Elder Care Team (part 2)

Well, we are calling this tiny team the Elder Care Team part 2.  The original plan was a parent/child trip for this week, which also included the team leader and a team member from our elder care trip at the end of April.  The kids were rescheduled due to the possibility of unrest and difficult travel due to road blocks, etc. 

So, we began to make this trip elder-focused and planned for many follow-ups from our April/May trip.  

After hearing last night that we would likely not be able to travel to Titanyen due to road blocks, it was reported that the roads were passable, and we (quickly) gathered our needed supplies and headed to the tap tap.  We rode alongside Grace and Hope Clinic staff members who were reporting for their work day.  

In our preparations since the April/May elder trip, we had asked our team (which shrank from EIGHT to TWO) to post an Amazon Wish List and Target Registry, which garnered many donations from our generous supporters.  Those supplies (which were elder-care focused) were packed up onto the tap tap with us.  We experienced no delays in our transport to Grace Village, and were immediately able to re-stock some much needed supplies into the Elder Care storage area, including items for basic needs (soap, towels, bed sheets, shampoo, tooth brushes and tooth paste, etc.).   Some of these items have been difficulty to obtain in-country due to economic crisis as well as difficulty with safe passage to /from markets & stores.

During our day, we were able to check-in on some of the elders, including Pierre and Lauremise.  These two, happy as always, reported that yes, they have been using their canes that they received in May. The canes have been helpful in negotiating their steep entry-way and the difficult terrain in Titanyen.  

We also had a brief visit with Aloude, who is sponsored by Alleluia Lutheran Church in St. Michael, MN (Marni's church).  She enjoyed the visit, and shared with us some of the difficulties she had experienced recently including the loss of family members.  We also met her son, who was seriously injured several years ago in an accident and were able to share a time of prayer with them.  Aloude helps to support other elders in the program by doing laundry and cleaning tasks for those who are unable, and therefore works very hard.    We followed-up with her on her Plantar Fascitis issues that were assessed in May, including discussing proper footwear (since she walks ALL OVER Titanyen) and other things she could do to work on stretching out her sore leg and foot.  Her home appears to be very solid and in good condition.

We checked in with Camisane, who has recently moved into a new home.  We found her working in her booth in the market, selling charcoal.  She was very excited for us to see her new place, and of course made sure that we all had chairs and a place to sit during our brief visit.  Her move was prompted by need for a larger space for her and her 7 grandchildren that live with her!!

Also during our day, we had informational meetings with both Jean (at the guest house) and Emmanuel and Brunet (while in Titanyen) regarding "big picture" elder care topics.  

Emmanuel and Brunet were originally both translators/drivers for both Marni's and Joy's first trips, and we both expressed how great it has been to see these men develop into important leadership roles.  

We'll be back tomorrow with more updates on our elders!  

Thanks for reading, 

Joy (and Marni).

Pierre and Lauremise's entry way steps. They were fixed after our 2018 Elder Care Trip. Previously this was a very steep hill that could get very muddy.

Aloude and family

Camisane's new home, including a sun shade she received at an Elder Christmas Party.

Our Purpose Perhaps?

 Our Purpose Perhaps?

After five days of serving throughout Haiti, Day 6 is designed to be a day of rest and reflection – much like what the Bible instructs us to do on the Sabbath.  

We started off our Sunday morning at Rendezvous church -a favorite stop for most goers. The music was incredible as always, followed by a fantastic message relating the story of Daniel to that of our current events in Haiti and America.  No problem is too big for God to fix as long as we believe wholeheartedly that He is our Lord and Savior and that he died on the cross for our sins.

Following church service we rode in the tap-tap up the mountain to support the local art vendors next to the Observatory restaurant.  The expansive view over the capital city of Port-au-Prince and Cite Soleil was absolutely gorgeous.  It was so fun to stand on the side of the mountain, pointing out familiar locations and landmarks while reminiscing about all of the stops that we experienced throughout this special city this past week.

We then took a dip in the pool at a hotel just around the corner.  Scheduling time to decompress is so important to teams and individuals alike.  The laughter generated from hilarious memories over the past week was priceless. 

