Woodridge High School Day 1

Hey everyone! After a great day of travel, the Woodridge High School Team has arrived at the guest house in Haiti and settled in! Check below to see everyone's word of the day and a blog post from a couple students (reminder: each student will blog at least once throughout the week).

- Austin

Word of the Day || Day #1

Megan -- Warmth

Liza -- Eye Opening

Halle -- Excitement

Morgan -- Hopeful

Thomas -- Relieved

Johanna -- Perspective 

Charlie -- Fulfilling 

Lea -- New

Lydia -- Set In

Alyssa -- Patience

Wyatt -- Await-ment 

Clair -- Calm

Raegan -- Synthesis 

Isabel -- Real

Ellie -- Easy 

Ben -- Picture

Ava -- Welcoming

Allie -- Surreal 

Aiydan -- Home

Sam -- Peaceful 

Brayton -- Stunned 

Annika -- Adapting 

Mel -- Team 

CJ -- Sticky

Jacob -- Unexplainable 

Austin -- Search 

Today was full of lots of new things that I've never seen before. There were many amazing things but also some that are really shocking compared to what we see and experience in our day to day lives. It was so cool to get to see a small part of Haiti and I am looking forward to seeing more over the next week.

-Liza ruegemer 

Hi family! Today was the perfect travel day, no problems and we got everywhere on time and easily! The Healing Haiti people are all so nice, they made us tacos tonight haha. Charlie is good too, excited for our adventures this week. We are having our first water truck day tomorrow, you'll see lots of pictures when I get home! Love you all!

-Claire Ficek

Last Day in Haiti

We started out our day by attending a church service at Rendezvous Church.  We were all so happy to be able to fully take in the message, as they offer headphones with someone on the other end, translating the message into English.  It was a really great and convicting message focusing on gratitude.  I was inspired and convicted to really focus on thanking God for all that I have each day.  I was also inspired to ask the team to share a few things they are grateful for from our week, whether it be a moment, a person, or a place.  While I am very aware of the fact that there are so many things to be grateful for from our trip, we tried to capture some highlights:

Me (Michelle): I'm thankful to continue to have the honor and privilege to lead an amazing team of people to Haiti, for the opportunity to have helped an elderly man carry water to his home (we don't often see many men in line, let alone elderly men), to have spent time again with my sweet friends, Kiki and Sheila at Dios special needs orphanage, and last but not least, I'm thankful for the incredible staff, who take such good care of us throughout our week.

Talia: "I could write you a book about what I'm thankful for, so picking out only three will not be easy.  I'm thankful for little kids that we get to love on and that love on us, the accommodations and the staff that take good care of us, and the Guetter family. 

Courtney: "I'm thankful for the Guetter family, that through serving other people God can change your heart, and air conditioning at the guesthouse."

Tyler: "I'm thankful for letting God show me this opportunity to see all that I did in Haiti (the need for water, orpanages, etc.).  I was shown how lucky I really am."

Danielle: "I'm thankful for how wonderful the staff are here, and the patience and grace of the Haitians as I attempted my sub-par Creole."

Sarah: "I'm thankful for the little boy that wiped my face the first water truck day, the progress that Haiti continues to make, and for Jenga at Fleri."

Travis: "I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve with my wife, Alicia, and new friendships with some of the Healing Haiti staff."

Steve Guetter: "I'm thankful to have seen the progress in Haiti; the paved streets, concrete sidewalks, etc., seeing more smiles, and seeing all these new, young people devoting their lives to Christ and serving here."

Heide: "There're so many things...  I'm thankful for this opportunity to serve, and to have made connections both on our team and in Haiti."

Steven Corse: "I'm thankful for all the kids I got to connect with, the lady who poured water on my neck to cool me off while I was holding the hose to the water truck."

Kenzie: "I'm thankful for the time I taught the little boy in Cite Soleil a hand heart and he remembered me from different visits, getting to play games and help take pictures of the kids at LaPharre's (pictures they got to keep), and running in the rain at Fleri Resto after an excruciatingly hot day."

Becky: "I'm thankful for reconnecting with some of the team we've been with on other trips, seeing and caring for Camisane, who we sponsor, on our elder visits, and I love seeing the progress at Hope and the children."

Beebs: "I'm thankful for the bond that I got with Frankie at Dios.  I think sometimes we shy away from the older kids and I just kind of stepped out and started talking to him, and he actually taught me a lot of the Creole language, like counting...it was a special moment.  I'm also thankful for a moment in Cite Soleil, when I was delivering water...a child wanted to put it on my head.  The mom was so grateful.  Just seeing the work ethic of the women was so impactful for me as well."

Sydney: "I'm thankful for the cooks at our guesthouse, the drivers/translators, and just getting to know everyone."

