More Cite Soleil reflections from another team member

Yesterday was water truck day! I have so much to tell you guys. So many feelings... too many feelings actually.

My first thought arriving in Cite Soleil was "Wow, these people are really thirsty." Children everywhere. Some with clothes, some not. Some with noticeable Kwashiorkor, but all smiling. I found myself getting caught up in the moment of filling buckets and carrying buckets, I didn't notice I was hyperventilating... I decided I needed to step away; took two steps then Sue yelled "We need more help!" So I jumped back in. Filling buckets, moving buckets, putting buckets on people’s head. (my fish tank filling experience was really helpful) Nonstop, I didn't have time to freak out, and when I was, I had no choice but to ignore it.

One thing that affected me greatly today was when I was placing the buckets on their heads, I would spill some and it would run all down my clothes. As I looked around, hardly any of the other team members and people had wet clothes like I did. It was almost embarrassing how obvious it was that I was spilling this precious water that they need to survive. I was very concerned with the image I was portraying to these people, I'm helping, but I'm spilling their water all over myself.

When I was so engulfed in the heat of the moment, a sweet girl pulled me to the side, (I was expecting her to lead me to a bucket she wanted me to carry) but rather than that, she asked me my name. In that instant it was as if nothing else mattered other than talking to this sweet child named Bianca. Another time a child climbed up me, I patted him for a second then said "no no" prying him off, he snuck the quickest kiss on my cheek! I laughed and sat this happy little child down who was squirming with joy, as was I.

"The Lord's hand was breaking my heart." I was feeling such defeat. When we got back to the guest house, I spoke to one of my team members named, Marlo. She really helped me as I was struggling with thoughts of "Am I strong enough for this? Will I get stronger? Is this something I could do again?" I'm very thankful for her talking me through the events of the day and her experiences with water truck day. She gave me a new wave of hope and perseverance to continue to carry on.

I love my life, my family, my country, and my opportunity to help others. My word of the day today was "Thirsty" Our thirst for water, their thirst for water, and everyone's thirst for God's grace and love. I am feeling a thirst to keep going, keep helping, keep giving, keep sharing; and I pray that my thirst for those things to never be quenched.

Love

Honnah

Day two, reflections from Cite Soleil

What an awesome, emotional, joyous, heart-breaking and hopeful day! After our first morning breakfast at the guest house, our crew of seventeen crammed into the taptap (a truck with bench seating in a caged back) and drove 45 minutes to Cite Soleil. The drive was fun as we talked and laughed most of the time. We had to remind ourselves to stop and look around at how life works in the poorest city within the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Whether it's your first time to Haiti or your fifth, the view is shocking. 

We met up with the water truck half way and ultimately arrived deep in the city. I don't know quite how to describe the scene. In America, a poor neighborhood has run-down apartments and rusted out old cars. Here, no such luxuries exist. Frankly, it feels much like driving into a dump, with a line of tin shacks and narrow roads or walkways. As the taptap slowly crept into the neighborhood, the "dump" changed. Children emerged from everywhere, smiling and yelling "hey you" to the caged Americans arriving. They knew what was coming.

In this neighborhood, there is no fresh water without someone bringing it in from the outside. One would think the children were running toward us in celebration of the water arriving. They weren't. When the doors of the taptap opened, hundreds of kids -- many undressed -- were standing with their arms held high. They just wanted us to pick them up and hold them. These kids aren't often held. They aren't played with. In fact, many of them are essentially abused slaves, obtained through child trafficking. They are called Restaveks. 

More than anything, this scene showed us how desperate we humans are for love. Feeling loved was more important than water. It was more important than anything else we could give them. Almost immediately, every member of our team was holding two or three children in excruciating heat. If we held two in our arms, a third was climbing up our back. 

Then we opened up the water hose and the scene became mayhem. Hundreds of people came running to the truck with anything that held water -- five gallon buckets, barrels, pots and pans. The water was streaming so fast it filled a five gallon bucket in about a second. We needed one person controlling the hose, a team pulling away the heavy water buckets, and a team maintaining order for the crowd struggling to get to the front of the line. Amazingly, although it got heated at times, there were no fights or significant pushing. It was exhausting. The water poured for 30 to 45 minutes. Those not working the water truck were holding children, playing, dancing and singing. But we all rotated through because it was too exhausting to do any one job too long.

The most heart-breaking moment came as the last drops came out of the truck. Many empty buckets remained as people begged for a bit of the remaining water. But then it was gone. It's hard to describe the looks on their faces or the anguish in our hearts. So we turned our energy to something positive: the kids. 

We all walked down the streets with the kids, holding hands, carrying them, skipping and dancing. Similar to the feeling we had when water ran out, each of us was carrying multiple children while others pulled at our legs asking to be held. We simply couldn't hold everyone, which was also heart-breaking.

