Haiti Day 3: Clinic by Emily Estes

10/19/2012
5:22pm

Bonjou (Greetings)!!

We've had a blessed day here in Jacmel! Our big group went in two different directions today. A group of us traveled to Tetkole Temporary Shelter to offer an eye clinic for the day. The other group traveled to Pazapa (the deaf and physically and mentally handicapped community), Trinity House, and The downtown Tetkole location (a school that Verbo started). They then joined us at Tetkole Temporary Shelter with the eye clinic.

Today's clinic was especially special. Some of the children who stay at the shelter welcomed us. Two little girls clung to my side for the first little while that we were there. Once again, the tears were on the edge of falling. The clinic worked very proficiently today thanks to the wonderful collaboration between everyone! One person stands out to me today. Ju Berto was quickly recruited to be a translator while checking people in. He did an amazing job helping us understand the needs of each individual. I had the opportunity to sit with Meri Lee and Ju Berto and help with the check-in process. Pastor Rhonda worked with Ju Berto to transfer the information about the patients to the doctors. To watch the transformation in Ju Berto's language skills during the short time we were together was simply amazing. The common words he practiced today were itchy eyes, watery eyes (for which he often used the word 'blue'), and 'to look down.' Other things they asked about were the ability to see near and/or far, blurry vision, and how it was for them to read and sew. It is amazing to me how you can pick up on the stories of each person and not understand the words they're using. Among the differences that exist, we share SO much! Expressions, smiles, hugs, hand signals.... it's a beautiful, universal language we have the opportunity to embrace here. Once again, the expressions on their faces upon receiving eye glasses was priceless!

Denise had a great job for the day! She was handing out sunglasses and boy did she have an enthusiastic crowd! Many of the people simply needed sunglasses to protect their eyes and they had the opportunity to receive that gift today. I think we would agree that the children's reactions were our favorite. The little boys would leave literally struttin' their stuff - so precious!! Many of these children have never seen their reflection in the mirror, so to witness their first experience doing this is something I can't put into words. It takes a bit to help them understand that that is them they see in the mirror - the smile that usually spreads across their face could light up any room!

Ju Berto will be joining us again at tomorrow's clinic. I'm anxious to see the progression of his translating tomorrow and am hopeful that through his conversation with Pastor Rhonda, a new connection and lasting relationship has begun on this beautiful day in Haiti! It's so true that God leads us right where we're meant to be - I have to believe this to be true for Ju Berto and us as well today!

Luke 4:16-20 was shared prior to clinic today and spoke perfectly for what we experienced. God created the Scripture for us. Through it, He shares stories that can be told time and time again; in a new way, we experience the same things our ancestors did. It's evident that He was, He is, and He is to come!

To God be the glory! Amen

Haiti Day 3: Vision Clinic by Pastor Rhonda

10/19/2012
4:54pm

Today we had eye clinic at the TETKOLE shelter. TETKOLE means 'heads together.' It is a place where children who have been displaced by their families can have shelter until they are reunited with their families.
With this as our site for the day, we arrived to people already waiting for us. We got right to work and by noon had seen over 60 patients.
The day was filled with goodness as people received eye glasses, eye drops and sunglasses that would help them with their sight. The whole day was inspiring.
The most inspiring part though was at the end of the day of clinic. Verbo and Pastor Chad called me over and said we have a problem. Can we possibly do a clinic tomorrow for the children of PAZAPA? Many of the parents were calling to see if their child could be seen while the eye doctors were here. Our eye clinic group was not planning on it as we were planning to join the other group to visit families of Trinity School. But when we heard the story, we all agreed to serve another day.
PAZAPA is a school and outreach program that serves children who need occupational and physical therapy. In a land where it is very difficult to get around even if you are healthy, imagine living with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or deafness. PAZAPA reaches out to these children and their families, providing education and a place to belong and learn skills.

