Haiti

Just a quick FYI - I'm headed to Haiti on February 16th to work with the Salvation Army again.  What a privilege and honor it is to serve! - tracy

DIY Fair

This past weekend I spent all of my time in this little booth selling my photography for Haiti Has Hope! My friends Alan and Amanda own a print and production company called Unfolding Creative and they rented the booth for the fair and asked me to be their featured artist. Both Alan and I displayed and sold our artwork. It was really a lot of fun and a lot of work! We ended up raising a good amount of money for Haiti Has Hope! I am so grateful. This is a picture of our booth on Saturday night. That evening I sold several of the prints such as the big peacock and the picture of the fern.

Here is our booth on Friday night as we were setting up and still framing photographs! The Red Chevy sold that night! It was really exciting. Below is the sign that Alan made for me to help explain what Haiti Has Hope is. The picture at the bottom is one of my favorite photos of the Delmas 2 neighborhood in Port au Prince, Haiti.

Amanda and Alan had their first baby 2.5 weeks ago. He was with us all weekend and proved himself to be the most valuable market tool. People would come running in just to see Asher and leave with photos in their hands!

Thank You

for your prayers as I head to Haiti.  Please pray that we bring the hope of Jesus to a hurting nation.

It's the small things

Mom and Dad have been asking when I would start posting about my most recent trip to Haiti and I think I'm finally ready. A few years back a fellow missionary who went to Africa with me said that when people ask about our mission trip that we should keep our responses brief because otherwise we are likely to have diarrhea of the mouth from our own excitement. It is true, the excitement and wonder start to well up in a way that causes one to be quite verbose. This most recent trip is nothing short of that. So, I will try to write several short posts about what happened in Port-au-Prince. My words, however, will be insufficient to capture the true delight of being a part of this team and God's calling to Haiti.

When I travel on mission my senses are on their highest alert and my heart and mind are on constant search to hear God's voice say, "this - this is what I want you to do." He has always made it quite clear and in just the right timing. This trip was no exception and His voice was loud, clear, and right on cue.

One of the projects that we worked on was restoring a home in Delmas 2. This is a region of PaP where the Salvation Army is stationed. It is the former location of La Maison du Bonheur where we worked last year reclaiming anything we could from the earthquake. The Salvation Army complex also has a school (College Verena - more on that later), a medical clinic, playgrounds, and the church (also demolished with the childrens' home). It is a haven in a rough part of PaP. Outside the confines of the Salvation Army complex are tightly packed neighborhoods lined up and down alleys covered with potholes. The sights are invigorating - bright colors everywhere. There is laundry hanging from every building, painted signs on the walls advertising local businesses, raw sewage flowing, chickens, and dogs everywhere. The people, though, bring the neighborhoods to life. Creole is being spoken at every volume level possible; a mother whispers to her child to move aside as a vehicle speeds by; a group of men clash and clang their voices in a heated home-brewed game of roulette; children's voices are laughing and squealing as they play with found objects; and even the sizzle from the roasting meat of the street vendor seems to be saying "manje mwen" (eat me) in Creole. The smells are indescribable - food, people, and sewer find a new combination with every step we make into the neighborhood. And as we pass through on our umpteenth trip to Rony's house, we still hear "blanc" or "hey you" from the children. I remember thinking to myself how much I wanted to just stop and take a million pictures right then and there. I refrained because it would be a bit like having a stranger in your own home taking pictures of you as you headed into the shower: awkward in the least. So I said to myself to just take pictures with your mind and that I did.

