Scott/Wayne EBC Team: Lean In

In last night’s meeting Wayne and I challenged the team “for each of us to get out of our own way so that God can use us in his way. We may have the preconceptions about who we think we are, but often times that is a false sense of reality. God’s version of us is who we really are. What would happen if we pushed past our fears and insecurities? Imagine what kind of potential we would reach for Him. This week, we will be challenged, stretched and uncomfortable but when that happens… we need to Lean in… because, most likely, that moment is exactly where He wants us to be. Today, we did just that.

Our first stop was to Carrefour, which is known as the Home for Sick and Dying Adults. I personally have never been to this stop, so I was not sure what to expect. Our job here was to just be… present… which in our culture is slowly becoming an unfamiliar concept. We often find ourselves connected to just about everything but the present. However, equipped with bottles of lotion we entered rooms of bed ridden patients longing to feel the touch of someone who wants to love and be near them. We had the privilege of massaging lotion onto the patient’s hands, backs, shoulders, legs and feet. Many of the sick are too weak to move or are in so much pain they’d rather not, so having us there is a real treat. To some this may sound like uncomfortable interactions with strangers, but to God, we are obediently serving our brothers and sisters.

Our next stop was to the orphanage, La Loo. La Loo has around 35 children that range from 4-16 years old. These children were a joy! They were ecstatic to see us pull in. Our 6’6” team member, Dave Holmes, quickly became their living, breathing jungle gym. J After some play time we sat down for a bible study and activity. The study pulled pieces out of the books of Ephesians and Romans. [Put on your full Armor of God so that you can take a stand…against the evils of this world… for each of you were made with unique gifts and talents by the grace of God.] In an environment where many of the orphans were abandoned, they need to know that they are still loved and important to God. Furthermore, they must use that understanding to protect themselves from a world that wants them to think otherwise.

Overall, the trip has been physically, mentally and spiritually rewarding and it’s only begun. I am looking forward to experiencing the inevitable growth of this team in the upcoming days. Next up, Water Truck Day!

God Blesses Always,

Scott

Scott/Wayne EBC Team: "Who Does God Say that You Are?"

I can't believe it is almost midnight! Today started at 5:00 am with a cup of coffee at my home in St. Paul, and here we are after a long, but easy and uneventful travel day to Port au Prince. I am very excited for this team! We only have one returning "goer" but the openness and togetherness this team is already displaying is setting us up for a tremendous week of serving as God's hands and feet. Tonight, we did our "word of the day," which allows everyone to reflect on the day. Although, we spent most of the day in an airport, it was great to hear words like calm, easy, open, gel, and stress-free. However, it was also great to hear words like perception and surprise. My word was "anticipation"...the anticipation of the great things this team is about to do! The anticipation of watching someone grow in their faith. The anticipation of watching someone's confidence explode as they learn to realize their potential to become all that they already are. There's a very good chance that God sees us much differently than we see ourselves. But, as we begin to reflect on what the week holds in-store for us, it is important to realize that we are all about to make a difference. We are all difference makers.

Wayne

Cody Team - Day 6 - "Home for Sick and Dying Adults, and preparing our hearts for home"

Day Six: Saturday October 29

The day started with a great devotional from one of the ladies on
our team. The devotional song and commentary challenged each of
us to surrender to God. Not in part, retaining something for us, but
in total, holding nothing back. It was a perfect devotional to precede
our work at Mother Teresa's clinic for sick and dying adults. Our
trip to the clinic was a bit of a problem because the route the driver
had planned was blocked for some reason. We had to double back
for a few miles and then take an alternate and, substantially
rougher route. Once we arrived, I think we were all rather glad that
part of the trip was over.
We split the team by gender and the women went to the women's
ward while we went to the men's ward. Most of us put on treatment
room exam gloves and then proceeded to rub in body lotion and
massage the muscles for each patient that gave us permission. A
small few said no because they just didn't feel up to it. Some were
so eager that they were getting ready before we finished the patient
next to them. As I massaged each one I asked if he spoke English.
If so, we would exchange names and converse a bit. Either way, I
would pray for God to comfort the patient and surround him with
love. When we parted, I would provide a short blessing; "may the
grace and peace of God surround you for all your days and may you
dwell in the house of the Lord forever". Then I thanked them for
allowing me to serve them in this way. Many did not speak English.
But, if I spoke softly to them and firmly shook their hand I always
got a broad smile.
From Mother Teresa's we went to the Haitian Historical museum for
a tour and then further down that street we pulled over to stop and
visit some street vendors. There were paintings, wood crafts - cups,
bowls and such. Some hammered metal plaques and much more I
can't remember. When we finished shopping we returned to the
guest house where most got ready for swimming and I tried to think
of what to write.
Tonight, after supper and the team meeting we will pack because on
Sunday we return home and some of the flights are rather early in
the morning. We return home. Our normal lives resume, whatever
that may be. But I think for most of us a small corner of our heart
will remain here calling to us to return. I know mine will.

