Day 7  

Sunday - Hello Family & Friends!

We had a relaxing morning until leaving for church. We attended service a Port-Au-Prince Fellowship. It was wonderful to worship with the local community where we have been serving; amazing to know we worship the same God, although we live worlds apart.  This Fellowship also includes a school, where a new generation is being educated, which translates to hope for the future of Haiti. 

We then enjoyed a beautiful ride in our Tap Tap up into the mountains.  Three cheers again for our amazing driver, Rinelle, who navigated winding narrow roads. It was amazing to feel the temperature change as we ascended! In stark contrast to the sights, sounds, and smells of crowded Cite Soleil, we soaked in the simple beauty that God created here - the lush trees and fresh air. The view overlooking the city and ports were breathtaking. It was heartwarming to see another side of Haiti - truly a beautiful country. We enjoyed a great meal at an open air restaurant, overlooking the city. Shopping for metal art, jewelry, and artworks made by Haitians ended our visit here. 

Our team discussed our amazing week at dinner tonight - all that we have seen and done, and the vast array of feelings we have experienced during this life-changing trip. The difference in perspectives between day 1 to now is incredible. As we prepare to return to our privileged, comfortable lives at home, we are so very thankful for the opportunity to have served these lovely people and grow in our faith. God is so very good!

Day 6: Saturday, April 29, 2017

Today we were a well-oiled machine.  This evening, David described it as harmony.  Angela described it as unity.  Each time we did the water stops in Cite Solei today, without even delegating tasks, we all jumped into action.  Some people did the hose, some aligned buckets ready to be filled, some played with kids or held babies, while others carried buckets of water.  It’s crazy to hear stories of how Healing Haiti use  to  deliver water with armed guards just 10 years ago.  Now we can accomplish a water truck delivery with our Haitian interpreters/tap-tap drivers and the water truck drivers.  Its proof that Healing Haiti has worked hard at developing a trusting relationship with the gangs in Cite Solei and God has had his hand in all of this. 

It’s an overwhelming feeling to be providing water to a community.  It’s the most basic of needs and it symbolizes so many things: life, baptism, cleaning, purifying, and refreshing.  Now at the end of the day, when I sit and reflect on our day, I imagine us delivering God to these people.  I picture them coming with a need to know Him and us opening up the faucet to fill them up with His love.  My prayer for them is that they know God deeply and He truly loves them and wants great things for them.  I pray that Hope Church, that is planted in Cite Solei (that is literally built on top of land that is covered in garbage), is so full that people in that community are standing outside trying to get in.  I pray that the fire for wanting to know God will help turn over the gang leader’s hearts and start a revival in Cite Solei. 

We finished our day (after a good shower and fresh clothes) by going to supper at Fleri Bakery in Titanyen.  The food was AMAZING and our server Renaldo was superb.  We got to surprise Barb on our team with a Happy Birthday song and some homemade birthday souvenirs.   The memories continued as the rain started which turned into a downpour that was not going to stop anytime soon.  We jumped into the tap-tap and headed for home in the torrential rains.  Most of us had some part of us that was soaking wet!  We capped the evening with playing games like telephone Pictionary and Wackee 6.  The laughter was infectious and a great way to end a perfect day.

In less than 2 days, we will all be home and tucked in our soft beds with our families near us.  We will be heading to work, kids sports, running errands and managing other daily tasks.  But there is a part of us that will remain here in Haiti.  I heard someone describe it as wanting to keep one foot here and one foot at home, but eventually the wishbone breaks.  But the great thing is that the seed of Haiti has been planted in our hearts now and it will continue to grow as we remember the drops of water we put in each Haitian bucket.  Those drops will collect over time and will add light in the darkness.

“With man it is impossible, but not with God.  For all things are possible with God.”  Mark 10:27