Building a Bridge

One of the biggest things that we learned while preparing for our trip to Haiti this past March was that poverty is not about material things but more about the relational distance between those that have and those that don’t.

I'll let that sink in for a moment. 
 
Poverty is not about material things but more about the relational distance between those that have and those that don’t.

We learned that while reading the book, "When Helping Hurts" and it was also reiterated by Corrigan during a long conversation with him one evening in Haiti.

So, with that in mind, we need to figure out how best to bridge that gap.  How can we close that relational distance? 

We know that we cannot do a whole lot during short term trips.  That's why our trip to Haiti was considered a "support trip."  We didn't go there to change anyone's life in a week - but to best support the people at Apparent Project as they work every day to do that.  They KNOW the people.  They KNOW the culture.  They work day in and day out to bridge that gap. To provide jobs, to change lives.

All of that being said, Russ contacted Shelley at the beginning of the summer and asked her how we, as a church, could best support the people of Little Clarvil for Christmas this year.  Clarvil is the little community that sits behind AP.  It's where we painted houses while we were there.  It's where about 60% of the AP artisans live.

Apparent Project is not about giving hand outs so we knew that any kind of Christmas gifts - trinkets, etc were not going to be an option.  And we didn't want it to be.  Sending things like clothes, toothbrushes, etc does more to hurt the economy than help it.  We don't want to send things that can be purchased there and in turn, help to stimulate the Haitian economy.  

So, Shelley took our request and went to Clarvil and asked THEM what they really needed.  She came back to us and said that they requested a bridge.

The area behind the corn field is Clarvil.  You can see the trail that runs through the "ditch" and then comes on up the hill to the main road (which would be behind the photographer).  This area is prone to flash flooding and even during a mild rain this "ditch" becomes a raging river.  It's even more dangerous during Tropical Storms and Hurricane season.  

The people become trapped and cannot get to the main road.  Some attempt to cross and unfortunately drown.  Children fall in.  It becomes deadly.   

They have asked for a bridge so that they can cross safely during these times. So that they can continue to get to work - to school - to the market.  

How cool is that?  I LOVE how Shelley went to THEM and asked them what they needed.  Not trying to figure it out or assume something.  Shelley took it a step further and got a few estimates for the cost of building it.  Then she presented it to us.  We LOVED the idea!

Many would assume that we would take a team and build the bridge ourselves but we believe that it would be best to raise the money needed, send it to Shelley and allow her to hire workers within Clarvil and purchase the materials in Haiti.  That would be the best case scenario all around.  Not only do they get a new bridge, but they will be able to do it themselves and get paid for doing it!

We presented the idea to our church this past Sunday and everyone is sooooo excited!  We have a goal of raising the funds by December as that is when the rainy season ends in Haiti and the ditch will dry up again.  It will allow them to work without being interrupted. 

I am so thankful that God is allowing us to come along side this community of  Little Clarvil.  And I'm so thankful for the conscious effort that Shelley and Corrigan take to make a difference in the community around them by providing jobs, creating dignity and changing lives for generations to come!

I can't wait to share the progress with you!

Until next time....



Update:  Nov. 10, 2013

All the funds have been raised for the bridge!  The money will be sent to Apparent Project and the work will begin shortly!  Thanks to all who contributed!  This is exciting stuff!!!


 

You Make Beautiful Things

Want to see more of Apparent Project?  Here's the latest video produced by Corrigan.  I cannot wait to add this to my presentations.  It captures the story perfectly.

Be sure and watch to the end - the artisans each had things they wanted to tell us!  (Warning: You may need tissues - I did)




Share! Share! Share!!!!

God's Sweet Blessing of Friendship

In January of 1999, Russ and I moved to Opelika, AL.  He had accepted a position as Youth/College Pastor.  We had been married a little over a year and found out two weeks before the move that we were expecting Jarod.

I cried for days.

I mean seriously. 

Ugly crying.

Russ didn't know what to do with me.  I had never lived far away from my mom - my family - my home.  I was leaving everything I knew - everything familiar and I was so scared. 

I begged God - I mean begged him to give me a friend.  Someone I could confide in - someone who was a kindred spirit.  The very first night we were there - unloading the U-Haul, Karesa stopped by our house with her then 4 year old Kadie.  We hit it off instantly.  The other amazing thing was that Chuck and Russell hit it off as well.

Our friendship grew in the next 3 years. They were what we needed being so far from home. We spent lots of time together - even had a few sleepovers when we lost power or our septic tank backed up.  Oh!  The memories!  And then the day came when they helped us pack and stood in our driveway waving as we drove off to move home to take care of my mom.  More ugly crying. 

Over the next several years, we kept in touch - we went to Disney together, did other vacationing together, and we would travel back to Opelika over the 4th of July to catch up and hang by their pool.  We tried to get together as often as possible but the last few years have been so hard.  Our lives have remained so busy that we could never get our schedules to match.  It has been 3 years since we have physically been together.  

We would chat on the phone and catch up when we could.  Actually Russ and Chuck were soooo much better about it then we girls were.  Sometimes it was all we could do but to keep up through them.  Crazy. 

This past Wednesday night at like 10:00, I texted Karesa telling her I was thinking of her and remembering the times we had been together over the 4th.  I heard back from her immediately saying that Kadie (who is now graduated from High School) was out of town and they had NOTHING to do all weekend - so "COME ON!"

Russ and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

I called her to confirm the invitation.

And by 10:30, I was messaging our cat sitter, Jarod was folding the clean laundry and we were getting ready for a road trip!  Talk about spontaneous!!!

We got so excited it was after 2 before Russ and I fell asleep.  We were up at 7 and packing.

We didn't get to lay by the pool or see any fireworks because of the rain - but we were able to just sit around on their porch and catch up. We played games, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed being together again!

It was a much needed time out of town for us - sometimes we just need to get away and change scenery.  Let our minds forget about the day to day stuff.  Since both the guys are in ministry, we were able to sit and encourage and just love on one another.

We are so thankful for these two.  They are our special gifts from God.  He answered my prayer over 14 years ago by giving me a sweet friend, and blessed us doubly by allowing Chuck and Russ to connect as well.  And you know that it's God when you can pick up right where you left off no matter how long you've been apart!!!

The exciting part is that their oldest daughter, Jessi is getting married in November and both Russ and Chuck will be officiating.  This year, we get to spend Thanksgiving together.  We won't have to wait long at all to be together again!

Thanks Chuck and Karesa for having us!  We love you and can't wait to celebrate your family in November!