The Bridge Team - Day 2

Just as shalom has 70 different translations in the NIV Bible, so can Haiti to each of us individually.  Haiti is unfolding before us to mean so many different things.  The deeper we look, the more beauty, need, complexity, and compassion there is.  As its beauty unfolds, we are being taught, and are learning as a team.  The Holy Spirit is moving in, around, and through us.  We see events happening before our eyes that can only be explained by God's presence.

Our team continues to bond as we share and work together.  We visited an orphanage called La Phare which housed about 20 children between the ages of a one year old baby to an 18 year old young man.  From the moment we stepped into the courtyard where the children played, we were greeted with smiles, hugs, and open arms.  Jesus teaches us to treat others as we would treat him.  With this in and on our hearts as we strive to connect with each individual, we are immensely blessed from receiving the gifts the children and staff behold.   Everyone immediately started working as a team using their spiritual gifts. Karen gave a massage and served the woman that ran the orphanage.  Natalie helped with laundry. Jessica, Lori, and Todd played soccer with the teenage boys.  Erika, Josette, Lisa, and Dianna played duck, duck, goose with the girls.  Toni, Meghan, and Eliana played jump rope with the older girls. Tommy played the guitar and overall entertained all of us.  Megan from SC drew pictures, played sidewalk chalk, and sang.  The joy and laughter of the kids was infectious, but we all agree that we don't know who had more fun--the kids or the Bridge team.  Team time explored Shalom and how just the discussion around it was a perfect fit for the day we experienced a peace and completeness as a team that some have admittedly not felt since their last trip to Haiti one year ago.  We are thankful for our Lord and Saviour and the amazing day he laid out for us.  As we write this our team is singing, "I am a child of God."  We are all children of God.  We cannot wait for tomorrow!

"May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, The Lord be exalted who delights in the shalom of his servant."  Psalms 35:27.

By:  Lori Kinder and Lisa Finn

The Bridge Team - Day 1 (PM)

This afternoon we visited a place of extremes.

Gertrude's is a special needs orphanage in Port-au-Prince.

It's tucked in amidst concrete structures - some partially finished, many left unfinished - in the heart of a neighborhood. Nearby were pigs roaming about piles of garbage. We pulled up in our trusty blue tap tap, unloaded, and a teenage boy with special needs waited for us at the gate. We hugged and walked through the house into a courtyard void of children. We were told the children were coming home from school soon, and evidence of their existence was all around us: a plastic yard chair-turned-wheelchair, other wheelchairs of various sizes, and a sensory wall out back.

Dozens of children arrived soon thereafter, but I mainly remember one: Rosemarie.

Rosemarie is nonverbal and in a wheelchair. I'm not sure about what happened to her to leave her in this state. Many of the children at Gertrude's were found on the street, uncared for, alone, and underdeveloped. Rosemarie's story is likely similar.

But boy, can she smile.

I mean, she can SMILE.

My first interaction with Rosemarie went like this: I sat down at a picnic table next to her wheelchair. She sat at the head of the table, and I sat at the corner next to her. As I leaned toward her to tell her how beautiful she was, she leaned forward, locked her eyes with mine, and placed her forehead snug against mine. And we sat for what seemed like forever.

And as we did, she smiled...a wide toothy grin that surpassed language. Dimples that spoke volumes.

She possesses unbridled joy and gifted it to me...in the midst of sadness and brokenness.

It wasn't all roses.

We had to say goodbye. Her smile became stoic when she realized what was happening. My heart broke. And just as quickly as I had been filled with joy, I too was filled with sadness.

You know what's beautiful though?

I believe I'll get to see Rosemarie again one day. Or at least I hope this is true. One day Rosemarie won't be nonverbal and in a wheelchair. One day she will be in glory, and she will run freely on her own two feet. She'll have a full family that loves her perfectly. Jesus will enjoy her everlasting smile. No doubt He already does.

I long deeply for that day. The groanings of this world and the brokenness of humanity are hard to take sometimes.

But today, I got to enjoy the smile and her spirit of a fellow human who bears the image of God. I got to spend time with a beautiful daughter of the King who has a gift of radiating His joy. I experienced previews of the coming attraction of eternity, in which language won't be a barrier, and joy and love will flow freely. For this preview, I will always be thankful.

This doesn't negate our responsibility to Rosemarie here and now. People with special needs living in severe poverty are among the most vulnerable people in the entire world. They need our love, advocacy, and support. Jesus cared and cares for them beautifully. We need to as well.

