On a beautiful sunny morning, we started the day having a delightful breakfast - French Toast along with avocados, bananas and fresh mangoes that we didn't have til today. We packed up our backpacks with swimsuit and towel to go swimming at the Wahoo Beach. We brought the donations into the Tap Tap to take them all to Haiti Deaf Academy in Cabaret. We went to Leveque to go to Deaf Church for services. We were in awe that we were able to see four beautiful Haitian children signed a short song and danced, too. The Deaf Pastor gave sermon about Matthew 25:35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,  I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

After the Church services, we went on a short trip to the Wahoo Beach. It was just a very gorgeous scenery. The beach is such a beautiful turquoise beach with palm trees, almond trees, mountain view and which had a couple old wooden colorful fishing boats. There were two trampolines on the beach that had loud music beats that we could feel while laying on them.

It was so relaxing day after a long hard emotion during the serving week. But it was a great experience to be able to serve hands and feet thru God.  Just a great feeling and at the same time feeling sad to go home tomorrow thinking about Haitian wishing we would be able to serve bit longer.

Fun With HDA Kids

Today we started off our day with delicious pancakes and scrambled eggs, with yummy bananas and avocados. The freshly squeezed mango juice that the staff prepared for us was so good; many people had refills until there was so little that they finally asked people if they wanted juice! (lol). Anyways, we did our morning devotions while shedding some emotional tears from how touching the message was. We then took our Tap Tap to Haiti Deaf Academy (HDA) in Cabaret. It took a while to get to HDA, but we had fun chatting away.

When we arrived we were greeted and welcomed with wonderful smiles of joy. A few children braided the girls on the team's hair, which made us look much more fashionable. Many of us enjoyed watching the children play with Log Cabin and Jenga. Some of us played soccer with several boys.  Most of us and children spent time writing on the chalkboard. While the leaders were busy taking photos of us in action, and some of us played with large puzzles with the children. A few of us used a picture book to ask the children what is their sign for each image, and we were amazed at our similar most of our signs were.  Some of their signs were different from ours. All of the children had BIG white smiles on their faces, and gave us so much unconditional love and hugs. We all shared our names, and our name signs. We were amazed at how many name signs for boys were near the forehead, and girls were near the chin. Some of us gave piggy back rides to the smaller children. They were so surprised and couldn't believe that the two teenagers on the team missed school to visit them!

After we left HDA, some of us were completely worn out and ready to sleep at 2:00 pm!! We went to Haitian National Memorial and Peace Park where there is a mass unmarked grave for all the earthquake victims. We listened to one of the Healing Haiti staff tell us his story about his experience with the earthquake in January 2010. Even though it was fairly short, it was very destructive and deadly.  He told us that he was in his classroom when it occurred to him that the ground was shaking. If they were in the old classroom, that was still standing at the time, they would have died. Many buildings and homes collapsed during and after the earthquake. There were 52 aftershocks all the way till late February! All of us knew that it had to be God that protected him and his siblings, along with his parents. Many relatives of people in the earthquake gave up looking for their family in fear that they would have to face the fact that most would never see them again.

All in all it was a wonderful day ending with pizza at Pizza Amour and word of the day. Many words were positive and surrounding one main word, love.

Faith Is Strongly Shown In Leveque

This morning's devotion included, "You can't share God's love, if you don't have His love within you." A Bible verse that went with it was Matthew 6:33, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  We took Healing Haiti's Tap Tap once again, and traveled about an hour to Leveque, where there is a community of deaf adults.  When we arrived, it was like an extreme sauna; the sun was beating on us.  We met with Pastor William, who then led us on a prayer walk around the deaf community.  We visited several tiny homes, that were built with metal and cement.  Each home we visited were no more than approximately 15 feet by 15 feet.  Each home had a porch and space for gardening, but ground was permanently damaged due to lack of water. 

Many of these deaf adults were part of families that lack food. Some went hungry.  Many had no water delivered to them.  These people had to pay for water, unlike Cite Soleil where Healing Haiti delivers free water.  

