Thursday, March 18, 2021

Stoebner Team - Day 4 (Grace Village, Elders and Fleri)

 


Have you had a moment where you realized that what everyone wants and needs in a moment is the care and attention of someone who sincerely sees you?

We spent time today in the amazing grounds of Grace Village and then with four of the elders that Healing Haiti cares for. Whether it was the children moving from school room to the cafeteria in their joyful and playful manners with their brightly colored uniforms, or listening to the stories of lives well and hard lived of our elders, the impact on the team was tremendous. To sit in wonder as a woman with years and wisdom expressed how the teams presence in her home was a gift from God was a strange turn. It was turn from feeling like we had started there to serve her and yet walked away like she was the one delivering grace and love to us.

Mr. Rogers out it best when he said "treat the person right in front of you like they are the most important person in the whole world."

What if.....what if we each spent our days, busy as they are, trying our best to live that mantra. Treating every person, at work, at home, at the store, like for that quick minute they were the most important person in the world? What might change? What pain might lessen? What confidence might be bestowed? What conflicts might be averted?

Not easily done, but perhaps massively impactful. And, nothing was ever promised to be easy. 

A friend once asked, "why do you always take the hard road?" I replied, "what makes you think I see two roads?"

Do better by each other. Kids, elders, everyone. Treat each other like the other is the most important in the world for that minute in time and see what happens!

Stoebner Team - Day 3 (In house)

An Unexpected Day!  

We all awoke with excitement and expectant hearts.  We had a full day planned - Another day to hold and love on the 'bell' Haitian people.  We plan in our hearts the course, but the Lord established our steps today.  Unexpected situations turned into unexpected blessings.  

Stories of who we are defined by God.  Your story - My Story - God's stories!  We paused to listen to God's stories within the 2 teams!  Community shared between two teams turned into Unity that only could happen because God established our steps today.  

We experienced and shared in the cultures of Haiti right within the walls of the Guest House of Port au Prince.  I think they thought they were only sharing their secrets of Haitian cooking and cleaning, but again Communities coming together turned into blessings. They have a Joy, Passion and Love for life that is so evident in their beautiful eyes and smiles and SO willing to share with us.  






The night was ended by the Guest House staff in preparing a Haitian Feast at one table for both teams!! 

What an amazing AWE some filled unexpected day!   Our hearts are full - can they get any fuller!   

It was a good day to have a good day!