Rony's house had been marked with yellow spray paint after the quake. The house was not safe to live in but could be repaired. Thankfully the mark wasn't red but it certainly was not green. Nine to ten people living in two bedrooms of this cement block house; there were only 2 single beds. It just didn't add up. Our priorities there were to replace the cement ceiling that was continually falling down in one of the bedrooms, repair the corrugated zinc roof over the "shower" and "bathroom," and repair the structural cracks of the cement walls. When we arrived the first day we knew that those priorities were just going to make a dent. Over the next week we employed several of our Haitian friends who are dependable and skilled tradesmen to work on rewiring the electrical since it was completely exposed and open to the elements (aka live wires) and to replace the cement ceiling (the Haitians are masters at this) . Alan and Drew removed the zinc roofing and built a frame so that the new roof wouldn't fall apart like the previous had. They repaired the shower (just a hole in the ground, no running water - just a bucket), hung privacy dividers, and transformed the yellow mark into green. Two of the sisters who lived there were high school students. I had the privilege of meeting them the girls the year before so I was excited to see them again. They are twins, one who is dying from AIDS and the other who has been spared. Their brother Rony has been taking care of the girls ever since their parents died from AIDS. The girls were so thankful that they would have a safe bedroom, but just this one thing would make it so nice, they garnered up the courage to ask if we could find some beds. It was perfect timing and we heard God say, "This - this is something these girls need." So along with my friend (and translator, navigator, comic relief, extraordinaire) John, we were able to purchase 2 full sized beds which would accommodate 4 - 6 people (all together). They were expensive but God had sent us with just enough money from our supporters to make sure these girls had a place to sleep. Their faces beamed when we brought the mattresses into the house. Their shy voices uttered over and over again "Mesi" (thank you).

It is the small things, however, that seem to catch me by surprise and stir my heart the most. As I entered the house that time, I saw Alan bent over with cement on his tools. He was smoothing out the layer over a beautiful brand new pipe that ran from the shower out of the house to the street. I could feel my eyes filling up over this pipe. Yes, a pipe, I cried about a pipe. I didn't know it was in the plan and it made me so glad to know that the shower water would no longer be traveling through the hallway and kitchen. It is such a small thing but can you imagine all of your own dirty shower water running through your hallways and your kitchen? I loved that Alan and Drew had seen the importance of this little detail and they took care of it without a thought - it was love in action. This small thing was not so small indeed.

M’ te kite kè m’ nan Ayiti

I left my heart in Haiti.

The people, the culture, the despair, and the hope that exists in Ayiti is mind boggling and captivating all at the same time.  I think I finally understand why Paul Farmer can't stay away.  There are a ton of stories to share - some uplifting and some heartbreaking - but for now all I can articulate is that this sign says Delmas will be beautiful.  Delmas is the region of Port au Prince that I have had the pleasure of serving in.  It is trash ridden, smelly, and noisy but nevertheless the hope that resides there illuminates its beauty.  I cannot wait to return and be a part of cultivating that hope - it might just be what I was made for. xx

There Is A Peace

Final Thought - there is  a peace about me and my team.  This is the sky that we were blessed with this week.  We are thrilled beyond words to be in God's service and can't wait to see and do what He calls us to do on the streets of Port au Prince.  We trust that no matter how big or how tiny the task is - that it is part of His plan.  Thank you for your prayers - I have no doubt that God is on the move - active, alive, and listening to the cries of His people because in this little heart of mind - there is peace.

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

We Beseech Your Prayers

Family & Friends, in about a week, I'll be heading out with my team to Port-Au-Prince.
We beseech your prayers as we take this journey. thanks -t

If you would, please pray for. . .

1. God to go before us - paving the way and that we would walk with confidence into His plan even if it isn't evident.  (Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”)
2. The Grace of God to cause/allow our team to be effective and productive in the jobs we work on but even more so that we are compassionate and full of care toward all people.  May we always error on the side of compassion.  (1Cor16:15b-16 and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it.;1Peter4:8 Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].
3. Protection, extreme favor, and health in all circumstances and in all times. (Especially with travel, the Salvation Army, the Haitian people, the job site(s), those who we purchase job materials & help from.) (Isaiah 40:31 ³¹But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.; Isaiah 58:11 And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.)
4. Joy and Peace in all circumstances.  (Phil 4:5-7 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.)
   

Loose Ends. . .

Hello Everyone,

Family Book Club
From what I can tell, your books are here or on their way.  Let's try to read through section one by the end of January.  I know that some of you have already forged ahead (ahem . . . mom) but that's just fine.  We'll post questions/thoughts/comments at the end of January?  Sound Good?

