What a wonderful day!!!
We were able to travel to Cite Soliel to celebrate Christmas with the Elders who live in and attend church there. If you are hearing about Cite Soleil for the first time, it is important to know that it is the poorest slum area in the Western Hemisphere. There is very limited to no electricity, no access to clean water and most people live in tin shanties. This is an area where most are unable to leave, as they feel there is no way out. The poverty is real, the desperation is unimaginable. You simply can't believe or understand it unless you have been there. Typically, people who have been there have no words for what they have seen once they return home.
Why is it important to know this? Because this area has nothing. Absolutely nothing, EXCEPT the love of Christ in their hearts. Their faith is something that I rarely see at home. When greeted with "How are you?", the typical response is "Good with Jesus". I am guilty of a selfish reply back home, "oh, I'm so busy....". My first thoughts go to the things on my to-do list. We live in a 1st world county with 1st world problems and mind sets, full of abundance. It's the things we have instead of what is in our hearts and who we are loving and serving.
Today, we served the Elders of Hope Church in Cite Soleil. When we arrived there were already about 50 people waiting for us. Our team quickly divided and knew exactly what we were going to do. We set up two stations for washing feet, one station for washing hands and one station for doing nail polish. Every single Elder was washed, lotioned, massaged, hugged, prayed over and loved on in some way while our team was there. We had worship music and most of the Elders and our team members got up and danced, it was so fun to see their smiling faces! A few Elders stood up in front of their peers and gave their testimony or sang a song that was important to them. Then, a wonderful Haitian meal was served. It was a fantastic day!
During our "word of the day", when we had group in the evening, many of us were overcome with emotions as we reminisced about our day. These beautiful Elders, so thankful.... we were so blessed by them today. Blessed by their beautiful smiles, blessed by their hugs, blessed by their "thank you's", blessed by their tears, blessed by their singing and dancing, blessed by their love.
I could go on and on about the Elders in Cite Soleil, I love them. But, I will leave with a quote from Mother Teresa..."If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Serve the one in front of you, God put them there for a reason.
Peace - Marni
Saturday, December 14, 2019
12-13-2019
We left HealingHaiti guesthouse early this morning and headed into the mountain city of Kenscoff. This was one of the newer outreach sites and although only one of our team members is new to Haiti, today was new to all of us. So the saying..."It's okay, she's new..." could be used on all of us today....except Jeff and Dave, of course. Unless....well...unless we're talking about painting nails. We are growing as a family and each year I come here, a few new members are added to experience Haiti's beauty.
Once we reached the site, many of the children were not there yet because they were finishing up their exams, but quickly filtered in and soon the church was filled with smiling faces, some shy and some eager. The language is not a barrier as we have some pretty amazing, enthusiastic interpreters.
The scenery was certainly something to look at twice. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful part of the country. The mountainside was lush. Farmers out in the field and tending their gardens. Bananas, coffee, avocados..all growing and full in the trees. Our Lord really did something amazing here as I think the land was painted with every shade of green possible....and maybe some new ones...who knows.
Whether we left to go visit elders or stayed back with the kids, we all were able to find our gift and minister to the individuals placed in our lives. It was a full day of joy and laughter. We all left intending to be those hands and feet, doing God's will as He orchestrated long ago, but somehow...in the midst of it all...we were also served and I have to think He planned that too. What a blessing it is to be in this land and to share life with the families and communities.
I'll leave with a few verses out of Revelation as seemed fitting and appeared to me as a sign of some sort as it definitely followed the day's events and really spoke some volume. You know sometimes you will hear it said that the Bible is "alive" ....I certainly believe that to be the case. Hope comes from knowing that we will someday be with our Father in heaven. We don't know when and we don't know how...but He is waiting for us all with His arms open wide. He sent His son to die for each and every one of us. I pray all our hearts be open to receive the gift that was so greatly given. It's free and cannot be earned. Jesus...the greatest servant we will ever know.