Steve Corse: "Where do I start?  I'm grateful to y'all (leaders) for setting up everything and making it as smooth as can be.  I really appreciate it.  Coming into it having no idea what to expect, (from Haiti, this group...) it turned out to be a very welcoming group, and the opportunity to experience all we had to experience.  The elderly (particularly Lindor) was really special...things really came together for me at that moment. Having Steve G. on the team was particularly helpful as well."

Brooke: Today I was baptized.  It was kind of a spur of the moment decision, but I am so glad I did it.  I was baptized as an infant, courtesy of my parents; however, I have never received a chance to be baptized as an adult until today.  I am so honored that one of the other teams serving this week allowed me to be a part of their baptisms.  It was a special moment to rededicate my life to Christ.  I am so blessed to have been baptized in one of my favorite places on earth.  I am also so grateful and thankful that some of my team members were there to support me, hug me, and pray over me.  I cannot express and put into words how much they all mean to me.  I am also super thankful for all of the new relationships and friendships that were formed throughout the week.  Not only with my team members but with all of the Haitian people I was able to meet, interact with, and serve.  I am especially thankful for the little boy, Wilbe, who I met at a water stop.  He was by my side throughout two whole water stops, and he made my heart complete.  It was a tough goodbye, but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to love on him for the short period of time I had. 

Alicia: "I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside Travis this past week. It is a week we will treasure forever. I am also grateful for the amazing staff that work for Healing Haiti. They are my second family, and they serve us goers with everything they have day in and day out. I am grateful for the conversations I was able to have with them throughout the week. I am also thankful for the connections that were made this week. Connections with the Haitians we encountered and connections with our team members. What an amazing week! There is a lot to be thankful for!"

Mesi anpil, Haiti!  Bondye Beni'ou.

Day 6: Dios and Croatian Orphanage

(Steve) Greetings from Haiti ! We started our day of serving God in Haiti with a visit to Dios- a home for disabled children. As we drove into the courtyard, it was empty. Soon children arrived in  wheelchairs, on rollators, on foot, or were carried in. When my eyes connected with the big brown eyes of Kiki I immediately felt at ease. Kiki is non-verbal but is able to nod yes and no to my broken French. We spent time together tossing a frisbee ring,blowing bubbles, and laughing at the antics of my mission family. Mainly we were connected in the love of Christ. Despite his physical limitations, I soon realized that he comprehends much and pray that his ability to communicate will be assisted in the future. 

 

                                                                                                                                                 
Our visit ended all too quickly and we drove into Croatian Orphanage.  The children at this home are a bit older and without disabilities. We were greeted with songs praising God.We interacted with the children in a variety of activities including basketball, bingo, drawing, and others. While I was waiting at the drawing station, Fabrice shyly stopped by, then sat down and began to draw the sequential forms that were provided. Michelle asked him to draw her portrait and he obliged. His face was totally glowing with joy as he focused on his ad hoc project.               

After some time back at the guesthouse to reflect on the days' experiences, we appreciated the talents that God has given to all of these children, disabled or not, and further recognized the talents that we have been given as team members to share and help others to grow. As Paul in his letter to the Phillippians 4:5" Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand."

Steve Corse

Day 5: Water Truck and Home for Sick and Dying Babies

July 26th, 2019

        (Kenzie)  The day began with our second and final water truck day in district 17 of Cite Soleil. As the Tap Tap crossed into Hope church, the line of children quickly formed at the gate. New and familiar faces met by the water truck for a day of laughter, hard work, and true faith. While helping to deliver water buckets to individuals homes, I heard my name shouted across the street. The moment I turned around, I saw the face of a young boy I had met earlier in the week and quickly felt a connection with. He was holding up his hands in the shape of a heart, which I taught him how to do on our first water truck day. My face immediately lit up, and my heart was overflowing. He clung to my side the remainder of the stop and followed the Tap Tap to our second water stop, Four Coffins in Cite Soleil. 

       

    (Sydney) When we arrived at the second stop we opened the door to that Tap Tap to see a crowd of children. As I looked out I heard my name, it was from a little girl also named Sydney that I had met at our first stop of the day. We became so close at the first stop and I was heartbroken to say goodbye  so when I saw her at the second stop I was overjoyed. We spent the entire time together, I would hold her, and she would play with my hair. Unfortunately our time together came to an end. I carried her to the Tap Tap and gave her a huge hug. I started to hear her cry which brought tears to my eyes. We spent a few minute saying our goodbyes until she finally pushed me into the Tap Tap. As we drove away she followed the truck blowing me kisses and looking at me with tears in her eyes until we became too fast for her and she got on her knees, covered her face, and cried. I will never forget her smile and how much she meant to me and I hope she doesn't forget me as well. 

      As our time in Haiti progresses, I continue to learn the true depth that touch contains. When arriving to Mother Teresa's Home for Sick and Dying Babies, seeing the rows and rows of cribs was a heart breaker, yet only fueled the desire to serve and present the touch from all our hearts to those beautiful children. We helped feed the babies and played with them on the playground on the patio. Once our time had ended and we had to set the babies back down in their cribs, it was very difficult to walk away... but all throughout this trip we have learned to truly embrace the connections we make in our small time spent with them to continuously learn and better yourself through hope and faith.

