UNW Day 3: Orphanage Visits

     We started the day off by visiting the Metal Market in Croix des Bouquet. The Market consisted of various shops full of beautiful handcrafted metal artwork. As we walked through the various shops, we were able to watch the Haitians create the artwork out of scrap metal. Each piece was intricate and unique in its own way reflecting the artist’s individuality. We were able to purchase pieces to support the artists and their business.

     Our next stop was Dios, which is an orphanage for children with special needs. When we arrived, some of us weren’t completely sure how to interact with the kids. However, within a few minutes we were laughing and having a blast. The kids loved to play soccer, color, and hide and chase one another. The joy radiating from their faces was contagious. Their special needs did not keep them from laughing and smiling with us. It amazed us by how happy they were by doing something as simple as blowing bubbles. Even though we were unable to communicate with them verbally because of the language barrier, simple gestures and facial expressions allowed us to connect with the kids. As devastating as it is to see these kids living in the orphanage, it was encouraging to see that they were well taken care of and loved on by the staff there. Our main priority was to be intentional in how we interacted with the kids to effectively show them the light of Christ. Although we were there to love on and brighten their day, we left feeling loved and filled with joy because of them.  

          

Our final stop was the Home for Sick and Dying Babies. We split up into two groups each going to a different room. A majority of us went to a very large room with around thirty infants and toddlers in cribs. Right away, we were told to grab food and feed all the children. We were able to then help the Sisters by changing the infant’s diapers. Once fed and changed, we were able to pick them up and give them the love they were longing for. Their eyes looked desperate for love and attention. We were able to satisfy that desire by simply holding them. It was very hard to be in the room with thirty plus kids and only be able to give attention to one or two at a time. It broke our hearts to put them down because you could see the sadness in their eyes. However, we were hopeful because these kids were there to receive the care they needed to get better so they can return home to their families.

              
 Although this was a challenging day, we were able to take a lot away from what we saw and experienced. We were humbled and grateful to spend time and make an impact on these kids. We were able to reflect on our day and were comforted by God’s never-ending love for His children. The children’s dependence and need for their caretakers reflected our desperate need for the Lord daily. We are so grateful for what today taught us and are excited to see how God moves in the days to come.

 #taylorandmeganwrotethis #bestblogpost #poopsplosion #straightfirebaby #love #you #coach

UNW Day 2: Water Truck Day

Today we went out into the streets of Haiti. We delivered clean water to the people of Citie Soleil, the poorest slum in the western hemisphere. Our experience today was humbling and powerful. We witnessed so much poverty throughout the streets. Our drive to the city was eye opening because of what we saw. There were parts of our drive where you could not see the ground due to the fact it was covered in garbage. Even the water on the streets was filled with trash. The smell of the city was hard to ignore with a constant scent of sewage and polluted air. It was humbling to see the houses the Haitians lived in, as the walls were put together by scrap metal, along with the roofing.

We made water truck stops in three different blocks of the city. A swarm of Haitian kids latched onto our arms and legs as soon as we came off the truck at each stop. The deliveries were chaotic, fast paced, crowded, and consisted of two people holding a large hose connected to a water tank. Four more people were in charge of handling the buckets, quickly filling them while attempting to maintain control of the line for water. This was necessary because countless Haitians would try to budge with their buckets and we had to be assertive, pointing them to the end of the line. The rest of our team played with the kids near the line and helped deliver the heavy buckets of water to their homes. It was heartbreaking to see the desperation and need in the eyes of the Haitians waiting for water. The commodity is so important to the Haitians and you could see it in their faces.

Another part of our day consisted of visiting Hope Academy, the school that Healing Haiti operates in Citie Soleil 17. Building the school required digging through 80 feet of garbage in order to lay the foundation. It provides education and a meal to over one hundred kids per day. The kids’ education is free because they are sponsored through Healing Haiti. A new addition to the school consists of Mobile Tech Innovations. This is an interactive learning process where the kids get to work with Osmos programming on ipads. Osmos combines technology with hands on learning to teach problem solving, coding, word recognition and fine motor skills. Not to mention, the Osmos program is currently the only one of its kind in the world. The school was very encouraging for us to see and learn about because it is the only way to provide safety, meals, and education for the kids amidst the poverty of Citie Soleil.

