August 27, 2019 : OBEDIENCE 

If these boys were expecting a routine, check-the-box, dutiful, “I’m going to be a senior” missions trip, wow -- were they mistaken.  Instead, it was a FULL SEND experience.

Day 1 calls for a bit of background for this news update:

The perspective of tonight’s writer: a suburban mom who just met most of these young men.  The group consists of 5 Eden Prairie students who’ve played baseball for years, plus a Minnetonka swimmer (my son), making it six 17 year old boys plus 4 chaperones who also double as parents.

LET’S ROLL from the get-go.  The boys not only executed three Water Stops today delivering fresh water to the worst slum in the Western Hemisphere, but they did so under 95 degree temps and challenging, chaotic, crisis-like conditions. To give you an idea of the environment surrounding Water Truck Stop day, one neighborhood was called Four Coffins. A tragedy involving 4 children too sad to be repeated. 

If you haven’t had fresh water for a week, you might fight to get your bucket first in line, too.  Getting clean water into long-forgotten “streets” isn’t easy. My observations of these six boys:

Isaac H: clearly has a soft heart under that strong exterior and could easily lift the heaviest of water buckets shoved at him by dozens of children. The most reflective of the group after one day.

Michael G: offered the most smiles all day long and didn’t fade, even at Water Truck Stop #3.  Appeared to truly enjoy the work – picked up crying babies and finding joy in the circumstances.

Noah P: Perseverance. Definitely.  More stoic than some of the others, but keenly aware of his duty to serve and his purpose for being here. I’d take him on my team any day.

Isaac A: Willing to engage deeply with the outcast children – the ones with nothing to wear, the ones with no bucket, the ones with no parents; an advocate for those on the lowest rung of the slum pecking order.  Carried water into neighborhoods much farther than expected.   

Danny P: Embracing the experience with enthusiasm -- undaunted by what the street looked or smelled like.  Calm and purposeful all throughout the day. Willing to pull his weight and then some. 

Joe C: Wow, what a workhorse.  “Git’er done Joe.  Full Send Joe.  Held the water hose more than anyone else today and didn’t quit until the tank was empty. Pick Joe in an emergency. Period.

As prior Healing Haiti groups have so aptly done, describing the difference between our living conditions in The United States and Haiti (specifically Cite Soleil) is impossible.  You’ve seen the pictures.  You know what’s going on here.  You don’t see the smells or hear the cries (or the laughter) but it’s no secret that living conditions aren’t exactly Bear Path or Lake Minnetonka. However, the positive changes Healing Haiti is making in the community is truly palpable. More on that tomorrow.

Put bluntly: there are no “safe spaces” in Cite Soleil, yet Healing Haiti is doing a yeoman’s like effort to create hope among the pockets of poverty. I do feel the presence of the Holy Spirit while working in and amongst the children of Haiti. Prayers, hard work, even giving up your last week of summer vacation –that’s answering God’s call.

Team Lighthouse/Kremer-Day 6

Sunday: a day of reflection and team time. After a vigorous but extremely rewarding week of serving our Lord, we ended our wonderful experience here in Haiti by going to Rendezvous Church this morning and taking a trip up the mountain this afternoon. Rendezvous Church, as hot and sweaty as I got, gave me goosebumps every couple of minutes. From the band and singers worshipping with all their hearts, to the visiting pastor who preached about God’s desire to have a relationship with each of His children, I felt the overwhelming presence and love of Jesus. The trip up the mountain gave us the chance to see Port-au-Prince from a different perspective than we had witnessed throughout the week. We got to see the beauty of God’s creation from a broader angle than we had while interacting on a more intimate level with people during water truck days, orphanage visits, and elder visits. What a great experience to see Haiti from some of the different layers God has magnificently created it in.

            Since my first trip to Haiti, the country and its beautiful people have filled my heart to a level I never knew possible. Today’s day of reflection has led me to many revelations, but here I will share two of my favorites. 

