Alleluia Haiti Team - Day One - Travel Day!

Our trip started out with our pilot welcoming our team onto his flight and thanking us for our service in Haiti.  We arrived safely in Miami and now awaiting our connecting flight to Haiti.  We are looking forward to settling into our guesthouse.  We will start our first day of serving tomorrow at three different orphanages.  Please continue to follow us and keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Eagle Brook Woodbury - Day 4

Day 4…..before dawn this morning the whole team attended the Church of the Rock. What a wonderful and awesome blessing it was to enter into the Haitian Church while men and women were praising with their Holy hands lifted high while walking around the sanctuary.

During worship one elderly brother danced over to the group with a huge smile

A women came over and hugged 2 of our group members. We stayed for about an hour exalting our Heavenly Father. We all agreed we could have stayed longer, but had to get going to our next stop. As we were leaving we could hear Alleluia and the words the Fire of God.

As we traveled and saw the small fires alongside the road used to burn trash, I couldn’t help thinking about the Fire of God and the beauty from the ashes

— Lorraine

Our 2nd stop of the day was to Peace Cycle. Peace Cycle recycles water bags. About 8 million bags are used a day and only about 1,000 a day get recycled. They first clean the bags, dry them, cut them, iron/stem them, separate them and then organize in packs tot get out. Some of the bags get sent to sewers to make bags to sell. They keep track of how many people purchase items from them and so far MN is winning!

The 3rd place we visited was Papillon Enterprise. Papillon was founded by Shelly who came to Haiti to adopt children.  She did not end up adopting once she found out that these children actually had families that wanted them, but just couldn’t provide for them. She decided she would create jobs for the Haitians and sell the items they made. These workers get paid by a quota or items that are sold in the store. The store sells items such as jewelry, pottery, tshirts, coasters, bags, ornaments and many many more things. We took a tour of the business and it was amazing to see how creative and talented the people are. They make beads from the clay and cereal boxes.

—Tracie

Our last stop of the day was at the Home for Sick and Dying Children; I’ll admit this was the day in our schedule that gave me the most anxiety.  I love children and I have spent most of my life caring for them as a nanny, a mom, and a teacher.  Our team circled up to pray before entering the building and this helped calm my nerves tremendously.  As we walked through the entryway I could hear the babies crying from their cribs but thanks to the powerful prayer of my team I felt the courage to walk toward the cries and through the door.   I thought to myself, I want the little one that looks the worst and needs the most.  Jesus stopped me at crib #23.  He was 5 months old, had a bandage around his head and a large scar on the side of his face that continued up into his bandage. It looked like a healing burn of some sort.  He looked up at me with his huge brown eyes and smiled.  I held him, I changed his diaper, I fed him dinner and sang You Are My Sunshine.  His eyes locked with mine and I am now changed.  Reluctantly, I put him back in his crib. I rotated around the room holding as many babies as possible, sometimes one in each arm.  The time flew by way too fast and they said it was time to go.  I have no words to describe how difficult it was to leave.

The longer I am Haiti the more I see Jesus.  I saw Him at church while worshiping with the Haitian people, I saw Him at Apparent Project, I saw Him as our team laughed together, and I saw Him in the eyes of crib #23.  My favorite Jesus sighting was back at the house.  This day was the most difficult day for many of my team, including me. Watching our team care for each other, pray over one another, listen and provide support was a beautiful sight.  I am grateful, I am heartbroken, I am healing, I am changed.  

— Kristi Nathe

Eagle Brook Woodbury Day 3

Day 3

Today was our second water truck day going back into Cite Soleil.  Unlike the first day, I was one of the first out of the tap-tap.  As soon as the door opened there were 4-5 kids already waiting to be picked up and hugged.  Their excitement at seeing us was consistent from one stop to the next. 

The second day of an activity could probably grow monotonous, but each stop is different.  The team really doesn’t have any assigned roles, you just pick up the hose, or a child, or grab a pail after it is full and go from there. 

