DAY 3 (January 4, 2012)

This morning we woke up, ate breakfast at the hotel, had devotions and headed out to a church in Port-au-Prince.  At the church we met with several pastors of the city to sing, pray and share with them why we were in Haiti and to tell them about the festival we will be putting on at the soccer stadium on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  We encouraged them to invite their congregations and others they may run into.  The pastor’s eyes lit up and were excited as we sang and shared with one another.  We then prayed over the pastors and asked that the Lord would give them the strength and guidance they may need to lead others to Him.  After the pastor’s meeting we took a drive up to the top of the mountains where we came to one of the most beautiful places on earth that I have ever seen.  It was a look out spot over the city…and it was an incredible view.  It was just breathtaking and one of those things in creation that just gives you the chills when you look at it-don’t we have an amazing creator?  You could see miles and miles of the city as well as the ocean.  I can’t even explain how beautiful it was.  The pictures will help some but will never do justice.  While we were up on the mountaintop we prayed over the city and the people of Haiti and asked that God would show us what the needs of the people are as we shared His gospel this week.  After prayer we broke out in singing a couple songs as a group including the song “Come Now Is The Time To Worship”- one of which we learned part of in Creole.   As soon as we sang that song, slowly several Haitian vendors that were on the mountain top came around us and started joining in, you could see their eyes light up as they understood what we were singing.  After singing Allan Greene, one of the members from the Life Light staff asked the Haitians that were standing around what they felt was the biggest need in Haiti.  One gentleman very quickly responded that Haiti needed Jesus to come back so that Haiti would be better.  Wow what a need!  We thanked the man for sharing, spoke with some of the vendors and looked around at some of the items they were selling.  Charlie & I ended up buying a handmade wooden plaque that says “Avec Jesus Tout Va Bien” which translates to “With Jesus all things are well.”  We then headed down the mountain and drove to the Baptist Bible Mission where we had lunch.  While we were at this bible mission I was overlooking the landscape and notice the fields with crop in the distance and just had to get a few pictures to show my father-in-law as he is a farmer.  After lunch, on our way down the mountains, we swung by the stadium that we had rented out for the festival to see what it was like.  When we arrived we saw several young boys stretching and warming up to play soccer.  We walked down and watched for a little bit before we asked if we could join in.  Half of our team stayed at the stadium and played soccer with the children, and the other half went over to a radio station in town where they promoted the festival that was going to take place.  Several members of our team joined in on the Haitian/American Soccer game, and Kasondra & myself along with our parents took pictures and cheered the team as they played-I am not athletically gifted J.  The first round of kids the team played were about 18 years old or so, and we got smoked.  The second team was a little younger, and we still got smoked, and the final group of children were as young as 5 years old…we did beat this team if I remember right but for as young as they were boy were they good too.  We looked pretty bad compared to some of those 5 years olds ;)  During the soccer game Kasondra took some time to talk with Luc Junior (pastor Luc’s son) and get to know him a little more, and I also had an opportunity to meet a young man who was also watching the match.  This young man’s name is Stanley.  Stanley spoke pretty good English so we were able to communicate well.  I asked his name, how old he was and we just small talked for a bit, and before I knew it, Stanley asked if I knew and loved Jesus Christ.  Wow talk about a shock.  This almost put me in my place.  I mean I was the American coming in to share the gospel and before I even got a few sentences out this young man was asking me if I knew and loved Jesus Christ.  I told Him yes I do and I love Him very much.  Why he said?  I explained that Jesus was my Father, my Savior, and the one that I can always turn too.  We further went on to share with each other and became great friends.  After hanging out at the soccer stadium, our team headed back to the hotel, ate supper, debriefed about our day and headed to bed.

