EBC Day 6: Healing Haiti, Healing Us

Healing Haiti, Healing Us

Each new sunrise we watch from our porch seems to reflect the potential for hope and healing in Haiti, as day after day, we answer God’s call on our team to be the hands and feet of Christ. The power and presence of Christ is authentic and overwhelming in this beautiful country He created, which was created for a reason and with a purpose. But, why? Our group was challenged tonight to ask ourselves what God is teaching us in Haiti instead of why things are happening in Haiti. I believe it is safe to say that we all signed up for this trip with the intention of “healing Haiti”, unaware of God’s intention of Haiti healing us in return.

No matter rich or poor, white or black, human beings live in a broken world where they suffer and fail to thrive on our own. What we need is God. We need God when the sun rises. We need God to endure the day. We need God when the sun sets. We need God while we rest. We need God-given resources to bless others and ultimately glorify His name all the days of lives. Although most Haitians do not have many tangible resources to offer, they have the resources that can be found in having Jesus, if nothing else: Love, peace, joy, and hope. Today I read a related excerpt from my personal bible study lesson: “For God’s people, suffering is an opportunity to glorify God as we find He is all we need. His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.” In other words, Christ is enough.

So to answer the question, I think God is teaching us that we need Him alone to heal from our individual sufferings. I believe everything happens for a reason, so I believe God knew what both our group and the Haitians needed this week: To cross each other’s paths; to love, smile, and laugh together; and to heal each other in ways we did not know were necessary. While healing Haiti, Haiti has been healing us to ultimately bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, the master healer and creator of us all.

On a lighter note, below are highlights from day #5:

·         Eating monkey bread French toast for breakfast to start the day strong (with coffee, of course!!!)

·         Visiting the Mass Grave Memorial to remember and honor the 2010 earthquake victims

·         Loving on, playing with, and learning from the children at the Haiti Deaf Academy

·         Playing outside with the children at Grace Village

·         Enjoying pizza for dinner at Fleri Resto and having some healthy inter-team competition playing “bags” (with every intention to remain humble—my dad and I were the reigning champions)

·         Learning how to salsa dance from Healing Haiti’s Director (Jean)

Five days down, two to go. God continues to be so, so good and the mastermind of it all. 

Emily

EBC: Making God a Priority (Day 5)

We’ve all heard it… “And suddenly all of the love songs were about him/her”.  After the last few days, this is how music has been resonating with me. During our morning devotions as well as our nightly team-time our leader, Wayne has been playing Christian songs that I have heard time and again. But this week they sound different. As a backdrop to the slideshow of each day’s pictures, these “love” songs are about how God is working in Haiti. It’s become apparent that as many times as I’ve listened, I’ve never really heard the lyrics speaking to me like they do now. Each word feels like God is speaking directly to me. To our team’s mission here in Haiti.

The overwhelming amount of sadness that you can feel for someone is immeasurable. I learned that within the first few steps I took in Cite Soleil. Why them? Why not me? It weighs you down until you feel like you can’t breathe. Then that heaviness is met with an even greater amount of joy that each Haitian seems to naturally possess despite the cards they’ve been dealt. It feels nearly impossible to put into words what our team has seen this week; what we have experienced. Each of the people we have interacted with so far are simply beautiful from the inside out! As I was overcome with emotion and the tears that came along with it, two precious babies, who clung to me with every ounce of strength they had, were wiping my tears away. These little ones who have no pants, no shoes, nothing, were comforting me. And with the most amazing smiles I’ve ever seen, they were pulling on my cheeks to make me smile as if mine could ever compete with theirs. With the abundance that I have and the little they have, it felt surreal to have these sweet souls comfort me. I will never forget that special little moment!

I see God working through all of my team members as well. Their individual strengths are being called upon in the most unique situations. It is evident that God is here. And with the Haitians both young and old. The amount of faith I have felt pouring out of them is inspiring. Haitians cling to God because He is all they have. It is raw and powerful. He is their top priority, and it’s become so clear to me that He needs to be mine as well.

 -Carlee

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon he waters wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith would be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.”   Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Hillsong United

EBC: Good Morning (Day 5)

Good morning from Haiti!

"If you are looking for despair, you will find despair.
If you are looking for hope, you will find hope.
If you are looking for God, you will find God!"

Last night, our team received homework...on Sunday, everyone must share at least one example of "where they saw God" this week. Yesterday, during a tour of the Fleuri bakery and restaurant, long-term missionary Jake explained that God often times puts opportunities in front of us, but often we don't open our eyes until that opportunity "punches us in the face." I know our eyes are definitely open on this trip, but I am excited to hear everyone's story on Sunday!

