two weeks ago i traveled to Haiti with The Adventure Project.
it was a very quick trip where i was able to see the inside workings of the stove project.
YOU donated $6270… We sponsored 313 stoves!!!
THAT is so wonderful!!
and together the entire Adventure Project raised over $24,000 for stoves in Haiti.
eight women from different areas of The Adventure Project met up in Haiti.
we were in Port-au-Prince the entire time.
the first stove vendor we met with has her stoves set up for sale in a big market.
she is the top saleswoman in this project.
most people we were in contact with spoke french.
so we had translators to ask our questions and to give our responses.
when we told her what we were doing there she said "well if they can fix my car i could sell a lot more stoves."
that is thinking like a business woman!
it never hurts to ask!
anyone hungry?
this was kind of mind blowing to me. rabbits running around for sale? turtles?!
to eat.
mmm…. delicious?
as our group walked through the market we had a few men "protecting" us from anything they saw fit.
they were self appointed protectors. they saw us pull up and rushed to "help"
our local guides talked with them in french and it was all ok so the rest of us just followed along. :)
in return sarah and i bought some of his paintings.
because i really did appreciate the protection.
he made me a leather bracelet with my name stamped into it.
i love it.
and here is where we used the bathroom that morning. :)
we paid to pee in a trailer that had stalls in it…and dudes in it…
and the guy gives you toilet paper in your hand before you go in!!!
shy bladders would not work in Haiti.
and did i mention…. there were DUDES IN THERE!
ha ha ha
i was being a chicken and said i would wait.
then thought "this is no better than anywhere else" so i decided to go.
rebekah came out and said "it's not that bad… you'll be fine"
so i went up the stairs and to the only open stall and there was no toilet seat.
i popped my head out and asked rebekkah (but the whole crowd can hear me)
"not that bad?! did yours have a seat?!!"
she said yes and to wait for that one.
i sound like a baby i know but when you are facing everything opposite that you know…. like peeing in a truck with men with toilet paper from the guy outside the stall and there is no toilet seat…. it's hard to not sound like a whiny brat.
i tried very hard though.
i am sure i lost.
near the next stove vendor these children were playing together.
they were doing a dance for us and cheesing for the camera.
it was an orphanage.
beautiful babies….i have been praying for them.
we went down a very steep hill to get to Isaaic's home.
he is the only male stove vendor in the project.
his sweet little boys were so shy with all these ladies showing up in their home.
i don't blame them one bit.
and that baby… i wanted to snuggle him and keep him forever.
but he was quite well loved i could tell. :)
i took this one with my phone.
he was drooly and had the biggest brown eyes in the world.
we traveled onto another stove vendor's home.
she told us about her business and had lunch cooked for us… on her stove!
she made us rice & beans with chicken on the side.
she served us plates in these food covers to keep our clothes clean… i think.
while we in her home Becky's sister called on Face Time.
she is a teacher and her whole classroom facetimed with us in Haiti.
technology is rad.
yellow and turquoise.
this was the last stove vendor my team met with.
she sells lottery tickets also.
we drew a crowd….
chicken on a leash.
peacocks and geese for sale.
fabric store.
fruits and veggies.
poinsettias in bloom in pots!
this was so cool to see in real life.
in kansas these are ONLY available at christmas shipped in from wherever.
my favorite pot in haiti. :)
these vendors were outside of our hotel.
we all bought souvenirs from them.
they are SERIOUS about sales.
if i made eye contact i was sunk.
they can play me like a piano.
but i did come home with a bull horn canteen…. soccer season is around the corner ya know.
most interesting plant i have ever seen… it's very dr. seuss.
my grandmother would have been SO intrigued.
my favorite wall in haiti.
the "buses" were decked out in colorful design… very cool.
our hotel had wi-fi off and on so when it was ON then we were ON. :)
spelling out T.A.P. the minute before we left for the airport.
funny girls.
i was in no photos…and jody had already left for the airport when i decided to take headshots.
and judging from the customs agents responses…. it's best i was not photographed.
I love the heart of The Adventure Project.
i love that they have a fire for ending poverty in the world.
that is not an easy battle to fight.
God calls his people to care for the poor.
that is why i am a part of The Adventure Project.
i want to do something.
if i don't… then my life is all about me…. what i buy, what i eat, where i go.
But the world does not revolve around me – NEWSFLASH.
I want my heart to be for what Jesus wants.
Helping & Giving where i can.
and telling others about how they can help… telling others how much God loves them.
God loves you just as you are RIGHT NOW.
no matter where you live.
no matter what you look like… he thinks you are beautiful.
He loves you because you are HIS and He made you.
