KCC Day #2

The face of Jesus, in those little eyes, in those warm smiles. Day two of Healing Haiti, Jesus was in the midst of it. We started off our day with visiting home for Sick & Dying Babies. We went in and held these sweet, sick babies, we wrocked them, changed them, fed them, and most importantly gave them the comfort of Jesus. We are God's vessel to reach people, and He definitely used us today to be His hands & feet. In exchange these babies were too being the hands and feet, humbling our spirits, opening our hearts. They helped us to see God's plan, and our purpose in this journey. 

Our second stop for the day was visiting the disabled children. What a humbling experience!!! We went in and sang to them, played with them and helped feed them. To listen to these kids sing the same songs in English that we hear on the radio was awesome and inspiring, all in one. Just worshipping God through song with these kids was extremely bonding. It was humbling and fulfilling being given this opportunity to share Jesus' love with these children. To close off this section of our day we prayed with, hand in hand, some of these disabled children. Seeing this particular Haitian boy, eyes closed, worshipping and praying along side of us reminded me of how big the God is we serve. Never ceasing to reach the sick and broken in all areas of the world. 

To end out our day on the field, we took a tour of the Apparent Project, which supplies jobs for over 200 people. Giving jobs to the local Haitians, supporting indepdance and job opportunity. The Apparent Project also provides childcare and pre-k for all the mothers who work there, so that way they can have a job and support or help support their families. Inspired by a woman who initially planned to adopt a Haitian baby, but appon arival realized the mom did not want to give up her baby, only didn't have the means to support it. In response she started a business for mothers to be able to provide financially for their children and family. The Apparent Project is an excellent example of what gives hope and support to Haiti and its people, and yet again a true reflection of the mighty God we serve that blesses His people that he faithfully loves. 

Our words for today were joy, soverign, love, hope, humbling, contrast, hopeful, and joyful.

What a wonderful day, praise God! 

- Danika & Stephanie 

KCC Day #1

"Ringgggg"... That was the sound we all heard at about 2 AM this morning to start off our day. Barely awake I turned off my alarm, as I'm sure everyone else on my team did as well. A little frustrated to be waking up in the middle of the night at first, until.... we realize that today is October 24th, and that means the start of a week long adventure of stepping out in faith, coming face to face with new experiences, and truly being the hands & feet of Jesus. 

After flying from Portland to Philadelphia to Ft. Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince, butterfly's in my stomach from the built up excitement, we finally land in Haiti.  What an eventful day we have already had!! Restroom...check, immigration... check, baggage.... check! And now welcome to the tap tap! Smiling faces offering help from all angles, all cramming in the tap tap, winding roads, children running along side, crisp dirt in the air, and lots and lots of goats... Haiti welcomes us with a somewhat familiar home-like vibe, and God's presence fills the atmosphere. We had a fantastic dinner and a deep testimonial time. I can't even imagine how bonded our team will be by the end of this week.

Striking, Surreal, finally, powerful, beautiful, creation, inspiring, expectant. Those are the words from today when we asked our team to think of one word to describe their day. Today was a big day, and the rest of the week should be even better. Please keep us in your prayers this week! 

- Danika & Stephanie 

To Him be the Glory

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more that all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory..." Ephesians 4:20

Beauty, Beautiful, Hope, Amazing, Connection, Worthy, Blessed...
These are just a few of the words that our team used to describe our week. 
Oh, we have been stretched this week.  God has broken our hearts in different ways each day. From the little kiddos in the orphanages or at the water stops, to the elderly, or the wound clinic downtown, God has stretched us way way outside anything we have experienced before.

Yet, God provided all that we needed for each day, for each hard hard thing.  We all had fears, anxieties, worries. Some spoken out loud, some not. At the end of each day, we felt wrung out, yet weirdly filled up at the same time.  How does that happen in Haiti?

One team member said it well tonight when she said we all had divine appointments with people here in Haiti.  God gives us those same divine appointments with people at home, but do we have the eyes to see them? Let that be our prayer...

I am praising God for His faithfulness to this team this week. He is our strength, He answered some big prayers for us, and ALL THE GLORY GOES TO HIM!!

Kelly

 

Praise His Name with Dancing

"Let them praise His name with dancing;" Psalm 149:3a
Today, we were split into two groups. One group consisted of all nurses that went to the wound clinic bright and early. They were able to help all the wounded that showed up with medical needs to the free clinic. They handed out some medications, redressed wounds, and helped the nuns with whatever was asked as best as they could.
The rest of us went to two orphanages, Dios and La Loo. Dios had a team visit them yesterday for the first time, so it was pretty new and we did not know what to expect before arriving.
It was a special needs orphanage with about 20 kids. We got off the tap tap and as usual were greeted by little ones with smiling faces who just wanted some loving. We brought a tote of goodies with us that had bubbles, chalk, and musical instruments.
After awhile of endless bubbles and pictures of multiple animals on the driveway, the fun began, and all that was needed was a beat! It started with some singing and handclapping, but soon turned into full out dancing, all while praising God! A few kids even took off their shoes to get fully into it! I've never seen so much joy than what I saw on these kids' faces just dancing and using musical instruments. A beach ball had even turned into an instrument and a boy was hitting it with a stick and it instantly became a drum! They definitely had rhythm and it was an absolute fantastic and super fun experience to witness these kids enjoy themselves and our company!
At La Loo, they had about 40 or so kids. We started with a mini bible study on Zacchaeus. We then had arts and crafts which was a little more of a challenge due to our smaller group. But we still had fun watching the kids spell their name with stickers and markers. A few pipe cleaners had even turned into glasses and bracelets.
On the way back to the guesthouse we stopped by the metal market and grocery store and bought a few goodies!
This is our first ever mission trip to Haiti!! We are being molded by God everyday here. We continue to pray and trust that God will show us what he is trying to teach us from this experience to Haiti
both about others and even ourselves. We hope to continue to make a difference wherever God leads us whether back here in Haiti someday or just back home. Please continue to pray for us while we finish up our time down here and for the amazing people of Haiti!