1-   I am third. The saying “I am second” is a popular one for many Christians as we realize how important it is to put God before anything else in our lives, including our own worries or needs. As my first official trip as a leader rather than a goer, God has taught me how to put the needs of others in front of my own in each and every circumstance. He sure blessed me with an amazing team to help me grow both in my leadership skills but in my spirituality as well. 

2-   Look by faith, not by sight. It is easy to get caught up in the poverty of Haiti, but if you let it overcome you, you miss the opportunity to experience the beauty and abounding presence of God in each person you come into contact with. When I stood in Cite Soleil earlier this week, I took in the overwhelming piles of garbage, sewage water in the streets, and the small tin shacks that house more people than seems physically possible. However, this was me looking by sight. When I looked through faith, I saw the beauty of Christ in each child’s eyes, the joyous smiles of everyone waiting to get life-sustaining water, and the humidity in the air turned into the all-embracing presence of Christ. What a wonderful, more positive way to experience life and the beauty of God’s creation.

Being unsure of when my next trip to Haiti will be, saying goodbye tomorrow will tough, but God has His plans for me. He also knows my servant heart can only wait so long before coming back to my favorite place! Having a week to devote solely to God and His Haitian children is such an amazing experience, and I am constantly reminded of His gloriousness each time I step foot in this beautiful country. Glwa pou Bondye (Glory to God)

-Kalli

Team Lighthouse/Kremer - Day 5

Day 6. Empty. That’s all I could think about when I woke up this morning. Knowing we had a full day ahead of us, I didn’t know how I would get through the day. But that’s what is so great about God, because it is not my strength but of the lords. In 2 Corinthians 12:10 it says, That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I strong.” Today our first stop was Cité Soleil District 17. As we walked out of the “Tap Tap,” we got to hear all the things God has done with Healing Haiti over the past few years. Hearing what God has done with building the school, church and Hope clinic in Cité Soleil I was quickly reminded of the power of God. When we think how God, this is an impossible situation? That is when we see God move in ways we could never think or imagine. When it seemed impossible to build a church, a clinic or even a school in one of the poorest place in all of the America’s. Standing on a land that was once buried in 80 feet of trash and waste. I am reminded that this is God. A God that never fails, a God that always shows up in marvelous ways. But it doesn’t stop there. Because just when I felt like God couldn’t get any more better, couldn’t show himself more in this moment than I have ever felt, I turn around and see the hopeful faces of his children. Children who face obstacles every single day. Children who see things and experience things that a child never should. Children who people write off as the lowly. But God. These are his children. Children who he loves and he his so faithful. I turn around and see the kingdom of God. In Luke 18:16 Jesus says “For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” I’m overwhelmed by the presence of God showing up today. Each child that I got to hold, each bucket of water I got to carry, was by the strength and power of God. What a privilege it is to not only be surrounded by love and grace but to give that in return. What a privilege it is to be able to serve in the way God intended us to do. 

Our next stop was an orphanage called Laloo. We were greeted by voices of children singing, welcoming us to their home. As I looked around I can see the face of each and every one of my team members light up. After their song we greeted each child and held them in our arms and played with them. There were children of all ages ranging from 3 to 17. We performed a bible lesson and then had the children color picture frames that reminded them that Jesus loves them and took their picture to put in their frame. As they were working on their frames I look around to each team member sowing to each kid whether that be by helping them with their frame to simply sitting beside them. It was a beautiful sight to see. From there the visit only got better. We saw each child’s face glow as they received their pictures. So much so, that we had children changing clothes to get another picture. It got pretty rowdy for a while, but through the chaos you could see how happy the children were. Their energy and spirt was so evident in that place. These are the moments that we should hold on to. The moments that when it seems like there is chaos all around, when you can’t tell exactly what is going on and it seems like there is no control that God is even there too. God was at Laloo and it was through his presence that we as a team were able to sow into the hearts of his children. 

