Day 4 - Carrefour - Museum - La Loo

We began the day by attending a 6 am worship service at Church on the Rock.  After another amazing breakfast (of mango, bananas, pancakes, oatmeal, scrambled eggs and fresh-squeezed juice) we had our team morning devotions. Then we traveled about an hour to  Home for Sick and Dying Adults to minister via massage and prayer for the people. The home was amazingly clean and orderly and all the people appeared to be so well cared for and clean. They were each very thankful for the love and attention. 

We ate a snack on the tap tap (bus) and then off to visit the MUPANAH Museum of the history of Haiti. We had a great museum guide who gave the most passionate and educational tour.  We learned so much about Haiti!

After this we took a most harrowing ride through rush-hour traffic but always felt in good hands with our driver/interpreter, Valerie. We visited an orphanage and again the children were all so clean and sweet.  We brought some activities to do with them and we all worked up a good sweat. The weather was hotter today 86 degrees. It has been a super mild week and has not been up into the 90's as would be usual for Haiti.  Bonswa! (Good evening)

Kim N

Day 3 Word Of Life Grace Village Elder Care

Today was a blessed day as we first drove up to Titanyen to visit Grace Village, the Healing Haiti ministry. The word 'Titanyen' means "less than nothing" to the Haitians. Can you imagine living in a place that means 'less than nothing'? But Grace Village is a place of grace, hope and love. Grace Village encompasses a church, education center K-13, library, media center, feeding center, vegetable gardens, dental & medical clinic, family style homes for 'orphans' and new to open in several days is "Fleri Boulanje" (Flourish Bakery). We will actually get to attend their grand opening on Saturday. The mission of Healing Haiti is "the world is a better place when families are strengthened." They have discovered that many children thought to be orphans actually have parents but they are not able to care for them. Therefore, they leave them at a hospital or orphanage out of desperation so their child will have food to eat. So, much of the work of Healing Haiti centers around job creation. The bakery will eventually employ 150 people. A top-notch baker and chef from the U.S. are here for a week training the new employees in baking and food preparation. 

Later, we went to visit 4 of the 'elder orphans' in the nearby neighborhood of Titanyen. We were able to wash their feet and lotion them as well as lotioning their hands and giving them a back rub, clipping nails and finger nail painting them. We took them water and juice and they also received a hot meal for lunch. We prayed for their prayer requests and sang several worship songs with them.

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake devastated the country. So, on the return trip we stopped at the mass grave of the several hundred thousand who died. Today is the 7th anniversary of that disaster.  A memorial center has been erected to commemorate the event and it was a busy place today with people paying their respects.  After this somber time we loaded up on the tap tap (bus) and continued on back into Port-au-Prince to encounter a scrumptious dinner of Haitian food: Haitian rice, fried chicken legs, broccoli, zucchini, potatoes n carrots in a gravy, a beet & carrot salad and plantains. It was amazing! Bonswa (Good Night)

Day 2 Word of Life Water Truck

Day 2 of field service--HEALING HAITI.  
     Our dedicated leaders told us of the itinerary the evening before to prepare us for field ministry the next day - distributing clean water to Cite Soliel, the poorest slum area of Haiti. We were told that we would help to distribute approximately 10,000 gallons of water to this area's poor. Truly, when we arrived it was most evident that the area was one of the poorest, most crowded areas that the team had had a chance in which to minister. 
     During my morning devotion time, I was reminded of the story of the woman at the well. As I read thru the story, the scripture  where Jesus said to the woman--"Everyone who drinks of this water will be  thirsty again.  But whoever drinks of  the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13- 14) became my thought focus as we began distributing the clean water to the multitudes--old and young many with 5 gallon buckets and other large containers to be filled with clean water, and then carried back to their shacks.  
     Many young children would vie for the attention of the team and as the children would seek for attention, I was prompted to begin praying for each child that came my way--"Father, may each of these little ones be filled with the living word of Christ, and be redeemed from this world of poverty."
     And again I was reminded that as children came to Jesus - none were to be turned away.  So today in some mysterious way, there were children of the poorest slum of Haiti who were presented to Jesus, they were blessed with physical water and spiritual blessing was placed upon their lives.
    It was a humbling honor to be used to pray over and to give love to these beautiful children of Cite Soliel.
Marcia B

Day 1 Word Of Life Church

What a blessed day in Haiti!  The weather is beautiful and most people have smiles on their beautiful faces. We started with an AMAZING breakfast of, get this: oatmeal prepared like you can't imagine, scrambled eggs with the works in them, pancakes n syrup, sliced bananas, and fresh squeezed juice! We visited the Home for Sick and Dying Babies this morning. We held and prayed silently for them and interacted with them on the neat little playground just outside in the garden. There were several other groups visiting today making a total of probably 30-40 volunteers. The babies seemed to be very well cared for and were so sweet. Their ages were hard to know because most are so small. They might be a year old and only the size of a 2-3 month old in the States. Then we came back to the Healing Haiti guesthouse and shortly afterwards our fearless leaders, Charlie and Dan arrived from Miami. They had flight arrangement trouble yesterday and didn't get to travel in with us. 