Returning to Haiti
Just wanted you to know that I'll be going on a short-term mission trip to Haiti in February.  I am REALLY excited - a twinge nervous (I'd be worried if I wasn't) - but mostly really excited because I think God made me to play a part in international missions.  I'll be getting my "orders" soon.  I'm happy to be working again with the Salvation Army - what an incredible organization/church.  I read up on what is happening in Haiti on a regularly.  Today I read this post  about a little girl who has been under the care of a mission organization called Real Hope For Haiti - and for real - they are bringing some real hope.  Read it for yourself - you won't be the same after.

Scripture Memorization Challenge
How's it going?  Have you memorized 2 Cor 5:17?  What kind of impact has it had on you?  Has it popped into your mind at any particular point?

2 Cor 5:17  (NASB)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away, behold, new things have come.

Chocolate Lecture
I have been wanting to post my chocolate lecture for quite some time now.  It is about why humans love chocolate so much.  The images have been a real bear to prepare - so keep your eyes peeled - if you see the post it will be a victory for me!

Thanks
Thanks to all of the family who filled out the Nadeau Family Basic Facts Survey.  I am waiting for just a few more people to fill it out and then I will e-mail you the file so you have a copy too.

Family Book Club - Pick Up/Order Your Books NOW!

Hi Again Family & Friends,

We have decided to read Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder.  Order or pick up (click the link and it will bring you right to amazon) your book right away!!  We are going to start reading really soon - keep your eye out for the schedule and subsequent posts where you can weigh in with your thoughts on the book!

While we are getting ready:

1. Check out a couple of related links:
1. Partners In Health
2. Wikipedia on Paul Farmer
2. Learn these two Haitian Creole Words
1. Lasante = Health
2. Zami = Friend
3. Get familiar with the map of Haiti:
1. Find the capital, Port-Au-Prince (everyone calls it PAP)
2. Find Mirebalais on the map of Haiti
3. Find Letter on the map, it points at Cange
   

View Larger Map

but this i know

Today my Haitian (and facebook) friend posted this Press Release from UPS about Craig Arnold. I've heard a ton about the amazing work this gentleman has done in Haiti. I have a great respect for him even though I haven't ever met him. He used, is using, and will use his skills to make a massive difference in Haiti.  When no one else was able to get supplies in and out of Haiti he made a way.  People's lives were/are directly affected by his service. He embodies the idea of hero.

The video about Mr. Arnold is a great glimpse of where I was in Haiti - I recognize many of the buildings and the people.
UPS Executive Craig Arnold Returns to Haiti for Global Volunteer Month - UPS Pressroom

I can only hope and pray to do a fraction of what Craig Arnold has been able to accomplish - but this I know - I am meant to return again to Haiti to serve in the fashion that God calls me. Would you please pray with me that God would make clear when and how - the rest is just details.

Bannanna Peze - Fried Plantains

The best way to eat Pikliz is to eat them on fried plantains. It is the perfect combination of slightly sweet and spicy. They were so delicious that they were devoured before I had a chance to get a picture of the final product. The biggest challenge for me on this recipe was figuring out the best oil temperature to keep it from splattering. This was tricky with the new gas stove but after a few minutes I managed to settle the oil down and keep the kitchen from burning down!

This is the last of my Haitian Dinner Cuisine Posts. One last thing that I made was Fwuitponch (Fruit Punch). It was divine and it actually was the "dish" that took me the longest to prepare; several hours of squeezing and pressing the watermelon, grapefruits, and minolo oranges. A healthy dose of sugar was added and the fwuitponch was chilled and consumed lickety split!

Mais Moulin

Mais Moulin is a delicious corn dish.  It can also be called corn mush but I think it sounds a lot better to call it Haitian Pollenta.  It is served with avocados or with the sos pwa nwa.  I like it best with both!  It has a sweet and ever so slight nutty flavor to it.  The course corn meal gives it "good bite." 

Sweat out the onions in the butter (oops, some tomatoes hopped in while I prepared the onions).  Then add the tomatoes, paste, garlic, and thyme.  Cook them all down until they are soft.

Add water and bring it to a rapid boil

Whisk in the course corn meal. 

Isn't course corn meal pretty?

Simmer and add the coconut milk.

Voila - it's done!

\

Serve warm or cold!

Sitwon Poul - Lime Chicken

Ingredients:  Lime, Honey, Garlic, Dry Mustard, Cayenne Pepper, Paprika, Pepper, Salt, Olive Oil, Fresh Basil (not shown:  Bone In Chicken Thighs)

Marinate four hours in the refrigerator.












