New Years Email

Hello from Haiti!

As the new year approaches I wanted to take a moment to send you new years blessings. Thank you so much for your prayers - you completely covered me and it is absolutely a miracle that I arrived on schedule on Wednesday. As many of you found out, my flight on Tuesday was cancelled and I was put on a new one that would have gotten me into Miami at 6pm on the 29th .... but my flight to Port au Prince was at 8:20am that same morning morning! Long story short, I was able to get a spot on a flight that was supposed to leave at 2:30pm on the 28th but was delayed in Toronto. After checking in I then proceed to go through customs (in the Toronto airport you clear US customs before leaving the country) and then ran into confusion regarding my visa status and really should have missed my flight because I got sent into secondary inspection but when I got there God put it on my heart to keep talking to the officer at the check in counter and I don't know what I said but somehow I got him to walk me back through customs and I got processed and on my flight. However, I was told that in Miami I would have to sort out the paperwork confusion so if you could please lift up m return trip as well it would be much - that I would have favor with the customs people and that everything will be sorted out smoothly without confusion or complication for my return.

We are now three days in and it has been WONDERFUL. I was talking with Amy & Burke and we all felt as if the energy here is different. Despite what the news is saying, it feels more alive, somehow. The airport is in significantly better condition than last time. The chaos I remembered... no more! It was so orderly, even exiting there is now a separator so that it is a lot more secure when you exit. Mama Florence was outside the last customs check when we stepped out into the warm, sunny Haitian morning. The drive to RENMEN proved to also be less chaotic than I remembered. No traffic jams and significantly less rubble in general in and along the streets. We saw police officers directing traffic in a few places and clean-up underway as well. Although, we didn't go any where near down town which was where the most damage was done, but I'm hopeful that there too has been progress. Mama says it has been much slower than people expected, but that there IS progress.

The children were surprised to have more visitors arrive two days after Sammy Jo & Burke and we have spent a lot of time catching up and just loving on them. My younger sister had prepared copies of a French coloring book telling the story of the birth of Jesus so that was an afternoon project yesterday. Last night, the foundation had an annual end-of-year party/fundraiser which included a talent show by the children. It is an event they look forward to each year and was really special to be able to share with them.

There has been a lot of work done at RENMEN since June. The kitchen is fully functioning (there wasn't one in the summer, it has been destroyed in the earthquake) and a new refrigerator, stove, washer & dryer are on their way (Florence had them donated and shipped via crate and is waiting to have the taxes sorted out by customs to be able to pick them up) thanks to a generous donation. All of the children are back in dorms! In June, the girls were still in tents and the boys sleeping in the school tent because of damages from the earthquake. The girls are now back in their dorms and the boys sleeping area has moved to where the medical clinic used to be as they wait for finances to be able to rebuild their dorm.

Amy, Burke, Emily, Sammy Jo & I have just spent time remembering 2010 and spending time to reflect on where God has taken us. None of us would have ever imagined being able to share this evening together, here in Haiti, with these special people. We are truly grateful for it. I am so grateful for all of you that made this possible for me, thank you for your support - whether it was by prayer or emotional or financial support without you I would not be here with these kids. I'm so grateful you are in my life.

May the Lord.... bless you and keep you;make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace today and in the year to come -Numbers 6:24-26.

In His love,

Melly

A day at RENMEN

Sorry for the randomness, but my journal was mostly just a bullet list of things :)

• lovin`the return of the spicey hatian pasta for breakfast
• LOTS of play time, coloring the naissance de Jesus bible story
• mobbed by kids when broke out stickers
• making thank you greeting card & taking pictures for people back home
• morning QT with the five of us in Momma`s room
• ZERO personal space (being intentional NOT to have any since our time with the kids is so short this round)
• temperature is amaaaazing
• kids feel different, entirely different comfort level with us... like family
• my hair gets done about 2x a day by different kids, cornrows are a hit with them, trying to keep patience level super high esp when it kinda hurts while they do it lol
• Rachelle sticks to me like glue at all times
• So happy to b here, can`t believe it is the end of 2010 already, wild to think of where I was at spiritually and emotionally a year ago. God is goooood Romans 12:2
• So grateful for everyone who allowed God to use them to get me here for the 2nd time in 6 months.... from me & the kids at RENMEN a great big MESI!

like coming home...

So amazing to be back. Airport pick up went sooo smoothly I can't believe I was ever even concerned over it. Mama was standing right outside the customs check point after we exited (she had made it past the security point so we didn't even have to leave the airport grounds before finding her).

The changes from 6 months ago were obvious from the moment we stepped off the plane and into the airport - now there is a separate area to fill out customs forms, the baggage claim areas were now separated (instead of one location for all incoming flights and total chaos trying to get bags).

We were in the truck within maybe 20 minutes of exiting and on our way to RENMEN. The streets seemed noticeably more orderly, less rubble, more people seemed to be going about the business of living life....

