Day 3 - Healing Haiti Partner Day

We started the morning by watching the sunrise with our morning coffee. Then a few of us read our daily devotional, and a couple of the ladies from our team helped the staff prepare our breakfast. Today was Ulta's, one of the staff, birthday as well as our very own Grace's birthday back home. We got everyone together and sang happy birthday to our staff and then made a video for Grace for her birthday.
After our amazing breakfast, we headed up to market vendors to do some shopping. There were so many beautiful items as well as artwork.
Following our mini shopping trip, we changed clothing again for our next adventure. After saying a group prayer, we were off to New Hope Innovations, an orphanage partnered with Healing Haiti. We reverted back to childhood by coloring, playing jump rope, and filling the kids with love--spiritual food. When it was time to leave the orphanage, we headed back to the guest house to change again and head out to our next destination.
We toured Papillon, which started as an adoption that ended with keeping the family together through building jobs, joy, and daycare for employees. After our quick tour, we were able to support the families working there by purchasing handmade gifts from their store on site and ordering an amazing lunch made at their cafe.
Following lunch, we headed to the Home for Sick and Dying Babies. This was heart-breaking and heavy for most of us; however, the hope of knowing how loved they are and that most children are there to heal and return to their homes provided an element of peace to each of us. By the time we made it home, none of us were hungry but were mostly just exhausted and feeling the need to decompress from the day.
Finally, we gathered for dinner and talked about our day. We ended the night in devotions, worship, and just staying in the moment through feeling the love, unity, and comfort safely together.
It is not always what we can do for them but rather what the people can do to us. Remember that innocence is a time to heal, to feel, and to love unconditionally.

Jess

First Water Truck Day

Our day began with coffee and sunrise on the upstairs balcony and was followed by a few of us reading devotions, getting to know each other on a deeper level. We are so thankful God has created a judgment-free zone within us at SV. We came here not knowing each other that well; yet, we can share our worries, concerns, and insecurities, just knowing that each of us have felt the same way.
Following a delicious breakfast, it was off to water truck day. The kids came running, knowing exactly who their target was for a hug, with incredible love in their eyes and hearts. Our team worked as a well-oiled machine. Just like at home, we allowed the Spirit to lead us by showing us which child to love first while still maintaining our group responsibilities. We were moving around, some directing the hose to fill buckets while others worked carrying water and helping women lift their buckets to their heads for them to balance and bring back to their homes.
In between water spots, we were greeted by children at Hope school and again overwhelmed by the joy on their faces and their excitement to see us. The only thing they desired was the love we could spread to each of them.
We went to another area in Cite Soleil, where God filled us with more love for even more children. Later, we experienced rush hour traffic, driving to the supermarket, where we bought a lot of caffeine and sugary treats. Then we arrived back at the guesthouse for another Haitian meal of deep fried pasta, filled with meat and rice; vegetable soup; and hush puppies sticks. Our evening began with worship and continued on to be even more refreshing as the Holy Spirit flowed among us as we looked at 328 pictures from the day.
We ended the evening by tuning into the Facebook live stream, watching our beloved Pastor Jeff leading the Tuesday night recovery group at church. Our stomachs are full from amazing food, and our hearts are even fuller from the food that can only be provided by the Holy Spirit.

