Day 2- Dares' Special Needs and Home For Sick and Dying

 Dares' Home for Special Needs opened my eyes to true joy but also true helplessness. I found that the kids who were almost completely dependent upon others had the greatest joy in everything, they never ceased to cry out hallelujah or Jesus loves you, this blew my mind. These kids struggle with the easiest tasks but they were always smiling and full of love for us and for each other.

 The little boy in the orange shirt pretty much ran the place and stole everyone's toys but he also pushed kids into adventuring with him. I loved pushing him in a wheelchair while he would yell out "Beep Beep" and high five everyone. He was a joy for everyone to be around and he wouldn't let go of my hand. It was an amazing experience that I want to bring back with me and make a difference.

 On the other hand this beautiful girl was paralyzed from the neck down and couldn't move. It was very hard to watch her without knowing the best way to convey love to her. I sat with her head in my lap and played with her hair and earlier Ozzie Sr. held her. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that I couldn't do anything to give more love to her. I had no idea what she wanted but I tried my best to give as much love to her as possible.

The other half of our team went to the home for sick and dying, but we couldn't take pictures there as it wasn't allowed. However, that time of caregiving was one of a kind for Trent, Kate, Alison, Dobee, Annie, Dana, and Ellie. They were able to hold and love on these children and found significant times where these moments resulted in a chain reaction of love that could only be due to God's power. Just ask about the experience that Dobee had.

 Catching some Zs on the way to Grace Village. Here we are being explained the process of aquatonics. That is being changed after this year and other ways to help the haitians learn how to better farm the land are just around the corner.

Here we are doing some pregame prepping as we prepare for the start of our sport camp. Making friendships with the kids before the camp actually begins.

The view from Grace village toward the Atlantic ocean.

This day was another blessing from God. We were all happy to have the chance to serve him whole heartedly.
  blogged by - Tessah Anderson

June 26th, Water Truck and Haitian Initiative

The first day of travel was as uneventful trip which was nice. No problems and a smooth entry into the Haitian world. As we descended onto the island I felt like an astronaut’s meal, fully prepared just needing to add water. The water in our case is the Holy Spirit’s power. Our prayer is that God will be at work in our lives to the extent that it will be hard not for the Haitian people not to notice him. Therefore, just like an instant meal brings amazement with its provision from a small package, we too hope our small efforts produce God sized results.

Today we started the day with breakfast, eggs with turkey, green & red peppers, onions, cheese, oatmeal, french toast, mangos, bananas, avocado, and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. 

Had some time to relax prior to taking off to a ½ hour ride in the tap tap to Cite Solie’ over bumpy terrain. 

Water truck 9:30 AM: We arrived with many expectations but so many more unknowns. Our desire was to spread a rich love over the people as we shared water from the water truck and then did all we could think of to entertain and serve alongside the young children some of which are Restaveks (slaves) trying to make their loads more manageable, 40 pound water pails for a 70 pound youngster.

We spent time shuttling water to shanties and playing with young children expressing the love of God in our most creative ways getting ourselves overwhelmed with their desires for love. The minute you would put down one child another the swarm would be vying for your love with the scuffling of others. 

From the two runs with the water truck that lasted about at total of 4 hours we drove onto the Haiti Initiative (A soccer school for students - they participate in the MN Schwans World Cup each year. We spent time in a practice with some students in elementary school and then headed back to the compound.

At the compound some of the group had the luxury of going to a pool for the hour prior to dinner, while four stayed back and played monopoly deal as a group.

Dinner hit the spot and then we spent time as a team praising God and reflecting on all that God disclosed to us and what he was able to accomplish through our willing hearts and tuned in spirit.
What a great day of performance. God was active as we responded with our best effort. We found much encouragement in seeing the team work together and God present his power.

Getting this post on the blog was a three hour effort - Trent and Oz

Sports Camp Team Heads to Haiti

Hi Haiti Sports Camp Fans...

The Haiti Sports Camp 2016 team assembled this morning at the airport for the start of their adventure in Haiti.  They will fly to Atlanta and then onto Haiti today.   They only had a couple of bags which needed adjustment to meet the 50lbs limit.   The tentative schedule for the week is attached.  Such a fun team!

Pete (from the dropoff crew)

Brophy Packing Day

Team Brophy Packing Day!!!!

3 days and counting;

 10 - Basketball
   5 - Footballs
   5 - Volleyballs
 89 - Granola Bars
 24 - Hockey Sticks
 50 - Backpacks
100 - Notebooks
    3 - hula hoops
125 - t-shirst


Way to go team Brophy!!!!