When we got to RENMEN the kids were in the yard trying to see who was in the truck as soon as the gates opened. Soooo much excitement and energy when they saw who was inside everyone began jumping and clapping. All of us in the truck were on the same energy/happiness high (obviously) and I (of course) began tearing up before I could even get out of the truck. Any and all thoughts/feelings of not wanting to come if there weas a chance of not being able to get back into the U.S. were completely gone. Of course this is worth it!!!!! This exact moment would be reason enough to take that risk. We fell over each other, the three of us, trying to get out of the truck and were absolutely mobbed with love.

Oliver is walking!!!!!

A few new faces are here but also a lot of saddness hit when we realized that a few faces were also gone - Marie-Danielle, Samantha, Magdala... :(

We spent the afternoon playing, had dinner and caught up with Burke and Sammy Jo who had gotten there a couple of days ahead of Amy, Emily, and I.

It feels like a complete time distortion right now - as if we hadn't left we are so comfortable and at ease here, feels like coming home in many ways... but also as if it has been ages ago because of all the "life" that's happened for all of us in the past 6 months....

The weather is beautiful - warm but not exhausting heat the way it was last June. Mama insisted that the four of us take her bedroom (Burke has taken Father Michel's who won't make it because of a back injury). We tried to argue her out of it but you know Mama... I've never met a more generous giving woman in my life.

So many amazing GOOD changes here not to forget for - the kitchen is done! And apparently appliances are on the way, just waiting in the latest crate that was shipped from Florida (but has been held up in customs).

Of course there was a dance party that fight night outside in the courtyard under the starry Haitian sky AND on a stage!? Watch it here!Apparently a new addition for the new-years talent show RENMEN is putting on for the neighborhood.

We danced for who knows how long under the starry Haitian sky, Leah (the newest and latest addition) bounced along in my arms 100% in beat with the rhythms like no baby I've ever seen,

she is going to be a fiesty sty one.

The girls are back sleeping in their dorms and the relief tents are gone!!! Praise God!!!

Hatian Dance Parties

Hands down some of our most favorite moments with the kids are the `dance parties`. Burk captured this one on the first night... stage was set up in advance of the end of year talent show.

http://public.fotki.com/silverpsyche/haiti/haiti-part-2/mvi-0061.html

a not-so-smooth departure

My departure today was anything but what I expected.

I finished packing at noon and planned to shower, finishing grading (yes I still had papers to mark), and have lunch with family before heading to the airport to catch my flight to Miami at 3pm. At 1pm I logged on to submit student grades and saw two emails flagged from the airline.

The first email notification: my flight with American Airlines was cancelled due to weather in New York (where my stopover was).

The second: The new flight would get to to Miami @ 6pm on Wednesday 12 hours too late for my flight out to Port-au-Prince on Insel Air.

I sent out a quick prayer request to my support team and then got on hold with AA for about 30minutes to see if there was another way to get to Miami in time for my flight to Haiti. The agent told me that the only flight with any seats open to Miami was at 2:30pm but because US customs is IN the Toronto airport there would not be enough time for me to get to the airport and clear customs to make the flight.

This is when panic mode set in. If I didn't make it to Miami I would loose might flight to Haiti because it was booked completely separately. I got on the phone with Amy (who had arranged for all 5 of our tickets from Miami to Haiti) to see if there was any way she could see if there was a way to change my Miami-Haiti ticket to the following day (I had accepted the fact I wasn't going to make it with the other four based on the conversation with AA). All the while, I kept thinking how going on my phone, arriving in Port-au-Prince was not my plan, that airport arrival fear surfacing again. Amy pushed me saying that she didn't see how it was possible that I wouldn't be on the same flight as them and to get on the phone again with AA and not accept no for an answer (she was eerily calm and certain things wouldn't play out any other way than what we had planned). Something about her voice made me think if I was so sure about this entire return trip in the first place, why accept the airline agents answers about there not being a way to get there on time?

So, I called again. This time, the agent said the 2:30pm fight, the only one with any seats, had been delayed until 4pm. There were two seats left. According to the agent, there was a 50/50 chance I'd get on because it was likely the plane would be overbooked due to all the flight cancellations. But, the said it was worth a shot and to get to the airport ASAP.

I have never seen my family move so fast night my life. Within 5 minutes, all 5 of us were in the car and on our way. Mad dash of goodbyes and low and behold I was checked in with a seat... but... that isn't the end of the story.

Because then there was customs. You know when you just look at a customs agent and have that feeling that you hope you get someone else? Well, sure enough the one that I had that feeling about was the agent I got sent to. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I just knew. So, when he wasn't to take my I-94/TN visa paper I was pretty sure that if that happened I would loose all proof of eligibility to work/return to the US for work after finishing in Haiti. I need that permit to prove my work authorization. I asked to speak to someone else about it, since there was not point in arguing with the agent, and at that point he proceeded to send me to secondary inspection.

