Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
just another Wednesday night
In absence of pictures to upload, programs to share, or organizational info/friends to douse you with, I've decided to just write for a few minutes tonight.
It's been a remarkable month that has gone by in a blur. I imagine that I wouldn't have survived without the blessings of community, their prayers, and our Father in Heaven, since once again i've tried to figure out a new location and a new job in a hurry in a very hot & humid place... and yet there is clearly joy IN my heart. Sometimes people seem to act around me and wonder if I have it since I look like i'm thinking about things all the time - and the fact is yes, I am. I think a lot, and run a course of analyses as swiftly as possible.
Usually, when things are going wrong I stop and pray. If you ask me about it though, I will answer, and that takes longer to say than to think. Also I have to evaluate how to respond based not solely on my own opinion but on the organizations' and God's. 1 Cor. 13 says that if I do anything without love then i'm just a noisy gong and shouldn't bother doing anything that i'm doing. I strive to achieve that. But it's no easy task.
How can being loving and selfless all the time be easy? It goes against our original selves, and yet as we are transformed into something different - as we blossom into servants and teachers and world-changers that are selfless - then we are made new and able to become this light unto the nations.
But being visible before others is much scarier than hiding in the corner and going unseen. But i'd rather go through life with eyes wide open on reality and dealing with it and finding solutions to help restore life than do anything else. I believe in this responsibility with all my heart, and am thankful to have been born and bred capable of adapting to doing this in 3rd world nations like Indonesia and Haiti.
Now, if I could just learn Creole a little faster and not use my rubbish Freole that no one understands... :-)
Blessings, and bon nuit!!!
David
It's been a remarkable month that has gone by in a blur. I imagine that I wouldn't have survived without the blessings of community, their prayers, and our Father in Heaven, since once again i've tried to figure out a new location and a new job in a hurry in a very hot & humid place... and yet there is clearly joy IN my heart. Sometimes people seem to act around me and wonder if I have it since I look like i'm thinking about things all the time - and the fact is yes, I am. I think a lot, and run a course of analyses as swiftly as possible.
Usually, when things are going wrong I stop and pray. If you ask me about it though, I will answer, and that takes longer to say than to think. Also I have to evaluate how to respond based not solely on my own opinion but on the organizations' and God's. 1 Cor. 13 says that if I do anything without love then i'm just a noisy gong and shouldn't bother doing anything that i'm doing. I strive to achieve that. But it's no easy task.
How can being loving and selfless all the time be easy? It goes against our original selves, and yet as we are transformed into something different - as we blossom into servants and teachers and world-changers that are selfless - then we are made new and able to become this light unto the nations.
But being visible before others is much scarier than hiding in the corner and going unseen. But i'd rather go through life with eyes wide open on reality and dealing with it and finding solutions to help restore life than do anything else. I believe in this responsibility with all my heart, and am thankful to have been born and bred capable of adapting to doing this in 3rd world nations like Indonesia and Haiti.
Now, if I could just learn Creole a little faster and not use my rubbish Freole that no one understands... :-)
Blessings, and bon nuit!!!
David
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Responsibility
The lesson of the day, as laid out by me but taught by Mrs. Alicia Simmons (who I now owe a HUGE favor to!).
All that to say: responsibility is a lesson we must all learn, because sometimes you just can't pass the buck.
Monday, April 25, 2011
This Shirt Changes Lives
Mike & his very cool team (4 of whom I had the pleasure of being their 50% capable (or less!) translator & tour guide on Saturday) came out to Child Hope last week. Please goto
and read his stories about his time here, there, and yet to come.
and read his stories about his time here, there, and yet to come.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Saturday was "Go on an Adventure" with Matt
We went to the beach. In a huge truck. Here's proof.
Then the sun set. It was pretty. We relaxed. Then we went home.
It was a good adventure!
Child Hope on CNN (from August 2010)
I started working with Child Hope International and the Manasseros at the end of March.
This report makes me want to cry...
