Word of the Day August 6

WORD OF THE DAY, AUGUST 6, 2017

Each day we debrief our experiences by each picking a word of the day and describing why we picked that word. 

Lizzy - Breathe

We were sitting with lawn chairs in the ocean and waves were coming in and I was thinking with each wave it is like the ocean is breathing. It was really calming and peaceful. 

Joanna - Praises

Because I was able to worship with the Haitians. It was fun to notice some of the tunes even though the words were different.

Noelle - People

Today we met a lot of people who were at the beach. We met some UN soldiers from Brazil who were relaxing at the beach. I really like to meet new people. They spoke Portuguese and it was kind of similar to Spanish so we were able to communicate a bit.

Abbie - Language

This morning I realized we can praise God in whatever language because it doesn’t matter. I was a little frustrated that I couldn’t understand what they were saying. At the beach I realized that I could have a whole conversation with these Brazilian soldiers even though their was a language barrier but our shared understanding of Spanish allowed for our conversation. 

Annika S - Connection

I felt like I really connected with those Brazilian soldiers we met. Also on the tap tap we passed another tap tap of Americans and we yelled at each other and felt an instant connection. 

Emmy - Refreshment

The ocean was a perfect way to end this trip and it refreshed me and made me feel so good.

Shayla - Memories

I have so many good memories on this trip and made lots of unique bonds. 

Braeden - Loud

This morning at church I know that I couldn’t understand them and then at certain points I couldn’t hear any words because it was so loud. It was so cool to see everyone worshipping. 

Josh H - Intensity

The worship leader was just going off. He was screaming and the music was super loud but really cool. Also Robbie and I had some intense spike ball matches today.

Josh M - Fun

This whole day was fun, the trip was really fun. It was fun to hang out with people and make new relationships. 

Annika C - Snorkle

Going snorkeling was the highlight of my day.

Lea - Wonder

Oh my gosh I found a happy place for Lea snorkeling. This trip was harder for me, I had to choose very single day to embrace the day with a wonder and a belief that I could have a new experience or see new things. God invited me to choose wonder every day. 

Emma - Unlimited 

At the church I loved looking around and seeing people going all at it worshipping. The worship leader was having a great time. I didn’t know the lyrics so I just started praying and I said, “God I love how you don’t set limits.” 

Tori - Closure

I spent a lot of time thinking about these last two trips to Haiti. They have been different but equally amazing. I love the relationships I built last year and the new ones this year. I thought, this could be my last time in Haiti. It was bitter sweet. This is a beautiful country and I am glad I could have that experience.

Robbie - Stars

When we were hanging out on the balcony I would look up at a single star and think that star is millions of light years away and one of hundreds of billions in the galaxy and I saw a metal market sign that quoted Psalm 119 and said God spoke the stars into creation and knows them by name. It is amazing to think that in the vastness God knows us all. 

Daphne - Beauty

Earlier this week I shared that I thought of Haiti as a dump or a slum but this trip I realized Haiti is such a beautiful place. Going snorkeling was really cool, it was cool to see Haiti below water. I think Haiti is so beautiful. 

Maya - Reflect

Today was a really chill day to look back at everything we’ve done, the bonds we’ve made and what God has done among us. I am really proud of us and glad we could all experience this but also sad it is ending. 

Graham - Accomplished

I feel I’ve accomplished my first week in Haiti, writing 25 journals and accomplished making a lot of new friendships. 

Bella - Cherish

In the midst of the fun and the busyness I would stop and look around and think, wow God cherishes each and one of these people on my team so much and now I cherish them so much now that I know them better.

Brice - Voices 

I loved hearing the voices in church. Their voices penetrate. You can hear the pain and the desperation for God. You can hear the meaning of what they are saying. So when they say, God you are the only one for me they aren’t just singing it to sing it. 