Revelation 7:9-10 KJV
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Love - Julie
We left HealingHaiti guesthouse early this morning and headed into the mountain city of Kenscoff. This was one of the newer outreach sites and although only one of our team members is new to Haiti, today was new to all of us. So the saying..."It's okay, she's new..." could be used on all of us today....except Jeff and Dave, of course. Unless....well...unless we're talking about painting nails. We are growing as a family and each year I come here, a few new members are added to experience Haiti's beauty.
Once we reached the site, many of the children were not there yet because they were finishing up their exams, but quickly filtered in and soon the church was filled with smiling faces, some shy and some eager. The language is not a barrier as we have some pretty amazing, enthusiastic interpreters.
The scenery was certainly something to look at twice. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful part of the country. The mountainside was lush. Farmers out in the field and tending their gardens. Bananas, coffee, avocados..all growing and full in the trees. Our Lord really did something amazing here as I think the land was painted with every shade of green possible....and maybe some new ones...who knows.
Whether we left to go visit elders or stayed back with the kids, we all were able to find our gift and minister to the individuals placed in our lives. It was a full day of joy and laughter. We all left intending to be those hands and feet, doing God's will as He orchestrated long ago, but somehow...in the midst of it all...we were also served and I have to think He planned that too. What a blessing it is to be in this land and to share life with the families and communities.
I'll leave with a few verses out of Revelation as seemed fitting and appeared to me as a sign of some sort as it definitely followed the day's events and really spoke some volume. You know sometimes you will hear it said that the Bible is "alive" ....I certainly believe that to be the case. Hope comes from knowing that we will someday be with our Father in heaven. We don't know when and we don't know how...but He is waiting for us all with His arms open wide. He sent His son to die for each and every one of us. I pray all our hearts be open to receive the gift that was so greatly given. It's free and cannot be earned. Jesus...the greatest servant we will ever know.
Revelation 7:9-10 KJV
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Love - Julie
Thursday, December 12, 2019
An Elder Celebration
The walk to the courtyard was slow and laborious. Many walked with a limp and some required assistance. The elders in the Healing Haiti program have been looking forward to today: the annual Christmas party celebration. They entered displaying a stoic demeanor as they often do. They sat together around long tables and were welcomed with a meal and friendly conversation. One can only image the challenges that they have faced and the hardships that they have had to endure. They sat quietly in their fine clothes displaying little emotion.
That all changed when the worship praise music began. As I looked at them, I saw their shoulders relax. I saw their smiles as they started to sway with the music. Some started clapping and some raised their hands as the music flowed through the room. I looked at the other Haitians and at our fellow teammates. All were lost in the music. It's power and fervor enveloped us. As I watched them, I realized that the praise music had united us. It didn't matter if we were Haitian or American, black or white, young or old and it didn't matter which language we spoke. We all had come together as a family, if only for a little while. In the faces of the elders, I saw love, acceptance and hope that they felt through the power and message of the music. It was incredibly moving and I could have listened to it for hours.
With the recent days of relative peace, we were fortunate to be able to come to Titanyen and participate in this event. It's an afternoon that I'll remember always.
" We learn something from everyone who passes through our lives.. Some lessons are painful, some are painless... but all are priceless." Unknown
That all changed when the worship praise music began. As I looked at them, I saw their shoulders relax. I saw their smiles as they started to sway with the music. Some started clapping and some raised their hands as the music flowed through the room. I looked at the other Haitians and at our fellow teammates. All were lost in the music. It's power and fervor enveloped us. As I watched them, I realized that the praise music had united us. It didn't matter if we were Haitian or American, black or white, young or old and it didn't matter which language we spoke. We all had come together as a family, if only for a little while. In the faces of the elders, I saw love, acceptance and hope that they felt through the power and message of the music. It was incredibly moving and I could have listened to it for hours.
