November 20, 2019
Matthew 6:19-21
Last night, we were told that today’s experience was
indescribable. We would have to
experience it for ourselves. After a
short morning visit to the “artisan market” to do some shopping of local crafts
and art, we boarded the tap-tap to go to Cite Soleil and Healing Haiti’s Hope
ministries. In order to build Hope Church, the construction company dug 80 feet
to clear the grounds for this magnificent facility of hope. A church, medical center, and school for some
of the residents of District 17. Filled
with pride, the parents of the school children dressed their girls in church
dresses and ribbons in their hair. Due to the unrest in the city, the kids go
to school between 7:30 – noon. So much wonderful work going on. If you are feeling called to help support these
children, you can sponsor the education of hope and two meals a day for only
$300.
John 4:13-14. Everyone who drinks some of this water will
be thirsty again. But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him
will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in
him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.
Are you Ready? It was now time for our water truck
experience. Due to the lack of availability of running water in Cite Soleil, Healing
Haiti intentionally delivers water to allow residents to get buckets, pool
size, or any small or large container to fill up. We take for granted our supply of water. The song that comes to my memory is “Be
Grateful” by Walter Hawkins. God has not promised us sunshine. We rotated from
filling containers, picking up the heavy containers to take close to their
shanty house, lifting up the little children to carry wherever and show love,
and responding to “Hey You.” Our co-leader, Smith, who lives in another neighborhoo
told us of the despair of Cite Soleil.
Nothing could prepare some of us for this type of despair. We did not want to drop or waste an ounce of
water as we carried the buckets to their respective current homes. Yes, I know
there will always be the poor. Lord I pray, “Help Cite Soleil.”
During the first year after the earthquake of 2010, the
records state that over 10,000 people died of cholera and 300,000 died from the
earthquake alone.
We all left wet and exhausted from our first water truck stop. So many kids and so many water containers to
help pick up and take as far as we are allowed to go within the area. Some of use with a curious spirit, inquire
about voodoo. The reports state that
most of the area is Catholic religion, but among them voodoo is still practiced
by some. You cannot always pick your neighbors.
We return to the tap-tap, rejuvenate with snacks (crackers,
protein bars, and beef jerky) and head to another village for our second water
truck stop. This truck was farther way
and the need was greater. It was times-two a repeat of tired souls. Again, be
grateful.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon Earth; where moth and rust corrupt and where thieves
do not steal. But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also.