Secondary inspection is not a place you want to get sent to when you have less than 60 minutes to board your flight. Secondary inspection is the bowels of customs. I tried to explain the situation when they were checking me in there, but was pretty much told to sit and wait my turn in the room full of people ahead of me. There were enough people in there to make what I thought would be a 3-4 hour wait. I sat down all the while praying and remembered my talk with Amy earlier and how she had said not to accept no with the airlines and not to be timid. That if I had been so sure about this to behave on that surety. I knew if I sat down and accepted the wait that there was no way I would get on my plane, and I already knew that this flight was my only hope, so...... I went back to the agent who signed me in to secondary and tried again. All the while thinking this didn't make sense, pushing this would probably just make him angry and increase my wait time.... but somehow, whatever I said seemed to cause him to see the situation in a different light and somehow that is beyond me I found him walking me back to the original agent, getting the acting supervisor to come over, and getting the go ahead to go through! My departure has been anything but smoothed, but despite everything that happened I am still on schedule and, because of everything, I have just experienced first hand God's power and sovereignty. I feel as if He is showing me just how in control He is... and so I am grateful that today played out the way that it did.

However, the final customs agents did tell me I would have to surrender my I-94/TN paper when leaving Miami because apparently my work status does not allow me to leave North America (I didn't want to push the subject and ask if Haiti wasn't in North America, what content is it in exactly?). So, here I am, sitting in my seat on a plane to Miami with the very real possibility that once I leave Miami tomorrow morning I may not be able to come back to the US.... I am totally in Father's hands. Trusting in His promise never to leave or forsake and praying for a deepening of my trust in Him. And, remembering that he has drawn me with loving kindness; that I am loved by an everlasting love... that I am to love recklessly because it is what He designed me to do.

2: Corinthians 5:13-15: If we are "out of our mind," as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced hat one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Zechariah 8 <3

I really am at a loss for words.

Lorna & Peter Hughey,Gary Dinkel & Alberta Piché, Rodney & Annette, Mike & Jess, Matthew Phillips.... THANK YOU!!! You generosity is so touching... often what matters most in life is how we respond to life... your response to give truly is a gift. These kids are going to be so blessed because of you.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory. Ephesians 3:20

Christmas card fundraiser & other surprises

I came home for Christmas late last week to find out that my little sister has created & sold "Hope for Haiti" Christmas cards to help fund my trip back to RENMEN... that my mother has collected FRENCH children's books (gently used from church friends).... and that to my great surprise the entire family is supportive and behind my return trip, despite the situation there. This has been the best Christmas visit so far ever. We went to get a French bible today (since Father Michel isn't returning I wanted to have one with us) and were overjoyed to discover a Creole new testament as well as French bible-story coloring books, and stickers. Those were Christmas presents to me from my sisters. The only Christmas present I wanted this year was to enjoy these 10 days with my family and to be used to bring some joy to the kids at RENMEN, God willing, for the time we'll be there. I'm so grateful right now for my family coming along side me in this. God is so good!

because pictures speak louder than words...

(turn the volume off at the bottom of the page or click HERE TO OPEN VIDEO ON A NEW PAGE)

Haiti, June 2010. from TIffany Handley on Vimeo.

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart....

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5

I'm grateful that God put it on my heart to blog this entire process of His breaking my heart for Haiti because He has used it, my own writing, to remind me of His faithfulness and His plans for me.

This past week I found out that both AIM and the Rock Church are cancelling their upcoming missions trips to Haiti. And while I don't put much stock in news reports and the world at large when it comes to where it is "safe" to go if I sense God calling me there (sorry Mom and Dad, but I know this isn't news to you) to hear that two Christ-centered, prayer-led organizations that I trust are postponing trips due to risk assessment....well, I have to be honest and admit I paused.

I took a good long pause and thought about how "smart" it was to head back to Haiti in December. How "smart" it was for three girls to our own to return to RENMEN in the midst of cholera outbreaks and riots. I allowed my head to entertain thoughts of postponing my return. I entertained thoughts questioning whether my planned return was God's will for me or mine. It went so far as a conversation with one of the other girls who has booked a plane ticket that went something along the lines of well its not as if we couldn't change the trip dates and wait until June, it wouldn't be a bad thing to spend more time with families, and so on.

But, it was after sending out a prayer request, and no doubt due to the prayers I know were sent up(by the way, prayer warriors I LOVE you guys), that God spoke loud and clear and absolutely convicted me of His will for me during a prayer walk yesterday (Saturday). He reminded me of my prayer to Him, by the pool, where I said to Him that if He provided the finances I would return to RENMEN. God reminded me that I didn't pray that the conditions there would get better, that it would get safer, that there would be less risk... what I asked of Him was that if it was His will for me to return that He would show it through financial provision. And, as my blog testifies from the past few entries God provided AND THEN SOME. Without my doing ANYTHING.

When this hit me I all but started weeping (grateful for sunglasses) while I was walking... wondering why it is so easy us to forget and question that God speaks to us and shows us His will in the tangible ways that we ask for. I mean, He used a missionary to provide the finances for me and here I was already forgetting and questioning if I am supposed to go back!