Diana

Travel Day

Our trip started off with a prophecy from our own Pastor Jeff, talking about our team encountering miracles and things we couldn't even imagine. We met at the church yesterday, the 12th of January, and we were full of excitement. We took our group photo and loaded the vans to head to the airport. Everything was going smoothly, and although there were some nerves throughout the group, the feeling of what God had in store outweighed everything else.
The enemy tried to sneak in here and there through ticketing and luggage hiccups; however, we quickly reminded ourselves of Who was really control, and we made it through everything and were there just in time to board the plane before they closed the gate. God continued to show up, as we rushed into Fort Lauderdale with minutes to spare before boarding our next flight, and we were reminded He is always in control of every little detail.
Our flight went smoothly, and we made it to Haiti, through customs, and baggage pick up without any issues. We had a little bit of downtime, waiting for our ride, to get to talk and just be present with each other and enjoy the warm sunshine we so greatly missed in Minnesota.
When our ride came, we loaded our bags and headed to the guest house, where we will be staying for the duration of our trip. Everyone felt so relaxed and at home right away. We were able to rest and then head to the pool for a little more downtime before dinner. We enjoyed each other's company, as our team continued to get to know each other better.
Following the pool, we headed back to the house, where we eagerly awaited our first amazing dinner in Haiti. We were not disappointed when it was time to share in our meal all together of Haitian style tacos! It was a welcome meal after a day of airport travel and limited nutrition.
Following dinner, a few did the dishes quickly before we were able to gather together for a refreshing time of worship and then group devotion. That is where we really felt the Holy Spirit come into our trip. He was with us every step along the way, and now we were finally able to express how we felt so far. It was amazing to hear the perspective of those who have never been here before, and for those who had been here previously, the feelings were also a unique perspective. We went over our Jesus Calling devotional for the day, which we all agreed spoke exactly to everything we encountered over the past day since leaving home.
We are looking forward to the rest of our week, knowing God has more than proven He has everything in control, even in the moments when we feel out of control. We are trusting in Him, every step along the way, because He knows best what is to come and how to walk us through each thing that comes toward us. A great word for our first day of travel would be "trust," as we learn to continue to rely on God.

Ellen

EBC Day # 7 - Final Day!

Day #7 – 1/12

Hi friends! Ellie here. 

I’m sad to write that our time in Haiti is slowly coming to an end. Most of us were strangers when this week started, but we ended our time together as a big family. We spent our last evening reflecting on our week – there was lots of laughter, plenty of tears, and we shared our life experiences with each other. We think Mike summed up the week well with the acronym, “heartfelt”. Although It’s hard to portray how Haiti has impacted us, these are some that we all agreed on.

H.E.A.R.T.F.E.L.T.– I think this entire week we have all had many heartfelt moments and many different feelings in our hearts. There were lots of extreme highs and lows. We had many happy, joyful moments and many sad, teary moments. Our hearts felt so many things for the people of Haiti and also for our entire team.

H is for Hope– We saw hope everywhere we went this week in Haiti. We saw hope as we visited Rebuild, Team Challenge, Papillon, and while we were on top of the mountain looking over Port-Au-Prince. We know that anything is possible with God and for that reason we must never give up our hope for those we have met and worked with here in Haiti. Sunday, we heard a sermon titled “Better is Possible” and we believe this with and for the people here. 

E is for Eye-Opening– I (Mike) have been to Haiti before; however, this was still a very eye-opening, awesome, and life changing experience for me. What a difference this is from our world back home! We are all children of the one true God, but we live in a completely different world. 

A is for Amazing– What an Amazing trip! What an Amazing experience! What an Amazing team! I (Mike) am so glad and proud to have joined this team to share this experience with each and every one of them. The people of Haiti are Amazing in their love for life, and love for our Lord and Savior. They are also so appreciative and resourceful. 

R is for Remember– We must remember this trip, our team, and each experience. We must remember how we served our Lord Jesus Christ, the people of Haiti, and the love and gratitude they showed all of us. We also need to remember who we are as servants and disciples, and that we are all God’s children with a place in our Father’s house.

T is for Thankful– I (Mike) am so thankful for everything I have, and that I signed up for this trip.  I am thankful for this team and how well we have supported each other throughout the week. I am thankful God made this trip possible for all of us, and that He brought this “dream-team” together to serve and carry out His work here in Haiti. But most of all, I am thankful that God sent His one and only Son, Jesus. I am thankful that He came as a man and lived a perfect life, so that when he gave his life up for us, He became the perfect sacrifice for us. Because of this, we can all be saved and live with Him eternally where there is no pain or suffering anymore. We are all made in the image of God and we all need Jesus. This makes all of us equal.

F is for Faith– Our faith has grown and continues to grow. Faith alone will not get us into heaven. But our Faith, holiness, and obedience sure help’s. The Faith the Haitians have is so incredible it is hard to explain and put into words. They set the bar when it comes to Faith. So, keep the Faith. Keep your Faith. Grow your Faith.