Lauren - Different

I am a very different person from who I was when I left here last year. Also there were a lot of things that were different about this day then other days. The experience that I had this year was different compared to last year but both were equally impactful. 

Katie - Impact

I spent a lot of time reflecting on the trip and the impact we made, the water we filled and the kids we held. I started thinking about all the organizations we worked through and the positive impact they are making. 

Larissa - Mother 

Over this last week I have made so many connections with a lot of people, with most of you. I found myself today doing whatever I could do today to make sure you were happy and healthy and make sure you had everything you needed. I wanted to make you happy and just be there for you. I was rubbing Emma’s back on the tap tap ride home. I made the tap tap clean. I love you all so much. 

Ann - Mountains

I just love being in the ocean and I got to be on the fishing boat and put my feet in the warm clear blue water. Seeing the coral reefs and the mountains and enjoying God’s creation. 

Austin - Keepsake 

We’ve all had the opportunity to develop relationships. This week more than any other I have developed relationships with people who live here which is cool. But what I get to bring back is the relationships, stories and friendships that we have which I think is really cool. 

Drew - Leaders

I am so thankful for Ann and Brice and Austin and Lea. We had amazing leaders on our trip. 

Hey guys!! I'm just say I'm alive and well, well now I am. :) I was sick for a while but now I'm feeling better then ever!  I'm looking forward to the beach tomorrow and connecting more with my team members, miss my family and doggy, love you all.

-Shayla

Today and Thursday I met another Daphne. So it's now Daphne times three. One of the days I met a Daphne was on our water truck day(Thursday) during our second stop. She was this sweet little girl who was wearing a pink dress that was dulled by dirt. She had a few holes in the dress and I don't recall her hair being braided. I believe it was around chin length, and possibly shorter. Katie was holding her little sister, and Daphne was hiding behind her legs smiling. I thought it was so strange meeting another person with my name, and wondered if she had thought the same. Maybe she was thinking that is was weird, or maybe cool. Maybe she was scared, but excited to meet someone that had the same name. After we ran out of water for the stop, I said Au Revoir(Good Bye in French), Daphne. It was really strange saying that. I've never said goodbye to someone of the same name before. It was almost like I was saying good bye to myself.

Today, I met another Daphne at an orphanage. She had a white shirt on and Knee length shorts. She had short hair that was probably an inch and a half long. When her friends learned that I had the same name as her, they dragged her over to me while she was laughing while trying to get away. I was really confused at first, but then I realized that we had the same name. It seemed like Daphne was really confused and weirded out by my name being Daphne. It was weird for both of us; meeting another Daphne. We both laughed about it and then she ran off because she must have thought it was super strange. 

Meeting two other Daphnes was so weird, but so cool for me. I've never met anyone with the same name as me until I came to Haiti. What if one of the reasons why I was supposed to come was so I could meet the two other Daphnes who were living in Haiti. After meeting them, I was talking to Emma on the Tap Tap. Emma mentioned something about meeting other people with the same name as her, and how we could have been born in there situation and life instead of our own. So it made me think. What if I had been born in Haiti, instead of North Carolina and raised in Minnesota. From the Daphnes I met, there would've been a 2/3 chance that I would've been born in Haiti as an orphan who either didn't have parents, or had parents that had to give me up because of the little money they had or as a child who was struggling to survive and having to depend on a water truck that comes every day or so, just to give me a bucket of water. I feel so lucky to have been the person that got the 1/3 chance of living in The United States. 

God could have chosen to have had me living in Haiti, but he chose to have me born in The United States. He has a plan for everyone and he has to have a good plan for me if I was lucky enough to be born in a country that is full of opportunities. I can do so much here and I feel like God wanted me here for a reason, even though I have yet to find it. I also know that God put the other Daphnes that I met in Haiti for a reason, and I know and will be praying that they will have long and amazing lives and will follow whatever plan God has in store for them.