So, I'm returning. Over the winter holidays, which was the vision God first gave me of returning before I had even left the first time. Actually, the first seed God ever planted in my heart for going to Haiti was to be there over winter holidays, before the earthquake ever happened, when Haiti was first put on my heart in late summer of 2009... I know, without a doubt, that God has purposed this for me. He gently reminded me of how He carried me through the first round of fear I had (I wrote an entire blog entry on "doing it afraid") . He hasn't said it is going to be an easy trip, that it is going to be without incident, but He has promised not to leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).

God has reminded me that He has given me not a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline ( 2 Timothy 1;7). And when God says go, when you love Him, you don't question... you obey (Father please forgive me for questioning you). You trust Him without leaning on your own understanding.

He has also kept putting Psalm 91:7 in my head over and over again - though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you (I didn't actually know what the verse was but while I was praying He put the words in my head so I looked it up and now I know the reference).

And, perhaps the most touching thing that happened this week was Him moving those close to me, my mom specifically, by giving her words directly that have spoken to her anxieties and comforted her (Luke 8:50 Don't be afraid. Just believe, and YOUR DAUGHTER will be well)so that she comforted me. Bless her for wanting to protect me and keep me safe because she said she waited two days to give me those words 'cause she didn't want them to be what solidified my decision to go back. BUT, that is even further testament to God's perfect timing because the day she did was the same day I started off questioning and then became convicted of my lack of trust.

It shouldn't amazing me that God knows what we need before we do, but it still does. I'm so humbled by His goodness, and patience, and grace... that even when we are faithless He is faithful... His love is just the most incredible thing. Words really fail me here.

I'm reminded tonight of something I read by Oswald Chambers in a devotional a few weeks back:

As long as you maintain your own personal interests and ambitions, you cannot be completely aligned or identified with God’s interests. This can only be accomplished by giving up all of your personal plans once and for all, and by allowing God to take you directly into His purpose for the world. Your understanding of your ways must also be surrendered, because they are now the ways of the Lord. I must learn that the purpose of my life belongs to God, not me.

The purposes of my life belong to God, not me.

Dear Father, thank you for your infinite patience, forgiveness, and grace; thank you for taking me to the end of myself, and for overlooking my moments of forgetful faithlessness along the way; thank you for continually tearing down the things I believe and replacing them with THE TRUTH; thank you for filling me with a hunger than only you can satisfy; thank you for continually reminding me that YOU are always THE answer; thank you for loving me with an everlasting love.

Love, Melly

**UPDATE** and the Rock February trip is back on!!!!!! Amen!!!

sacrificial giving... a reality "check"

Huge reality check today that challenged my understanding of what it means to give sacrificially.

I'm sitting here staring at an envelop from a dear friend of mine who has sold all her her possessions and left her life behind to spend 11 months as a missionary, ministering in 11 different countries. In the envelop... a check for $160.00.

The remainder of what I need to cover my expenses to return to Haiti. From a missionary.

Apart from the woman who runs RENMEN, I can't think of another woman I've been blessed to have personally met who inspires or encourages me more by their acts of selflessness.

Francis Chan writes in Crazy Love that "God's definition of what matters is pretty straight forward. He measures our lives by how we love". Michelle Smith, you love with a force that can only be explained by Christ working in and through you.

I am blessed beyond words to be the receiver tonight of just one aspect of how He is working in you. When I set foot in RENMEN and get to wrap my arms around those children again please know you are right there with me wrapping your arms around them too. I'm humbled to know you and to be able to call you a friend and sister. Thank you for continually showing me what it looks like to walk by faith, not by sight!

Proverbs 18:16

A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.

Sometimes God just knocks the breath right out of me. Apart from my last blog, I haven't done any support raising for my return trip to Haiti. Emphasis on I. Yet again, God shows up to make it clear He has it worked out....

Today, not one but TWO wonderful people handed me cash to support the trip. Their support combined gives me enough to buy the plane ticket for the last leg of my trip! As much as I might like Miami, I hadn't planned on moving there so I'm very grateful to be able to buy this plane ticket to get back to San Diego on January 5th. With the pressure off of transportation, I can now focus on raising support for the costs of staying at RENMEN (she's asked for a 20$/day towards room/board) and raising money for the kids.

Big thanks to Anthony & Bernie, you guys are such a blessing & encouragement and I am so grateful for you! May the Lord reward you for your kindness...May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done. ~ Ruth 1:8/2:12

.:love:.

photo courtesy of Tiffany Handley

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

- Galatians 5:6 -

True faith manifests itself through our actions.

-Francis Chan-

Returning to RENMEN!

As promised.... the details. And, a bit of an update...


I remember the exact moment I first consciously acknowledged that God was putting it on my heart to return to Haiti. I was sitting by the sludge-free pool with Emily after our team had cleaned it out with the kids. Afterwards, I remember praying that if God provided the finances, I would return not just to Haiti but specifically to the children at RENMEN....fast forward to days after I get back to San Diego. An unexpected email about a bonus I was told I wasn't going to get. In the email in June, I was told that there had been a change and we would in fact be getting a bonus for the amount of $600. For me, this was confirmation of the call to return; I set that money aside and promised that I would use it to honor God's calling on my heart.


