Fall Back On Me

We began our day in prayer as we left for one of the poorest slums in the western hemisphere to deliver water. The impact of the beginning of our day can hardly be explained only to say the act of bullying was evident in Haiti as it is in America today. This unexplainable injustice was on 2 special needs children. We wiped our tears and reminded ourselves that the short period of love and compassion we shared with these children will carry them just as Jesus promised He would for all His children.

We delivered thousands of gallons of water to the town of Cite Soleil. We were humbled as they stood in line with their 5 gallon buckets to carry their precious water to the places they call their homes. We have a greater respect for the gift of precious water we so freely get at home.

Our last stop was at the home for special needs children. It was a fresh relief from the heaviness earlier in the day. Our hearts were delighted to be there sharing Gods love!! It was apparent in the staff and all the kids there that they were one big happy family.

We ended our day praising the Lord that we could be His Hands and Feet for a short time while we are here. The Haitian people are so beautiful while having so little yet so much joy in their hearts. We rest in His love that passes all understanding with any struggles we have in our lives.

We are eagerly awaiting to see what God has in store for us in the next 3 days. We feel Gods love and passion in so many ways. Keep us in your prayers!!!!

With Love and Blessings, Julie and Kim

Tis the Day to Flourish!

Today was another day of great "firsts" for me.  Our eyes and hearts were opened by worshiping at Church on the Rock.  Seeing the sunrise to Haitians who love their Lord so much shows me how we all need to have more gratitude for the simple things...that is where JOY really comes from.

With the last two days being so physically and emotionally demanding, it was a great REJUVINATION day.  We were so fortunate to visit Grace Village...a place where God has placed miracles to those who believe. Yes...a clinic, school, orphanage, a bakery and restaurant with so many more dreams in the forefront.  It astounds me that one vision from one person could change a small piece of the world that needs every blessing possible. 

Thank you Alyn Shannon and Jeff Gacek for your vision.

It is beyond words to be a part of this mission team...to be the hands and feet of Christ to our Healing Haiti elders.  We washed their feet, pampered them with lotion and massages to make this one day a special one to honor them...especially their faithfulness to the Lord.  Their stories touch your heart and ones I will never forget.

To my team...thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord. How you serve is incredible.

Jacque #1 :)


"Give me Your eyes, Lord."  This was my prayer this morning.  A desperate prayer to God to break through my fears and give me His eyes to see people the way He does. We started off the morning bright and early at the Church of the Rock.  This church meets every morning at 6 am and people come before work to praise God.  As I sat in the service, God showed me the beauty in Haitian worship.  As we walked back to the guesthouse, we passed men and women going to work and children going to school. Instead of just looking straight ahead, focused on my destination, I looked each person in their eyes and I saw what Jesus sees...beauty.

We then piled into the tap tap and headed to Titanyen to visit some elderly men and women in their homes to wash their feet, sing and pray with them.  As I massaged the feet of these precious, wise Haitians, I looked into their eyes and saw what Jesus sees...love.

After our elder visits, we visited Fleri Resto and Bakery and Grace Village.  As Jacque #1 wrote above, this is a miraculous place.  There is so much amazing work being done here and it could only be done by God's mighty hand.  When I looked around at the faces of the children in Grace Village, I saw what Jesus sees...hope.

This has been a day of beauty, love and hope.  Thank you Jesus for giving me Your eyes to see.

Jacquie #2

Overflow

Thanks be to God for the opportunity to serve the people of Haiti. Today we distributed water in three different areas, which was very exhausting physically and also mentally. I started the day off holding the hose and instantly found it frustrating to be splashing water out of their buckets because of the pressure of fluids coming out. It soon came to me that this was going to happen and that I needed to see the bigger picture: Jesus was the water and I was the bucket, I needed to let the splashes happen so that those whose buckets are dry will get the over pouring from mine. An answer to a prayer from the night before that I would be over flowing with love to give.

I had enough strength and stamina to endure the whole day of filling water buckets and also carrying them back to their homes. Another answered prayer from the night before, but not only for me but also those in the group. After each stop as we looked upon one another's face you could see the fatigue, yet each time we were getting to the next water station our demeanor changed. Determination is the only word I can use to compare to this; we knew that this was their source of water, so our trust and hope turned to God in order to serve the people. The day had truly made us tired but I know that if we were to have done more water stops, we would have been poured into and given the energy needed.

Time really does fly when you don't consume your life around the clock. In my mind the day is a blur and yet I see each and every moment just as clear as the next. The joy of the people resonate deep in my heart. At times when walking back to grab more buckets to help carry them, I heard music playing and began to dance. Strangers could see the joy I had even though I was doing a job that was so taxing. Little things like this keep my cup overflowing and encouraged to be steadfast in the task that has been bestowed upon me.

Rylie Smith

Knocked Over By JOY

Today can be described by many words: Emotional, Inspiration, Joy, Laughter, and Love, just to name a few.

We started our day at the home for sick and dying adults. This was truly a moving experience where myself, and the rest of the group were able to really connect with the elderly, and despite the language barrier, leave as friends. Initially some of the men were hesitant to receive a massage or have their faces shaved, but once the first man volunteered, there was a steady stream of smiling face asking to be "next" for whatever we had to offer. Their ability to laugh with us throughout our visit made the experience so much more special.

