Woodridge church, August 4th

Josh H. - Recovery- It is so remarkable how haiti has recovered from the earthquake just 7 years ago. 

Lea - Proud - So proud of the team for laying themselves down to love and serve the elderly

Joanna- Hard- It was a hard day of serving, but also hard to leave the elders once we were there

Daphne- Yes- It’s really hard to believe that God is always saying “yes” to us, but He is always saying “yes, I love you”. We just don't know how His yes is going to look. 

Emmy- Unexpected- At the third elder visit, I was affected by her story and it moved me to unexpected tears. 

Josh M. - emotional- Finding out that one of the elders had just lost her husband and son made me feel so sad for her. 

Annika C.- Free- returning to see Jude Jean Paul this year was different than when I saw him last year. But this time when I saw him I felt confident that someday he will be free from his sick body. 

Tori- Optimistic- The woman who had just lost her family went around and hugged each one of us and was so sweet and optimistic. I remembered that no matter what you go through there is always something to be thankful for. 

Lizzy- Breeze- Every time I felt down or just overwhelmed with the heat, God sent a breeze to comfort me and keep me going. 

Larissa- Desire - I prayed that God would give me a moment to stop being inhibited by my insecurity and be free and enjoy a moment. And He have that to me. God will fulfill every desire we have. 

Lauren - Blessed- The rain in Haiti is such a blessing. I feel blessed when it rains here. Also, when we visited Jude Jean Paul, i knew that our job was just simply to bless him. 

Maya- Hope- Today at grace village I saw how God is transforming haiti through his love. 

Bella- Fearless- 1. The elders fearlessly receive love from us. 2. At grace village I met a boy who had a fearless desire to try new things and ask deep questions. 

Ann- Amen- I just love watching our students serve and seeing how much they get it and served with such heart. 

Braeden- Touch- Today I massaged more people(the elderly) than I ever have in my life- and it was awesome. I was emotionally and mentally touched by them too. 

Austin- Close Up-  We get to be close-up with each other and with the Haitians here, without the things that normally separate humans. 

Graham- Shoutout- Shoutout to grace village for everything that they do.

Robby- Annikaka- I introduced our friend annika as Annikaka to kindergarten boys and they thought it was so funny. 

Annika- Beauty- I saw so much of God’s beauty today. today was joyful even though we saw hard things. 

Abbie- Emotions- I had a wide range of emotions today- sorrow over the earthquake, and joy with the elders, and hopeful at grace village. 

Katie- Appreciated- One of the elders we saw was waiting for us to arrive because she was so excited, and if felt great to serve her. 

Noelle- Faith- so many of the kids at Grace and the elders have been through so much, yet they still have such a strong faith. 

Emma- Look- I identified this rock that was porous and dry, and when I looked closer i saw that there was a flower growing out of it. God reminded me that new things can grow out of the driest of places. 

Brice- Deposit- Every week when the elders are visited, they are given a deposit of love. Over time these add up, and bloom into awesome things. 

Woodridge Day 4

Hello all! Today was our second water truck day! The first water truck day was very exhausting and so I was mentally dreading the day ahead, however it turned out to be an amazing day and God was certainly on the move. One of my favorite moments of the day was at the last stop that we made. A girl named Ashley approached me shortly after we arrived there and immediately put her arms up to be held. She was maybe 5 or 6 years old so it was heavy carrying her. I was initially regretting picking her up but she was so sweet I just couldn't put her down. It is important to mention that at this stop I also felt that I was suppose to carry as many buckets as possible, so I wasn't sure I would stay with Ashley for very long. That being said, she was able to find solution. With each bucket that I grabbed she would grab to the back of my shirt and follow me wherever I took the bucket. In multiple cases she would direct me where to put the bucket and then she would promptly climb back into my arms. At one point we were separated and after finding her she stuck by even closer. My arms were aching, but knowing that after I put a bucket down she would smile at me made it completely worth it. Although the stop was filled with people and children everywhere, I felt a sense of stillness inside me that contradicted the chaotic events transpiring around me. The rhythm of carrying a bucket while holding Ashley's hand and then picking her up promptly after made the stop a joy filled experience that I will always treasure.
        -Lizzy Pate
Today was day 4 in Haiti and we are thriving! It was our second water truck day of the week and it was hot! One moment that will stick with me for awhile is right when I walked off the tap tap at our first stop, and a mother handed me her beautiful baby boy. He was so cute and sadly very sick. After about 10 minutes of walking around and playing with him, he started to cry a heartbreaking cry. This moment had me feeling helpless and hopeless that I couldn't cure this Child of his sickness. I didn't understand why this incredible child was in this saddening situation, but later on today God put on my heart that he was weeping and his heart was breaking also for this child. He also showed me on later stops he has a plan for Haiti, and we are apart of it. God is doing amazing things here in Haiti, and in the pain and suffering we need to trust in him because he knows what to do. My heart now is filled with joy knowing God is watching over and protecting the people of Haiti, and the child I held on the first water truck stop is in the hands of Christ.
       -Annika Swanson
Last night and again this morning Shayla got sick which meant she had to stay home from our serving day. We are blessed to have the Orono school nurse Ann on our trip as one of our leaders and she stepped in and cared for Shayla last night and this morning. Our trip leader Lea stayed back with Shayla from our water truck serving today and I am happy to report that she has been back with the group all afternoon and evening. She says that she is feeling better. Please keep the health of all of our team in your prayers. Midway through a hot week like this is a time when people can get sick.
       -Drew Johnson