E is for Encourage– This letter changed twice during the week. I (Mike) finally settled on Encourage after the sermon we heard today. We all did a lot of encouraging, holding hands, and comforting this week. We need to encourage each other to continue growing our faith, living a good Christian life, and answering when God calls upon us. We need to encourage each other to stay on our faith journey and to be an obedient servant.  

L is for Love– Love, Love, Love. All you need is Love. God said three things remain, ‘faith, hope, and Love and the greatest of these is Love’. I saw so much love this week. To the Haitians. From the Haitians. Within our team. Remembered God so Loved the world that He gave His one and only son who He used as the ultimate sacrifice for us, so that we would be forgiven for all of our sins and stories. Remember Love makes the world go around.

T is for Tomorrow– Now that we spent the last week serving in Haiti, the question is Tomorrow. What are we going to do Tomorrow? What is next for our lives and our journey? How are we going to build on this? How are we going to take this experience back home and do something special with it? As we heard in the sermon this morning, “stop eating ham and cheese sandwiches”, and do something different from what you have been doing. Do something better. Do something great Tomorrow!

And heartfelt it was. We’re off to the airport – see you all soon! 

Glwa Pou Bondye (Glory to God)!

EBC Day #6 - The Mountain!

1/11/20 - Day #6

Hello from Sophie, Christian, and all of house dogs (they wouldn’t leave us alone),

We both can definitely say that this week has been a whirlwind of emotions. Each day we were physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually challenged. As many of you have read the previous blog post we started off at Cite Soliel, which broke our hearts because of the conditions we saw the people living in. Today was different, we were taken to a community further out of the city, way up in the mountains. This opened our eyes to a different side of this country.

            The morning started off early for us, leaving out promptly at 8AM or you were going to be left, we were on our way to the luscious green mountains of Haiti. This, however, was no quick 15-minute trip to the next city over, this was a grab your snacks and backpacks, let’s go “road trip”. The ride in the tap tap was so long we needed to stop halfway for a bathroom break. The generous pastor welcomed us into his home to use the restroom. Immediately when walking in, you could see the difference in housing. None of the houses in the busy city have a kitchen, much less a bathroom. We knew something was different about this community and could sense that “no one was left behind or forgotten” (Stitch, Lilo and Stitch). 

            After the quick bathroom break, we hopped back into the tap-tap and headed up the mountain to the community meeting space. The space is a safe place for the kids to come after school, or during the times when their parents are at work. We were broken up into three groups. Two went off to assist with the elders, and one team stayed back to hang out with the kids. 

            I (Christian) stayed back with the kids. Right away I noticed these kids were not running up to us to want to be picked up and given attention to. What was made known from the president of the community committee is the leaders were very much involved in making sure the community was supporting each other. The kids were very well behaved, which allowed us to perform a little skit. Thanks to our translator Maxime (Maxi Taxi), we were able to let the kids know that they were loved by Jesus, and His Father created us differently for His Purpose. After the skit, the kids were off to coloring their picture frames, which they would be able to hang with a Polaroid photo of themselves in the middle. 

            As I mentioned earlier, these children were well behaved, really respected each other, and the adults in charge. While they were coloring, my team and I make sandwiches and took lots of photos with the kids as well. While they were eating, this allowed me to take a step out of the ministry moment to take in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of the mountains. It almost seemed unreal that I was still in the same country of Haiti. Before coming I never would’ve guessed these views existed in Haiti. Seeing the mountains for me seemed like another reminder from God to me of Mathew 17:20, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

            I (Sophie) had the pleasure of serving at the hands and feet of Jesus today (literally). My group went out and walked through the city to two elder homes. As we arrived at the first home we were immediately greeted by the wife of one of the elders who Healing Haiti sponsors. She then left us momentarily on this beautiful little enclosed porch near her house as she went to the garden to get her husband. When he arrived, we had him sit down on the bench, let him take his jacket off, and jumped right into washing his feet, hands, and giving him a back rub. As we were taking care of this incredible strong man, we began to notice his wife in the distance covering her head with her hands. She said to us she was ashamed of how dirty her feet were. We immediately offered to wash her feet as well. We saw her walls break down as she took off her jacket and other layers. She became unashamed of who she was and accepted how beautifully she was created in Gods image. We were all in awe of how strong and hardworking these two individuals were. At the age of over 60 they still go out daily and work hard to provide for themselves and their families. 