-Daphne

Wow. What an amazing week of serving and loving on others in the name of Jesus. Today was a little bit different day for me than most days. In the past week, almost everyday for me has been serving, loving on others, laughing, carrying buckets, always doing something. Take yesterday, where my emotions were all over the place with everything we did - sadness at the Mass Graves, stunned by the fact that they didn't event know what to do in the situation of an earthquake that they ran into buildings, and finally overflowing joy due to all that Grace Village is doing to provide jobs, love, family, care, and protection to the community. In short, my week has been full of a wide range of emotions and activities. However, today was different. Several times today I found myself simply stepping back and just watching what was going on in front of me. At one point I stepped back to watch 40 children singing This is the Day to all of us, at another point I stepped back to watch children and students tossing balloons full of color around in the air - smiles on their face and over abounding joy in their hearts, and at another point I stepped back to see all of my friends building relationships with children despite the language barrier. It was amazing today to just take a few moments to step back and see all that God is doing in the lives of those children and in the lives and hearts of my Woodridge Community. Today God showed me how refreshing it is to sometimes take that step back to see the bigger picture. Too often we get caught up in day to day life, approaching deadlines, growing to-do lists, whatever it may be. However, sometimes when we do that, when we fill our lives up with endless tasks, we often forget to step back and see where God is working in our days. Every day here during our family time we do a reflection prayer, where our family leaders guide us through our days, telling us to think about each different part of the day, the moods we were in, who we connected with, where we saw life and love throughout the day, where God was moving. There were so many times this week that I did that and saw God in the smallest of moments - things that I missed when it was happening right in front of me, but being able to step back and look at the bigger picture allowed me to see all that God was doing, even in the little things. When we take time to see God move, He doesn't let us down. He shows us what He is doing, the miracles He is performing, redemption and endless love that He is bringing back to a broken world full of sin and death, organizations like Healing Haiti bringing light and life into a beautiful country. Overall, when we take time to ask God what He is showing us, He does. He is always waiting to show us the beauty that He has for us. Whether we are anxiously waiting to see Him move or anxiously approaching deadlines to come, He is aways working and waiting to show us all He has in store. 

- Abbie VandenEinde

Word of the Day for August 5

WORD OF THE DAY, AUGUST 5, 2017

Each day we debrief our experiences by each picking a word of the day and describing why we picked that word. 

Drew - Reverberate

Today it rained so we had to do our team time inside instead of outside. This same thing happened on Saturday last year. Both nights the sound of our voices worshipping passionately together reverberated around the room. 

Emmy - Connections

Today during my family time I heard God telling me, “every day this week I am going to give you one person to connect with.” When I looked back that has really been true. I have connected deeply with one person each day. 

Daphne - Daphne 

This trip I have met two other Daphne’s. One on Thursday and one at the orphanage today. Thinking about the lives of those Daphne’s has made me feel so blessed for the life that I have. The other Daphne’s had so much gratitude and joy. At home I think I am unthankful for a lot of the stuff I have. 

Joanna - Boogaloo

I played a game with the girls at the orphanage we visited and at first they looked at my like I was crazy but then all of us were having fun together.

Robby - Farm

It was fun to eat the coconuts. It made me think of the garden of eden, a man made river ran through it with trees hanging over. And it was cool to think that the restaurant that we ate at yesterday had food coming from this farm. 

Lizzy - Enjoy

I thoroughly enjoyed today. A lot of good moments today: playing soccer, riding in the front of the tap-tap and talking to Annika S and the farm was really cool.

Braeden - Happiness

This whole week at some point every day I have experienced at least one small moment of sadness but not today. It was all happiness.

Josh M - Pain 

I hurt myself trying to head a soccer ball past the goalie (Rob). I hit my shin on the curb and my leg hurts. 

Josh H - Humility

My spike ball team lost for the first time. And I got scored on six or seven times as the goalie at the orphanage, two through the legs.