Bake in the oven approximately 1 hour.  Serve hot and forget to take a picture until over half of them have been eaten!

Recipe compliments of http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1639,158191-245194,00.html

Refreshers

Sos Pwa Nwa - Black Bean Sauce

I have to admit this dish doesn't look one bit appetizing but I LOVE IT!  It is delicious through and through.  It tastes like I remember - spicy, warm, creamy, flavorful.  It is a actually a very complex set of flavors all mashed into this. 

Here's what's in it.

Black Beans, Onions, Ground Cloves, Garlic, Jalapeno, Habeneros, Bacon!

and tomato paste!  almost forgot it!

If you are going to indulge in these (above) - you must have a pair of these (below)

And to make that marvelous mess - the food processor!

This recipe was fantastic and comes from a blogger who you can find at:  http://www.watchingthewaters.com/2010/07/sos-pwa-nwa-black-bean-sauce.html

Pikliz

Pikliz is Haitian Spicy (really super spicy) coleslaw.  It is fabuously wonderful especially when served on bannanna peze (fried plantain slices).  More to come on that!  The main ingredients are shredded cabbage and carrots (I should have shredded my cabbage more finely next time.  I will use the food processor next time), habenero peppers (these babies are what make this so hot, whole cloves and whole peppercorns.

I shredded up the cabbage and coleslaw and then began to layer these veggies into widemouth canning jars with the habenero peppers, cloves, and peppercorns tucked in between.  Then I added white wine vinegar up to the top of the jar and seal them up and let them "pickle" and "heat up" for 24 hours.  The longer they pickle, the hotter the pikliz.  (PEEK' LEEZ)  Around 3pm today I am going to extract the cabbage and carrots so serve as pikliz.  The rest will find its way to the compost bin.   

I may have told you this before, but a while back I brought this for my potluck dish at church.  It was a big hit.  There wasn't a single bannanna peze left over.  I put a big sign on it saying that this was a dish I fell in love with on our mission to Haiti.  The sign proceeded to say HOT - EXTREMELY SPICY.  As I was walking down the stairs into the fellowship hall I overheard a little boy (maybe 6 years old) saying to his mom, "Make it stop!  Make it stop!  My tongue is on fire!"  He was dragging his mom by the arm with steam coming out of his eyes.  Apparently he didn 't read the sign.  I just smiled and kept walking!

The recipe I used was from FouyeRecipes.com.
http://www.fouyerecipes.com/recipes.php/1679

Caution: Hot & Spicy Food Ahead

Over the next few hours I'll be posting the recipes, links, and pictures of the Haitian Cuisine I have been working on for tonight's dinner party.  I'm very excited!  Your assignment is to learn a little, try some new and exciting ingredients, and test out the recipes yourself.  So, while you wait for the posts to come, follow these links and find out a little bit about Haiti!

Where in the world is Haiti?  Why it is right here.
So did you hear that Christopher Columbus made it to Haiti?  Yes he did, here's the history.
Where does Haitian Cuisine get its influence?  Here's the history.

Now, repeat after me:  "Ou grangou?"  (are you hungry?)

Basement Treasures

Last week, three days of my life were spent unearthing the basement.  I used to vacuum the basement weekly and attend to the cobwebs and little messes that would accumulate.  Over the past three years, however, between the hecticness of life, kitchen construction, and having various visitors living in the basement (humans - not bugs, rodents, or otherwise); the basement has been out-of-sight -- out-of-mind.  When Pete went down to use the bathroom - "the men's room" let's say - he found that I had a bit of leak on the eastern wall most likely due to the large pine tree whose roots reside right next to my house.   This, of course, was going to take some action on my part and part of that was cleaning out the basement just in case there was any ensuing construction in the near future.  More on that in the future - not any time soon.  Anyhow, I cleaned and toiled and labored and what kept me going was finding a few hidden treasures in that dungeon of mine.  Not the expected treasures like my depression glass collection, or a favorite old book, or picture albums, but treasures that had long slipped my mind.

 Cousin Ryan made this turtle for me. 

Isn't it adorable?