In the meantime, the older children at RENMEN use the computers to write me letters via Facebook (yes, amazing how far reaching social networks go!) that pull my heart in ways I can't put into words. My heart has become like a wild garden with corners and spaces that God brings light and love to through their words and love. Yes, the children bring me love. It still blows my mind how much God uses them to show me and teach me about His love for me.


Through the past three months my car has broken down (yes, again), I've had to replace a cell phone, and pay for major work on my computer because of a virus. I've also had to give up my current housing because of rent increase, look for new housing, and budget for costs that go along with that. All of these expenses were not included in my budget, which was extremly tight from not working in June and minimally in July. But I refused to touch that money. And just as He promises, God has carried me through. I wish I could say I haven't been anxious at all over the past three months, but through that God has been patient with me, teaching me to let go of worry and what walking with Him looks and feels like when you lay that worry down:

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to to his life? Matthew 6:25

Not only has God carried me through, He blessed me with unexpected work in September that has enabled me to almost clear a debt that needs to be paid off by the end of October. And, as of October 1st, I now have health insurance provided for through work even though I am still part time.


My hunger for God has grown exponentially since Haiti. I'm about 2/3 of the way through a 40 day fast, which started off as a food-fast from sun up to sundown and quickly became a full out, liquids-only fast. In and of itself to talk about this experience would be an entirely new blog... There's no denying that I want more. C.S. Lewis writes:

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.

I'm walking in the weight of this.


And so, that $600.00 remained untouched. Waiting for God's timing to be used. Until today. Today, it was used to purchase a one way plane ticket from Toronto on Dec. 29th (where I will be for the holidays) to Miami, and a return ticket for Miami to Port-au-Prince from December 29th- January 5th. So yes, that means I will be spending New Years Eve with 55 children in Haiti and I can't think of anywhere on earth I would rather be!


I currently do not have enough funds to purchas a ticket from Miami to San Diego, or to cover the $20 a day it will cost for room, board, and transportation while I am at RENMEN from Dec. 29th-January 5th. But I KNOW God will provide. I can't wait to see when, where, and who He will use, but to know that somehow He will be taking me back to those children has given me an overwhelming sense of peace. They own a huge chunk of real estate in my heart and we (Amy & Emily are also returning with me) have asked Mama Florence to keep it a secret from them so we can be a Christmas surprise. Mama wrote us today saying:

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXITED AND VERY HAPPY . The kids will have a blessed holiday with you around, they were asking this afternoon "is there anyway they will see you one day" and I gave them a flat "No, they went to make other kids happy." Bless you all.

And so tonight I sit in a peace that is beyond all understanding, a joy that is complete, a love that is faithful; tonight I sit in expectancy for how God is going to continue to move in my life in ways that humble me and bring my heart to it's knees.


If you are reading this and God has put it on your heart in any way to support me, whether it is in prayer or financially, in my returning to Haiti and RENMEN please don't hesitate to contact me (mdpiche@gmail.com). I need to raise another $390 to be fully supported.


Or, if a burden has been placed on your heart the way it has mine to make a committment to these children, to let them know they are not forgotten 10 months after the earthquake, and you have a desire to sponsor their education or even come with me to Haiti, please prayerfully consider taking a step of faith and contact me to find out how you can be a part of loving on God's children.

How to Sponsor a Child at RENMEN

The children of RENMEN are now in recess from school and will begin again October 4th for another session. Education in Haiti is not free, there is a dollar amount attached in going to school at all levels.

And so Florence Thybulle (Director/Founder), and the Board of Directors, have sent out an appeal: sponsoring one of the children to go to school will cost from $40US to $50US per month and this includes the monthly fee for school, transport and lunch while they are out of the orphanage. There are 5 boys and 31 girls that attend school outside of RENMEN.

These children are very talented and to deprive them from an education would be very sad. There is currently one sponsor from Florida who was able to get a scholarship for one of our girls and possibly for a second one as well. It's people like you who make a can make a huge difference in improving the lives of these children, an consequently the future of Haiti, through enabling them to receive quality education so that they can contribute back to their community.

With 55+ children living at RENMEN full time this is not easy and the goal of the foundation is to make sure the children are well educated so that in the future they can make this country and this world a better place to live in. On behalf of our president and founder, Florence Thybulle, and the Board of Directors, I want to say THANK YOU in advance for listening to your heart and considering if you are able to make a contribution to RENMEN so that a child will have a good and solid education. A sponsorshp form is available for download here. Please note that the RENMEN Foundation is a US registered non-profit organization under Internal Revenue code section 501(c)(3).

You can also donate directly to RENMEN via the foundation's PayPal account here.

For further information on how to begin the sponsorship process, please contact us by...

eMail: foyerenmen@hotmail.com

Phone: 011-509-3464-5399 / 011-509-3476-5050

Returning to RENMEN: Support needed

Dear friends and family,

I'm happy to tell you that I am returning to the RENMEN Foundation in Haiti from Dec. 29-Jan.5th! I am currently trying to raise prayer & financial support. If you are able to help in any way, please contact me via email: mdpiche@gmail.com. I need approximately another $390.00 to cover the remaining costs for airfare and room-and-board while I am there.

