Day 4…..before dawn this morning the whole team attended the Church of the Rock. What a wonderful and awesome blessing it was to enter into the Haitian Church while men and women were praising with their Holy hands lifted high while walking around the sanctuary.
During worship one elderly brother danced over to the group with a huge smile
A women came over and hugged 2 of our group members. We stayed for about an hour exalting our Heavenly Father. We all agreed we could have stayed longer, but had to get going to our next stop. As we were leaving we could hear Alleluia and the words the Fire of God.
As we traveled and saw the small fires alongside the road used to burn trash, I couldn’t help thinking about the Fire of God and the beauty from the ashes
— Lorraine
Our 2nd stop of the day was to Peace Cycle. Peace Cycle recycles water bags. About 8 million bags are used a day and only about 1,000 a day get recycled. They first clean the bags, dry them, cut them, iron/stem them, separate them and then organize in packs tot get out. Some of the bags get sent to sewers to make bags to sell. They keep track of how many people purchase items from them and so far MN is winning!
The 3rd place we visited was Papillon Enterprise. Papillon was founded by Shelly who came to Haiti to adopt children. She did not end up adopting once she found out that these children actually had families that wanted them, but just couldn’t provide for them. She decided she would create jobs for the Haitians and sell the items they made. These workers get paid by a quota or items that are sold in the store. The store sells items such as jewelry, pottery, tshirts, coasters, bags, ornaments and many many more things. We took a tour of the business and it was amazing to see how creative and talented the people are. They make beads from the clay and cereal boxes.
—Tracie
Our last stop of the day was at the Home for Sick and Dying Children; I’ll admit this was the day in our schedule that gave me the most anxiety. I love children and I have spent most of my life caring for them as a nanny, a mom, and a teacher. Our team circled up to pray before entering the building and this helped calm my nerves tremendously. As we walked through the entryway I could hear the babies crying from their cribs but thanks to the powerful prayer of my team I felt the courage to walk toward the cries and through the door. I thought to myself, I want the little one that looks the worst and needs the most. Jesus stopped me at crib #23. He was 5 months old, had a bandage around his head and a large scar on the side of his face that continued up into his bandage. It looked like a healing burn of some sort. He looked up at me with his huge brown eyes and smiled. I held him, I changed his diaper, I fed him dinner and sang You Are My Sunshine. His eyes locked with mine and I am now changed. Reluctantly, I put him back in his crib. I rotated around the room holding as many babies as possible, sometimes one in each arm. The time flew by way too fast and they said it was time to go. I have no words to describe how difficult it was to leave.
The longer I am Haiti the more I see Jesus. I saw Him at church while worshiping with the Haitian people, I saw Him at Apparent Project, I saw Him as our team laughed together, and I saw Him in the eyes of crib #23. My favorite Jesus sighting was back at the house. This day was the most difficult day for many of my team, including me. Watching our team care for each other, pray over one another, listen and provide support was a beautiful sight. I am grateful, I am heartbroken, I am healing, I am changed.
— Kristi Nathe
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