he cuts his face with it in Creole haha.  I think he thought it was funny that I knew how to say that.  Tonight, some are going to the boys home to watch Zorro and tomorrow we are going to church!  I am really excited about that.  Maybe tomorrow I will have a better update about today, just like yesterday.  I am trying to write everything down as it happens, but sometimes there is just not enough time.
 
Thank you for your prayers, everyone here is doing great.  It's not THAT hot, but it is hot and the mosquitoes seem to be relatively non-existent. 
 
More photos!  I think I'm up to around 300, i try to be as discreet as possible because people do get mad if you take a picture without them giving you permission...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/

 

lucas simmons

day 1

We made it!  We've had a long day, but it's been so cool being back here and seeing all the kids.  So awesome!  So here's an update I wrote earlier today.  I wrote a couple of others, but wasn't able to send them to everyone so check out www.haiticampinabox.blogspot.com
 
Here is my updat efrom earlier today.  After arriving at the airport, we walked thorugh customs.  Then Ted and Lisa and some of the kids were waiting for us when we came out of the airport.  We split into different groups - some wento to Eco depot others went to buy mattress and still others to an orphanage tour.  Alicia and I went on the orphanage tour, even though I had been - I just wanted to hang out with the kids.  Then I got whisked away to youth group on the roof of rod and Brittany's.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring, not really much planned except planning for camp! 
 
The internet is kind of slow, so i had to cut down the size of the pics alot, but I still wanted to send something along.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/sets/72157605133107968/
 
Lucas

On our way

Nap ale ayiti. Its excited to be surrounded by other team members and of course my wife. Darin and Carolyn gave us some reading materials on the plane. I think most of us are spending this time bonding with other teammates or sleeping. We are on our way to fort lauderdale and only have a fifty minute layover and I think we are running late. Everything else has gone smoothly... In fact I don't think they even weighed our bags! We spent so much time worrying about a few ounces haha. Hopefully we make it through haitian customs without a hitch. We are anxiously counting the hours until we arrive. We pray that God goes before us and clears a path for us. How exciting is this???
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

bonjour!

Hey All!
I hope you don't mind if I e-mail you every few days while I am in Haiti.  Some of you I know better than others, but most of you I figure have either been or have an interest in Haiti.
Alicia (my wife) and I are going for nine days and we are SO excited.  We leave tonight at 10:45 and will get there sometime tomorrow morning. 
I went to Haiti in August of last year.  My poor wife Alicia - she didn't go.  Boy has she heard about it ever since.  I think most times people get culture shock when they're in a different culture and are relieved when they go back to their "normal" way of living.  Is that how it works?  I came back and have just wanted to go back to Haiti ever since.  There's something so wonderful about people having joy even with so little.  In America, we live our days rushing around going in a little circle all day.  something has just changed inside me and I can only explain it by telling you that it was God doing a new work in me.  The story is so crazy and totally God and this e-mail is already long but if you want to know more, then just ask...
 
so finally after many months of waiting we are ready to go back tonight, for nine days.  we are going with a team of 20 other people and are stoked on getting to use our creole and connect with the kids through a summer camp we are putting on in port au prince.  i will be sending updates when I have internet, assuming I do.  mosquitoes, bugs, voodoo, guys with guns and funny blue helmets, intense heat and humidity and sticking out like a sore thumb - these are all a part of haiti.  but there is also the kids at the orphanage.  in the middle of all of this absolute destitution (where people literally eating dirt) there is hope for this nation through what Jesus is doing with these kids.  It is an absolute honor to be able to be a part of this and I am so excited...
 
please keep us in your prayers if you are a pray-er... we are also hoping to connect with a haitian guy we met who runs a  restaurant in downtown LA who will be there at the same time, hopefully that happens but who knows.  it's haiti!
 
please forward this along to whoever you like or direct them to www.haiticampinabox.blogspot.com like I said I will update when I can hopefully with pictures!
 
lucas simmons
p.s. if you forget about the blog:  my facebook, lucasyalicia.com, flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience (when there are pictures), lucastheexperience.blogspot.com, and aliciatheexperience.blogspot.com should all be updating
 
p.p.s. alicia actually went to the bank in AMERICA today and told the teller she was going to Haiti and the guy started talking to her in Haitian Creole!  How funny and totally God is that???