Thanks so much!

" The best way I can talk about Haiti"~Tiffany Handley

It's official... Surprising the children & returning to RENMEN late December! Details to follow....

(turn the volume off at the bottom of the page or click HERE TO OPEN VIDEO ON A NEW PAGE)

Haiti, June 2010. from TIffany Handley on Vimeo.

Journal entries being posted...

Not sure how/if these are showing up to subscribers... but I'm going through the process of transferring my extra handwritten journal entries into the blog to keep an entire record of the pre/during/post processing I went through. I'm uploading them according to the original date/time I wrote them in June.

Snapshots of June @ RENMEN

Photo album personalized with Smilebox

worship under the mango tree @ RENMEN

Strengthen the Church. Strengthen Haiti.

After spending a month in Haiti it became very apparent to me that hope for Haiti won't come through physical relief aid, which would just serve as band aid to the turmoil and destitution the country was in long before the earthquake, but from relationship building.

Real hope, lasting transformation, will come from the outside world coming in and empowering the local communities directly (not through third parties) to take ownership of their nation.

AIM is trying to do exactly this. Through programs like the WR Haiti Relief Trip that I went on in June (the next one is in November!), as well as their Church-to-Church initiative.

Watch this short clip on Journey Community Church of San Diego, CA and the Church of God Mission by Faith of Carrefour, Haiti. They were connected through AIM's Church-to-Church Initiative. See what the partnership means to them and learn how your church can get connected with a church in Haiti to help rebuild their country.

Over the next few days I plan on posting some of the journaling I did over the course of my month in Haiti. It's been a bit of a process returning back to "normal" life here in North America so my apologies for the delay. Thanks again so much to everyone who supported me, I couldn't have gone without each and everyone one of you who encouraged me emotionally, financially, and spiritually. It was an incredible and life changing experience and, God willing, I plan on going back within the year to RENMEN and the 55 children who captured my heart.

Actor Sean Penn on situation in Haiti

Click to watch interview with Sean Penn on Monday, July 19, 2010 (Aired on July 19th on KPBS).

RENMEN now on Facebook!

My latest project for RENMEN...

makeshift camp in Port-au-Prince

To my incredible family and friends... (copy of thank you letter)

Dear Friends and Family,

I’m still trying to figure out exactly how long I was in Haiti. According to the calendar it was only a month, but the number of truths, experiences, and miracles God revealed to me were enough to last at least five. Forgive the delay in sending out this letter, but I realized, soon after returning that words seem too shallow to express the ways God’s Spirit worked through my team. What I can tell you, is that God shattered every expectation that you or I could ever imagine from a ‘mission trip’. I’d first like to sincerely thank you for the part you played in influencing so many lives, including my own. Even before I arrived in Haiti, God was already using you to teach me lessons in giving – whether financially or in prayer.

Had anyone told me even two years ago I’d be visiting Haiti I probably wouldn’t have believed them. Haiti was not on my radar as a place to travel until about a year ago, and after getting to spend the month of June there I’m so happy to tell you that I honestly cannot wait to return and once again witness God using a tragedy to glorify His Kingdom. Though it’s estimated that nearly 300,000 Haitians were killed in the January earthquake, and a million other’s left homeless, I saw firsthand Haiti’s spiritual awakening and lives being changed forever.

My team was sent to the RENMEN Orphanage (http://renmenhaiti.org/), just outside of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where the earthquake occurred. Though we arrived ready to work, we quickly found that God had more planned for us than just physical labor. After falling in love with the 55 children at the orphanage, we ministered to them by playing soccer and football, working on projects, leading Sunday church, having Bible studies, and enjoying the World Cup. Experiencing sincere unity with each other, my team was able to pour our hearts into each other, and the children. During this time of giving, God revealed so much to me, and opened my eyes to Spiritual Gifts in me that I previously never thought possible.

We were all called to ministry to different children in different ways. The men in our group were called to focus our ministry on the 10 boys at the orphanage. Each boy had a unique, heartbreaking story. There was Frantze, the 17-year-old that grew up as a slave in his own family, and Papoosh, whose mother died from AIDS soon after admitting to him that she was a prostitute. Most of the girls were called to minister to the younger children and spent hours playing and loving on them. I, however, was called to the older girls. Speaking French was a divine appointment and I got to bond with them in such a special way. I am still blown away by the fact that as much as I thought I was being sent to Haiti to help and minister to others, these young women in fact ministered to me and taught me so much about love and servant hood. For the part you played, thank you. You can see photos and learn about the individual children by visiting the RENMEN page on Facebook.

I am overwhelmingly appreciative for the prayers and financial support I received, and look forward to telling you about the future plans God has for me. My heart literally aches to go back to RENMEN and the 65 children who own a substantial portion of my heart. God willing, if I am able to raise the support fund again I am planning to return to in late December.

Best,

Melanie Piche

team ungaged: haiti dance-off champions!

