Different Kinds of Orphans (Friday - Part 2)

After we toured through the amazing Grace Village and its whole campus, we had the chance to visit three elders in the Titanyen community. Healing Haiti has a program through which they support elders in the community surrounding Grace Village by delivering them hot meals, sending mission groups, like us, to visit them and serve them, and giving them check-ups through Grace Clinic whenever need be. Before we even started our day, our leaders explained to us that in Haiti, elders are orphans. They are orphans in the sense that in the Haitian community, they are not cared for by their children like older people usually are in the states, so they are mostly alone. The first elder that we visited today was named Lindor, a sweet man that used to be a dancer. On the tap-tap on the way to serve him, my leader asked who would volunteer to wash his feet. Without really even thinking, I said, "I will!". This was out of character for me because feet are not my favorite, so I was immediately nervous to wash someone else's feet. When we arrived at his home, he was so happy to see us, and the smile on his face was wonderful. His neighbor came over right when we got there, an elderly woman, and asked if she could also be served by us. I started to wash her feet, and when I was done with hers, I washed Lindor's. Having to wash two people's feet instead of only one as I was expecting, stretched me even further than I would have thought. This is how many other girls felt, as they washed feet later in the day or rubbed the elder's hands with lotion. But, at the end of the day, we were all so grateful that we had the chance to serve in that way because that kind of serving is exactly what Jesus speaks of in the Bible, so it was touching to carry out His will. After we served Lindor, we were able to visit Charlitude, a very nice woman that used to be a seamstress. We talked with her and worshipped with her as we served her. As we were singing one of our worship songs, her friend sitting nearby joined in, but sang the lyrics in Creole. Charlitude heard this and started singing in Creole too, so we all quieted down to listen to them. It was truly amazing to hear a woman that is almost 20 years past the life expectancy in Haiti to be praising God with such vivacity and joy. Lastly, we visited a blind elder named Meme. When we arrived, he was sitting on his cement floor in his hot, small house. But he was thrilled to see us and sat up right away, eager to be served. We worshipped with him and he began to sing the words along with us. Once again, that was such a blessing to hear. At each stop we made to the three elder's homes, we would ask them what they would like us to pray for, and each and every one of them said for their spiritual life or their children's spiritual lives. We were all in awe because they could have had us pray for them to have more to eat, more to drink, or a better home to live in, but that is what they chose. This really showed how much faith they had and how much they believe that God will always provide for them.
Next, we stopped to see the mass grave for the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th, 2010. It was so sad to hear the whole story of how about 300,000 people died and were buried right below where we were standing, which was very hard to think about. As we looked around the mass grave, we questioned why it did not look fully finished even though the earthquake happened six years ago. We then were told that it was not finished because of political turmoil, which put a pause on the work. That was hard to hear because this mass grave is so important to always remember the 300,000 people buried right below it.
Although the last part of our day was somewhat hard to swallow, we all had a wonderful day and really felt the Holy Spirit flowing through everyone we served.

-Eva Klein

Thursday 8/11/16: Water Truck Day!!

  

Where to start.... Today was our water truck day where we delivered water into 3 different "Blocks" (neighborhoods as we call them) in Cité Soleil.  Cité Soleil just to give you an image to think about is the poorest city in the entire Western Hemisphere, and the second poorest city in the entire world.  We stopped at the water station to follow our freshly filled truck into our first block (many gallons of water) - Stop 17.  Stop 17 was absolutely unbelievable as we pulled up and parked our tap tap off to the side.  It was nothing less than what I have seen on a National Geographic TV show.  The line had already formed with people anxiously waiting with their buckets in hand.  The children seemed to come from all directions, their naked bodies jumping at you and begging with their pleading eyes to be held and loved.  They craved our attention and were not willing to share our bodies or even a hand with any other child around.  The couple children you picked up smacked and kicked the others away who were anxiously waiting for a turn to be held.  With the commotion of the children hanging on tightly to any piece of you they could, we got the truck hose connected and began pumping fresh water into the buckets.  As some of us helped hold the hose, others aimed the end into buckets and quickly moved them along as to not waste any spilling onto the ground.  Water is such a precious commodity to them, wasting is not an option.  I was expecting to grab the hose and help aim when I felt a tug on my shorts.  I turned to see a beautiful girl, no more than 2 years old, staring with no expression into my eyes.  Naked as can be, distended belly, harsh looking little feet and hands, my heart instantly melted.  I picked her up and hugged her so tight, telling her how precious and loved she is.  She wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and just starred at every aspect of my face.  Not a single expression on her beautiful face.  I spent my time filling water buckets, holding the hose, helping walk water buckets to people's homes.... All the while this silent child sat clung onto my hip.  I asked a woman holding a different child (with our interpreter near), if this was also her child?  She spoke something in Creole, and gestured with her hand as if "shooing away."  Our interpreter informed me that this child was homeless and had no parents as all.  The woman pointed to a metal overhang as we passed by carrying her water that this child lived under that overhang alone.  I was in shock beyond belief and immediately asked who feeds her?  The woman shared different people throw (was her hand gesture) food to her when they have some.  She could not take her in since she could barely feed her own 4 children and was expecting another any day now.  I stayed holding that child right up until I had to put her down and go.