So yeah today I woke up feeling empty. However I am going to sleep with a cup that overflows. May God continue to empty each and every one of our cups, so that he can pour his never ending, limitless, power, strength and ultimately glory into our cups and hearts. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love anode self discipline” - Timothy 1:7

India

Team Lighthouse Church/Kremer - Day 4

Today, I stepped way out of my comfort zone. I entered the door that Christ opened for me ages ago and couldn’t be more glad to have finally gone through. Once I started, I realized that I had never felt more willing to serve than I ever had before. And the best part was that once I got there, I was not more eager to dive right in.

We started the day off by doing a devotional. It was mainly about feet and focused on how they are made for serving and how they all have a different story behind them. One of the verses represented was John 13:14-15: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” I first thought that it was a cool verse, but I didn’t expect it to apply to me since I wasn’t too excited for the day. Little did I know that this verse would not leave my mind throughout the whole day.

As we were riding in the tap tap up to the homes of the elders to do the work of Jesus and wash their feet, I kept thinking to myself that I would just hangout on the sidelines and silently pray for them as I have never been the type to feel comfortable around elders. I never liked volunteering in nursing homes during my Girl Scout days, and ever since I was about ten, I even felt a little distant from my own grandparents due to the age difference. In general, I just never thought I could connect with those who lived a life so different from mine when they were my age. I’ve always been more fond of serving children and was honestly excited for the elder visits to be over so we could go Grace Village and play with more kids.

This all ended up changing once I stepped into the home of the first elder, Dieufort. Once he saw me, he instantly shook my hand and said hello with this huge grin on his face. I couldn’t help but notice how welcoming and kind he was even though it looked as though he had nothing more than an empty water jug to sit on and a tiny, damaged, stone home with nothing in it. One of the goers, Kyle, jumped right in and began to wash Dieufort’s feet. Then one of the leaders asked if anyone wanted to put lotion on his arm and I thought to myself, ‘why not? This seems to be what God wants me to do.’ So I volunteered and began rubbing his arms with lotion and giving him a hand massage.

Then came the hard part. We started asking about his family, life, and health and he explained that none of his family ever visited him, he had many aches and pains, and part of his house had collapsed causing a large crack in the wall. He also explained how he loaned his domino set to someone and never got it back. This especially hurt me because Dieufort loves to play dominos and someone stole that joy from him. After hearing all this and seeing the hurt on his face, I decided to start massaging his shoulders to hopefully help him relax and show him that he is loved by myself and many more people. I felt as though this served me more than it did him because it brought me joy to be able to serve the people of Jesus. We then sang, prayed over him, gave him a hug, and headed to the next elder. Although I was happy I was able to serve by washing the feet of the next elder, I so wish I could have spent more time talking to Dieufort and learning about his story. Hopefully I can next time I’m here.

Once all of the elder visits were over and we were riding to the next stop, I realized how comfortable I had been the entire time we were with the elders. Even though I had never met or seen any of these men and women before, and I didn’t speak their language or could connect to their culture very well, I felt more comfortable around them than I have ever felt around any other elders before. They taught me so much about having so little, yet still being contagiously kind, grateful, and joyous. Although I was majorly rethinking my decision to come in the beginning due to the intense heat, I couldn’t have been happier that I came on this trip and decided to dive right in at the first elder visit.

Lily

Team Lighthouse Christian Church/Kremer Day #3

       Today we visited kids at Laphare orphanage and saw Papillon, a place where parents find employment and daycare help. They build things from like bracelets, necklaces, purses, metal signs, pottery, and ornaments plus more. They sew, make the pottery from dirt and fire it in their own kilns. Also some jewelry is made of cereal boxes, but is polished and hardened and sold. Together with a quality restaurant. It was started to help employ parents and help the economy, by allowing parents to keep their children with the steady income provided through Papillon. It is a very admirable and courageous thing, from all aspects. We all purchased a lot there in support of what they’re doing.