With the recent days of relative peace, we were fortunate to be able to come to Titanyen and participate in this event. It's an afternoon that I'll remember always.
" We learn something from everyone who passes through our lives.. Some lessons are painful, some are painless... but all are priceless." Unknown
Dios, LaPherres and Home For the Sick and Dying
The day started with a great challenge from Matthew 6 to seek 1st His kingdom and not our own. We definitely got to put that challenge into practice as our "well-laid" plans were adjusted throughout the day. We went to Dios orphanage and were so lovingly welcomed by these special-needs children. We did some coloring, bubbles, jump rope and kicking the ball around. "Seek 1st His kingdom". We couldn't go to the next orphanage yet so we just came back to the guest house and "hung out" for about 2 hrs. We then loaded the tap-tap and set off for La Phare's orphanage. The "planned" activity was to share the wordless Gospel story using the 5 colors painted on their finger nails.....except we forgot the nail polish! Thanks to Valerie's great interaction/enthusiasm while interpreting, and the kids great attention and response to the questions asked, it went well anyway. "Seek 1st His kingdom". Katie and Valerie then led us in some songs (Creole and English) and then the children sang to us. Beautiful worship!! We were so blessed!! We wrapped up our time there coloring, shooting baskets, jump roping and hop-scotching--fun to see our team members reliving their childhoods! Our last stop of the day was at the home for sick and dying babies. It was much calmer this year than some of the previous years I've been there. We each ended up with basically 1 child the whole 1 1/2 hours we were there. We were able to feed them and just hold them as we walked around in the outside courtyard. They are so tiny and it''s hard to guess ages but many are 3 or 4 yrs old but the size of infants. The love of the caregivers there was encouraging to see and we know that our many hands made their load lighter today. "Seek 1st His kingdom".
I am definitely blessed and humbled to be part of this team!! The willingness to accept changes in the schedule, our vulnerability with each other and the fellowship of sharing our "Christ-stories" is something that only happens in the body of Christ. Thank-you to you who are back home lifting us up in prayer and having an impact here in Haiti because you are part of that same body of Christ.
To God be the glory!!
P.S. Ashley has been able to be at both Hope and Grace clinics doing ultra-sounds. Pray for her amidst the challenge of having medical "lingo" correctly interpreted and her effectiveness in training the nurses here. It can be frustrating and hard but her attitude was "Seek 1st His kingdom" and trust.
Peace - Diane
I am definitely blessed and humbled to be part of this team!! The willingness to accept changes in the schedule, our vulnerability with each other and the fellowship of sharing our "Christ-stories" is something that only happens in the body of Christ. Thank-you to you who are back home lifting us up in prayer and having an impact here in Haiti because you are part of that same body of Christ.
To God be the glory!!
P.S. Ashley has been able to be at both Hope and Grace clinics doing ultra-sounds. Pray for her amidst the challenge of having medical "lingo" correctly interpreted and her effectiveness in training the nurses here. It can be frustrating and hard but her attitude was "Seek 1st His kingdom" and trust.
Peace - Diane
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Water Truck Day
Today we traveled into Cite Soleil to deliver life giving water to people who do not have access to clean drinking water. Our team met our water truck and got out ready to serve. The lines for water were long, we were at both stops for about 45 minutes each. There was lots of work to be done... holding the water hose and filling up water containers, carrying buckets down the street to ease some of the burden of the women and children carrying them, and holding or playing with the children. We stopped at two neighborhoods today, it was hot but we were so happy to be put to work.
It isn't often that I have the opportunity to blog any longer as we (as leaders) encourage team members to write about the day. But, tonight I had the chance.
We have such an amazing group of people here in Haiti with us. I am simply humbled to be here with this group. It is so wonderful to see Haiti through the eyes of a new goer. It brings me back to my first trip and I can still feel the very raw emotions I had. The experiences of each day are etched in my memory to never ever be forgotten. I love Haiti and I love being with people who are seeing it for the first time.
