Nativity Day 5: Grace Village & Elders

This morning, our team woke up at 5:30 AM to attend a local "tent" church service. Despite being extremely tired, the experience was amazing. Immediately, we were struck by the differences in worship. Throughout the large open church space, the majority of Haitians were pacing and dancing to the worship music. Our group sat in the corner watching ("as good Lutheran's do" - per Team Leader Heather), but gradually began to get more and more into it. The energy throughout the room showed on all of the Haitian's faces in addition to our own. We left early to start getting ready for the rest of our day.

We drove around forty minutes to Titanyen to visit the Mass Grave, created after the 2010 earthquake. Our translator answered questions and shared his overall experience of the tragedy. We were able to walk around the new memorial and had an amazing view of the ocean. The short stop gave us time to reflect and learn about the history of Haiti, allowing us to better understand the country we're serving.

Shortly after, we were FINALLY able to tour Grace Village and learn about the incredible programs they are providing for the community. Our group was impressed with the family-style living. Although the kids don't live with their biological parents, they are broken into four large families and treated by the caregivers as their own children. In addition, we were able to see Grace Village's school, medical clinic, kitchen and library. After our tour, we were given an opportunity to play with some of the kids. Just like every other day, some of us also got some cool new hair dos. :)

Afterwards, we headed out of Grace Village to visit four of Titanyen's elders.  Our team was equipped with food, water, lotion, soap to rub feet, and a lot of nail polish! Each Elder we visited started off timid, but as soon as someone approached them, they started to smile brightly. They were all extremely gracious welcoming us into their homes. It was probably one of the hottest experiences, yet we were really grateful for all the connections made.

After we were done visiting the elders, we headed back to Grace Village to eat at their very own pizza restaurant. We were happy to support the small business as they help the local economy through job creation. In addition, we got to tour the bakery and eat some cookies!!!! Due to the long ride back to the guest house, we arrived late, but still found time to enjoy each other's company ... except team member Makayla only danced once today for the team, which was sad. :)

With each day, we're appreciating all of the opportunities we've been given and relationships we've gained. We're so touched and there's no way blogs can justify the joy we've been able to receive. Thank you for keeping up with us!

- Jacqueline & Emily E.   

Nativity Day 4: Orphanage Visits

This morning, we left the guest house at 9 AM to visit two different orphanages. The first orphanage, called Sweet Home, was filled with bright colored buildings, a playground for the kids, and an open gazebo for us to play in. The children at Sweet Home ranged from ages 2-6 years old. When we arrived at the orphanage, we introduced an interactive sock puppet skit that told a Bible story. The sock puppets were created by the children with supplies we provided, and we had a translator help tell the story. We then colored with the children and played with a parachute. After spending two hours with the children at Sweet Home, we headed to our second destination of the day.

Parachute Fun at Sweet Home

Sock Puppets at LaPharre

We arrived at LaPharre orphanage around 12 Noon. The orphanage is run by a local pastor and the children there ranged from newborn to 18 years. At this location, we also decorated sock puppets, put on the skit, sang songs, and colored. One cool thing about LaPharre orphanage is that the children and teenagers make bracelets and sandals to raise funds for their education and the orphanage. We were lucky enough to see the bracelet creation process and we were able to support their small business. Although the experiences were fun and happy, it was also heartbreaking to take a step back and think about the reality of these children's lives. We were informed at Sweet Home that most, if not all, of the children's parents are present and visit at least once a month. It is very common in Haiti for parents to give up their child to an orphanage due to lack of resources, but to still stay a part of their children's lives. Today's experiences pulled on our heart strings and taught us a lot about the children in Haiti.

Sophie & Emily E

Nativity Day 3: Water Truck Day

Today in Cite Soleil, we delivered 10,500 gallons of water to three different stops. What that means is we brought a water truck with us and parked on a street in the city while the citizens lined up to get buckets full of water. When we got to the site, we would step off the tap-tap (bus) and were thrown into action until the water ran out.  Immediately, we were swarmed by the children begging for attention.  When the water started flowing, two of our team members would hold the hose over buckets and the Haitian women would direct others to lift up water buckets onto the heads of women and children and also carry water to homes; with a constant stream of children grabbing, talking and climbing on us.  Each stop and community had different characters and occurrences.  What really made it difficult was the emotional aspect of it all.  Nothing could have prepared us for what we experienced.  Although Cite Soleil is the poorest city in the western hemisphere, among the sewage, trash and malnourished children, we saw laughter, dancing, splashing in the water, beautiful smiles, and many thanks.  Cite Soleil is not just a statistic, it's a living, breathing, vibrant, loving community with beautiful children and families.  It will take us a long time to process what happened today, and we may never be able to put it all into words, but it will be an influential experience for a lifetime.

