T-Minus 19 Hours and 20 Minutes Till I Board for Haiti

I have been thinking a lot lately about starting up the blog since I stopped about a year and a half ago.. I guess this is the perfect time!

At 6:50 AM tomorrow morning Paige Graves, a horticulture Master's student, and I will be departing cold (though not Kentucky cold), rainy College Station, TX, leaving our fellow Aggies behind only to create new ones.. in Haiti (insert prayer request here). We will be working as Graduate Researchers for Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Live Beyond in Thomazeau, Haiti.

Live Beyond is a 501(c)3 non-profit humanitarian organization, formerly Mobile Medical Disaster Relief. Their website defines the following as their mission statement:

"We are an organization that chooses to Live Beyond... ourselves, our culture, our borders & this life so that others can Live Beyond ... disease, hunger, poverty & despair."

Live Beyond was founded as, and focuses on, medical relief. However, they are looking to expand into agriculture in order to encompass human nutrition. I'm often told the story of how Dr. Vanderpool (founder, CEO) says that according to what he was taught in med school, the women should not be alive because of such a low BMI.. but they aren't just alive, they are nursing children, and often have another on the way! Through agriculture we hope to fight malnutrition in pregnant and nursing women, and in people in general. Furthermore, through agricultural development we can help in alleviating some of the heart-breaking poverty that exists in the poor nation.

While in Haiti I will be particularly focused on a few things in regard to research, while remaining open to additional opportunities for data collection. While Paige focuses more on the horticulture and crop side of things with the people, I will be focused on more animal science and social sciences. We (in regard to my research focuses) are looking at conducting some small holder projects with poultry, beginning effective goat production, and conducting needs assessments on about anything that can be observed, specifically livestock production and youth development via agriculture.

With almost no scientific literature on Haiti, the sky is the limit. The great thing about this whole shindig though is that during our pre-departure meetings/briefings (and we have had a lot) we have constantly been reminded about what it means to be an Aggie. Our professors and advisors have told us that research is important, but if we do not get involved with the community and some outreach to personally change lives, then we will not be as effective and we will not have the same personal reward and growth. They have emphasized over and over outreach. Atop of that, we are the "guinea pigs" of this "project" that has plans to be long term to shake Haiti and create better lives for Haitians. It is our job to help lay a foundation so that Aggies will always have a presence in the lives of the people, helping them, educating them, and showing them what it means to be a Fightin' Texas Aggie.

As I conclude my long rambling, I plan to update my blog as much as possible, so check in on it and share it with your friends, and I can only hope it inspires you to make an impact in this world. We can show people the Hope by helping them get a little taste of Heaven; whether it's in Clay, KY, the Philippines, Haiti, College Station, TX, no matter where it is.. we are the light on a hill.. so let's shine!

In Christ; Our Savior,

Audie Cherry

The last week here is at its halfway point.  It really does not seem like we have been here this long.  I will miss it very much, but more importantly I will miss the people.

Sunday, after preaching (with an interpreter) I jumped in with brother Salvador's group to check on congregations in Negros Oriental.  We went back down to Bago where we had a HUGE meal, which included lechon (whole roasted pig) and they sang happy birthday to me.  As I have said again and again, the people here are so friendly.

Monday, we went to the Lalimar Resort, a modest but very nice beach-side resort that only cost about 40 USD.  We had lunch there where I had the best fillet Mignon I have ever had.  That evening, there was an appreciation banquet for those who have volunteered to help rebuild Negros after the devastating earthquake.  Pictures will be up ASAP, but yet again I am at an internet cafe and cannot upload pictures.

At the end of the banquet we had a meeting with the volunteers, where I was called on to speak via the on-the-spot method.  That's okay though.  I whipped out some ancient FFA impromptu techniques.  What I said was truly from the heart though.  Up until this point, I was always proud to be 25% Filipino.  I mean hey, who wouldn't be when you get minority scholarships?  However, the more time I spend here and the more I get to know people the more pride I am filled with that even a portion of my blood has been blessed by God and is Pinoy.

We spent all day yesterday traveling (with the help of our "tour guide" brother Orwen Emperado). We stopped in Ormoc to eat with one of Danny's former students and his family who was very friendly (no surprise).  Today I will be snorkeling.  Then, this evening Danny and I will be holding a Gospel meeting here in Bato, Leyte.  Afterward, we will be going to Obay,  Bohol.  There we will check with the congregation there and most likely have a meeting or teach in some way.

I do not know all of the details of this week, but Friday or Saturday should land us in Lapu Lapu, Cebu to stay with brother Salvador again.  We will worship in Cebu and then fly out for Hong Kong Sunday night, stay there until our flight late Monday morning, and land in Chicago on Monday via CST.

Continue to keep us in your prayers, and may Dios bless you!

In Him,

Audie Cherry

Well.. Happy birthday to me; today, and tomorrow!

This morning I received cupcakes made from ground rice.  Yesterday we ventured into the mountains of Negros; where an earthquake hit in Fe3b.  the whole island is trying to rebuild.  Some are still living in tents made from bamboo and tarps.  It is truly sad.  On the bright side, congregational attendance is around 100 in these small communities.

We met a widow who was a member of the church with a son who has had cancer since he was 18 and was paralyzed.  The church there was building her a new house and getting him a wheelchair so they could attend worship again.  It was a very emotional experience.  These people literally have to start over from nothing.

