Update... finally.
Holy... what a year this has been so far! (This will probably be really long... just to warn you... sorry!)
There is so much to tell you guys! God has been so good through what this year has thrown at me, but it has been really hard. The theme of my year so far have been redemption - as God has been showing me how He takes the crap and uses it for His glory.
Ok, so back to this past December. I was having a pretty good year. I had started coaching competitive gymnastics in September, which was a challenge, but such a good change. My girls were 9/10 years old and competing at Provincial level 2. School was going well. I had decided to do an Independent Research Project, which was kicking my butt, but stretching me and showing me what I really could accomplish. By December I had already submitted my research proposal (40 some odd pages including appendices) and an ethics proposal (25 ish pages) which was way more than I had ever imagined doing. I was even starting to realize that I can do grad school if I choose - something I have been totally against in the past.
The first of the hits came that December, when I got a call from my mom, saying that my grade 2 and 4 teacher, Mme. Annick, had called my house. She said that she was dying from cancer and wanted me to come pick up a bunch of her teaching supplies. This woman was my hero. What i remember from her teaching and my experiences with her is what I have modelled my teaching philosophy after.
Although this was a blow, I spent some time with her and picked up boxes (even after going through it and getting rid of some, I still have around 10 boxes - including a classroom Christmas tree!!). What a blessing it was to spend time with her, and to get so much support, encouragement, and stuff from a woman who I love and respect deeply.
I left in January for Haiti. I was paying my own way so that I could go see the girl that I have been sponsoring there for 8 years. This was the second attempt to go see her - the first time there was a coup, so we couldn't go. We had this 'diplomatic arrival' which I was a bit frustrated with. We had to dress 'diplomatically' but it was while no one could take carry ons so we had to wear the clothes all day which bugged me (goes to show that I should really stop complaining!!). We got into Haiti and ended up in an air conditioned lounge with leather seats while other people did our Visas and got our bags. This took longer than it would have taken us if we had gone through the normal way, which made us pretty nervous because Port au Prince (PaP) is not safe when it's dark.
(Just before getting on to our bus)
Just as we loaded our bus and started on our way, my mom commented "Let the adventure begin." Our bus diver took us through the community, because it was rush hour. About 5 minutes away from the airport, the earthquake hit. We spent the next 3.5 hours driving through the streets, seeing the aftermath of a huge earthquake in a third world country. It was strange to be in such a disaster, but only hear one siren the whole time.
We ended up at the Compassion Haiti office, which was damaged. Across the street (man God plans ahead!) was the Canadian Embassy. We got off the bus, a man held out his hand, and said "Welcome to Canada." Thank you God that I am a Canadian!!! We spent that night sleeping in cars and on the ground in the Embassy compound. I can't forget the sounds of that night - wailing, screaming, and the sounds of buildings collapsing as the ground continued to shake.
It was at the Embassy that we found out that people from our flight died in the hotel that we were headed to. The diplomatic arrival (something that the president of Compassion Canada has never had in his many trips to Haiti) and the accompanying delay saved our lives. God's incredible protection eh?
The next day we were escorted by US convoy to the military Hercules plane that took us home. On the way I got a chance to talk to our Haitian driver, who told me about his home and everything he had being destroyed. We also counted the bodies on the side of the road. One block we stopped counting at thirty.
Our military is amazing! They did everything they could to make our experience good... at least some good out of an awful experience. I hung out with the crew in the cockpit, and even studied while sitting in the captain's chair!
I came home, and I jumped right back into life and school. I now see that I learned that this is what I had to do from my friend's death in High School... another way that God has shown his redemption! It was a hard few months, and although I never blamed God, I struggled with why I didn't feel I was getting better. God has been working in me, and has been teaching me about His peace and healing over the last few months. I'm still not back to "normal" (I am cleaning my room for the first time since the earthquake this week) - my ability to organize and plan has been greatly impacted (sorry Viktor... not being able to get to your wedding was a part of this... I'm really sorry!).
I got my research done, and was able to graduate with decent grades. At the end of February I found out that Mme. Annick had passed away, although I did get a chance to see her once after Haiti.
In June (maybe May) I watched my dog die. I know, it sounds lame, but I was still so sensitive to death that it really hit me pretty badly.
Anyways, it is late and I am really loosing my train of thought. It has been a tough year, but I am seeing so many ways that God is using and redeeming my experience. I have been speaking a lot at schools and fundraisers. I am mentoring a 15 year old girl who was born in Haiti, but was adopted into a Canadian family at 2 years old. She went back to do some volunteer work after the earthquake, but it really hit her. She didn't go back to school... but God is working in her. It is so cool!
God also used Haiti to really confirm my relationship with Mike. I didn't want to be with anyone else, even though he didn't understand. He was so good and wonderful for the months after where he was mostly ignored because I couldn't handle anyone else's needs, let alone my own. We are doing really well, and God has been so good to us in the ways that he has been providing for us, and for our future.
Although I have no sense of a 'new' normal, and the 'old' normal hasn't and probably won't be back, God is so good, and I am doing well.
I could use prayer for peace. I am having a hard time seeing and hanging onto God's peace when he provides it. He has provided, protected, and redeemed this year, and I am so thankful.
Life is good, God is good... and hopefully I can share more with you guys soon... it just isn't my story to tell yet.
