Day 4 Scott/Loween Team - Grace VIllage

Carolyn's Story

Today we had the opportunity to visit Garce Village.  Inside the gates is a school for 500 children, Grace Church, an operating bakery, a clinic, and family housing.  These family houses consist of a “mother and or a father”  who care for orphaned children. They take care of as many as 9 plus children. These God honoring adults selflessly care for these children being role models, showing them what a family looks and feels like so that they can emulate these skills when they are able to leave Grace Village becoming self sufficient adults. They teach them that they are valued and prepare their hearts for accepting God’s love. Today God wanted me to see that we are all responsible for leading and loving all God’s children.  T

We then went to visit some elders that live in neighboring houses.  These elders live in their own simple houses with very little provisions but have expressed that they have everything because they have God. We hoped to able to be a little joy in their very hard life, yet they gave far more joy than can be expressed.  The joy on their faces lit up the dark shanty's they live in. The gratitude shown was a light in the darkness. They sang songs of worship to our Lord that reached the heavens above.   

The simplest acts of kindness make their hearts sing. Today God wanted me to see that all my stuff is getting in the way of truly knowing that I have it all, because I have Him. He wants me to see that when I am so self sufficient, it hinders my needing to rely on Him.  Today God broke me through the elders.  What a gift they gave me. Today I went to serve the elders, to shine a light for God but instead I received.

Our last stop was to the Mass Grave Site.  This memorial was built to honor the 300,000 plus victims of the 2010 earthquake, which devastated Haiti.  We were honored to hear a personal story of survival from one of our hosts. We all were touched so deeply by his story.  This devastation is so imprinted on the Haitians.  We could feel his pain. He was so sure of his faith that he knew if he died that he was ok because God knew him and he knew God.  Today God wanted to show me that  He is with His children through everything.  

Peace and Blessings,

Carolyn

Day 3 Scott/Loween Team - Water Truck

Laura’s Story

Today was confusing to me. 

Today was a very special day.  It was Water Day. We’ve heard about water day a lot as we prepared for our trip here.  It seems to be one of the main tasks of the team.  I was excited and curious.

We had instructions from our Leaders and one of the things I have learned through them and from the couple of days in Haiti is to always leave room for the unknown.  The unknown can take any form in this place. Today was also very different than yesterday. Different because, we left the house with a purpose. I knew what we were going to do. Deliver water.  I did not know what to expect, but I knew there was a specific purpose and we were on our way to fulfil the purpose: provide water to the people of the Cite Soleil.

I was very excited and curious for the unknown.  The task was known, it was the unknown part I was anxious about.

We faced things that we may never expect or at least me since this is my first time in Haiti.

Traveling to Cite Soleil was like seeing the scenes from the movies and magazines (sad faces, happy faced, naked kids, garbage all over, skinny dogs, even skinny pigs, etc) and also the smell of poverty.

Yet, the people of Cite Soleil also seemed to move with purpose in receiving the water. Sometimes, they also worked in cooperation to get the buckets filled.

I remember thinking that what I was seeing was sad.  Yet, there was really no time to think.  The water ran from the tanker truck, through the fire hose and into a bucket, barrel, pail or whatever was in front of us.  As coming from a place where things get done fast, I knew we needed to move quickly in order to make the best out of our day.  The dirty buckets mean so much to the people of Cite Soleil and they fight very hard to get them filled. As for me and my group, the thousands of buckets mean the fulfillment of a dream (be the hands and feet of Jesus), the fulfillment of a purpose (serve the way Jesus teaches us to serve), and the acknowledgment of the sacrifice and commitment of the people who started this organization (Healing Haiti). An organization that does more than deliver water.

Then seeing all the kids begging us to hold them and fighting hard for our attention.  They only wanted to be picked up and hugged, it seemed to me that they needed that love as much as they needed the water.  Maybe they were just looking for acceptance, but I really think they were looking for Love.  The momentary love and attention of a stranger.

The toughest part of my day was saying “no” to the kids.  Sometimes, when they asked us to carry their water buckets, we had to say “no”, those were the instructions from our leaders who had to protect us and make sure we are safe. At the first water stop a young girl asked me to carry her bucket.  She pointed to her house, but it was a long way off.  My leader said no, I should not go. It would take me out of sight of the leaders and our translators and, it would be dangerous.  My heart was broken as I had to leave her alone with her bucket.

Some of these little kids were carrying full pails of water on their heads.  I was amazed by their strength.  It made me think about how God give us what we need.  He gives those little ones the strength to carry the buckets.  We live in a very nice bubble in comparison.  The difference is significant, and really should not be this big.

Everything we had seen was ugly (kids playing in a mountain of trash, pigs slopping in the muck along the street, houses made from anything someone could scavenge). But then, a deeper look though, a look to see beyond; We stopped at Hope Church while we waited for the tanker truck to be refilled and I saw beauty and hope walking together, I saw Jesus at his best. Inside those walls that were built based on hope and trust, there is hope for the kids of Cite Soleil. There is hope for a better future, there is a place where the kids are being blessed but there is also room for many of us to be a blessing. I saw hope for more teachers and more kids in the school.  This church and school amidst the poverty of Cite Soleil shows me there is hope.

