Day number 1

We all arrived with two groups, one from Hilmar/Turlock CA, after a long, but smooth overnight flight, and the second group from MN, with perfect travel results. It was exciting to meet the new people we had traveling from CA, and out precious two friends from our last joint trip together. Yes, we are all tired from the travel but moreso, we are excited for what the week will bring and what God has planned for our team. It is warm and humid, with traces of rain, but we are enjoying each other already so much, we don't notice anything but the love of Jesus we are ready to share with all that we encounter. Stay tuned for tomorrow, as day one with water truck etc. We can't wait!  The internet is super sketchy, so if you don't see a note it only means we gave up sitting to connect, but check back daily and we'll try to keep you updated.
In His love,    Al

Greetings again from Port-au-Prince for almost the last time from this awesome crew.   Being it is Sunday, we had the opportunity to attend church at Grace Village.  In Haiti, church is a unique experience.    Even though singing, praying and preaching in Haitian Creole is not totally understandable to we Americans, in some ways it is totally understandable.    Humility and true worship come to mind as we witnessed love for our Lord in the leaders as well as our Haitian brothers and sisters in attendance.    Back on the Tap-Tap for a ride up the coast to Wahoo Bay Resort.   This proved to be a place where we were given the chance to enjoy the sun (between raindrops) beach vendor food and souvenirs,  ocean front activities and the chance to relax.    The long ride back was great for Hector and me in first class (cab with the driver), but the other 14 experienced the rain and dust in "coach" seating.  On the way, we stopped at one of the many roadside stands for Haitian delicacies.    Each night we have had team time, and this evenings last team time was especially meaningful.   These get togethers have been time to reflect on each day's activities and tonight we also discussed what it will mean to re-enter life in the United States.   Even though we really want to share the events of our trip with our friends and family, it may prove to be a challenge.   How do you explain life changing experiences?   Words seem inadequate.   Having said that, we do want to talk about our trip and let you and all the world know that God is working in Haiti, that the Haitians are beautiful people, that Healing Haiti provided excellent opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, that we experienced life change by serving others.   Our team has been an outstanding group.  Sixteen people of various ages and backgrounds came together to encourage Haitians and it turned out they were remarkable at encouraging each other as well.  Funny how all of that can happen. Is God not sovereign?!  We ask for your prayers as we wrap things up tomorrow morning, and fly back to Minnesota in the afternoon.   Stay tuned for our final blog tomorrow from the airport.

Thanks for reading.
Dave

Our team was excited for the day to begin because it included out favorite activity....water truck service!  All 16 members of the team finished breakfast early and prepared for our journey to Citi  Soleil.  Our plans included two stops to deliver a total of 4000 gallons of fresh water to our Haitian brothers and sisters.

The first stop was hectic, exciting, overwhelming and filled with tears and smiles.  As our truck pulled up, hundreds of small children ran to our vehicles to welcome our arrival.  For the next hour we filled and carried approximately 500 buckets of fresh water to the small simple homes of our needy friends.  We were blessed with hugs and smiles that we will never forget!

Following our Citi  Soleil stop, we were blessed to visit the home site of our tap tap driver Max.  Max is a gracious happy Hatian man who cherishes his family which include three small children.  Max has been saving his modest income to build a small home for his loved ones.  As a team, we visited his homesite which was a special treat.  The project was in process with the foundation complete.  We took time to pray for special blessings for Max and his family.  We prayed that God would care for them and provide them with the resources to complete the home building process.  Resources are scarce but their family love is abundant.

The second water stop was exciting!  Hundreds of needy Haitians were served by our team and we were rewarded with love and friendship.  We were the winners!  We received so much more than we gave.  Our hearts and souls were filled with the love provided by our brother and sisters in Christ who call Haiti home.  We are blessed.

As the day progressed we were challenged by increasing heat.  The day topped out at a sweltering 96 degrees coupled with extreme humidity.  Lots of water and electrolytes accompanied us to our next stop; LeFluere orphanage for children.  While not expansive in size, this loving institution provides housing and academic instruction for 25 orphaned children.  Jesus was clearly present at this loving home.  We played soccer, painted pictures, sang songs and played balloon games with the kids.  To reciprocate, they had prepared two songs to sing for us.  The Lords Prayer and Psalm 100 both sang by 25 loving voices of the children who call this orphanage home.  It was a very special treat for our team and left us with smiles and tears as we left for home.

The evening concluded with a Spaghetti dinner and refreshing swim.  Our team time together after dinner was touching as we all shared what the days activities meant.  Sleep would be good this night as our bodies were drained but our hearts were full.

Today many of us returned to the Church on the Rock to start our pre-dawn day.
A great way to prepare for our journey to Carrefours and the home for sick and dying adults at the end of our week.  The team is starting to seem a bit fatigued and the heat and late night conversations are starting to take its toll.  None-the-less we've been open and excited for each days new experience.