Admittedly, I forget about them. When they're not in front of me, gifting me with their beauty and joy, I forget that there are children like Rosemarie trying to survive in our world.

I guess the moral of the story is this: let's be aware. Let's be sensitive. Let's seek out the people in our neighborhoods and cities who are vulnerable. Let's offer a better way. And let's love them.

Thanks to a group of Haitian Christians doing this in Port-au-Prince, Rosemarie has a home where she is cared for. She has people who love her...who treat her with dignity.

Let's bring the kingdom to earth friends. It's what we were made for; it's what we were redeemed for. There's a bigger story. And I'm really, really glad Rosemarie is in it.

With love and great joy,
Erika

The Bridge Team - Day 1 (AM)

On the one hand grief, on the other hand hope. This morning we visited an orphanage where nearly all of the children had been voluntarily placed there by parents who were unable to care for them. The parents are able to visit the children monthly, and each child is well cared for by nannies and teachers. It was a true joy to visit with the children and their caretakers today. It is a sad reality that many of the children who reside in orphanages in Haiti are not "true" orphans, but rather live there because the lack of employment here makes it difficult for parents to provide for their children. My heart aches for parents who feel they have no other option.

This is one of the reasons, I am so passionate about Apparent Project/Papillion Enterprises and the work they do in Haiti. Apparent Project employs 267 Haitians who are able to support their families and keep their families intact. We were able to shop at  the Papillion Enterprises store...and spend nearly all of the money we brought with us! There is also a restaurant with pizza, smoothies and lattes above the store. After shopping, we were able to take a tour of the facility and watch the artisans at work. Apparent Project has an on-site daycare for all of the employees to utilize as well as a training center where employees can learn computer skills and English. 

You guys, I have so much joy at the work that is happening here in Haiti through this ministry and one woman's vision to transform a community through job creation. While it is a special gift to serve at an orphanage, and make a child smile, knowing that a mom can rock her own baby tonight because I bought a pizza in Haiti, or you bought a bracelet from my Apparent Project party- that thrills my heart. Thank you to each one of you who have purchased jewelry from this awesome company. I hope these pictures make your heart happy, and fill you with hope at the work God is doing here.

Natalie

This is Viola. She is sewing dresses for Haitian Friend dolls, which represent 12 of the larger cities in Haiti.

Haitians understand community. It permeates everything they do, from home to work. 

The Bridge Team - Arrival Day

The plane's arrival at the gate marked not only my first time in Haiti, but my first time on a mission trip. Suffice it to say I was incredibly excited. And more than a little bit unsure of what to expect. Walking through the airport and navigating customs was easier than expected, thanks mostly to the smiles and directions I received along the way. Being a bit of a control freak, this experience should've stressed me out...but instead, I felt an overwhelming peace that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Almost like God's hand was literally guiding me along.

I waited outside baggage claim for our Team Leader to pick me up, again feeling a sense of peace that God was going to move mightily during my week in Haiti. The streets were alive with people and laughter and color, matching the excitement that continued to bubble up inside me. I don't think I stopped grinning once as I met the rest of the team and we enjoyed our first meal together. My first taste of Haiti was, quite literally, incredible.

As we get ready for bed, the team seems just as excited as I am to head out tomorrow morning. I'm not sure exactly what God has in store for us, and for His people here in Haiti. But that's the beautiful thing: we don't have to know. Or understand. We're just called to love. To pour His love on every single person we encounter and learn from each interaction. So that's the plan! And I think I speak for all of us when I say bring it on!

Megan

Hamilton Team - Saturday

Philippians 2:4 “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Good evening from Haiti!  

The day started with a traffic jam at the market on our way to the Home for the Sick and Dying Adults, but we finally made it!  When we arrived the men separated from the women to visit the residents. When we split up we found that many of the residents were attending Mass and visiting family, while others were being seen by the doctor. For those who were unable to attend the Mass we were able to apply lotion as the patient directed, apply nail polish, give massages, fellowship, and offer prayer.

Our next stop of the day was to the General Hospital.  While we were there we visited the various pediatric units.  We had previously assembled care packages consisting of diapers, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, wash clothes, snack food, and a toy.  As we visited with the children and their parents we delivered the care packages, offered prayer, and fellowship.  We were able to see the construction of the new building where patients will stay once completed.

From there we headed off to our final stop for the day…La Loo Orphanage.  This is a busy place and another group was also on their way in so our visit here would be a short one.  We were greeted by a beautiful song from a group of about 20 - 30 children. We brought lots of string and beads for the children to make beaded bracelets and necklaces.  We teamed up with the kids to string the beads and create beautiful jewelry. We shared hugs and love with many and when the visit was done and we prepared to leave there was one more departing song.