 

bonjour!

Hey All!

I hope you don't mind if I e-mail you every few days while I am in Haiti.  Some of you I know better than others, but most of you I figure have either been or have an interest in Haiti.

Alicia (my wife) and I are going for nine days and we are SO excited.  We leave tonight at 10:45 and will get there sometime tomorrow morning. 

I went to Haiti in August of last year.  My poor wife Alicia - she didn't go.  Boy has she heard about it ever since.  I think most times people get culture shock when they're in a different culture and are relieved when they go back to their "normal" way of living.  Is that how it works?  I came back and have just wanted to go back to Haiti ever since.  There's something so wonderful about people having joy even with so little.  In America, we live our days rushing around going in a little circle all day.  something has just changed inside me and I can only explain it by telling you that it was God doing a new work in me.  The story is so crazy and totally God and this e-mail is already long but if you want to know more, then just ask...
 
so finally after many months of waiting we are ready to go back tonight, for nine days.  we are going with a team of 20 other people and are stoked on getting to use our creole and connect with the kids through a summer camp we are putting on in port au prince.  i will be sending updates when I have internet, assuming I do.  mosquitoes, bugs, voodoo, guys with guns and funny blue helmets, intense heat and humidity and sticking out like a sore thumb - these are all a part of haiti.  but there is also the kids at the orphanage.  in the middle of all of this absolute destitution (where people literally eating dirt) there is hope for this nation through what Jesus is doing with these kids.  It is an absolute honor to be able to be a part of this and I am so excited...
 
please keep us in your prayers if you are a pray-er... we are also hoping to connect with a haitian guy we met who runs a  restaurant in downtown LA who will be there at the same time, hopefully that happens but who knows.  it's haiti!
 
please forward this along to whoever you like or direct them to www.haiticampinabox.blogspot.com like I said I will update when I can hopefully with pictures!
 
lucas simmons

p.s. if you forget about the blog:  my facebook, lucasyalicia.com, flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience (when there are pictures), lucastheexperience.blogspot.com, and aliciatheexperience.blogspot.com should all be updating

p.p.s. alicia actually went to the bank in AMERICA today and told the teller she was going to Haiti and the guy started talking to her in Haitian Creole!  How funny and totally God is that???

 

FW:

Notes from my last Haiti trip in August of 07

 

A family came to the front gate of the orphanage today.  I'm not sure what happened, but from what I heard she fell off a ladder and was in pain.  We took her to the hospital and originally they said it was dislocated.  Then they said it was dislocated and broken, then they said that she would need an operation and would have to stay overnight.  The original price they gave us was about 500 US dollars.  After that, they told us that if she didn't have the operation her arm would go bad in 5 days and they would have to amputate.  They also told us she would need some metal inserted in her arm, which put us up to $750 US dollars.  Attached is a photo of the Xray (of course I thought to myself before I left, why would I need my good camera? so this is the best I have - it's the full size photo).  If anyone has any doctor friends or friends who have doctor friends and can take a look at the xray and e-mail me back it would be greatly appreciated.  We're leaving tomorrow early in the AM so the sooner the better...
 
Please pray for her.  Sorry I don't know her name, but God does.

Another update

Notes from my last Haiti trip in August of 07

 

Hey all!
 
