Day 2: Special Needs: Blessed to Serve

Day 2 August 15, 2018

Today was a long day, but it was extremely humbling, rewarding and educational.

Early in the morning at around 6 am there was a group of about six people that planned to go to a church service. They took the tap tap to the Sister’s of Mercy only to find out that there wasn’t service until 8:30 am because of the Feast of the Assumption, so they prayed with a sister for 15 min and then walked back to the Healing Haiti guesthouse. 

Eventually the time came around for breakfast at 8 am. We ate an egg scramble, French toast, avocados and mangoes. It was delicious! We left at around 9:30am to go to our first location called the Missionaries of the Poor. There we met Brother Marcal the head of the mission here in Haiti. He talked about his life’s story and about the Mission. He is originally from Kenya.  The founder of the Missionaries of the Poor came from Asia and moved to Jamaica. This is where he witnessed 154 people die and felt God’s calling to serve the  poorest of poor and the sick. The mission was originally named Food for the Poor then it evolved to Brothers of the Poor and then to its current name Missionaries of the Poor. There are many Brothers around the world, about 500 of them, and twelve locations of the Mission in Jamaica, Haiti, Philippines and Uganda. We spent the morning bathing, nurturing , playing and loving these beautiful children that live at the Mission.  All of the kids had both mental and physical disabilities; it was evident the staff did their best to care for them but as with many situations in Haiti, resources are limited.

From there we traveled to an open metal market where we admired and purchased beautiful works of metal art by local artists. Our last stop for the day was another special needs orphanage. We brought several wooden cars and markers for the children to use. There were also colorful noise makers which were definitely a hit. Many of the kids loved coloring the wooden cars and the masks. There was an impromptu sing along with the noise makers that involved some 90s rap, Frosty the Snowman and the theme song to the Brady Bunch. All kids were in great spirits. One little girl was very particular about the colors that she chose. While another boy found it funny to fling cars and see how far they landed. Lastly, we were greeted by a small boy in a wheelchair that looked at each one of us as we arrived and slowly pointed his index finger and motioned us over. The smile on his face was able to get every single volunteer to come over and say hello. 

It was a smaller group of kids the second time due to it being summer but the joy filled the hall way in which we played. As we left,  each volunteer felt the kindness and joy that each child bestowed upon us.  We ended the day in prayer and we are thankful for everything God has given us and everything we were able to give back. 

Day 7

The gents have been good sports about blogging up until now, but the text editor sits empty with no volunteers tonight so I conscripted myself :-)  Plus they’re doing some appointed tasks (writing a letter to themselves that I will send them later, after we get back home, at a time chosen by me), in addition to making journal entries in each of their teammate’s notebooks.  Only so much we can do tonight.

Today is intended as a restful day.  We worshipped at Rendezvous Christ, and then headed “up the mountain” to the observatory restaurant at the top of the mountain.  This trip give us a chance to see “how the other half lives” and to enjoy the cooler mountain air.  It also gave the team a chance to have a bird’s eye view of where we’ve been in Haiti and get some perspective on it.

The whole team was amazed how different everything looked at a distance.  It is easy to stay "at arms length" from other people's suffering.  This trip has taught us to do the opposite.  When all you can see is structures, and not people, and not just groups of people, but individual people, and not through binoculars but in person, face to face, you simply aren't even seeing the same thing.  Distance == impersonal.  Distance == observer.  Presence == participant.  And oh how these trips teach us to participate!

Some points of note from the sermon this morning:

• Your obedience is a blessing to all
• The world’s offers are sweet until you’re hooked, and then they decay into something foul
• God’s offer is the best for now, and the ultimate for eternity

Those were good thoughts to chew on!

At the top of the mountain, I tried the shrimp quesadilla at the restaurant at the top of the hill—man those shrimp were good!  I also sat next to our driver, and got to know him better.  The Healing Haiti staff are so wonderful to us, and care for us so well!  It is always a joy to get to know them on a more personal level each time I am here.

Today is a restful day because.  It is the sabbath portion of our trip.  We have jobs, school or families to return to, and we don’t want to send folks home burned out.  

Normally on Sunday I am sad to leave Haiti and don’t want to think about it.  I normally don’t even enjoy hearing my teammates talk about what’s coming.  I’m not ready to leave.