I am also posting a photo from one of our elder visits yesterday. We had a little extra time to spend with this special individual, and he even asked US for a photo :)

EBC: A Day at Grace Village (Day 4)

A Day at Grace Village

It’s 8:16 PM in Haiti and I’m currently surrounded by my 17 team members in the living room as I write this post (hoping I can compete with Abbie and Anna’s blogging skills). We are finishing up day 4 of an incredible trip, and although this may sound somewhat cliché, I feel like these people are starting to feel like my family. Each night we gather around and tell our stories from the day – there are sad stories, happy stories, and A LOT of laughter. Mostly about how Wayne wears socks with his sandals (its 90 degrees here).

Today was spent touring Grace Village and visiting the elderly in Titanyen, a town next to the beautiful Caribbean Sea. You really can’t describe how extraordinary Grace Village is, but I’ll give it the good ole college try. In eight short years Healing Haiti has created a community including a school with around 350 students, family-style homes with a mom and father figure for the children, a clinic with three physicians and one dentist, a church for the Titanyen community, and a bakery/restaurant to create jobs and grow the service industry in Haiti. They are providing modern learning techniques and technology to prepare the students to go to college and to get jobs of their own someday. The abundance of blessings this place provides on a daily basis is overwhelming.

After Grace Village we headed to serve the elderly in Titanyen. The Healing Haiti elder program sponsors and serves up to 40 older adults ranging in age and health status. Because of Haiti’s poor economy, many older adults go without basic care and affection. The program provides them with food, medical care, and weekly visits from teams such as ours to wash their feet and give them lots of love. Today we visited a man who was over 90 years old. He is blind and could barely hear what our translator was saying, but even with the communication barrier, he was glowing with joy simply from our presence in his home. They all did. Something as basic as holding a hand or massaging feet seemed to change their spirit. We ended each visit praying for them out loud as a team. 

It’s hard to explain what the Lord is doing to our souls in moments like that, but it feels like a million emotions all packed into one. You really start to realize that even with our different experiences, background, and economic status, we are all God’s children in the end.  

Ellie

EBC: Cite Soleil Photo (Day 3)

EBC: Anna & Abbie (Day 3)

Anna & Abbie Day 3

We are back by popular demand.

Some of the ladies woke up early for the sunrise this morning, while the men decided to get some (much needed) beauty sleep. We ate another delicious breakfast with French toast, eggs and fruit. After devotions on the patio, and lathering on some sunscreen, we all squeezed into the Tap Tap for another bumpy ride to City Soleil. Greeted by the many children, we got out the jump ropes and bubbles. The kids (and mothers) loved to jump rope with all of us. We blew bubbles with all the little kids, and even had time for a bible lesson. We taught about God’s promises by using a rainbow and its colors to help them understand. The bible lesson was successful, and by the end all the kids were dancing and singing about Jesus. After the fun morning we all went back to the guest house to shower, change, and munch on snacks.

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to visit Papillion Enterprises- an organization dedicated to orphan prevention and job creation. We were led on a tour around the area and learned about all the processes that went into making the sold goods. Our team spent time shopping and looking at the gift shop.

After Papillion, our team split into 2 groups- One went to the “Home for Sick & Dying Babies.” Another went to Gertrude’s…a special needs orphanage.

Home for Sick & Dying Babies- When we arrived we had an option of two rooms, one was infants and the other was toddlers. In the toddlers room we started off by feeding them and changing diapers. They begged to be held and cuddled. We gave them lots of love and attention, hopefully making their day a little better. We were heartbroken to leave them all, but we left feeling grateful for the opportunity to visit and hopefully make a difference.

Gertrude’s Special Needs Orphanage- Upon arrival, we were greeted by a group of enthusiastic kids ranging in age and ability. They were so excited to play with us! We played hopscotch, drew with chalk, and rolled them around in their wheelchairs. Mike and Dave even showed up the younger girls with their hopscotch skills. (We only wonder why they kept their talent hidden from us for so long.) Needless to say, the kids kept us pretty occupied. The joy on the children’s faces was unexplainable.

We ended the day with tacos and some hot sauce that was too hot for some to handle (aka Anna), but Ellie was a trooper and helped to finish off the left-overs. Our team debrief time after dinner was a great way to connect back up as a group and share our experiences. We think Ruth summed up the day perfectly tonight with her word of the day- Joy.

EBC: Sorry for the Delay (Day 3)

Sorry for the late post tonight, but Anna and Abby felt a little "girl talk" and time to play with the new puppies was more important than sharing all the amazing ways God is working through each of us :)  Or, perhaps it could be the slow internet connection...