After a snack for lunch we were off to visit the Papillion Enterprise, an orphan prevention project. It was founded by an American woman who was going to adopt a little girl in Haiti and found that the girl actually had a family who wanted her but couldn't care for her. So, she began to figure out how to create jobs for people using items that could be obtained for little or free. They now employ over 180 people. One example is they make beads out of paper (or cereal boxes) then varnish and glaze them. They also have kilns and make pottery. In addition, they grind up broken glass and make glass beads. The tour was so amazing! We were able to see each department in action. We got the opportunity to shop which supports their work and the Haitian economy. Sweet!  Win win! At the end we had a smoothie in the restaurant above the store.

Then it was off to the an orphanage for special needs children. Some had more physical disabilities but spoke some English due to so many missionaries visiting. Others had mental and physical disabilities and were lying about on little mattresses on the floor where they could be out with others. Grace, who is a long term missionary, played the guitar and we sang some songs in English and Creole and held and played with them. They were sure soaking up the love and giving it right back! Some really knew the words to the English songs too! 

We came back to a great dinner of a chicken, noodle, vegetable mixture over rice. We had a little debriefing with the group and then it feels like 9 or 10 even though it is just 7:15 p.m.  The sun rises early and sets early here and it's been a busy day. So, for today I bid you Adieu! 

Kim N

December 2, 2016 - Heather and Lisa

"Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the right of widows." - Isaiah 1:17

I am writing this blog outside on the patio on a very hot Haitian night. Loud music is wailing from a nearby neighbor. At home this would probably annoy me but once again Haiti has wrapped itself around my heart and made it a more softer and loving place and I find only peace in my spirit.
As this wonderful week of serving is coming to a close I can honestly say that I love it here. Haiti has definitely added to my places that feel like home to me.

Today marked our last day of serving before moving on to more relaxing activities. We once again started our day with a wonderful breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and oatmeal that was prepared by the wonderful Healing Haiti cooks. These women can do wonders with oatmeal and I for one am happy to have had the pleasure of eating it every morning this week.

Our first stop was the University Hospital kids ward. I visited this hospital last year and it was very crowded with long lines and few nurses and doctors. This year I was happy to see that there were way more nurses and doctors than patients. There were many empty beds which wasn't the case last year. Today we walked through and said greetings to the sick kids and their parents that were sitting with their kids. I know we all wished there was more we could do to help but the staff definitely had things under control. We all circled up and said a group prayer for healing for all the sick kids.

After the hospital we made our way over to an orphanage called "La Loo".

My favorite thing about this orphanage is seeing the kids looking through the gate with great excitement as they see the tap tap driving down the long driveway that leads to their front gate. They know people are coming to play with them and they couldn't be more excited. We made sure we came well prepared with a craft to do with the kids. We showed them how to make a beaded keychain. The most fascinating thing about doing the activity was how much the kids loved the Ziploc bags that their supplies came in. The girl I was holding treated her bag like it was a purse and was quick to put her keychain back into the bag when she was done. She treated her bag like it was her new purse. This is the one thing I have noticed at all the orphanages. Any time you give these kids the simplest thing they treasure it because they don't have many possessions. After the kids finished their craft we sang songs and taught them how to play rock, paper, scissors. The girl I was holding knew the words to "Glory to God" in English and it made my heart happy knowing that those lyrics may be the only English words she may ever know but what powerful words they are.

After the orphanage, we made our way back over to the café at Papillion for pizza and drinks. I really love that this relaxing place exists in Haiti. They make delicious drinks and food here and provide a great open space with couches and tables for people to hang out and relax. It's very easy to forget you're in Haiti when you're there.

We did a little more shopping in the retail store and then shared in eating several different kinds of pizza. My favorite pizza was the barbeque chicken.There's something about the sweet and salty mixed together that really hits the spot.

We ended our day back at the guesthouse with group time where we had a great discussion on what surprised us about Haiti, what we learned about ourselves through the trip, and what we all felt God was teaching us in that moment. From the discussion, it was clear that all our lives have been changed and we will not be returning home as the same people. This was my second Healing Haiti trip and every day encouraged me and gave me hope for Haiti. So much has improved in just one year and I can't wait to see what God does in 2017. I will be returning next November and I already can't wait to come back.


^"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." - 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Today's blog was written by Amy Loveridge.

December 1st 2016- Heather and Lisa

Today was another busy, fun and emotional day serving our Lord! We started our morning with a hour drive from Delamas, where the guest house is located, into Titanyen, Haiti. Titanyen is a village high in the mountains, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The drive was an adventure all on its own! Traffic rules in the congested village aren't quite what we experience in the US! The bravest goes first around here!