At the end of the road, we came upon an oasis. It was a wonderful new building -- the only quality building we had seen since boarding the taptap that morning. It was Hope Church. It is brand new and open to the community. Last year when we were here, Hope Church was under construction, built on top of nearly thirty feet of trash. What an incredible construction project, built by local Haitians, who were thankful for the blessing of having a job and learning a skill. But, last year, we wondered whether it would ever finish. Now, here it was, paid for through donations of people from around the world -- and many supporting Churches in America. This incredible building is not only the first of its kind in the neighborhood, but we estimate that it is perhaps the only real building many of these people have ever stepped in. It is a refuge from the craziness, the danger, and the heat. And it's a place where the neighborhood can learn about the one who loves them. It's also a place to learn... because the church is also a school with quality classrooms, desks and chalkboards. You can't imagine how valuable this simple building is to the neighborhood until you walk through it. Absolutely amazing! 

Around noon, we boarded the taptap and traveled back to the guest house to clean up. We were a mess!

After cleaning up and a quick snack, we re-boarded the taptap and were on our way to Grace Village in Titanyen... another miracle. We went there to prepare for the service we will do this morning. We can't wait to share more about this. But I'm going to let another team member do that. There's so much to tell. There aren't enough words :)

Please pray for us to be effective today at Grace Village, that we will connect with the kids and help accomplish Healing Haiti's mission to strengthen families :)

New Team, First Day

It's early morning on day two. No-one wrote a summary at the end of day one because we all passed out from a long travel day. Thank God we were on American and not Delta :) We have seventeen of us gathered to serve in Haiti. The men are outnumbered thirteen to four -- with nine of the women (girls) in college or high school. Our team is mostly from Minnesota, but we have two from St. Louis and one from a Chicago suburb.

We have not yet done any good here. But we've already had good done in us. During our devotional last night, each of us talked about the immediate impact seeing and interacting with the Hatians has had. To drive through the rubble and see the shacks they use as homes on the way to our comfortable guest house was humbling.

For many of us, our highlight yesterday was watching the neighborhood boys play soccer (futbal) next door. They play on a small dirt field covered in rocks and broken glass. Yet, they play with great joy. Last night was a special treat because it wasn't just an ordinary pick-up game. We were spectators at a tournament, with fans and a referee. It got pretty rowdy at times. Back home, parents wouldn't let their kids even walk across that dangerous field. But, to these boys, it was the Olympic Games.

After our devotion led by Paster Sue, some played cards, but most went straight to bed. It's a big day today. We will take the water truck to Cite Soleil, Haiti's poorest city, where things are going to get "raw" in the words of one team member who has been here four times. Since over half our team is in Haiti for the first time, I expect there will be some shock. But I also expect our hearts to be moved once again. Please pray for that. Also pray for safety. But mostly pray that we make a difference today... That we somehow have a positive impact on the lives of the people we are serving. That's what we are here to do.

Rockpoint Students: Grace Church + Wahoo Beach + Travel Day (Day 7 & 8)

Greetings All -

Yesterday was our final full day in Haiti, capping off a remarkable week in which we saw God move in and through the team in mighty ways. We began the day with a tap-tap ride up to Grace Village, where we enjoyed a time of Haitian worship. Following the hour-long time of worship, our team departed to head further north to Wahoo Beach. This is where we spent much of the day. It was a beautiful and sunny day. The team swam, ate food, and hung out by the Caribbean. A group of the guys went out on a guided snorkeling excursion which proved to be quite the adventure...

After a long tap-tap ride, we arrived back at the guest house. We enjoyed our final dinner at the guest house and then after a little free time, we gathered as a team to do our word of the day as well as a time of speaking life into each other.

Today (Monday) is the day we travel home. After we finish packing and eat breakfast we will depart for the Port-au-Prince Airport at 11:15am. Our tentative arrival to MSP is 11pm. See you soon!

- LG

Rockpoint Students: LaLoo's + Observatoire up the Mountain (Day 6)

Good morning from Haiti,

Today we have another long day ahead of us. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to an orphanage, LaLoo. When we first got there they were eating peanut butter sandwiches and having some juice. While they were eating we were able to sing to them. After we played with them. They loved how we were engaged with tons of games, and making them laugh with the littlest things. Our group guide, Jonas, had us group together and sang, show us your "jainga" (moves). All of the little kids started to enter the middle and they danced their hearts out. Then we went inside to teach them "This little light of mine." We made hand motions to the song lyrics. It was good because there were a few kids that weren't able to hear.

After that we left and started to drive up to the mountain. Driving up to the mountain was a beautiful site because you could look out and see much of Haiti as well as the ocean. As we went up the mountain, it was interesting to notice the contrast between the higher elevations and things down at sea level. The higher we got, the more well off people seemed compared to the poverty in places like Cite Soleil. The contrast in the agriculture was also interesting as the vegetation grew thicker and more beautiful the higher we went. When I was looking out of the view it felt that there was hope because of the obvious way God was providing for people and how they presented themselves. It was clear that God was looking out for everyone and he has a plan.

