Haiti
First Families all Moved In!!!!
Bonswa!! Koman ou ye? Mwen kontan ekri aswe a soti comonite nouvo nan Leveque. (Good evening!! How are you? I am happy to write tonight from the new deaf community in Leveque). I hope this post finds you all loving life and finding daily adventures.
We had a wonderful day here in Haiti moving 19 families into their new permanent homes which completes our first phase of moving – SWEET!! Everyone at the new community seems happy and hopeful. In the last two days many families have already built their outside kitchen areas and I arrived this morning to find laundry hanging out on a line between two deaf homes (see included picture). These homes that were empty less than a week ago are full of life, work, laughter, and the beautiful bustle of families going about daily chores.
After unloading all of the families I sat in Mackenson’s new living room with 4 leaders of the Leveque community (all hearing). We talked for awhile and sang songs both in Kreyol and in Sign Language!! The leaders at Leveque are already attempting to learn sign language and the deaf are extremely encouraged by their efforts so far – pray such discipline and opportunities for fellowship continue. . .
The young leaders at Leveque seem like very good guys (yes, they are all men. . . the deaf community will be bringing the first women onto a leadership council out here 
). I am sure today is the first of many that will find us all gathered in Mackenson’s home to hang out, learn languages, and sing together. All in all, with 45 new deaf families living at Leveque and the greater community interested in learning sign language and about deaf culture, this was a very successful week.
In other related news, I woke up yesterday morning to many of the staff at the orphanage I call home telling me they saw us on TV several times this week. Coverage of our move in ceremonies has played each night on National Television – I think it is great that the project and the beautiful people of the deaf community are getting that kind of attention. All along, the community has been asking for a chance to show their country that they are capable of great things – well, the attention surrounding our work together is certainly allowing for that opportunity.
With all of the families in this phase moved in, we will spend much of our time next week starting to cultivate gardens, getting all of the children in school, continuing our existing education programs, and beginning free sign language classes for interested residents of the new community.
Thank you all for your prayers this week. Keep checking the blog – I expect to post again in a few days. For now, I am off for a shower and an hour in a good book before heading to bed.
Oh one more item – quotes from Mackenson this week. As he endeavors to learn English, Mackenson has been sending short updates to me via e-mail each night from his new home. Included here are a couple of my favorites (included with his permission). He is an inspiring servant leader!!
“I’m fine with all deaf in cabaret leveque. I let you know I’m here in cabaret leveque wonderful we very happy because we get a new houses in cabaret leveque it was have good place for deaf people live very wonderful was have good place in leveque and beautiful houses. Some deaf family already to move a new houses. and I’m hope you can come visitor a new houses in cabaret leveque.”
“We can dream and gold opening my heart lord and we was want see lord !!!”
“Another highlight quote from a deaf woman today after she moved in – “I am happy to sleep tonight – home now is safe. Thank you very much”
Ok, now I am truly finished with the post. Thank you all of your support that makes so much of this possible.
grace and peace,
Kyle
About Kyle Reschke
Kyle is a missionary of Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery Alabama, in partnership with 410 Bridge and Mission Of Hope. He is the Project Coordinator for the Haiti Deaf Community.
Comment
Tony Drake
February 12, 2012 at 9:03 amKyle, this is one of the MoH volunteers who assisted the move Wed and Thursday. It is with tremendous joy I read this blog. Thanks again for allowing us to be blessed by helping and for sharing with me in the truck. Please tell Mackenson I am so happy for him and with “much love” my family is praying for him. I look forward to coming back and having a cup of coffee with you and him.
Kyle Reschke
February 17, 2012 at 8:45 pmTony!! Great to hear from you brother. You guys were a tremendous blessing with the move and I know all of the deaf families truly appreciated your efforts. The next time you are in Haiti, there will be a cup of coffee and a chair on Mackenson’s porch for you!
Chelsea Owen
February 15, 2012 at 1:57 pmWow! So thrilling to read of the progress…can’t get over it! Such an encouragement to witness the Lord at work! Thank you for taking the time to keep us updated.
Kyle Reschke
February 17, 2012 at 8:28 pmHey Chelsea! Great hearing from you. Thank you for the encouragement
Justin Gallo
February 16, 2012 at 10:56 amGreat news, good to know that the waiting for the other families won’t be too long! Some of my classmates and I had an opportunity to meet a guy who met Mackenson in person yesterday. I also did a bit of researching and was able to find some videos of the community. No wonder they are excited, it’s amazing what you all are doing for them. Keep up the good work!
Kyle Reschke
February 17, 2012 at 8:34 pmJustin – it is always good to read your comments on here. I am happy you found some videos of the community. As soon as our videographer finishes editing the footage from the move in week there should be some new videos on this site. The community is breathtakingly beautiful and I am in awe when I travel there everyday.
Cheryl Z
February 18, 2012 at 6:23 amI was thrilled to hear the money was raised for the lights. Bless you.
Emily
February 18, 2012 at 5:27 pmKyle – this is so incredible. I’m heading down with MoH at the beginning of April, and am so unbelievably excited. I’m a certified interpreter, so naturally my heart leapt a bit when I read about the community at Leveque. I pray that God continues to bless you all so very much – that gardens grow, people grow, and that God is able to move mightily in these people and their country!
Kyle Reschke
February 21, 2012 at 10:45 pmThank you for the prayers Emily! I am out at MOH a lot. Please be sure to introduce yourself to me when you arrive in April. I look forward to showing you around the deaf community at Leveque.
Emily
February 22, 2012 at 10:53 pmCount on it! I’ll be there the first week in April with the team from Washington! (I’m going with teenagers – what?! That’s just crazy!)
Ryan Bonheyo
April 26, 2012 at 1:53 pmI’ve gotten some goosebumps while reading this blog entry! I’m one of Murdock’s students. I am very fortunate to be able to learn more about this project. I really hope that you will be able to maintain the success, which I believe that you will!
Kyle Reschke
May 15, 2012 at 8:13 pmThank you Ryan – we all need the support of people like you and your classmates to make a project like this succeed!! The deaf community is always excited to learn more about you and your educational opportunities at Gallaudet!! Keep studying hard – we have a few Haitian deaf leaders traveling to Gallaudet in July for a global leadership summit. If you are still around the University, I know they would love to meet you.
Jeri Watson
April 27, 2012 at 7:29 pmThis is wonderful thing. I’m so glad deaf community is finally thriving and learning how to work together. I know it’s just beginning but it is wonderful beginning for this community.