We finished off the day with some intense corn hole(bags) matches, Shepard's Pie for supper, revealed our prayer partners, and shared our final "word of the day" for the week.

This day of reflection also brings a couple of questions to mind.  What draws us to serve in Haiti?  Why do we feel a distinct closeness to God and revitalized Faith after a week of serving the Haitian people? I believe the answer lays in the verse Matthew 19:21: Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

If for only a week, we do exactly what we are called to do in Matthew 19:21.  We leave our families, our jobs, our communities, and our responsibilities to love on His people here, and God rewards us with the ultimate feeling of closeness and unity with Him.  What more could we possibly ask for?

Thank you Haiti for welcoming us with a whole heart and teaching us more about love, kindness, selflessness, and hope than we could have ever share with you.

May God Bless and protect these beautiful Haitian souls.

Randy

Curious Minds

Curious Minds - Serving Day #5

Wow. It's hard to summarize just how incredible this trip has been the last 5 days. Leading up to our trip the team had only met via Zoom, so it was a pleasant surprise how natural our team connected within the first few hours of being together. Since that point, it feels like we've become a family: bantering back and forth, laughing until we're in tears (possibly due to a lack of sleep), helping and encouraging each other out without question, and the list goes on and on. Today at dinner, while talking about our favorite moments of the trip, we kept coming back to just how wonderful it has been to have such a close-knit group.

Today (Saturday), we started off the day with a long, but beautiful ride in the Tap Tap to a town called Cabaret - a smaller town past Titanyen (where Grace Village is located). We got the opportunity to spend our morning with a local community playing games, connecting with the locals, loving on the kiddos, and a few of us even got our hair braided :) Honestly, we didn't know what to expect with this visit as no team members had ever done this activity on previous trips. We were overwhelmingly surprised by how much we loved visiting this community. A couple of amazing takeaways: the kids were extremely helpful and supportive of one another (making sure everyone had a snack, one girl gave a younger boy her own pair of shoes to wear, and a sister continually cared for her upset, toddler brother). The other thing was just how inquisitive and curious these kids were. At one point during a session of frisbee throwing, a few girls were learning different frisbee throwing techniques from Dennis by changing their hand position to match his. Lastly, a young woman gave us a heartfelt goodbye by gifting us with a few fresh Mango's - something I have never experienced in Haiti before. To cap off this portion of the day, we took a short walk through some farming land and neighborhoods to eventually arrive at a beautiful peninsula overlooking the turquoise waters of Port-au-Prince Bay. 

Next Stop: The Haiti Deaf Academy. It's hard to put into words just how extraordinary this place was. Meredith and Keith (the local directors of HDA) gave us a tour of the compound and the history of how they came to Haiti and have served the deaf community for the last 4 years. In Haiti, deaf kids and adults are actually considered a burden to society (many times called "bebe" (baby in Creole) because they can't hear). We titled this blog "curious minds" because the kids of HDA wanted to know everything about our lives. We spent a good chunk of time answering the plethora of questions they threw at us (with Meredith graciously signing and translating). They asked a variety of questions that in our normal day-to-day lives may seem mundane to us, but to them they were the most intriguing - things like "where do you work? How many kids do you have? How many times have you been to Haiti?" They rattled off question after question - curious, attentive, and wide-eyed. Their responses to our questions were also hilarious (like praying for Marina to have patience "waiting" for her future boyfriend :)). It was an experience like no other.

We ended the day back at the guesthouse chatting, laughing, and sharing our unique perspectives on the day. We feel eternally grateful to have experienced the beautiful country of Haiti and all it has to offer. 

- Ellie and Marina

Moment of Gratitude

 Pre-dawn moment of gratitude.

Day 4: Give Yourself Away

Our day began early with a 6:00 AM service at the Church of the Rock, a local Haitian church. The spirit of God was ebullient, the music was inspiring, the message was powerful, and it was delivered in both Creole and English. The theme that resonated with me as we served this week was “give yourself away.” An important commitment as we live our lives, and an embodiment our team has been living in Haiti.

