EBC Spring Lake Park: Day 2 Photos

EBC Spring Lake Park: Day 2 "Stop for the One" October 30th

Our day started with a team devotional, titled ‘Stop for the one’ It was mostly about being present for every individual we encounter, rather jumping from child to child and person to person. Giving the entire moment to that individual.  This was a great reminder for the day that was planned.

Our first stop we were very fortunate to be able to go to Hope School in Cite Soleil. The story of the church and school itself is absolutely incredible and a miracle.  My previous trip here included a stop at the same school, the continued progress that this ministry is making in this area and with the school incredible. The care that this one building has, it’s clear the people have great pride in it.  They are currently in the process of adding a medical clinic to further expand in this area and to reach even more people.

When we arrived at the school it was a buzz with the energy from the kids, we could hear them chanting as we pulled into the compound.  Most of our members were quiet, and no one knew what to expect.  We slowly walked into the area where they hold church service, the kids started to move toward the door waving and smiling and spilling out to be picked up and held. Order was soon restored and we moved to the first classroom to work through a simple Bible lesson, as most of the kids are 3-5 year olds.  The verse we focused on was Jeremiah 1:5.  Before I formed you in your mother's womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.  We worked through a little skit to show the kids that no matter what physical attributes they had, (playing on the physical attributes we have) God made you and loves each one of you! 

We provided every child with a picture frame with the words ‘Jezi Renmen Mwen!’ Jesus Loves Me!  As the children in the first classroom started coloring and decorating their frame,  part of the team moved to the second room, to give the same lesson and skit.  A few stayed behind to help the kids color. As they finished, they moved outside and got their picture taken with a Polaroid type camera. When they returned back to the classroom, we taped their picture to their frame.  The JOY, pride and smiles these kids had with their project was so incredible to see.

We worked through five class rooms, and approximately 150 kids all completed the same activity.  The team did an amazing job adapting as needed and moved from room to room…being present in every situation.  It was controlled chaos, but so much fun.  After we got back on the tap-tap, everyone was in a much different mood and chatty as they shared each other’s experiences.

Our second stop was at Rebuild Globally, which is a company that employees about 20 people. They take discarded tires and other recyclables to create very nice items, such as sandals and handbags.  This was a nice brief opportunity for the members to shop, and visit a small business that is focused on recycling and cleaning the environment.

This afternoon, we visited two partner ministries… Home for the Sick & Dying and La Phare’s orphanage.

Since half of our group had been to the Home for Sick and Dying on previous trips, we decided to send primarily our first time trip goers to experience it. This home holds many babies and young children who are suffering from some illness or malnourishment.  With the devotional from the morning fresh in our minds we divided ourselves in to the four rooms, two people with babies under one year and two people with toddlers. We got there right as they were being fed for the afternoon. Most of us were handed bowls and spent time feeding the kids, others were given bottles for the baby kids. Many just wanted to be held. There was a line of chairs outside of one of the rooms,  facing the playground outside, filled with our team members and one (but often times more) kid sitting on their laps. We got to spend about two hours loving on these kids. It was an incredible experience.

The other half of our team traveled to La Phare’s orphanage to spend time with about 20 children. We did the same activity as earlier in the day, but these children were a little older and were amazingly well behaved. One special moment was having a conversation with a 14-year old boy who had two other brothers and two younger sisters in the orphanage. He knew enough broken English and we knew enough broken Creole to communicate, which was great. It was fun to see his excitement as we asked questions about his family but also his future. He hopes to be a basketball player (Michael Jordan is his favorite), or a builder of homes. The impact you can have on an individual is amazing when you just take time to be present and have a truly genuine conversation with someone.

Before this trip, we are often asked “what are you going to build in Haiti.” Most expect us to respond with homes or schools, but we are building relationships and confidence with these children who in many cases have been abandoned or forgotten. We cannot forget that God often places people in our path that he intends for us to uniquely intersect with. You may never know how impactful your prayer, your conversation, your smile, or lingering act of service will be on someone.

EBC Spring Lake Park: Day 2 "Good Morning"

Good morning from Haiti! Coffee is flowing freely this morning as most of the team was up to watch our first Haitian sunrise :)

Keeping our eyes open for what God has planned for us today!