Thanks for your continued prayers.  Today was an awesome day, we got to take the kids to the beach.  No matter where you go, taking kids to the beach is always a great time to connect with them.  We also got to experience a lot more of Haiti, which we did not think we would be able to do.  There are so many people sitting out on the street, it's so different but so beautiful.  We drove through the countryside and saw some witch doctors houses (the country still has a lot of voodoo activity) and after a 2 hour car ride we were at the beach.  My favorite part was talking to the vendors there, which I think a lot of us did.  It's crazy because it seems like they only really hound Americans to buy stuff, and we seemed like the only Americans there.  Imagine making your living off of such a small market!  No wonder they are so persistent.  I've included a picture of Daniel and myself, who has two kids and a wife.  I've also included a picture of Cicero and Marie.  Pray for them, please.  On the way back, Karl was tossing out toothpaste and toothbrushes out of the van to people on the street.  We hoped to go to a village tomorrow to visit one of the kid's families but it looks like we're going to try and finish the work we didn't do yesterday.  It's so weird to only have one more day here.
 
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
 
Lucas

Notes from my last Haiti trip in August of 07

Hey all,

Sorry for the late update. I had a fever of 102.2 earlier tonight, so i was
kind of worn out the whole day because I was getting something. Luckily I'm
down to 100, and i took a bunch of medicine. No one else here is sick,
which is good. God willing, I'll be over it tomorrow morning so I can go to
the beach with all the kids.

Last night we all sat out on the porch and watched the lightning storm.
I've never seen anything like that. It's hard to capture in pictures,
though. This morning some of us woke up early and did devotions watching
the sunrise over the mountain which was pretty amazing. Then, we did a
soccer clinic at a nearby church with all the kids. These kids pretty much
ran circles around us. Then, we piled everybody in the big truck and went
up to the baptist mission. The scenery there was absolutely amazing and I
bought a couple of paintings from a street vendor and a Creole Bible. Then,
we all went to the Baptist Mission zoo. Which had under 10 animals. An
alligator, rabbits, snakes and a weird monkey. And some birds.

I'm on a mac and i'm running out of battery so no photos this time.

Another update

Hey all

Our first day was great.  We got to meet most of the kids, and when we went to the boys house they started worshipping just clapping and singing.  It sounded so beautiful, I honestly had trouble holding back tears (especially when the kids sang Blessed be Your Name).  It was also cool to hear "our" worship songs in Creole.  As a team, we also did our nightly devotion which was a little different since we're conserving power so all we have is a candlelight and a headlamp.  Everyone was super tired, I think most went to sleep at 8pm.  Today the team is spread out, some are doing Bible class, others working on a playhouse at the girls home.  Our dentist is hard at work pulling teeth and Stephen's doing electrical.  And of course, Andrew is taking video and I'm taking pictures (and we're both trying to work too).  It's pretty hot here and we're trying to drink lots of water, so please pray for protection against any heat related illness.  I've included a few more pictures for your viewing pleasure.  Tomorrow we're probably going to continue construction and maybe do a soccer clinic. 
 
Lucas

HEY!

Notes from my last Haiti trip in August of 07

 
Hey Guys!
 
We made here fine.  God is so good.  We're all really exhausted after the flight, but super excited to be here.  We got off the plane and as we were walking in there was some guys playing music right outside the airport.  Which I thought was super cool.  A guy helped us gather our bags and then we went through customs.  They didn't even check one of our bags, we pretty much walked through.  Which is amazing because we had 20 bags full of supplies for the orphanage.  And outside Bill and Sue were waiting for us in a huge truck with a cage around it.  Even better is right now it's not even that hot.  We just had lunch and are planning to go visit the boys and girls houses soon.  So there's really not a whole lot to say, since we've only been here a few hours.  It's so different from home though, it's hard to describe.  Here are four pictures.  The internet is surprisingly good here right now, so I'll try and send updates when I can.  I'm sure everybody misses everybody haha.
 
Lucas
 

new kids

i've been bad at this:


When he grows up what will-he-B?






hmm no clue





I picture him taking the GRE but for some reason all the films are about GORY horror films