After another delicious breakfast cooked by the bél (beautiful in Haitian Creole) women at the guest house, we headed to Titanyen to tour Grace Village, a school, clinic and orphanage operated by Healing Haiti. What an amazing place with the spirit of God serving families in the area. It was a special opportunity for our team because two of our goers, Dennis and Lori were able to meet the child they sponsor. It was special to see them interact, learn about each other and create a forever bond.

Our next blessing from God was the opportunity to serve four of the elders in the area. We were fortunate to be able to visit their homes and give ourselves to them as we took meals and drinks, washed their feet and hands and helped to soften their skin with soothing lotion. Marina painted toenails of those that wanted that special touch. Dennis and Katie played guitar and we sang songs with them before praying for their requested needs. It was heartwarming and we all talked about how blessed we are to have the opportunity to serve these beautiful, resilient elders.

Next, we headed to the Fleri Bakery and Restaurant. Fleri is part of Healing Haiti and focuses on creating job opportunities and sustainability for Haitians. They make delicious artisan bread, sweet treats and pizza. The bakery currently employs 25 people, sources much of the raw goods locally and then sells to many local businesses. It’s a powerful model for sustainability and they continue to refine the model as they listen to input from the local community they serve. 

Touring the bakery was incredible…the sights, the processes and the smells… so of course we had to eat in the restaurant! The restaurant has become an important gathering place in the community that caters to families, weddings, holiday gatherings and more. We enjoyed pizza, pasta, plantains, French fries and delicious beverages. The food is out of sight.

We ended the day driving up the hill to a beautiful overlook where we could see an expanse of the island and the sea. It was the perfect way to end another day serving in Haiti where we were once again blessed by God to give ourselves away.

Scott

Serving Day #2

 

Greetings family and friends…

Our second day of serving began this morning assisting the ladies at Hope School/Church doing the laundry Haitian style for the Elders. The Elders are the older, grandparent type people. We had five tubs of water…the first tub worked the initial dirt, the second worked the soap, finishing up with the last three tubs of rinsing out the soap producing clean clothes and linens. The ladies, (the Haitian experts), coached us in doing this by HAND!  This was a GREAT work out!!!  I was able to make a special connection with one of the Haitians who tried so very hard to teach me the correct way to scrub and as Ellie (one of the team leaders), would say, how to “squish, squish, squish”.  We shared some great laughter while learning from our new friends.

While we were there this morning one of our team members, Scott, met up with one of his sponsored kids who attends Hope School. It was a tender moment as they got to know one another through an interpreter. 

We then spent time with the elders from Citi Soleil in Hope Church. We had about 40 elders in our group today.  We colored pictures together, sang together, and basically spent time together.   The singing was from their hearts and spirit filled.  Even though we could not understand all of the words, it touched us as they praised our God with their song.

After a late lunch we went to the Home for Sick and Dying Children. They have a nursery, a 2 to 4-year old section, and a 4 years and older children’s clinic. The children there are severely sick and need all the loving touch they can get. We had the opportunity to visit the 25 kids in the 2 to 4 year old group.  We spent ninety minutes feeding, changing diapers, holding, walking with those who could walk, and sharing our love and God’s love with them. It was hard for all of us to walk away when our time was up. It was hard for them as well as we heard the sad cries as we left the building.  We were happy that they were well cared for and very loved there. 

Dinner was at a new restaurant in town that is owned by one of our Haitian staff drivers.  We had a wonderful meal of fried chicken, plantains, and fries.  It was nice to be out in the community and supporting Max. 

After dinner we played football (soccer) with the 8 to 10 kids in the street just outside the Healing Haiti compound. The boys were so gracious to let us play “keep away” with them.  (They are really good!!) We were also able to see another leader, Randy, bust out a few of his soccer moves and impressed us all!

We then had our daily singing, word of the day and just generally sharing with each other…we have really come together as a team and they are all a true blessing to both Dennis and me.

It was a beautiful day in which we could share God’s love with the wonderful people of Haiti.  As always, I wish all of you could experience this trip with us. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers.

Blessings,

Dennis &  Lori

 Hey you.

