Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Slumberland Team - Day 3 (part 2)

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum to meet Ophane.  Ophane is a 75 years young buddy of mine who I have visited twice before. He is a victim of leprosy and has lost his left leg below the knee and half his right foot.  The purpose of our visits to the Elders is to offer comfort by washing their feet and applying lotion.  Our driver dropped off the team and we headed to Ophane's house. As we approached, he was sitting in a shady area waiting for us. Much to our surprise he had both legs and both feet.  We looked to the heavens for guidance, but received no answer!   The dilemma was solved by teammate Barbara exclaiming, "This isn't Ophane!"  Gerno, our interpreter, told us that  the man we came upon was Lindor, who reported that Ophane lived down the street and pointed out the way.  It was decided that God has sent us to Lindor to bless him albeit accidentally.  A very grateful Lindor very much enjoyed his wash and lotion and the team enjoyed a surprise blessing.









We went back to the TapTap and resumed our journey to find Ophane.  A short distance down the road we found Ophane and his goats.  I was exceedingly pleased to find that Ophane recognized me.  We embraced and laughed and I spoke the only Creole I know, Bondye Beniou, which means God Bless You.  We went inside where Ophane and his sister received our blessing of washing and lotion.  I did his feet and hands while teammate Brian did his shoulders.  Ophane cried.  Teammates Karen and Jolene cared for his sister in the same way.  I asked the interpreter to tell Ophane that I still think his goats are better looking the he.  Ophane laughed heartily.  Our last step is to pray over them.  Teammate Lisa said a very wonderful and appropriate prayer for and about them.  They both cried and many of the team joined them.

It was a beautiful experience for them and for the team.








Paul

Slumberland Team - Day 3 (part 1)

Another amazing day with the Slumberland crew in Haiti!!  We spent our morning touring Grace Village.  Enough cannot be said about the work that they are doing to heal Haiti.  I was blown away by the magnitude and organization of their mission.   In addition to a family style orphanage and a full-blown K-13 school, Grace Village is also home to a clinic providing most basic medical care and a dentist.  There is also a bakery and restaurant where they train Haitians in trades they can use, a garden, and a library/media center for the school students to use. Of course they have an amazing church with several services for the Haitian people to attend.  It was incredible to see all of the awesome things that they are able to do that will sustainably help the people of Haiti.














The second part of our day was spent serving elders in the Haitian community.  These elders are a part of the Healing Haiti church community.  We visited them in their homes and brought them gifts of food provided by donations collected by the Slumberland team.  We were able to serve these elders through foot washes, light massages, and comforting words.   We sang hymns to them while they received our love and we ended our visits with a group prayer for whatever they requested prayers for.  We were able to visit Pierre, Lauremise, Jude Jean Paul, Ophane, and a surprise visit to Lindor.  









It was a humbling and uplifting day in Haiti.  We pray that tomorrow will be as full and blessed as the first few days of our journey!

Jessica