Team Blog - Day 6

 As I reflect on our day today, I think about how each morning we have been served a warm meal consisting of oatmeal w/bananas & spicy peanut butter along with a variety of other foods. Followed by a devotion and a run down of our plan for the day. Today our plan was to serve the children in the community around Grace Church through bible stories and crafts. These children choose to participate in the activities provided by Grace Church, which makes it extra special. The children loved hearing the story of Jesus' resurrection. It was read in both English & Creole. It was such a joy to watch the children following along in their bibles while the story was being read aloud. 

Following the bible story, we gathered the children into groups and did a craft with them. It was such a fun time and the giggling and laughter was contagious. Many of the children wanted to bring crafts home to share with their family members which shows what wonderful hearts they have. 

We left Grace Church and traveled the busy streets all the way to Wahoo Bay Resort where we enjoyed 'pose', rest & relaxation. We tried new foods like crab, lobster that was caught fresh for us, and conch. The food & fellowship was great, the beach was great, the water was remarkable, but most of all we were able to bond as a team and talk about our week thus far. We do have part of our team heading back home tomorrow, so it was as extra special day just reflecting and connecting and loving on them before they take off. 

On our way back to the guest house from the beach, we pulled off the road with a flat tire. No worries though, we were well taken care of and back on the road in no time. We had Haitian spaghetti and garlic bread ready and waiting for us when we arrived. Our devotions tonight were  extra special as well. We talked about how our trip thus far has impacted us and what we're going to do next. It's tough to describe our time in Haiti and may be difficult to talk about for a while after we arrive home as we may still be processing it all. There's so much hurt here, yet so much beauty. There is beauty all around when you open your eyes. I think we all will be leaving a piece of our heart here when we leave, Haiti is a very special place. God sure knew what he was doing when he created this beautiful land. 

-Amanda

Alleluia Team Blog Day 5

This morning we got up early and went to an amazing church and listened to the Haitians worship. It was definitely unlike anything I had ever seen. Every person there was raising their hands as they walked down the aisles; energy radiated around the room. There was one older man that was full of life as he danced down every aisle greeting every person he saw as he worshiped our amazing God. 

Following this amazing service, we had the opportunity to serve our awesome Healing Haiti staff. We set up a party just outside the guesthouse where the staff ate lunch and had fellowship together. They all arrived with their beautiful fancy suits and dresses on and were so excited to take pictures with each other. Carol presented them with awards for each and every staff member. As soon as she called their names, their faces would light up with the brightest smile. Carol's word of the day today was family; the Healing Haiti staff and all the missionaries that have come are really all one big family. It felt amazing to be able to serve the people that do so much for us, by doing anything from translating Creole to English to providing us with delicious food!

Nikki

DAY FOUR | God's Grace

This morning with open hearts we headed to Titanyen for another day of doing God's work and looking forward to the lessons he had in store for us - and what a positive day it was!  With smiles we toured Grace Village - witnessing first hand the impact Healing Haiti has had on this little village.  Our hearts were full watching the children play in the courtyard, and taking in the view from the Clinic balcony.  

With great joy we were able to have some time with one of the Grace kindergarten classes - excitement was high, children's laughter was higher, and the blessings each of us felt simply being present in that moment with them was even higher!  

God's holy spirit and love was everywhere as we visited our Elders.  We were honored when they invited us into their homes - introducing their families to us with such pride, along with thanking us for lifting them up in prayer.  It was such a pleasure singing worship praise songs - in English and hearing their voices join ours in Creole.   

Fleri in Creole means to flourish - and how rewarding it is to see how much God's love has flourished in this gorgeous place.   I can't wait to see what He has in store for ALL of us.

lessons  |  flourish  |  present  |  praise  |  positive  |  holy  |  rewarding  |  full 

(Kristi)

Alleluia Healing Haiti Team Day 3

This day touched my heart in a special way. We were able to go to a special needs orphanage and play with the kids. During this trip, it has been really difficult for me to interact with people because of the language barrier. Today, I was able to find a way to communicate with the kids, even though I wasn't speaking in a way they would understand. I learned how to talk to them without actually using my words, and that was a special moment for me.  My Word for the Day went along with the way we played with them, language. Showing a little girl how to play hopscotch was definitely a challenge, but I shortly learned, completely doable. I watched as she not only taught other kids how to play, but managed to draw one herself. Stepping back and watching her have fun and laugh at my game, was the moment that stuck with me. For that moment she was completely joyful. 

Shannon said something in our devotional tonight that especially stuck with me. She said that the purpose of us being here isn't to fix everything in Haiti, but to bring and share joy and love with others. We are here to be Jesus's hand and feet, and to serve as he would. I think that today we did just that. I am so proud to be here to serve and love the people of Haiti. As Randall said today, there is no place I would rather be right now. 

