Ose-Gerst (Alpha Team) Day 3

Today was an amazing day!  Our team started at Home for the Sick & Dying Children.  There were families waiting to get their children into the facility from the time we came until we left.  It was heart-breaking to see these sweet kids crying from their cribs for someone to pick them up, and as lunch started coming around, they all wanted to be heard & fed at the same time.  We got to snuggle and play and sing and pray silently over these precious ones.  I was able to hold it together while there, but was overcome with emotions as I left.  I'll never forget those sweet faces and the opportunity to love on those precious ones. 

From there we rode the tap tap to MUPANAH, the National History Museum of Haiti.  This was an interesting stop, seeing some artifacts such as the anchor of the Santa Maria ship and the Haitian flag & moon rocks that were sent from our President Nixon after landing on the moon.  We also got a tour/mini history lesson of the nation.  Possibly most importantly, it was also our first time in an air-conditioned building since our arrival.

Our last stop of the day was at an orphanage where we got to play with more sweet kids - coloring, face painting (on us with white skin), jump roping - my first time in about 20 years, piggy back rides, and of course a little soccer.

I got a ride in the front cab of the tap tap on the way back to our guest house, which gave me a "better" view of the city, and got me closer to the action of the no-traffic-laws-traffic.  Yikes..  I think what I gathered is that bigger & faster have the right of way.

I am loving Haiti, the people, and my experience here!  And I love that Healing Haiti has a constant presence, serving here.  My time here is just a small blip, but Healing Haiti is making a continual difference here.  The need is overwhelming, but just like Jesus multiplied the fish & bread, I see how he is multiplying efforts here as well.

Feeling thankful in Haiti!  Bon Soir!

Rachel Folden
Team 1

Dan Leslie - Team Texas - June 13, 2016 (Day 8)

Day 8 - Back Home with Haiti in Our Hearts & Memories in our Minds

Word(s) of the Day: Jesus is Everywhere!

There is obviously a stark contrast in my day today, in the United States, in comparison with yesterday, in Haiti. Today I am sitting in an (air-conditioned) classroom learning about the latest features of Windows 10 and how augmented reality could play a part in our digital classrooms. Just a few days ago I went to a brand new school in Haiti that included 2 things in each classroom - a chalkboard and desks. God is in both places and learning will happen in both places. Our trip home went very well in regards to travel, luggage and conversations about our work. Never doubt the power of a group of people in matching t-shirts! People pay attention and if they are bold, they will even ask questions. I felt Jesus' presence in Haiti in a way that I struggle to feel back home. I know that Jesus is everywhere but there were A LOT more signs when we were on the way home, even at In and Out Burger?!?!?. Below is a few pictures...

 

Don't forget you don't have to go somewhere to see Jesus, He is everywhere. Mark, one of the guest house long-term missionaries reminded us that during Jesus' ministry He served so many others but he also allowed himself to be served. He didn't worry about having food and shelter, he relied on others for that. We are called to serve others but we also need to allow ourselves to be served. We have to be filled so we can fill others. We have time, treasure and talents that we need to share them with others but we also need to let others help us in the areas we struggle. Its okay to know we need others but don't forget we need Jesus too. I am so appreciative of our trip to Haiti and I am so appreciative that Jesus finds me worthy of being His hands and feet. Merci Jezi!

Ose-Gerst (Alpha Team) Day 2

Bonswa! We're finishing up a very sweaty first full day of serving in Haiti!

Today was our water truck day, so we followed the water trucks to three areas of Cite Soleil, an impoverished area near Port-au-Prince. As we drove in, kids followed the tap-tap (our bus) and people lined up their buckets to be filled with clean water. At each stop we were welcomed with huge smiles and happy greetings of, "Hey You!"

The poverty in Cite Soleil is like nothing we had ever seen before. As some team members filled up water buckets, tubs, tins, barrels, cups, and anything else that could possibly hold water, others helped to carry them to homes. The rest of the team members held and played with an endless amount of Haitian kiddos. At one point, I think I counted 8 kids climbing on Ben Ose at once! Our hearts broke seeing the reality of such harsh poverty: kids without clothing, sick kids, tin shanties, garbage lining the streets, and kiddos at home who were of age to be attending school.

Even in the midst of such a chaotic situation, as soon as we picked up a child, each one filled our hearts with a joy that only an infectious smile can bring. One child, Jonas, even followed us from one truck stop to the next to play some more!

At our group meeting this evening, we talked about the most important similarity we share with these Haitian people: we are all loved by our great God. Although our demographics and circumstances are drastically different, the most important aspect of our lives is the same.

We are loving what God is doing in our hearts and we hope we're able to make a small difference here in Haiti this week. We are all tired and will sleep well tonight!

Live & sweaty from Haiti,
Sammi & Nicole
Team Alpha

Ose-Gerst (Alpha team) Day 1

WARM WELCOME:
If you are at home as an anxious sender/supporter, know this;  we made it to the Healing Haiti guesthouse safely this afternoon.
[The blog site is having trouble on this computer;  so if I lose it again, be assured that we are well.]

Writing this amazing post for the 3rd time;  I hope it only gets better (if not, the first draft was amazing!).

