Marcus and Shiloh
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Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Day 2 - March 13th. 2019
Marcus and Shiloh
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Dream Small
We can't believe it was our last day of service in Haiti! We spent all day with children.
We started with Croatian Relief Services. This is an orphanage with young people aged 5-21. We had a wonderful time sharing the Easter story, doing crafts, and playing games. We were so impressed as they all stood up when we arrived and sang to us!
Dio's was our other stop. This is an orphanage for special needs children. We were overwhelmed with joy during our visit here. The children loved the story and crafts but most of all loved the music and dancing. We couldn't help but dance for joy with them! There were so many smiles and we all know smiles are contagious.
As we wrapped up our team time this evening we are leaving with "small dreams". This come from the song Dream Small by Josh Wilson. We leave you with part of the lyrics which are meaningful to us:
So dream small
Don't bother like you've gotta do it all
Just let Jesus use you where you are
One day at a time
Live Well
Loving God and others as yourself
Find little ways where only you can help
With His great love
A tiny rock can make a giant fall
So dream small
Keep loving, keep serving
Keep listening, keep learning
Keep praying, keep hoping
Keep seeking, keep searching
So dream small
Dream small
We started with Croatian Relief Services. This is an orphanage with young people aged 5-21. We had a wonderful time sharing the Easter story, doing crafts, and playing games. We were so impressed as they all stood up when we arrived and sang to us!
Dio's was our other stop. This is an orphanage for special needs children. We were overwhelmed with joy during our visit here. The children loved the story and crafts but most of all loved the music and dancing. We couldn't help but dance for joy with them! There were so many smiles and we all know smiles are contagious.
As we wrapped up our team time this evening we are leaving with "small dreams". This come from the song Dream Small by Josh Wilson. We leave you with part of the lyrics which are meaningful to us:
So dream small
Don't bother like you've gotta do it all
Just let Jesus use you where you are
One day at a time
Live Well
Loving God and others as yourself
Find little ways where only you can help
With His great love
A tiny rock can make a giant fall
So dream small
Keep loving, keep serving
Keep listening, keep learning
Keep praying, keep hoping
Keep seeking, keep searching
So dream small
Dream small
Friday, March 8, 2019
Mesi Jezi! Thank you Jesus!
What a mix of physical and emotional activities today! We began our day with 6:00 worship at Church on the Rock. It was so inspiring to see the Haitians worship with so much passion and love for our God. And they do this every day! Even with so many needs their thanks to Jesus is endless!
After being inspired we began our day with 2 water truck stops. We found the water truck stops particularly challenging with a small team of just 6 people. There was such demand for help carrying the water but also so many children that wanted our attention.
We were able to take a break at Hope and saw the new technology pod, sewing pod and clinic. What amazing facilities and new resources for Cite Soleil. The people of Cite Soleil are being blessed by these additions and slowly but surely they can improve their lives.
Our day ended with a visit to the Home for Sick and Dying Babies which primarily serves children in all stages of malnutrition and the medical complications that results from that. We were blessed to be able to feed some of the toddlers and spend time playing with them. The most difficult part is the leaving. We shower them with love and then we leave so soon! Our hearts break as they cried when we left.
We haven't mentioned it in our blog yet, but each day ends with "pit time" when we come together as a team to reflect on our day, share how God is working through us during this experience, and just laughing together. With only 6 people on our team, we may be small but we are mighty in His name!
Mesi Jezi! Thank you Jesus!
After being inspired we began our day with 2 water truck stops. We found the water truck stops particularly challenging with a small team of just 6 people. There was such demand for help carrying the water but also so many children that wanted our attention.
We were able to take a break at Hope and saw the new technology pod, sewing pod and clinic. What amazing facilities and new resources for Cite Soleil. The people of Cite Soleil are being blessed by these additions and slowly but surely they can improve their lives.
Our day ended with a visit to the Home for Sick and Dying Babies which primarily serves children in all stages of malnutrition and the medical complications that results from that. We were blessed to be able to feed some of the toddlers and spend time playing with them. The most difficult part is the leaving. We shower them with love and then we leave so soon! Our hearts break as they cried when we left.
We haven't mentioned it in our blog yet, but each day ends with "pit time" when we come together as a team to reflect on our day, share how God is working through us during this experience, and just laughing together. With only 6 people on our team, we may be small but we are mighty in His name!
Mesi Jezi! Thank you Jesus!
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Compassion and Friendship
We traveled to Titanyen today. We began with our visit to Grace Village. We could clearly see God's work at Grace Village through their orphanage, school, clinic, church and Fleri Bakery! They are truly flourishing which then allows families and community to flourish.
We also did 4 elder visits in Titanyen. This is a time full of compassion and being God's eyes, voice, and hands. Looking into the eyes of the elders we felt so connected and felt God's love for them and for us. Washing their hands and feet, giving them massages, and painting some of their nails was such a joy.
Our theme for today was friendship and we are so blessed and grateful to see friendships developed, blossoming, and lasting among the Haitians, between us as a team, and between us and the Haitians. One of the most touching moments was to see our team member, Pauline, reconnect with the student she has sponsored for 4 years and the love between them!
Rosie's was a new stop for snacks and shopping and then on to Fleri Bakery for pizza! Fleri Bakery continues to grow and provide opportunity for employment as well as bread and restaurant for the community. We were thrilled to be part of Jake's live Facebook video while we were there! (See link belowhere: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=779373419123013&id=67620373906)
We also did 4 elder visits in Titanyen. This is a time full of compassion and being God's eyes, voice, and hands. Looking into the eyes of the elders we felt so connected and felt God's love for them and for us. Washing their hands and feet, giving them massages, and painting some of their nails was such a joy.
