Greetings All -
Yesterday was our final full day in Haiti, capping off a remarkable week in which we saw God move in and through the team in mighty ways. We began the day with a tap-tap ride up to Grace Village, where we enjoyed a time of Haitian worship. Following the hour-long time of worship, our team departed to head further north to Wahoo Beach. This is where we spent much of the day. It was a beautiful and sunny day. The team swam, ate food, and hung out by the Caribbean. A group of the guys went out on a guided snorkeling excursion which proved to be quite the adventure...
After a long tap-tap ride, we arrived back at the guest house. We enjoyed our final dinner at the guest house and then after a little free time, we gathered as a team to do our word of the day as well as a time of speaking life into each other.
Today (Monday) is the day we travel home. After we finish packing and eat breakfast we will depart for the Port-au-Prince Airport at 11:15am. Our tentative arrival to MSP is 11pm. See you soon!
- LG
Monday, August 1, 2016
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Rockpoint Students: LaLoo's + Observatoire up the Mountain (Day 6)
Good morning from Haiti,
Today we have another long day ahead of us. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to an orphanage, LaLoo. When we first got there they were eating peanut butter sandwiches and having some juice. While they were eating we were able to sing to them. After we played with them. They loved how we were engaged with tons of games, and making them laugh with the littlest things. Our group guide, Jonas, had us group together and sang, show us your "jainga" (moves). All of the little kids started to enter the middle and they danced their hearts out. Then we went inside to teach them "This little light of mine." We made hand motions to the song lyrics. It was good because there were a few kids that weren't able to hear.
After that we left and started to drive up to the mountain. Driving up to the mountain was a beautiful site because you could look out and see much of Haiti as well as the ocean. As we went up the mountain, it was interesting to notice the contrast between the higher elevations and things down at sea level. The higher we got, the more well off people seemed compared to the poverty in places like Cite Soleil. The contrast in the agriculture was also interesting as the vegetation grew thicker and more beautiful the higher we went. When I was looking out of the view it felt that there was hope because of the obvious way God was providing for people and how they presented themselves. It was clear that God was looking out for everyone and he has a plan.
We were able to go bartering with the Haitians. There was many paintings and little things that they made. After we came back to guest house we got dinner and swam at the pool. We had our group time and one of the Haitian guys taught us how to salsa and square dance. It was a blast. Yesterday impacted me because of how much God showed in my eyes that he doesn't want his people to hurt, but to give them hope that there is a plan.
Now we are off to Grace Village for church!
Emmalee
Today we have another long day ahead of us. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to an orphanage, LaLoo. When we first got there they were eating peanut butter sandwiches and having some juice. While they were eating we were able to sing to them. After we played with them. They loved how we were engaged with tons of games, and making them laugh with the littlest things. Our group guide, Jonas, had us group together and sang, show us your "jainga" (moves). All of the little kids started to enter the middle and they danced their hearts out. Then we went inside to teach them "This little light of mine." We made hand motions to the song lyrics. It was good because there were a few kids that weren't able to hear.
After that we left and started to drive up to the mountain. Driving up to the mountain was a beautiful site because you could look out and see much of Haiti as well as the ocean. As we went up the mountain, it was interesting to notice the contrast between the higher elevations and things down at sea level. The higher we got, the more well off people seemed compared to the poverty in places like Cite Soleil. The contrast in the agriculture was also interesting as the vegetation grew thicker and more beautiful the higher we went. When I was looking out of the view it felt that there was hope because of the obvious way God was providing for people and how they presented themselves. It was clear that God was looking out for everyone and he has a plan.
We were able to go bartering with the Haitians. There was many paintings and little things that they made. After we came back to guest house we got dinner and swam at the pool. We had our group time and one of the Haitian guys taught us how to salsa and square dance. It was a blast. Yesterday impacted me because of how much God showed in my eyes that he doesn't want his people to hurt, but to give them hope that there is a plan.
Now we are off to Grace Village for church!
