EBC: Anna & Abby's Daily Blog (Travel Day)

ANNA & ABBY’S DAILY BLOG (Day 1)

The day started off pressing snooze 20 times. After being stuck behind snow plows and surviving the icy roads we all met at around 4:15. We headed to security (Wayne only forgot his luggage once!) With our coffee and breakfast we all flew to Atlanta, GA. After the short layover we were finally on our way to Port-au-Prince. Flying over Haiti was breathtaking and the anticipation grew as we landed. The tap tap picked us up, and we squeezed all 18 of us on there. We all took in the sights surrounding us- including goats, chickens, and dogs roaming in the streets.

Arriving at the guest house, we were greeted by 2 of the long term missionaries. The puppies and dogs got a lot of attention as we relaxed outside together, discussing our smooth travel day and the Vikings victory (none of us can still believe it actually happened.)

For dinner, we had sloppy joes (an American classic), beans, and peppers. By the end of the meal, half of us were struggling to keep our eyes open. We cleaned up our dishes and sat among each other on the couches, discussing our words of the day. It has been a fun experience seeing how we are bonding together. We all bring our own different strengths to the team. We can’t wait to see what He has in store for us tomorrow as we take on a challenging day- distributing water in Cite Soleil! 

EBC: We Have Arrived! (Travel Day)

WE HAVE ARRIVED! (Day 1)

Our day started at the airport at 4:15 AM.  Snow flurries and slow snow plows couldn’t keep us away.  Seventeen of our team made the way through security checks to gate G-1 where we waited for our flight to Atlanta to depart.  We were flying out with a second Healing Haiti team of twelve from Crystal.  All of us were recognizable by our grey Healing Haiti tee-shirts.  Our waiting at the gate allowed us time to get to know each other better, just making sure we could call each other by name.  People were curious about who we were and what we were off to do.  We gladly shared our mission with them.

We arrived in Atlanta where our team became complete at 18 team members, with Linda flying in from Des Moines to join us.   Our second leg of the journey brought us to Port-au-Prince where we successfully maneuvered through security to get our bags.  We were met by our Tap-Tap which is like a bus that took us to the Healing Haiti compound.   We explored the compound and moved into our rooms.  We relaxed on the balcony and received our orientation by Grace, the long-term missionary on grounds.  Shortly after, we ate our supper together around the long table that accommodated all of us.

This evening we had our first team meeting.  It provided more time of getting to know each other and sharing each of our “Word of the Day”.  Some of our words included fortunate, anticipation, intimidated, grateful, trust, curiosity, smooth, coffee, love, stranger, peace, success, and opportunity.  Tomorrow we will jump right into our ministry by going with the water truck into Cite Soleil.   Dear Lord use us!      

Through His Grace

To begin our day, 8 of us attended "On the Rock" church at 6 am. This was a very unique and interesting experience because there were a bunch of Haitians walking around waving their arms and praising the Lord. Most of the service was in Creole; however, there were a few parts that the pastor said in English. I can see the spirit of Christ flowing through each Haitian every day in many different ways.

After breakfast, we ventured up to Grace Village, which is about a 45 minute drive into the mountain area, but we took a stop at the grave/earthquake memorial along the way. On this day 8 years ago, there was a large earthquake here in Haiti, which killed over 300,000 people. Our Healing Haiti staff shared their stories of what they were doing on that particular day. Their stories touched all of our hearts. Many tears were shed during our prayer over the grave and over all of the families and friends still grieving.

Grace Village is located in a city called Titanyen, which means "less than nothing;" however, this is far from true because this city is beautiful. Grace Village is an orphanage for children of all ages. We were able to see their classrooms, their playground, and their homes they live in. There is a bakery and a restaurant that is part of Grace Village, called Fleuri which means flourished in Creole. Fleuri is fitting name because Grace Village and the bakery/restaurant is flourishing every day. It is always growing, expanding, and helping serve the Lord. We were able to eat here for supper after we visited some elders.

Visiting and serving the elders was a very special moment. We were able to wash their feet, give them a massage, and give them a meal. All of them really appreciated our work we did for them, but I believe that they were giving more to us than we were to them. I was honored to be able to wash Marie's feet with Katie, while Elizabeth was giving her a massage. She was very appreciative and I was thankful that I was able to help her. While at the elder's homes, we would sing songs in both Creole and English. I enjoyed every moment of it, and I am sure they did as well. While serving the second elder, Flerisiane, I started crying while holding two little kids' hands. The girl who was holding my hand looked up at me and saw that I was crying and then laid her head against my arm. This was a very special moment for me, which made me start to cry even more. Simultaneously, the little boy, who was probably about 3 years old, looked at me and readjusted his grip to make it even tighter. Even though we do not speak the same language, we are still connected and are still able to communicate, especially through the spirit of God. After visiting with Marie and Flerisiane, we visited Lindor, who was really funny and a joy to be around. We then went to visit Jude Jean, who is a young boy with epilepsy. Jude Jean is not able to communicate, so we just sung songs to him and cared for his mom, who is his caretaker. He really touched my heart because I know a young girl back in Minnesota who has epilepsy. She recently was given amazing news that her EEG came back normal, so they are going to start eliminating her medications. I am seeing God work in glorious ways all around the world. He is truly an awesome God.