Team Uncaged - Haiti Dance Off from warren cheely on Vimeo.

team bonding

worship @ Renmen

Porch Sitting vs Porch Sleeping

Porch Sitting vs Porch Sleeping

US Senate report says Haiti rebuilding has stalled - Boston.com

US Senate report says Haiti rebuilding has stalled

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti has made little progress in rebuilding in the five months since its earthquake, because of an absence of leadership, disagreements among donors and general disorganization, a U.S. Senate report says.

Obtained Monday by The Associated Press, the eight-page report is meant to give Congress a picture of Haiti today as U.S. legislators consider authorizing $2 billion to support the country's reconstruction.

That picture is grim: Millions displaced from their homes, rubble and collapsed buildings still dominating the landscape. Three weeks into hurricane season, with tropical rains lashing the capital daily, construction is being held up by land disputes and customs delays while plans for moving people out of tent-and-tarp settlements remain in "early draft form," it says.

The report was written by staff of Sen. John Kerry, the Massachuetts Democrat who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and other Democrats who interviewed U.S., Haitian, United Nations and other officials and visited resettlement camps, hospitals and schools throughout the quake zone.

"While many immediate humanitarian relief priorities appear to have been met, there are troubling signs that the recovery and longer term rebuilding activities are flagging," said the report, which is scheduled to be released Tuesday.

Three times it says the rebuilding process has "stalled" since the Jan. 12 disaster.

The report also criticizes the government of Haitian President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive, saying it has "not done an effective job of communicating to Haitians that it is in charge and ready to lead the rebuilding effort." The report calls on Preval to take a "more visible and active role, despite the difficulties."

Bellerive responded to the criticism in a Monday interview with the AP. He said officials are working hard behind the scenes to ensure reconstruction does not simply mean the rebuilding of barely livable slums.

"We understand the impatience and we are the ones more frustrated than anybody," the prime minister said. "It took some time. I believe four months (since a U.N. donors' conference in March) to plan the refoundation from such a disaster is pretty acceptable."

With a chuckle, he also said it is unfair for U.S. officials to take him to task when the Senate still has not approved aid money that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton promised at the donors' conference.

"They ask me to move more projects when the money is still on hold," Bellerive said.

In all, just 2 percent of the $5.3 billion in near-term aid pledges have actually been delivered, up from 1 percent last week.

The report expresses concerns that even once the money is in hand, it will not move quickly enough to help. The funds are managed by a 26-member reconstruction commission led by Bellerive and former U.S. President Bill Clinton that started its operations last week.

While the report calls the commission the "best near-term prospect for driving rebuilding," it also says the panel "has the potential to dramatically slow things down through cumbersome bureaucratic obstacles at a time when Haiti cannot afford to delay."

The report notes disagreements among donors over strategy, approach and priorities, saying the disputes "are undercutting recovery and rebuilding."

The reconstruction panel includes representatives of donors who pledged at least $100 million in cash or $200 million of debt relief, including the United States, Venezuela, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank.

Bellerive said the report's criticism that the panel has been too slow in organizing is already moot. "We had a meeting, we have an office, we have administrative support," he said.

One thing on which all parties agree is the importance of November elections. The legislature has almost entirely dissolved after members' terms expired because the quake forced the cancellation of February legislative elections. Preval's five-year term ends next February; an attempt to prolong his term by several months if elections are not held resulted in protesters clashing with police in front of the ruins of the presidential palace.

Failing to hold the November elections on time, even despite the losses of the electoral commission's headquarters and records, could imperil "Haiti's fragile democracy," the report says. But it expresses limited optimism that a plan for holding the vote is "apparently imminent."

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Haiti: Journal Entry #16

I've been sick for a week. I started getting really frustrated this past weekend because I haven't been able to "do" as much as I'd like to be doing here. In fact, this whole trip has been quite the reverse from what most of us expected. Just how much rest He has given us and how tired we all are became very apparent when the four teams converged and shared what they've been "doing". Most teams are building, doing VBS', etc. Most teams are in bed by 8pm and up at 5am. We in Uncaged, on the other hand, are up late into the night and don't have to be at breakfast until 8am.

I started feeling really useless in that comparison. And now with my voice gone because I'm sick, I haven't even been able to translate/talk for the team - the one real skill I've felt able to bring to the table here. I physically cannot speak. I've felt God saying to be still for some time but today I'm forced to be still because of being sick and loosing my voice - I'm actually separated from everyone, in a back room by myself while they are out working on the wall.

And then today, with the sicknesss and no voice and forced rest/alone time, it all starts coming together. I feel somewhere in the past few months that "doing" has become more important to me than "being".

That serving has become my identity.

Like God will love me less if I'm not out there serving, or I have to make up for past mistakes and wanderings away from Him by doing more now.

Wow.

It hits me like a load of bricks, realizing these things I've been walking in without realizing it.

And I knew before the trip that I needed to rest. But i kept on taking on more so how ironic to bring me here and get me sick to really force me to sit down and be with Him in order to get it through my thick skull that all this time, I still haven't fully grasped the gospel of G-R-A-C-E!!

