Woodridge made it to Haiti!!

Our day began for most of us around 2am.  Two members of our team, Corrina and Ashlynn, started their days off pretty sick which made for really, really, really long plane rides!!

We all arrived safely in Haiti this afternoon and after our team time we will all be headed to bed for some much needed rest.

Each day we will blog what we've done that day as well as our "word of the day"

Thanks for checking out our Team's Blog!

WORD OF THE DAY - MONDAY

Corrina - Land
Kim - Prayer
Ashlynn - Perseverance
Jon - Tired
Andrea - Still
Michele - Excited
Brenda (birthday girl)- Preparing 
Ben - Ready
Heidi - Present
Emily - Wonder
Buck - Speechless
Brandon - Finally
Shannon - Family
Lydia - Home
Annette - Glue

Severson Day 5

What a wonderful day we had celebrating Christmas with our beloved Elders of Titanyen! Thanks to so many wonderful donations, we were able to serve the Elders a fantastic Haitian meal, they received some wonderful gifts, including new tarps to use as they need (many will use as shade clothes or for rain protection). And they all went home with some bread from the bakery. It was such a great day.

One of my team members asked me what my highlight was from today. It didn't take much thought - it was being able to look into the Elders faces and greet them by name. I have been in the role of Elder Advocate/Advisor for about three years now and I love them all so much. To be able to look into their eyes and call them by name made my heart happy!

This blog is short and sweet. I am okay with that. I am happy. Thank you Jesus and Healing Haiti for allowing me to do this!

Not the best photos, but that's okay :-)

Marni

Severson - Day 4

The day began early as a few of us visited the nearby church for early morning service (6am). They gather everyday to fellowship with one another.  Preachin' completely in Creole with a few alleluias and amens..it most definitely was alive, as I felt the Spirit moving through the people.

The mission started out with the intention to deliver water and help take the filled basins, containers and buckets...whatever would hold water... to two locations within City Soleil with a break in between to help a few pastors bring warm food and cold drink to the elderly.

Watertruck was a bit more intense as it hasn't rained all week and water...as we all know is very important. The dust kicking up into the back of the taptap, the heat...

The little girl found me from the day before...I'm guessing she was maybe three or four. Cute as much as she was sweet, I scooped her up. I did not know where her mami or papi were...we usually do not know these things. She stayed with me the whole time as I, most certainly, "adopted" her for the morning. The waterstops are filled with children and women hauling water. I thank God for choosing Healing Haiti, as His vehicle, to deliver it for free. May His light continue to breakthrough and grow here.

Next...we joined the pastors with their deliveries. Sometimes...we don't know how or when the Lord will intertwine us...to accomplish what He has for us to do. As was for this one. What a divine appointment, as not all mission groups are able to accompany these particular visits. What a blessing it is to be able to hold hands and pray with the people. As we headed into our fourth home, our eyes were opened to the desperate care the individual was needing. As we laid hands on her and prayed, our team leader, literally, transpired into the "voice for the voiceless". We did not know exactly what was ailing her, the obvious need for medical support was evident. She was transported to a nearby clinic and later she was able to be admitted into a hospital for proper care. As we were walking back to the taptap...we overheard a random man speak out, pretty loudly, to our translator...we didn't know if it was a good interaction or not...but our interpreter told us that what he was expressing was that if we are willing to help the lady....then he truly would start to believe for what the mission was all about. Who knows who this man was or why he was where he was, but glory to God for moving through all our prayers and connecting the hearts of the decision makers to take the immediate action that was needed. Imagine...how not only would helping this lady affect the man on the side of the road...but how that would domino into something much greater...much more integrated than what we could ever imagine...definitely...something only the Lord would be able to orchestrate.

God continue to bless this beautiful land. May the people rise up and be strong together. May they have unity within their cities, within their families. May they be Your light, shining to the nations. May their chains be broken and may they be ultimate conquerers in You. In Jesus's holy name, we all say...amen. 12-7-18 Julie

Severson Day 3

Day 3 - Team Severson

Today we were blessed enough to visit elders in the community of Titanyen. We took turns
washing their feet and hands. This is always such a humbling experience. God was working
through us to serve these beautiful people.