The people we visited were surprised that Deaf Americans would come to see them.  We asked them their names, what problems they were dealing with now, and how we could pray for them.  Most common problems we heard were wanting to have steady income, food, and water.  One house we visited, there was a woman who enjoyed doing laundry (Haitians wash their clothes by hand).  We had an opportunity to see how she washed the clothes.  Her property was full of clothing hung up on the line and over the plants to dry.  Many of those clothes were color coordinated.  We saw mostly red, blue, and black; clothes ranged in size from a little girl's tank top to a man's pants.  A woman we met stated she did not have any prayer requests and that she was content; however, she did mention she needed food and water. 

We passed by a house where there were many children and many adults singing, dancing, and praising the Lord. One team member recognized a song they were singing it was the Kreyol version of "Marching to Zion".  Meredith went over and started singing/signing and dancing with the adults there, who welcomed her with big smiles.

Many of us were mesmerized with the spectacular views there.  The mountains were much closer to us and massive in size.  The homes going up towards the mountains were brightly colored with aqua, yellow, orange, and green.

Through prayer we have hope that God has already the answers for the problems we saw today. 

Our evening devotion was about what we can do and how we can do something. We opened with two verses of the song, "Do Something" by Matthew West:

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”

Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”

So, will you please join us in praying for the deaf people in Haiti?

The river of life (and water) runs through Cite Soleil.

      Bright smiles beamed on dark faces, hair beads swung left and right, and little fingers clasped both of my hands.  The sun shone brightly in the city of "Cite Soleil" while Haitians fished with their nets and children played in the ocean.  Innocent stares came from the left and right side of the dock, and after a while I realized it was because we were a group of Americans deep in the heart of Haiti where even some Haitians refuse to go.

     Today was water day and boy, were we in for a surprise!  The morning was simple.  We ate amazing pancakes, filled water bottles, and then jumped in the Tap Tap! The bumpy ride sloshed water bottles but a lot of us still attempted to get some hydration before the amazing day in the city of sun (which of course resulted in some comical tries, and a little water on the floor :) 

     After the ride we arrived at the water filling station, waited for our water truck to get filled and then headed to the first area to deliver water!  Adorable kids flocked to see us and hold our hands as we hopped out of the Tap Tap.  Kids, both big and small, walked us to the area where we would fill up their containers with water.  People lined up with their buckets waiting for the water to start running.  The water truck holds 3,000 gallons of water!  Children ran around trying to collect water in buckets.  Even buckets as small as old pop bottles were seen but they were determined and adorable!

     As we held the water hose, little kids would come up to us and tug on our shorts.  Their bright smiles beamed up at us from 3 feet below as we turned around.  Their gentle hands would reach up and pull on our fingers, or gesture asking us to hold them.  The girls were fascinated with my long nails (Madi).  And as we held the little boys and girls, we realized all they wanted was to be loved. 

     I learned today that those kids gave us more then we would ever give them.  All they wanted was to be held or stand by us and hold the side of our leg.  All we were giving them was water. They had close to nothing in the way of possessions.  Some of them didn't even have clothing.  But they were still happy!  The women would gesture at their 5 gallon buckets full of water and the point to their heads.  At first I was confused, but then I realized they wanted me to put the buckets on their heads!  I watched my mom, and everyone on the team help place these heavy buckets (filled to the brim) right on the tip top of their heads! Young and old alike walked away balancing their heavy buckets on their heads with smiles beaming from their faces.  All and all, it was an amazing day. 

     At the end of the day, the leaders asked everyone for one word or phrase that would describe their day.  One person said their word of the day was love.  Another said it was a bit overwhelming.  One person said wonderful and one really good word was this was their reality.  It was a reality check to us, seeing that they have nothing and that we have everything we could ever imagine.  Those kids probably haven't ever heard of Apple, or Mount Rushmore, but it didn't matter to them.  They had nothing, yet they were happy to receive water.  We have everything, yet we complain about the smallest things like matching clothes, or Christmas gifts.  A few other words were hope, trust,  smiles, family, enjoyment, and unconditional love. 

     At the end of every day, we have a devotional.  One of today's verses was Matthew 25:35-36:  (NIV) 
³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.  I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.  I was a stranger and you invited me in. ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me.  I was sick and you looked after me.  I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

     Through the whole day, we learned the meaning of being the hands and feet of Jesus.  We learned that no matter what, God is protecting us and He loves us just like He loves the Haitians.  And we learned that when we served the least of these, we are serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We are serving Jesus.  