DAY 2 (January 3, 2012)

As I said in yesterday’s post, tonight several of us slept overnight in the Miami airport.  It was FREEZING here and the chairs all had arm rests so it was impossible to lay across the chairs and get a couple hours of sleep.  So, a couple of us played some cards for a while, others walked around just to try and warm up and the rest fought trying to sleep in the igloo conditions.  When the men are cold...you know it’s cold.  Anyway, as 4:00 a.m. rolled around, employees of the shops and restaurants at the airport started to roll in and open their doors.  I think we were all eyeing a good coffee or hot coco.  At about 6:00 a.m. Charlie and I went to one of the restaurants in the airport and ate our last HOT breakfast before flying out to Port-Au-Prince.  After breakfast the rest of the team that stayed at the hotel showed up and we boarded our final flight to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  We arrived in Port-Au-Prince late that afternoon, made it through customs, and loaded up all of our checked bags, carry-on items and equipment onto carts, and headed out the airport.  Our leaders, Josh & Rachelle Brewer warned us that as we tried to leave several airport employees would ask to push and carry our luggage for us, but they said to try an hang on to it as best as we could.  I’d say we all did pretty well until about half way to the vehicle.  The employees would all fight over who got to push the cart and take our luggage and after a while they would just kind of move in and take over the cart…there were usually 2-3 guys fighting over each cart and we probably had a good 5 or so carts, so once we got to our vehicle you can probably imagine how many employees wanted “their” tip even if all they did was walk along side another guy that actually pushed the cart.  That was an experience let me tell you…to be honest I was a little scared by it all, but I never felt in danger for myself or any one on our team members, but I am surprised I never saw a fist fight come out of the deal as much as they were yelling at each other and getting in each other’s faces.  Anyway, once we made it to our ride, we met Pastor Luc and his son who were going to be helping take us around the city all week and help translate whenever needed.  We loaded everything into Pastor Luc’s truck (which is very similar to what they call at tap tap-the taxi’s in Haiti which are pickup trucks with seating in the back) and a 15 passenger van and off we headed to Coconut Village where we set base for the week.  Wow, the driving and traffic in Haiti is crazy.  The Haitians drive however they want and do whatever they want.  There are very few stop lights and hardly any street signs to obey.  So, like I said, they literally do whatever they want.   If you need to turn and there is traffic backed up you can go into the lane of oncoming traffic and someone will eventually stop…yep even if it’s up hill-no big deal they do it all the time.  I found it best just not to worry and look too much, lol.  Oh and if traffic stops and is jammed, everyone seems to think laying on the horn for a good couple seconds or so will help, no not so much.  But to be honest I only saw one minor accident when we were there so that isn’t bad considering.  Once at the hotel we got our room assignments, settled in, played some cards outside and then headed to the lobby area for supper and debriefing as a team.  This meal was delicious, I had BBQ Chicken, rice & beans and I can’t even remember what else.  After debriefing we stayed up for a bit and chatted with each other and then headed to bed at a good time as we were all pretty shot from the very little sleep we got the night before and being tired from a full day of travel.

(Feel free to check out my album of photos on facebook...it was taking too long to load pictures each day)

Haiti-Day 1

Family, Friends & Co-Workers,

After being home for a little over a week now I have gone back and read through the journal that I kept while I was in Haiti and so many emotions are brought back from what I experienced and from what the Lord taught me while on the trip.  Since many of you have asked what the trip was like and how it went, I thought I would type up my journal entries and share them with you.  I’m sure I may have forgotten a couple things, but for the most part this should give you a picture of what the trip was like.

DAY 1 (Jan 2, 2012):