I know all too well the hot tears I will shed on the flight home tomorrow.  I will avoid the in flight movies all day (no quick return to Americana).  I will mostly listen to my Departure Day playlist and some sermon podcasts chosen for the occasion.  I want to carry Haiti home with me in my heart so I spend as much of the flight time as possible cementing it there.  I want to be branded by these experiences and people, both Haitian and American.

But today I am not quite so sad to be leaving Haiti.  God has answered all my prayers for this week in Haiti, and He had mercy on me in many ways I did not even ask for.  God gave me a team with fathers that were willing to pitch in on the daily tasks: washing dishes, cleaning water bottles and the cooler, loading Culligan-style water bottles onto the truck, verifying that the pump works, packing snacks and electrolyte powder, nabbing wipes and hand sanitizer and the first aid kit, making sure the kids have ultrathon and sun tan lotion on each morning, and making sure nobody sits on the furniture at the end of the day until we have showered.  This was a huge help—immeasurably blessed by these men serving me.  God knows I’m far from perfect and now these men know that too.  They endured my foibles in good cheer, for which I’m so grateful.  God gave me a kind hearted group of boys.

God also gave me a team that served the people of Haiti well: the young an the old, the sick and the healthy, the able bodied and the disabled.  They also processed each day very well, young and old alike.

I’m willing to leave because of the team he gave me to lead while I was here—it was a blessed week.

I’m willing to leave because these Fathers & Sons served well while we were here—it was a week spent on mission.

I'm willing to leave less sad because of how glad God made me through this team.

I’m willing to leave because I’m eager to lead again.  It will be a long time before I can do this again—perhaps as late as 2020—but, God willing, I will get to face another Sunday in Haiti with another team grateful for the time He gave us together, how He directed our energies in the brief time we had to serve here together.

Thank you God for these fathers and sons and for this week.  You have blessed us beyond my wildest imagination.  I will miss these fathers and sons and the people of Haiti dearly!

Heavenly Father, Thank you that from your heavenly heights you do not remain at a distance--you participate in our lives.  Please continue to participate in the lives of these fathers and sons every day to come.  Use these days to draw us closer to you so that we might serve you better.  For Jesus sake, Amen.

Day 6

We started our day with some breakfast and immediately went to the tap-tap to head out for the day. Four boys, Luke #1, Ashton, Jack, and Luke #2 (me) sat on top of the truck for a few minutes and talked to each other for a while while we waiting for the team to get ready.  We climbed down and into the tap-tap, and started out 45 minute drive to Titanyen. On the way, we stopped at Mass Graves, and got to walk around on the memorial. It was sad hearing about the earthquake and hearing about the quarter of a million people who died. After that we left to see four elders. Our first stop was at someones house who’s name I cannot remember. We gave her some lotion and rubs. We sang songs and asked for prayer requests. After praying for her, we showed her the things we had brought her. Some food, a flashlight, sweetened condensed milk, and a washcloth we used to wipe her feet with. She was shy, and did not speak much unless asked a question. Then, we headed for a man named Edmund’s house. He was living with his brother, and is blind with an aching back. He is 84 years old. I sat next to him and started to apply lotion to his right arm and back. Jack wiped his face and neck while Mike K. (aka Tim Sr.) lathered the lotion to the other arm. Someone wiped his feet and we rubbed him for the rest of the time and sang. He had whiskers, so we asked if he would like us to shave it for him. He said yes, it it was not an easy task. It took us easily 10 minutes. We then prayed for him after singing two songs. The songs were Ten Thousand Reasons and Glory to God (Glwa pou Bondye). We then headed to another elder home.

-Luke

Immediately she came out with joy in her eyes and hugged and greeted us at the door saying Bonswa (good afternoon).  We asked if we could massage and rub lotion on her and she said yes in a very happy tone.  But her skin was very soft and she seemed very well cared for. We sang songs with her and we painted her nails and seemed very thankful for us being there. Before we left we all prayed for her strength and hope in the future, and headed to the next elders. The next elders were husband and wife and hugged us when we game into the front yard and we played with their granddaughter. Then realizing we forgot the water basin at the last home so some of us ran and got it. So then we gave the elderly couples massages and and talked to them about their lives and found out it was almost their anniversary. Then some of us painted the woman and granddaughters nails and they were so thankful for us being there. Then we prayed for them and gave them food and treats and headed to the tap tap and started to climb up the hill to grace village.