The first stop today was completely different than any of the stops on Tuesday.  This stop had an organized and orderly feel to it.  Unlike the three stops on Tuesday the local men also joined in both filling pails and carrying them home.  They showed respect for each other and seemed to really appreciate the help we gave them delivering the water to their doors.

While pails were being filled and delivered, everybody took part in playing with the kids and giving them the love they craved.  There were some crazy moments where members of the team provided impromptu entertainment either dancing or starting a game with the kids, while the filling and delivery process continued.  Eric, one of our team members had written Jezi Renmen Ou (Jesus Loves You) on the inside of his hand.  He told us tonight that he showed it to one of the children, who in return told him Jesus loves you too.  Their love of God is apparent, and shows through their smiles.

We have all been told to keep the tap-tap in sight when delivering to a house.  Each of us had a story tonight about how far we went, and the maze of corridors that we took that sometimes went beyond our expected boundaries.  I, myself made 6-7 trips to the same house off the main path and inside of a narrow courtyard.  On one of my trips back to the truck I was surprised to see one of the tap-tap drivers waiting near where I had left the street.  I am sure he was there should I have gotten lost, not out of fear for my safety.  After each pail I delivered I heard a “Merci”, knowing that they were grateful for the help.

After each stop we follow the water truck out of Cite Soleil and back to the water filling station.  Healing Haiti provides such a valuable service to Cite Soleil.  Last night I read a report that said less than 50% of Haiti has access to clean water.  There is no other delivery method throughout the country other than water trucks.  The in ground distribution we have in the US doesn’t exist here.  Water is truly a precious commodity and not taken for granted or wasted.

After having lunch in the tap-tap we were on to our second and final water stop for the day.  The same greeting by the children was there, waiting to be held as soon as the door to the tap-tap opened. 

The efficiency of the second stop was not as strong as our first, but still provided some memories.  Most notably a number of members of the team carried water for one of the “organizers” and delivered them into her house.  Most of the people asked for us to leave water outside of the door, but this time they were invited in to see her home.  She was obviously proud of the home she created for her family and judging by the photos that we saw this evening had every reason to be proud.  The house looked remarkably clean, and had tile floors, and nice furniture.  It definitely stood out from the majority of the other houses in Cite Soleil.

The water flows constantly at a water stop and I am amazed at how quickly 3000 gallons of water pours out.  The size of the containers changes by the second, with most people bringing open top 5 gallon pails.  Some times they have small mouth openings on 5 gallon cans that look like would be used for fuel, and there is also a mix of wash tubs, and smaller containers.  Most stops also have a number of 55 gallon drums that become wells for the community after the smaller containers are empty.  They go through this ritual with or without help six days a week.  Life just shouldn’t be this hard!

After the water delivery was complete we made a short stop near the bay, and saw fishermen took in the view from the docks.  We took more photos of the team and a few minutes to catch our breath before we left for Fleri Farms.  

I would describe the Fleri Farms as more of an orchard, with a mix of avocado, mango, coconut and plantain trees.  The two drivers got us mangos from the trees.  We met up with the farmer on the property who cut open a number of coconuts for us to drink, and after he cut them open for us to taste the coconut meat.  The orchard still has room to plant more trees and increase the output which is expected to be used in the bakery, and a restaurant. 

Tonight’s recap of the day was very upbeat.  Yesterday’s visits to The Home for Sick and Dying Babies took its toll on those who were there.  Today, was fun for everyone.  The team is enjoying working and spending time together and looking forward to tomorrow.  We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the lord and help the people of Haiti.

Eagle Brook Woodbury Day 2

Day 2

After another delicious breakfast we ventured out to do some shopping at Croix De Bouquet. For me, the ride to the village was very emotional. Reality had set in that for us this is only day two of seven but for the Haitians, this is how they live on a daily basis. The sight of the people sitting in shipping containers and two teenage boys pumping water from a well on the sidewalk hurt my heart. I thought to myself, “How can I go home after this?”

