Miraculous. Simply miraculous, Each new day shows us more miracles that God has restored hope in Haiti. Today we took part in the Elder program through Grace Village. We rode out towards the mountains and on our way up a hill we visited three different elder homes. God called us to wash their feet and give them food and drink. The first was an 85 year old man and his brother, which is a miracle in and of itself since 50% of Haitians are 25 years and younger. He was blind and half deaf but the evidence of his appreciation and love was in his smile and touch. The next stop was a women so gracious, beaming with contagious joy. The final stop was with a married couple, deeply needing prayer for their pains and son's sickness. During all these visits, the team joined in song while a Healing Haiti staff translated to Creole verses and interpreted our prayers. Other members were also called to play with the neighborhood children in these places, who were clearly positively impacted. After this we were pleased with a tour at Grace village, which was hopeful to see growth in care of the community for taking in children for family style homes, education, a clinic, and church. We were especially welcomed by a two year old who the community is raising together and has blessed us with his youth. Next, we toured and dined at Fleri bakery/restaurant. We listened to Jake, a long term missionary, testify to the greatness of job creation. He shared his experience working hand in hand with Haitians to bring more jobs to the community for them to flourish in their environment. It was awe-inspiring and delicious! Tomorrow brings another water-truck day and a visit to home for sick and dying babies. God is good.
Bon nwi (goodnight), Aly
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Reflection EBC Wayzata
Bonju (Good Morning),
As the week progresses, each morning another person joins me at my "secret" spot to watch the sunrise. We awaken at 5:30 am, coffee starts to brew and we begin our day in the darkness. In the complete silence, the first rooster begins to crow. A glimpse of light. Then then there are two, three, four roosters and they join a systematic breathtaking medley, a beautiful medley, I call, Awaking Our Community.
Yesterday was amazing. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, each woman and Cory pushed themselves selflessly, to serve. I don't want to minimize the word amazing by using it excessively, however each team member was amazing. Seeing the pure joy in each person as they loved on our children, carrying 5 gallon buckets of water over and over until their hands were sore, not complaining. Raw, that is the reality of Cite Soleil, the poorest slum in the Western Hemisphere. I am truly humbled. I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this team, I am humbled by the resilience of my Haitian friends. Humbled, just ponder that word for a moment, humbled. When was the last time you were truly humbled?
In His name,
Kristine
As the week progresses, each morning another person joins me at my "secret" spot to watch the sunrise. We awaken at 5:30 am, coffee starts to brew and we begin our day in the darkness. In the complete silence, the first rooster begins to crow. A glimpse of light. Then then there are two, three, four roosters and they join a systematic breathtaking medley, a beautiful medley, I call, Awaking Our Community.
Yesterday was amazing. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, each woman and Cory pushed themselves selflessly, to serve. I don't want to minimize the word amazing by using it excessively, however each team member was amazing. Seeing the pure joy in each person as they loved on our children, carrying 5 gallon buckets of water over and over until their hands were sore, not complaining. Raw, that is the reality of Cite Soleil, the poorest slum in the Western Hemisphere. I am truly humbled. I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this team, I am humbled by the resilience of my Haitian friends. Humbled, just ponder that word for a moment, humbled. When was the last time you were truly humbled?
In His name,
Kristine
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
First Water-Truck Day
Day 3!
Again today our eyes and hearts were open to moving stories of the Haitian people. We got the pleasure of a tour in Hope village, including the clinic and church. The permanent American missionary relayed how proud she is of the Haitian doctors, nurses and all the staff at Hope village. They come to serve first and receive a paycheck second. It is set in the most needy location of Haiti. We had 3 stops with the water-truck in Cite Soleil, where we helped carry water buckets with children picking them up to deliver home. We also were showered with Jesus' love between the interactions we had with the children hugging us and being carried in our arms. We shared smiles and love through the language barrier, as well as any words we knew such as, Jezi Reme Ou (Jesus loves you), and ou bel (you're beautiful). Each stop was a little different but the children all act the same. We are blessed to show examples of God's love as we then see them helping each other. Their community has come a long way over the years with Healing Haiti.
Aly,
Wayzata EBC team
Again today our eyes and hearts were open to moving stories of the Haitian people. We got the pleasure of a tour in Hope village, including the clinic and church. The permanent American missionary relayed how proud she is of the Haitian doctors, nurses and all the staff at Hope village. They come to serve first and receive a paycheck second. It is set in the most needy location of Haiti. We had 3 stops with the water-truck in Cite Soleil, where we helped carry water buckets with children picking them up to deliver home. We also were showered with Jesus' love between the interactions we had with the children hugging us and being carried in our arms. We shared smiles and love through the language barrier, as well as any words we knew such as, Jezi Reme Ou (Jesus loves you), and ou bel (you're beautiful). Each stop was a little different but the children all act the same. We are blessed to show examples of God's love as we then see them helping each other. Their community has come a long way over the years with Healing Haiti.
Aly,
Wayzata EBC team
Economic Success - Wayzata EBC
Bonjou!