Shayla - Peace or Joy

I found myself in peace. I had time to reflect on everything I’ve done this week. The trip was worth while even though I was sick. I was simply in awe, I loved every minute of it. 

Larissa - Wait

At the metal market people would come up to me at the metal market and ask me to come up to the store and then would tell me that they would wait, one said, “I will always wait for you.” It made me think that God will always wait for me, and for us. He is ready and waiting and loving whenever we are ready to take steps with him. 

Annika S - Share

I shared a lot of things with people today. I shared a lot of joy with our team and the children. I shared a handshake with one of the orphans. Emma shared her food with me and I shared a lot of great conversations.

Noelle - Swing

I got to go on the swings with a 15 year old boy at the orphanage. Even though I could not really talk to him I still felt connected just swinging together. 

Maya - Fulfilled 

At this orphanage today the kids didn’t seem to need our love as badly and it made me happy to think that they are being loved by God and each other. 

Buying stuff at the metal market made me happy to fill their pockets. 

Lea - Rememeber

The image that sticks out in my mind is the mama who welcomed all of us at the orphanage. I walked by her several times as she was washing clothes. I was thinking, there are 45 kids who live here and this is her life washing clothes. I have talked to so many Haitians who say, please just remember me. I want to remember her washing clothes in a bucket. I want to remember that her life matters and pray for her because she is my sister. 

Tori - Watching 

These kids weren’t jumping up into our arms today. There were lots of moments of sitting and watching. Cool moments, fun moments, funny moments, sweet moments. I loved watching the rest of my team instead of just having my own experience. 

Abbie - Eyes

I found myself sitting back and taking it all in instead of being in the middle of it. Like when the kids sang to us when we first arrived or when we first blew up the balloons — all the beautiful colors and the smiles. 

Emma - Understanding 

In the time where I am trying to figure out what God is telling me and what God wants me to do is to be present. When I went to bed this morning and woke up I have been praying that I will be present. When we got to the orphanage God reminded me that being present is about God’s plan and not my plan. I was reminded of words from one of my speech coaches who said “be where your feet are.” In a spiritual sense, being present looks like being where your feet are. I looked down on my feet and got pulled into a game of duck, duck grey duck. 

Graham - Talent

Watching those kids I could see that they were so talented at soccer. God blesses us all with talents and one of theirs is playing soccer. It was awesome to see that.

Katie - Smile

When I first got to the orphanage I started playing with this one little girl. She tried to talk to me and I couldn’t talk back so I would smile and then she would smile back on me.

Bella - Trusting

I got to see a lot of people put their trust in me today. A little girl at the orphanage sit with me and let me braid her hair. When we left she gave me a hug and said thank you. Then at the metal market we were in one shop looking at turtles and the guy bagged it up and told me to hold onto it and think about it and said, “I trust you.” I trust you’ll bring it back. 

Lauren - Chase

There was this little girl at the orphanage who was sitting next to me and Abbie started tickling her, then I started tickling her. She stood up and refused to sit down. So then I started to chase her. She was really fast. Also, all the people at the metal markets chase after you. They really want your business. Also during worship I realized that I am always chasing after something and I never take a minute to be and think about what God is trying to tell me. 

Annika C - Braids

Getting my hair braided by the orphan girls was my favorite part of the day. It was fun to have my hair braided and it was cool to see how happy the girls were after they did it. 

Brice - Relationships 

I feel like today I thought a lot about my relationships that I have with people in my life. And my relationship with God on the tap-tap during idle times I met with God and I felt like God was showing me highlights of our relationship and the journey that we’ve been on. Also the many conversations I’ve had with some of you today were awesome. 

Ann - Fun

I felt like even though we didn’t speak the same language we totally understood each other today at the orphanage. I really enjoyed the kids we played with today and all the games we dreamed up in our heads.

Austin - Protected

There is not a moment when we are in Haiti that we are not protected. We are protected here, in Citi Soleil and today I was reminded of the first time I was in Haiti and I delivered a bucket through a dark alley. If I had gone alone I would have been totally lost but one of our translators was with us and I knew it would be ok. 