We walked up the hill and had the privilege of seeing and touring Hope Church!! I was so excited to be able to see this, since I had learned so much about this magnificent place!  12 feet of garbage cleaned away and 40 feet of ground had to be drilled to place the foundation for this beautiful church.  The church opened its doors February 2016, and will be ready this September 2016 for a school within the church.
We headed back to the water station between each stop to refill the truck.
The other two "blocks" we delivered water to were stop 22 and 26.  Just like the first, we held kids, aimed the hose, carried buckets, and provided these places with fresh water.  Each stop got a bit more chaotic, and impatient people many with aggression started to come out.  The third stop was the poorest and most dangerous location we had.  We stuck together as a team, and along with our wonderful bodyguards :) we all came out with a much different perspective on life and what something as simple as water can create (uproar to say the least).
I am in complete awe that people actually live in places like Cité Soleil, but they are smiling, playing in the water, and living the most normal life they can and the only life they know.  I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings this wonderful team of mom's and daughters :)
 ~ Lisa Leibke

Glory to God Forever

Today was Day 3 of serving: Water Truck Day! This morning, our entire team boarded the tap tap and followed a truck full of up to 10,000 gallons of water into City Soleil. We made three different stops on the streets. At each one, all of the kids would come running at the tap tap and surround it before we even stopped. Some were clothed and some were naked. Lots of them had bloated bellies, and some had red hair, both of which are signs of malnourishment. The one thing that was the same about each and every kid that I saw as we drove up  was their expressions of pure joy. As we got out of the tap tap, they crowded us with their hands up, some even fighting over us, wanting to be held and loved. While we were getting out, people of all ages, from little kids to elders, lined up behind the water truck with buckets waiting to be filled. It was overwhelming yet incredible to be amongst all of the kids who were constantly grabbing at you for attention and people aggressively racing into the line, all shouting in Creole. It was chaos that so clearly revealed to me what joy really looks like. Not the joy you get from buying new things or winning a big game or holidays. These people had a much stronger and truer joy than that, one that comes from having a basic need like water fulfilled when you've been deprived of it. One that comes from having someone simply hold you because you don't get that love and affection from your family. Despite having nothing, these people offered so much love. An eleven year old boy came up to me with his little three year old brother and points to him, then tells me "porte". In English, it means to carry. He wanted me to hold and love his brother instead of himself. I picked up his brother and both of them smiled so big, and the eleven year old said "chante". This is where my two years of high school French came in handy and I was able to translate that to "sing". The night before, we had learned a song in Creole that goes "Glwa Pou Bondye Pou Tou Jou", meaning "Glory to God Forever". When I started to sing it for him, he and a couple other boys nearby join in, and we together we stood in the middle of the poorest slum in the western hemisphere singing "Glory to God forever". These children have nothing but God, and they worship Him and praise Him because He is their hope. This moment just really stuck with me, and I still can't get it out of my head. These kids worship God when they have nothing, and sometimes it seems like I'm too busy with the things that God has blessed me with to even stop and thank him for it. The people in City Soleil are such an inspiration for me, because they are full of joy and praise for God when they are some of the poorest people in the whole world. At the end of the day, I felt like they showed me more love than I could've ever shown them. They would come up to me and jump on me, braiding my flyaway hairs and teaching me how to play clapping games, then singing to me and giggling over my bright white skin. In the limits that such extreme poverty put on them, they were giving me everything - their gifts, their talents, their time, and their love. They showed me what pure joy and love looks like and inspired me with it. The poverty is ugly and unfair and these people don't deserve it, yet God is using it to teach me more about Him. He is showing me His love in these people, and I feel so honored and humbled because of it.