Adieu jis nan ane kap vini
(Farewell until next year)

Cody Team - Day 4 & 5 - "Growth, Tenderness, Worship, Necessity & Success"

Day Four:

On Thursday we went to visit Grace Village. It is about a 45 minute
drive from the guest house. It is located in the town of Titanyen;
translated to English is "Less than nothing". This town was also
chosen as the site of the mass grave used for the victims of the
2010 earthquake, estimating 250,000+ souls.
It was amazing and heartwarming to see the changes just from last
year. The children are very well cared for and appear quite happy
and outgoing. We toured their dining facility, including the kitchen,
their school, library and medical clinic. All of the facility looked well
maintained. However, the facility and the children's care were not
the area of the most change. Since my visit last year they had
revised the way the children's housing was supervised. They had
also begun taking in the children from orphanages that the Haitian
government had ruled unfit and closed. They have also begun a
program to search for and contact relatives of the children so they
may be reunited if possible.
There has also been a partnering with other large non-profit groups
so that each organization can deploy it's strengths and fall back on
the facilities and strengths of other units when needed. Personally,
I see great promise in this arrangement.
At our evening team meeting I sensed that the others had also seen
great promise in what was being done at Grace village. After we left
the children's area we went the short distance down the hill and
stopped at their new commercial bakery that is just opening. We
toured the bakery and also saw where they will be opening a small
restaurant. They hope to pull in the crowed after church (which is
just next door) for the restaurant and sell baked goods to the local
villagers and possibly in Port-Au-Prince.
The whole endeavor is aimed at strengthening the Haitian
economy by employing only Haitian workers once each project is
completed.
I think the most emotional part of the day was our afternoon visits to
the Healing Haiti supported elderly living in the Titanyen area. As we
stopped at each home we asked, through an interpreter, questions
about how they were doing and what they needed. Then, with their
permission, we would wash their feet and rub body lotion on their
feet, legs, arms etc.. one of our guides brought an electronic
keyboard and guitar and played worship songs for us to sing. Then before we
left we said a prayer for them. The general reaction for the team
was that we knew they had a hard life, all their life and now, in their
declining years, they still had it hard. Yet, we saw Faith in God and
a will to keep on going. I think we were blessed at least as much as
they were. As we travel the streets of Haiti, God is teaching us
many lessons. Many of these people have not even dreamed of
having what we take for granted every day. Yet, they can be happy
and praise God for what they have.
More on Friday - October 28th

Day Five;

We started early today. Everyone was up and ready about 5:30am
because we were going to church. What a blessed experience. I
could not understand much of what I heard, but it was not
necessary. The sight of these people walking, standing, and
kneeling with hands raised in prayer and praise to God was
unmistakable and infectious.
After church we returned to the guest house for breakfast and to
change clothes for another water truck morning. We actually made
two stops today. I had the camera for picture taking. I got out of our
TapTap and was mobbed by little children wanting their picture
taken. They don't just want their picture taken, they want to see it as
well. It appears to give them great joy to see themselves on the
camera screen. The littler ones don't understand why you can't
hold them at the same time you are taking pictures. So, I had to
alternate with holding a few and then taking pictures. It was a
beautiful water stop morning.
After the water stops were over we returned to the guest house to
change into clean clothes for a trip to tour an organization called The Apparent Project that
manufactures clay into pottery and colored beads. They appear to
be growing and employ over 190 Haitians. We shopped for
souvenirs and had refreshments in their coffee shop.
Since this was near the close of our day, we stopped for pizza
before returning to the guest house for our closing team meeting.