Today we meet at the Life Light office in Sioux Falls, SD at 2:45 p.m. to have prayer as a team and be sent off on our way by the Life Light staff and family members.  We each packed the trailer with our 1 small carry-on bag, and yes I did say one.   Believe it or not we all managed to fit everything we needed in our one bag.  We then loaded up the sound equipment, 4 or 5 guitars, drum set, keyboards, luggage with electrical cords and microphones, boxes of rice, crafts for children, a tub of wordless books, etc.   We got to the airport and checked all our bags (except the carry-on items), made it through security (minus a little glitch with Nich one of our team members not being allowed to go up-stairs through security for quite a while…which we still are not sure why) and boarded our flight at 4:50 p.m. to Dallas-Ft. Worth.  Once in Dallas, we grabbed a bit to eat for supper at T.G.I Friday’s in the airport with several of our team members and then departed at 8:15 p.m. from the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport to Miami, FL.  This flight was not so fun as we were all very crammed and my husband with the long legs that he has did not fit in any of the seats really.  Oh and to top it off, there were two little Hispanic boys sitting in the seats in front of us that continually kept jamming their seats back and forth into his knees (on purpose) and for some reason did not understand what “no” meant when we asked them several times to stop.  Eventually we explained what was going on to the flight attendants and they told the little boys that their seat could not go back as the gentleman behind him, Charlie’s, legs were too long.  Shortly after both boys stood up, turned around and said, “Lo siento no comprende inglés.”  (For those of you who may not know Spanish, that mean-sorry we don’t speak English).  After those words were exchanged all was good and everyone was happy.  Once we arrived in Miami about half the team (Kansas who is 7 months along in her pregnancy, and some of the older adults or those who were not feeling well) headed to a hotel to get some rest for the night in Miami and the rest of us stayed overnight in the airport for the night.  I decided to be one of the few that stayed at the airport for the night, not so sure that was the best idea. 

Grabbin' a bite to eat at the airport in Sioux Falls before we take off

Flight #1

A beautiful view from the plane

Playing cards in the Miami airport to kill time before flying out to Port-au-Prince in the morning

Holiday Season!!!

Wow...I was just realizing that it has been a little over a month since I have blogged last.  That goes to show that life has been a little crazy lately as I'm sure it has been for many of you.  I looked at my calendar a little bit ago and came to find out that we have every weekend in December filled up with Christmas parties and get togethers...I just love the holidays and always look forward to this time of year even with all of the busyness!  Anyways, there are a couple things I thought I'd update you with as to things that have been going on in our lives over the past month.

 This past Thursday I had another appointment with my ENT doctor after about a sinus surgery in January and a year full of doctoring.  I received some news that wasn't exactly encouraging or what I wanted to hear.  The doctor once again put a scope into my sinus cavities as he does every appointment, only to find a lot of swelling, redness, infection and some polyp growth.  The doctor usually has Charlie look in the scope too so that he can explain things to him that he sees.  Charlie said that not this appointment but the appointment before was about only time that my sinuses looked "ok".  The doctor said they looked better that time because I had just been on prednisone and augmentin.  He stated that he could put me on the meds. once again if I was feeling miserable, but it would only be a temporary fix just to give me some relief.  Beyond that, he once again suggested that I try irritations (although he knows and understands that they bother my ears/hearing).  After the exam we had a conversation with the doctor and he explained to us that at this point there is really nothing more they can do for me and this will very likely be something I deal with daily.  He said if I wished to receive a second opinion he'd be willing to refer me on to a rhinologist as I am definitely a top candidate.  The closest one he could refer me to would be either in Iowa City or at Mayo in Rochester.  So to put it simply...I have a mix of emotions right now, I am frustrated, confused and just unsure as to what I should do.  This year has been a challenge medically for me not only physically but also emotionally and financially.  I hate to think of going to another specialists and all the fees that could be involved with that in addition to the surgery we are already working on paying off.  Charlie and I have decided I will pass on taking the meds. at this time as I do not have the intense pressure and headaches at this time as I do often and I don't really like how the meds. make me feel.  In addition, we are going to line up an appointment with my allergist out of Sioux City and see what his thoughts are and after that we will then decide if we feel a second opinion is what would be best.


Anyways...other than that, life has been great!  This Friday I left for Des Moines for a "Girls Weekend" with Mom Zomermaand and my sister-in-laws Jenifer and Angie.  Charlie has an aunt and uncle that live in Des Moines, as well as some cousins, so we went up to visit, spend sometime with them, and do some Christmas shopping together.  We had a lot of fun going to the different malls and stores we don't always get to and enjoyed going out for Mexican one night and the Cheesecake Factory the next day.  We also had good laughs playing cards and just catching up with each other in the evenings.  We left Des Moines early Sunday morning and I was able to make it back in time for our extended Calkhoven Christmas Party in Orange City that afternoon.  It was great to catch up with some family members that we don't get to see quite as often as we'd like. 