Three words. Three words that come to mind as I think of this day are grateful, exhausting, and joy.

Grateful. Grateful I was able to spend the day with my amazing team on water truck day. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but as I walked out of the Tap Tap children came flooding around. Yelling HEY YOU. Children climbed up my body, held my hand, and made sure my hair was out of my face. The pure excitement and love the children had for us as we walked around was amazing to experience. 

Exhausting. Exhausting in the most amazing way possible. Exhausted from carrying buckets of water to families’ houses, but at the same time it was pure happiness to know they now have fresh water. As the women lined up behind the water bucket waiting for their buckets to be filled, the atmosphere buzzed with happiness and chaos. Happiness of the children laughing and clinging on for attention. 

Joy. Joy of seeing children and families being able to get the source of fresh water. Joy of children climbing and seeking attention. Joy of seeing the beautiful faces of the children in school learning. The joy of all the children patiently waiting for every child to receive their food before eating. Joy of observing my teammates do this amazing work. Joy of learning more about the Healing Haiti organization. 

Morgan

Stoebner Team - Day 7 (Recover)

 Evolution of Humanitarian Aid

As we embark on our way back to The States, I reflect on how the model of Humanitarian Efforts have changed.  It was exactly eight years ago this week that I made my first trip to Haiti.  We brought with us 600 lbs of donated clothes, as was common back then after the devastating earthquake. We thought we were helping; but we may have been hurting.  Two years later, the local textile factory closed, hundreds of Haitians lost their jobs. Were we taking jobs away from the locals?

Today, the Humanitarian model is much different; it is to CREATE jobs.  You know the saying "...teach a man to fish..."  Healing Haiti has only 3.5 American FTEs and employs 250+ Haitians who are teachers, drivers, chefs, housekeepers, nurses, restaurant servers, grounds keepers, maintenance men, street ambassadors, farmers, Mommas and Pappas in the orphanages, etc.  We help build Haitian owned for-profit self-sustaining businesses.

The model of orphanages has changed as well.  It used to look like separate dorms for girls and boys, a dining hall, and a building for showers.  Now, orphans live in a house with a staff Mother and Father.  They learn how to be a family, how to connect, care for one another, share in chores, eat together as family; they will someday be Mothers and Fathers themselves. 

A study performed asked the same question to two groups of people: "what is POVERTY?  To most of us, poverty is people without water, cloths, and food.  To those impoverished, their answer is to be SEEN.  WOW!  How many times do we pass a beggar on the street corner and look away?  Sometimes they just want a smile; to be seen. Consider giving a smile of acknowledgement the next time you see someone struggling. 

Within a few hours, I will be sucked into my regular life; it is a privileged life, I cannot complain.  But a piece of my heart is with the young restaveks (google it!) whom we help deliver water in 5 gallon buckets, the elderly in the mountains that we deliver meals, and deaf children whom are outcasts. 

Also, I'll be asked: "How was Haiti?"  Some just want the short answer "Heartbreaking and beautiful all in the same moment."  Some want the elevator pitch, which you just read.  And others want to lean in and hear the stories.  Reach out to anyone on this team for those.  Blessings.

Stoebner Team - Day 6 (Grace Church and Haiti Deaf Acsademy)

 Today started off just like every other day. We ate eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, and fruit. Once we were ready we went to start our day

We tried something new, we went to Grace Church and made crafts and colored pictures with the kids there. They ran around from person to person showing off their picture or wall art. That was followed by an amazing message, "if people are beautiful, the world is beautiful". To see how proud they were of their work they were, and how much they loved to praise Jesus was amazing.

Next we went to Haiti Deaf Academy (HDA) where joy and excitement was bursting! The children were eager to ask us questions about faith,  family, work, school, etc. We took out all of the art supplies and toys from yesterday and had a playdate while others got their hair braided. Towards the end they started re-enacting their favorite bible stories, and it was AMAZING!

While wrapping up the amazing time we had, a thunderstorm hit, and we got to dance and shower in the rain. Today might have started just like every other day, but in the end it was amazing!