Cody Team - Day 3 - "Mother Teresa, Gertrude, La Phere Orphanage"

Day Three:

On our third day, we split the team in half. One part of the team went to an orphanage while the other group went to Mother Teresa's clinic for sick and dying babies. I will describe my feelings about the trip to Mother Teresa's clinic. When we first entered the clinic we delivered two suitcases full of donated items like 4x4 gauze pads, Betadine antiseptic solution, and other items needed by the clinic. Then, we split up and some went to hold babies and others went to play with the toddlers. Holding these tiny children, talking softly to them and praying that God would heal them was a blessing to me.

The heart breaking thing was to hear them start crying when you

laid them back in their crib.

After holding and praying for several of the babies, I went up to the room with the toddlers. This was a different type of blessing. Many would run to you wanting to be held and wanting you to play with them and their toys. One little boy had a toy truck that was like a flatbed trailer. He didn't quite know what to do with it. So, I put it on the floor and placed another one of his toys on it and then rolled it across the room. He ran and brought it back and watched as I did it again. That's all it took. He was off to play using the truck in it's new found way.

The most blessed experience at the clinic was when one little girl came and wanted me to hold her. I picked her up to sit on my lap and she watched the others play for a few minutes and then looked up into my eyes, lay her head on my shoulder and in a few minutes was sound asleep. She slept soundly in my arms for a long time.  When we had to leave, I carried her in and placed her in her assigned bed, still sound asleep. I thank God for allowing me to experience this moment of complete trust from this little child. I will take the vision of her trusting eyes home with me. 

After a short rest back at the guest house, we went to an orphanage to play with the children. We brought crayons and pages to be colored, and soccer balls. The soccer was played in a small confined area but that didn't diminish the joy and enthusiasm you could see on the boys faces. I tried a bit of soccer when some of the younger boys invited me. I could tell they were taking it easy on me when I saw one of the boys roll the ball to me. I got whipped by

the six or seven year olds. Still, we had a great time.  Looking at the conditions in the orphanage we saw a well cared for living space. More importantly, we could tell by the way the children interacted with each other and with us that they were being well raised. They were respectful and courteous. They came to each of us as we were about to leave and hugged us with smiles on there

faces.

Cody Team - Day 2 - "Hey You!"

Day Two:  Water Truck Day

Our second day, Tuesday, started with water truck stops. We delivered water to several stops in Cite Soleil. As always, the children came running wanting to be lifted up and to have their picture taken. And, we took many pictures. At one of the stops a little girl came up to me to be held for a while. I picked her up and noticed that she must have had very loving care. Her hair was well cared for with braids and some white beads. She had on a very nice dress. It was a pink print material with white trim. While I held her a young man came up to us and spoke to the girl. Just then, we were called to return to the TapTap because we were leaving for the next stop. The little girl said something in creole which I could not understand. The young man asked if I wanted to know what she had said. Naturally, I said yes.. He told me she had called me her Angel. The love I felt for her had surely been returned.  

Our afternoon was spent visiting a fishing pier and then going to Haiti Initiative, a place that provides education, a soccer training program and a meal for local children. To get to be on the soccer teams the children must do all their school work. When we walked into the school and meal area the children ran to claim someone to sit with them and hold them.  A bright-eyed little girl claimed me and took me to where she wanted to sit. There were some songs that they sung. This little girl sang with such enthusiasm and joy that it was infectious. Then, she took me up with her to get her lunch. It was a rice and meat mixture that looked nutritious. When we got back to her place, I as astonished to watch her untie a plastic bag from her pocket and then start spooning her meal into the bag. She ate none of it. Also, a girl sitting beside her dumped about 90 percent of her lunch on my girls plate and all of that went into the bag. I finally realized what was happening. She was taking it home to her family. God blessed me so much to allow me to sit with this young girl. I was humbled to watch this loving act from this young person.

Cody Team - Day 1 - "Arrival"

Healing Haiti Mission Trip - October 24, 2016 - Team 2

Day One:

The team arrived on two different flights. Two men from New York

on an American Airlines non stop flight from Kennedy International to Port-au-Prince arrived about 11:00am Haitian time. The rest of

the team flew on Delta from various locations, meeting in Atlanta

and then proceeding to Haiti from there. Both groups had good

flying weather and, thankfully, uneventful flights.

Our team is comprised of fifteen souls. Five women and ten men.

Our evening meal was about 8:30pm. Afterword, we gathered

together in the lounging area for fellowship and a briefing from our

team leaders. With that out of the way, we all turned in for some much needed rest to prepare for the first day of mission work.