Category Archives: Haiti

Are There Flowers in Hell?

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Beautiful flowers blooming in the midst of tremendous pain!



Sometimes people can ask some really strange questions!  Here’s one that I got asked a while ago.  “Are there flowers in hell?”  Now, what kind of question is that?!?!? 

After thinking a minute or two, I said that I doubted there would be flowers blooming in hell — not according to the description of hell in the Bible.

BUT, I do know that flowers can bloom in the midst of agony and pain.  And, I think part of the purpose of gorgeous flowers that bloom in spite of brokenness and pain is to give us something beautiful to focus on and to give us HOPE of a better day.  Maybe that’s why I’m such a flower nut!  I love, love, love flowers!!! And, I sure do love hope!!! 

Last year when my daughter spent time in Haiti, she saw all kinds of things that broke her heart.  Extreme poverty.  Severe damage due to storms.  Orphaned children.  Elderly living in blindness and fear.  Starvation.  Illness with not even a Tylenol to reduce pain and fever.  Nakedness.  Homelessness.  So much pain and suffering!

BUT, Stephanie took a picture just for me.  “Here’s a picture of some flowers for you, Mom!”  Steph has no idea how many times I’ve looked at that photo in this past year.  In every petal I see hope.  I see God’s love within each bloom.  I see His hand stretching out to those who are in daily pain saying, “I’ve sent you these flowers to show you that nothing — absolutely nothing — can keep my love from reaching you!”

When I set foot on Haitian soil, I will also experience walking among pain and poverty and illness such as I’ve never seen before.  But, you know what?  I’m going to be looking for those flowers!  The yellow flowers that bloom so brightly!  Why?  Because those flowers will quiet my broken heart and remind me that God is near to the brokenhearted.  He is with us in our pain.  He has not forgotten us or forsaken us.

Are there flowers in hell?  I doubt it.  But, I know there are flowers in our suffering and pain, and I’m so thankful for that precious reminder of hope!

Only thirty six more days until take off…..

Love,
Clara

The Unforgettable Band Aids

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I want to be a Band Aid like this, too! 



I can now say that I am personally attached to an unforgettable Band Aid, and her name is Stephanie.  And,  she’s married to a Band Aid named Roni.  And, I know lots more Band Aids named Bill and Mary Ann, and Jimmy, and Chris, and Tim, and DP, and Joe, and …….. Oh, I could go on and on and on!  I love these Band Aids, and I want to be one, too! 

I never thought I’d hear from nay sayers about my trip to Haiti, but it has begun.  Several people have said to me, “It’s ridiculous of you to go on this trip.  What’s the purpose?  Do you really think you can help anything?  You’re nothing more than a Band Aid!  As soon as you leave, the poverty and hunger and pain will still be there, and you’ve accomplished nothing.”

You know what?  I disagree!!!!  I’m going on this trip because “I want to be a Band Aid”, and I’m so thankful for every Band Aid I know!  Thank God that Band Aids have come into my life during moments of pain and have placed that arm of love around me, helped me with a bag of groceries, paid a utility bill, given me parts for my car, called me with encouragement, and directed me to God’s word for Spiritual strength during my times of need (and there have been many of those times!).  If the Band Aids had not reached out to me, I have no idea where I would be today!

My prayer this day is a simple one.  “Lord, make me a Band Aid who represents You in all that I do.”

Only thirty eight more days until take off……

Love,
Clara
PS  If you weren’t mentioned by name as one of my Band Aids, please know that my heart recognizes and loves every one of you.  My Band Aids are too many to mention here, and I thank God daily for that.  Now it’s time for me to pay it forward! 
PPS  Just letting you know that this Band Aid is still not eating chicken feet!   

Dinnerware: The Top Ten Things to Consider Before You Buy

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There’s so much research to be done before buying dinnerware!  Among the top ten considerations is whether or not the dishes are microwaveable and dishwasher safe.  After that, there are other things to be concerned about.  Does Porcelain best fit my needs?  Or do I want Soft-Paste?  Bone China?  Stoneware?  Earthenware?  Melamine? The list goes on endlessly. 

Of course another biggie is the color and pattern of the dinnerware.  It has to match the dining room table and the glass hutch.  Plus, the dinnerware cannot clash with the color of the paint on the walls and the lighting must be just right so as not to cast any unwanted glare on the dinnerware.