We were able to go bartering with the Haitians. There was many paintings and little things that they made. After we came back to guest house we got dinner and swam at the pool. We had our group time and one of the Haitian guys taught us how to salsa and square dance. It was a blast. Yesterday impacted me because of how much God showed in my eyes that he doesn't want his people to hurt, but to give them hope that there is a plan.

Now we are off to Grace Village for church!

Emmalee

Rockpoint Students: Water Trucks + Soccer with the Boys (Day 5)

Good morning friends and family,

We are writing this morning about what we did yesterday (7/29/16) since we ran out of time yesterday.

We started out the day yesterday with about 9 of our team going to a Haitian church.  This was an amazing time to experience what a Haitian church is like.  It is very different than many churches in America.  The Haitians will walk up and down the aisles with their hands raised while some would wave their hands back and forth.  Surprisingly, many of the songs were in English.

After church we joined the rest of the team for breakfast and then headed out to our second water truck day of the week.  Our first stop was by far the dirtiest spot yet.  Many of the children were covered in dirt and throughout the process, our team also became dirty.  Our second water stop was one we had already visited. I (Cassie) held a little girl named Khaline the entire time, and when I would carry buckets she would hold onto my hand or shirt the entire time. Leaving is always hard, and all you can do is repeat the phrase "Jezi remen ou."

After returning from the water truck we headed out to play soccer with the neighborhood boys. We played in a dirt area next to the guesthouse, but eventually made our way to the nearby soccer fields. It was an adventure to fit 34 people in the tap tap... but an incredible memory. One of the guys, Dickinson, spoke English well and joked around with us all day. The Haitians played in circles around us, and they said that they played soccer while the white people filled in. The field had a lot of dirt patches, therefore, showers were necessary.

For dinner we headed off to Papillon Enterprises for pizza. We had a fun time bonding as a team playing bags, pool, and talking in the tiki hut. On the way home we encountered a Haitian traffic jam. It was fun to drive home in the tap tap in the dark.

Once we made it home we immediately went on the deck at the second guesthouse. We engaged in a powerful time of worship with Grace, a long term missionary here. During this time we could also participate in feet washing, a way to honor, apologize, or encourage our team members. It was a chance to draw closer to God and to our peers and was incredibly emotional. This time lasted for like an hour and a half, and we left the area in silence to reflect on what took place. It was pretty late when we got back, and we quickly went to bed.

We continue to ask for your prayers while we serve the people of Haiti.
Love, Cassie, Luke, and Peter as editor

Rockpoint Students: Grace Village + Elder Visits + Mass Grave (Day 4)

Sak pasé from Haiti!

Today was a nice contrast to yesterday; after having our hearts broken we were able to see how Healing Haiti is working to improve Haiti. We had another fantastic breakfast made by the Haitians! We ate delicious eggs, oatmeal, French Toast, mangoes, bananas and drank grapefruit juice! After topping off the tanks we were on the road for the 45 minute drive up the mountain to Grace Village. The first thing we did when we arrived was get a tour of the beautiful facility. We began the tour in the bakery and heard about how Grace Village is starting a commercial bakery that uses no electricity and provides jobs for Haitians. Next, we ventured into the kitchen where we learned about how Grace Village provides meals for hundreds of people on a daily basis for less than a dollar a day. Then, we visited the school and library which was very refreshing because it is partially underground. We also learned about Restavik which is child slavery and how parents can be tricked into sending their children into it due to the promises of school and a better life. Later, we got to see where Grace Village raises fish. We finished the tour at the Mamie and Papie homes where the kids live with "parents". These homes have worked wonders for the kids by giving them families. We heard an amazing story of a ten-year-old boy who had lived his entire life at The Home of Sick and Dying Babies and then came to Grace Village. He was understandably overwhelmed and nervous as he stood in the doorway of his new home. The four-year-old and six-year-old living in his new home ran up to him and said, "you don't have to be scared and nervous. You aren't an orphan anymore. This is your family." It was so beautiful to see how Grace Village is restoring families. We then got to play with the kids!!! Our group split up; some of us played soccer with the kids and others just played. We did get destroyed in soccer-the score was 13-6. The other people just gave kids piggy back rides and played on the play ground. It was so much fun to just hang out with kids being kids.

We then hopped back on the Tap Tap to go to our elder visits. We went to the first of three houses; some of us went into the house to wash the elderly woman and pray for her while others stayed outside the door and sang. There was a little girl who joined our group and her smile lit up the entire area. A similar situation follow at each of the next two houses. It was so beautiful to see the women praising God. We do not know when these women last got bathed, and it was so humbling to clean their feet and bodies.

Last but not least we visited the mass grave which was so powerful to see, what terrible tragedy the people of Haiti have to come back from. In addition, it was powerful to read the quotes and realize the resiliency of the Haitian people.

For dinner we got to experience Haitian food which was so nummy! We had potatoes, plantains, broccoli, chicken, meatballs, hot sauce (which can be very dangerous), stew, rice, and beats. It was so much fun to experience more of the Haitian way of life! To finish the day we went to the pool and had so much fun being a family!

Sweet dreams!
-Emily Heidick and Grant Dodds