The school provides those kids an education, a place to be safe, meals and is just a hopeful place.  As I looked at the school and everything they did, I realized how much love was put into the project. 

We walked behind the church and school. The ocean comes right to the wall.  I saw the little bay behind the church.   It was a small sea of garbage and refuse.  It was so unlike the beachfront properties we see while on a vacation, or on the television.  Shanties scattered as far as the eye could see, right up to the edge of the ocean.

I feel like no one should need so much.  What I did see, the kids today, seemed relatively healthy.  These kids were strong.  Compared to the kids we saw yesterday, these kids almost seemed fortunate…

How do we share this with others who may be able to help?  Sometimes people don’t help because they do not know.  Some choose to turn away. I feel that what is here needs to be exposed, shared, and we need to grow the awareness.

Help me spread the word!

~Laura

Day 2 Scott/Loween Team - Home for Sickand Dying Babies

 

 

Carlos’ Story

The home for sick and dying children was a huge experience for me.

I did not want to go. Hospitals have always been a place I do not like to go. Yet, I went. It was the plan for the team. I saw dozens of children in row after row of cribs. Many suffered from malnutrition. Some had Iv bags hanging. It was hard to see all of these children suffering.

Yet, it was immediately evident that they all were being nursed back to health. While it did not have the standards we see in America, it was a place that had the same goal. To save a life.

I was holding a baby. After ten minutes, the nurse pointed to the door. A man was standing there. Speaking in hand singles, she directed me to hand over the child. I later learned he was the girls father. I watched as he carried his child off. He sat down in the courtyard, hugging, smiling, and loving on his child. All could think, was that could have been me. That could have my child! I cannot imagine a stranger, caring for my baby and being limited to an hour of visitation.

Yes, I hate hospitals. This one was different. For me it was Gods love factory. Everywhere I looked, I saw God working.

Our next stop was Dare’s. A home for disabled children. This is my second trip, and I looked forward to being here again. I love that place. God is present.

Its funny, I think that I am going there to give. I made the effort to get here. I came with the intent of helping, of giving. Yet at Daria’s, I am the one who receives a gift. I played soccer with the kids, shared in music and stories. And I received the gift.

One young boy pointed through the window to the great room in the home. Then he ran around the corner and was soon in the room, just as Aaron was starting to play the guitar. I motioned for Aaron to come outside.

As soon as he made it back out front and sat down on the step the little boy grabbed the guitar from Aaron. This young boy started strumming the guitar with a wonderful rhythm and began singing. He sang beautifully. He sang worship songs, lifting his voice t heaven. It was indescribable. 

 

The only thing I know is that God was smiling down. I know God felt the joy of that child. From my standpoint I saw a child, missing one eye, in a destitute environment; Worshiping with a joyful heart. This child, one you would think would have no reason to worship God, brought God to me.

Our final stop of the day was at the Apparent Project and it’s retail sister business, Papillion. Started in 2011 with five employees, they are now over 200 employees strong. The place is a model for job creation and economic development. They are educating their employees. They provide daycare to children ages zero to three. Next year they will add a kindergarten program to keep the kids in school for two more years while their parents (many who are single mothers) work.

It was refreshing seeing the children here. It was a stark contrast to the children we spent time with earlier in the day. There we saw hope.

Their story is amazing, you can read it here: http://apparentproject.org/

That’s all for tonight!

~Carlos

 

 

 

 

Day 1 - Scott/Loween Team

"Word"

Our team safely arrived in Haiti earlier today. We’ve received an orientation to the guesthouse. We have shared in fellowship. And we broke bread over a fantastic meal prepared by our wonderful hosts.

Yet, how do you describe such a day?

Those of you that have shared in a Healing Haiti mission understand the meaning found in the word of the day. For those of you that have not, it’s the challenge of summing up your day in a single word.

To start our week, and our team Blog, I wanted to share the words from the team tonight. It seemed an appropriate way to start. Here are the words from today.

Gratitude. Gratitude for safely making the trip. Gratitude for overcoming the anxiety associated with the unknown. Gratitude for new friendships. Gratitude.

Beginning. Beginning a mission together. Beginning of friendship. The beginning of something amazing. Beginning.

Purpose. After seeing the sights from the roadside, there must be a purpose. Purposefully giving of our time and talent. Purposefully giving ourselves up. Purpose

Invitation. Receiving a personal invitation from God. Being invited to share a journey. Being invited to open my heart. Invitation

Faith. Faith to overcome anxiety. Faith to overcome fear. Faith in myself to change. Faith in allowing myself to form new bonds. Faith.

Empowerment. Empowered to be present. Empowered to give of ourselves. Empowered to live in the moment. Empowerment.

Impatient. Like an impatient child waiting for Christmas to come, so was waiting for this day. Ready to be here. To be back. Impatient.

Joy. Joy in the faces of friends. Joy in a hug from a Haitian friend. Joy in my heart. Joy.