We first toured Grace Village, built entirely by Healing Haiti, in a place that was once nothing but a mountain top. The beauty of the sweeping mountain and sea views ALMOST match the happiness and hope you feel when you encounter anyone that works or lives there! Grace Village has a school that educates over 400 children from around the area, they also operate an orphanage with unique homes that offer the children an environment to live with a mother and father in individual homes. We were excited to learn that they work to place children living in orphanages all over Haiti in homes with blood relatives. They recently have reunited over 30 children with relatives that could provide homes for them. They also run a medical clinic that is a one stop shop for doctor visits, bloodwork, x-ray, and pharmacy! A primary mission for the village is to create jobs, and at this time they are fully operated by Haitians! There is also a new bakery on site, and a café is coming soon! Our team toured the bakery, and bought some cookies before we left!

We then traveled to visit 4 elders supported by Healing Haiti living in the remote villages near Titanyen. Felicie, Lindor, Ophane, and Viergelie were expecting our visits today! Each visit was different, their personalities are infectious! Members of our team washed their feet, trimmed their nails, and gave them massages with lotion while they sat in the shade. We asked lots of questions to learn about them, and our Haitian translator helped us! Mary, a member of our team works with Elders in Minnesota. They wanted to be a part of her mission and she shared the information about each elder we would visit today. Each chose an elder in Haiti to pray for daily. Mary brought photos so that they had a keepsake of who was praying for them back in Minnesota! They were very touched and thankful! We asked them for their prayer requests- Felicie asked that some of her children find salvation, Lindor asked for eternal life, Ophane asked for his life and health and to stay firm in his faith, and Viergelie wanted prayers that she find a home to live in. Mike played the guitar and we sang with them! Before leaving we prayed over them, and thanked them for allowing us to visit. We were touched by their hope, given the adversity and circumstances in which they live. Each elder has a strong faith, and understands God love. The photo below is the team with Lindor, he was full of spirit, love, and happiness! He kissed the photo of Cheryl that is praying for him in MN, and was brought to tears to learn of her prayers! He asked us to hang her photo above his bed so that he could see her and pray for her too!

Our last stop of the day was the Mass Grave and Memorial for those that lost their lives in the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti in January, 2010.  It was a moving and heartbreaking moment for us to experience. Jonas, our guide shared his own experience living through that earthquake.

John 1 vs 13: 13-17~

¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Today's blog was written by Susan Parsons

November 30, 2016 - Heather/Lisa

Our second serving day in Haiti was emotionally draining, which is why this blog post is being written a little late:  We were wiped out last night.  But now the roosters are crowing, the coffee is brewing, the sun is up and we begin again. 

We arrived at the Home for Sick and Dying Children yesterday and were greeted warmly by the nuns and staff.  Our role was evident:  To do whatever we could to help them serve the needs of the dozens of little ones left in their care who are too sick to be cared for by their parents.  Kids who could walk immediately latched onto legs and arms, and begged to be taken outside to a sweet little playground, but then mostly just wanted to be held, to be loved.  I spent the entire three hours of our visit in the baby room, going from one precious child to the next -- holding them, rocking them, singing to them; wiping noses and changing their cloth diapers and giving even the smallest of them little sips of milk from plastic cups.  Putting one child down to pick up another was heartbreaking as their contentment turned to sobs.  And I couldn't help but think of the parents who love their babies as much as I love mine, and the heartbreak they must go through each time a visit ends, some of them knowing that each visit could be their last.  After feeding the kids their lunch of rice and a vegetable gravy, we left, all of us with our hearts still there. 

We went to the Apparent Project, a organization that helps parents learn how to provide a stable income for their families. This is one of the most uplifting and innovate initiatives we've seen in Haiti So they created that provides jobs for 160 Haitian parents and on-site daycare for their children. We toured the production shop of the parent company "Papillion," and got to see how everything is made, from clay beads for jewelry, beautiful hand made coffee mugs and bowls, to screen printed t shirts...they even use recycled cereal boxes to make the most beautiful colorful beads! We then were able to shop in their store, and bought handmade gifts produced by those employees and treats from their rooftop coffee shop.

And we ended our day at Gertrude's -- a home for special needs children.  I didn't want to go.  Three years ago, my visit there broke me.  The needs of the children, many of whom had been abandoned, were overwhelming as they were understaffed and under-resourced.  But things have gotten so much better.  The children were clean and joy-filled and clearly well cared for.  Two team members and Sam (the long-term missionary at Healing Haiti) played the guitar, and we sang worship songs with the children.  We were surprised at how many of the songs the kids knew, with "Glwa pou Bondye" (Glory to God) and "Jezi Remmen Ou" (Jesus Loves Me) tied for first place.

It was a good day.  My devotional this morning reminded me of why that is so:  'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not defeated it" (John 1:5).

Mary Midthun