EBC Spring Lake Park Day 1 (part 2): October 29th

Hello friends and family and greetings from the Healing Haiti guesthouse in Port Au Prince! After much anticipation, packing, and prayers, we arrived safely in Haiti this afternoon for our week long trip. After landing here, we squeezed our luggage (most of us like to think we are light packers...I think we’re wrong) and our group of 17 onto the tap tap for a (relatively) smooth ride to the guest house. We relaxed for a little bit before enjoying some Haitian style tacos together in the dining room. We’ve only had a few meetings to prepare together (and some of us met for the first time today) but it already feels like we’re becoming a family. It is so clear that God has specifically chosen each one of us and our special gifts to contribute to this team and serve on this trip. During devotional time after dinner, we had the opportunity to share our spiritual gifts and decompress on the balcony. We went over our game plan for tomorrow (tune in to the blog tomorrow night) and closed in a prayer led by Chloe. We are feeling inspired and encouraged by those of you at home who continue to pray for us. Tomorrow is a big day and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for our first full day of serving! 

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. - 1 Peter 3:8

Anna & Abbie

EBC Spring Lake Park Day 1: October 29th

Our team arrived on a staggered schedule, but everyone made it safely. There are 17 people in our group coming from a variety of states, including Massachusetts, Denver, Minnesota, Kentucky, and New Jersey.  The team brings a tremendous amount of experience both in life and mission work, and we will all learn from each other I am sure.  

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day where we start off at Hope School where we will be doing activities with 150 three and five year olds. The school is located in Cite Soleil which is one of the poorest parts of the Western Hemisphere. The afternoon we will split up with half the group going to the “Home for Sick & Dying Children,” where young children go for care. We will there to support staff and bring a moment of hope for these little ones. The other half of the group will be participating in another activity of service at a nearby orphanage. Looking forward to what God has in-store for us all!

Double Cody's Team Thursday and Friday October 25 and 26 2018

October 25, 2018

We started out Thursday visiting a school and church sponsored by a small congregation in Texas.  We were able to color faith based pictures, some of the school artists used some great color choices to help tell the story.  We (mostly the teachers and students) jumped rope and once again Team Cody Lost in soccer to this schools talented team.  Although the playing surface was rocky none of the team members sustained any injuries. 

Later in the day, we rolled through Port-au-Prince to find ourselves at school of over four hundred which was started by a Haitian girl who attended University in the States.  She returned to Haiti to establish a school environment with a goal of having 12 kids which would be ideal.  God had other plans, the growth to 400+.   Through her encouragement and high expectations many of the kids we met and talked to are fluent in English.  One of the benefits is also the opportunity to pop into their classrooms to assist in teaching.  Unfortunately, our timing was off since they were in the middle of exams.

 October 26 2018

Today the team woke up at 5:30 to attend a local Haitian Church to join in their morning service.  What struck most of us was the joy and passion shown by the people attending, the speakers and the band. Although, we did not speak the language we felt comfortable worshiping with them.   We were also encouraged by some of them,  to participate in moving to the beat of the songs, which additionally made us feel welcome. 

Then off to one of Healing Haiti’s Schools, that also houses a medical clinic, a bakery/restaurant and family style housing for kids.  We had a chance to interact with the kids and get an update on the recent developments in the complex.  Later in the day we were fortunate to be able to sit down to some fabulous pizza, french fries and dessert. 

The highlight of today was the opportunity to spend time with some of the elders of Titanyen.  With prayers, God Songs and some feet washing, we were blessed by the elders love of God and their Joyous responses to our interaction.  This truly was a highlight of our trip.     

Double Cody's Team Wednesday October 24 2018

ALO Friends

Day 3 was filled with some great opportunities to hear and see God's plan for the Healing Haiti people.  We visited a local recycling organization that takes discarded water bags and turns that into purses, a remarkable transformation.  What struck the whole team was not only how the young owner employed local Haitians but also how she  encouraged them to share how they performed their jobs and something they like to do in English.  Her intent is to create a certain confidence in communicating in English while also assisting them in learning valuable job skills.  She is a very inspiring young woman who allowed us to catch a glimpse of  who is truly being lead by God in the world's challenges but also in his ability to use us to transform other believers.  Unbelievable that they are taking plastic trash thrown out and turning it into practical artistic works of Art. 

One of our favorite stops is a school on the outskirts of Port-Au-Prince where we get have fun and  play soccer, color and paint nails of some wonderful little ones.  The Double Cody's  traveling soccer team continues to struggle to win against these gifted 8-10 year old boys.   The leader of this school seems to have such a wonderful way to build young people in confidence and manners.  We are amazed as to how we are accepted and there desire to interact with us. 

In mid afternoon, we split the team town the middle with half going to a children's Hospital to minister to babies and toddlers. This group experienced a wonderful way to minister to some sick children; holding, hugging and feeding them.  This was a very heart wrenching experience to partner with the staff to love on some of God's little ones. 

The other Group spend time playing basketball, soccer, jump rope and allowing young girls to paint their own nails as well as some of us.  We learned fairly quickly that these youngsters spoke English very well.  Those kids "done" wore us out.