Emmalee
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Rockpoint Students: Water Trucks + Soccer with the Boys (Day 5)
Good morning friends and family,
We are writing this morning about what we did yesterday (7/29/16) since we ran out of time yesterday.
We started out the day yesterday with about 9 of our team going to a Haitian church. This was an amazing time to experience what a Haitian church is like. It is very different than many churches in America. The Haitians will walk up and down the aisles with their hands raised while some would wave their hands back and forth. Surprisingly, many of the songs were in English.
After church we joined the rest of the team for breakfast and then headed out to our second water truck day of the week. Our first stop was by far the dirtiest spot yet. Many of the children were covered in dirt and throughout the process, our team also became dirty. Our second water stop was one we had already visited. I (Cassie) held a little girl named Khaline the entire time, and when I would carry buckets she would hold onto my hand or shirt the entire time. Leaving is always hard, and all you can do is repeat the phrase "Jezi remen ou."
After returning from the water truck we headed out to play soccer with the neighborhood boys. We played in a dirt area next to the guesthouse, but eventually made our way to the nearby soccer fields. It was an adventure to fit 34 people in the tap tap... but an incredible memory. One of the guys, Dickinson, spoke English well and joked around with us all day. The Haitians played in circles around us, and they said that they played soccer while the white people filled in. The field had a lot of dirt patches, therefore, showers were necessary.
For dinner we headed off to Papillon Enterprises for pizza. We had a fun time bonding as a team playing bags, pool, and talking in the tiki hut. On the way home we encountered a Haitian traffic jam. It was fun to drive home in the tap tap in the dark.
Once we made it home we immediately went on the deck at the second guesthouse. We engaged in a powerful time of worship with Grace, a long term missionary here. During this time we could also participate in feet washing, a way to honor, apologize, or encourage our team members. It was a chance to draw closer to God and to our peers and was incredibly emotional. This time lasted for like an hour and a half, and we left the area in silence to reflect on what took place. It was pretty late when we got back, and we quickly went to bed.
We continue to ask for your prayers while we serve the people of Haiti.
Love, Cassie, Luke, and Peter as editor
We are writing this morning about what we did yesterday (7/29/16) since we ran out of time yesterday.
We started out the day yesterday with about 9 of our team going to a Haitian church. This was an amazing time to experience what a Haitian church is like. It is very different than many churches in America. The Haitians will walk up and down the aisles with their hands raised while some would wave their hands back and forth. Surprisingly, many of the songs were in English.
After church we joined the rest of the team for breakfast and then headed out to our second water truck day of the week. Our first stop was by far the dirtiest spot yet. Many of the children were covered in dirt and throughout the process, our team also became dirty. Our second water stop was one we had already visited. I (Cassie) held a little girl named Khaline the entire time, and when I would carry buckets she would hold onto my hand or shirt the entire time. Leaving is always hard, and all you can do is repeat the phrase "Jezi remen ou."
After returning from the water truck we headed out to play soccer with the neighborhood boys. We played in a dirt area next to the guesthouse, but eventually made our way to the nearby soccer fields. It was an adventure to fit 34 people in the tap tap... but an incredible memory. One of the guys, Dickinson, spoke English well and joked around with us all day. The Haitians played in circles around us, and they said that they played soccer while the white people filled in. The field had a lot of dirt patches, therefore, showers were necessary.
For dinner we headed off to Papillon Enterprises for pizza. We had a fun time bonding as a team playing bags, pool, and talking in the tiki hut. On the way home we encountered a Haitian traffic jam. It was fun to drive home in the tap tap in the dark.
Once we made it home we immediately went on the deck at the second guesthouse. We engaged in a powerful time of worship with Grace, a long term missionary here. During this time we could also participate in feet washing, a way to honor, apologize, or encourage our team members. It was a chance to draw closer to God and to our peers and was incredibly emotional. This time lasted for like an hour and a half, and we left the area in silence to reflect on what took place. It was pretty late when we got back, and we quickly went to bed.
We continue to ask for your prayers while we serve the people of Haiti.
Love, Cassie, Luke, and Peter as editor
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Rockpoint Students: Grace Village + Elder Visits + Mass Grave (Day 4)
Sak pasé from Haiti!