Julia & Elena

Carrying Water

At the Guest House

Nativity Day 2: Tuesday

I apologize for our inability to post recently! Our internet has been sketchy at best.  We've experienced multiple power outages, so we'll be writing and post when wifi is available!

Thank you to everyone who helped get us out here! Our delayed flight landed in Haiti around 3:30 PM on Monday ...  prayers for safe travels really came through. Our first ride in the tap tap was a shock to most, but is soon becoming the preferred mode of transportation. It's surprising to see the amount of vendors selling familiar goods to passing cars! Need a Coke? There's probably a curbside cooler for that. Settling into the guest house is great! The food is great, the staff are beyond helpful, and the dogs are friendly (don't worry, they're pets).

Today, we started our work by visiting the Home of Sick & Dying Adults and experienced the first challenge of language barriers. We used the assistance of a translator and limited facial expressions to show our love for being here and our desire to help. The group split up by gender and massaged the elders and painted the ladies' finger nails, kids were outside waiting for long, caucasian hair to braid. The experience was an impactful way to start the service,  Most all of us were asked to step outside of our comfort zones in order to share a little comfort with the people we encountered.

After the Home for Sick & Dying, we headed to the Haitian History Museum to learn more about the culture and get a deeper understanding of the place we were visiting. The museum was educational and nicely air conditioned. Afterwards, we headed to the high of most people's day and visited Papillon aka Apparent Project. In summary, it's an organization that pays Haitian parents double the average wage to make jewelry and other handicrafts ... it's a way to guarantee the children are fed and educated. The goods are distributed through Trades of Hope and similar markets, check out their awesome products! The tour was very riveting and got us excited to spend too much money in the gift shop.  Plus, our team had sold jewelry from Papillon as a fundraiser for our trip back in Minnesota so it was awesome to see the artisans making the jewelry that we sold.

Our evening in the guest house has been low-key.  A surprise rain came and we enjoyed the relief from the heat and danced and splashed in it. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!

Makayla A

Pappilon Cafe

Beach & Sunburn

Today, we woke up earlier than usual. We went to Grace Village Church. It was a very empowering experience being a part of Haitians as we worshiped together. Along with us for the ride, were 15  neighborhood boys. As we attempted to sing along to the Haitian songs, we sweated through our nice Sunday clothes, with the fans not helping much. The live band filled our ears as the pastor chanted loud prayers to God. Our team managed to recognize some of the songs, so we sang along in English (and occasionally Creole).

After staying through one of three hours of church, we took a long, hot ride down to the beach in our tap tap. As the boys were rolling into the parking lot, we followed closely behind. With smiles and excitement on everyone's faces, we grabbed all of our goodies and painfully walked on the rocks down to the end of the beach, and right into the Caribbean Sea.
Astonished by the beautiful view of the mountains, palm trees, and very blue ocean, we noticed that despite the poverty of Haiti, it is a beautiful, tropical country with lots of potential. In the 100ish degree weather, we lathered on lots of suntan lotion-even though through endless applying, most of us still got burnt. All the boys thought our lotion was funny, as they waited for us to join them in the water. As we got in, the salt water began to burn our throats and eyes, but it did not effect the boys at all. They showed their appreciation and love to us girls by picking us up and carrying us around in the water, while playing catch with our boys.
After some time had passed, we paused our games and took a lunch break. Everyone gobbled up 85 peanut butter sandwiches- apart from Arianna, who is allergic to nuts. She ate lots of bread and beef sticks, yummmmm. Next, was prayer and picture time. Each neighborhood boy left with polarized pictures that said "Jezi ❤ __(name)__."
As we parted from the boys, we began our bumpy tap tap ride back to our house with our favorite driver, Valery. Once back everyone enjoyed a nice cold- since that is your only option- shower, and started packing.

During our last devotion session, we all reflected on the life changing and powerful week. We can't wait to return to all of our family and friends back home: see you all soon. :)
Please be praying for our safe travels back. Thanks for all your support.