Stoebner Team - Day 5

The rooster is crowing.  We wake every morning to his enthusiasm for the day.  The smells of food cooking, coffee brewing, and (campfire, it always smells of something burning everywhere here...) fill the guest house and the friendly chatter of the lovely guest house staff.  It's really a lovely way to start the day. LIGHT!

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, we piled into the the Tap-tap to head to Cite Soleil.  With full bellies and full hearts we made the trip to Cite Soleil as a group of 15 friends.  Studies show that it only takes a few days in Haiti on a mission trip to become friends ;) COMMUNITY!

We arrived right on time to Hope Village as the kids were having recess!  Everyone instantly became a kid again and joined the fun.  Some of us played jump rope, some did sidewalk chalk with our eager, smiling playmates.  There were balls flying through the air and shouts and LAUGHTER, so much laughter.  Many of us gathered to play the parachute game with a huge, round, nylon parachute.  As we lifted,  the littles came zipping in giggling and chattering...the parachute would waft down on them and that was equally thrilling for them if the giggles and shrieks of joy were any indication!  ENERGY!

Next up was laundry.  Everybody loaded up the tap tap with quarters and Tide and headed to the LaundroMat.....nahhhhh, just kiddin!  The elder ladies showed us how to laundry their way, of course with the tools and resources available to them.  Clean water is limited so it is all done in a few large basins, minimalist and efficient.  There is a soap bar and a special way of scrubbing and squishing.  There is a method and process.  It's surprisingly hard to get right!  Sitting on the concrete in the blazing sun, those ladies showed us how it's done with patience and good humor.  I wonder if their backs are sore right now, like mine?  Do their hands hurt too?  HUMILITY.

Once we got the chores done, it was time to head to the water truck stop.  Pile in the tap-tap, load up on sunscreen and water.  Mop the sweat from your brow.  Clear your mind for the next experience.  We arrive to curious and excited faces, so many people already gathered with water buckets.  Children zipping around but always aware of each other and us; they are "polite", respectful. The occasional motorcycle that comes right through the crowd beeping as the people part the way.  There is a musical quality to the combined sounds of voices, the pump generator, water splashing, the "Hey you, Hey you's".  It is hot, there is no shade.  We pile out and get right at whatever it is we are drawn to do.  Watch.  Fill buckets. Haul buckets.  Pick up littles who eagerly present themselves.  Hold a hand, or two or four.  We have talented photographers on this team who are stealthily capturing amazing moments and simple moments and profound images from perspectives and novel vantage points.  Time flies when you are just being present.  Scratch that- time is irrelevant when you are truly engaged.  We get the signal it's time to go after being there only a few minutes, or that's what it felt like.  We were there for almost 2 hours.  PRESENCE.

To wrap up an exhilarating and to be honest, exhausting day, we showered and went to Max's Pica Pollo restaurant for dinner.  A shower after a day like that is truly glorious!  The little restaurant behind the door was surprisingly cool, and very welcoming and smartly decorated with twinkle lights.  With  a  brightly painted wall on one side and bamboo, open air walls in front, and upbeat Haitian music playing, you feel festive and eager to re-engage in this kind of group activity that has been so missing from our experience over the last year.  We happily chatted and recounted the days events as we await our chicken or spaghetti dinners.  Max prepared the whole meal behind an iron door in a space that was not more than 5x5feet.  He had the most proud an happy smile on his face.  I know that feeling too, being happy to have people in my kitchen.  The food was dee-lish!  The fellowship was natural and fun.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day. CONTENTMENT.  

Stoebner Team - Day 4 (Grace Village, Elders and Fleri)

 

Have you had a moment where you realized that what everyone wants and needs in a moment is the care and attention of someone who sincerely sees you?

We spent time today in the amazing grounds of Grace Village and then with four of the elders that Healing Haiti cares for. Whether it was the children moving from school room to the cafeteria in their joyful and playful manners with their brightly colored uniforms, or listening to the stories of lives well and hard lived of our elders, the impact on the team was tremendous. To sit in wonder as a woman with years and wisdom expressed how the teams presence in her home was a gift from God was a strange turn. It was turn from feeling like we had started there to serve her and yet walked away like she was the one delivering grace and love to us.