Today when we went to get the soccer ball one of the translators and I walked along a big wall. Our translator put his hand out and told me to wait to make sure it was ok for me to come with. It reminded me that we are being protected and looked out for. Because of those guys we can be present. And with God, because God is with us we get to do great things for the kingdom. 

Word of the Day for August 4th

Josh H. - Recovery- It is so remarkable how haiti has recovered from the earthquake just 7 years ago. 

Lea - Proud - So proud of the team for laying themselves down to love and serve the elderly

Joanna- Hard- It was a hard day of serving, but also hard to leave the elders once we were there

Daphne- Yes- It’s really hard to believe that God is always saying “yes” to us, but He is always saying “yes, I love you”. We just don't know how His yes is going to look. 

Emmy- Unexpected- At the third elder visit, I was affected by her story and it moved me to unexpected tears. 

Josh M. - emotional- Finding out that one of the elders had just lost her husband and son made me feel so sad for her. 

Annika C.- Free- returning to see Jude Jean Paul this year was different than when I saw him last year. But this time when I saw him I felt confident that someday he will be free from his sick body. 

Tori- Optimistic- The woman who had just lost her family went around and hugged each one of us and was so sweet and optimistic. I remembered that no matter what you go through there is always something to be thankful for. 

Lizzy- Breeze- Every time I felt down or just overwhelmed with the heat, God sent a breeze to comfort me and keep me going. 

Larissa- Desire - I prayed that God would give me a moment to stop being inhibited by my insecurity and be free and enjoy a moment. And He have that to me. God will fulfill every desire we have. 

Lauren - Blessed- The rain in Haiti is such a blessing. I feel blessed when it rains here. Also, when we visited Jude Jean Paul, i knew that our job was just simply to bless him. 

Maya- Hope- Today at grace village I saw how God is transforming haiti through his love. 

Bella- Fearless- 1. The elders fearlessly receive love from us. 2. At grace village I met a boy who had a fearless desire to try new things and ask deep questions. 

Ann- Amen- I just love watching our students serve and seeing how much they get it and served with such heart. 

Braeden- Touch- Today I massaged more people(the elderly) than I ever have in my life- and it was awesome. I was emotionally and mentally touched by them too. 

Austin- Close Up-  We get to be close-up with each other and with the Haitians here, without the things that normally separate humans. 

Graham- Shoutout- Shoutout to grace village for everything that they do.

Robby- Annikaka- I introduced our friend annika as Annikaka to kindergarten boys and they thought it was so funny. 

Annika- Beauty- I saw so much of God’s beauty today. today was joyful even though we saw hard things. 

Abbie- Emotions- I had a wide range of emotions today- sorrow over the earthquake, and joy with the elders, and hopeful at grace village. 

Katie- Appreciated- One of the elders we saw was waiting for us to arrive because she was so excited, and if felt great to serve her. 

Noelle- Faith- so many of the kids at Grace and the elders have been through so much, yet they still have such a strong faith. 

Emma- Look- I identified this rock that was porous and dry, and when I looked closer i saw that there was a flower growing out of it. God reminded me that new things can grow out of the driest of places. 

Brice- Deposit- Every week when the elders are visited, they are given a deposit of love. Over time these add up, and bloom into awesome things. 

Woodridge church, August 4th

Josh H. - Recovery- It is so remarkable how haiti has recovered from the earthquake just 7 years ago. 

Lea - Proud - So proud of the team for laying themselves down to love and serve the elderly

Joanna- Hard- It was a hard day of serving, but also hard to leave the elders once we were there

Daphne- Yes- It’s really hard to believe that God is always saying “yes” to us, but He is always saying “yes, I love you”. We just don't know how His yes is going to look. 

Emmy- Unexpected- At the third elder visit, I was affected by her story and it moved me to unexpected tears. 