Sunday morning, Charlie and his brother Ryan, brother-in-law Scott and nephew Jacob headed to Minneapolis, MN to enjoy a "guys day out" watching the Broncos v. Vikings football game.  Charlie and his brother and nephew are all Broncos fans and his brother-in-law Scott is a Vikings fan, so it was a perfect game for them all to watch.  It sounded like they had a great time, and despite some crappy roads on the way there and back they had safe travels.  And on top of it all...THE BRONCOS WON!!!

2:00 A.M.

Ok...so here it is 2 a.m. and I am exhausted but I cannot fall asleep for the life of me.  I got off work at 4:30 today, headed home and picked up the house a bit before I headed over to my parents at about 5:00.  I got to my parents house and we headed over to Orange City right away where the Dordt Volleyball team was going to take on Northwestern College.  My sister Jasmyn plays on the JV team and also suits up for Varsity, so I like to try and go to as many of her games as possible, especially when they're close to home. 

I talked to Charlie a few minutes this afternoon quickly when he stopped in my office, but he was off to work already by 3:45 so I really haven't had much time to talk to him at all over the past couple of days.  Anyways, I was planning on running supper over to him in Hull as he was the Hull patrol car tonight and I usually take supper there to eat with him, but I warned him tonight might be a later just depending on how long the games take, etc.  Sure enough, the teams ended up playing four matches and was about 9:45 when we were leaving the gym and we haven't eaten supper yet... I was starving and my poor hubby probably was too.  I tried to call Chinese and Pizza to order to pick up so I could grab it and head over to Hull right away but go figure it's too late and most places are closed by 10.  Thankfully Subway was still open...thank you, thank you, thank you.  So I quick ran to Subway and told Charlie I would be leaving any minute and heading over to Hull.  He said he could probably just swing by home and just quick pick up the sub and head out as he had to run to the Office in Orange City to drop some paperwork off.  It was probably about hour or so later and he showed up, grabbed his sub and chatted with me for a few minutes before I heard some voice talking through his earpiece.  I could tell something was up as his eyes focused like he was listening really closely to what was being said (and not just a normal "look" but one that seemed like something was up).  Of course being who I am, I always worry and wonder what is going up.  But, as soon as the person on the other end of his ear piece (probably dispatch or another office) was done talking he got up right away and said I got to go and was out of the house like that.  I didn't ask questions and just said, "ok I'll see you later".  I try not to be nosy or interrupt him when he has things to deal with and quite often needs to get out right away, but I just can't help let my worries get in the way sometimes.  He was supposed to get off from his shift at 12:45 tonight (or technically this morning I guess) and it's already 2:21 a.m. and he is still not home.  I sent him a text right at about 12:45 when he was supposed to be getting off just asking, "You going to be home in time" in hopes of some response so I knew everything was ok and he was just busy with something and might be late.  But sure enough, no reply.  I just hate it when I don't get a reply back after a decent amount of time.  Yes I understand he's probably dealing with something important, but trust me if you were the wife of an officer you would probably wonder if he was ok too and what is going on sometimes when it has been awhile after he was supposed to be off shift.  So anyways, like I said, I'm exhausted but I just can't fall asleep as I wonder where my hubby is and what he is doing at the moment.  It's been awhile since I've had a chance to blog so I just thought while I was up and couldn't sleep I'd write you all!

By the way have any of you seen the movie Courageous?  I have been wanting to see if for a couple weeks now, but we just haven't had a chance to make it to a showing yet.  I think this weekend we may trying to finally go and see it though. 