I am blessed to be serving our God and blessing many people here in Haiti. God is strengthening me and stretching me further than I could have ever imagined. I thank God every day for giving me this opportunity, and I am already looking forward to the next time when I can come back to Haiti, but right now I am focusing on the couple days that we have left here. I am going to make the most out of every day I have left serving here and I will value all of these precious moments forever.

Day 3- Orphanage Visit and Papillon

Today was another amazing day of spending time with beautiful and joyful Haitian children and discovering one courageous woman's plan for drawing Haiti out of impoverishment one by one. We made two stops at LaLou and For His Glory Orphanages. As soon as they were released from their rooms, the kids came running out with huge smiles ready to be picked and give some love. We got to cuddle with sweet Haitian babies and spend time with first and second graders at their recess playing Hop Scotch, tic-tac-toe and coloring pictures.Tonight at our team time, we all agreed that though we are here to bless and show God's love to others, we feel like we are receiving much more than we are giving. At the second orphanage, an intense game of soccer was started in an alley next to a pile of rubble still leftover from the earthquake. Despite these conditions, the children laughed and played a very competitive game where one of our team members actually got "kicked out" of the game for not being quite fast enough :)

In between orphanages, we stopped at Papillon (Butterfly in English). This is a shop started by a woman who had a passion for empowering Haitian parents to provide for their kids instead of bringing them to orphanages. The store employs about 350 Haitians who do everything from digging the clay to make necklaces and bracelets to selling delicious smoothies and pizza to giving tours of the compound. It was very heartening to see opportunities for the Haitians to provide for their own families and feel proud of their work.

Another amazing day serving God and making new friends we will one day see again in Heaven.

Water for Friends - Living Waters Team

Today was water truck day, and we made deliveries to three different locations in Cite Soleil. At each stop the smiles from the Haitians were endless and infectious.  Immediately we were welcomed with a chorus of  "hey you, hey you", as the younger kids gathered around our transport (called the Tap-Tap).  The time spent at each destination seemed to fly by, as you methodically transition between hugging and carrying children, and hauling water.  Is it possible to develop a lasting friendship in less than an hour?  Well, as scripture tells us, "...with God, all things are possible" (Mathew 19:26).  At the first stop we made I was befriended by Oseesi, an eight year old Haitian boy who absolutely warmed my soul.  Oseesi held my hand when I carried water buckets, and was attached to my hip when returning for more. We shared a long embrace when it was time to leave, and let each other know that we are loved by Jesus.  As we were driving away I heard my name being called out.  It was my new friend Oseesi, running alongside the Tap-Tap.  I do not know how far away the next stop was, but after disembarking, and through a swarm of new faces, and cries of "hey you", I again heard my name called out in the familiar voice of my little friend, Oseesi. He stayed close to me the whole time at this stop too.  How cool is that!  I will cherish this day and the memory of my new friend, and I know that I know, deep in my heart, that it will most certainly last!

Travel, arrival and first day in Haiti Team 2 Gambino/Hanson

We have safely arrived in Haiti after a whirlwind of smooth travel from Minneapolis to a short night in Miami and an early flight from Miami to Port-au-Prince. We arrived to a relatively calm airport and welcome heat. After a brief wait in the airport parking lot we were greeted by our Healing Haiti staff and our Tap-Tap. Out into the loud and exciting traffic of Port-au-Prince and to the Guest House.

How nice to get settled in, have a delicious breakfast and a briefing of our first day in country.

 Away we go! Our first stop was to the Metal Market where Haitian artisans create amazing work in metals and the art of the haggle is tried on by a bunch of Minnesotans. Haggling is an art form in and of itself that is expected and done with a certain flourish by those more adept. After a few purchases we were off to our next adventure. Monfort School for Deaf Students,

What an amazing place Monfort is. We were given a short tour of the school and then of the grounds that included a farm on which they have goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, cattle, plantain trees, cabbages, mango, papaya, eggplants, avocados and more. Monfort serves 380 students of which 160 live on the grounds. After our tour we were able to spend some time playing with the children once they were done with their school day. What a wonderful, upbeat and glorious group of children they are. Even though many of us had not slept much since leaving Minnesota we were energized and uplifted!

Upon our return to the Guest House we find ourselves tired but quite content and filled with the joy of the wonderful Haitian people.

We now await what wonderful adventures await us in the coming days!


Glwa Pou Bondje!

Getting Ready

Our last minute preparations are underway!  Lots of packing, verifying documents, reviewing lists, watching videos.  We are so excited to see what God has in store for us as we travel to Haiti.