Beautifully Broken

Day 2 in Haiti and this group of mothers and daughters are beginning to have our eyes truly opened. Today half of our team went to Gertrude's, an orphanage for both healthy and special needs children. While they have ~45 children there we were asked if we could focus on doing therapy for a few of the high needs children that were there. What an amazing gift for us! We loved loving on these children through massage, stretching and exercise, as well as singing and playing music with them. The girls were so impressive- 16 and 17 year olds caring for these kids as if they have been doing it their entire lives. They are so natural with them! For the mothers here, watching our daughters love on and have their hearts broken over these kids is such a beautiful and amazing thing. And hearts were breaking. As awesome as it is that there is an orphanage that takes these children in and provides for them, it was tough to see the deep needs that are still there. There were very few staff to so many children- although the staff we worked with were wonderful with these kids- the needs of the kids are great. There were many dirty diapers and kids in need of a bath. But all these kiddos really want from us is love and attention. And love them we did. And are still doing even from a distance. I cannot get the image of the little guy I was working with today out of my head- or forget the feel of him in my arms. He was 14 years old, but only the size of a 4year old. He didn't speak but he had wisdom in his eyes. He has no motor control but has more strength then I will ever known. My time with him was beautiful. I was able to use some of the therapy gifts God has given me to use on him. And he slowly melted. And so did I. Our time way too quickly came to an end. I had to carry him back to his bed and say goodbye. My heart continues to break as I think of him lying there. He did not have a wheel chair that he could lie back in and watch the activity of the other kids in the courtyard. He, along with a few others just had to lay in bed- pretty much the entire day we learned from the staff. Unless they go to therapy. The last therapy date was 5 days ago.
There is such a struggle inside me and inside many of the others on this group right now. Our hearts are completely breaking- in ways I didn't even know they could break. And anger. Over the unfairness of it all. The poverty here is so great. Yet we have so much There is such a divide between the have and the have nots. Even in our own towns. It is too much to make sense of. In my quiet God reminded me how much he loves each and every one of these kids, and how much he loves me. And to trust him.  We were reminded today of a verse in Isaiah chapter 55: As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
We are learning to trust in Him in all of this and just be obedient each day. He has plans for us.
 And today, he used this young boy to break my heart. He is using our time here to break all of our hearts. So that he can reshape them to be more like Jesus.
 In the afternoon our entire group went to the Apparent Project- an amazing organization!
What an inspiration. To see what God has done with a couple whose hearts were broken over Haiti. Years ago they wanted to adopt a child from Haiti, only to realize he had parents here that loved him but didn't have enough money to provide for him. They were frustrated as they found out how common this is here, and decided to do something about it. They are dealing with this issue at it's core by supplying jobs for moms and dads, so they can in turn provide for their families. They even have free day care for the employees children and are starting a school for them in September! This is such an incredible organization that is teaching people how to make items such as jewelry, clothing etc.  We were able to tour the entire facility and meet some of the people making the jewelry, hammered metal, pottery and clothing. Our leader Margie was even wearing a skirt she bought from the Apparent project a few years ago when she was here and you should have seen the smile on the seamstress' face when she saw it! She likely made that skirt years ago. How fun! We were then able to do some shopping with a purpose in their gift shop- where all of the proceeds go back to the community.
Today was such a gift and we can't wait until tomorrow.
Glwa Pou Bondye!
(Glory to God!)

Amie Rybacki

Day 2 (Wednesday) - "Surrender"

Today, our team was temporarily partite. One group went to the home of sick and dying children, another group to Gertrude's orphanage home.  I was privileged to be part of the group to visit the home of sick and dying children today. What an astonishing experience! Such an enlightening day!

Talk about being completely and utterly emotionally stretched! First off, I found that children all over the world are the same. They are generally happy, loving and forgiving souls. Walking through the door, I see smiling faces and some with arms up.  1 little boy waddled up to me and tugged my skirt. Looking down, I see big brown eyes, a smile to match those eyes and drools on his chin. What a site to welcome me! Just as soon as he's in my arms, his head drops to my shoulder. That unconditional love I instantly feel coming from him. And here, I thought it was my job to pour the love into these children today, and maybe will receive a smile or two back. Right away... I knew it was going to be a fun filled day.