He wants to be in a relationship with you.
He wants you to know you are special to HIM.
that you are IMPORTANT to HIM.
that you matter.
and i am going to keep telling you.
i am going to keep traveling places to see where God wants to use me.
and i will keep telling you about different ways to give your time, your heart and your money.
because how many cardigans (i just bought another one yesterday!!! i am an addict!) how many lattes, how many pairs of shoes, how many purses can we buy that will make us happy?
it's temporary.
we NEED a sustaining love and hope in something MORE.
and that is Jesus.
the One who saved me from sins.
the One who set me free.
the One who loved me before i was made.
He is the way.
:)
Trish - this is awesome!
so the whole buy your food alive thing and everything else is so different and mind boggling… but when i saw that little boy with his toothless grin, my heart just ached! i wonder if he has anyone to be excited for losing a tooth? this moves my heart closer to wanting another child… not of my womb!
Eugenia - Glory is so bright. Translucence gold. God is light. Oh my my I see Him in all your photos. The smiley eyes, the bright colors, the obvious energy of the people, and your team’s bright joyful faces. All for His glory. May you be blessed for answering the call and calling us to do likewise.
May the Lord bless you richly to allow you to continue.
There is nothing like sharing.
e
Lora - Amen 🙂
Jodi - This whole post was amazing. YOU are amazing Meg!
Mindy - Beautiful pictures and beautiful words. Most of all a beautiful heart shared with Haiti and with us. Keep reminding us there is more…
Ann - Hi Meg – Thanks for your Haiti updates. Your Haiti work makes me feel inadqeuate, and that’s good. I need to be pushed to realize that I can and I should do more to help others. I live in Kansas too, I have no excuses – seriously, thank you – for your work, and for posting the pictures, for making me feel guilty. Now I hope I shuffle my priorities to act on that guilt. Because we are all too spoiled and over-blessed here in good ole’ USA.
Gevay Piercefield - Hey Meg! Great post. I live in South Florida and the plant you pictured is abundant here. We call it Crown of Thorns. It’s funny that that is the one tropical plant you picked out-on a mission trip, speading the gospel. So cool!
Amy @ Fig Milkshakes - Yes, what a beautiful and fascinating post! I scrolled down with baded breath for each picture. I love the sign, “Jesus is the chief of my house”. What an interesting way to put it – I can only assume it is a cultural saying? I love that pot, too, and I love your friends purple pixie cut! 😀 And that first picture of the second vendor…I feel it gives a window into her character. Thank you for sharing with us!
Breeanna @ a brilliant melody - Such a great project. Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. I wold love to do something like that.
Tiffany - Oh my. What an experience! I’m so happy for you to have that opportunity!
Ok,I need to rant for a moment. (And I never rant…) Have you ever noticed on Facebook or Instagram when people use the word “Need”? As in, someone posts a cute outfit or something and someone responds, “I NEED that!” DRIVES. ME. CRAZY. I want to say, “Really, you NEED that shirt, that plate, that ____ ? Do you know what people in Haiti need? A safe way to prepare food so they don’t need to worry about their children suffering from respritory struggles. *sign* Such is the world we live in I guess. End rant.
You are doing such wonderful things with the gifts God has given you. I’m so excited to see where else it will bring you!
Hugs~ Tiffany
Sarah - Yes! I love this post! I’m so anxious to give more, this has been placed on my heart lately in a very special way. I’d love to hear more about how to give more time and energy to certain projects, whatever they may be. So often it’s easy to give money, which is very important, but I feel called to do more!
Jacci in Ohio - I love, love, love these photos. And I love how TAP and it’s stove project is helping Haitians provide for themselves and their families. It’s clear that the job opportunities those stoves provide are making a big difference in the lives of the vendors/salespeople.
I’m a little surprised that PAP looks so good in your photos. There’s still so much damage from the earthquake… But, I know how you always look for (and find!) beauty. This post celebrates Haiti. Thank you 🙂
Tracy Fisher - wow. simply beautiful. -tracy
Sarah - I am tearing up with happiness. Thank you, Meg for sharing your journey with us. I love your heart. I pray that at some point I am able to join a team like this. May the Lord continue to bless you and this ministry! 🙂
ira lee - the buses are called tap taps. they jump on and off and cram folks in there, on top, hanging off the back! its crazy!when you need off, you literally tap the side of the bus, he stops- right in the middle of it all and lets you off. there is also no traffic laws in haiti, so cars, trucks, motorcycles, tap taps are driving any direction on the roads, and speed. its very chaotic! we went from port au price to leogane which is about 20 miles, but it took 4 hours!!!
ira lee - yes, its actually haitian creole- a mix of french and creole. very beautiful to hear!