Mr. Rogers out it best when he said "treat the person right in front of you like they are the most important person in the whole world."

What if.....what if we each spent our days, busy as they are, trying our best to live that mantra. Treating every person, at work, at home, at the store, like for that quick minute they were the most important person in the world? What might change? What pain might lessen? What confidence might be bestowed? What conflicts might be averted?

Not easily done, but perhaps massively impactful. And, nothing was ever promised to be easy. 

A friend once asked, "why do you always take the hard road?" I replied, "what makes you think I see two roads?"

Do better by each other. Kids, elders, everyone. Treat each other like the other is the most important in the world for that minute in time and see what happens!

Stoebner Team - Day 3 (In house)

An Unexpected Day!  

We all awoke with excitement and expectant hearts.  We had a full day planned - Another day to hold and love on the 'bell' Haitian people.  We plan in our hearts the course, but the Lord established our steps today.  Unexpected situations turned into unexpected blessings.  

Stories of who we are defined by God.  Your story - My Story - God's stories!  We paused to listen to God's stories within the 2 teams!  Community shared between two teams turned into Unity that only could happen because God established our steps today.  

We experienced and shared in the cultures of Haiti right within the walls of the Guest House of Port au Prince.  I think they thought they were only sharing their secrets of Haitian cooking and cleaning, but again Communities coming together turned into blessings. They have a Joy, Passion and Love for life that is so evident in their beautiful eyes and smiles and SO willing to share with us.  

The night was ended by the Guest House staff in preparing a Haitian Feast at one table for both teams!! 

What an amazing AWE some filled unexpected day!   Our hearts are full - can they get any fuller!   

It was a good day to have a good day!

    

Stoebner Team - Day 1 (Travel)

 Uncertainty and Excitement! 

Our team is a mix of primarily Minnesota folks and an Illinois goer. Experienced team members who've been to Haiti anywhere from one time to more than 20! With the times being what they are in the pandemic world, our flights were fairly smooth until we hit Ft. Lauderdale. The reporting needs for Covid testing to fly into and out of the country left us late arriving into Port-Au-Prince which made for a very long day We left arrived to meet the team at 0600 at MSP and didn't arrive into Port-Au-Prince until about 7pm. Just enough time to get slightly unpacked and settle into the guesthouse after a quick team meeting. 

So much to look forward to in the week and we can't wait to walk alongside the people of Haiti and to see the amazing in-country staff of Healing Haiti.

Stoebner Team - Day 2

 Grateful, Mommas, Belief, Laughter…these are only a few of the words that our team used to describe or summed-up in one word what today meant while they experienced our first full day on a Healing Haiti team.   

My best friend invited me on this trip and although I had always wanted to go to Haiti on a mission trip, I had said no in the past a couple times when asked.  Why did I say no, I’m not sure, but maybe it was that I just had not felt called at the time to go or my life seemed to have more important things going on, so I thought.  Nevertheless, as I prepared to pack for Haiti, I sat down and prayed asking for God to help me understand why. Why now, when we are still in the midst of a pandemic and people are afraid and travel is tight, complex and you just never know what might happen with expectations of tests, flight changes and countries potentially closing and so on. As I continued to pack, I had an overwhelming sense, and the word “Watch” came over me. My bestie, (the one who invited me) and I prayed for God to open our eyes to why now, what does he want us to see and learn while we are there.

