If you are still reading this blog of our week, THANK YOU! I thought I would finish recapping the week for those of you that are curious.
On Saturday, our team went to New Hope Community Program, which is near the guesthouse. It is a program run by a couple gentlemen that want to provide a positive and safe environment for neighborhood kids. It is a very small space with a courtyard and two classrooms. There were lots of kids to greet us and spend time with. We worked on the same "name writing" activity that we did with the Elders. It turns out the majority of the kids knew how to write their names, which is awesome! We took small polaroid photos of every child and attached their photos to their name cards after they decorated them. Then, we laminated the name cards so they would last longer. The kids at New Hope were among some of the most respectful kids any of us had encountered. We were pretty impressed! We watched them play soccer in the small courtyard and we listened to and sang music together. It was a fun morning!
A few team members then went to LaPherre's Orphanage in the afternoon. They had a lot of fun hanging with the kiddos there. I was unable to go, so I don't have photos but I know it was a very enjoyable couple of hours. The team was able to tour the new school on-site as well. Jd went to get his Covid Test as he needed to leave the next day and a few of us went to a nearby hotel to use the pool and visit with one another.
Jd went home on Sunday morning so he could get home for his finals and to GRADUATE nursing school! The rest of us went to church at Rendez-Vous Church. It is a pretty cool place to worship with lively music and great sermons. Us Americans get to wear headphones with someone translating for us! After church we went to get our Covid Tests for travel the next day and when we returned to the guesthouse, we went to the pool to relax and visit. It is hot in Haiti, have I mentioned that before :-) Sunday night Joy lead a paint night.. it was a lot of fun!
Monday we all left for home, anxious to see our families. We all returned safely with lots on our minds in how to improve the lives of the Elders in our program. We were very sad to not be able to visit the Elders in Cite Soleil during our week in Haiti. Unfortunately, there was too much unrest and our staff thought it was best that we don't go. No matter what, we always trust our staff. Our safety is their main concern, and for that we are so thankful.
As I reflect on the week, I am filled with so many thoughts and emotions. The overwhelming feeling for me is that of being thankful. Thankful that Healing Haiti saw a need so many years ago and began an Elder Program. Thankful that the program is doing so many things very well. Thankful that I get to be part of it. Thankful that Dana supports my passion. Thankful that Healing Haiti trusts me. Thankful for so many faithful sponsors and prayer warriors. Thankful that I had such an incredible team. Other feelings included those of sadness, confusion, wonder and joy. Life is so hard in Haiti. It's difficult to see this and even more difficult to know that there are so many that we can't serve. For now, we march forward, continuing to meet the needs where we can, to improve the program when we can, and to keep praying that God will open our eyes to see what He wants us to know and how He wants us to serve.
As I mentioned in previous blogs, this team has lots of history with Healing Haiti. We had four leaders on our team (two who came as goers), two long-term missionaries (one past and one present), one Elder Sponsor, a devoted Elder team member (has been on every Elder Trip) and a goer who has been on several teams and just wanted to give this one a try. I couldn't be more thankful. This could have been a very intimidating group of my peers, but it wasn't! They were all so humble and ready to serve, I was so honored.
To my wonderful team members -
Melissa - Thank you for showing me vulnerability and stepping up when I lacked giving direction. Thank you for sharing with me how you and Melanie care for your teams out of Maine and how you care for those serving and working within Healing Haiti. Thank you for being willing to be a "goer" and coming along to learn more about the Elder Program and how you and your future teams can best serve the Elders. You have no idea what that means to me! You have great ideas and you weren't afraid to ask questions. I love how much you love Haiti and I hope to serve with you again!
Joy - Thank you for always saying "YES!" even when it is overwhelming. I admire watching you work and the dedication you have to your profession and the Elders of Haiti. You consistently bring new ideas to individual Elders and to the program as a whole. You keep us all on our toes with your quick wit and great jokes! You certainly bring the comedy to any team you are on. I can't wait to serve with you in June. Forever our monback!
Tracey - Thank you for serving humbly and for finding joy in anything we do. I appreciate how you try new teams and you continue to expand your serving abilities! I know how much you love the babies, but yet, you signed up for an Elder Trip!!! I can't tell you the happiness I have in my heart! I loved listening to you hum at night and placing that in my mind next to knowing you are one of the strongest women I know. You also show me what being a loving mom looks like, even when it's tough! I hope to serve alongside you again soon!
Melanie - Thank you for loving Healing Haiti's Elders so much! I am so honored that you chose to sponsor Eliphet and one of my favorite visits was watching you with her. It was so sweet and gentle. I love how happy you are for her. I appreciate your honest feedback and knowing that it was hard to know what to do during our busy days! Thank you for stepping up to do psychosocial assessments and getting to know some of our Elders even more! The youth of your church are so lucky to have you as their August leader! As I said to Melanie above, thank you for being a "goer" on this team when you are used to leading, you made it very easy. Also, how you care for your teams and Healing Haiti staff and volunteers is so beautiful. Thank you for showing me that. I hope to serve with you in Haiti again!
Don - Thank you for being on this team! Our Haiti relationship started a few years ago and I was then, and still am, so very thankful for your knowledge of Titanyen, our Elders, and "knowing a guy"! It was so good for me to see you serving in one of your happiest places. Some of my favorite moments on this trip were watching you reunite with so many who love you so much (Healing Haiti staff, friends, volunteers and Elders). I appreciate how you advocate for our Elders, even knowing the worst they will say is no! Thank you for giving me that encouragement. You are a giver and I have a lot to learn from you. I can't wait to serve the Elders with you again.
Jd - Thank you for saying YES to this trip when our wonderful Jody had to back out at the last minute. You give me hope in knowing who my boys can become. Watching you talk about your mom was an honor. I loved watching you show your love for Christ openly and be confident in that even when you don't always agree with Him. I know there is hope in my boys deepening their relationships with Christ after spending the week with you. AND, you are already an amazing nurse and I am so excited to follow along in your life journey. Your world is just beginning! I'm so happy for you.
Kathy - Thank you for serving with our team for a bit. You are an incredible inspiration to me and one of my spiritual mentors. I know that you will always set me on a good path even when I feel like straying. You pull me in and remind me of the right thing to do even when it is hard. I love your love for Cite Soleil, the precious pastors and our beautiful Elders. I look forward to continued Bible Study and serving in Haiti with you.
Katie - Thank you for saying YES to God when He called you to Haiti to serve the Elders. I know it's not what you necessarily thought you would be doing, but I know you (very quickly) grew to love the Elders and became passionate about the program. The time you gave in Haiti, the love you gave to the Elders and everyone around you, and the sacrifices you made make me so proud. I have learned so much from you. Your quiet leadership and humble attitude show me that it doesn't take being hard and demanding to get your point across and to make changes. You are so patient and so good at doing the right thing each and every time, even when it is very hard. You have integrity, humility, compassion, and love for all you encounter. Thank you for your selfless gift to the Elders of Haiti and to me. I look forward to seeing what life will look like for you next!