Anyways, you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Jamie

Harvest 2011

This past Thursday night and most of Friday I got to enjoy some time with Charlie out at the family farm while he helped his dad with harvest.  While it was the first time I've been out to ride along with Charlie this season, I'm sad to say it will probably be last.  Let's just say...I pretty much knew my body was not going to like me going out there, but...I was stubborn and still went.  My lungs and allergies DO NOT like the dust, pollen, etc. etc. and being out there for a couple hours on Thursday night and from about 1:00 in the afternoon until 9:30/10:00 Friday night was a bit too long for my body to handle, and boy am I paying for it now.  My lungs are all wheezy and it feels like my heart is working overtime to get the oxygen I need, I feel like I have a fever, and I have a massive headache I think from my head just being so stuffed and probably not getting enough oxygen.

Anyways, I'm sure those of you who have husbands that are farmers know that when it comes to harvest time, you will not see your much of your hubby at all unless you go out and ride along with them.  Charlie usually tries to get over to the farm at harvest time as much as he can as he has the "farmer's blood" in him and just really enjoys it, but on top of that he's also been working at the sheriff's office.  So, I have learned that if I want to see him at all between his hours at the sheriff's office, working out at the farm, and sleeping, I have to go over there and ride along with him.  There were several days this week I did not get to see him at all as our hours were completely opposite and we had several different things going on.  So when it came to be Thursday night/Friday afternoon I was pretty excited to spend some time with him even if that meant riding in a combine/tractor for hours and paying for it later.  Thursday night I rode along with Charlie in the combine for about an hour an half and then I headed back to Mom and Dad's house and worked on some homework for awhile while mom worked on some sewing projects.  Then mom and I enjoyed watching the Mentalist on TV for awhile before I just about feel asleep on the couch.  On Friday I had to work until about 1:00 in the afternoon and then I headed back out to the farm and rode with Charlie the whole day until late that evening. (By the way thanks Dad for giving us the newer combine to ride in so that not quite as much dust would get in for me...I appreciate it!)

Here are some pictures from the day:

Wagons waiting to be filled

Taking a load to the elevator in Craig

A view of the farm from the field

The elevator in Craig

Charlie taught me how to drive tractor

I even drove it all on my own with a wagon attached out to the middle of the field ;)

Unloading the beans into the semi

Dad in the combine

There's the tractor & wagon I drove out to the field

Boe & his dad Jasper enjoyed running around all day together

The combine head or reel or whatever it's technically called

I just thought the rows looked so cool from inside the combine so I had to get a picture

Dad in the other combine across the field from us

And this is probably what my lungs look like right now (full of dust...yuck)

Charlie & Dad

Taking the tractor out for the night the finish off the last few rows of beans

Riding in the combine together

(I loved the second seat...it definitely beats sitting on the arm rest for hours)

 

A view of the beans from on top of the combine

Unloading the last of the beans into the wagon for the night

Opening for Guy Penrod!

Monday night my sisters and I had the privilege of opening in concert for Guy Penrod (who used to be apart of the Gaithers) at the Orpheum in Sioux Falls, SD. The evening was opened up with a group called the Masters Voice Quartet out of Sioux Falls, then our group did a couple numbers and the evening was finished out by Guy. We had a great afternoon getting to know Guy, the members in his band/family/crew, the men from Masters Voice Quartet, as well as the many individuals that put the event on. The evening went great and the songs sounded amazing in the orpheum.

Getting ready back stage in the green room











Warming up backstage


Prayin' it up backstage with Kansas' husband Danny


Merch table set up and all ready to go


Our Amazing Parents Jim & Jan


Hanging out with Guy backstage before performing


Masters Voice Quartet, Guy Penrod & Us


Performance Time...


So, there was only one technical difficulty the whole night...
The CD happened to skip on Kasondra's verse during our very last song. Guy decided to come on stage and "chit chat" with us and the audience while they worked on fixing things. It was no big deal...we all made light of it and no one really seemed to care :)


Enjoying Guy Penrod's Performance

Monday was also our parents 31st Wedding Anniversary! We want to wish them a very Happy Anniversary and thank them for once again giving up their time to come and support us along with our little sister.