Healing Haiti Team One - Mahtomedi

Mahtomedi Team - June 21, 2016

Family, joy, wonder, relationship, surprising, better, brave, maestro...these were some of our words during our evening word of the day. We explain why we picked each word and then after the English words we went back around and did a Creole word of the day. These exercises help us bond and understand Haiti and Haitians better.

Yesterday was our first full day in Haiti and we went to The Home for the Sick and Dying Children in the morning, and two orphanages mid-day and afternoon.

I was apprehensive not quite understanding what to expect at the Home for the Sick and Dying and wondered how my daughter and her friends would handle the situation. Would they stand by too taken aback or would they step in and assist? They did the latter. As the morning went on, God's presence and grace was abundant. They children and us enjoyed our time together, bonding as the time went on. We even had the honor of feeding the children lunch before we left.

Next, we went to the orphanages. The first one, La Phare (sp?) was for children of all ages. We played games with them, jumped rope, painted nails, created pipe cleaner creations and played dots. Some of the kids off the street came in to join the fun. It was joyful and difficult to leave. The last orphanage was for special needs children. They loved the bubbles and legos. Again, although they don't have much materially by our standards, their love of life and Christ are evident, even breaking out into song while we were there.

This day reminds us of Philippians 4.19: My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

-Jean and Haley Oswald

Ose/Gerst Alpha Team Day 7

Titanyen means "less than nothing". A dusty, arid patch of desert, this area was allegedly a grave yard where the Duvalier dictatorships brought dissenters to be killed (I envision a cross between the Wild West and goodfellas).

High cliffs of red sand and tan dust form an empty amphitheater as Mack trucks haul concrete supplies from the hills near Titanyen. One of these open pits is now filled with at least 100,000 Haitian earthquake victims from 2010. Others estimate near 300,000. After the earthquake some Haitians, worried about Typhoons, desperate for a change, seeking a new life, set up shanties up in the hills of Titanyen. These tiny shacks are easily seen from the mass grave site memorial.  This land certainly carries the weight of death, despair, and desolation.

Down the road a short poke, inside the humble town of Titanyen, Grace church begins to fill. Purple and white balloons on white mesh ribbons line the pews.  A lean, even by Haitian standards, young man balances on a bar stool as he tapes the sign above the pulpit;

"Apogee Graduation Day 2016" was written on white poster board.

In the back 14 students, having completed the 13th grade (philo year), were about to graduate. Purple graduation caps with purple gowns covered much of the freshly pressed and sparkling white sport coats, pants, and dresses.

I couldn't seem to keep my patterned shirt clean and yet these proud grads look like Naval cadets!

The ceremony was filled with pride, God-honoring worship, countless thank-yous, and even tears.  I expect

Some mothers to cry, mine would. I figured some teachers might.  I was surprised when the proud teen boy who received a scholarship for college wept as his reality changed. I was more surprised when I cried too.

In my head was the Gungor song, beautiful things. "You make beautiful things out the dust."

As the praises went up I saw these beautiful children gleaming white and purple, flowering in the desert. God made beautiful things out of dust. Moreover, out of the grave and death, Jesus gave life to us all.

Today, 6/19/2016, a battlefield victory at Titanyen.  We all brought less than nothing and God made it more than amazing.

John Berge

Ose - Gerst (Alpha Team) - Day 6

Wow, another impactful day in Haiti.  Today we had the option of going to Dare's, an orphanage for kids/young adults with disabilities or going to Mont Fort, an orphanage for kids that are deaf.

Jack and I went to Dare's and were truly privileged to meet some great kids with that have great challenges.  Firstly, you should understand the importance of an orphanage like this because in Haiti you are considered an outcast if you are disabled.  Lena, is a 6 year old that has a very big voice that likes to play with balls and roamed about meeting all of us.  She has a bright smile but is very limited in her mental functioning.

Kenny is a 14 year old with a beaming smile.  He has use of only one arm and his legs do not function.  He and another boy about his age, who also did not have the use of his legs, listened intently while Jeff did his best to read from their native bible.  Sometimes they would correct him and other times they would cheer.

However, the highlight was meeting Fronzy. We were warned about Fronzy's clap before we went which was funny as Katie and I immediately recognized it when we reached within about 100 yards.  We entered to the sound of the clapping and singing that sounded like it was coming from a southern worship tent.  Fronzy is 25, blind, and has a rhythmic clap that I would call deafening if it weren't so beautiful.  Beautiful in the sense that it is his instrument as he sings and heartily taps his feet.  His smile radiates as sweat pours down his neck and belts out spiritual songs that I think speak directly to the good lord.  His singing brought all that could, to song.  The entire time we were their the room was full of joy but none more so that when Fronzy was singing.