Anyway, we all generally agreed that today went smoothly overall.  The bags all made it to Port-au-Prince and the people too!  A couple towers of luggage carts toppled while exiting the airport but no damaged goods (that I know of). 

The vibe from first time Haiti travelers seemed to be one of anticipation and potential.  Others of us on return trips were again struck by the wide Haitian smiles, open arms to hug sweaty foreign friends, and generous hospitality. 

Since we arrived before dinner (it felt like 9 pm since we awoke shortly after 2 this morning), many of us enjoyed watching the neighborhood boys play soccer next door.  By "door", I mean the crumbled concrete threshold that separates the street from the boys' home field.  This well worn patch of dusty gravel nestled in a bowl of sticks, cans, stones, and brambles is filled with great competition.  It's impressive; the foot work, the calluses, the comraderie.  Competitive arguments flare but the power of play wins out and the game plays on.

The heat of Haiti is eclipsed only the by the warmth of the relationships here.  Open arms, wide grins, and happy hosts greeted us to start our week.

Warm Welcome, thanks Haiti!
"N'ap boule" (We're burning!)

John Berge

Dan Leslie - Team Texas - June 12, 2016 (Day 7)

Day 7 - Port Au Prince Fellowship Church & Visiting the Mountain

Word of the Day: Contrast

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is He who made us, and we are His..." (Psalm 100:1-3a)

There is something very beautiful about waking up on a Sunday morning and hearing worship songs coming from nearby. They are not concerned about offending anyone or singing too loud; their concern is praising the God who loves them. In a country where an estimated 80% is Roman Catholic, few people have not heard of "Jezi" but sometimes Christianity is mixed with voodoo and other practices. Praise and worship is done in community but seems to be one of the few aspects of Haitian culture that is done somewhat independently. The young learn from the old and walk the isles and pray, yell and sing out loud in the Haitian churches. It is incredible to see people who appear to have so little be so grateful. People who wear pressed and clean clothes that live in dirt houses with no electricity and running water. This might be the norm here but it is still not normal.

Today will definitely be a day of contrast, we are going to an English church in a little while then will visit the mountains. Typically those who are better off move into the mountains because it is cooler up there is comparison to the rest of the island. There will be more restaurants and actual buildings to shop in. There is a sense of guilt for me in enjoying this beautiful side of Haiti after seeing the extreme poverty "down below". Its hard to believe that the other side of this very same island is the Dominican Republic, a popular place for vacations and destination weddings. Again more contrast, one side was settled by the French (Haiti) and the other side by the Spaniards (Dominican Republic).

We did a bit of shopping while on the mountain. Haiti has some amazing artisans who create beautiful things.

Its hard to justify why some have so much and some have so little. On the other hand its hard to understand why Haitian people with less appreciate more and Americans with more are thankful for less. God has a plan. I feel like I am but a small part of it.

Tomorrow morning we head to Haiti!  We've prepared, we've packed, we've prayed and now we are ready to go and see what God has in store for us!!  At a lovely post church prayer service this morning, someone prayed that God would be preparing all of our interactions and that we would serve just the people that He desires us to serve.   Isn't that amazing that the God of the universe would care about all of the details of our trip and be orchestrating just what Haitian's our team would bless and just what Haitian's would bless our team.  We are so excited to carry out the plans that He has laid out for us!!  Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed for us, donated items, and supported us financially!  We are truly grateful!

I have the pleasure (I think) of taking three of my children to Haiti with our team this year.  The big questions is.....is Haiti ready for them???

~marijo

Dan Leslie - Team Texas - June 11, 2016 (Day 6)

Day 6 - Water Truck to District 17, 19 & 21 in Cite Soleil

Word of the Day: Pou Tem Mwen

"You know Him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17b)

Most teams do 2 water stops in Cite Soleil but Team Texas is a bunch of overachievers so we wanted to make 3 stops. There is a need and water truck holds a special place in our hearts because of the good it does and the children we get to love on. I feel like a celebrity when our tap-tap pulls into Cite Soleil along with the water truck. No only is it bringing thousands of gallons of water to people but we are hugging and picking up as many children as our arms can carry, in between carrying buckets of water to people's homes . When we get off the tap-tap, the children start chanting "hey you, hey you" because its the only English phrase they all know and sadly its because of when the UN came in and addressed the Haitian people that way 'hey you' go over there, 'hey you' move out of the way, etc. Either way, we answer to "hey you" and we all know the phrase "pou tem mwen" meaning pick me up. Its hard to say no to a little child who wants nothing more than to love and hug on you but sometimes we run out of arms, strength and endurance. You feel guilty but there's always next time...

As you can tell by the shortened length of the blog posts, being in Haiti has been exhausting for me but even with dehydration, sore muscles and sunburns, my heart is overwhelmingly full of love for the Haitian people and culture because I have been loved by them. We think that Americans have so much more than Haitians but in truth I feel a little jealously for their sense of community, pride and their focused worship and continued appreciation of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes love is a little dirty, but we wouldn't have it any other way. I'm sure loving us has been a little messy for Jesus but he chooses to do it anyways.

We are so lucky. God is so good!