-Elie Starfeldt and Tabitha Cornes

Water Truck Day 2

Today we had pancakes for breakfast, my personal favorite. We had about forty five minutes after breakfast until we had to load the tap tap. In those forty five minutes there were braid trains and card games. This is the usual pre-day startup. When we got ready to load the tap tap, it turned out that we were not going to be leaving right the due to another tap tap stuck outside the gate. So while we were waiting, we all climbed onto the top of the tap tap and took a group photo. After the photo, we still were not ready to go so we played a couple of games of bean bags. After the bean bags it was finally time to go. We took two tap taps into the field today, one of them was filled with the kids and the other was filled with the adults. It took about thirty minutes for us to get into Cite Soleil where we would be filling jugs and jugs of water. When we get there there are children surrounding the tap tap waiting for us to get out. As soon as we get out we all have a child in our arms. We stay at each place for about forty five minutes. During that time we either have the chance to play with the children, help carry buckets of water for people, or help hold the big hose that the water comes out of. At the first stop I helped with the hose and getting all the buckets in line. The hose area can be a little overwhelming with all the people and the occasional person who tries to cut in line. After all the water ran out of the truck it was time to go. When we all got into the tap taps the children waved us off and some even ran after us. When the truck runs out of water we have to go to the place that fills up the truck. Today when we were there we all ate a bunch of snacks before we would go to our second stop. Once the truck was filled it was time to go. Our next stop was close to the water fill spot. Once we got there there were more children waiting for us. They all looked so happy to see us, and as we took them into our arms they would hug us, kiss us on the cheek and look so happy. This stop was much like the first one. This time I played with the children. They all like to play hand games. It is so cool to interact with the children. After the second stop we came back to the guest house. When we got there we went and played soccer with the neighborhood children. They are very good. After soccer we drove to the grace village restaraunt. They had the best pizza there. Once we finished eating we went home. The drive is forty minutes and we sang the whole ride home. All of our vocal cords are a bit scratchy now. After we got home we had word of the day and the slideshow.

Arianna F.

God's Plan & Palms Up

Before the sun was up and the city was alive, the St. Michael's Haiti mission trip squad awoke for morning church at 5:30 am. The reluctant heads popped up, scrambled for their nice attire, and downed some hot fresh coffee. Seeing as none of the Healing Haiti drivers were awake yet we boldly set off towards the place of worship ourselves, braving over the recently rain stormed streets and the hills of wet clay and mud. As we arrived to the Haitian church with dirty shoes and smart clothes we entered the smaller metal warehouse, as the bigger one was under construction. The service had already got underway so we merged into the crowd of heart filled worshipers, all walking around, inside and out. All singing, worshiping, and praising God in their own ways while a preacher preached and a piano player played. Eventually, after things settled down, another pastor was speaking and invited all the 'Americans' in the middle and started praying for us and inviting the others to do the same. The response was incredible and the spirit fell on that place like a fire consuming all in its path. For this to occur has been quite rare, and all were honored to experience such event.

- Josh C.  

Breakfast started at 8:00 with pancakes flipped by Arianna, eggs, and delicious oatmeal!  Everyone was ready at 9:00 when we heard our Tap tap driver was in the hospital with a stomach problem.  We all jumped into our amazing prayer groups to pray for our sick driver, then hung out until the problem was resolved.  Then the crew was on our way to Notre Dame Orphanage, but were caught in traffic for an hour and a half with still an hour to go with the rate of traffic.  We made an executive decision to instead head to the second orphanage, La Loo, we had planned for the day because it was closer and there was less traffic.  Once we arrived, we were greeted with a very sweet welcoming song sang by the children and precious smiles.  We then jumped into a Bible story/skit acted out by your very own.  The kids giggled as we were on our knees, acting out Luke 15, the Lost Sheep.  We also passed time with friendship bracelets, making paper clocks that had phrases telling the children of Jesus' love, snacks, and a friendly game of soccer.  The time passed quickly until 2 hours later when we were told we had to go.  Although this wasn't our plan, we are happy this is what God planned for us because it allowed us to connect more with the children.  

Then we were off on our way to Peace Cycle, an organization that recycles plastic water bags into tote bags and other nifty bags.  Haiti uses over 5 million of these water bags per day, with the bags being thrown on the streets.  Peace Cycle decided to limit the waist and create jobs for Haitians by transforming these water pouches into beautiful bags. When we first got there our hearts sank when no one came at the knocking we made on the door.  However, as we were about to jump back into the Tap tap a woman named Rose opened the door and lifted our spirits!  She told us how they were closed but she gracefully took us in for a makeshift tour on her own.  After she explained how the bags were made and their impact, we went inside to purchase T-shirts and bags.  We then loaded back into the Tap tap to go back to the guest house and get our swimsuits on to go swimming.

As we were all ready to head out the door to go swimming, our food was placed on the table so we decided to stay and eat first. For dinner we had spaghetti that was really good.  After dinner we went to the pool and enjoyed some ice cream and the refreshing water.

When we got home from the pool, everyone showered then we had our Devotion.  We talked about the Bible verse, Philippians 16:9.This verse talks about how God always has a plan for us even if it's different than what we think is best.  This verse clearly described our day filled with unplanned adventures, and how God had planned for us to spend more time with the children at La Loo orphanage and create stronger connections.with them.

-Isabel F. and Lauren S.