Josh M. - emotional- Finding out that one of the elders had just lost her husband and son made me feel so sad for her. 

Annika C.- Free- returning to see Jude Jean Paul this year was different than when I saw him last year. But this time when I saw him I felt confident that someday he will be free from his sick body. 

Tori- Optimistic- The woman who had just lost her family went around and hugged each one of us and was so sweet and optimistic. I remembered that no matter what you go through there is always something to be thankful for. 

Lizzy- Breeze- Every time I felt down or just overwhelmed with the heat, God sent a breeze to comfort me and keep me going. 

Larissa- Desire - I prayed that God would give me a moment to stop being inhibited by my insecurity and be free and enjoy a moment. And He have that to me. God will fulfill every desire we have. 

Lauren - Blessed- The rain in Haiti is such a blessing. I feel blessed when it rains here. Also, when we visited Jude Jean Paul, i knew that our job was just simply to bless him. 

Maya- Hope- Today at grace village I saw how God is transforming haiti through his love. 

Bella- Fearless- 1. The elders fearlessly receive love from us. 2. At grace village I met a boy who had a fearless desire to try new things and ask deep questions. 

Ann- Amen- I just love watching our students serve and seeing how much they get it and served with such heart. 

Braeden- Touch- Today I massaged more people(the elderly) than I ever have in my life- and it was awesome. I was emotionally and mentally touched by them too. 

Austin- Close Up-  We get to be close-up with each other and with the Haitians here, without the things that normally separate humans. 

Graham- Shoutout- Shoutout to grace village for everything that they do.

Robby- Annikaka- I introduced our friend annika as Annikaka to kindergarten boys and they thought it was so funny. 

Annika- Beauty- I saw so much of God’s beauty today. today was joyful even though we saw hard things. 

Abbie- Emotions- I had a wide range of emotions today- sorrow over the earthquake, and joy with the elders, and hopeful at grace village. 

Katie- Appreciated- One of the elders we saw was waiting for us to arrive because she was so excited, and if felt great to serve her. 

Noelle- Faith- so many of the kids at Grace and the elders have been through so much, yet they still have such a strong faith. 

Emma- Look- I identified this rock that was porous and dry, and when I looked closer i saw that there was a flower growing out of it. God reminded me that new things can grow out of the driest of places. 

Brice- Deposit- Every week when the elders are visited, they are given a deposit of love. Over time these add up, and bloom into awesome things. 

Woodridge Day 4

Hello all! Today was our second water truck day! The first water truck day was very exhausting and so I was mentally dreading the day ahead, however it turned out to be an amazing day and God was certainly on the move. One of my favorite moments of the day was at the last stop that we made. A girl named Ashley approached me shortly after we arrived there and immediately put her arms up to be held. She was maybe 5 or 6 years old so it was heavy carrying her. I was initially regretting picking her up but she was so sweet I just couldn't put her down. It is important to mention that at this stop I also felt that I was suppose to carry as many buckets as possible, so I wasn't sure I would stay with Ashley for very long. That being said, she was able to find solution. With each bucket that I grabbed she would grab to the back of my shirt and follow me wherever I took the bucket. In multiple cases she would direct me where to put the bucket and then she would promptly climb back into my arms. At one point we were separated and after finding her she stuck by even closer. My arms were aching, but knowing that after I put a bucket down she would smile at me made it completely worth it. Although the stop was filled with people and children everywhere, I felt a sense of stillness inside me that contradicted the chaotic events transpiring around me. The rhythm of carrying a bucket while holding Ashley's hand and then picking her up promptly after made the stop a joy filled experience that I will always treasure.
        -Lizzy Pate
Today was day 4 in Haiti and we are thriving! It was our second water truck day of the week and it was hot! One moment that will stick with me for awhile is right when I walked off the tap tap at our first stop, and a mother handed me her beautiful baby boy. He was so cute and sadly very sick. After about 10 minutes of walking around and playing with him, he started to cry a heartbreaking cry. This moment had me feeling helpless and hopeless that I couldn't cure this Child of his sickness. I didn't understand why this incredible child was in this saddening situation, but later on today God put on my heart that he was weeping and his heart was breaking also for this child. He also showed me on later stops he has a plan for Haiti, and we are apart of it. God is doing amazing things here in Haiti, and in the pain and suffering we need to trust in him because he knows what to do. My heart now is filled with joy knowing God is watching over and protecting the people of Haiti, and the child I held on the first water truck stop is in the hands of Christ.
       -Annika Swanson
Last night and again this morning Shayla got sick which meant she had to stay home from our serving day. We are blessed to have the Orono school nurse Ann on our trip as one of our leaders and she stepped in and cared for Shayla last night and this morning. Our trip leader Lea stayed back with Shayla from our water truck serving today and I am happy to report that she has been back with the group all afternoon and evening. She says that she is feeling better. Please keep the health of all of our team in your prayers. Midway through a hot week like this is a time when people can get sick.
       -Drew Johnson

