We first toured Grace Village, built entirely by Healing Haiti, in a place that was once nothing but a mountain top. The beauty of the sweeping mountain and sea views ALMOST match the happiness and hope you feel when you encounter anyone that works or lives there! Grace Village has a school that educates over 400 children from around the area, they also operate an orphanage with unique homes that offer the children an environment to live with a mother and father in individual homes. We were excited to learn that they work to place children living in orphanages all over Haiti in homes with blood relatives. They recently have reunited over 30 children with relatives that could provide homes for them. They also run a medical clinic that is a one stop shop for doctor visits, bloodwork, x-ray, and pharmacy! A primary mission for the village is to create jobs, and at this time they are fully operated by Haitians! There is also a new bakery on site, and a café is coming soon! Our team toured the bakery, and bought some cookies before we left!
We then traveled to visit 4 elders supported by Healing Haiti living in the remote villages near Titanyen. Felicie, Lindor, Ophane, and Viergelie were expecting our visits today! Each visit was different, their personalities are infectious! Members of our team washed their feet, trimmed their nails, and gave them massages with lotion while they sat in the shade. We asked lots of questions to learn about them, and our Haitian translator helped us! Mary, a member of our team works with Elders in Minnesota. They wanted to be a part of her mission and she shared the information about each elder we would visit today. Each chose an elder in Haiti to pray for daily. Mary brought photos so that they had a keepsake of who was praying for them back in Minnesota! They were very touched and thankful! We asked them for their prayer requests- Felicie asked that some of her children find salvation, Lindor asked for eternal life, Ophane asked for his life and health and to stay firm in his faith, and Viergelie wanted prayers that she find a home to live in. Mike played the guitar and we sang with them! Before leaving we prayed over them, and thanked them for allowing us to visit. We were touched by their hope, given the adversity and circumstances in which they live. Each elder has a strong faith, and understands God love. The photo below is the team with Lindor, he was full of spirit, love, and happiness! He kissed the photo of Cheryl that is praying for him in MN, and was brought to tears to learn of her prayers! He asked us to hang her photo above his bed so that he could see her and pray for her too!
Our last stop of the day was the Mass Grave and Memorial for those that lost their lives in the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti in January, 2010. It was a moving and heartbreaking moment for us to experience. Jonas, our guide shared his own experience living through that earthquake.
John 1 vs 13: 13-17~
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
Today's blog was written by Susan Parsons
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