Love. The first time you step foot outside in Haiti, the smells overwhelm your senses. The first time I thought, “what am I doing here”. Today, I smelled love. Love.

Sent. The weeks leading up to the trip are a challenge. Work, preparation, and anxiety over travel day all cloud our mind. Yet, we are sent. Keep things in perspective because, We. Are. Sent.

Those are the words I heard tonight. What I felt, is much more difficult to write here.

Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the Lords voice saying, “Who can I send? Who Will go for us?”

The lord does not ask because he doesn’t know. He asks to stir our soul. Tonight our souls are stirred. Like Isaiah, we respond “Here I am. Send me.”

Tonight we rest. Tomorrow, we’ll start with Love as our motivation.

~Aaron (and Team)

Day 4 - Carrefour - Museum - La Loo

We began the day by attending a 6 am worship service at Church on the Rock.  After another amazing breakfast (of mango, bananas, pancakes, oatmeal, scrambled eggs and fresh-squeezed juice) we had our team morning devotions. Then we traveled about an hour to  Home for Sick and Dying Adults to minister via massage and prayer for the people. The home was amazingly clean and orderly and all the people appeared to be so well cared for and clean. They were each very thankful for the love and attention. 

We ate a snack on the tap tap (bus) and then off to visit the MUPANAH Museum of the history of Haiti. We had a great museum guide who gave the most passionate and educational tour.  We learned so much about Haiti!

After this we took a most harrowing ride through rush-hour traffic but always felt in good hands with our driver/interpreter, Valerie. We visited an orphanage and again the children were all so clean and sweet.  We brought some activities to do with them and we all worked up a good sweat. The weather was hotter today 86 degrees. It has been a super mild week and has not been up into the 90's as would be usual for Haiti.  Bonswa! (Good evening)

Kim N

Day 3 Word Of Life Grace Village Elder Care

Today was a blessed day as we first drove up to Titanyen to visit Grace Village, the Healing Haiti ministry. The word 'Titanyen' means "less than nothing" to the Haitians. Can you imagine living in a place that means 'less than nothing'? But Grace Village is a place of grace, hope and love. Grace Village encompasses a church, education center K-13, library, media center, feeding center, vegetable gardens, dental & medical clinic, family style homes for 'orphans' and new to open in several days is "Fleri Boulanje" (Flourish Bakery). We will actually get to attend their grand opening on Saturday. The mission of Healing Haiti is "the world is a better place when families are strengthened." They have discovered that many children thought to be orphans actually have parents but they are not able to care for them. Therefore, they leave them at a hospital or orphanage out of desperation so their child will have food to eat. So, much of the work of Healing Haiti centers around job creation. The bakery will eventually employ 150 people. A top-notch baker and chef from the U.S. are here for a week training the new employees in baking and food preparation. 

Later, we went to visit 4 of the 'elder orphans' in the nearby neighborhood of Titanyen. We were able to wash their feet and lotion them as well as lotioning their hands and giving them a back rub, clipping nails and finger nail painting them. We took them water and juice and they also received a hot meal for lunch. We prayed for their prayer requests and sang several worship songs with them.

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake devastated the country. So, on the return trip we stopped at the mass grave of the several hundred thousand who died. Today is the 7th anniversary of that disaster.  A memorial center has been erected to commemorate the event and it was a busy place today with people paying their respects.  After this somber time we loaded up on the tap tap (bus) and continued on back into Port-au-Prince to encounter a scrumptious dinner of Haitian food: Haitian rice, fried chicken legs, broccoli, zucchini, potatoes n carrots in a gravy, a beet & carrot salad and plantains. It was amazing! Bonswa (Good Night)

Day 2 Word of Life Water Truck

Day 2 of field service--HEALING HAITI.  
     Our dedicated leaders told us of the itinerary the evening before to prepare us for field ministry the next day - distributing clean water to Cite Soliel, the poorest slum area of Haiti. We were told that we would help to distribute approximately 10,000 gallons of water to this area's poor. Truly, when we arrived it was most evident that the area was one of the poorest, most crowded areas that the team had had a chance in which to minister. 
     During my morning devotion time, I was reminded of the story of the woman at the well. As I read thru the story, the scripture  where Jesus said to the woman--"Everyone who drinks of this water will be  thirsty again.  But whoever drinks of  the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13- 14) became my thought focus as we began distributing the clean water to the multitudes--old and young many with 5 gallon buckets and other large containers to be filled with clean water, and then carried back to their shacks.  
     Many young children would vie for the attention of the team and as the children would seek for attention, I was prompted to begin praying for each child that came my way--"Father, may each of these little ones be filled with the living word of Christ, and be redeemed from this world of poverty."
     And again I was reminded that as children came to Jesus - none were to be turned away.  So today in some mysterious way, there were children of the poorest slum of Haiti who were presented to Jesus, they were blessed with physical water and spiritual blessing was placed upon their lives.
    It was a humbling honor to be used to pray over and to give love to these beautiful children of Cite Soliel.
Marcia B