This trip to Haiti is my first time being in a third world country since living in Tanzania roughly eight years ago. So far, I have enjoyed every minute of it (with the exception of my bathroom trips) and will remember this week for the rest of my life. I am especially thankful that I can share the experience with some of my childhood friends, and I am also thankful that I could make new friends throughout the week as well. I have relearned the many troubles of third world countries, including the intense poverty and homelessness. However, there is also much joy in Haiti, and it is even present among children who have virtually nothing. Serving the elders and playing with the children in Haiti are both experiences that have influenced me as a person, and I thank God for the amazing opportunity. 

Today we went and visited the elders in their homes. They were super nice and comforting. One of them was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She told me how she had lost her husband and son and after that she just lost everything, all her money and everything. It was so sad, I started to cry. It was a special moment. Also a big shout out to my mom, Catherine Mehaffey, I miss and love you. - Josh Mehaffey.

Word of the Day for August 3

WORD OF THE DAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

Each day we debrief our experiences by each picking a word of the day and describing why we picked that word. 

Drew - Josh-le Gym 

A made up word combing Josh Mehaffey’s name with Jungle Gym. At every stop Josh was holding 3-5 kids while others were around waiting for a turn to play with him. He and all the guys on our trip have served the kids in 

Emmy - Touching 

At our first stop this one girl latched onto me at our second water truck stop. Even when I tried to set her down she wouldn’t let go. It was really touching for me, and she was touching me. 

Lea - Confidence

God is teaching me to believe on deeper levels that God is doing His thing whether I am a part of it or not. I didn’t go on the water truck today but I knew God was doing His thing and God had control. 

Shayla - Puking

I’ve never puked so much in two days but I am doing a lot better. Thank you for all the prayers and for helping me and for Lea staying with me. 

Joanna - I love you

A boy I was holding said I love you and then I said it back and we kept saying it over and over back and forth to each other. It reminded me that if God was next to me he would be saying I love you, I love you all day.

Annika S - Heart

I was holding a little boy and then he started to cry and Joanna took the boy and then he fell asleep right away. I think God blessed Joanna with a warm motherly heart and I thank God for that.

Lauren - Tight

I have gotten very tight with most of the people on our trip the past couple days. And when I have been holding kids in Cite Soleil they hold on so tight and wrap their bodies around you. They refuse to go on the ground. 

Rob - Sister

Team Underdahl was holding down the hose at the first water truck stop. I was trying to think of the last time we worked together on something — Mother’s Day cooking a meal for our mom (which was a disaster). That is the time that I remember us working the best together ever. 

Katie - Brother 

(Note: not planned!!!, so we made them hug)

We worked so well together. He is leaving for college in few days. It is going to be so different without him but I am thankful I could bond with him and work together here in Haiti. 

Lizzy - Rhythm 

I noticed many instances where we have the rhythm down for water truck stops. I also noticed a pattern or rhythm for the whole day. Then at the third stop I was carrying a lot of buckets and this girl Ashley would tell me where to put the buckets and hold onto my hand or shirt and pick her up when I put a bucket down. We got in a good rhythm. 

Tori - Caring

I felt very cared for by the Haitians today. At the second stop a mother came up and wiped the sweat off my forehead and adjusted my bandana while I held her son. 