-Jack

We then went to Grace village, where Tim Jr. was staying because he wasn’t feeling well. He had been there since our first elder trip. When we got there, he was asleep. I, along with 4 others, headed to a open tile area to play soccer with some of the kids. Surprisingly we won 9-5, despite multiple balls to the head. In the end, 3 of our shots were made by bouncing of one of our heads or faces.  After, we got a tour of the orphanage clinic, school, farm, and dorms. by that time is was four something, so we headed to Fleuri Resto for a delicious pizza dinner.

-Luke

Now that you’ve read about the purposeful, fulfilling service hours the team experienced, I’ll shift gears to another perspective. I woke up at 3 am, stomach tight and head throbbing, and couldn’t get back to bed for a few hours. Instead of pancakes, I had a antibiotic pill for breakfast. After making the 45 minute drive to Titanyen, I wound up vomiting in the sink of Grace Village. I spent the rest of the day in the clinic, sleeping off the worst symptoms I’ve ever had. The point of this entry is yes, be inspired and motivated by the tales of our week in Haiti's trenches, but be prepared to experience the realities of exposing your immune system to "exotic" things. Expect to experience sickness, expect to witness hardship, but know that the life changing journey to Port-au-prince is well worth the risks.

-Tim

Day 5

Hello everyone, today we went and did the water truck again but this time it was very different. I went into it with a different perspective because I knew what I was going into. It was a very hectic but successful day. During that time there was a little boy at the first stop holding onto me and he didn’t want to let go, he just kept saying hold me and it was adorable, by far my favorite part from the whole day and it just made me happy to see him so happy being carried. 

-Luke

Friends and Family thanks for the endless support of our trip. Friday August 10th we started off the day doing 2 water truck stops in City Soleil where we helped distribute water and give as much needed love to the children as possible. Next we went to an orphanage that was home to older kids than we have saw the rest of the trip. There we did arts and crafts, and played games. To end the day we winded down and the pool at the hotel and it was a great way to cool down. If you could continue to pray for the safety of our group that would be amazing. Thank You!!! -Ashton

Where do you even start to describe what a day here in Haiti looks like but more importantly what if feels like and the emotions that you feel.  Here goes a very feeble attempt.  Most of us got up at 5:30 to get ready for church which started at 6 AM.  It is only a few blocks from the Healing Haiti complex so many of us walked.  We joined the other team that is down here this week too.  It was a great experience to see and be reminded of the fact that the Holy Spirit does not have language or location boundaries.  It was awesome to worship with people far from home and in a different language.  

After we got back from there we had breakfast and then set out to get ready for our next trip into Cite Soleil with the water truck again.  It is a surreal experience to drive into this area where they see you coming and the kids and some adults start yelling “hey you” as their way of   greeting your or getting your attention.  As we drove up to where the water truck was parked the kids start flocking in our direction with “hey you’s” being called out louder and louder to get our attention.  Before I could even get out of the tap tap there were 2 kids climbing up with arms open making it difficult to even get out.  There we were surrounded by a sea of kids with their arms up begging to be picked up and held.  It is hard to wrap my brain around being so desperate for human touch to go to a complete stranger as a little child and beg to be held.  It is such a sweet thing to be able to offer just that, a moment of touch and kindness and love. The words of Jesus instructing to love the little children literally comes alive in front of your eyes.  Here you are in the midst of the open arms of kids, some clothed, some with just a shirt, some with no clothing, and their only concern was human touch and a touch of love.  If you had a pile of clothes to hand out or a bunch of people with open arms you would see every arm full and the pile of clothes still there.  It truly is a blessing to be able to be used by Jesus in this way, to offer a moment of compassion to one of his little children.  Being like Jesus in this way is only one of the things we do while we are there.  There is a long line of people standing with their buckets waiting to get them filled with clean water for them to use.  It is striking to me that they are so eager for water that they come flocking when they hear the horn of the water truck sound.  Poverty is rampant in this area and there that any suitable container (bucket, basin, barrel, etc.) to hold water is enlisted in the task. Today I mostly helped with the process of filling the buckets with the hose from the water truck. There is not a good way to describe the chaos of this process when filling buckets for the people who are desperate for every drop.  Greed and fear are quick to take over.  Greed in that they want as much as they can carry to make it last until the truck comes again, and fear that we will not get to their bucket before the water runs out and their bucket is left empty.  As I was working in this chaos trying to keep things equal I kept thinking about what it would feel like to be standing in line and the water running out before they got to me.  Desperate is the word that comes to mind. The other important thing we do while we are there is to help them bring these heavy filled water containers to their homes.  A majority of the people who are getting the water buckets filled are children who are unable to carry the water themselves.  One of the things I struggled with is why am I helping carry water to their homes when many older kids and adults are just standing there.  Something that has really struck my heart with compassion today is learning about how many of these kids are basically slaves.  Kids who have been sold by their parents who were promised education for their kids, but that was an empty promise.  These kids are left alone and many sleep outside and are untouched and unloved. That unleashed a whole new motivation to get their bucket full to help them bring their water home just to show an ounce of compassion in their lives and make it easier for a moment.    