            Next we made the trek to the next elders’ home. As we entered, we let her settle in her chair and take her socks off. She only wanted lotion, so we began massaging her hands and feet. She was so thankful to have us there with her, as she was also surrounded by her daughter and grandchildren. Her daughter politely asked if we could also massage her as well, without a thought we began massaging her hands and feet. We prayed over her and her family and asked God to provide them with what they need, including access to church each week. It was so humbling to be able to meet these wonderful people today and even get to be Gods servant to two people we weren’t expecting to meet. I could see Jesus’s love pouring out of this community. Since these people live in the mountains they do not get visited often, so it was an exciting opportunity to be able to serve them. 

            For the both us, and our entire team, the serving opportunities were just the beginning of the adventures for the day. It was time to hop back into the tap tap for another 30-minute extra bumpy ride up the mountain for our hike. The younger Haitians lead the way to the waterfall that was in the mountains. The both of us can say, that although the terrain was rough and Sophie came out with a splinter, the views made up for all of it. It was very cool to learn that the people who live in the mountains really take advantage of the land and grow their own produce, such as pineapples, bananas, potatoes, lettuce, beans, and coffee beans. The coffee drinkers of the team were much more excited to know that there was fresh, straight from coffee tree, coffee being brewed up for them at the end of the hike. We will just say that all the coffee drinkers in the group bought all the coffee the Haitians produced. 

            After a tough hike and a coffee tasting, it was time to get back into to the tap-tap for our long (two hour) ride back home. The mood inside during the ride was like no other. Just about everyone was asleep, and a few got a little motion sick. In the end as we gathered around for the word of the day, this was the only day in which all the words were positive. We reflected on the beauty of God’s creation through the mountains, to the people we interacted with today. We look forward to our last full day in Haiti with the wonderful team we were able to be apart of.

With love, Sophie and Christian (oh and the house dogs)

EBC Day #5 - Elders, Grace Village, Fleri

1/10/20 - Day #5

Through the eyes of Jim:

Our day started at Church on The Rock, a local Haitian Church close to our guesthouse.  We were inspired by the way this country worshiped. Everyone was on their feet or down on their knees giving praise to our Father.  Even though the songs were in Creole, we were pulled in and felt God’s presence. I was anxiously excited to see what this day would bring and no better way than this to start a day!

Today we are going love the elders of the community, this is truly the meaning of doing God’s work. The Elder program provides care to individuals who have no family members to take care of them and when they have serious problems, they are taken into the Healing Haiti’s Grace Village Clinic. It’s like a special spa day for elders. It’s a day where our team provides messages, worship, paint their nails, wash their feet, love them and most importantly pray over them. 

Our First stop was with Mr. Dieufort.  We met him sitting outside his house where he greeted us with a smile and handshakes.  Our team immediately, with no doubt or hesitation, went to work. We began removing his flipflops and gently washing his feet in clean water.  We massaged his hands, shoulders and head. Before we prayed for him we asked him about his family, what his needs were and any prayer requests.  His answer immediately put me in tears, “I only have me and Jesus.” Mr. Dieufort told us the last time he was in the hospital thieves took all his belonging from his house. We haven’t been into a Haitian home until now, and we all felt so much emotion as we entered. Seeing his living conditions was heart breaking and all agree, it wasn’t fair. Our team prayed over him with unconditional love. Leaving here many of us had our own personal stories to associate with this experience and we knew we were in for an emotionally challenged day.  By God’s Grace I have been so blessed to know this group, who has been supporting and uplifting me this whole trip. His Spirit continues to strengthen us through the day.