These are some of the kids I get to work and play with here.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday Sunrise(ish) service
http://experiencesinhaiti.com/blog/2011/04/22/good-friday-sunrise-service
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sewing & Jewelry Making Program
Welcome to Child Hope's Transition Program: Sewing & Jewelry making program!
In development we have a 14'x20' environment. 2 large sewing tables, a small table w/integrated manual machine (see below) are currently in place.
Still to be added are shelves and additional smaller tables for jewelry making. Chalkboards and more permanent fans for circulation and other items will be added per a lean design, if possible.
Presently, the girls go shopping in the market for fabrics to make the purses and beads to make jewelry with. There is a large array of colors & styles to select from (the following pic only a small example from our new acquisition of 33 fabrics), including different weights to make the shell and lining of the purses with.
Currently we have 2 types of machines. This older Singer is manually powered and can work with the heavier fabrics without breaking down. We're trying to find additional bobbins & bobbin boxes for it, as well as refinish its table. (We're probably also going to be on the lookout for another machine like it, too!)
These 2 (and the 3rd which apparently didn't fit in the shot) machines are more modern, but also not as powerful.
Here are some examples of purses in the style and form the girls make them (although I don't have any of their current batch):
(Special thanks to Heartline Creations for these examples so I can put some up in a hurry)
Right now the girls are working on the jewelry - I'll have pics (and hopefully a link to purchase & shipping information) in just a few weeks or less!!!
In development we have a 14'x20' environment. 2 large sewing tables, a small table w/integrated manual machine (see below) are currently in place.
Presently, the girls go shopping in the market for fabrics to make the purses and beads to make jewelry with. There is a large array of colors & styles to select from (the following pic only a small example from our new acquisition of 33 fabrics), including different weights to make the shell and lining of the purses with.
Currently we have 2 types of machines. This older Singer is manually powered and can work with the heavier fabrics without breaking down. We're trying to find additional bobbins & bobbin boxes for it, as well as refinish its table. (We're probably also going to be on the lookout for another machine like it, too!)
Here are some examples of purses in the style and form the girls make them (although I don't have any of their current batch):
(Special thanks to Heartline Creations for these examples so I can put some up in a hurry)
Right now the girls are working on the jewelry - I'll have pics (and hopefully a link to purchase & shipping information) in just a few weeks or less!!!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Meet Lucas & Alicia
Long story short I work with them now, and they are awesome, so I thought you should get a chance to meet them via their blog and such.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Child Hope in the news
If you'd like to support me here, please goto https://childhope.webconnex.com/donation_form, select Category of "Other" and then type in "David Sandler" under Special Instructions.
$5 per month from just over 100 of my facebook friends would cover most of my living needs here. And Child Hope Int'l makes it very easy to give recurring payments right off your credit card.
Or I highly recommend going through the other programs (girls and boys orphanage, medical, house reconstruction, community feeding program and more) and sponsoring one of those!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Meet Matt Littles
"Matt Littles is the manager of the program and is actively working with our recent 2010 graduates (Willie B., Emillian, Schneider and Israel) as well as up-and-coming graduates. All our graduates are very busy through the transition. Schneider is an employee of Maison de Lumiere, who, along with house mom Cindy Ahrensen, helps care for the youngest residents of our boys home. He also goes to school full-time. Israel, who has his own apartment, is taking care of his mother and is also a full-time student , is working on developing an electronics business. Willie B. and Emillian are learning furniture making and reside at the Center. Their business is already making a profit and has a backlog of product orders. Matt has regular meetings with all the kids which also includes business classes, life-skills classes, goal-making, hands-on vocational skills training and development, bible studies and devotionals.
'Helping Haitian youth to become positive members of society (both spiritually and professionally) is one of the things I'm most excited about," said Matt. "Christ calls us to not only meet the spiritual needs of the needy, but to help meet their physical needs as well. Having the opportunity to work, provide for their families, and have a venue in which to live out their ministry is one of the greatest needs I see for Christian young people in Haiti. I'm excited to see that, as we begin to exam opportunities for the future, they learn to trust more in God's provision for their future.'"