       I should introduce my team too; Wayne who’s been here several times knows everyone and this year is an observer, but also is the cool collected wiseguy. Ellie is a leader who’s fun and has many ideas as we go from place to place and puts up with with our banter at her expense. Kalli, the other leader, makes sure things run smooth behind the scenes. Dave the other experienced one who cracks jokes on me and everyone at our expense and sometimes his, but still is a good source of knowledge. The rest of us are newbies-Hannah a bold up front, but very caring girl with the kids, Lily a very caring independent girl with a gentle heart to touch each child, Noah the kid that wants to do all right by the kids, but yet sees the big picture of helping the parents and economy to improve conditions in Haiti and Cite Soleil. Kyle (Noah’s dad) The one who asks probing questions and shows deep love on each child. India who loves on each child and actually helps behind the scenes with caring for us and our needs. She also has a personality to light us up and takes the jabs sent her way in stride. We love her. Andy I’ve known the longest, but someways not as well as I thought. He really can be funny and stranger than I thought, but he also really loves on the kids.

       A very good group that gets closer each day! Love them all!

      Now back to the kids at Laphare. We played hard right off the the Tap Tap (our transportation to orphanages, hospitals, shops and water truck runs. It’s a rattly, bumpy ride to help those in need of love hope and someone to hold on to and with and if even for a short hour or 2)

      Ok we get off tap and the kids between 2 and 12 years old grab us and we play soccer, jump rope, color, dance, shoot through holes in the wall with the balls, and paint. Just anything for fun and make them feel precious love and hope from our Godly group. While their love and laughter rings in our hearts and gives them sweet dreams of the next visitors from the next team. Spreading more and more hope, joy, and future dreams. All for now! 

      Love you family friends and all. 

     Jerry

Team Lighthouse Church/Kremer - Day 2

Day 2 - 

Today was day two of Haiti. With our hearts fully open from serving the prior day we headed out to three places. Our first stop, Artisan Vendors. There, we were able to buy all sorts of beautiful things from metal art to bracelets or paintings. At first thought this may not seem like serving. How are we serving others when we are buying things for ourselves? If you thought this, I am right there with you. However, being able to buy from the Haitian vendors allowed them to provide for themselves. This is how they make a living and they are proud of the work that they do. These are individuals who work effortlessly to make beautiful art in all forms. It was truly a blessing to be able to see all of the wonderful things they created and sow into their work.

Second stop, Dios. This by far will be a moment I will always keep close in my heart. At Dios we were able to spend time and show love to children with special needs. As I look around I am both in awe and wonder of all the beautiful children who at first glance may seem at a disadvantage or not happy because of their circumstances, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Each child full of joy and happiness from just being played with. It was so amazing to be able to look around and see each of my group members fully present and engaged with every child that was there. Halfway through we turned on some music and had a dance party. There was one special girl who had all the moves down. Every beat, every lyric, every sound she was right with it. It was an incredible sight. There is a verse in the Bible that says “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these…” Mark 10:14. I always wondered about this verse. What did it mean? Today I believe I saw what Jesus meant. These children rejoiced and danced for Jesus today. To see their laughs and how happy and joyous they were. They didn’t let their circumstance overcome them. That is what we should strive to be everyday. Like these amazing children who despite everything that they may be facing still rejoice in Jesus. Because he is good. Glory to God. It may be hard to take this in now. But there is a God above who cares and despite whatever you may be going through, he is good. 