Today was a nice contrast to yesterday; after having our hearts broken we were able to see how Healing Haiti is working to improve Haiti. We had another fantastic breakfast made by the Haitians! We ate delicious eggs, oatmeal, French Toast, mangoes, bananas and drank grapefruit juice! After topping off the tanks we were on the road for the 45 minute drive up the mountain to Grace Village. The first thing we did when we arrived was get a tour of the beautiful facility. We began the tour in the bakery and heard about how Grace Village is starting a commercial bakery that uses no electricity and provides jobs for Haitians. Next, we ventured into the kitchen where we learned about how Grace Village provides meals for hundreds of people on a daily basis for less than a dollar a day. Then, we visited the school and library which was very refreshing because it is partially underground. We also learned about Restavik which is child slavery and how parents can be tricked into sending their children into it due to the promises of school and a better life. Later, we got to see where Grace Village raises fish. We finished the tour at the Mamie and Papie homes where the kids live with "parents". These homes have worked wonders for the kids by giving them families. We heard an amazing story of a ten-year-old boy who had lived his entire life at The Home of Sick and Dying Babies and then came to Grace Village. He was understandably overwhelmed and nervous as he stood in the doorway of his new home. The four-year-old and six-year-old living in his new home ran up to him and said, "you don't have to be scared and nervous. You aren't an orphan anymore. This is your family." It was so beautiful to see how Grace Village is restoring families. We then got to play with the kids!!! Our group split up; some of us played soccer with the kids and others just played. We did get destroyed in soccer-the score was 13-6. The other people just gave kids piggy back rides and played on the play ground. It was so much fun to just hang out with kids being kids.
We then hopped back on the Tap Tap to go to our elder visits. We went to the first of three houses; some of us went into the house to wash the elderly woman and pray for her while others stayed outside the door and sang. There was a little girl who joined our group and her smile lit up the entire area. A similar situation follow at each of the next two houses. It was so beautiful to see the women praising God. We do not know when these women last got bathed, and it was so humbling to clean their feet and bodies.
Last but not least we visited the mass grave which was so powerful to see, what terrible tragedy the people of Haiti have to come back from. In addition, it was powerful to read the quotes and realize the resiliency of the Haitian people.
For dinner we got to experience Haitian food which was so nummy! We had potatoes, plantains, broccoli, chicken, meatballs, hot sauce (which can be very dangerous), stew, rice, and beats. It was so much fun to experience more of the Haitian way of life! To finish the day we went to the pool and had so much fun being a family!
Sweet dreams!
-Emily Heidick and Grant Dodds
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Rockpoint Students: Dare's + Home of Sick & Dying Babies + Apparent Project (Day 3)
Bonswa from Haiti!
Today was filled with laughter, memories, and exciting stories. Despite the fact that we are all sweating profusely, everyone can testify that today was an incredible day. We began the morning by splitting the team into two groups based on where we felt God was calling us to serve. Half of us went to Dari's, a home for disabled and rejected children, and the other half went to the home for sick and dying babies.
Dari's:
After praying over the day, we all piled into the tap tap. When we arrived at Dari's, we went through the gate to the small outdoor courtyard, where kids were ready to meet us. Many of them were not shy and came right up to us. A small boy grabbed onto the guitar case I was carrying. After we went through the courtyard, we walked inside the building and went into the room where most of the kids were hanging out. The room was about the size of large bedroom, and it had neat holes cut into the walls in place of windows. Soon after we got into the room, some Legos were brought out, and we started to play with the kids.
The kids really enjoyed playing with the Legos, however, not all played with them. Some kids were not able to play as they had to stay laying down because of there disabilities. I spent some time hanging out with these kids, rubbing their backs and hands to show them love through touch. This morning my devotion was from Matthew 25:35 and some of the following verses about treating the least of these as if you are treating Jesus. I felt that the two girls lying on the floor were the least of these. As I rubbed the hand of one of the girls and thought about what I was doing, I started tearing up.