This trip to Haiti is my first time being in a third world country since living in Tanzania roughly eight years ago. So far, I have enjoyed every minute of it (with the exception of my bathroom trips) and will remember this week for the rest of my life. I am especially thankful that I can share the experience with some of my childhood friends, and I am also thankful that I could make new friends throughout the week as well. I have relearned the many troubles of third world countries, including the intense poverty and homelessness. However, there is also much joy in Haiti, and it is even present among children who have virtually nothing. Serving the elders and playing with the children in Haiti are both experiences that have influenced me as a person, and I thank God for the amazing opportunity. 

Today we went and visited the elders in their homes. They were super nice and comforting. One of them was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She told me how she had lost her husband and son and after that she just lost everything, all her money and everything. It was so sad, I started to cry. It was a special moment. Also a big shout out to my mom, Catherine Mehaffey, I miss and love you. - Josh Mehaffey.

Word of the Day for August 3

WORD OF THE DAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

Each day we debrief our experiences by each picking a word of the day and describing why we picked that word. 

Drew - Josh-le Gym 

A made up word combing Josh Mehaffey’s name with Jungle Gym. At every stop Josh was holding 3-5 kids while others were around waiting for a turn to play with him. He and all the guys on our trip have served the kids in 

Emmy - Touching 

At our first stop this one girl latched onto me at our second water truck stop. Even when I tried to set her down she wouldn’t let go. It was really touching for me, and she was touching me. 

Lea - Confidence

God is teaching me to believe on deeper levels that God is doing His thing whether I am a part of it or not. I didn’t go on the water truck today but I knew God was doing His thing and God had control. 

Shayla - Puking

I’ve never puked so much in two days but I am doing a lot better. Thank you for all the prayers and for helping me and for Lea staying with me. 

Joanna - I love you

A boy I was holding said I love you and then I said it back and we kept saying it over and over back and forth to each other. It reminded me that if God was next to me he would be saying I love you, I love you all day.

Annika S - Heart

I was holding a little boy and then he started to cry and Joanna took the boy and then he fell asleep right away. I think God blessed Joanna with a warm motherly heart and I thank God for that.

Lauren - Tight

I have gotten very tight with most of the people on our trip the past couple days. And when I have been holding kids in Cite Soleil they hold on so tight and wrap their bodies around you. They refuse to go on the ground. 

Rob - Sister

Team Underdahl was holding down the hose at the first water truck stop. I was trying to think of the last time we worked together on something — Mother’s Day cooking a meal for our mom (which was a disaster). That is the time that I remember us working the best together ever. 

Katie - Brother 

(Note: not planned!!!, so we made them hug)

We worked so well together. He is leaving for college in few days. It is going to be so different without him but I am thankful I could bond with him and work together here in Haiti. 