A Day of Joy

Some of our team members woke up at 5:00 a.m. to watch the sunrise, and four guard dogs joined us.  The sunrise had a beautiful blue ray of light.   After a hearty breakfast, we went to Apparent Project - a wonderful non-profit organization giving economic empowerment to Haitians, so they can keep their families together and avoid relinquishing their children to orphanages.  We were fascinated with how they recycle trash by making beads, ceramic mugs, bags, stuffed animals, dolls, ornaments, clay, metal art, and more.   We went upstairs, and had delicious smoothies at The Clay Cafe.  Our next stop was to visit metal art vendors in Bon Repos, where we found a variety of gorgeous metal art made from oil drums.   We watched Haitians as they made metal art as well. And purchased some pieces to bring home with us.

Then, we stopped at Institut Montfort, an oral Deaf school where we were greeted with hugs, smiles, and high fives from Haitian children.  The students were in school when we arrived but the Director allowed us to go into school and visited 8th grade through high school in their classrooms on the second floor of the school.  We introduced ourselves and allowed the students to guess whether we were deaf or hearing; it was fun to watch them with their expressions.  After school was out for the day, we walked back to their dorms and visited the younger children.  We brought bubbles. They were so excited to blow the bubbles, even though they had to wait for their turn.  We also played with them and talked with them.  When time was up, we felt disappointed to go, but it was so great to see them with their beautiful smiles.  We headed back to the guesthouse where we had a wonderful supper of tacos.  Some of us went to the pool to cool off. 

"Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy." Philippians 3:1

  

"I am with you and I will protect you wherever you go" Genesis 28:15a

Today we took a Tap Tap (which is sort of like a public bus that is open with caging on all four sides. Very bumpy ride!) and went to Carrefour, where there is a home for sick and dying adults. We also went to a museum called Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien, to learn about the history and background of Haiti and its people. Towards 3:00 pm we went to an orphanage called LaLoo. Some team members mentioned that LaLoo was very eye-opening and emotional.

One of the "words of the day" was giving people "comfort" in Carrefour. Most people who would see sick and dying people would stay away from them, afraid that they might get sick or because the sick person doesn't look the prettiest. Everyone on our team got close to them and that helped the sick and dying people feel so happy and loved. Some other words that were mentioned were "unconditional love" from the orphans, "serving" at Carrefour and at LaLoo, "energetic" kids, "perspective", "joyful" kids at the orphanage, "wait" on the Lord, "smiles" from everyone around us, "Kreyol", "testing" ourselves in our comfort zones, and lastly, "plans." Our plan was to bring lotion and supplies to help serve the adults, but we forgot the box with our supplies. But God's plan was for us to go anyway.

A great verse that was brought up by Bob during our devotions this evening was Genesis 28:15a "I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go." I thought this was a great verse because God gave us joy, happiness, and energy to give the children at LaLoo, and love to give the adults in Carrefour. The children were constantly full of smiles and laughter. They just wanted to show us they're friendly, wanted "piggyback" rides, and mainly hugs of compassion.

First Day in Haiti

Our day began at 3:30-3:45am when all of us arrived at the MSP airport.  We were tired, nervous, and excited about what's coming.  After checking in and settling, we flew from MSP to Miami to PAP (Port au Prince).  We enjoyed the beautiful scenery over the ocean and into Haiti.  With glorious mountains greeting us we entered Port au Prince and were exposed to colorful homes and Tap Taps.  Many of us had wide eyes, taking in the different language and culture.  We breezed through immigration and customs.  We gathered our many suitcases full of donations and walked through the airport to our Tap Tap.  We had to wait a while before the Healing Haiti Tap Tap came back for us due to traffic, this was a perfect opportunity for our team members to really soak in the people of Haiti, the language, the smells, the cars/tap taps.  It was somewhat overwhelming for us to absorb, but at the same time, very educational and interesting.  We had an opportunity see Haitians helping other Haitians with their vehicles and burdens.  After arriving here at the guesthouse, we were greeted by the Haiti staff and had dinner.  After dinner, we shared our "word of the day" which varied from excitement to hope to happy to amazing to hope.  We ended with Philippians 2:19-21- "If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit.  Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along.  I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.  All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ".

Our prayer for the week is that we will genuinely care for the welfare of the people we serve and for each other on our team.