Today, for our devotion, I read scripture about Jesus' sermon in Nazareth where he casts his vision for ministry. After he talks about bringing sight to the blind, healing the sick and setting the oppressed free, he takes the scroll from which he's been reading, rolls it up, puts it away and gets to work.
We will again tomorrow roll up the scroll;  and get to work on Jesus' mission.
Peace,
Pastor Rhonda

Haiti Day 2: Lazareth by Emily Estes

10/18/2012

8:34pm

Our journey to the eye clinic today has been named 'through the river and over the mountain.' The group traveled to Lamontaigne, an area southwest of Jacmel, this morning with Verbo and Meri Lee (a brother and sister whose parents still live in Lamontaigne) to set up an eye clinic for the day. We traveled by way of a 'tap tap' - these are small pick-up trucks and some larger trucks that have seating along the outside of the box of the truck. The larger tap tap began with about 13 people and a smaller tap tap was carrying around 10 people (what seemed to be maximum capacity for both...). Due to some technical difficulties along the way we had to leave the small tap tap alongside the road midway up the mountain and those 10 passengers joined us in the larger tap tap! I think we began to feel like true Haitians through this experience. Some of us moved to the top of the tap tap where luggage is usually stored - personally, I'm grateful for having been raised on the farm as the ride was, in its own way, similar to the crazy 4-wheeler rides across very rough pastures! Just imagine a very rocky road, with some giant holes here and there, passing motorcycles and other vehicles on either side of the road (just depends on who swerves which direction first), and many tree branches hitting us along the way.... I'm not sure it's describable without experiencing it but hopefully some pictures and video will be up soon to give you a better idea! :)  The view from the top of the tap tap was impeccable! The beauty of God's creation here just brought tears to my eyes. The manner in which many Haitians make a living is through selling various goods alongside the road. We saw many of these setups on the way up the mountain to Lamontaigne.

This morning and through the afternoon we offered the eye clinic. I'd like to share a piece a scripture that provides a biblical context of what we experienced today:

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" (Mark 2:1-5, 9-12 NIV)

The location we were at today had a whole in the roof last year. One of the many improvements this year was that the roof had been finished! The story of Lazareth was mentioned many times today; like Lazareth, many people were brought to our clinic seeking that healing touch to restore their eyesight. We served 118 individuals today! Many of them received eyeglasses, eye drops, sunglasses... best of all, a new opportunity to see the world around them in a new way! I held back tears of joy much of the day. The joy that came in watching people, all ranging from age 2 to 94, be able to see well is indescribable! I feel like we had the greater blessing in witnessing these incredible miracles all through the day. They took their gift, walked away, and shared praise and gratitude with others - that is the truest of blessings to witness!

I'm reminded today that we are called to be servants to Christ and witnesses to the work He does through us. It's evident that we do not have to travel to third world countries to serve those in need - the Lazareths of the Bible surround us wherever we go. We can face a paralysis of the body, mind, or spirit... and sometimes all three. I believe the depth of the circumstances here in Haiti have begun to open my eyes in new ways and in a deeper level than what I've allowed myself to see at times back in Nebraska.

I could write for days about this one day in Haiti. My prayer for this entry is that you will join me thanksgiving for the work being done here. I feared there would be many tears of sorrow through this experience - my experience has been quite the opposite. The love shared in relationship and service has been positively overwhelming! Tek Tek shared another journey with us through the town this afternoon- he gave me a necklace with a cross and said that we are family now - brothers and sisters. Indeed we are. We are brothers and sisters in Christ - no language, ocean, culture, or skin color can put a boundary between the bond God created among us. Today we talked about the journey that the Haitians and Americans have begun to travel together... one of fellowship and movement forward. May we all come to know the true meaning of the relationship we share with others.

