Haiti
Moving Celebration!!
Bonswa!! I hope this message finds you all loving life and feeling passionate about the awesome work of the day here in Haiti 
.
The day for us started extremely early today with a few slight problems and the general difficulties and challenges that will accompany any coordination of people and belongings on this scale. However, I can end this paragraph here as all of those issues were taken care of (admittedly stressfully) but at the end of the day they were still taken care of and we celebrated with over 100 deaf people today as they received the papers and keys for their new homes!!
I was greeted once again this morning with excited and warm embraces at the deaf community as everyone prepared to load a large bus and travel to Leveque (the site of the new homes) for the celebration.
We arrived at Leveque after a somewhat cramped bus ride to be greeted by many good friends and supporters of the project. However, all eyes were on the deaf community and their new chance at life. The deaf were greeted with a little bit of curiosity by the hearing residents of the community, but soon the joy that the deaf community brings wherever they go became infectious for all who were present. What was often raucous and heated when other families were receiving homes was quiet and respectful when the deaf community stood up for their papers, (I hope a good indicator of sensitivity and a chance at a unique life together).
Everyone got their keys and papers and we were off to view the new homes together. Many people started running and as children skipped behind their parents, tears came to my eyes. An old washerwoman in the deaf community who has adopted me and now calls herself my Haitian mother grabbed my hand and showed me her new home number – we proceeded to walk arm in arm to the home she will share with her sister.
Several of the deaf leaders were also interviewed via interpreter fot Haiti National Radio – it would be my guess that today was very special for deaf leaders who were able to share their joy with all of Haiti – maybe the first time ever that a Haitian deaf person has been interviewed on the Radio. . .
It was a very long day – I am tired, and the real work of moving 50 families begins tomorrow. We have a fleet of vehicles rolling up to the community tomorrow bright and early to start moving all of the families. For those of you praying for a good ceremony today, your prayers were answered. For tomorrow, please pray for a peaceful move and for peaceful hearts for all of our deaf friends who are relocating their lives and starting over. A challenging part of our project is just beginning as we strive to provide the right levels of support for our friends, while also allowing them to make some mistakes and hopefully end up pursuing the passions that are on their hearts.
Thank you for your prayers and support! Check again tomorrow for updates on the first actual day of the move.
Sorry for the very quick post – I am headed to bed to sleep for a few hours before another big day tomorrow.
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
Dorothy Thompson
February 8, 2012 at 7:02 amAwesome updates. How exciting! Praying throughout the day!!
Stacy Williams
February 8, 2012 at 9:25 amKyle, we did stop and pray for you all yesterday. So glad that things turned out so beautifully. Great job. We’re proud of you and all that is being done for those beautiful people.
Kyle Reschke
February 8, 2012 at 4:55 pmThank you Stacy! The prayers were definitely needed – we still have a very long and hard week ahead getting everyone moved but today was a pretty good start
. Knowing that you all will drop everything at the office for a time of prayer is simply AWESOME!
Ed B
February 8, 2012 at 10:59 amFor those of us who were here in the beginning these events are even more precious. God inhabits this story. There was a time of deep cloud and darkness when we didn’t know where, what, how or if. Then somehow, morning came and there was joy, there were smiling faces,there were homes as we now see. Like you, I am giving God the glory as I look forward to the last family moving to new life, hope and opportunity in a new home at Mission of Hope, Leveque. We were never alone.
Kyle Reschke
February 8, 2012 at 4:53 pmwell written Ed!! As always, thank you for your support and passion.
Frank & Jan Stevens
February 8, 2012 at 9:37 pmGreat news, Kyle!! God is truly awesome! You are in our hearts and prayers. Can’t wait to see everyone again! God bless!
Kyle Reschke
February 8, 2012 at 4:54 pmExcited to see you guys in June!! Not sure if you know this but my mom, dad, sister, and aunt are all planning on coming with you guys for the June trip!!
Ed B
February 9, 2012 at 4:20 pmPS for Kyle. We are remembering the special circumstances of how you entered the picture with Butch and Patrick. Very cool, God is.
Kyle Reschke
February 9, 2012 at 8:27 pmEd! Looks like you were able to catch up on some old posts here. Glad to have you with us my friend. Your support means a lot to everyone down here. Thank you for all you do.
Dr. Murdock Henderson
February 13, 2012 at 1:42 pmHi everyone,
At first, I was reluctant towards how to address myself to your wonderful group in Haiti, but something inside me has changed to the point where there are no paradoxes or obstacles from within.
The work that is being done in Haiti is truly amazing, and I look forward to being part of this process soon.
Hopefully, we will be able to bring some students from Gallaudet with us to share the same baton of knowledge, courage, determination, and, perhaps more importantly, to see members of different Deaf cultures interact, learn, and support each other in the form of empowerment.
Cheers,
Murdock
Kyle Reschke
February 17, 2012 at 8:28 pmBonswa Murdock!
I am 100% with you brother – the mutual sharing of stories, information, knowledge, and life together is absolutely the best part of this work. I look forward to solidifying a partnership with Gallaudet faculty and students that can support a top priority of the Haiti Deaf Community – that of education. We are working along this amazing community as they find new levels of empowerment. Please thank your classes for all of their encouragement and efforts to support the community.