Another stop during our day was to Fleri Farm. The farm is owned by Healing Haiti and provides an empowering opportunity to employ Haitians. Fleri grows crops like plantains, mangos, tomatoes, and watermelon. It was interesting to hear where the farm plans to go in the future. For example, their intention is to directly and indirectly employ 1,000 Haitians. This is just one of the goals Healing Haiti has as they look to the future of the Haitian families. Fun Fact of the Day: “one way to swag up your farm is to plant curry!” –Kenny from Fleri Farms 

Today was difficult, but also eye opening. It was tough physically but nothing compared to what the Haitians do every day. In reflection, we talked about how blessed we are to have accessible water whenever we want without thinking twice about it. Here, they have to work hard for it because it is not guaranteed to them each day. That bucket of water is their life for the day and it is how they provide for their families. Seeing the streets laced with trash and filth was heartbreaking. The perseverance of the Haitians was inspiring to us. They find so much in so little. The smiles we saw on the faces of the kids playing in the water doesn’t compare to the faces of kids on Christmas day back home. We got to experience true joy through Christ’s work in the mission field today.

UNW Day 1: A Warm Welcome

Early morning! Rise and Shine!

Today was our travel day to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Even though we had to wake up before the sun, we were really excited to be one step closer to shine our light. During our interesting, bumpy morning, we got the opportunity to understand what patience and depending on God really feels like. In saying this, we experienced some difficulties with a ticket, but it all worked out.  

            

Once we arrived in Haiti, we could already see the cultural differences. We are excited to learn more about their way of life. We were welcomed by an amazing group of people who are willing to guide us in serving others for God’s glory this week. The Healing Haiti staff showed us around the complex and told us a little about their culture. We also learned about our exciting week ahead and the different ways we get to show God’s love.

            After going through the different responsibilities and settling into our rooms, we can start to feel the house becoming our home for the week. Not only are we learning about God’s love for His people, but we are also learning how to love one another through games and socializing. We got to share the different aspects that we were excited for during our trip and what we think we will have to persevere through personally.

            We are very eager to begin shining our light on our journey ahead!!!

Woodridge has our last day!!

On our final full day in Haiti we went to Rendevouz church, which is the Haiti Teen Challenge church.  Then we drove up to the top of the mountain to see the incredible view of all the places we have been Sent to Love this week!

SUNDAY WORDS OF THE DAY

BRENDA - perspective

BRANDON - holistic

SHANNON - love

MICHELE - worship

ASHLYNN - experience

HEIDI - music

LYDIA - held

JON - togetherness

KIM - privilege

ANDREA - finally

EMILY - glorious

BEN - thankful

BUCK - strength

CORRINA - polished

ANNETTE - team

Today we got to return to Citi Solei to deliver water again and we were so blessed as a team by the number of people who remembered us from our Wednesday trip!  Our final orphanage we visited was Lapherre's and for those of us who have been to Lapherre's we were so encouraged by the way God has provided for Lapherre's!

 It was a challenging day for many reasons and we are thankful to be able to come together as a team at the end of our day to worship and debrief our experiences.

SATURDAY WORD OF THE DAY

JOHN - humbled
CORRINA - puzzle(d)
ASHLYNN - building
BRENDA - turn
KIM - extremes
ANDREA - found
EMILY - details
MICHELE - thirsty
BEN - language
HEIDI - renewed
LYDIA - sister
BUCK - control
SHANNON - miracle
ANNETTE - 2worlds
BRANDON - ourvwa

Today our team took the long drive to Titanye and Grace Village where we spent time with the Elderly in the Elder Care Program.  We also got to tour all of Grace Village and Fleri Bakery and then we all ate pizza at Fleri Restaurant.  Such a great day of beauty and progress!

Friday Word of the Day

ASHLYNN - flawless
BEN - eyes
LYDIA - deadskin
BUCK - connection
EMILY - generations
ANDREA - glowed
ANNETTE - shannon
MICHELE - progress
JON - beauty
HEIDI - sunsets
KIM - surprised
BRENDA - spectrum
BRANDON - grandmother
CORRINA - sweetheart
SHANNON - hope

Today we visited two orphanages; Sweet Home Orphanage and Dio's Special Needs Orphanage.  In the middle of the day we took in a shopping trip to the Metal Market.


BRENDA - butterfly (Papillion)
CORRINA - relentless
MICHELE - courage
ASHLYNN - detailed
JON - observant
BRANDON - silent
BEN - family
BUCK - smiles
ANNETTE - story
HEIDI - limitless
SHANNON - expectations
KIM - gifts
LYDIA - refill
EMILY - provision
ANDREA - simplistic beauty