While visiting the elders, I love seeing their resiliency in their smiles. It is always painful to
see their need. We prayed several times for improved health. They are true heroes.

We visited Grace Village today as well. It is wonderful to see the children learning so much.
They were having so much fun playing at recess. We were blessed enough to also be able
to see inside the school. I was so happy to see the children getting to use technology.

Sometimes, all Americans see is the devastation in Haiti. Haiti is more than sadness and
poverty. To me, Haiti is powerful and strong. Returning to Haiti has helped me firmly
believe in Haiti’s potential. I no longer see it as just sadness, I see it as what it can become.
Haitians are wise and smart. Haitians are kind and gentle and strong and direct when
necessary. They are full of laughter and joy. What is remarkable is their resiliency to get
back up, and keep going. I always think about what lessons I learn from Haitians. The
United States can learn patience, wisdom, strength and kind-heartedness from the country
of Haiti. As I reflect on my second time in Haiti, all of these things are restored back into
my heart.

Haiti is not what you see on the news or read about on the internet. Haiti is not what
powerful people who have never been here say about it. Haiti has risen before from the
gravel and it will continue to.

Severson Team - Days 1 and 2

Day 1 and Day 2 - Team Severson

Our first two mornings in Haiti began with our 5 team members gathered together around
our table in a lovely patio-style breakfast. The warmth of the sun, the comfort of holding the
hands of new friends as we bowed in prayer with grateful hearts, and the pleasure of feasting
on fresh mango, banana, and avocado with our breakfast were all simple gifts of encourage-
ment to our expectant hearts as we began both of these first 2 days together in Haiti.

Yesterday our team first had the privilege of serving at an orphanage and school, Sweet Home.
Once inside the gated entry, it had a fortress-like feel, a refuge indeed for the people inside.

We played with and colored beside the children and we welcomed to our laps and into our
arms many who wanted to be held.

At this place there was a special building where ladies from the community were learning to
read and also sew. We were blessed to watch as these precious women were eagerly working
on a variety of projects. We were delighted to celebrate in the beauty of their work as we looked
through a stack of their finished quilted pieces. On the wall behind their work space was a
portion of Psalm 46. With the help of an interpreter and by the prompting of God we circled in
prayer, interwoven with our new Haitian friends. We prayed Psalm 46 over these ladies. Oh,
dear women of Haiti, God IS your refuge and strength! And He is an ever present help in trouble.

Our other place to serve yesterday was The Home For the Sick and Dying. No pictures are
allowed to be taken in this place but none of us will probably ever forget what we saw or who
we touched, held and fed there. As tears dropped from a team member onto the fragile arm of
a little babe who was crying himself, she whispered to him the true story of his Father, his
heavenly Father who happens to be the King of Glory, who promises to be a father to him in his
fatherless state. And the kind news that this exceedingly compassionate Father is aware and
present in his suffering and catching each heart wrenching tear into a heavenly bottle for tears
just like his.

“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”
Psalm 56:8

Today was water truck / water delivery day to two different locations, Cite Soleil 17 and 26.

Along with delivering water we toured Hope Church and the school in Cite Soleil.

We were told that because this area is so close to the ocean, it is not possible to drill a well.
So a water truck has to go out every day to deliver fresh water to these thirsty people.

It’s such a picture of when Jesus contrasted himself, the Living Water with the water the people
were drinking. He said, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever
drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give will
become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

It’s significant that cool, refreshing water is delivered just outside the gate of Hope Church to
the people of Cite Soleil 17.

The physical water that is being delivered to the people of Cite Soleil is so necessary and will
sustain them for years or decades to come. But the Living Water, Who is taught about in Hope
Church and ever present and ever accessible, will supply their every need for all of eternity.