With a heart filled with love and joy,
God Bless!
Emily

Haiti: Give Thanks by Emily Estes

10/17/2012 // 8:13pm CST

My day began in 1 Thessalonians 5; we are told to:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
This is my first time visiting Haiti and I'm filled with heartache and awe- all at the same time. The journey, one that has revealed itself to hold deep physical, emotional, and mental dimensions, is something I never could have prepared myself for. After arriving in Port au Prince our group made it through customs much easier than anticipated and we embarked on an ever so speedy, looping and turning, and at times terrifying road trip to Jacmel.
I have to back up just a bit and share my first, true interaction with a Haitian... I was welcomed into Haiti with a fist bump :) Emile noticed my name, Emily, on one of my luggage items and excitedly introduced himself and told others that we have the same name (almost). I knew we were in the company of good people at that moment! The interaction brought a sense of peace and excitement for what was ahead.
Then the reality of the circumstances here in Haiti, the heartache, really started to hit. The drive offered a continuous reminder of the many things I have to be grateful for. Already I've found that it's easy to get focused on what the unfortunate circumstances are... the true blessings come in recognizing the beauty that surrounds us amid the less than ideal conditions.
Cole and I ventured out to get a better view of the ocean and community around us. Tek Tek, a new friend, found us (note that we were simply out to see the ocean and such and it didn't take Tek Tek long to join us) and took us on a little excursion through the local area. He showed us beautiful artwork, spoke fondly of his children, and introduced us to his friends who also sell their artwork through his business. Our exciting moment with Tek Tek came in finding a map of Jacmel! Al had just told us how he has not been able to find one and how nice it would be to have one.... what a surprise we had for him at supper tonight! A map with a legend and all! :) We were glad that our little venture brought us friendship and an opportunity to talk with those who live and work in this area.
There's much more- too much to put into words at this point. It's a beautiful thing how God orchestrates our lives, where He leads us, and how He calls us to serve. In an effort to be brief, I leave you with this:
Rejoice my friends! We have much to celebrate in what IS happening in Haiti. Let us hold no doubt or fear for this country- good things are happening because of the ministry shared here! Rejoice!
Pray for us and our friends here in Haiti. We have much to do this week- pray for our physical and emotional strength; that we may serve in the way God has called us to serve!
Above all, give thanks! Praise God, from Who all blessings flow - we are so very blessed in our community of faith and all that we have available to us back home! May we continue to share those blessings in the manner of which we are called to do.

Thank you for continued prayers! God bless you all!
Emily Estes

Haiti Arrival

10/17/2012 
4:09pm CST

We have had a wonderful, uneventful flight to Port au Prince, Haiti. We had the usual drive to Jacmel which went quickly due to it being a holiday today in Haiti.
Many of you have asked if things have gotten better since the 2010 earthquake. Remember that Haiti was/is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. That said, there are areas of growth. Recycling is happening in the urban areas! There is also heavy construction equipment that helps keep the roads clear after disasters like hurricane Isaac earlier this summer.
One of the great stories we've heard is that several children who were once child slaves have been allowed to attend school at Lekol sen Trinite (Trinity School) Monday through Friday!   It is inspiring to hear the stories of our partnerships!
Having gone to Haiti for the last few years, I rejoice at seeing the small changes that being so much hope. God never gives up on us.

Please remember us in prayer. We can feel God's hand of grace upon us because of your promise to remember us.
Peace,
Pastor Rhonda

Sheridan Ministry in the Lincoln Journal Star

The growing Sheridan ministry, Barnabas Community, was featured in the Sept. 8 edition of Lincoln Journal Star.
The Sheridan's Men's ministry made light work of the renovations that were needed to make the new rental space appropriate and usable for our needs, and now it's your turn.
Many hands make light work.The Barnabas Community Free Store and Gathering Place needs more volunteers, more funding, and more donations. To get involved, contact the Sheridan church office: 402-423-4769 or email your inquiry to info@sheridanlutheran.org.
To read the Lincoln Journal Star article, click here.

Have you seen the Garden?

The new Community Garden by Sheridan's Outdoor Prayer and Reflection Center has been a blessing all summer long. 

This is a pictorial timeline from Ray Swanson of how the garden has come together. There are many Sheridan folks to thank for making this possible. Hunter Sieckmeyer worked hard with lots of others and the Thrivent Caring Congregational funding as a part of his Eagle Scout project. Be sure to take some time to walk by the pond and see all that is growing.

1-15-2012            #4097    Site Selected





01-16-2012          #4115    Kevin Klink at work, AgSource donated the soil and water sampling and testing.




01-26-2012          #4116    More soil sampling






04-28-2012          #4244    Bob Terpsma brought his tiller to town and I was helped by Ben Paisley.





04-28-2012          #4247    The tilling is complete






05-25-2012          #4299    Four of the five plots have been planted (Hunter had been there and staked out the site and each plot).






06-07-2012          #4317    Corner posts as well as the metal posts are installed.  Lee and Janet Volker donated them to the project.  Hunter and his crew installed them.





06-14-2012          #4372    Fence and chicken wire has been installed.  






06-14-2012          #4373    Another view of the garden area with fence and walking path to each plot

06-13-2012          #0799    Ray Swanson is installing his trellis :)