For more about Matt follow him on
or
Friday, April 15, 2011
Ever wanted to volunteer in Haiti???
email me at sandler@alumni.usc.edu
and let me know (I'll put you in touch with all the right people!). Just let me know what you love to do and what you're really good at and when/for how long you can come & we'll put the pieces together!
Or if you want to come for longer...
Serving Opportunities currently needed in HaitiShort-Term Opportunities: (one to six-month opportunities)
* English & French-speaking teachers/tutors - summer and during school year
* Boys Bible Teachers/Mentors/Disciplers
* Girls Bible Teachers/Mentors/Disciplers
* Vocational training teachers for our transition program
Long-Term: (six-month to two-year opportunities)
* Girls Home Live-in Nanny for the Younger Girls
* Boys Home Live-in Mentor (male) for the Older Boys
* Boys Home live-in Nanny (female) for the Younger Boys
* Girls Bible Teachers/Mentors
* MDL School Administrator (French fluency required)
* muTch Program Director
* Ministry Administration Manager
* Office Administrative Assistants
* Personnel Director (Haitian)
* Guest House Managers (live-in)
* Nurse or Doctor to run medical clinic
* Handy Man
All positions require individuals to raise their own support. For more information on these opportunities, contact Jessica Selica at Jessica@childhope.org or call 888-808-9595
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Meet Jeremy Whatley
Jeremy Whatley is one of my teammates here working on the transition program. He's got over 20 years of quality experience running businesses, supporting the poor and needy, welding, electronics, cars, etc., etc., etc. Basically he's perfect for the job of mentor and master technician & teacher for these boys we're working with. And he's got a great heart, especially for the word of God.
If you'd like to hear more of his story, read the article and you can also follow him on his facebook.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
'Out There'
Photography by the amazing Jess Koehler; I'm honored to have written a piece in conjunction with hers. Please visit the rest of her website to explore further how curiosity can save the human.
'Out There'
Written by David Sandler
Somewhere out there is a world I don’t yet know.
It is a place where dreams are reality and rains might turn to snow.
I see beyond cemented walls and hot tin roofs;
I see mirrors, and glass, and steel;
my mind believes without proof because I’ve heard about it being on a television
I’ve never seen – but my friends once did.
Faith exists in this heart, dreaming of what might be beyond the dirty floor and ancient mattress.
Every possession in my family just meters away,
Everything I know can be run to in a matter of seconds.
And here I sit: waiting, wondering, daydreaming for a time that may never come –
but it is out there. Somewhere.
Just like electricity.
Just like the songs on my radio.
I can’t see it, but I know it’s real.
I can feel it.
I believe.
Someday.
Somewhere.
I believe.
 | |||||||||
| curiositysavedthehuman.com |
'Out There'
Written by David Sandler
Somewhere out there is a world I don’t yet know.
It is a place where dreams are reality and rains might turn to snow.
I see beyond cemented walls and hot tin roofs;
I see mirrors, and glass, and steel;
my mind believes without proof because I’ve heard about it being on a television
I’ve never seen – but my friends once did.
Faith exists in this heart, dreaming of what might be beyond the dirty floor and ancient mattress.
Every possession in my family just meters away,
Everything I know can be run to in a matter of seconds.
And here I sit: waiting, wondering, daydreaming for a time that may never come –
but it is out there. Somewhere.
Just like electricity.
Just like the songs on my radio.
I can’t see it, but I know it’s real.
I can feel it.
I believe.
Someday.
Somewhere.
I believe.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Child Hope International's Transition Program blog
http://childhope.org/transition_blog/
The transition program is working to develop graduates (and prior to) of Child Hope's orphanages into young adults prepared to go out into the world armed with job/business skills & savvy.
