!!! On Day 5, we woke up to the unpleasant reality of “no running water in our guest house!” I must admit that I felt disgusted and upset and sooooooooooooo disappointed to not be able to shower and wash my hair. Nevertheless, life does not stop because of such an “inconvenience” in Haiti. So, life goes on.
Despite no showers,
we proceeded with our day; we went to church.
On a Friday at 6 a.m., we went to church. The church that we attended had originally
been destroyed by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, but the people rebuilt it on a
rock—hence it is known as The Church on the Rock. Attending this 6 a.m. service transformed my
spirit. As always happens in church my
soul was touched by the Holy Spirit. My
tears began to flow and I felt “convicted”—convicted of unreasonable
thoughts. How could I be angry about “no
running water” for a few hours, when my brothers and sisters in Cite Soleil
have no running water all day—every day.
How could I dare to focus on a “temporary inconvenience” when God’s
blessings are unceasing and so AWESOME! Our
team stayed at The Church on the Rock” for one hour. During that one- hour experience, we
witnessed men and women, girls and boys—all ages—manifesting their unabashed
praising of God. We didn’t understand
the words of the minister, nor the lyrics of the keyboard player; however, we
all left that church spiritually satiated.
I, personally, left with a new outlook on the day that had started with
disappointment.
After a
satisfying breakfast and the day’s morning devotion, we were transported to the
town of Titanyen where Grace Village is located. The name of the town, Titanyen, means “little
or nothing.” However, because of God’s “call”
on the hearts of some visiting Minnesota, USA residents less than a decade ago,
there is “something of great value” to witness in Titanyen—GRACE VILLAGE. Grace Village—with its orphanage, its church,
its affordable medical clinic, its school with a state-of-the-art technology
center, and its profit-making bakery and restaurant that employs residents from
the village, Titanyen – is a place that God’s hands have undoubtedly touched. It is a place that one could consider a
paradigm for other places in Haiti to follow.
Although there
were other activities that our team did on Day 4 that were enjoyable, perhaps
the highlight was our visit to two Healing Haiti Village Elders, and the
washing of their feet. You see, Healing
Haiti has a special focus on children and being able to keep families together;
however, helping to support their village elders and to honor them is also a
priority. One of the ways that their
dignity is honored is by massaging their shoulders and washing their feet—humbling
ourselves like Jesus humbled himself to His disciples by washing their feet
(John 13:1-17). We duplicated this “expression
of love” upon our return to the HH Guesthouse by washing one another’s feet and
reflecting upon that personal experience.
Day 5 has been
another FULL DAY—some of it disappointing; some of it exhilarating. As the writer
of this day’s blog, however, it is important that I re-echo the daily hearts’
desires of our entire team: Glwa Pou Bondye!
Glory to God! -Judith