Gale - I love the beautiful pics and beautiful hearts!! My daughter has traveled there but I would go in a second – so glad you had a chance to experience this and share it with us! 🙂 We are so blessed to have a BIG, HUGE God (and after all, He made the first rainbow so we KNOW He’s awesome – He must have thought, “I bet Meg will love this!!” 🙂
ira lee - thank you for sharing!!!!! i went to haiti in august 2012 and fell in love and i can’t wait to go back again. i went with some dear friends thru our church and we served at the orphanage in leogane. and your pee story was hilarious. we didn’t have running water for 4 days- no bathroom, no showers, no clean clothes! but it didn’t matter, we were troopers (called the best group to ever go thru the compound- we helped clean up, we played with the kids who lived there, we wanted to visit the orphanage as much as possible- which is all just normal to us). i sadly can’t make a trip there this year, but my heart yearns to go back. looks like you stayed close to port au prince, we traveled into the mountains and deep into the country. there is a family opening another orphanage, they are from arkansas and its called hope rising childrens home. their web site is hrch.org. i highly recommend a little peek over there. god is working hard to deliver people with a giving heart and a calling for orphans.
Heather in Ohio - Your post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing. God makes great things. He makes beautiful things. He is the way. What an experience.
Diane - Bless you for living out and sharing the Good News!
mollie's mom - Meg, I can tell that Haiti “got” you. I have only ever met one person who went to Haiti and didn’t come back on fire to serve – there or somewhere else! Haiti is a life changer and it is amazing how so little can do so much there. I’m intrigued by the stoves and that entire project. So many are doing so much in Haiti. Loved the photos of the school children – I serve on an NPO Board that focuses on schools and a Christian education and those little children in their uniforms ( how do their mommas get them so clean and crisp in that environment?) touch my heart. Thank you for posting about your trip. I cannot quit looking at the pics! Marcie
Ana - BEAUTIFUL POST ! I love it!
Did you know that Brazilian government has a peace force within the UN in Haiti? We did.
You are a blessed person for worrying about others. I admire you.
About the “intersting plant” let me tell you more about it.
It is very common here in Brazil and it’s known as COROA DE CRISTO, Crown-of-christ (Euphorbia milii)in english. It is a thorny shrub originating from Madagascar, widespread in Brazil, where it is used as an ornamental plant and as protection in hedges.
See, now you know more about the plant!
Katey Deasy - Thank you for sharing your amazing trip. God Bless You and the people you touched in Haiti.
Martha - You rock Meg. You are so real and that’s why your blog is so successful. Thanks
Susan - So enjoyed reading about this wonderful trip. Your pictures tell such a story!
Your post was a good “quiet time” for me this morning. Helps to put what I do
in perspective-rest of today.
Lorraine - Beautiful!!!! that wall was perfect!!! The colors, the people, the joy!!! I totally laughed out loud over the chicken on a leash!!!!! The stove project….what a beautiful thing!!!!
Lisa - Amen Amen Amen!!!! Love this post. Went to Haiti 14 yrs ago! Loved seeing your pictures. Brought back so many memories. I visited a christian Haitian church and heard them sing “I could sing of your love forever” in english and french. One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever listened too!
dani - Meg, you are SO awesome! Thank you for sharing this trip and your inspiring thoughts…you are a great example
Kate - Love you.
amy jupin - this whole post is so rad, i can’t stand it.
keep pushing us, meg.
keep sharing your heart.
keep listening to Jesus and the tugging inside your heart.
proud proud of you.
Brittany - Thank you for sharing! A beautiful place with beautiful people! So happy to see up close and personal where the money raised is going and the vendors. Loved the family with all those kids and edible baby! Keep doing the amazing work God has given you to do and keep sharing it with us, so inspiring!
Karyn - I don’t speak French AT ALL (even though I’m Canadian!) but my husband could understand that sign too. My friend lives and works with Clean Water for Haiti about an hour away from Port-au-Prince, and they actually speak Creole in Haiti – that’s probably what you were reading and why the spelling was all wrong. Just a friendly FYI. 🙂
Heather - What an amazing experience!
Americans are incredibly fussy about toilets. Travel around the world a bit, and you’ll lower your standards, even in first world countries.
At the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you have to pay to use the toilet and the attendant gives you a neatly folded strip of toilet paper. And there are no toilet seats at the Uffizi in Florence, Italy. Yes, a world class art museum, home of “The Birth of Venus” and other artwork of Renaissance masters, but no toilet seats. We were in Nice, France last fall and the toilets at the train station are unisex and you had to pay to use them.