Lizzy - Rhythm 

I noticed many instances where we have the rhythm down for water truck stops. I also noticed a pattern or rhythm for the whole day. Then at the third stop I was carrying a lot of buckets and this girl Ashley would tell me where to put the buckets and hold onto my hand or shirt and pick her up when I put a bucket down. We got in a good rhythm. 

Tori - Caring

I felt very cared for by the Haitians today. At the second stop a mother came up and wiped the sweat off my forehead and adjusted my bandana while I held her son. 

Maya - Bitter Sweet

Today was very emotional day for me and I struggled with a lot of the things I saw today. At the second stop I spent time holding this little girl who latched onto me. I later saw a woman slap her really hard and it broke my heart. It was a tough day. 

Larissa - Believe

I am good at giving love but it is really hard for me to accept it. If I am not the best at a few certain things here then I don’t feel like I have a part and that I am not important. I started to think that I wouldn’t be loved and that God wouldn’t love me. I know God loves me but I am having a hard time believing that God loves me. I am trying to believe that I don’t have to be good at things to be loved. 

Austin - Ann

Last night Ann was so on top of things helping Shayla. I knew that Shayla was being loved on by Ann. Ann told me all the ways she loved Shayla. It was really cool to see how much Ann loves our team. Today on the tap tap Ann was singing all the songs and singing her own songs. She was super passionate the whole day. 

Josh M - Marriage

Three different girls asked me to marry them today. I didn’t know it until about 30 minutes after when a guy told me that’s what they were saying. 

Abbie - Redemption

I saw a lot of hard things today. At one point I saw  lady trying to get water and didn't get there and another girl did so she hit the other woman. Seeing that was really depressing. Two seconds later I saw a long line of water and all these people getting water. It was two totally different viewpoints and perspectives. God is working through Healing Haiti and through us to bring redemption. 

Bella - Found 

On our way to the second water truck stop I really started to miss my mom so much. So I was thinking about her the whole day. At the second stop I was the first one off and this little girl reminded me of my mom and I wanted a hug from my mom so I reached out to her and we hugged each other and I cried and she cried. 

Josh H - Bepto bismal

It was rough morning but I took that pill and it got me through the 3 stops. I am glad we have access that kind of help and that I was able to participate today. 

Graham - Strength

At one point a bunch of 8 and 9 year old girls were holding massive buckets on their heads and asking me to help them put them on their heads. These kids have so much strength. 

Braeden - Youth

I don’t know if it was me paying attention more or more kids taking charge in the water process but the number of kids I saw grabbing the heavy buckets filling them with water and carrying them home was a lot. 

Noelle - Comfort Zone

Last year I didn’t do the hose at all. But I did the hose today, I stepped outside of my comfort zone. It was the best experience ever. Annika S was a boss at it and it was really fun. 

Annika C - Remember

I was kind of upset I couldn’t go today so I went back through and read through my journal from the last year. And I thought … God does amazing stuff every day. 

Brice - Haitian 

That is the first word I hear when I get off the tap-tap, people asking me if I am Haitian. It is cool because it allows me to have awesome conversations with people. I had an awesome conversation with a girl trying to figure out that I wasn’t Haitian. I’ve had conversations with people in their 20’s about life and how they feel about living in Citi Soleil. 

Emma - Connectedness 

Today at the third stop I saw this lady who looked vaguely familiar, how do I recognize her? She found me and pointed and me and seemed to say, I remember you. Then I remembered we saw each other two days ago on the water truck stops. It was cool to feel that I can be connected. 

Ann - Praise

I want to retract my chauvinistic word from yesterday, I saw men helping at every stop today. 

When you step out of the tap tap you step into a sea of kids with their arms up and I thought of praise Him and I couldn’t wait to pick them up. 

Daphne - Tiny Hands

Whenever I walked out of the tap tap I saw these tiny hands up waiting to be held and grabbing me and pulling me.