We were told we were going to put lotion on their hands and feet but I don't think any one of us were prepared for what we experienced.  When we arrived the men and women were divided into two teams and headed to our respective wings.  I think we were all timid and unsure how to proceed but the patients were ready and quickly calling us to their bedsides disrobing and revealing their tired, weary bodies ready for the moisture of the lotion to provide a relief for the heat and the dryness.  The first woman I rubbed lotion on was so frail and thin there was barely more than skin and bones.  I could see despite her thinness she was a beautiful woman and I wondered what her story's and what brought her to the hospital.  She was desperately trying to speak to me even though we didn't share the same language the language of love is universal.  Together our team rubbed lotion on more than 50 people all reporting that it was by far the best part of the day.  I'm never quite sure if were ministering or if were being ministered to.

Our next stop was at the Haitian History Museum where we were hosted by a very knowledgable tour  guide who share with us the History of Haiti and showed us some amazing artifacts from the Crown Jewels to the Anchor of the Santa Maria.  It was helpful for us to understand how Haiti has come to be in its current state.

Next stop Laloo, an orphanage of about 45 children, where Jenny and Tom played with parachutes, Hector played soccer,  Missy drew chalk pictures and Megan and Andrea painted nails, while others passed out balloons and snuggled with children.  Having arriving at lunch and recess time the children were wild and behaved as you'd expect them to behave.  They were curious, mischievous and full of boundless energy.

A quick stop at the guest house and we were off to dinner at Felri, the new restaurant at Grace Village.  The place with hopping with other foreigners and Haitians. We sampled all the delicious appetizers, and pizzas.  Not to mention a Mango Creme Brule that was over the moon! All this was made and served by the graduates of the school at Grace Village.  Were hoping maybe Andrew Zimeraman is reading this for his next food adventure and will come check it out.  My persona favorite was the Buffalo Chicken Pizza and the local favorite Pork Griot, which included citrus braised pork and Pikliz, red onion, scallion and Whole Milk Mozzarella cheese with a white sauce. Seriously amazing. A perfect end to a great day.

Just two more days on this journey and our hearts are full yet there always seems to be room for more.  I know that many of us have had our thoughts challenged, and our perspectives adjusted.  There is so much to learn looking forward to the next few days.

“Ayiti Pap Plyie”

“Haiti Will Not Forget”

The middle of the road and the week has gone by quickly as the “A Team” set off to travel to side known as “Less Than Nothing”. As the tap tap set off to this country oriented side of the Haitian side of the island there was time to take in scenes from the bay as well as the numerous mountain ridge lines that make up the natural borders of this once beautiful countryside. We knew that today we’d visit an orphanage, Grace Village, a bakery, four Elders from the village and potentially the Haitian earthquake memorial. The trip was about an hour and thirty minutes outside of our headquarters in Port Au Prince and would take us through to the middle of this mission.  Although from the outset it seemed like a fairly benign day, much would soon become far more complicated with terms like “grace, hope, family, trauma, death, and relationship” getting thrown around. 

“Do this in remembrance of me” said our Lord Jesus Christ. “When you fed me, gave me water, clothed the naked, visited orphans, took care of widows - when you did this to the least of these you did this to me”, He stated in passages during His life. One could easily convince him/herself that by coming from the United States to Haiti that the least of these are in Haiti. We can assume quickly that because we have malls and orphanages are masked by foster care that we are in a much better place than they who live here. Surely we are here to validate their efforts and tell them how to do things better and maybe, shed some of Christ’s love on someone. I’m gracefully humbled to report that this is not the myth we lived today. 

When we arrived at Grace Village we were given a powerful tour from Kiki, a 25 y/o missionary who will spend another two years of her life serving under the Haitian leadership of an orphanage serving children from about three to about 19 through educational programs that lead to learning a trade. Although we were exposed to “misbehaving children” we were also exposed to the fact that many of these kids came from places where families harbored within them generations of trauma that was not forgotten when families were taught how to deal with difficult behaviors. As a social worker myself, in our own country, we would simply label a child and discard them. Not in Haiti. We looked on to a mini farm ran by a wise farmer who has been refining the process towards one day creating a sustainable farm. Albeit, this may turn into other efforts, the process of trying is one that is not in vain and will not go into the night quietly as the school will not abandon it’s efforts to continue to try something.We traveled through a clinic serving the families that use the orphanage to provide education in a safe environment, to which, it’s but one small part of the overall effort to promote employment so that families do not have to give their kids up, but provide for them a home with loving parents and hardworking people in their community. 

To show off a little bit, we visited “Fleri” which is the social enterprise of Grace Village within which some of the first graduates submitted resumes, interviewed and were employed which culminated in the truest graduation - when they served their families within the very restaurant - the fruits of their labor. Haiti knows that employment will reduce the orphan situation. Haiti has not forgotten it’s orphans. 

As we left the bakery knowing that we’ll return after hearing the mouth watering menu items, we traveled into the village names, “TiTian”, or, “less than nothing” where we were honored to enter into the homes of four of not just Haiti’s Elders, but our Elders as Children of God. I personally tried washing the feet of one of two sisters who was too embarrassed at how dirty her feet were to let me wash her feet. “Mademoiselle, couple”. “Please, misses” I said looking into her wrinkled face and sage, dark eyes. I had forgotten who I was, but knew that I was washing the feet of my Lord. I took one foot, Tim took another, someone else got started on her sister. Someone else put lotion on her. Her prayer at the end of the experience was for her children and grand children, that they may be able to find employment so that they can provide for themselves. Her grandchildren listened on as they surrounded the group huddled in prayer. There was not enough time to sit at their feet, in fact, I think I could have spent all day sitting on the ground and asking to hear their stories. “Teacher, tell me again so that I don’t forget.” Alas, it was time to go.