Our first day was filled. We started our first full day with a beautiful sun rise over the city of concrete buildings and a mountain in the background. We all jumped in and grabbed our seat in the “Tap, Tap”.  That is what they call the trucks we all travel in, all chatting as we made our way to our first day of serving and learning. Today was  Water Truck Day! Sounds fun right?   As I sat in the Tap Tap, the chatter became white noise that was distant, and my eyes were focused on what was around us as we traveled into City Soleil. The world around me just changed. The beautiful, flowered trees faded away, the concrete ground we drove on turned into a floor mixed of refuse, soot, water and things that looked like it was degraded food and clothing. The smell was of something I can’t describe, but definitely a scent of smoked plastic and rubber and maybe even spice. The grounds were covered in small creek beds of green water and litter. Amongst several concrete buildings were many make shift homes created on top of mountains of litter we might call their rolling hills and out of them came beautiful ivy that gave them some greenery. It was profound, but what was more wondrous was the smiles and waving of hands as littles came running out and yelling the words “Hey you!” That is their way of saying Hello! The excitement of their little faces grabbed a hold of my heart instantly and I could not wait to jump out of the truck and wrap my arms around them. But there was more. We continued to make our way into the city and the faces on the people there of the community were serious and yet, amongst them I also saw smiles simply come alive as they saw our truck filled with many green shirts coming. It was if their smiles screamed “their back!”   My Body is full of emotions, and as I write this, I hold back the tears. We all jumped out of the truck and toured the first village named Hope Village, we then made our way into the city where we provided water. Healing Haiti has started an amazing program at Hope Village. Hope Village provides teaching to small children as well as medical needs. Then they showed us the beginnings of an innovation program from a partner that is from our side of town in Wisconsin. This caught my eye and heart and I have been praying to God why.

We all headed to the water truck, and instantly between the entire team, we all took our spots. From loving on kids, carrying and directing the water hose, pulling and pushing on buckets to ensure they were in line to get water to carrying water buckets to people’s homes,, we did it all as a unified community. The sense of care, serving and loving on kids was an experience I can’t even begin to describe. I took a moment to pause, and look around and watch, what God showed me was incredible. I immediately saw pain, hurt, starvation, despair… and yet, in the same panoramic view I saw joy, community, care, hope and best of all a tremendous amount of Agape Love. I instantly got goosebumps all over, (I call these Holy Goosebumps). I knew I was supposed to be here. I’m still learning why.

 

As we made our way through our three stops, serving, loving and spreading hope to so many, I realized that we too were being changed, being given hope, love and community.  The hugs from children, the smiles from their mommas and watching my teammates, seeing that they were all in love as well as watching and learning also, I knew my life was about to change.  I got a sense that today, I would start it as the person I knew I was, but at the end of today, I can tell you I am a different person.  

These people I came to serve, love on and provide care for, are my sisters, my brothers and in God’s eyes, we are all one community. We are a unity, all in pain, all broken, all still learning and in the midst of our lives, we have blessings, joy, peace, and hope.  God is gracious, he loves us unconditionally and sometimes he takes us to places to help us see just how deep, how wide and how strong that love is.

 

My word today is “Wonder”.   A feeling of amazement and admiring all that God showed me today. Nothing I have ever seen…sure, but there was so much more than what was on the surface. It was the depths of what God showed me that broke my heart, but also gave me so much more than anything back home has given me. Today I learned that although I have eyes that can see, have I really seen what I should see? What have I missed all these years?  Do I really watch for opportunities to provide love, hope or something more? Our sisters and brothers here taught me that my brothers and sisters back in the states need love, need us to lean in and listen, talk, touch and laugh with them. We are all one body and we get so caught up in “our” own lives, and if we simply just pause and watch for moments of wonder, we will continue to grow, transform and be all that we were always meant to be. This is day 1. What will God continue to show me? I'm really not sure, but I’m going to focus on one day at a time, watching, learning and my goal at the end of this trip is to learn why and how to apply it in my life…after. Tonight, I rest, tomorrow is a new day. Am I ready for tomorrow? Probably not, since I don’t know what it will show me, but what I do know is that I am not alone, and together “we” will step into tomorrow already blessed in it. 

Vanguard Healing Haiti Day 4

We had lost our internet for a couple days so was not able to blog, but that does not mean we were not serving and enjoying every day.  Day 2, was our water truck day in Cite Soleil.  With our broken hearts we assisted with many heavy buckets of water for many in Cite Soleil.  With each truck and bucket, it was more apparent of our need to serve these beautiful people and their community.  As many children and women were carrying fresh water for their family, they quickly welcomed our help with the water or playing with their young children while they transported the water to their homes, many smiles and hugs were given to us.  These buckets were very heavy and quickly tired our muscles but not our spirits.  It was hard to see these difference living conditions but made the need to serve the people of Cite Soleil so much more important.  As if the passion from any staff member was not motivating enough, but the smiles, hugs and chants of "Alicia" let's you know you are following the Lord and making a difference for these deserving people. 
We then toured Fleri farms and met another amazing team member Kenny.  He quickly had us all enthused with his farming, future plans of mango salsa, future jobs, enriching the community with delicious food and jobs. 