So water truck day is raw and filled with many emotions and more things to do than manpower or time allows.

After we got back from Cite Soleil delivering water and so much more, we showered and got ready to head to an orphanage called La Phare.  Such a blessing to be able to go to a well run place where the kids were filled with that love they crave and taught about the love that Jesus has for them.  It was great to spend time with them and just hang out with them.  We were able to bring some crafts for them to do and also some games to play.  It was and amazing reminder to me that kids of all ages need love and attention.  There was a 12 year old boy, whose toy was a stuffed Dory, who desired sitting on my lap to going and playing soccer with some of the other boys.  Each child is different and need attention and love in different ways.  What a blessing to be able to offer just that.  As we were getting ready to leave they gathered together to give us a treat. WOW I was not expecting this blessing.   They sang 3 songs for us and they were simply amazing!  I had goose bumps as I stood there listening to them sing with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. Thanks for sharing that special moment with me.  Something I will never forget.  

So that was our day, the important parts anyway.  Thanks for giving us this opportunity!  Life changing is the understatement of the year.

Jeff

Day 4:

Thursday’s Blog:

Good Evening, Today we had the privilege to go to two different orphanages, the first being Sweet Home. This orphanage was a different experience then others that I have visited in Haiti, I was so impressed with the conditions of this place, the kids where very well taken care of with great living and sleeping conditions. This was remarkable to me because it showed what proper funding can truly do for the children, we had the pleasure to play with these children and do crafts with them. The second was Dios which is a orphanage for disabled children, this experience was a heart turner for me seeing these kids living with some very difficult disabilities in conditions that are the best that can be had but so far from our normal in the states, but being able to spend time and play and do crafts was such an amazing experience. Loving these kids up and being part of there day was a heart warming memory I will never forget. As a father on this trip with my two oldest boys I couldn’t be more proud of there hearts and compassion they have showed in ever experience that we have had these last few days how much they are turning into men that I’m proud to call my sons. My heart is overcome with joy to be there father!  

Sam Greenwood

Hello! if you are reading this, thank you for your interest in our trip and the things going on in it. Today was a mellow day, but still filled with the intense love we have brought to every task on this trip. We started with a pancake breakfast, graciously made by our healing haiti staff. Soon came time to get on the tap-tap (our mode of transportation), we set out to “Sweet Home”, which is a orphanage that had kids from age 2-7. We shared our love with the children and it was returned whole-heartedly. Our next stop was “Dios” which was an orphanage for children who are handicapped either mentally, physically, or both. We did many things with the kids such as make bead necklaces, color transparent crosses, and kick around the soccer ball, or as the Haitians would call it, fútbol. The time spent with the children taught the team how valuable expanding your horizons can be. It also taught me personally to remember the golden rule, treat others the way you would like to be treated. 