It seems like God is trying to impress the message on me that He wants to carry me into a new season - one of relationship and becoming who I am in Christ, not in my serving, not in my external relationships and obligations... and a season to learn how He, God, the maker of heaven and earth, feels about me (ME?!?!) outside of my serving Him, regardless of anything I do for Him. What the heck was I thinking....without knowing I was thinking it... God doesn't need me... He wants me... and sometimes it is more glorifying to stop and be with him than to be doing things for Him.

I can barely wrap my mind around this right now. The weight of grace is on me. How did I miss this for so long...

Haiti: Journal Entry #15

Three of our teams converged yesterday and took a bus to a place called Jacmel, on the ocean, for a weekend off. Funny how we've become family and stayed pretty much to our own teams for the most part...The air and ocean here are clear, warm, and turquoise blue. I'm having a hard time staying focused on the present. I keep getting pulled into the unknown of the future. So many of us are headed into the unknown. For me, its not knowing if I'll have work. Needing a new roommate (I got an email from one of mine saying she's moving out in August). I don't know what the Fall will look like at all. Am I going to be called to go somewhere else or stay in San Diego? This place feels more real then life back in California... I don't want to leave. I'm by no means saying its perfect here. It is a wasteland and that is hard to walk through but the community of love here... the relationships that are being built with the kids and each other are so precious. Talking with the other teams I realise how privileged we've been to be at RENMEN. I almost fee l like we haven't been "working" because most of the physical stuff we've started keeps running into road blocks. But, I really feel like our ministry has been relational - for RENMEN but also between each other. Last night after everyone went to bed our team decided to take Florence's (Mama's) brother up on his offer to take us out. Just the ten of us.... at the end of the night Tiffany and Sammy Jo ended up in the ocean in the dark... somehow I feel more free and liberated here. But I'm SO quiet. I feel like there is still part of me holding back from letting people really know me. I haven't got a clue why... part of it maybe is I'm afraid of attachment and leaving people, of being left. I have this overwhelming fear that's been built up from my past. But I am careful to remember the people who have stayed for the long run, too... but not physically. All the people I've gotten closest too have physically left. I'm tired of being alone. I'm worn out from "independence". The truth of that is hitting me. I'm really exhausted of building relationships and having people leave/move. I know that's life. I know God can use people to love me where I am at different times and for different lengths of times, but my fear of people leaving and of being hurt has become almost crippling, , not letting me let anyone get real, get close. I guess I believe everyone leaves but Christ. This might be true, but I also know it doesn't mean I should build walls to keep people out and be alone... I know we are called to community. But reality is my walls are still up. I'm struggling....

Renmen

Read more about Renmen Home here. Photos are added here from our team on a regular basis.

Haiti: Journal Entry #14

Yesterday Papouch & father Michel took us into the tent cities for the first time. The first thing I notices was the walls.

They do not want outsiders coming in.

All eyes were on us, even with Papouch.

We sat down with the leaders of this community who wanted to know our "objective". No one seems to understand that our only "objective" is to sit and pray with the people. I can see why, however, to them that seems crazy. This is their life. Now a show. Not something you walk through to look at and leave. We broke off from Heather who was talking with the leaders because it was too difficult with 1o of us, it was feeling like an interrogation. So, the rest of us stated to sing and play with the kids that had gathered around. Half clothed children. Severely malnourished. Somehow, during this time she got permission for us to walk through this wasteland to pray. Maybe it had something to do with them seeing us interact with children. By this time, a large group of adults had joined in the circle we made. I was teaching them a clapping/singing game I learned in girl scouts wayyy back a long time ago.

We said goodbye and began walking with Papouch and a couple of the leaders through the gamp. Garbage everywhere. Tarp tents without windows in muddy dirt. Broken bottles, garbage, feces... all that kids, half clothed, were walking through barefoot as they trailed along with us. I had a really hard time interacting with them because I had to keep detached to avoid breaking down right there. At the end we saw Samaritans purse tarps and were told they were building schools. The first signs of rebuilding at least were focused on the kids. But where were the kids? We had a dozen maybe with us but in a tent city of 1,400 they told us there are approximately 750 children.... They tell us 500 homes have been promised to be built here. What will happen to the rest of the people? No answer was given when I tried to ask how they decide who will get homes, and who will have to leave. There are radio towers in the middle of the camp that act as lightening rods. Virtually no working government so the tent cities have established their own governing committees. Corruption. My heart is so heavy. But, on the mountains in the distance that we can see from the tent city there are rocks that are placed in the shape of a cross. A sign of hope.

We walked out to the streets in the head of the day to head to the next site. I saw butterflies. I keep seeing butterflies.

Papouch took us to a building, some other kind of foundation, to get water and take a break from the heat. I broke down when the woman in charge explained how food is a privileged in Haiti. How it should be an obligation to feed children, but that it is a privilege. My heart breaks for a place where the experience of love is a privilege. God loves everyone. As family in Christ we are called to love in His name. I know we want to give them something lasting beyond the physical but we are also called to clothe & feed the poor, the orphans, the widows... Love people tangibly as an act of worship and through that being Christ's love and build relationships that point to him... Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.~ Matt 25:40