We have a wonderful group of "veteran" goers. Please who have been part of Healing Haiti for many many years. People who have given their time and hearts to fearlessly lead the way to help this organization become what it is today.
Our team is full of return goers, people who come back year after year to continue being the hands and feet of Christ. It is such an honor to be here and to serve alongside this amazing group of people.
Please pray for Haiti. Please pray for the Haitian people. Please pray for the Haitian government. Please pray for Healing Haiti. Pray.....
Peace - Marni
It isn't often that I have the opportunity to blog any longer as we (as leaders) encourage team members to write about the day. But, tonight I had the chance.
We have such an amazing group of people here in Haiti with us. I am simply humbled to be here with this group. It is so wonderful to see Haiti through the eyes of a new goer. It brings me back to my first trip and I can still feel the very raw emotions I had. The experiences of each day are etched in my memory to never ever be forgotten. I love Haiti and I love being with people who are seeing it for the first time.
We have a wonderful group of "veteran" goers. Please who have been part of Healing Haiti for many many years. People who have given their time and hearts to fearlessly lead the way to help this organization become what it is today.
Our team is full of return goers, people who come back year after year to continue being the hands and feet of Christ. It is such an honor to be here and to serve alongside this amazing group of people.
Please pray for Haiti. Please pray for the Haitian people. Please pray for the Haitian government. Please pray for Healing Haiti. Pray.....
Peace - Marni
Monday, December 9, 2019
Our Trip is Upon Us
All of us come from different backgrounds and all of us have different reasons for wanting to travel to Haiti. We all have taken time off of our busy schedules and spent considerable effort and thought in preparing for our upcoming mission trip. Some of us will have doubts. Some are excited and some are probably not quite sure what this will be like. For some, this will be their first time volunteering and they're probably wondering what they could possibly have to offer to the people of Haiti. Bill Hybels answers this best in " The Volunteer Revolution".
"What do I have to offer? More than you probably think. You have the gifts and talents you were born with. The passions that inspire you. The blessings of education. The skills you've honed as you worked at home and in the marketplace. The life experiences that have matured you. The pain that has deepened you. The love that spills from God's heart into your's.
Once you decide to invest even a small portion of the blessings God has given to you into the lives of others, you'll find the seed of something powerful sown in your soul. And someday, in the midst of giving yourself in the spirit and act of volunteering, that seed will blossom into the amazing realization that this is what you were made for".
So as we move forward, with Haiti being much calmer than it has been in previous weeks, we are hopeful we will all have a chance to make a difference in the lives of the Haitians that we'll encounter. As of tonight, our itinerary will include all areas of Healing Haiti's ministry.
Dave McCarthy
"What do I have to offer? More than you probably think. You have the gifts and talents you were born with. The passions that inspire you. The blessings of education. The skills you've honed as you worked at home and in the marketplace. The life experiences that have matured you. The pain that has deepened you. The love that spills from God's heart into your's.
Once you decide to invest even a small portion of the blessings God has given to you into the lives of others, you'll find the seed of something powerful sown in your soul. And someday, in the midst of giving yourself in the spirit and act of volunteering, that seed will blossom into the amazing realization that this is what you were made for".
So as we move forward, with Haiti being much calmer than it has been in previous weeks, we are hopeful we will all have a chance to make a difference in the lives of the Haitians that we'll encounter. As of tonight, our itinerary will include all areas of Healing Haiti's ministry.
Dave McCarthy
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Wayne & Smith Saturday: Water Truck #2
Another amazing day in Haiti. We were fortunate to have a second water truck day in Cite Soleil, and the need was great. Although our team was tired from a full week of serving, everyone gave everything they could to serve the Haitians. As we reflect on everything God has taught us this week, I feel very fortunate to be part of this team. We arrived as strangers last Monday, and will be leaving as family.
"When I Say Water, You Say Truck! Water...Truck!"
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