Austin Greenwood 

Day 3: Wednesday 8/8/18

Today was a mix of sweet, tasty flavors in a light-hearted setting and heart rending emotion as we visited homes for young children.  Breakfast was French Toast, eggs, and fruit; delicious as all our meals have been.  Thank you so much Healing Haiti Staff!

It started at Papillon, a job creation ministry for local Haitians.  We enjoyed frozen lemonade, berry slushies, chicken nuggets, and pizza from their gift shop and lounge.  The lounge is located on the top of the gift shop and has a wonderful view of that part of the city.  Afterward, we enjoyed a tour of the factory were local workers recycle materials  (cereal boxes, glass bottles) and raw materials (clay) into creations of beauty.  Employing over 250 people, they make necklaces, bracelets, pottery (coffee mugs), hand bags, dolls, and many other items.  Most of these things are imported to the USA for sale, supporting Haitian families and keeping young children with their parents by providing steady income to each household.  We were the first tour group led by young man who learned English as a young boy and then learned French when older (the reverse sequence for most Haitians).  His English is excellent and he is clearly very proud of the work they are doing.  He was very humble and modest but did a fantastic job.

Next was an orphanage, “For His Glory” where we played with children.  Jump rope, spike ball, Frisbee, basketball, soccer, and bubbles were just some of the activities.  The joy on the faces of the children was infectious.  There seemed to be something for everyone and no end to the little hands pulling on us (and our hair) or pointing to an object trying to communicate their desire.  While there is a language barrier, it didn’t impede the fun.  

The next stop wasn’t to start until later in the day, so we traveled back to the Guest House for a bit of down time.  I slept as did several other fathers.  The boys didn’t seem to need the sleep.  Several games of KanJam kept them busy even though it was the hottest part of the day.

The last stop was to Home for Sick and Dying Children.  The name alone makes one feel uneasy. Many in our group entered with a mindset against holding sick children but within minutes couldn’t resist. We had the opportunity to feed babies, to hold, and to play with them.  The occasional smile on their faces warmed our hearts. The most difficult part was leaving; having to put a child down in a crib and “say” goodbye, them not understanding but yearning for more affection. 

Water Truck Day In Cite Soleil As Seen By Two Twelve Year Olds

 We started the day with pancakes and fresh mangoes and pineapples. We loaded up on bug spray and sunscreen and boarded the tap-tap. The ride there was hot and muggy. We stoped at the water truck filling station and met the driver and waited for it to fill up.

      When it was full it escorted us out and we bumped down the rugged road. When we showed up at the first water truck station we were bombarded by a mob of little kids saying "Potem" (which means pick me up). So some of us scooped up a kid or two while the rest filled up jugs with water or carried water to the persons home. "Hey you!" is something you will hear often in Cite Soleil as the children are trying to get your attention. when the water truck was run dry we said goodbye or "orevwa"

Then we headed to Hope church and ate snack.  We headed inside where a day camp was being held.  The kids stuck their hands through gaps in the concrete partitions (the gaps allow a breeze) and shouted Hey you! Then some kids wandered out of the classes and greeted us, some spoke english and some didn't. One of the little kids who was about 7 was holding a wooden red ring so we set up our water bottles and he played a game like horse shoe toss. then we set up different ways to play games with the wooden ring like rolling it through the water bottles and bowling. After all that we helped pass out rice and beans to all the kids. And then we just hung around until we got the go ahead that the water truck was full again. We played games and sung songs, the kids loved it and sang and danced to it even when we left. When the truck was ready we jumped on the tap-tap and headed to the next stop,

   After the experience in Hope Church, we walked outside to the road. thankfully, while we where waiting in the church/school, the water truck had fixed a few hose problems and filled the truck with water. So, we immediately went into the field and started holding kids. stop two was the nicest so far. The first stop I felt was more busy with more crowded areas. this was very calm and the kids loved to be held. As we were leaving, something caught my eye. On my first trip last year, there was a kid I nicknamed 'Spider-Man kid' because of his Amazing Spier-Man t-shirt. He had opened my eyes to the kids and the area in an inexplainable, interesting way without intention. He had changed my life and viewpoint in the best way possible. As we, left, I saw him wandering the streets. I thought I'd never see him again, but there he was. It was good to see one of the boys who I'd had a short-lived friendship with. Seeing him made me happy.