“no one is actually from D.C”

Happy Veteran's Day! - November 11, 2011

Thank you for all you have done for our country...

WWII Memorial - Missouri

 

The District is a place for and of young professionals. Never before have I heard the term “millenials” used with such pride, dedication, and promise of the future.

Living in D.C. has empowered me for the future. For the first time, I am truly excited to graduate, get a “real” job, and apply for graduate programs.

My life right now: GRE, GRE, GRE, go to work, GRE, GRE, GRE, go to class, GRE, GRE, GRE…

To remind you (and me) what fun in DC looks like:

Smithsonian Castle

Newseum

...now off to NEW YORK CITY!

The Foodie Blog

Micki: “Ash, I am NOT ok with you being an east coast snob!”

I am most definitely being completely spoiled in The District. To make you all jealous, here are a few of my favorites so far! The food, nightlife, culture, and variety make DC an endless experience of delicious food.

1. Matchbox – China Town - Kalamata Olive Pizza

2. The Queen’s Vic – H Street NE - fried oysters and fish/chips

      3. The Tombs – Georgetown 

4. Georgetown Cupcakes – Couldn’t leave these guys out!

 5.  5 Guys – Little Cheeseburger with a zillion fries (We’ve eaten here approximately a million times too many!)

In addition, a few TWC interns and myself ventured to the taste of DC. We wandered around on one of the most beautiful days of early fall snacking on savory and sweet bits while enjoying street vendors and taking in life as a DC-er.

1. Lobster roll

2. Chicken puff pastry – dip sum

3. Spicy Tuna Sushi

4. Spinach Garlic Pizza

5. Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade

6. Pecan-Carmel turtle

7. Deep-fried Oreo (yes, yes we did)

UN MDGs - Developing & Under Developed Nations

Besides an incredible internship experience with NCoC, I have been working closely with the UN Millennium Development Goals through the Ford Motors Company Global Scholars. My colleagues in the program are from the US, Brazil, India, South America, China and Russia. Together we have visited with several executives and academics concerning the progress and future of the MDGs. Some of the most engaging visits have been through IFPRE, the World Bank, The Kaiser Family Fund, and (of course) the UN Information Center.

The discussions intensive, think tank, type experience I have had with the MDGs have enticed my interest in the developing world even more than I could ever have imagined.  I find myself thinking about Haiti with nearly every MDG and have started creating an even stronger base on African studies. After several weeks of study, preparing for NMUN DC, I feel like I have practically been to Gabon and West Africa.

Many of my preconceived notions about the developing world, post colonialism, world health, development, etc have been completely challenged by the nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sector… not to mention my professors and classmates. 

Hearing the perspectives of Chinese, Russian, Brazilian, and Indian (and American) students have opened my eyes to the reality of “global perspectives.” As much as we would like, we cannot truly have a “global perspective” without…wait for it… a non-American perspective. The realization seems silly, but in the small, engaged, and informed setting of the Ford program, has come to life. The role of the UN and its unending partnerships is ever more important.

While the Ford Program can’t send us around the world.

I have seen the MDGs addressed here in DC: 

1.     MDG1 - DC Community Garden – teaching sustainability, community growth, and (of course) healthy eating habits. (Interesting fact: Malnutrition can be either too LITTLE calories or too MANY calories in ones diet)

a.     The premise: “take something, leaving something.” You can leave your service, bring back seeds, or donate something that was “overflow” in your own garden.

2.     MDG 6 - The DC Center – addressing HIV/AIDs and preventable Sexually Transmitted Infections around the DC area.

a.     We volunteered at a “packing party” held at a local bar on a Tuesday evening. Along with a dedicated group of young people from the DC area, we stuffed safe sex educational products and condoms into easy –to- distribute packets.