The trip back required of us a stop at the Haitian Earthquake memorial. Brene, our driver brought us into the shrine. I removed my hat along with a few others who realized we were stepping onto sacred ground. Over 300,000 people died in the earthquake on January 12, 2010. “We, in Haiti, have not experienced anything like this since 1942, so none of us were ready for this. We were not educated to not hide in buildings. . . and right before me, a whole building disappeared. I lost my uncle, some friends, and a girlfriend who was living in a basement. Her family paid some people to have her found, but her body was never found.” The sentiment across the group was noticeably pensive, thoughtful and for some, tear jerking. This was a mass grave where the Haitian people were asked to wrap the bodies of the dead in linens as they found them and place them in the street so that the government trucks can come by and pick them up to bring them to this place, and burn them. Six angel statues face out into the mountains where the fallen were cremated. There was no more running water in the moat around the original memorial as resources were no longer available, but the words, “Ayiti Pap Pliye”, Haiti will not forget” reminded us as we left, that memory is timeless and emotion accompanies it’s strength. 

I’m not certain that I was the giver of grace, hope or any more love than that which I received today. I can’t speak for the whole group, but speaking for myself, I will not forget what I learned. I rode in the front with my wife and Brene and we spoke for the next hour or so about our countries. With hearty laughter amongst the three of us, Brene said, “I think Haiti is winning!”. I think you’re right Brene. 

Bonswa! Today was a very busy day for A Team in Haiti, we began our morning brighter and earlier than yesterday, waking up at 5 am. As a group, we went to a local church called Church on the Rock. We were amazed by the passion and the very obvious love shown for God. The experience was powerful to witness, the church here was not held in the traditional way that we as Americans would visualize. The churchgoers here rarely sit in chairs and listen, many of them would walk around and talk to God on their own and all of them were very invested in their faith.

The next part of the day, we split our team into two. One team went to the Home for Sick and Dying Babies, the other went to a special needs orphanage. The Home for Sick and Dying was spent holding and loving up on the babies, feeding them, and changing their (cloth) diapers. All of the members on this team were open and enthusiastic and gave as much love as we could to every baby possible. We also spent time talking to some of the parents that were there to visit their children and it was fun to get their story as well. Overall, it was a profound experience. At the special needs orphanage we were greeted with faces of joy. The little kids ran to greet us and to lead us into the door. We brought bubbles, balloons, and stickers. We couldn't even get the supplies out of our bag before all of the little hands were grasping for what we brought. They were so happy to have a bottle of bubbles or a sticker on their shirt! We spent our time playing with the kids and holding them tightly in our arms. Before we left we sang songs and prayed over the kids. God was working in all of us today as we each shared our God given gifts with the kids. 

The second half of the day was spent at Apparent Project. This organization was started in an effort to keep the "orphan" children with their parents (some children are given up because parents can't afford to keep them). We were given a tour of the production side of things and all products were hand made from recyclable materials. We were also given an opportunity to buy goods made right in Haiti. Goods included were jewelry, decorations, pottery, etc. It felt great that God gave us the opportunity to invest in these families and help them to support their families. 

See you tomorrow!

-Megan and Missy

Tuesday water truck day

Good evening from Haiti! We made it safely.

Tuesday Day Two 4.4

We started the day off with lots of energy from a great nights sleep. We enjoyed a nice breakfast of french toast, eggs, oatmeal (Andrea's favorite) and homemade juice. After eating we cleaned up dishes and boarded the tap tap (the open bus we take) for our first stop- the elder's school! When we walked in we were greeted by Elder himself, who started the school for the children of Haiti. He welcomed us with open arms and was very thankful that we came to visit. We walked through a classroom of young boys and girls as they sang us a song. We then walked upstairs and spent time with some of the "older" students along with some younger. The younger kids enjoyed playing "bloody knuckles" while the older kids loved asking us questions about our English. We hopped on the tap tap and traveled to Hope Church which was recently built by Healing Haiti. We received a tour from Valerie our translator/driver and ate lunch. From here, we went to water truck location one of 3. Immediately children ran up to the tap tap yelling "hey you!" in excitement. We could not walk anywhere without children wanting to be held and loved! Overall, we delivered approximately 6,000 gallons of clean water for the people of cite solei to use for drinking, bathing, and cooking. This was a great time to bond with the Haitians and put our work into perspective. After the last two stops we went to tour Haiti Soccer Initiative, another place Healing Haiti supports. This is a place where they can get sponsored and eventually make a living out of the work that they put in. We ended the night with a few of us getting ice cream at a local grocery store and team bonding. The weather has been hot but with an occasional nice breeze. We are excited about what God has in store for all of us tomorrow! God bless!
Love, Mady and Jess ❤


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