Maya - Bitter Sweet

Today was very emotional day for me and I struggled with a lot of the things I saw today. At the second stop I spent time holding this little girl who latched onto me. I later saw a woman slap her really hard and it broke my heart. It was a tough day. 

Larissa - Believe

I am good at giving love but it is really hard for me to accept it. If I am not the best at a few certain things here then I don’t feel like I have a part and that I am not important. I started to think that I wouldn’t be loved and that God wouldn’t love me. I know God loves me but I am having a hard time believing that God loves me. I am trying to believe that I don’t have to be good at things to be loved. 

Austin - Ann

Last night Ann was so on top of things helping Shayla. I knew that Shayla was being loved on by Ann. Ann told me all the ways she loved Shayla. It was really cool to see how much Ann loves our team. Today on the tap tap Ann was singing all the songs and singing her own songs. She was super passionate the whole day. 

Josh M - Marriage

Three different girls asked me to marry them today. I didn’t know it until about 30 minutes after when a guy told me that’s what they were saying. 

Abbie - Redemption

I saw a lot of hard things today. At one point I saw  lady trying to get water and didn't get there and another girl did so she hit the other woman. Seeing that was really depressing. Two seconds later I saw a long line of water and all these people getting water. It was two totally different viewpoints and perspectives. God is working through Healing Haiti and through us to bring redemption. 

Bella - Found 

On our way to the second water truck stop I really started to miss my mom so much. So I was thinking about her the whole day. At the second stop I was the first one off and this little girl reminded me of my mom and I wanted a hug from my mom so I reached out to her and we hugged each other and I cried and she cried. 

Josh H - Bepto bismal

It was rough morning but I took that pill and it got me through the 3 stops. I am glad we have access that kind of help and that I was able to participate today. 

Graham - Strength

At one point a bunch of 8 and 9 year old girls were holding massive buckets on their heads and asking me to help them put them on their heads. These kids have so much strength. 

Braeden - Youth

I don’t know if it was me paying attention more or more kids taking charge in the water process but the number of kids I saw grabbing the heavy buckets filling them with water and carrying them home was a lot. 

Noelle - Comfort Zone

Last year I didn’t do the hose at all. But I did the hose today, I stepped outside of my comfort zone. It was the best experience ever. Annika S was a boss at it and it was really fun. 

Annika C - Remember

I was kind of upset I couldn’t go today so I went back through and read through my journal from the last year. And I thought … God does amazing stuff every day. 

Brice - Haitian 

That is the first word I hear when I get off the tap-tap, people asking me if I am Haitian. It is cool because it allows me to have awesome conversations with people. I had an awesome conversation with a girl trying to figure out that I wasn’t Haitian. I’ve had conversations with people in their 20’s about life and how they feel about living in Citi Soleil. 

Emma - Connectedness 

Today at the third stop I saw this lady who looked vaguely familiar, how do I recognize her? She found me and pointed and me and seemed to say, I remember you. Then I remembered we saw each other two days ago on the water truck stops. It was cool to feel that I can be connected. 

Ann - Praise

I want to retract my chauvinistic word from yesterday, I saw men helping at every stop today. 

When you step out of the tap tap you step into a sea of kids with their arms up and I thought of praise Him and I couldn’t wait to pick them up. 

Daphne - Tiny Hands

Whenever I walked out of the tap tap I saw these tiny hands up waiting to be held and grabbing me and pulling me.

Day 3 blog post

Today we split up into our two ministry teams.  In the morning each team went to a different orphanage.  Lea and Brice's team went to the orphanage called 'Home sweet home'. Home Sweet Home is an orphanage that began after the earthquake 7 years ago when many children found themselves homeless and seeking refuge. A man who saw the children in need decided to utilize a patch of land that he had bought previously to serve as a place for those children.--And thus was this orphanage born! Today, it houses many children with ranging ages. It provides a loving home for any children (mostly orphans of poverty), educates them in their on-site school and makes them truly feel like they are at home until they can find a permanent home by adoptive parents. Our ministry team had an amazing time today as we loved on all of the beautiful children that are currently living at Home Sweet Home. Some highlights were playing soccer with the young boys, singing praises to God with the children and lots of piggy-back rides! :) Certainly a wonderful experience filled with God's love!!

-Maya

Austin and Ann's team went to an orphanage for disabled children called 'Gertrudes'.  It started with Austin taking out his guitar and toy instruments being handed out.  Immediately every kid's face lit up.  We had a fun time dancing, singing and holding the kids during this time.  It gradually transitioned outside to their playground where wheel chair races were held, children were swinging and playing basketball.