Exploring Haiti - Sunday and Monday

Sunday: church, lunch, & tree of life
"your love is unending" and "there is more to come for this city" were the two lessons which stood out to me in our church service Sunday morning. The pastor knew exactly was the haitiAns need, love and hope. The service was so full we sat out back... But after several people walked out with wobbly legs from heat, I was happy to be in the cool breeze and shade. Those two lessons were perfect for me too... And gave me some mid trip inspiration.
We headed out for lunch at the caribean resort, apparently a un hotspot (more on my feelings about the un another day... Haiti don't you ruin my obsession now). We also spotted Sean penn and his son. He is the director of an post earthquake tent city... But must have a room in the resort. It was so strange to see such luxury just off the main roads of Port de prince.
For the afternoon we brought crayons and paper up to tree of life. The 25 children there are so loving and strong. Orphans with huge smiles on their faces who love to sing and play with you simply need a little attention and a few smuggles. The medical teAm who arrived today will visit with us wednesday to check them out. Many have scabbies or other infections.

Monday:
today began with an hour drive out to luly to survey with the interns. It was so awesome to see them at work with the families. We heard about sanitation, education, and wishes of the community. This village does not get many visitors so the children all call out "blah" or white person when we pass... We were even scary to some babies. I observed some interviews, played with children, and helped Derek measure and weigh all kids in the homes under 6. I had tons of girls want to touch my hair... They were so interested in it's color and texture... Even the women were curious. For the afternoon Alex, Damon and I headed to waho bay to see the ocean and do alittle tourist shopping. We had a delicious Haitian seafood lunch and went snorkling. I am sleepy from being in the sun all day but it certainly was incredible!

Thursday: we headed to rosemberg village to do "vbs." the visit was organized by one of the local medical clinics. We played with the kids I'm the school yard first. Damon and I had some great moments exchanging french and English by counting and singing the abc! The kids love showing off both. I had no idea how excited they would be to have their pictures taken... And trying to take pictures of the other kids. We told the loaves and fishes story and taught the kids about hygine. The activity was making fish out of soap and a wash cloth. Interacting with the kids was a treat, but we were really treated to Haitian culture with a Haitian dinner!

Friday: Today had a really slow start but a great afternoon and evening. After a slightly frusturating and confusing morning, Damon and I headed out with four interns, crystal, Alex , bre, and Andrea. Our driver Fabian showed us around the city. We saw the wwv warehouse and it's stock of toms and feed my starving children. Since we are passionate about both organizations, this was so great to see. We also visited the palace, catholic church, historic neighborhood, city de sole, and many villages. The images were heartbreaking and encouraging. We also had the oportunity to buy some paintings and fruit from the street vendors. Eating mango the haitian way was the highlight of the afternoon! Alex and crystal also pulled some coconuts down for some entertaining snacks. Our intimate group loved yet another creole dinner and some hilarious games.

Our friends who left today from Tennessee gave us a great theme for the week, de ga je (make it work). We are learning haitian culture including the flexibility of de ga je!

Haiti Day 1 - tropical storm Emily

Two teenage white students going through international customs in Haiti is craZier than it sounds. Not only was it swealtering and hot but loud with confusion, frustration, and excitement. Nearly all of it in an unknown language. Once we found our luggage, we headed outside to try and find the world wide village staff. Instead we were rushed by a hundred Haitian men wanting to help us... For pay. Saying no is harder than it seems! One man finally came up saying "I know who you are" not knowing what else to do we followed him to a second man who knew our person and promptly ran away to find him. Just getting through the airport was a challenge of our patience, flexibility, and trust in people! (we should also probably mention that out 5 team members decided not to come on Wednesday morning... we got the text while sitting on a plAne to meet them in Chicago)

We were so happy to find that an amazing group of people were waiting for us at the guest house. They have welcomed us with open arms and we are so grateful! Their stories are interesting and thought provoking. While they leave Saturday I already know we will be sorry to see them head back to tennessee.

Today the now non existant Emily kept us from going to our worksite. Instead we did some odd jobs around the house. Damon helped build some school desks while I helped organize and pack 200 plus backpacks for school. We also explored the village by visiting the intern house, a little shop, and the bakery. "being still" as we called it in devotions was hard for me, but I think part of my lessons this week will be hatian time and felxibilty... Something I am not comfortable with. The storms gave brought some beautifully cool breezes and cloudy skies. So we are thankful of that! Despite a slow day... It was a good begining to what I know will be a challenging and emotional week.

