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
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