Today I(Katie) was pushing a girl in a wheelchair with two flat tires.  It was much harder than pushing a regular wheelchair. After a few minutes I started to become tired and it was very tough but I started thinking about how hard her life is. The smile on her face and the joyful squeels she was making encouraged me to keep going even when I was tired.

-Katie and Annika C.

On the first day, I was exhausted. Wake up at 2:30 am, drive to the airport at 3:00 am. And we got on the plane and left at 6:05 am. We were on a pretty small plane without televisions, or anything to do but sleep. Since I can't sleep on planes or anything of the sort, I downloaded a movie with the hour of WiFi I had and watched it until I couldn't watch it anymore since I was out of internet time given to me. So then we got off the plane, waited an hour for our next flight and sat on the plane for an hour and ten minutes and took off. I finished my movie only with a few minutes to spare, and here we were in Haiti. I had been waiting for months to arrive here, and here I was. Standing in the middle of the airport, sweating like Niagara Falls, but I was finally here.
Haiti was a lot different than I had expected, but it was perfect. It had beautiful mountains, colourful houses on the streets, and beautiful people, plants and everything. I had thought that Haiti was going to be only homes made from metal scraps and blankets, and sick and dying people. But no. It wasn't. It was so much more different than what I had expected it to be. There still was the things that I thought there was going to be, but Haiti was so much different than I thought, and so much more beautiful!

On the second day, we went to 3 different places in City Solei. The first stop had my heart. It was so amazing how much joy a bucket of water and a few Americans could bring to a group of people. Right once I got to the first stop, children surrounded the Tap-Tap and one by one they were picked up by the other people in my team. I was one of the last people to get out, so all of the children had left to follow them. So I went and followed everyone and was weirdly standing in our group wondering if any kid would want me to pick them up. After some time, a little girl came up to me with her arms up in the air wanting me to pick her up, and of course I picked her up and we exchanged names and smiles since I don't know much french. After holding her for a minute or two, she slid down my side and pointed at a little boy near me and had him come closer to me and he put his hands up and I picked him up. It amazed me how the little girl, who was probably 7 or 8, gave up being held to another little boy, just to let him be loved.
After a while, I held plenty of kids and danced and played a game. And then a little girl named Daniella, ran up to me and I held her until a young boy yelled, "Hey, You!" and pointed to a bucket, referencing to him wanting me to carry it to his house. So I put Daniella down, and picked up the bucket and let the little boy show me where he wanted to bring it. After less than 10 seconds, I felt a hand holding onto the back of my shirt. And after I brought the bucket to the little boys house, I found out that it was Daniella. That happened so many more times and she didn't want to leave me and I loved her so much. She had my heart. After I said good bye and set her down, she grabbed my hand like we were just going to walk again, but I had to tell her that I was leaving. And I wanted to cry because she was the sweetest girl I had ever met and I didn't want to leave her.
I thought it was so amazing that I was able to communicate with so many people, even though there was a language barrier. I could speak a few words and phrases which made it easier to understand and have small conversations, but it was tough. But it was amazing how we all were able to communicate though actions, expressions and games.

Today we were split into our teams and went to two different orphanages. My group went to NPLH(No Place Like Home). Once we got to the orphanage, we went on a tour since the children were eating breakfast. But once they came out, I was so excited to meet them. One of the kids named Christopher jumped on me immediately. He was so full of energy and wanted to be carried the whole time even though he weighed a lot. But he was full of so much joy and light, and it made me so happy to see how much joy all the children could have when they don't have any parents and would never know what it felt like to have someone that they could call mom or dad. But they were so happy and it amazed me and just made me so happy.
After a while, one of the workers asked if she could take a photo of me, but I said yes because I just felt like I should even though I don't like being in photos. But after taking a photo, she kept on saying "belle" and I just couldn't hold back a smile because I knew what it meant(Beautiful) and it was so kind. I don't think of myself that way and it just made my morning when she said that.

In the afternoon we went to Papillon/ The Apparent Project. And saw people making jewelry and pottery and other things. At the Apparent Project, 201 people from Haiti are employed and payed well enough to help them survive and provide for themselves, and their families. I thought it was amazing that someone decided to employ and help so many people in Haiti and make their lives easier by providing them jobs and money.
I may or may not have spend a lot of money in the gift shop at The Apparent Project, but it was worth it because (1) I got a cool shirt and other gifts for family and some friends and (2) the money I spent is going to help the people that work there survive and provide for their loved ones.