Our theme for today was friendship and we are so blessed and grateful to see friendships developed, blossoming, and lasting among the Haitians, between us as a team, and between us and the Haitians. One of the most touching moments was to see our team member, Pauline, reconnect with the student she has sponsored for 4 years and the love between them!
Rosie's was a new stop for snacks and shopping and then on to Fleri Bakery for pizza! Fleri Bakery continues to grow and provide opportunity for employment as well as bread and restaurant for the community. We were thrilled to be part of Jake's live Facebook video while we were there! (See link belowhere: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=779373419123013&id=67620373906)
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Water Truck Day - Palms Up
It was water truck day so we began our day with a "palms up" prayer. Palms up means "you are strong enough to be vulnerable" (Love Does by Bob Goff). We prepared ourselves to be mentally and physically strong for our 3 water truck stops.
The Haitians have no clean water so all of their water is delivered to them. The first stop is to fill the water truck then travel behind them in the "tap tap" (the truck we ride in) and then on to Cite Soleil. As we traveled to City Soleil the team members who have been here several times saw the many changes that give them hope that things are changing! For the ones on their first trip it was overwhelming, chaotic and awesome! Max, our driver, gives a thrill ride that won't be forgotten!
At the stops every team member had to physically work hard to help with the hose, haul water buckets, and have children clamoring to be held and loved. There were times when we were carrying a bucket of water in one hand, had a child on the other hand, and 2 more tugging our shirt from behind. Although we had our "palms up", they were never empty!
Although we were drained, filthy, and tired, we finished the day with a tour of Healing Haiti's new farm.
After showering and having dinner, we are now refreshed and ready for another day!
The Haitians have no clean water so all of their water is delivered to them. The first stop is to fill the water truck then travel behind them in the "tap tap" (the truck we ride in) and then on to Cite Soleil. As we traveled to City Soleil the team members who have been here several times saw the many changes that give them hope that things are changing! For the ones on their first trip it was overwhelming, chaotic and awesome! Max, our driver, gives a thrill ride that won't be forgotten!
At the stops every team member had to physically work hard to help with the hose, haul water buckets, and have children clamoring to be held and loved. There were times when we were carrying a bucket of water in one hand, had a child on the other hand, and 2 more tugging our shirt from behind. Although we had our "palms up", they were never empty!
Although we were drained, filthy, and tired, we finished the day with a tour of Healing Haiti's new farm.
After showering and having dinner, we are now refreshed and ready for another day!
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
WORDS OF THE DAY
As we drove from the guest house to TeacHaiti, Papillion, and LaPhare Orphanage we were impressed to see that more and more roads have been paved and there's even a stoplight in a busy intersection now. We were struck by the CALM we felt traveling to our destinations.
It was our first visit to TeacHaiti and we were INSPIRED to hear the director's story and the efforts and strides they are making to educate the young people of Haiti. Although it was a holiday so most students were not there, we could see the progress they are making and their passion for education and TEACHING.
At LaPhare we were greeted with SMILES galore which fit perfectly with our theme of "Smile, Jesus Loves You". The children were so very engaged and intent in listening to our telling of the Easter Story and were then able to make their own story with stickers. The crafts brought many more smiles and our play time with them is always a time of joy and showing them God's love for them through us.
Our team member, JC, finally arrived today and we are so overjoyed to have him with us for what he calls a SURREAL adventure that he never would have dreamed he would be on.
Each day brings new revelations into how God is working through us in sometimes UNEXPECTED ways. We can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings.
It was our first visit to TeacHaiti and we were INSPIRED to hear the director's story and the efforts and strides they are making to educate the young people of Haiti. Although it was a holiday so most students were not there, we could see the progress they are making and their passion for education and TEACHING.
At LaPhare we were greeted with SMILES galore which fit perfectly with our theme of "Smile, Jesus Loves You". The children were so very engaged and intent in listening to our telling of the Easter Story and were then able to make their own story with stickers. The crafts brought many more smiles and our play time with them is always a time of joy and showing them God's love for them through us.
Our team member, JC, finally arrived today and we are so overjoyed to have him with us for what he calls a SURREAL adventure that he never would have dreamed he would be on.
Each day brings new revelations into how God is working through us in sometimes UNEXPECTED ways. We can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings.
Monday, March 4, 2019
We Shall Overcome
The mighty Lagerquist team of 6 overcame the tests and trials of day one. First of all, we have two new rookies on the team (JC a college student flying from Ft. Wayne, IN; and Deanna, Pauline's sister from Phoenix). The rest of us (Pauline our leader, Jess her daughter, and Kira and Logan from Eden Prairie) have been multiple times ranging 3-5 trips. It all started when Kira and Logan tried for 45 min to get Uber, Lyft, Black or any taxi for that matter to pick them up at 4am. Panic kicked in and we called Pauline and Jess to get ideas of what to do. After talking to Jess she set her phone down and left it in the car they were taking to the airport. We decided to just pack up the car and drive and park at the airport or else we might miss the flight. At the same time, the Lagerquists were melting down to try to find Jess's phone (which Callie came to the rescue). We all were to meet in Atlanta to finish the journey to Haiti together. However, JC's flight had mechanical issues and was delayed so he missed the only option to get to Port-au-Prince today. JC sent us all a note in Atlanta that God is in control and was praying for us all and looking forward to finally connecting tomorrow.
After what may seem like a challenging travel day, we arrived very welcomed and loved by the Healing Haiti staff. As we reflect tonight, we continue to pray for peace and safety for all people in Haiti.
Awesome and great is Your name. Once again You overcame.
Kira
After what may seem like a challenging travel day, we arrived very welcomed and loved by the Healing Haiti staff. As we reflect tonight, we continue to pray for peace and safety for all people in Haiti.
Awesome and great is Your name. Once again You overcame.
Kira
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