I love you guys, and miss you a ton!
Kenny
There is so much to tell you guys! God has been so good through what this year has thrown at me, but it has been really hard. The theme of my year so far have been redemption - as God has been showing me how He takes the crap and uses it for His glory.
Ok, so back to this past December. I was having a pretty good year. I had started coaching competitive gymnastics in September, which was a challenge, but such a good change. My girls were 9/10 years old and competing at Provincial level 2. School was going well. I had decided to do an Independent Research Project, which was kicking my butt, but stretching me and showing me what I really could accomplish. By December I had already submitted my research proposal (40 some odd pages including appendices) and an ethics proposal (25 ish pages) which was way more than I had ever imagined doing. I was even starting to realize that I can do grad school if I choose - something I have been totally against in the past.
The first of the hits came that December, when I got a call from my mom, saying that my grade 2 and 4 teacher, Mme. Annick, had called my house. She said that she was dying from cancer and wanted me to come pick up a bunch of her teaching supplies. This woman was my hero. What i remember from her teaching and my experiences with her is what I have modelled my teaching philosophy after.
Although this was a blow, I spent some time with her and picked up boxes (even after going through it and getting rid of some, I still have around 10 boxes - including a classroom Christmas tree!!). What a blessing it was to spend time with her, and to get so much support, encouragement, and stuff from a woman who I love and respect deeply.
I left in January for Haiti. I was paying my own way so that I could go see the girl that I have been sponsoring there for 8 years. This was the second attempt to go see her - the first time there was a coup, so we couldn't go. We had this 'diplomatic arrival' which I was a bit frustrated with. We had to dress 'diplomatically' but it was while no one could take carry ons so we had to wear the clothes all day which bugged me (goes to show that I should really stop complaining!!). We got into Haiti and ended up in an air conditioned lounge with leather seats while other people did our Visas and got our bags. This took longer than it would have taken us if we had gone through the normal way, which made us pretty nervous because Port au Prince (PaP) is not safe when it's dark.
(Just before getting on to our bus)
Just as we loaded our bus and started on our way, my mom commented "Let the adventure begin." Our bus diver took us through the community, because it was rush hour. About 5 minutes away from the airport, the earthquake hit. We spent the next 3.5 hours driving through the streets, seeing the aftermath of a huge earthquake in a third world country. It was strange to be in such a disaster, but only hear one siren the whole time.
We ended up at the Compassion Haiti office, which was damaged. Across the street (man God plans ahead!) was the Canadian Embassy. We got off the bus, a man held out his hand, and said "Welcome to Canada." Thank you God that I am a Canadian!!! We spent that night sleeping in cars and on the ground in the Embassy compound. I can't forget the sounds of that night - wailing, screaming, and the sounds of buildings collapsing as the ground continued to shake.
It was at the Embassy that we found out that people from our flight died in the hotel that we were headed to. The diplomatic arrival (something that the president of Compassion Canada has never had in his many trips to Haiti) and the accompanying delay saved our lives. God's incredible protection eh?
The next day we were escorted by US convoy to the military Hercules plane that took us home. On the way I got a chance to talk to our Haitian driver, who told me about his home and everything he had being destroyed. We also counted the bodies on the side of the road. One block we stopped counting at thirty.
Our military is amazing! They did everything they could to make our experience good... at least some good out of an awful experience. I hung out with the crew in the cockpit, and even studied while sitting in the captain's chair!
I came home, and I jumped right back into life and school. I now see that I learned that this is what I had to do from my friend's death in High School... another way that God has shown his redemption! It was a hard few months, and although I never blamed God, I struggled with why I didn't feel I was getting better. God has been working in me, and has been teaching me about His peace and healing over the last few months. I'm still not back to "normal" (I am cleaning my room for the first time since the earthquake this week) - my ability to organize and plan has been greatly impacted (sorry Viktor... not being able to get to your wedding was a part of this... I'm really sorry!).
I got my research done, and was able to graduate with decent grades. At the end of February I found out that Mme. Annick had passed away, although I did get a chance to see her once after Haiti.
In June (maybe May) I watched my dog die. I know, it sounds lame, but I was still so sensitive to death that it really hit me pretty badly.
Anyways, it is late and I am really loosing my train of thought. It has been a tough year, but I am seeing so many ways that God is using and redeeming my experience. I have been speaking a lot at schools and fundraisers. I am mentoring a 15 year old girl who was born in Haiti, but was adopted into a Canadian family at 2 years old. She went back to do some volunteer work after the earthquake, but it really hit her. She didn't go back to school... but God is working in her. It is so cool!
God also used Haiti to really confirm my relationship with Mike. I didn't want to be with anyone else, even though he didn't understand. He was so good and wonderful for the months after where he was mostly ignored because I couldn't handle anyone else's needs, let alone my own. We are doing really well, and God has been so good to us in the ways that he has been providing for us, and for our future.
Although I have no sense of a 'new' normal, and the 'old' normal hasn't and probably won't be back, God is so good, and I am doing well.
I could use prayer for peace. I am having a hard time seeing and hanging onto God's peace when he provides it. He has provided, protected, and redeemed this year, and I am so thankful.
Life is good, God is good... and hopefully I can share more with you guys soon... it just isn't my story to tell yet.
I love you guys, and miss you a ton!
Kenny
posted by Kendall at 10:24 PM
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