I also traveled up to a mountain village that has a house with a family of 7 orphans.  We had some singing in Cebuano (or Visaya, same thing) and I had an encouraging devotional with them via the translation of bro. Orwen, who is a famous rapper in the Philippines.  Afterwards, I led a prayer in broken Cebuano and English.  The children were very happy and thankful.  Their story is remarkable!  If you want to know it please let me know.  I will post it at a later date for the sake of time, but I can share it with you personally.

Thursday, or Wednesday in the states, we viewed other earthquake damage.  Churches are trying to be rebuilt.  The great thing about the Philippines, is everyone comes together.  Americans do after disasters, but the people here are never not together.  It is such an inspiration.

I think this journey has put my thoughts and heart here.  I want to gedt a masters here and I will be planning on a trip back in December to help Sunrise Christian College and the agriculture work there and of bro. Salvador.  (So if you could help support that would be incredible).  After I graduate, I am considering teaching for a period of time.  God has done wondrous things here and for me, but there is still much to be done for the Master.

I will try to write again ASAP.  Sorry for no pictures, I am at an internet cafe.  Keep us in your prayers and "sa Dios ang himaya" (to God be the glory).

God Bless!

In Him,

Audie Cherry

Wilderness Adventure

Last night Danny and I stayed at Salvador Cariaga's camp in a village.  We started bright and early at 5 o'clock and went for a hike, using a machete to cut our way through.  After a long walk we get to a cave where a natural spring runs through and supplies the village with fresh clean water.  The cave was deep enough they had a leaf blower connected to tubing so you could have oxygen once you got to the cistern.  

After a much easier, but less fun, walk back we had a vinegar taste contest with Danny as the judge.  Needless to say, he kept them entertained.  Afterwards, we had lunch; goat, rice, vegetables.. oh and goat intestines.  It was very good!  Additionally, they presented Danny and I with Philippine flags and shirts.  It was an honor to be there.  

Salvador has an operation in which he uses goats to help break the cycle of poverty in the Philippines.  He teaches them how to maximize their livelihood with goats; using their milk for drinking and other products, their horns to make crafts and sell, the meat, the skins for clothing and various other uses.  Being an agriculturalist, I was fascinated by what he has the people doing.  He has the whole village using goats and then harvesting earth worms and composting.  There are simply too much details to go over in this blog.  He has transformed a rocky mountain terrain into a bountiful farming area.

Salvador teaches people to be self-sustaining.  He gives them goats and once their goat has kids, they split them with the farmer so that each person gets one goat.  This gets them on their feet and prevents him from losing too much money.  It is a great practice.  The influence and the methods of which he gains influence are phenomenal.  I cannot say enough how impressed I am.

You can check out some of the things he does (and I suggest you do) check out the following links:

Give-A-Drink

Give a Goat Now

Tonight we are staying at his house in Cebu and heading to Negros at 4:00 am to catch the ferry.  Once there Danny and I will start our journey once again, with Jenjan.  Jenjan will be with us until Saturday, June 2nd.... also my BIRTHDAY!!!

Nonetheless, keep us in your prayers and some updates will come when possible. 

God Bless!

In Him,

Audie Cherry

Hello from Lapu Lapu City

Greetings from the future! It is Wednesday 8:42 AM

Well.. 1 1/2 hours from Evansville to Chicago, 4 1/2 from Chicago to LA, 14 from LA to Hong Kong, and 2 1/2 from there to Lapu Lapu City, Cebu.. but I'm here!!! It's amazing! Had Brother Elmer Palacio meet us at the airport; he was very nice.  No one ages here.  I figured he was about 30, but he had 4 kids and the oldest is 14.  It's near impossible to guess ages.  Below is a picture of us going through customs (a lot easier than American or EU customs).

After getting settled in to our hotel, we went out on the town to Cebu City.  The trip there was as interesting as the actual city.  They turn 2 lane traffic into about 4-6 lanes.  There is a line in the middle of the road and other than that, you drive where you can.  On the way there I may or may not have had motion sickness from the hours and hours of plane rides and vomited out of the cab window (the cab only cost about 5 dollars)... 

Some of the poverty was just unbelievable.  I had two little girls, no older than 5, who were picking up trash come up to me and just stare.  I gave them each 5 pesos (about 12 cents in US money) and they were so happy.  Then, another little boy came running and I gave him 5 too.. he just said thank you and ran off happy.  It is so sad.  Some of the houses were just sheet metal slabbed onto whatever can be found.  Then, they bathed in the marshes.  

On the other hand, the mall in the city was overwhelming!  There were 5 or 6 floors and everything from McDonald's to KFC (I've seen more KFC than anything).  No matter where you eat, they have a chicken leg and rice as a meal.  Burgers were as low as 25 pesos (about 60 or so cents).  Below is our dinner at a Filipino restaurant. 

[Top left, rice. Top right, crab rangoon (NOTHING like what we eat; it was a huge hunk of crab. Bottom right, some sort of amazing chicken.  Bottom left, some kind of pudding that taste like meringue. The rolls in the middle were awesome, but I can't remember the name. The cups are sweet and sour sauce.]

This morning (evening for you all), we ate at a continental breakfast (that costs nearly 800 pesos if you don't have a room).  

[blue plate; watermelon and pineapple. White plate; taters, toast with an unknown, heavenly jam, white rice, ponset, bacon, and fish. To drink I had coffee, mango juice, and orange pineapple juice.]

We are about to head out from the hotel.  Our flight leaves this afternoon for Butuan City, where we will get together with the Sunrise Christian College.  

God Bless! [And sorry for the rambling.. after all there's a 13 hour time difference]

In Him,

Audie