Last stop, Home of the Sick and Dying. Before I go on, I want to say whatever I say will not do this place proper justice to how amazing and impactful the care and love that is in this place. Here we were able to hold and show love to babies and toddlers who are sick and parents cannot take care of them. The nuns who serve day and night to help take care of each and every baby, infant or child that lives with them. Their role is so pertinent to the lives of these children. Some children are severely ill while others parents just cannot afford to take care of them. So while there, we do all that we can to show love and care. There was a special moment where this little boy grabbed my hand and walked me outside to play. Him and I played for a little bit before I had to go. As I was leaving he slapped my hands and began to laugh. My heart both broke and was overjoyed. How can it be that you can feel so many things by just one moment? I was sad to be leaving him. I wanted so desperately to do more, love harder, play longer. But I couldn’t, it was time to go. As I walked away feeling heart wrecked I am reminded that these are God children whom he loves and takes care of. I am not leaving him in a place where no one cares. And if it's not me that is loving on him, playing with him or serving him in some way, someone else is. That is enough. It will have to be until I can come back and see him again. Today was a great day does lack in what today really was. I guess the only world I can describe for just a today is awe. Thank you Jesus for another day to be more like you and less of ourselves.

India

Team Lighthouse Christian Church/Kremer -- Day 1

Today was our first day of service as we spent yesterday getting here. It was Water Truck day!

Much of Haiti gets their water delivered via water tank trucks. We delivered water to Cité Soleil (“Sun City”), an area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Cité Soleil is the poorest area in the western hemisphere. It is home to an estimated 300,000.

The first stop was at a location that Healing Haiti frequents, so the families were waiting for us, with the children chanting “Hey You!” as we approached. Before the door to the Tap Tap (the truck-like vehicle we are transported in) even opened we saw many raised arms — kiddos asking to be held. For some, the brief time we hold them may be all the love they experienced today. Knowing that makes it all the more fulfilling to hold and play with them.

(On a personal note, I was thrilled to get my baby fix by holding a couple very small children for a while. One little girl named Dufla (not sure of spelling, but pronounced “dew-FLAH”) was just six months old. What a tiny, precious gift from God!)

At each water stop, a large hose is used to quickly dispense water into whatever container the families have brought, from small buckets to 5-gallon buckets to what amount to small wading pools (tricky to carry!). A couple people are on hose duty, others of us help carry the buckets back to peoples’ homes (or nearby anyway, as we don’t go down small alleyways or wander too far from the truck), and others show love to the children. And we switch up duties as well. It is hard work, especially in the hot sun (today’s heat index was 102℉), but so enlightening and fulfilling, providing such a basic necessity to those who may not have it otherwise.

Water truck delivery

The kids take this time to wash off as well, pouring buckets of water over their heads and laughing and splashing!

After the truck was emptied, we were treated to a tour of the Innovation Lab and Sewing Pod. These are converted 40’ shipping containers (complete with climate control) and are ministries of Hope School, run by Healing Haiti. The Innovation Lab is a classroom outfitted with iPads and large LED monitors, where the vision is to give some kids from Cité Soleil an education in technology, including coding. The goal is to show them a potential future for themselves by providing an opportunity. Typically, life for these kids in Cité Soleil is devoid of opportunities and filled with messages that they don’t matter and won’t amount to anything. 😢

Inside of Innovation Pod

Next was a second water truck stop, where we dispensed about half the water (there were fewer people in line) and then visited a nearby pier in the Caribbean with some new zanmis (friends) in tow. We made a final water truck stop several blocks away and then headed to SAKALA.

On the pier

SAKALA

SAKALA is a youth community center with which Healing Haiti partners. It is an acronym for “Sant Kominote Altènatif Ak Lapè,” which translates from Creole as “The Community Center for Peaceful Alternatives.” As a word, sakala roughly translates to “approved by the community.” It is an after-school, safe place centered around sports, providing an alternative to getting involved in gangs for pre-teens and teens.

After that it was time for much-needed showers and a delicious dinner of Haitian lasagne! Thank you, Healing Haiti kitchen staff!!!

What an incredible day God provided to both us as volunteers as well as the people of Cité Soleil, to whom we strove to be His hands and feet. Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Bondye beni ou (God bless you)!

Orevwa (goodbye),

Kyle