 I'm not sure where this doll/figurine came from.  I know that I had it on my shelf in my bedroom as a little girl for a long long long time.  It was really cool to discover that "Haiti" was written on the stand.  It makes me think of the wonderful Haitian friends I made.  I hope and pray that I will be able to return to Port-au-Prince soon. 

I think I was made to be a missionary.  I am most alive and most effective when I serve God this way. 

 Oh these are precious; still in their original frames.  These are my grandparents' wedding photos.  I believe that they were hand painted to achieve the color. 

What a beautiful couple they are.  I miss them greatly.

 In this picture of the wedding party, I believe my Grandfather's brother, Charlie, is in view.  He died on the shores of Normandy. 

 Who could ever forget these dolls?  The two on the left were "snuggle dolls" - pull the string on their backs and they would snuggle away.  On the right, my Mandy doll. 

I'm still a snuggler :)

 This was a really something special to find, my Indian Princess garb.  My name tag "Ishpeming" and my vest with all of the patches.  Dad and I had a grand time in this YMCA program.  I am so glad he decided to do that with me.

 A hand-drawn map of the Maltese Islands given out by the Maltese Bureau of Tourism.  My grandparents gave this to me when I was doing my elementary report on Malta.  The map is really stunning now that I have 'older' and 'wiser' eyes to look at it.  I wonder if Mom and Dad will pick up a new map on their trip to Malta?

 The capital city Valleta.

 The Maltese Cross

The cross is a symbol adopted to remind Christians of our Lord's saving death - and with an empty cross his resurrection! Otherwise it is a quite neutral symbol, often in its form of equal sized arms, used in art due to the symmetry of design. Even as used by Christians, Christian artists have been inspired to produce many variations on the theme. Christian countries used the cross as the main symbol of decorations awarded to those who served the nation.

The Maltese cross, used as an identifying insignia on the habit of the Knights of Malta, was for the purpose of identifying themselves from their enemies. The Knights of Malta, also known as the Knights of St. John or the "hospitialers" was a religious order founded by Amalfitian merchants around the year 1070. The purpose of the order was to aid and care for pilgrims making the journey to the Holy Land. In 1136 the knights became a fully militarized order. The Knights driven out of Syria had been fleeing years of persecution by Islamic forces acquired Malta as their Sovereign Land from Charles V of Spain in 1530. This is the time that the Maltese Cross evolved into the present day form. The cross is described as a white eight pointed cross.

The eight points of the cross are believed to represent the eight vows the knights had to observe:

1) live in truth;
2) have faith;
3) repent of sins;
4) give proof of humility;
5) love justice;
6) be merciful;
7) be sincere and whole hearted;
8) endure persecution.
(courtesy of http://www.choppers.com/iron_cross.asp)

 A portion of the map showing where St. Paul shipwrecked

in 60 AD as described in Acts 27 & 28.

 Two typed letters from Mrs. Gutowsky in 5th grade.  Now that I am a teacher I have NO IDEA - NO CLUE - how she was able to write such personable letters.  I LOVED finding these tucked in my cubby.  She was a phenomenal teacher.  I wish I could tell her today!

 A page from the book I wrote titled, "I Get Scared When. . . "  Apparently I thought I had seen a shark at some point.  For the record, I have never seen a wild shark - not even off the coast of South Africa where Discovery's Shark Week is filmed.  Go Figure.

 A page from the book I wrote about Michigan Apples.  Whenever I have to consider the species/variety of apple I am looking at, this picture still pops in my mind. 

 The whole collection of "warm fuzzy" notes I received on my birthday in second grade.  Mrs. Spiteri certainly had a way of making each of her students feel loved.

 These special notes from Peter who REALLY missed me when I went away to college.  Truth is, I missed him more.

 And the final treasures . . . since this is the "family" blog . . . are a few pages from this book on the things I love.  It still is true today.

Jesus (glad I had my priorities straight)

 My family (Mom, Dad, Myself, Tim

(pete-you were still a twinkle in heaven at that point-1980)

 My grandparents - notice how everyone's hair color was spot-on!

My Aunts and Uncles.

Don't worry cousins, I am sure that I meant my Aunts & Uncles and all of their kids!

So, you just never know what you are going to find in the crevices of the dungeon - there just might be some treasures.  - T