On our third day, we started the day with a church serve with Pastor Gary at Church on the Rock.  It was so uplifting and spiritual that had filled many of us with hope, love and the Lord.  Shortly after church then we head to Titanyen to tour Grace Village.  Our jaws hit the ground with all that Healing Haiti is doing there.  The medical clinic was buzzing with patients with medical needs, classes were full of happy, beautiful children at the school and the family orphanage that gives these children mothers and fathers and assists in family re-placement.  There was so much in one village happening that all you could do is smile and be happy for this community.  Plus a little play time with the children at their recess was beneficial also. 
We then headed to some elder visits that was impactful to us and them.  We enjoyed listening to their stories about them and their families while we washed their harder to reach extremities.  It was pleasant to sing and pray with them.     
We ended with a tour of Fleri that not only wowed us with the bakery and production but the restaurant definitely filled us full of yummy pizza and treats.  We ate like royalty while enjoying the environment, service and scenery.  A meal we will not forget and will tell others to experience also.   

Day four saw our return to the mountains, but not the "purple mountain majesty" that we are used to seeing. Instead, we enjoyed the beauty of the lush, verdant mountains of Haiti, and our hearts were filled by the love and generosity of the Haitian people. We spent the day in the village of Kenscoff and in the company of the community leaders.

The leaders spoke with us about their desire for local children to have opportunities within their own community; opportunities for education and for a fulfilling adult life there someday. Currently, they have what we might consider a kids club. We spent several hours playing with the children. Temporary tattoos were very popular as well as chalk, football, soccer, and styling hair. Then we had a wonderful time of singing and dancing together before it was time to say goodbye.

Next we were able to visit an elderly gentleman in the community. The community leaders accompanied us on our visit. When asked if he had any advice for young people about faith, the advice he gave struck me as similar to this verse in Ecclesiastes, "Remember your creator in the days of your youth." It was a joy to be able to visit with him.

In the afternoon, the community leaders took us hiking. We hiked into a narrow valley that would have been a riverbed in the rainy season. We were able to see where the villagers go to get water. This time of year it is a trickle of water from a rocky crevice. They use a pipe to channel the bit of water into buckets. They use this water to drink, wash clothes, and water livestock and crops. It was heart wrenching to think of how much of the day women and children must spend waiting in line to slowly fill buckets. In the rainy season, they fill buckets in the river. We stopped a little above the stream and the leaders treated us to Haitian corn cooked over a fire. It was an honor to have these leaders serve us with warm hearts. They blessed us though they have little. Their generous spirit is something I will long remember. On the way back to the guest house our hearts were filled even more by the Haitian guides that have been accompanying us sharing Haitian street food with us. It was a beautiful day.

Mandy and Kristi

 Kaeleigh playing with Grace Academy kids during recess.

 Fleri Bakery and Restaurant was incredible and has created many jobs for the community.

 Our guide Smith asking Dorothy to sing "Glwa Pou Bondye" to the kids club in Kenscoff.

 Smith and the children teaching us a new game.

 On a hike to find the main water source for this small community in the mountainous Haitian countryside.

 This photo does not capture the amazing beauty of the Haitian mountains.  We reached 3,600 feet at our highest!

 The sweet girls of Kenscoff playing and braiding hair with Kalyn and Mandy.

 Discussing the Maternal Health Program with the Director and Clinic Manager of Hope Clinic.

 The boys at Grace Academy were hanging out with Lukas during recess.

 Kristi waving to a sweet class of Kindergartners at Grace Academy.

Smith and the Community Leaders of Kenscoff grilled fresh corn for us during a break in our hike.