Day 6~ Community

What an amazing and fulfilling day! We arrived at an orphanage for deaf children of all ages and were greeted immediately with smiling faces. Luckily we had Delaney with us who knew ASL and was quickly teaching us words and interpreting. The orphanage had several buildings and lots of land that consisted of schools, trade/professional teaching for the older kids, and farmland with cows, crops and hens. There was a pretty large soccer field and playground equipment too. Most of the boys were playing soccer or baseball, while some of us were busy chatting with our new friends. Yes - chatting; we actually did pretty well signing and using white boards to learn about each other. We knew each others' names, ages, family members and even talked about Jesus. The biggest highlight for Cameron and Logan was when everyone just started gathering to dance. It all started with a couple boys showing a few how to do the Macarena and before you knew it, everyone was strutting their stuff; from the Dougie, the Nae-Nae, the Whip, and just crazy moves. We didn't need music or sound to be able to communicate with each other. It was hard to sign our goodbyes and for Cameron to finally take his new friend off his shoulders.

For the afternoon, we gathered both of our guest houses up and loaded up the tap-taps with both teams and all the neighborhood boys and headed to the Duval soccer fields. It was a very hot afternoon but didn't seem to affect the game. It didn't matter if you've ever played soccer before - all that mattered was the fun of the game and getting to know each other better. On the way home, one of the older neighborhood boys (ages ranged from 12-22) busted out in praise and led us in worship songs: Glory to God (Glwa Pou Bondye), Bless the Lord, This Little Light of Mine. Kira's word for today was community; Cameron's word was dance; and Logan's word was enjoyable - hopefully that helps paint a picture of what our day was like.  Kira, Cameron and Logan Peterson

Day Five - Church and Water Truck

Today we started the day with an early church service. The way the people connected with Christ today in church was very moving for everyone. When entering the church they chose not a seat but an aisle to pace within. Their arms were outstretched towards the sky, to create a closer connection and establish an uncharted intimacy with God. The Haitian pastor was kind enough to preach in English upon seeing us arrive. Some of the elder church members greeted us with welcoming handshakes and hugs. The message was particularly centered around giving thanks to God. The phrase "just say thank you" was used a fair amount. This was incredibly moving due to it's raw and simplistic truth.

Then the team split up, majority of us going to work on the water truck. This was only supposed to occupy the first half of our serving day, so we made two stops as opposed to three. The first stop was on a narrow road, comparable to an alleyway, crowded with small children. The line for water was chaos. The locals were much in need of love and affection. Their need and desire for water grew apparent after witnessing the line's disorganization. However, the social aspect was amiable, the people were relatively friendly and the kids were ready and waiting with open arms for our love! The second stop was different from the first. At first, we were greeted warmly by chanting children, voicing the well-known phrase "hey you"! These words were commonly known amongst us, symbolizing each individuals significance. When you point to a specific child and say it, you're implying that they matter and they are loved. One word to describe the rest of the stop after exiting the tap-tap would be frantic. Mass swarms of teenagers and kids mixed surrounded us individually. At some points we found ourselves completely encompassed. Being new to these people and this environment, we were overwhelmed. Their interaction and physicality with us differed greatly from other stops. However, we overcame the foreign approach and ultimately delivered water to those in need of it.

- Kyra and Sam

Day 4-Grace Village~Elder visits

Elder visit day

Today was the most emotional day this week that I had experienced. It was elder visit day. I waited patiently before it was my turn to meet an elder. The elder I visited was a woman with a sister that looked around her age. Both were the sweetest things; sweeter than honey. One of the most moving things I witnessed during the visit was when the elder we visited asked if her sister could get the same treatment. The thing was that her sister wasn't part of the Healing Haiti elder visit. But we did, and I just saw the gratefulness in both of them. Near the end we prayed for them. I held the elder we were mainly visiting's hands. She asked me my name and then told me

hers. As we began to pray, I could hear her whispering words that I couldn't understand. This was where I started crying a little. I realized how much these elders, the Haitians in general meant to me. How much this woman and her sister had been through. I remembered that I hugged her, then hugged her sister, then hugged her again. I cried as I gave those hugs. Before we left, even before we prayed, I remember the woman stating she and her sister would pray for us.

 ~Callie

Today was another emotional day serving here in Haiti.  It was amazing to see what is happening at Grace Village with God's guidance.  From the description from those that have been here before, the transformation continues to be incredible.  The kids in Grace Village were similar to all the others we have encountered thus far in Haiti in that their first and foremost need is your attention and just for you to love on them as human beings.  They pull at you and hug you in throngs.  The smiles on their faces are priceless and have nothing to do with what they own or have in their possession.  It is truly amazing. I had two girls on my lap in giggles as I bounced them on my knees. Such simple entertainment.

After our visit to Grace Village, we did several elder visits.  Since we are a relatively large number, we broke up into three groups so that it wasn't an overwhelming number of people crowding into their small "homes".  I was in the second group visiting an older man named Lindor and it was truly an awesome visit. His face lit up upon our arrival and he allowed us to wash his feet and rub lotion on his feet and hands.  Then we sang a couple songs to which he wanted us to sing louder in our praising God.  He was such a life filled man that I couldn't keep the smile off of my face. Although we were there to benefit him, I walked away just as filled as him, if not more!

~Dawn