Unlike our late arrival to the guesthouse on Friday, our early return today allowed for a swimming break for the entire team at the pool at the nearby hotel.  We laughed and bonded over fried plantains, french fries, and a cold beverage.  This was the perfect way to end the day!

Ashley and Judy

Hamilton Team - Friday

Happy Friday from Haiti,

Before I go into some detail, I will sum up the day in a few words that were spoken by the team: special, blessing, intimate, and heaven. Our day started bright and early at 5:45; thankfully Tom made us some nice, strong Haitian coffee (as he always does). Our amazing security guy on duty dropped us off about a mile down the road at a local baptist church where we got to spend an hour or so singing, shouting, and dancing in worship to our Creator. It was a very special experience, yet very different than what most of us where used to, but beautiful that we were so welcomed in, as foreigners, to worship as one Church. 

Next we took a very bumpy drive across Port-Au-Price, to a desert-like town by the sea called Titanyen. Here we visited four elderly adults to bring them some food and drink, wash their feet, sing worship songs, pray, and provide whatever other basic care we could give. I will never forget one man in particular, Lindor, the joy of the Lord in this man’s being is inexpressible. I can name on my two hands the items that he can claim to his name and the meal we brought him was quite possibly the only meal he would eat that day, and yet he had everything-the presence of the Lord was so clearly alive in him and all he wanted from us was prayer for his eternity.

The rest of the afternoon we spent in Grace Village (a 50 acre gated plot of land in the mountains neighboring Titanyen). Grace Village consists of a school that educates over 400 children ranging from 3 years old to mid-twenties, an orphanage of 41 children, Grace church, a  bakery that supplies the community with up to 50 jobs, and a restaurant with some great pizza. 

Rejoining our team tonight was a really beautiful few moments-everyone a little worn out, yet so at peace and so much joy. As we shared the joys of the day, JoAnn reflected on the beauty that heaven will be when we will reunite with our fellow brother’s and sister’s from around the world in worship our great and awesome God. 

Jezi Renmen Ou (Jesus Loves you)

Anya

Hamilton Team - Thursday

Morning started with our devotional and a wonderful breakfast. Once we gathered the clan we departed on the tap-tap. Our driver was Max and Valerie our guide. First stop was the water distribution center where 4 trucks are filled from the top at a time. The water comes from a well.  The distribution center runs 24 hrs. a day 7 days a week. This is the water system for all of Port-au-Prince. Once the truck was filled we headed to Number 26 (an area of Cite Soliel) to provide water for the local residents. We filled 100’s of 5 gallon buckets and drums with water, which is a life source for these people, that we in the US take for granted. These are all carried by women, children and Healing Haiti volunteers. It is amazing how small children are expected to carry these buckets. It was a blessing to be able to help mamas by watching their babies or to help by carrying the buckets and tubs. The smiles of the children and the thanks-you’s from the families makes it all worth while. 

Our next stop was Number 21 where we got a guided tour of the most impoverished area many of us have ever seen. Valerie took us down by the ocean where we watched men building a boat by hand. One man was shaping boards with a hand chisel and one was hand planing the boards to be used on the hull. As we walked between their homes people were very welcoming with friendly greetings. It was heart wrenching to see the conditions they had to live in, and to watch children walk barefoot on layers of seashells. 

Our second water stop was Number 25. It seemed like it was bath day for the children as they soaped themselves and played in the water. For the adults it was more urgent to get the buckets filled. This was our last opportunity to help with water delivery while we are in Haiti. It is hard work but a blessing. 

Our last stop was Apparent Project/Papillon-Enterprises.  This organization was founded by an American woman who initially came to Haiti to adopt. When she arrived she learned that the child was not a true orphan, but an economic orphan with a family who wanted him, but could not afford to raise him, she decided to start a business for mothers and fathers. The jobs gave them the ability to keep their own children at home. There is a daycare which provides care at no cost to employees. She began with a small number of Haitian employees and has grown to a company of over 200 employees. Everything is handmade here in Haiti, from glass beads to cereal box beads, pottery, stuffed toys and silk screenings. Every item is from recycles materials. 

After enjoying a wonderful smoothy from the restaurant and a shopping spree in their retail store we returned to a Haitian meal and our team meeting.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you visited me. 

Matthew 25: 35-36

Truly I say to you as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.

Mathew 25:45

Teri, Tom, JoAnn, Kathy