Yep!  We really do fret and fuss over things like this.  We spend countless hours looking online, window shopping in department stores, and picking out our favorites on Pinterest.  I lay in bed and daydream about things like this every single night! 

However, when I visit Haiti I don’t think any of these things will be items of concern.  Not at all! The real worry of the day will be searching for enough beans and rice for the daily meal. 

High blood pressure due to stress runs in my family.  For me, one of the biggest stressors is worrying if I’ll have enough money to pay the bills.  You know what?  I think there will be some major changes in my budgeting when I return from Haiti.  Already I am doing some massive house de-cluttering and I have a strong feeling that I will no longer be borderline “hoarder” on my return from Haiti. In fact, I doubt I’ll ever worry about what color dinner plate I place on the table again!  

My eyes are being opened to a whole new world every day when I learn more about this place called Haiti that I will be visiting.  Maybe, just maybe, this trip’s agenda was planned by God after all.  I think He just might have some changes in store for this old granny!

Only thirty nine more days until take-off!

Love,
Clara
PS  Does anyone want to come help me do some house purging?  If so, you better bring along a tractor trailer truck! 

Dinnerware: The Top Ten Things to Consider Before You Buy

Posted on by

There’s so much research to be done before buying dinnerware!  Among the top ten considerations is whether or not the dishes are microwaveable and dishwasher safe.  After that, there are other things to be concerned about.  Does Porcelain best fit my needs?  Or do I want Soft-Paste?  Bone China?  Stoneware?  Earthenware?  Melamine? The list goes on endlessly. 

Of course another biggie is the color and pattern of the dinnerware.  It has to match the dining room table and the glass hutch.  Plus, the dinnerware cannot clash with the color of the paint on the walls and the lighting must be just right so as not to cast any unwanted glare on the dinnerware.

Yep!  We really do fret and fuss over things like this.  We spend countless hours looking online, window shopping in department stores, and picking out our favorites on Pinterest.  I lay in bed and daydream about things like this every single night! 

However, when I visit Haiti I don’t think any of these things will be items of concern.  Not at all! The real worry of the day will be searching for enough beans and rice for the daily meal. 

High blood pressure due to stress runs in my family.  For me, one of the biggest stressors is worrying if I’ll have enough money to pay the bills.  You know what?  I think there will be some major changes in my budgeting when I return from Haiti.  Already I am doing some massive house de-cluttering and I have a strong feeling that I will no longer be borderline “hoarder” on my return from Haiti. In fact, I doubt I’ll ever worry about what color dinner plate I place on the table again!  

My eyes are being opened to a whole new world every day when I learn more about this place called Haiti that I will be visiting.  Maybe, just maybe, this trip’s agenda was planned by God after all.  I think He just might have some changes in store for this old granny!

Only thirty nine more days until take-off!

Love,
Clara
PS  Does anyone want to come help me do some house purging?  If so, you better bring along a tractor trailer truck! 

There Are Hundreds of Chicken Recipes, but……

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I love the taste of fresh chicken and have had it prepared in more ways than you can count!  However, I have never eaten chicken feet cooked with beans.  Nor, have I watched someone slaughter a chicken in front of me and reach for the feet declaring this is a delicacy and most favored food!   

Total honesty, here.  I don’t know if I can do it.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to eat chicken feet and beans.  I feel guilty, embarrassed, ashamed, and most of all queasy in the stomach.  I really and truly don’t know if I can eat this particular dish that most assuredly will be offered to me while in Haiti.

I’m grieving over what to do.  My daughter who has visited Haiti several times now has assured me with delight that I will “love this food”! She said it’s the most delicious chicken she has eaten.  Well, what does she know?  She eats goats and all kinds of other strange things.  Truthfully, I think I’m pretty much going on a liquid diet while there.  Okay, I’ll eat the beans.  But, chicken feet?  I can’t…I really, really cannot do that, Lord. 

These are the thoughts that are circulating through my mind every day as I prepare for this trip.  To some this may seem silly, but to me this is major, life-changing stuff for me.   

My prayer for today:  “Dear God, I thank you for the bounty of food you have provided me all of my life.  May I feel the pain of others who are hungry so that I might know how to help.  May I be humbled as I sit among orphans and elderly and those in prison and learn to understand more of your love and purpose for my life while on this earth.  And, God, help me to be thankful for everything — even chicken feet.  Very humbly I pray, Amen.”

Only forty days until time to leave….  

Love,
Clara