Traveling Schedule

schedule for the week

Tuesday: Head to STL

Wednesday: arrive at World Wide Village Guest House

Thursday: VBS

Friday: VBS

Saturday: More VBS & working on family homes

Monday: Wings of Hope & St. Joseph’s Home for Boys

Tuesday: Tree of Life Orphanage & The Beach!

Wednesday: Traveling back to Marion



"But why are you going there?!"

As Damon and I prepare to leave we have been asked this question several times in many different ways: “What is your calling?” “What do you hope to find?” “It’s too dangerous,” “I would never go there!"

I promise, we will have the answers to all of these questions in just a few days. We are following a long line of family and friends who have traveled to Haiti and fallen in love with the country, people, organizations, art, culture, food, and even the beer! Our dad (Pastor John), mom (Sara), grandfather, and church family at Wayzata Community have made amazing impacts in Haiti in the past 15 years.

For now, we will share with you some of our

hopes and expectations!

Things we are looking forward to:

1.       Seeing the new construction and growing strength in Haiti 18 months after the December 2009 earthquake.

2.       Seeing Wings of Hope and St. Joseph’s Home for Boys…especially their new facilities!

*      We have grown up with the St. Joseph’s boys’ Resurrection Dance Theater and can’t wait to see them again.

     *      Our parents called home during a winter visit in 1998 to tell us they were bringing home two babies from Wings…we plan to fall in love here too!

3.       Playing with 300 (plus) VBS kids & The Tree of Life Orphanage!

4.       Touring the city

5.       Going to the beach & ocean!

6.       Bringing home some beautiful recycled Haitian artwork (check out oil drum art)!

Graduation

Congratulations to the Marion High School Class of 2011!

"Damon Holst advised classmates to put themselves in places that will make them uncomfortable. “Because as I learned, the quicker you do it, the quicker comfort comes and the easier the next transition to an new environment will be,” Holst said."

Happy grads! MHS hands diplomas to Class of 2011

- The Daily Republican Marion, IL (May, 20th) -

A great photo of Damon speaking to his fellow graduates can be found here.

Preparing for Haiti

May 16, 2011

Dear Friends,

I am excited to share with you an incredible experience that my brother, Damon Holst, and I are planning to embark upon. We will be traveling with the non-profit, World Wide Village to Haiti in August. Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the entire world and Damon and I are very excited to serve their community.

I have just completed my junior year at Drury University studying international political science and sociology. Drury compels its students to read, learn, and think globally; I am looking forward to having a firsthand experience in a periphery nation.

Damon and I look forward to the expansion of our faith and education that will undoubtedly come along with this trip. Our mission trip team will include people from around the country who are called to serve a challenged nation and people in our vicinity.

As a member of this mission trip, Damon and I will come face-to-face with poverty, hope, and love in a way that I suspect will change our life in a remarkable way. The leadership at World Wide Village promises us a busy schedule. Our mission trip will gift us with intense ministry activities, exciting worship services, daily prayer and devotions and a little relaxation.  The main goal of this mission trip is to rebuild two homes destroyed by the earthquake. While in Haiti, we will be working alongside the Haitian people to assist in the construction of these homes for deserving mothers. We will also have the opportunity to work at local orphanages, Christian schools, local churches and assisting at medical clinics.

We will be flying from St. Louis to Miami, where we will meet the other team members, and then on to Port Au Prince. We both need to raise a total of $2050 for the trip and airfare.  If you can support us in a financial way, we would be very grateful. Most importantly, we need your prayers.   Please pray that Damon and I be of help and encouragement to the people we encounter.  Without prayer, nothing will happen. Please pray for safe travels for all of our mission trip participants.

I invite you to be a part of this awesome opportunity, for I know that you too will feel blessed. I thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

Gifts may be sent to Zion United Church of Christ, 930 West Cherry St. Marion, IL 62959 or you can click “donate now” at Worldwide Village.  Please be sure to note the gift as for Ashley & Damon Holst.

Peace,

Ashley Holst

aholst@drury.edu