This week so far had been incredible and I know that I'll never forget what had happened and I can't wait for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Until next time,
Daphne

Word of the Day for August 2

WORD OF THE DAY, AUGUST 2, 2017

Each day we debrief our experiences by each picking a word of the day and describing why we picked that word. 

Lauren - Sing

Both times I’ve been to a special needs orphanage Austin has sung loud both times and it brings me to tears. And we tend to sing a lot on the tap tap on our ministry team.

Emmy - Music

Like Lauren said, at the orphanage me and Shayla had a really touching moment then because when the first song started we started balling. 

The second thing is earlier Emma and I were singing to a bunch of worship songs and that was really cool.

Lea - Sweat

Today was really physically hard for me. I don’t do super well with heat. Most of the day my reaction was when can I get out of this and the thing that just kept sitting in my life is that getting out of this was a question I could ask but for most people in Haiti they can’t get out of it. 

It makes me really thankful and admiring of the Haitians. 

Annika S - Overwhelmed

I got a little emotional during worship and my heart breaks for the people of Haiti. I wish I could do more to help. I am also overwhelmed in a good way, I have felt distant from God lately but today he was right with me. 

Noelle - Experience

I was nervous going into the special needs orphanage but I absolutely loved it. I could do it every day. 

Tori - Chosen

At the special needs orphanage I looked around and it felt like God specifically chose a child for each of us. I held onto one of the kids almost the entire time until we had to leave.

Braeden - Fun 

When I held onto a little boy at the special needs orphanage it was pretty much the entire time but it didn’t feel like that long at all. I guess time flies when you are having fun. 

Joanna - Holy Spirit 

When I walked into the special needs orphanage I felt goose bumps the entire time even though it was over 90 degrees. I felt the Holy Spirit comforting us and the kids. 

Josh H - Sports

I love how you can bond with people through sports even if you can’t speak their language. Brice and I were playing soccer at the orphanage and we were having so much fun. 

Brice - Samuel

He was just my bro. I just hung out with him a lot. He took me everywhere. Lets do this race, get that soccer ball. Introducing me to his friends. He had so much joy. 

Larissa - Blessed 

Because I am blessed to be able to be here in Haiti with so many amazing people and getting to know you guys. This year God blessed me with enough money to come and more to spend it on the people I love while I am here. 

Maya - Treasures

I could see the little treasures God sprinkled over us today — especially at the orphanage. The kids had such big smiles, the people that cared for them are such treasures from God. Everybody here is so important and I can see the light of God in everybody. 

Rob - Photo

Way earlier today at home, sweet home orphanage Lea asked me to fill out the guest book and I was flipping through. They had a couple photos and a bunch of the kids came over to look at it with me and they knew all the names of the people in the photos who had visited them. 

Abbie - Names 

When we were at the orphanage today we were playing this game and the kids would mix our names up even though they knew our actual names. It was a sweet reminder of how important names are and how much significant they are. My name means father’s joy. As a Christian I love my name and it is a reminder to me. 

Lizzy - Content 

This morning sitting on the tap-tap a wave of peace came over me, like I knew I am supposed to be here. Also at the orphanage this kid fell asleep with me at the orphanage and he was so good. Even though my back was cramping up I felt like I was so good with where I was at. 

Katie - Tough

I was pushing a girl in a wheel chair but the chair’s wheels were deflated so it was tough to push it but when I did it she had so much joy and laughter. After awhile it got tough but I just thought it is nothing compared to how tough her life is. 

Daphne - Smileness 

While I was at the orphanage today all I saw was smiles. It was so cool to see. These kids don’t have someone that they can call mom and dad like we all do but it was cool to see how happy they were and all of their smiles. Also all the workers had smiles on their faces when we arrived.

Drew - Steps 

I had the chance to walk around the special needs orphanage with a boy named Daniel as he pulled me on this path that he wanted to walk on and then later I got to get more steps pushing a girl around in a wheel chair in the hot sun while she smiled and laughed. 

Graham - Popillion 

I really liked that place and spending time with you guys. I loved that tour. It was cool to see what God is doing and how they have gone from 5 employees to 200. 