A missionary with Healing Haiti, Grace, came with and played the guitar. We sang "10,000 Reasons" in English and Creole, two different languages praising the same awesome God. Some bubbles were also brought out. After bubbles, some of us took a quick water break in the tap tap. After our break, I brought out the guitar and began playing. Some of the people in the room had some percussion instruments and played along. It was fun to play music with the people there. Soon it was time to say goodbye. We got back into the tap tap and rode to pick up the rest of the team. We had a great time showing God's love to the least of these.
~Peter
Home of Sick and Dying Babies:
The Home of Sick and Dying Babies was, to say the least, heart breaking. When we arrived, mothers were crowding around the door, hoping to bring their malnourished and dying babies into the home. There were three large rooms with numbered cribs lined up for each child and a playground out back. There is only one day per week that we are allowed to visit the home, so a few other missionaries joined us at the home.
I instantly became attached to a small boy who was lying in his crib, weak and malnourished. As I cradled him, he melted into my arms because he was too weak to hold his own body up. I couldn't help but cry as he helplessly stared into my eyes for minutes on end. His body looked as if it were four months old, yet his tag read two to three years. Carrying a high fever, the little baby collapsed
helplessly into my arms. The least I could do for him was show him that he is loved and cared for.
Watching our team interact with the children was up-lifting. We cradled sleeping babies, threw a ball with some older boys, bounced babies on our laps to make them giggle, changed diapers, learned hand shakes, and showed them what it feels like to be loved. A simple smile was enough acknowledgement to make the children giggle with joy.
Our hearts were broken as we left the crying babies who were reaching their hands to us, longing to be held, yet we felt so full because God had used us to show his love to those who need it most. It's amazing how much love these children need, and we were able to give it to them.
~Karis
Lunch was spent in the guest house before we headed off to the Apparent Project. At the Apparent Project we were given a tour of the work place where they made items such as clay beads, paper beads, pottery, T-shirts, and dolls. What a beautiful night it has been overlooking the city on mountains while drinking smoothies. Sweaty and filled with joy, we couldn't cease laughing as we bounced around in the tap tap back to the guest house.
Continue to pray for our safety and that God would lead us outside of our comfort zones so that we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in Haiti.
Orevwa,
Peter and Karis
Today was filled with laughter, memories, and exciting stories. Despite the fact that we are all sweating profusely, everyone can testify that today was an incredible day. We began the morning by splitting the team into two groups based on where we felt God was calling us to serve. Half of us went to Dari's, a home for disabled and rejected children, and the other half went to the home for sick and dying babies.
After praying over the day, we all piled into the tap tap. When we arrived at Dari's, we went through the gate to the small outdoor courtyard, where kids were ready to meet us. Many of them were not shy and came right up to us. A small boy grabbed onto the guitar case I was carrying. After we went through the courtyard, we walked inside the building and went into the room where most of the kids were hanging out. The room was about the size of large bedroom, and it had neat holes cut into the walls in place of windows. Soon after we got into the room, some Legos were brought out, and we started to play with the kids.
The kids really enjoyed playing with the Legos, however, not all played with them. Some kids were not able to play as they had to stay laying down because of there disabilities. I spent some time hanging out with these kids, rubbing their backs and hands to show them love through touch. This morning my devotion was from Matthew 25:35 and some of the following verses about treating the least of these as if you are treating Jesus. I felt that the two girls lying on the floor were the least of these. As I rubbed the hand of one of the girls and thought about what I was doing, I started tearing up.
A missionary with Healing Haiti, Grace, came with and played the guitar. We sang "10,000 Reasons" in English and Creole, two different languages praising the same awesome God. Some bubbles were also brought out. After bubbles, some of us took a quick water break in the tap tap. After our break, I brought out the guitar and began playing. Some of the people in the room had some percussion instruments and played along. It was fun to play music with the people there. Soon it was time to say goodbye. We got back into the tap tap and rode to pick up the rest of the team. We had a great time showing God's love to the least of these.