Second, we were blessed with the opportunity to visit an orphanage in Port au Prince. The word that could have almost physically knocked you over, was Joy. The children were not only excited to be held, but show you around, play with you, and learn your names. I will never be able to match the kids' level of joy and happiness that they possess. Back home I want for nothing, but when the kids saw us break out the pack of chalk, their smiles touched both ears, and would've gone farther if physically possible!

To end our day we spent time at the home for sick and dying babies. For many, this was the most emotional part of the day. All these babies want is to be held, and I just wish I was able to hold more than two at a time. I did not quite have the strength to go into the room where the especially sick babies were, and I am beyond impressed by the members of the group who were able to hold and comfort those babies. Simply holding baby Jameson and feeding him his lunch is something I will never forget.

Today was a blessed day, and I am excited for what the rest of the week entails for the Lord has for us to accomplish!

Erik Brandt

Day 1 - Travel to serve Haiti with LOVE

Discovery...Release...Challenged...Love...Serve...Trust...just some of the words on our hearts tonight.  And my word for the day was SMOOTH. God's plan for our travel day was perfect!  We got to MSP 3 hours before our flight, as recommended due to Super Bowl traffic. Everyone was on time, and there were no lines at check-in or security.  We were shocked how quickly we got to our gate.  The airport didn't seem to get busy until we got settled:)

There are 12 members on our team, 9 leaving from MSP, and we connected with the Smith's in Atlanta, again, smooth. All our bags made it, easy security, all truly gifts to ease any anxiety and settle us for a big serving day tomorrow.

We were greeted at the guest house by LOTS of dogs and puppies, and delicious sloppy joes.  We are very excited and maybe a bit nervous for our day of serving tomorrow.  Stay tuned for our God sightings and stories of how God is using and stretching us as we step on in TRUST with a flexible spirit!

Barb Brandt

Friday- Woodridge

Friday

Jake- 

Raegan- friend

Lola- community

Tracy- reunion

Jen- gifts

Buck- gate, garbage

Ashlynn- healing

Trinity- bold

Ben- courage

Annette- frog

Corrina- blessed

Kim- refueled

Shannon- emotion

Today we went to Carrefort, a home for sick and dying adults. The drive there was long and dusty.  I sat in the front and talked to Lisa and Daryval, our driver and a friend, about Haiti and what is is like to live here permanently.  I learned a lot from both of them. Everyone else was riding in the back of the tap tap and they were “tap tap surfing “. It’s were you have to stand up and balance while going over the bumpy Haitian roads. Once we arrived at Carrefort, the boys and the girls split up. Ben and Buck brought their instruments for the elderly men. We coulda hear it from the second floor and sounded amazing. Trinity prayed for the men. When the girls were upstairs, we rubbed lotion on the ladies and painted their nails. Kim was the most bold and relaxed while hanging out with the ladies. It made us feel more comfortable. At first they all were very quite and didn’t want to interact with us. Annette started a game of charades called “ guess that animal noise” and she acted out every animal we could think of. Soon all the ladies were screaming the animal names in Creole and they all were laughing and had smiles on their faces. Once we left Carrefort, we made our way to an orphanage called “ La Phare”.  It is a very sweet orphanage located in or right next to Cite Soleil, where we did the water truck.   Once we were there we jumped rope. Jake, Buck, and Daryval all played Chinese jump rope. The game got intense very quickly. Jen made bracelets with the girls while Lola, Ashlynn and corrina painted the girls nails. Tracy and Shannon were reunited dream they met in June. To make it short, it was very emotional.  Tomorrow we go to Titanyen. 

Thursday Woodridge

Thursday

Jake- engaged

Raegan- contrast

Lola- team

Tracy- happiness

Jen- grooving

Buck- water

Ashlynn- quiet

Trinity- communicate

Ben- opportunity

Annette- partnership

Corrina- wow

Kim- chill

Shannon- noise

Today was very different and similar from the past days.  We went back to an orphanage named For His Glory we visited on Tuesday and played with the children again. Annette told the story of Jesus telling the sick man to walk again and the teacher translated it.  Those teachers are amazing at what they do and the children love learning from them. Laughter and song filled the classroom and smiles spread across each child’s face. During recess Lolita, Jen, and some others painted little girls (and boys) nails pink and purple. Ben somehow played guitar while a boy sat in his lap and another strummed the strings and played a song. I think For his glory is a special place because the teachers and “parents” are so proud of their children. After we left we made our way to the metal market and had to use some serious bartering skills. Every seller wanted Ashlynn’s attention for her to buy a canvas painting.  Then we went to a place called Montfort. Montfort is a school for the deaf. They have a really impressive farm/livestock there and we even got 23 mangoes and 2 papayas. Jake, Trinity, and Lolita tried to beat the kids in basketball but that didn’t come close to working. Tracy painted nails and Corrina played Chinese jump rope. Shannon, Kim and buck all had really meaningful conversations with the kids.  And for me, I am slowly but surely leading Haitian Creole. 

Love,

Raegan and the Woodridge Team