Kenzie and Sydney

Day 4: Elder Visits

We started the morning by going to the Artisan's sale; a sale put on by local Haitians. After that, the next stop was visiting 5 elders. Here is where we got the opportunity to wash each elder's feet, lotion them, sing praise and worship songs with them, and finish by praying for them. The Guetter family was able to wash the feet of the elder woman in which they have been sponsoring. We were able to see their home and ask questions about their life, which was very humbling for us all. Many of us were stretched out of our comfort zone (in a good way) with the opportunity to wash feet just as Jesus did.

The next stop for us today was Rosie's where we shopped and got some refreshments. After that, we were privileged with the chance to visit Grace Village. Here we got a tour and colored with chalk or played basketball with the kids.

Our last stop was to Fleri Resto. It is a local bakery that has an amazing story of how they not only provide for the people of Titanyen, they are also providing opportunities for employment. The employees are extremely proud of their positions and how they are able to provide for their families, which not only helps them, but empowers them.We were given a tour and followed that with a fun pizza dinner with our team.

Today we were blessed with the chance to serve as Jesus did and we were able to see our team relationships grow deeper as well. We are ready for a full day of serving tomorrow with more elder visits and more water truck stops!

Courtney and Talia

Day 3: VBS at La Phare's

Today was our second full day in Haiti! After we ate breakfast and did our team devotions, we made our way to La Phare's orphanage. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a plethora of children of all ages playing a hand-clapping game similar to patty-cake.  It didn't take long for them to get us involved, and we loved it! After playing this game for a while, we sang a song with the kids telling them of the love, peace, and joy they have in Jesus -- it brought much joy seeing them sing along and do the motions with us! Since the kids know very little English and we know very little Creole, it's amazing to see how the love of God has no language barrier.  Next, we did several activity stations which ranged from minute-to-win-it type games, to STEM activities, and even Bingo!  In the midst of all of this, the Cupid Shuffle was playing in the background which resulted in teaching at least 20 of the kids how to do the dance; just another example of how the language barrier didn't matter. To end the day with these sweet kids, we served them lunch, played soccer, jumped rope, and blew bubbles.

Hand clapping game

Guided drawing station

STEM project

Large group songs and dancing

Our next big activity for the day was going to Papillon, a shop and cafe.  While Papillon is not directly connected to Healing Haiti, we love to support their mission of job creation in Haiti.  After being refreshed from some snacks, we had the pleasure of taking a tour behind the scenes of making the goods that they sell in their shop. It was cool to see the impact it's having on the community! Our group then had the chance to shop around to purchase some gifts and souvenirs. If you want to learn more about Papillon, or even buy some of their creations, you can find them online!

Team pic at Papillon

We ended our day with traditional Haitian food and a trip to the pool! It was another beautiful day in Haiti! :)

-Sarah & Steven Petkau

Day 2: Water Truck and Home for Sick and Dying Babies

Bonswa from the Guetter family! Courtney, Becky, and Steve Guetter are back in Haiti, and we couldn't be more excited!

Travel day was good, but we were excited today to get out into the mission field! We had a fabulous day delivering water to Cite Sole; getting a tour of Hope church, Hope school, and Hope clinic; and feeding babies at The Home for Sick and Dying Babies.

We could not believe the progress Healing Haiti has made since only 3 years ago! The Hope school has expanded significantly! Since we've been back, Hope has added a clinic that treats the Cite Sole community and implemented advancements in technology for their school, such as iPads, interactive Smart TV's, and a sewing unit. It was so nice seeing many more smiles at Hope than in 2016; these facilities are definitely giving the Haitian people more HOPE and joy!

It was really cool to see Haitian parents who live in Cite Sole invest in their child's education by coming to conferences to reflect on their child's academic progress. We also enjoyed listening to Alicia Rose, the assistant Hope Clinic manager, talk about what she is hearing from the children about the impact that the Healing Haiti missionaries have on the each of them. Sometimes we as volunteers feel like the love we give the Haitians for a short amount of time isn't enough, but hearing Alicia describe the testimonies of the little Haitians' positive experiences with hard-working, affection by us delivering water and loving on the kids, made all the difference and gave us encouragement that what we are doing down here matters. We also enjoyed hearing from Smith and Ash about how God is working in their lives through Healing Haiti to teach the Haitian children and make a difference in their lives as well as our lives as volunteers.

The day continued as we finished up delivering water in the afternoon before heading back to the guest house to change quick and get ready for The Home for Sick and Dying Babies. At the Home, we first fed babies their evening meal. It was a new experience for many of us, who have never really interacted with or cared for babies before. Then, after feeding, we played and made a whole bunch of new friends! It was inspiring to see the loving care that was provided for sick children and the joy on the faces of sick kids.

We look forward to what the Lord Has in store for us tomorrow!

Love, The Guetter Family.