The afternoon brought another really neat experience as we planned an afternoon of soccer with the neighborhood boys.  (we need to work on getting girls as well but culturally they do not play sports)  We packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apple squeezes, and water for the boys.  We loaded the lunches, along with 21 neighborhood boys, and drove two tap taps to the Bobby Duvall soccer fields.  They were not Shakopee Soccer quality (some grass, a lot of gravel, and kind of level) but for Haiti, they were amazing.

The relationship with the neighborhood boys has developed over the past 6 years and is a great story in itself which I'll let Marijo elaborate on as she knows all of the history.  With that said, it was a very rewarding day of soccer, smiles, and true friends.

It was fun to watch the banter among the Haitians, because they take their soccer seriously, but not today; it was about comradery.

Palms up,
John and Jack Canny

Ose - Gerst (Alpha team) Day 5

Bonuit Everyone!

This is Max Nelson and Ryan Stich blogging for Alpha Team tonight. We are both going to be Sophmores at EPHS and this is our first time on this trip.

We had an early wake up call ths morning and began our day at 5:30 to go to the morning church service at Church on the Rock. Church on the Rock is a large church inside of an industrial warehouse that inititially started as a tent church after the 2010 earthquake. As John B just called it as we are writing this; "Home Depot Jesus Edition", the church is not your everyday church that your would see in Minnesota. Side Note: We are eating knock off, Chinese, pop rocks as we write this and may or may not be severely distracted by the possibly non-toxic "Crack-Ups". Anyways, it was not your average church service and had many people up and moving throughout the entire sermon with a live band and people praying aloud.

A specific experience that Ryan remembered from today's service was very impactful for all of us. An older man with a walker tirelessly walked up and down the aisles of seats and makeshift pews even though it caused him pain. His determination and love for God remained unbroken as he inspired our entire group. When we think of praying, we usually think of praying for something to happen or to gain something from it but the pastor challenged us to think differently and we will do the same for you. Thank God for all that he has given you today and be grateful for what you have before you consider asking for something more.

After a brief walk home from the church service (and for John B, a brief motorcycle ride with two other Haitians after he decided to hitch hike down the hill), that we regrouped to split up for the morning. Half of our group went to the home for sick and dying adults and the other half of our group went on another water truck day. Jeff Gacek, one of the founders of Healing Haiti, had arrived the night before and prayed with us before we set off for today's events. Ryan and I (Max) both went on the water truck day for our choice and we were able to do two stops. We met a lot of great people again and hopefully made as large of an impact on their lives as they made on ours.

Both groups returned back to base for a brief lunch before heading over to Rebuild Globally to see their flip-flop manufacturing location. They make flip-flops from old tires and all of their materials are locally sourced. We had a tour of their complex and some of the team members bought some shoes and other little trinkets at the boutique. We then headed over to the Apparent Project where they also make products from recycled materials such as beads from cardboard boxes and statues from scrap metal. They also have a pizza place at the Apparent Project so we ordered a total of 9 pizzas and were able to finish all but one. (Yes you may applaud out loud right now, we know it is impressive, don't be shy. No I don't care if you are in public, start clapping.)

One bumpy Tap-Tap ride later and we were home for the night. We had our daily circle meeting and talked about our word of the day as we sat outside in the cool night air of Haiti. Overall we had an amazing day and we look forward to the rest of the trip with some amazing people.

See you all again soon!

Max Nelson and Ryan Stich

Ose - Gerst (Alpha Team) Day 4

 Hi everyone!!

Tonight writing is Mackenzie Blauert and Lauren Stich.

We started the day by loading up the tap tap and taking the 45 minute drive to Tetenye where we visited three different elders in the area. We brought food and drink for each elder, along with washing their feet (nail polish optional). giving massages with lotion, and prayer.

First, we visited an elderly woman who lived with her daughters and granddaughters. She was gracious and kind and when asked for prayer requests she included us as one of her primary concerns. During this home visit we also got to paint the nails of the woman and three of her granddaughters. Don't tell Marijo, but while Mackenzie was painting the nails of one of the girls, the girl asked to keep the polish and Mackenzie just motioned with her finger over her lips and said "shhh" before walking away. The Haitian girls proceeded to laugh and smile and stopped making fun of how "blonde" Mackenzie and Nicole's skin was.

