Wayne & Smith: Thursday Kenscoff & Furcy

Thursday, November 21st

Today the team got a chance to visit with the elders in a farming community outside of Kenscoff.  We delivered food to them, we put lotion on their dry skin, gave them massages and prayed over them. Many times, this population is overlooked. Our first visit left an impression on our entire team that we will never forget.  The elder we visited is the father-in-law of the pastor from the local church. He was in a lot of pain and very frail. His skin soaked up the lotion as fast as we were putting it on him. Even though he was in pain, he still managed to smile showing his beautiful dimples. When he was told he had a great smile his smile grew even bigger. The most amazing surprise to the team was when he reached for is harmonica on the bench near him and started to play for us. His music was just as beautiful as his smile. 

So often we wake up and grab a cup of coffee either from our coffee pots in our kitchens or from Starbucks. Today the team got a chance to see firsthand the process of making coffee.  We visited a home where they grow and pick their own coffee beans, they grill them over a fire, muddle and pound the beans, sift it, and brew it. We each had a chance to muddle/pound the beans, which was so much fun. We all enjoyed the most delicious cup of coffee we have ever had.  The coffee gave us the energy we needed to hike to a waterfall.  The beauty we saw today can not be put into words and the pictures can’t capture the feeling we had of being surrounded by the most amazing scenery in Haiti.  

Wayne & Smith Wednesday Water Truck

November 20, 2019

Matthew 6:19-21

Last night, we were told that today’s experience was indescribable.  We would have to experience it for ourselves.  After a short morning visit to the “artisan market” to do some shopping of local crafts and art, we boarded the tap-tap to go to Cite Soleil and Healing Haiti’s Hope ministries. In order to build Hope Church, the construction company dug 80 feet to clear the grounds for this magnificent facility of hope.  A church, medical center, and school for some of the residents of District 17.  Filled with pride, the parents of the school children dressed their girls in church dresses and ribbons in their hair. Due to the unrest in the city, the kids go to school between 7:30 – noon. So much wonderful work going on.  If you are feeling called to help support these children, you can sponsor the education of hope and two meals a day for only $300.

John 4:13-14. Everyone who drinks some of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.

Are you Ready? It was now time for our water truck experience. Due to the lack of availability of running water in Cite Soleil, Healing Haiti intentionally delivers water to allow residents to get buckets, pool size, or any small or large container to fill up.  We take for granted our supply of water.  The song that comes to my memory is “Be Grateful” by Walter Hawkins. God has not promised us sunshine. We rotated from filling containers, picking up the heavy containers to take close to their shanty house, lifting up the little children to carry wherever and show love, and responding to “Hey You.” Our co-leader, Smith, who lives in another neighborhoo told us of the despair of Cite Soleil.  Nothing could prepare some of us for this type of despair.  We did not want to drop or waste an ounce of water as we carried the buckets to their respective current homes. Yes, I know there will always be the poor. Lord I pray, “Help Cite Soleil.”

During the first year after the earthquake of 2010, the records state that over 10,000 people died of cholera and 300,000 died from the earthquake alone.

We all left wet and exhausted from our first water truck stop.  So many kids and so many water containers to help pick up and take as far as we are allowed to go within the area.  Some of use with a curious spirit, inquire about voodoo.  The reports state that most of the area is Catholic religion, but among them voodoo is still practiced by some. You cannot always pick your neighbors. 

We return to the tap-tap, rejuvenate with snacks (crackers, protein bars, and beef jerky) and head to another village for our second water truck stop.  This truck was farther way and the need was greater. It was times-two a repeat of tired souls. Again, be grateful.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon Earth;  where moth and rust corrupt and where thieves do not steal.   But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

Wayne & Smith Tuesday: What a Day

 What A DAY!  We all gathered at a great breakfast anxious for our day to begin. Smith, one of our leaders, told us of his neighborhood and a children’s community center “New Hope Activities.” We were going to visit with kids of all ages. We were ready with a tub full of coloring books, jump rope, soap bubbles, and a polaroid camera, etc. Well, I can’t describe the joy of those kids. JOY is putting it mildly…. the laughing, the singing, the jumping, and all the nails that were painted. Lastly, before we left, a young boy about 12-13 years old asked the translator to ask me if I’d take him with me, I was speechless.

Our afternoon stop was Home for Sick & Dying Babies. In their care they have so many beautiful babies. We helped to feed them and just be there and play with them. It filled my heart…truly moving. One of the Sisters asked me to feed the tiniest baby I’ve ever held. Jean Paul was no more than four pounds, and his sister Mary Paul even less. It was truly a moving experience. God bless these Sisters for all they do.

And God Bless this Mission for doing all they do. I am humbled to be a part of this team!

Wayne & Smith: Tuesday God is Good!

November 19, 2019

We started the day off with Smith, our co-leader, reading II Corinthian 4:7-10. Smith told us to not worry about persecution, but to be as Paul during captivity to encourage others through our pain.  We had an awesome breakfast of fruit, oatmeal, eggs and pancakes.  We packed up the tap-tap with all our toys to visit the orphanage and our water bottles.  The pictures will reflect the great time had by the kids.  Fierce jump roping and painting of fingernails to name a few of the activities.  Of course, the time could not be stopped without a few girls braiding hair and blowing bubbles. To God be the glory in sharing love to this group.

Our second stop today was Home for Sick & Dying Babies. There were so many precious babies, all beautiful in God’s sight. We each selected a newborn baby from the nursery to feed porridge. After the feeding, we stayed for another hour holding each baby providing the love of God, praying for new mercies, healing and favor. God is good all the time. It was so hard to leave them. Jesus loves them, yes I know for the bible tells us so.

Wayne & Smith Tuesday Devotion

Wayne & Smith: Monday Arrival

November 18, 2019

All 12 of us arrived safely to our destination of the Healing Haiti dorms. The age group ranges from a student in college to adults that are near retirement.  During our devotional time, we shared our results from our spiritual gifts and prayed for the Lord’s will.  We are all eager to start tomorrow serving the Haitians. I did not know what to expect on the drive to the dorms. In recalling a visit to Gulfport after Hurricane Katrina, there is no comparison to reconstruction in a developed country compared to a country with so little.  We hope our daily blog is read by our friends and family praying for our journey.

Wayne & Smith Sunday Sunrise

Sunday:  A Window of Opportunity

As many of you know, I love watching the sunrise in Haiti. It's usually a quiet time at the guest house since everyone is usually still asleep. It's also a time that I like to spend praying and reflecting on what the day will bring and what God has planned for me.

This time of the year, the sun rises around 6 am, which is much earlier than back home in Minnesota. Nonetheless, even after a long day of travel yesterday, I still set my alarm, grabbed a cup of coffee and made my way to the balcony of our guest house to watch the sun come up.

As I looked to the sky, there was a giant cloud hanging over the eastern horizon, which I thought would definitely be blocking the sunrise. However, I noticed there was a little break in the cloud right over the horizon...a window of opportunity for the sun to come-up. And, what a fitting way to begin our week of serving here in Haiti.

Over the past several weeks, Haiti has experienced a considerable amount of unrest, which has limited our teams' ability to serve. This week, our team decided to travel to Haiti with palms up and open to whatever God has in-store for us. We know that God places us right where we need to be at just the right time, and this week is our window of opportunity to serve in Haiti.