-Becca

Following the special needs orphanage, we went to the Home for sick and dying babies. This touched not only mine, but everyone else's heart that served there. As soon as we got there, the babies large eyes opened wide in excitement that we arrived. While there, we saw a 10 week old baby with a cleft lip. Shannon right away said that she hoped this baby was loved and cared for. Only about 10 minutes later, the mother of this beautiful baby came down and was so proud to call this baby hers! We fed the babies there and showed them God's love just by holding and tickling them. Their eyes were constantly twinkling. Troy's word of the day was community; this really showed how it does take a village to raise a child. I was honored to get the chance today to love on these beautiful babies and maybe we changed something in the life of just one of these babies.

-Nikki

    When I was in 10th grade I remember hearing a line in Brooke Fraser's rendition of "Hosanna" that stuck out to me

    "Break my heart for what breaks Yours"

    But more recently I wondered, "Is that biblical? Does God desire for our hearts to be broken for the same things that break the heart of Jesus?"

Psalms 51:17 says

    My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

    Today, I am so thankful for the assurance of God's Word in that verse because I feel as though my heart is broken in the best way. I am also very thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Cite Soleil by helping to provide water here on Day 2, Water Truck day. So many tears and smiles and teary smiles were shared here today that I know in my heart that I will remember these moments forever.

    I can't speak for anyone else but I know that if I'm honest, many times in the past I have asked myself "Where is Jesus?" I mean, I know He is in the hearts of so many and working in and through all things but "Where is He right now?"

    I may not know exactly where God is at all times (and thankfully not because that would be a lot to know) but I do know one thing. 

Christ is here in Cite Soleil, Haiti. 

When you're eating breakfast with family, He is there. 

When you're touring a school built in His name, He is there.

When you are dancing and splashing with more family, He is there. 

When you're praising His name on a pier, He is there. 

When you are walking on land subdued for the purpose of bringing food to His people, He is there. 

    This evening we each chose a Word of the Day to sum it all up. Here's a little sum-up of sum-ups.

    We are all so very thankful for God's love shown in and through His people. We are also thankful that He empowers every one of His children so that they may embody exactly who they need to be in each moment. We are in awe of His beauty, woven into the reality that He sets forth; one that we are honored to experience. And although sometimes it may be hard, we thank God for the pivots.

-Randall

 Alleluia! Healing Haiti Team Arrival Day - We are here!

The anticipation for this journey has been a bit different for each of us. God knit this team together and chose us and this week, and we are READY! And we are ready with arm and eyes wide open to serve and love this week! In the words of Bob Goff and our evening devotion, "Love is never stationary. In the end, love just doesn't keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does."   We are READY to do.

-Shannon

Day Seven | Until Next Time

Our time has finally come to an end here in Haiti. 

Today we spent the day worshiping, reminiscing and enjoying our last moments together. 

 

We had our final breakfast together and then headed to Rendez-Vous Christ Church. It was such an amazing experience. Rendez-Vous Church began with a small group of young adults meeting in a room at Haiti Teen Challenge with a dream of planting a church to reach the unchurched. They launched the church in 2016 with about 40 people and three months later they needed to expand. It has grown to 1,300 people.

Revndez-Vous Church has a wonderful blend of styles. The songs alternated between Creole and English. They even had headsets for us to hear the translation of the message. The music filled us up and lifted us up. Hands raised up high as we worshiped together and sang at the top of our lungs. 

Pastor Julio Volcy was giving a sermon series called “Nothing Divides Like Politics.” With a lot of unrest happening in Haiti, this was a very bold topic to be touching on. The message was also incredibly applicable to us as well. His main message was about when we choose to carry someone’s burden, what once divided us diminishes. He reminded that we need to choose to love our enemies and love one another. No matter how different they are. We were encouraged by the message and the music. What a wonderful way to start our week.  

We then went back home to begin packing up all our things. We gathered for lunch and went around and shared the one word that summed up our time here in Haiti. Words that came from our team were: Love, Changed, Gift, Relationship, Refreshing, Remember, Prayer, Grateful, Holy, New, Honored, Simplicity, Blessed and Peace. Our team was emotional as we all shared how this trip has moved us. We’re a family and this experience bonded us forever. 

Our time here in Haiti had us go deep into what God was doing in our lives. And we also wanted to celebrate our time here. We decided to go to the Elite Hotel and swim in the pool and enjoy these last moments together. We played pool games, card games and talked more about what amazing work God has done during this week. 

A trip that was planned a year ago, and seemed so far away, and was uncertain during the time of Covid, has now come and gone. Every moment seemed so bitter sweet as we realized it would be the last time we would experience this together. 

We ended the evening with dancing and games. Kat and Katie organized a bean bag tournament. And then we finished our evening with salsa dancing taught by Jean (who is the Director in Haiti that we met earlier this week). We laughed really hard as we learned new moves and even how to dip. There may have even been some crashes. :)

Our scripture for our time here helped us see where the fruits of the Spirit were growing. Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” 

We each have felt those moments of the Spirit moving through us. Moments of joy with laughter. Moments of peace with stillness in the chaos. Moments of gentleness as we cared for children and the elderly. Moments of faithfulness as we followed what the Lord asked of us to do each day. 

Christ had gone before us as he prepared his plans for us in Haiti and Christ goes behind us as he moves us to the next thing that he is calling us to do. 

It was a privilege to document our time here in Haiti and share our experiences with you. 

Until next time…

Vanessa Kimball