Second, we visited a woman named Mariedeloude, who plopped down her chair to have her feet washed in the middle of the neighborhood. We were surrounded by neighborhood kids who were provided with songs, hugs, and pillowcase dresses while members of the team washed and massaged Marie. A couple words to describe Marie were silent firecracker, due to her response to prayer requests: everything, and her demands to have her feet washed well and twice.

Third and on a sadder note, we visited an elderly woman who happened to be very sick. Not many of the team members were able to surround her in her pain due to close quarters, but John B. gave her medical advice and many prayed over her in this time of need. We ask that you keep this woman and her family in your prayers as this woman endures sickness and her daughter cares for her.

After the elder care visits, we visited Grace Village, where there's a school, orphanage, church, and bakery. We toured the grounds and learned about the new family style housing in the orphanage, where the children live with a mami and papi and function as a family unit with chores and shared meals. We also learned about the bakery, which will create many jobs for the Haitian people and serve surrounding missionaries with a restaurant portion and surrounding businesses with artisian bread.

We rounded off the day with delicious Haitian food and group time with many... interesting worship songs (Let it Go from Frozen made it into the mix). All in all, we are thankful for the opportunity to have been the hands and feet of Christ today and we are looking forward to church and pizza tomorrow.

Until tomorrow!
The Alpha Team

Ose-Gerst (Alpha Team) Day 3

Today was an amazing day!  Our team started at Home for the Sick & Dying Children.  There were families waiting to get their children into the facility from the time we came until we left.  It was heart-breaking to see these sweet kids crying from their cribs for someone to pick them up, and as lunch started coming around, they all wanted to be heard & fed at the same time.  We got to snuggle and play and sing and pray silently over these precious ones.  I was able to hold it together while there, but was overcome with emotions as I left.  I'll never forget those sweet faces and the opportunity to love on those precious ones. 

From there we rode the tap tap to MUPANAH, the National History Museum of Haiti.  This was an interesting stop, seeing some artifacts such as the anchor of the Santa Maria ship and the Haitian flag & moon rocks that were sent from our President Nixon after landing on the moon.  We also got a tour/mini history lesson of the nation.  Possibly most importantly, it was also our first time in an air-conditioned building since our arrival.

Our last stop of the day was at an orphanage where we got to play with more sweet kids - coloring, face painting (on us with white skin), jump roping - my first time in about 20 years, piggy back rides, and of course a little soccer.

I got a ride in the front cab of the tap tap on the way back to our guest house, which gave me a "better" view of the city, and got me closer to the action of the no-traffic-laws-traffic.  Yikes..  I think what I gathered is that bigger & faster have the right of way.

I am loving Haiti, the people, and my experience here!  And I love that Healing Haiti has a constant presence, serving here.  My time here is just a small blip, but Healing Haiti is making a continual difference here.  The need is overwhelming, but just like Jesus multiplied the fish & bread, I see how he is multiplying efforts here as well.

Feeling thankful in Haiti!  Bon Soir!

Rachel Folden
Team 1

Dan Leslie - Team Texas - June 13, 2016 (Day 8)

Day 8 - Back Home with Haiti in Our Hearts & Memories in our Minds

Word(s) of the Day: Jesus is Everywhere!

There is obviously a stark contrast in my day today, in the United States, in comparison with yesterday, in Haiti. Today I am sitting in an (air-conditioned) classroom learning about the latest features of Windows 10 and how augmented reality could play a part in our digital classrooms. Just a few days ago I went to a brand new school in Haiti that included 2 things in each classroom - a chalkboard and desks. God is in both places and learning will happen in both places. Our trip home went very well in regards to travel, luggage and conversations about our work. Never doubt the power of a group of people in matching t-shirts! People pay attention and if they are bold, they will even ask questions. I felt Jesus' presence in Haiti in a way that I struggle to feel back home. I know that Jesus is everywhere but there were A LOT more signs when we were on the way home, even at In and Out Burger?!?!?. Below is a few pictures...

 

Don't forget you don't have to go somewhere to see Jesus, He is everywhere. Mark, one of the guest house long-term missionaries reminded us that during Jesus' ministry He served so many others but he also allowed himself to be served. He didn't worry about having food and shelter, he relied on others for that. We are called to serve others but we also need to allow ourselves to be served. We have to be filled so we can fill others. We have time, treasure and talents that we need to share them with others but we also need to let others help us in the areas we struggle. Its okay to know we need others but don't forget we need Jesus too. I am so appreciative of our trip to Haiti and I am so appreciative that Jesus finds me worthy of being His hands and feet. Merci Jezi!