Our second visit was with Pierre and Lauremise, a couple who have known each other since their childhood. A strong couple and I am sure if we had more time, both could have shared with us so many life lessons and advice. We were humbled and proud to provide them with a our version of a couple’s spa day J.  Feet, hands, massage, nails painted and prayer for the challenges they face.  This couple brought us so much joy even with their unfortunate living conditions. We always finish with a word of the day. The word that describes this couple would be UNSTOPPABLE! 

Our third visit was with Mr. Edmund and his brother, who was his caregiver.  Upon our arrival we were told Mr. Edmund may not want visitors because his health had deteriorated.   Eventually we were invited into his home to play some worship music.  A special thanks to Dane and Joel (Amy almost there) for their musical talents.  We filled Edmunds home with worship and a powerful prayer led by Christian which opened his heart to healing and our love. This encounter was an experience we will never forget.  Powerful! When we left, Mr. Edmund sat up and wanted more.  We praised God after we got back to Grace Village because we saw Mr. Edmund get carried into the Medical clinic. He will now get the care he needs to continue living in comfort with his brother. 

Our last stop was with Mrs. Telicia. This stop was similar to the first one. We learned that she cared for a family of 7. After her spa like treatment we asked what she needed us to pray for. She wanted proper shelter for her family and good health until she meets her savior. Her faith is so strong even when her conditions are less than ideal. 

The Elder experience was humbling for all of us.  Emotionally and mentally draining but yet fulfilling with more love and appreciation for our older generation.  Love can never be given enough and tomorrow is never promised, so love now!

Through the eyes of Drew:

One of our leaders mention on day 4 that this was the time where we would feel exhausted physically. How true he was. Our physical strength is taking a beating with the heat, constant play with Haitian children and traveling from one location to the next. However as the week goes on our mental and spiritual fortitude has increased drastically through our connections with each other and those we serve. 

Next stop is Grace Village school. Grace Village sits on one of the highest points in Titanyen. It reminded me of a light house guiding ships in the dark. As we drove up a steep dirt road, we pass the main gates into a large courtyard. We all slowly climb out of the Tap Tap; gathering our thoughts and feelings from what we just experienced with the elders. Some grab snacks, some shade to nap, while others sit in silence processing. Then the school bell goes off and a rush of Haitian kids come running out in adorable purple uniforms. Its GO TIME TEAM! Spread out and grab as many kids as you can get your arms around. The smiles amplified our energy as we give bear hugs, play basketball, get our hair braided and give long piggy back rides. Grace Village is beyond impressive. Not only do the kids get 3 meals a day, a room with state of the art technology, learn 4 languages by the time they graduate, but most importantly they have teachers that demonstrate what it looks like to love like Jesus. “God chose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him” James 2:5. How often do we look over the poor and lower class as having less value than ourselves? Answer is: Often. However, our Heavenly Father sees them as the most important and first to inherit the kingdom. Grace Village is a change agent in a country that has been shaken and beat down. It’s a place that raises up the next generation of spiritual warriors that will infiltrate Haiti, healing those they deem valued in the eyes of God. 

What is the best reward for a hard day of work?........ PIIIZZZZZZA! Next Stop, Fleri Bakery. Fleri, just like all Healing Haiti partnered businesses, stands by one main focus…. Christ centered local job creation. Fleri employs 38 Haitians and bakes bread and pizzas to sell into the local community. It’s time to decompress and have fellowship over amazing food. Some more team members share their stories while others chat of the day’s events. As we wrap up dinner, I can’t help but look around at this crazy group, I now call family. In only 5 days we have made bonds that are beyond describable with my limited arsenal of vocabulary. What I can say is that the connection we made is most definitely Holy Spirt inspired. One of our leaders shared a quote from Mr. Rogers, “Wouldn’t this world be an amazing place if we took the person in front of us and made them feel like the most important person in our lives?” Each person on this team is valued, cared for and loved dearly.  

Amy closes out the day:

The day got off to a slow start and there were many points that each one of our team members felt the fatigue continuing to set in. The Tap Tap ride back to our home would reflect otherwise. It was one of our longer travel days, spending an hour cramped together with not much room to even move in the Tap Tap with 17 sweaty and exhausted people. The mood and energy completely changed once we were all sardined into our spots for the longer trek back. One of our team members started singing “Let it go” from Frozen. Despite all of us being drained from the last five days we all pumped each other up through singing and dancing to songs (most of which were pretty horribly sung) the ENTIRE drive home. What a way to finish a day with a team with is without a doubt now family!