I am playing with this little boy and his apparent nemesis (they kept trying to pinch each other's arms), finding out that I am receiving more  joy out of these 2 boys than I could possibly give, I spot a little girl sitting by herself on her little plastic chair. She looks lack luster and lethargic. At this time, the boys are playing nicely with each other, so I go to pick up the little girl. She's not doing too well. She refuses to drink water, or milk, or the porridge they have prepared for her. My heart is instantly broken. No sick child should be alone. Without someone to love them up and give them comfort. Hold them and let them know they are loved. Unfortunately, she isn't the only one. Plenty other sick boys and girls needing a shoulder to rest their heads on, or lap to sit on. Parents may come from hours away to drop them off.  Some do not return to reclaim them.  So, I give my shoulders and laps as much as I can to as many boys and girls who need them.

Fun filled day? Far from.  I instantly feel so hopeless, so despondent, so inadequate. The world I came from, where I am in control of most things, where I have a solution to most everything, suddenly disappeared.  My way and skills of planning in order to control the outcome of our family's days, weeks, months, are no match to face what is in front of me at the moment. I can't make this sick girl eat, or drink.  I can't even make her smile.  She is content in my arms, and nothing else, but in my mind, being held doesn't physically heal her.  Not when lack of nutrition is what brought her here to begin with.  I can't sit next to her crib tonight, making sure she has her medicine, something nutritious to eat, liquid to drink, sing her a song to ease her pain, and mostly to ensure her she is not alone. That she is loved until she falls asleep for the night. I have 2 hours to do something good, and I barely touched the surface.

So... the big lesson of the day for me is to "SURRENDER".  I surrender to the power that be, for the events I cannot control. I surrender to the idea that someone with much larger and more comforting arms are holding these boys and girls in His arms, and that these sweet innocent children will be taken care of one way or another either in this world, or in the next.  Surrender... is not just another word in my vocabulary. It is a whole new word that I now have real understanding in.

In the meantime, today, I have completely turned the love bucket in my heart inside out.  I have given it all, and I am going back to the guest house to refill that love bucket so I can give it all away again tomorrow, on our water truck day!

Posted by Farida.

Day 1! (Tuesday)

We started out today pumped and ready to go! Today was a split day, so half our team went to Home for Sick and Dying Babies and the other half went to Dari's Orphanage for the Disabled. I went to Dari's which was such an amazing experience. My last trip, we didn't have enough time to visit any orphanages for the disabled so I was super pumped this morning. Sleep wise we were all up early, probably from the excitement, heat, or just adjusting in general to Haiti. By the way, it's really hot here. Temperature wise it's not so much, but it's the humidity that kills you. So we hopped on our tap-tap with frozen water bottles and tied up sleeves. We said goodbye to half our team who left for babies while we drove on to Dari's. The first word that comes to mind now when I think of Dari's is loud. One girl in particular expressed herself in screaming at the top her lungs. She had a great laugh though. Some of the disabilities there included paralysis, visually impaired and other forms of disabilities. I think one of the harder things to see was how a child who looked seven was actually a twelve year old. I helped carry around a sweet girl with the biggest smile who seemed older than me. Her name was Nalta and she was paralyzed waist down. Towards the end of Dari's we got some of their wheelchairs out and brought them around the small courtyard. We also brought tons of musical instruments which started a full half-hour of loud worship led by Franzie, a 20 year old blind man who loves to clap. After Dari's we had a small break before we joined with the rest of our team. In the afternoon we went to Lapharre Orphanage. All of us kids created a good shepherd outline with activities and snacks for the kids. The activities went well, we only lost two pairs of scissors. Overall the kids were excited and the majority were patiently waiting their turns. After our good shepherd activities, we grabbed the parachute and jump ropes to play with the kids. Somehow we ended the day with arm wresting competitions before leaving back to the guest house. Overall, I feel that we were all stretched in some ways, giving us a good idea about how the rest of the week is going to be!

Posted by Abby Schroeder

First Day Serving

Today was our first day serving in Haiti and we went to the home of sick and dying babies. Not knowing what to expect it ended up being such an inspirational experience. Crib after crib these babies were laying there or crying just wanting to be loved and held, which is exactly what we did. The first baby that I was drawn to was a little girl who looked about three months old, when really I found out she was eight months old. Every time I'd lay this baby down she would cry and cry longing to just be held a little longer. Another young girl who was four had just been received in two days before we arrived it was heart wrenching because she sat by the door crying for her "mama." This was really eye opening because she didn't if or when they would ever come back. There were a few babies receiving IV's for malnutrition which showed us the seriousness of the situations in Haiti. This was such an amazing experience and it was so hard to leave there without wanting to take them with you. God is sure doing amazing things in that environment because the love is so strong and evident.
- Emily Leibke