Elder Advisor Team - Serving Day 1 - Titanyen

 How lucky are we!?!

We are a small team of 8 who are ready to serve and love any way we can this week with Haiti's precious Elders. I, personally, feel so lucky to be here. Last year our Elder Trip was postponed due to Covid. It has been a full two years since we have been able to focus our entire week and attention in this way.

We arrived safely yesterday on three different flights. We have four team members from MN, one from OH, two from ME, and one long-term missionary. We have a nurse (graduating next week!!), a social worker, a past long-term mission, a physical therapist and many willing and devoted hearts.

Today we had plans to see our "original" Elders in Cite Soleil. God had other plans and sent us to Titanyen instead where we were able to see four of our most vulnerable Elders in their homes - Sitalia, Lindor, Edmund and Volcy. 

We were able to do medical and safety assessments. We got caught up on their living and family situations and tried to understand what their current needs are. We provided some TLC with foot and hand washing and nail clipping. We sang with and prayed over them. The visits are long because of the nature of our team/trip, so this allowed us more time to spend with them. 

Edmund is our most vulnerable Elder. He is blind and VERY hard of hearing. Today we used a Pocket Talker (basically a microphone connected to headphones) and he could hear very well. It was the highlight of my day! To see him being able to take part in a conversation and worship felt so dignifying.

Titanyen is a village along the west coast of Haiti bordering the beautiful Caribbean Sea. There are 35 Elders in our Titanyen Elder Program. Most of them are sponsored by American's, most of whom have traveled with Healing Haiti and made connections. Sponsorship is $20 per share per month and each Elder can have five shares. Their sponsorship includes a meal a day if they want it, their basic medical care and medications, and their basic needs. We have two fantastic Elder Care Workers - Chantal and Vania who work so hard to care for our Elders on a daily basis. The program has been in existence for many years and the concept works well overall. Many of the Elders have outlived their children. Many are caring for several grandchildren. Some have jobs but most do not. Life is hard in Titanyen. Please pray for our Elders and our Team!

Marni