Bella - Eyes

Every interaction I had at the orphanage the kids I held just looked into my eyes. One boy pointed at my eyes and held my face to look at me. It is a connection I think I don’t always think about, to look in someone’s eyes. Also back at the compound the people I have been talking to have been looking directly in my eyes. 

Ann - Awakening 

When we got to the orphanage the lady didn’t know we were coming and she didn’t know what to do with all of us. Then Austin started playing his guitar. I loved how the kids just got their groove on. The music was so powerful in those kids lives. I loved watching them dance in their chairs and play their own instruments along. 

Austin - Universal 

I was playing music and I had to girls very close to me. It was awesome. One girl was hugging me the whole time and another girl was pounding on the guitar and listening and slapping me. She clearly wanted to be close to the music. Its good for me to remember that music can communicate something and connect people. 

Josh M - Surprised 

I was excited to play with all the kids because I had so much fun doing that yesterday. Then we got to this orphanage and we walked into a room with a baby who was crying and looked like he was in pain. After I saw that I didn’t think it was going to be very fun. But then Austin started to play music and it started to be so much fun. The kids were so excited to see everyone. The whole thing was surprising to me. 

Emma - Feet 

First, at our orphanage, sweet home, I saw this girl immediately whose name was Natalie. She stayed with me this whole time. God answered my prayer from the day before to connect with someone. The first thing she did was get on her hands and kick her feet up at me and have me walk her around the gazebo. I loved spending time with her. 

Second, I feel like God has been saying that I need to open a lot of cans of worms which is not what I wanted to do but I think God is giving me this opportunity and saying to me, if you want to walk with me you have to trudge through the mud first. 

Annika C - Perspective

At the special needs orphanage the lady was telling me the stories about how their kids got to the orphanage. I started comparing it to my own life because it felt in a way similar to the way I would be living if I had been born in that circumstance. I almost started feeling like I was at a higher better level but then I felt God telling me, well I love them the same as you. Stop looking at the circumstances. 

Note: Shayla went to bed early. 

Woodridge day 2 words of the day

WORD OF THE DAY, AUGUST 1, 2017

Each day we debrief our experiences by each picking a word of the day and describing why we picked that word. 

Shayla - Empower

Today felt so good, not overwhelming. It felt wonderful. 

Josh M - Joy

Never seen anybody as happy as those kids we saw at the water truck stops. 

Braeden - New

I haven’t been on this trip before, its all new. I am a new kind of exhausted and I am feeling a new kind of joy.

Joanna - Hands

I felt the hand of God on all of us. Every time a kid would come up to me he or she would grab my hand. I did a lot with my hands.

Bella - Decrease

In a really, really good way. Decrease in who I am outside of Jesus. A decrease of what I don’t want to be. 

Emmy - Love

Everyone loved each other. I didn’t see any violence. I only saw love today.

Lizzy - Watching

When you are holding a kid who you can’t communicate with I had opportunities to look around and watch. I wasn’t always engaged in conversation which was new and I was watching and God was saying that’s ok. Look around, take a moment.

Josh H - Comfort Zone

With all the chaos I felt pushed out of my comfort zone a little bit but reflecting on it I am really thankful for that.

Abbie - Giggles

A lot of giggles in my day with the children and at the pool with our team. The giggles transcended the language barrier with the kids and we could share in the joy and the laughter. 

Lauren - Follow 

I feel like a lot of things in Haiti follow a pattern. Some parts of the pattern feel like a vicious cycle. In the midst of that the kids have an undeniable joy. 

Also, even after I put a kid down and we were leaving they would follow after us and not let go. 

Austin - Privilege 

I was carrying water buckets today and I was thinking about how at home I will go to a restaurant and be annoyed if people don’t serve me a certain way. I was thinking about how maybe some of the people I was carrying buckets for today have never had anyone serve them. I think that Jesus was telling the truth when he said their is joy and purpose in putting others before us. I got joy in serving other people. It became a privilege to carry the buckets for those women and serve.

Tori - Sacrifice

I witnessed a lot of sacrifice today. Our team put in a lot of sacrifice. I noticed sacrifice with the kids we spent time with. 

Emma - Care

I’ve seen a lot of love in Haiti. I was holding a girl at our first stop and after one or two minutes she got down when a little boy came over and asked me to pick up the little boy — she cared for this boy.

Annika C - Wow

I was on the truck because I was tired and dizzy so I decided to take a break on the truck. At the third stop I just said to God, you want me to be here so heal me so I can go out. And in that moment the tiredness and dizziness went away.