In addition to pouring and delivering the water, there were lots (and lots!) of opportunities to
cuddle children. A spontaneous game of toss and catch with a deflated basketball provided great
fun and bonding.

Before coming back to the guest house at Healing Haiti, we had the opportunity to tour Fleri
Farm, a 28 acre farm in progress with mango, sugar cane, and papaya growing currently.

They have active plans to expand their agricultural endeavors with tomatoes, potatoes,
watermelon and many other produce options.

Michigan Team Day Seven

Day Seven

    Today started out at Eglise Rendez-vous Christ (church) and it was closer to a more traditional American style service. The Worship team offered multiple song selections and the church provided English-translating headsets for individuals that didn't speak Creole. 

     Today's sermon was titled, "Your ability to respond". The topic was very appropriate because there is a pressing issue in the country and it is up to the people to determine what their response will be in the future. Unfortunately, for us we have seen the effects of the protests, which refrained us from leaving the guest house for the first two days. The pastor shared how he squandered a large sum of money as a young adult and how he did not use his gifts and talents.  He explained that whether you are rich or poor you have gifts and talents. He encouraged everyone to exercise their rights and to vote.

      Later today we were able to visit For His Glory orphanage with the other team that is visiting Healing Haiti from Minnesota. Their team leader orchestrated a game for the children and a Bible Story that led to some arts and crafts. Afterwards, we gathered with the children to play and fellowship. Some of the children shared what they wanted to be when they grew up.  One beautiful young lady told us that she wanted to be a nurse and work with children in an orphanage one day. The smiles and the hugs we exchanged will be treasured memories forever....until next time Haiti we love you!  

@fhgmaison

Written By Team Members, 

Maressa Emile and Dylan Grubaugh 

Michigan Team Day Six

Day Six

  Today started with the typical Healing Haiti breakfast buffet of endless pancakes and fresh bananas--- oh how they treat us so well here! Also typical of Haiti? Haitian Time. We left a little after 9 in the morning, or right before 10, depending on who you ask. However, perhaps the most welcomed part of the day was the traffic. As we started our journey up to Titanyen we encountered all sorts of vehicles and pedestrians which was an exciting contrast to the quiet streets that first greeted us when our plane landed last Monday. Our first stop today was Grace Village. 10/10 would recommend not only the people but the view as well. There certainly is something to be said about how much God was showing off when he made Haiti's mountainous terrain. 

   Grace Village always amazes us when we visit. The missionaries, the workers, the children, and the community blend together there in such a perfect harmony. Grace Village now has a fully functioning clinic open to the community, a school, a feeding center, and family-style orphanage homes. It has been amazing to see how much Healing Haiti and its staff truly runs off of faith. In all they do, they first seek God and put their trust in His plan, not their own. 

   We can all agree as a team that putting absolute faith in God is a hard sacrifice to make. Today was a perfect example of those who walk the straight and narrow alongside God. We were able to follow up our Grace Village visit with elder visits. Healing Haiti has essentially 'adopted' elders of the community in Titanyen and teams are allowed to perform foot washing services for them as well as bring them hot meals and water. We were able make a very special visit to one couple in particular, that we (Terri) sponsor. Meeting the two of them was a dream come true. We have been praying for them for a very long time and looked forward to meeting them in person. It was an honor to serve them, pray with them and hug them. It will be a day we will never forget! We look forward to visiting them again on future trips. God is so good!  

   To end our Titanyen venture, we ate at Fleri restaurant just outside of Grace Village. Fleri is the brainchild of Healing Haiti, hoping to create jobs within the area. They have accomplished so much in such little time. Hearing Jake talk about the restaurant and bakery is so heartwarming as you can tell he has truly been lead by God to do this. He is such an awesome guy with an even more amazing heart for the people of Haiti. Fleri's staff made sure to treat us well to an abundance of pizzas and fresh squeezed juice. We even managed enough room for dessert! God filled our buckets immensely today and we were overjoyed to be able to leave the guesthouse and serve God's people.

Written By Team Members,

Madi Kench and Terri Grubaugh