Croix De Bouquet consisted of a dozen or so concrete shops that made and sold metal art. The pieces of art ranged from bookmarks and crosses to complete bible verses and even Green Bay Packer logos (there’s several of us from Wisconsin, so represent).  We got to see a few men hammering nails into the metal to make the intricate details.  I had asked one of the men how long it took to make a 4x6 cross and he said “one day.” He was selling it for $15… to think of spending an entire day and making $15. As we looked through all the work, we were lead from one workshop to the next and to the next, greeted by the artists that were proudly showing off their work.

After shopping, we went to Rebuild Globally, a profit and non-profit organization. What the company does is used recycled items, (primarily rubber tires and inflatable tubes) to make beautiful handbags, shoes, jewelry, and more. The organization’s purpose is to teach Haitians how thrive in the work setting as well as provided jobs to Haitians.

The last missions for the day were either visiting The Home for Sick and Dying Babies or LeFare’s Orphanage. I was part of the group that went to the orphanage. We all felt pretty blessed when we got to ride in the tap-tap with nice cushioned seats.  When we arrived to the orphanage, kids streamed out of the door to where we were waiting for them outside. A ten year old boy locked eyes with mine, took my arms, and wrapped them around him. We finger painted first and it was peaceful watching him intricately dip his finger into the paint, dot it to his paper, then reach his finger out to me so I could wipe it clean for his next move. The child in me starting painting so of course I painted my palm and each finger a different color then made a handprint on the paper. It was incredible seeing him start to copy me. He was a painting machine! We moved on to sidewalk chalk and we outlined each other. He was a boy of very little words but he was the definition of innocence. He would grab my hand to lead me, then look at me and give me the sweetest smile. We just sat on the dirt, his hand on my lap, and melted into each other watching everyone else play hop scotch. Like Angie had said, “Hello’s are easy, but goodbye’s are hard.”

A team of ten of us went to the Home for Sick and Dying Babies.  As soon as we entered the building that housed the children, we could hear the sounds of crying babies.  I walked into one of the rooms, and it had rows and rows of cribs; they were numbered and we were instructed to be sure to return the children to their numbered crib. As soon as we walked in, the little ones who could stand, stood up in their cribs and held out their arms.  

We fed a meal to the children, a mixture of chicken-type broth with noodles, rice and potatoes in it – served in small metal bowls.  The children were hungry and most of them ate their food quite quickly.

Several diapers needed changing.  Each time I picked up a child, if a diaper change was needed, we’d head to the changing table.  I felt like the Lord told me, “You are My hands helping to add physical comfort to this child.”  It was a humbling experience to be able to love in such a small but profound way.

I was so impressed by the guys on our team! I saw Jesus in each of them as they held children, loved on them, played with them, and fed them.  One of the guys even did his first-ever diaper change!

I felt like I wanted to hold each child and just love on them but there was no way to be able to hold each child.  I picked up a little girl – I could only identify her as Crib #3 – and held her in my arms.  I hugged her and sang “Jesus loves you, this I know.” Her dark, beautiful eyes gazed deeply into mine as she responded to my smile with a beautiful smile, and she responded to my hug with a loving snuggle.  Then, it was time to put her down so I could love on another child, and the precious child in my arms started to cry and cling to me as I attempted to put her back in her crib.  Big, big tears ran down her beautiful face and I thought surely my heart would break.  With each subsequent child I held and needed to put down to hold and love another, the clinging and crying made me cry, and I felt my heart breaking a little more.  As I thought about it and prayed over each of these little ones, the Lord reminded me that each piece of my heart that felt like it was breaking was a piece of my heart that will forever remain in Haiti.  I think that I am not changing lives so much as that my life is being forever changed.  God bless you, Haiti!