The first full day was informative to some economic success in job creation for Haitains. We toured a facility that creates sandals and other goods out of upcycled tires! The founder, an American came and met a Haitian who encouraged her to give her a job, not charity. Julie, the American has since worked with others to multiply this blessing. Then we toured a school that is a huge improvement for the education of Haitian children in improving their chances to attain a professional job after graduating. The young children having a sort of recess, were overjoyed to play with us. The director told us her moving story of joining her adopted sisters in MN when she was a young adult, and being blessed with education in the US to become the director of education she is today. When she was a child she dreamed of becoming a nurse, but as an adult decided to give back to her Haitian community, from seeing the need. God's work was alive in her. Then we toured a gift shop of beads, pottery, and other arts all created by workers we got to see in action. These are fair jobs to support their families. Every item we purchased yesterday was important to the survival of the worker's family. They love showing us their work. We are feeling blessed with the welcoming Healing Haiti staff, the beautiful guesthouse, and the delicious food. The day also brought connection as the team members get to know each other and support each other in our faith walk. Today we will help disperse water from the generous Healing Haiti water truck the three different desperate locations of Haitiains,
Aly,
Wayzata Eaglebrook team
The first full day was informative to some economic success in job creation for Haitains. We toured a facility that creates sandals and other goods out of upcycled tires! The founder, an American came and met a Haitian who encouraged her to give her a job, not charity. Julie, the American has since worked with others to multiply this blessing. Then we toured a school that is a huge improvement for the education of Haitian children in improving their chances to attain a professional job after graduating. The young children having a sort of recess, were overjoyed to play with us. The director told us her moving story of joining her adopted sisters in MN when she was a young adult, and being blessed with education in the US to become the director of education she is today. When she was a child she dreamed of becoming a nurse, but as an adult decided to give back to her Haitian community, from seeing the need. God's work was alive in her. Then we toured a gift shop of beads, pottery, and other arts all created by workers we got to see in action. These are fair jobs to support their families. Every item we purchased yesterday was important to the survival of the worker's family. They love showing us their work. We are feeling blessed with the welcoming Healing Haiti staff, the beautiful guesthouse, and the delicious food. The day also brought connection as the team members get to know each other and support each other in our faith walk. Today we will help disperse water from the generous Healing Haiti water truck the three different desperate locations of Haitiains,
Aly,
Wayzata Eaglebrook team
Monday, April 29, 2019
Day 1-Arrival In Haiti
After long and early travels the Wayzata Eagle Brook team is safe and sound in the Healing Haiti guesthouse. We got to meet the Woodbury team as well as the local and international staff of Healing Haiti. We came with tired bodies and minds, but with excited spirits as we heard all about what we will be doing this week. After some much needed rest tonight, we will take on a full day of action tomorrow. May God bring many blessings to all involved here at Healing Haiti. -Aly
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Day 2 - Eager to Learn Serve
Our first morning in Haiti began with a delicious breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs with vegetables, oatmeal, and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Then, with water bottles filled, we excitedly got on the tap tap to begin our day. The first stop was the Haitian Museum where we learned about the four founding fathers of Haiti and the history of how this country came to be. Our guide was very knowledgeable and enjoyed sharing his homeland with us.
Our next journey took us through the bustling, noisy, crowded streets of Port-au-Prince to our destination, La Loo Orphanage and School. There, we met the precious children who sang some songs for us in their native language, Kreole. Their principal then lead singing, dancing, and playing with the children and just having FUN! Our team taught them the "Hokey Pokey" and then taught them some ASL. There is a deaf boy there who doesn't know any sign language so our leader, Julie Friesen, taught him some signs and tried to communicate with him. When it was time to load up the tap tap, we didn't want to leave. Our interpreter (Kreole-English), was a huge help and so fun to have with us today. His cousin's son is deaf and attends Haiti Deaf Academy (HDA) so he also knows a good bit of ASL!
We bounced our way back to the Healing Haiti guest House for a little break and to get some great news! Ashley, our planner, coordinator, and all-around "go to" person arrived with the soccer balls and backpacks that we had ordered to deliver to HDA later this week! And, the best news of all?? Instead of the $425 that we raised for these items, the cost was only $266!! That leaves $159 for other mission projects later this week. We are so incredibly grateful! We then unpacked the backpacks and added a little "ILY" key chain on to each backpack. We are so excited to bring these to the staff and children at HDA on Saturday!!
Our final stop today was the Home for Sick and Dying Children and Babies. Although our time was brief, we all left feeling pretty emotionally drained. We played with and held the toddlers and surely there were many silent prayers being said for these beautiful little ones.
Dinner was another delicious family-style meal of chicken in lime juice and an amazing dish of rice, beans, carrots, beets, garlic, and greens. Almost everyone had two helpings! Dinner was followed by a trip to nearby hotel where we swam in the pool and met up with the other team that is here this week from Minnesota and Michigan. We finished the evening with our devotion and "word-of-the-day" and sharing time.
God has been so gracious to us already and we've only been here ONE DAY. We are EAGER and ready to SERVE again tomorrow. Thanks for joining us in our journey and please continue to pray that we are open to whatever God has in store for us.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Day 1-Safe Arrival
Today as we traveled to Haiti, God was surely watching over our travels ensuring a safe and smooth day of travel. As we arrived in Haiti we greeted by very friendly faces from Healing Haiti! We loaded up in the Tap Tap for a short ride to our beautiful guest house. There we were greeted with more friendly faces where we exchanged ASL and Kreole greetings! Then received a lovely tour of the guest house. We unpacked our totes, settled in, then enjoyed a delicious first meal, tacos! Following dinner we got to witness a beautiful sunset while we enjoyed our nightly devotion. We are so thankful for safe travels today and are very excited to see Gods vision for this trip!
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