~Peter
Home of Sick and Dying Babies:
The Home of Sick and Dying Babies was, to say the least, heart breaking. When we arrived, mothers were crowding around the door, hoping to bring their malnourished and dying babies into the home. There were three large rooms with numbered cribs lined up for each child and a playground out back. There is only one day per week that we are allowed to visit the home, so a few other missionaries joined us at the home.
I instantly became attached to a small boy who was lying in his crib, weak and malnourished. As I cradled him, he melted into my arms because he was too weak to hold his own body up. I couldn't help but cry as he helplessly stared into my eyes for minutes on end. His body looked as if it were four months old, yet his tag read two to three years. Carrying a high fever, the little baby collapsed
helplessly into my arms. The least I could do for him was show him that he is loved and cared for.
Watching our team interact with the children was up-lifting. We cradled sleeping babies, threw a ball with some older boys, bounced babies on our laps to make them giggle, changed diapers, learned hand shakes, and showed them what it feels like to be loved. A simple smile was enough acknowledgement to make the children giggle with joy.
Our hearts were broken as we left the crying babies who were reaching their hands to us, longing to be held, yet we felt so full because God had used us to show his love to those who need it most. It's amazing how much love these children need, and we were able to give it to them.
~Karis
Lunch was spent in the guest house before we headed off to the Apparent Project. At the Apparent Project we were given a tour of the work place where they made items such as clay beads, paper beads, pottery, T-shirts, and dolls. What a beautiful night it has been overlooking the city on mountains while drinking smoothies. Sweaty and filled with joy, we couldn't cease laughing as we bounced around in the tap tap back to the guest house.
Continue to pray for our safety and that God would lead us outside of our comfort zones so that we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in Haiti.
Orevwa,
Peter and Karis
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Rockpoint Students: Water Trucks (Day 2)
Bonjour from Haiti!
We started off the day with some individual devo time in hopes of prepping our minds for the day. For breakfast this morning we had pancakes, eggs, fruit, and amazing freshly squeezed juice. In fact, Ben had a passion for the passionfruit juice. While breakfast was great, the best was yet to come.
Today we got to experience the water truck. We spent a fair amount of time on the Tap tap today driving. It's been quite an adventure watching the Haitian traffic. Let's just say that there are not many rules. Our first stop was in District 17 of Cité Soleil. When people hear the truck's honking they hurry with their buckets to line up. The kids await anxiously at the back of the truck to be held and played with. While some of us filled buckets, others got to hold and love on the many kids. At the end of our first stop we were able to visit Hope Church. The beautiful building stands in stark contrast to the surroundings.
Although similar to our first stop, the second stop had more adults and teens present. It seemed that we were able to make more personal connections. In addition, some of the teens spoke English and French and we were able to hear their stories. In between stops, while the water truck was filling up, we were able to bond together as a team.
It seemed that the third stop was challenging for our team. In both carrying water and holding children, there was more tension. The distance of walking buckets of water back to homes was longer at this stop than the past two. In addition, it was a lot hotter. There were more people on their porches watching us, and at times it was intimidating. There was music playing and although tired, we were able to dance and play with the children. When we were finished with the water truck, we had the chance to walk out on the pier to see the ocean. Some children followed us, and we got to sing and dance with them in Creole.
We came back to the guesthouse and took turns showering. After supper, we walked to the pool at the nearby hotel, and got to relax. Then we had group huddle, got to pray for each other, and finished the night with team bonding and games.
We ask for your prayers for guidance for our leaders as we divide our team tomorrow. In addition, we would love prayers for courage and boldness as we serve the least of these.
Au Revoir,
Cassie and Luke P.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Rockpoint Students: We Have Arrived (Day 1)
Greetings from Haiti,
After meeting at the airport at 3AM, a couple of problem-free flights, a smooth process through Haitian customs, and our first ride on the tap-tap, we have arrived safe and sound to the Guest House. We are all situated in our rooms and full from a delicious dinner. Students are currently enjoying some free-time and in a little bit we will gather as a team to get ready for the week. We are feeling good and excited for what God has for us this week. Stay tuned for daily posts on this blog.
Bonswa!
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