Ashley and Delanie

A Day of Hope

 This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

This week as we have served in Haiti we have seen so many sad and disturbing things but today we got to see a glimpse of hope for the wonderful people of Haiti. Most have seen more hardship in the last six years than many of us have or will see in a lifetime. But I say we got to see hope because of the work that we witnessed in the places we visited today. We started the day early, going to worship and prayer at a local church that started at 6:00 am. What a great way to start the day in prayer and worship to our great God! We couldn't understand most of what was being said but you could see the genuine faith and dependence on God as the people prayed and poured out their hearts to Him. It's easy for us to take it for granted and to lose sight of God's grace because our faith is often not tested in the ways we see here. Most of the people we have encountered have an utter dependence on God for everything. I can't ever remember a time when I had to worry about where my next meal was going to come from or if I would be able to afford medicine for my children. What a great reminder to have a greater faith in God.
     Next we went to General Hospital which is a state run hospital and where most of the Haitian people living in Port-au-Prince go for their medical care. We had the opportunity to go to the children's ward and hand out care packages to the families of these sick little ones. I visited there 18 months ago and to say the conditions have improved would be an understatement. There were many nurses and doctors caring for the children, where previously there were maybe three nurses for the entire ward. It was also great to see many moms and dads there loving on their children and trying their best to take care of them.
    
  After the hospital we went to a place called the Apparent Project/Papillion Enterprises. This is a company that was started six years ago with about 15 employees and now employs around 190 people. They make beads out of clay, paper and cereal boxes; t-shirts; mugs; dolls; ornaments; and many other products that they then sell in their store and online. They also run a daycare and pre-school so that mamas with small children can work and provide for their families.
     After that we went to an orphanage called Dare's which is a home for children with special needs. We were excited that we were able to go visit them because they just moved into a bigger home. We were able to spend time playing and singing with the kids. It was amazing to see one of the older boys start leading the singing and all the other kids joined in with him. The kids were so happy to welcome the team into their home and just spend time with us.
    This is now my second visit to Haiti and I see such positive changes that are happening and can see God at work in the lives of the Haitian people. We look forward to what God has in store for Haiti in the coming years but also what He has in store for us as we finish our week here in Haiti. We pray that we will be used of Him and that we will listen to what it is He's trying to teach each of us through this trip. Please continue to pray with us and for us that we will be His hands and feet.

Josh and Heather

For I know the plans I have for you

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

We really got to see God’s plans at work today.  We went to visit Grace Village in Titanyen, up in the hills north of Port-au-Prince.  Grace Village is a ministry of Healing Haiti, which includes an orphanage, a school, a medical clinic, a church, and a new bakery which will soon open a restaurant area as well.  It was so great to hear about the amazing work Grace Village is doing in the lives of these orphaned children as well as in this community, as they create many new jobs for Haitians.  There are many staff including teachers, nurses, bakers and others, all hired from within the community.  God has a plan for this community, and it was unfolding right before our eyes!

After touring Grace Village, we went on three elder visits.  In each case, we visited an elder in or in front of their dwelling, bringing a meal, washing their feet, singing with them and praying over them, as well as determining any needs that Grace Village could help address, including any health issues they might be having.  Neighbors and family tended to come by as well, and many of us held and played with the children.

Our final stop for the day was at La Phere, an orphanage with 21 kids.  We taught them a short bible lesson about Zacchaeus, emphasizing that Jesus knows each one of their names and loves each one of them.  Then we got out some jump ropes, bubbles and chalk, and just played with these precious kids and gave them as much love and affection and attention as we could.

Thank you all for your prayers as we continue to serve this week!

- Katy

He satisfies the thirsty

Psalm 107:6-9  "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.  He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.  Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Wow, today was a rough one for us here in Haiti.  God stretched us in ways we never imagined we could be stretched.  We started the day delivering water to Cite Soleil, which is one of Healing Haiti's primary ministries.  We witnessed unimaginable poverty.  However despite the horrific living conditions, we saw children who were joyful and just wanted to be held and loved.  We assisted with carrying water, and basically just loved on these precious children of God.  As our tap tap approached our stops children come running to us shouting "hey you!"  They held their arms up to us, saying "hold him" and jumping into our arms with smiles and ready hugs and kisses.  This was awesome!
It was a very emotional day for us.  These kids gave us love and hope and showed us what trust looks like. 

After visiting three wards in Cite Soleil we went to the Haitian Initiative.  This program allows many children to receive an education, and to play soccer.  They are also given a meal, which is the only meal of the day for most of these kids.  We were able to help serve the meal, which was manna packs from Feed My Starving Children.  It was cool to see the end result of all those meals any of us have spent time packing. 

Good night from Haiti, please continue to pray for us.

Ronda and Cary