Currently underway are silk-screening, furniture making, welding, baking, and sewing programs, as well as entrepreneurial, critical thinking, decision-making, math, finance, and situational analysis classes, based on principles of loving and serving your neighbor with selfless character.
The transition program is working to develop graduates (and prior to) of Child Hope's orphanages into young adults prepared to go out into the world armed with job/business skills & savvy.
Currently underway are silk-screening, furniture making, welding, baking, and sewing programs, as well as entrepreneurial, critical thinking, decision-making, math, finance, and situational analysis classes, based on principles of loving and serving your neighbor with selfless character.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Haiti; book 2, chapter 1: New, yet familiar
Dear Friends,
I have found myself back on Haitian soil, with an opportunity to work for a
new organization, Child Hope International
(http://www.childhope.org/work/training/training.html), with many amazing
people. My particular role right now is to work on a "Transition Program" which
helps take graduates from the orphanage program and prepare them to be men and
women, ideally after God's own heart, to take on the world with life & job
skills, and possibly jobs.
Stunningly i've been here 2 weeks already, absorbing & (re)learning a lot,
all while trying to help build the future of this transformational program,
adjust to the heat & sweat again, make a home out of a very busy house with kids
flying in and out of it (a dog or two, also - story later), lose some of the
pounds I packed on in 3 months in the U.S., and figure out how to get around
this new location, even though it's just 6 miles from my old one!
I'm going to stop short right here. I'm excited to be back, daunted by what
Jesus has laid on my heart with this burden of love, and enjoying my mosquito
net & fan to sleep to at night while listening to classical music (usually) on
my Ipod.
I'll get back to sending regular (possibly overwhelming :-) updates & photos,
but I had to get started somewhere, right???
If you'd like to support me here,
please goto https://childhope.webconnex.com/donation_form, select Category of
"Other" and then type in "David Sandler" under Special Instructions. $5 per
month (or one grande iced caramel decaf low-fat no-whip) from just over 100 of
my facebook friends would cover most of my living needs here. And Child Hope
makes it very easy to give recurring payments right off your credit card.
Or I highly recommend going through the other programs (girls and boys
orphanage, medical, house reconstruction, community feeding program and more)
and sponsoring one of those!
Many blessings and much love to you all,
may we never shut our eyes on reality, and love with all our hearts, minds, soul
& strength,
David
I have found myself back on Haitian soil, with an opportunity to work for a
new organization, Child Hope International
(http://www.childhope.org/work/training/training.html), with many amazing
people. My particular role right now is to work on a "Transition Program" which
helps take graduates from the orphanage program and prepare them to be men and
women, ideally after God's own heart, to take on the world with life & job
skills, and possibly jobs.
Stunningly i've been here 2 weeks already, absorbing & (re)learning a lot,
all while trying to help build the future of this transformational program,
adjust to the heat & sweat again, make a home out of a very busy house with kids
flying in and out of it (a dog or two, also - story later), lose some of the
pounds I packed on in 3 months in the U.S., and figure out how to get around
this new location, even though it's just 6 miles from my old one!
I'm going to stop short right here. I'm excited to be back, daunted by what
Jesus has laid on my heart with this burden of love, and enjoying my mosquito
net & fan to sleep to at night while listening to classical music (usually) on
my Ipod.
I'll get back to sending regular (possibly overwhelming :-) updates & photos,
but I had to get started somewhere, right???
If you'd like to support me here,
please goto https://childhope.webconnex.com/donation_form, select Category of
"Other" and then type in "David Sandler" under Special Instructions. $5 per
month (or one grande iced caramel decaf low-fat no-whip) from just over 100 of
my facebook friends would cover most of my living needs here. And Child Hope
makes it very easy to give recurring payments right off your credit card.
Or I highly recommend going through the other programs (girls and boys
orphanage, medical, house reconstruction, community feeding program and more)
and sponsoring one of those!
Many blessings and much love to you all,
may we never shut our eyes on reality, and love with all our hearts, minds, soul
& strength,
David
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