So I said God what do you want me to do so I saw this boy who had sores on his body and I could tell God wanted me to love on that kid so I did. 

Annika S - Protected

A little boy was so protective over the baby I was holding.

I learned from that I had some fears about feelings but God is protecting me and those fears mean nothing. 

Lea - Father’s Heart

I am blessed that one of our Haitian guys, Jermaine, has chosen me as a friend. Being able to go 8 times has meant each time I have gotten to have a sweet time with my friend Jermaine. Each time he wants to tell me about his son. He has the best smile and beams about his son. It is a beautiful thing to see a father’s heart for his kids. 

Graham - Break

I was carrying bucket after bucket for 25 minutes straight and then all of a sudden I get back to the hose and I wanted to take a break so I took a break I just got really tired.

Noelle - Sleep

On one of the water truck stops a little baby fell a sleep in my arms and that is one of my favorite things.

Ann - Chauvinistic 

I had a baby boy fall asleep on my shoulder and that was wonderful so I was watching the filling of the buckets and I thought where are all the Haitian men, have you noticed it is all women and children? Why is it all those women and children filling up those heavy, back breaking water buckets.

Maya - Willing

God made all of our hearts so open to love and the Haitian people open even though they don’t know us. It was beautiful to see all the strength and willingness God placed in each of us. 

Daphne - Tough

It was kind of hard to understand people even though I know some French. Sometimes thought I knew more than I did and started talking a ton and then I would do really weird hand motions to explain I couldn’t talk to them.

This one game this kid taught me was also hard to learn and hard to play because the kid was really fast and good at it.

Also carrying the buckets was hard.

But it was all cool and exciting, tough in a good way. 

Katie - Grateful

We complain about the littlest things but to see what these kids are going through and yet have joy for something as small as a bucket of water made me want to be grateful. 

Brice - Age

There was a time when Haitian people asked me to tell them how old everyone on our team was and then they would just laugh and pull in other people and tell them how old we were and laugh. It was awesome. 

Larissa - Connected

Today I started to feel really connected to this group. I am a big talker when I am comfortable but since I don’t really know a lot of you it has been hard to make a conversation but today I actually achieved that and got out of my comfort zone and started a deep conversation with some people. 

Robby - Step Back

The other times I have been here it has felt the same but different. I wanted to provide other people the experiences I had and on previous water truck days I always did the hose so this time I stepped back and hung out with the kids the whole time. In giving other people the experience I had I was able to have a new one. 

Drew - Determined 

I was carrying a bucket behind a Haitian woman who was also carrying a bucket. And her arm muscles were not as strong as me but she never put her bucket down. I wanted to put mine down and my arm was hurting and I just watched how determine she was, how determination seemed to fuel every Haitian person. 

Woodridge day 2

We all survived a little turbulence, and a few delays, and made it safely to Haiti!! 

Today we all woke up well rested, and ready for our first day of serving.  At about 9:30 this morning we headed out to Cite Solel, where we delivered water from water trucks to neighborhoods that can't get to it themselves. We also got the great joy of hugging and hanging out with all of the kids of the city, at each of three stops. Each team member had amazing and impactful experiences, we thought we would share a few:

"At our second water truck stop of the day, myself, and a few other team members, all began to teach large group of kids the hokie- pokie! It became quite the catch, and turned into a whole dance party! "

- Emmy Bottiger

" As the kids anxiously awaited at door of the tap- tap, yelling "hey you" I was instantly flooded with just pure joy. The second I stepped out a girl named belove attached to me arm, and I was able to just pick her up and shower her in love and affection." 

- Joanna Porter 

"In the midst of the initial crowd of team members, children, and people waiting to fill up their buckets with water at the beginning of our third stop a little boy named James who was no older than 3 or 4 found his way to me and asked to be held. After a minute or two of being with him he looked over and then pointed for me to look too, there was a woman with a few empty buckets walking with a little girl who appeared to possibly have some sort of special needs and wasn't paid much attention to by the other children. James quickly had me put him down and ran over to the two who i later figured out was his mother and sister. James brought the little girl to me and wanted me hold and spend time with her instead of him. He obviously cared more about his sister getting love than he did himself. It is moments like this that make Haiti so amazing to me."

-Tori Holmquist

After a long but incredible day of serving, we were were to have fun cooling off by taking a swim in the near by hotel pool.