Always carry plenty of Kleenex and some loose change in the local currency with you in case you have to pay to use the facilities. Just remember the kids’ book, “Everybody Poops!”
Carol S. - Sweet story and pictures. You be the hands and feet and we can supply the funds and lots of prayer. I bet you are inspiring others to travel and get involved as well. This is awesome work. I was in Haiti way back when cruise ships went there and remember a very beautiful place with very poor people (and so many artists/crafters.) Thank you for sharing all of this…every detail was enjoyed. Loved the gal’s bright pink top and skirt, lovely proud people.
Lindsey - Thanks for sharing and inspiring me be more.
Debby Graber - Love it, Megan! Thanks for sharing!!!!
Stephanie - This is amazing and makes me all teary.
Tiffany - Living (& Giving) your life for others is a grande way to live. Beautiful pictures. And your words were gentle & kind, thanks for sharing.
Amy - ok…so when I was in Haiti, I had to go to the bathroom in a bucket behind someone’s hut! When I tried to clean it out, they insisted on doing it…such sweet people! Your pics make me want to go back! And I love the ministry you’re involved with there.
happygirl - It’s amazing. I was in Haiti 35 years ago and it looks the same. Thanks for the pics.
Taryn - What a beautiful Word! May it take root in the hearts of all who read this!!!! Love you!
Jennifer Allred - You are authentic! Thank you!
Lennie Jackson - Thanks so much for sharing your story with us Meg. I hope that you continue to share with world how God works through you.
jen - love these photo’s! i reminds me so much of guatemala…they have the same “style” of buses. loved to see all about the stoves and the people who are making them. so great of you. i also loved seeing the sign on the wall behind the one vendor – the woman in pink – completely wrong spelling in french but i could still understand what it meant…it was phonetically correct! {i might have to ask you if i could borrow that to show around here – they are so protective of their language! ha!} anyways, awesome trip – awesome you!
Liz Botts - What an amazing post. What a great witness. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
gretchen - Amen!!
Paula S. - LOVE, LOVE the post! Thank you for sharing with us. So much to comment on…that pot is so beautiful and I want it….the “interesting” plant looks normal to me as a Floridian…I love your heart and actions for the Lord…and you really should have been in some of the pictures! 🙂
Lauren - love this so so so much.
Beth - Meg, I’m so glad you posted this today! I was wrapped up in your trip with all your beautiful, funny and sweet photos. So often I wonder if these things (ie the stoves) are real, if they help, if that $$ goes….and here it is–real life, real people, using this amazing thing to help their families and themselves. Thank you for sharing, thank you for going. I pray God uses this to His glory!!
kim - this post is incredible, meg.
my heart is overflowing with joy.
thank you for being obedient to the Lord, serving his people, inviting us to join with you in all of that, and sharing your experience.
i have been blessed this morning because of it.
i am excited. hopeful.
God is so good. He is working so often, in the little stuff, and the big stuff. and it’s a joy that we get to be a part of that!
amen. and amen.
Lisa M. - Wow, Meg, what an awesome post. These pictures tell such a story. They are beautiful. My husband and I host two children (brother & sister) in an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. We sponsor them through Mission Discovery (based in Texas). The project is “HOLD the Children” and they have a school and an orphange. By sponsoring these chidren, it gives them the opportunity to attend school and pays for basic needs that they might otherwise not be able to have.
But, I have never seen pictures like yours and wow is that an eye opener for me, as I am sure is for everyone who sees this post. Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse of what you saw and what is happening. And thank you for reminding us why we were put on this earth. Why we were created and what we are supposted to be doing.
Heather Simnitt - Thanks for being the Hands of Feet, Meg! Isn’t there amazing beauty in Haiti? I’m sure you were digging on all the colors!
Lori H - Meg, Haiti is perfect for you – all that color!! Beautiful children too. Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
Tressa Duerr - Best post ever!!! This is all just temporary. I need that reminder daily. Can’t wait to see where God leds you next. Thanks for sharing.
Angela A - I love you Meg. Thank you for sharing your heart and these beautiful pictures with us.
Janelle - Oh you just made me tear up a little. Amazing to think about Haiti sitting here in my little suburban home. It’s truly hard to imagine.
Tina Jacobsen - What a wonderful trip you were able to be a part of! Those children dancing and smiling…I want to take them all home!! I love your heart and your love for Jesus! Thanks for sharing it all with us!!
Tina Jacobsen
Michelle Whitlow - What wonderful photos & stories!!! I would so love to do something like that but with my Crohn’s disease there’s no way. Your bathroom story had me cracking up…esp since there’s no way I can ever ‘hold it’!!! haha