See ya back tomorrow,

Jim, Drew and Amy

EBC Day #4 - Haiti Teen Challenge, Papillon, & Orphanage

1/9/20 - Day #4

Bonswa from Nick and Christa! That means good afternoon in Creole. Neither of us were too keen on writing the blog so we decided to co-author one together! Day 4 started off to a sleepy, slow start. The activities, lack of sleep, and general craziness of the week had finally caught up to us. It’s also the midpoint of the trip and I think it’s knowing our mission as a team is quickly coming to an end.

Our first stop of the day brought us on the tap tap (bus/taxi) to Haiti Teen Challenge. We visited the young ladies and we listened to two brave young women share their stories while two of our volunteers shared theirs in return. There was a bridge that was gapped today when the Haitian girls realized that other people struggled and have dealt with some of the same things as them. After we prayed together as a group we were given a tour of the housing area which was simply furnished and clean. Once we were done we had a group picture taken, some hugs were given, and we were on our way to the next stop.

After we visited the women we made our way over to the men’s center. One young man was able to share his story since we were short on time, but it touched everyone and we were changed by his testimony and all the others’ who had shared before him.

We made our way to the next stop at Papillon, a café/gift shop. The food and smoothies we were delicious!! Every bite and sip were amazing and so were the workers. In the gift shop they sold homemade ceramic mugs, stuffed animals, art, and beads. Every piece is lovingly handmade by the workers. If you feel led to do so, I highly recommend going to their website at papillonmarketplace.com and making a purchase to help the Haitian economy. Every dollar, every smile, every hug helps serve God’s purpose through each of us.

After we finished our food and shopping we were given a tour by one of the workers. We were able to see how they made handmade beads out of clay. Each worker makes 2,000 a day! They use cereal boxes cut in long triangle strips to make very colorful and very unique earrings, bracelets and necklaces. We were shown the kilns where the pottery was heated in a three-step process. Each of the 7 skilled workers have the ability to craft 70 of these amazing pots a day. Then we went where the women were making stuffed animals, games and purses with Singer sewing machines.

It was a bumpy ride as we made our way to the next stop. No one has mentioned it yet but there are minimal rules for driving in Haiti compared to the U.S. There’s lots of honking horns, swerving, hopping up on curbs, and avoiding motorcyclists who swerve in and out of the smallest of spaces where you wouldn’t think one would be able to fit. But we have some very talented drivers who get us to our destinations safely!

Once we got to our final stop for the day we made our way into a small orphanage that partners with Healing Haiti. The men were able to communicate with the kids and started to play a basketball game called lightning, even with the language barrier. While half the kids played basketball the other Haitians turned on some music and danced away! One little girl wouldn’t stop dancing! The other kids were either playing soccer, some were playing instruments with the music, a handful were coloring, and a face painting station started in the cafeteria. We even had one team member really connect with a 12-year-old girl who was teaching her Creole. That same girl was encouraged to end our time together by praying for our whole group. Much too soon, as usual, we had to make our final goodbyes. We said our goodbyes to the kids and took some pictures. As usual it was another wonderful, memorable day in Haiti. 

In closing, as in every night on our trip, we end with a recap of the day. We start by going around the group and each person describes their day with one word. It may sound easy, however, it is so challenging only being able to choose oneword. Until you come and see what a mission trip is all about, one word doesn’t completely explain all the emotions you feel during the day. You experience things you couldn’t fully imagine before. Going from teens who’ve experienced things that nobody should ever have to go through, to seeing the Haitians incredible creativity with everything they make with limited tools and resources, to visiting children or young teens in an orphanage who don’t have a family. As a group we were able to come up with 17 words that still might not fully capture the moments. We continue the discussion by sharing words of wisdom, thoughts and moments only God brings out of each individual. As they say at the Haitian team challenge, we come as guests, we leave as friends. However, I think many of us came to Haiti as strangers and leave as family.