Eagle Brook Woodbury - Water truck day

Today was an unbelievable day of chaos with a side of peace. We spent the day in Cite Sole delivering water to three different locations. As soon as our water truck and tap-taps (our form of transportation) pulled in, kids came running after us—laughing, smiling, waving, and blowing kisses of excitement. It was absolutely astonishing the amount of pure joy that was conveyed amongst the people of this extremely poverty-struck community. Together, the team manned the hose to fill the continuous long lines of buckets, carried the buckets to the destination needed, and expressed love and caring to the children that wanted nothing more but to be held with a little squeeze. Each stop we delivered 3000 gallons. It was jaw dropping to see the strength the people have to carry bucket after bucket, which could range anywhere from 5 gallon pales, to pales bigger than you can imagine. Despite the conditions of the makeshift homes, the grounds they resided on, or what we would think “lack of abundance,” it’s safe to say none of us have ever seen such thankfulness and appreciation. 

We also got to visit Hope Church today during our break between stops. It was incredible to see first hand the church that Eagle Brook helped make possible. There, we were able to help pass out lunch to the children that call Hope Church their school. Once they saw us walk up to the building, shouts of excitement were emitted through the windows. They were such a delight to serve. 

Each night, when we together for team time, we each discuss our word of the day that sums up our day individually, and where we saw Jesus that day. Beings it was the first night of actual service, it was remarkable to hear how everyone experienced the day. Although we were all participating in the same activities, the day was different for us all. We are all the hands and feet of Christ, and today just marks the beginning of our journey to touch and be touched by the lives of the miraculous people of Haiti. 

Abby Stockwell

Eagle Brook Woodbury - Water truck day

Today was an unbelievable day of chaos with a side of peace. We spent the day in Cite Sole delivering water to three different locations. As soon as our water truck and tap-taps (our form of transportation) pulled in, kids came running after us—laughing, smiling, waving, and blowing kisses of excitement. It was absolutely astonishing the amount of pure joy that was conveyed amongst the people of this extremely poverty-struck community. Together, the team manned the hose to fill the continuous long lines of buckets, carried the buckets to the destination needed, and expressed love and caring to the children that wanted nothing more but to be held with a little squeeze. Each stop we delivered 3000 gallons. It was jaw dropping to see the strength the people have to carry bucket after bucket, which could range anywhere from 5 gallon pales, to pales bigger than you can imagine. Despite the conditions of the makeshift homes, the grounds they resided on, or what we would think “lack of abundance,” it’s safe to say none of us have ever seen such thankfulness and appreciation. 

We also got to visit Hope Church today during our break between stops. It was incredible to see first hand the church that Eagle Brook helped make possible. There, we were able to help pass out lunch to the children that call Hope Church their school. Once they saw us walk up to the building, shouts of excitement were emitted through the windows. They were such a delight to serve. 

Each night, when we together for team time, we each discuss our word of the day that sums up our day individually, and where we saw Jesus that day. Beings it was the first night of actual service, it was remarkable to hear how everyone experienced the day. Although we were all participating in the same activities, the day was different for us all. We are all the hands and feet of Christ, and today just marks the beginning of our journey to touch and be touched by the lives of the miraculous people of Haiti. 

Abby Stockwell

EBC: Final Destination

Day 8:  Final Destination

"To serve, you only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love." -Martin Luther King

What an honor and privilege it has been to serve in Haiti alongside our team members whose statuses quickly changed from strangers, to friends, to family. The week seemed to fly by since our schedule was packed with experiences only God could orchestrate. Healing Haiti's audacious dreams are so obviously coming into fruition as person after person is answering God's call on their life to help the organization's dreams become Haiti's reality.

Although we are sad for this faith journey to end, we all are confident that God will continue to use each one of us to love others in the way He first loved us as we return home. We were reminded throughout our trip that we have each been given spiritual gifts from God so that together, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we can serve as one body under heaven.

Our trip did not end tonight as planned, so we sit here in the Atlanta airport waiting for our planes to come TOMORROW.  Many noises are preventing our team from a restful night of sleep, including a floor cleaner that Ellie woke up to thinking it was a lawn mower. This change of course was a gentle reminder that in whatever situation God puts us in, we are to remain joyful, faithful, and hopeful that we will reach our final destination, which is eternal life in heaven for those who love and follow Jesus, sharing in His glory forever and ever. Amen.

-Emily and Jolene (prayer partners)