Stoebner Team - Day 6 (Grace Church and Haiti Deaf Acsademy)

 Today started off just like every other day. We ate eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, and fruit. Once we were ready we went to start our day

We tried something new, we went to Grace Church and made crafts and colored pictures with the kids there. They ran around from person to person showing off their picture or wall art. That was followed by an amazing message, "if people are beautiful, the world is beautiful". To see how proud they were of their work they were, and how much they loved to praise Jesus was amazing.

Next we went to Haiti Deaf Academy (HDA) where joy and excitement was bursting! The children were eager to ask us questions about faith,  family, work, school, etc. We took out all of the art supplies and toys from yesterday and had a playdate while others got their hair braided. Towards the end they started re-enacting their favorite bible stories, and it was AMAZING!

While wrapping up the amazing time we had, a thunderstorm hit, and we got to dance and shower in the rain. Today might have started just like every other day, but in the end it was amazing!

Stoebner Team - Day 5

The rooster is crowing.  We wake every morning to his enthusiasm for the day.  The smells of food cooking, coffee brewing, and (campfire, it always smells of something burning everywhere here...) fill the guest house and the friendly chatter of the lovely guest house staff.  It's really a lovely way to start the day. LIGHT!

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, we piled into the the Tap-tap to head to Cite Soleil.  With full bellies and full hearts we made the trip to Cite Soleil as a group of 15 friends.  Studies show that it only takes a few days in Haiti on a mission trip to become friends ;) COMMUNITY!

We arrived right on time to Hope Village as the kids were having recess!  Everyone instantly became a kid again and joined the fun.  Some of us played jump rope, some did sidewalk chalk with our eager, smiling playmates.  There were balls flying through the air and shouts and LAUGHTER, so much laughter.  Many of us gathered to play the parachute game with a huge, round, nylon parachute.  As we lifted,  the littles came zipping in giggling and chattering...the parachute would waft down on them and that was equally thrilling for them if the giggles and shrieks of joy were any indication!  ENERGY!

Next up was laundry.  Everybody loaded up the tap tap with quarters and Tide and headed to the LaundroMat.....nahhhhh, just kiddin!  The elder ladies showed us how to laundry their way, of course with the tools and resources available to them.  Clean water is limited so it is all done in a few large basins, minimalist and efficient.  There is a soap bar and a special way of scrubbing and squishing.  There is a method and process.  It's surprisingly hard to get right!  Sitting on the concrete in the blazing sun, those ladies showed us how it's done with patience and good humor.  I wonder if their backs are sore right now, like mine?  Do their hands hurt too?  HUMILITY.

Once we got the chores done, it was time to head to the water truck stop.  Pile in the tap-tap, load up on sunscreen and water.  Mop the sweat from your brow.  Clear your mind for the next experience.  We arrive to curious and excited faces, so many people already gathered with water buckets.  Children zipping around but always aware of each other and us; they are "polite", respectful. The occasional motorcycle that comes right through the crowd beeping as the people part the way.  There is a musical quality to the combined sounds of voices, the pump generator, water splashing, the "Hey you, Hey you's".  It is hot, there is no shade.  We pile out and get right at whatever it is we are drawn to do.  Watch.  Fill buckets. Haul buckets.  Pick up littles who eagerly present themselves.  Hold a hand, or two or four.  We have talented photographers on this team who are stealthily capturing amazing moments and simple moments and profound images from perspectives and novel vantage points.  Time flies when you are just being present.  Scratch that- time is irrelevant when you are truly engaged.  We get the signal it's time to go after being there only a few minutes, or that's what it felt like.  We were there for almost 2 hours.  PRESENCE.

To wrap up an exhilarating and to be honest, exhausting day, we showered and went to Max's Pica Pollo restaurant for dinner.  A shower after a day like that is truly glorious!  The little restaurant behind the door was surprisingly cool, and very welcoming and smartly decorated with twinkle lights.  With  a  brightly painted wall on one side and bamboo, open air walls in front, and upbeat Haitian music playing, you feel festive and eager to re-engage in this kind of group activity that has been so missing from our experience over the last year.  We happily chatted and recounted the days events as we await our chicken or spaghetti dinners.  Max prepared the whole meal behind an iron door in a space that was not more than 5x5feet.  He had the most proud an happy smile on his face.  I know that feeling too, being happy to have people in my kitchen.  The food was dee-lish!  The fellowship was natural and fun.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day. CONTENTMENT.  

Stoebner Team - Day 4 (Grace Village, Elders and Fleri)

 

Have you had a moment where you realized that what everyone wants and needs in a moment is the care and attention of someone who sincerely sees you?

We spent time today in the amazing grounds of Grace Village and then with four of the elders that Healing Haiti cares for. Whether it was the children moving from school room to the cafeteria in their joyful and playful manners with their brightly colored uniforms, or listening to the stories of lives well and hard lived of our elders, the impact on the team was tremendous. To sit in wonder as a woman with years and wisdom expressed how the teams presence in her home was a gift from God was a strange turn. It was turn from feeling like we had started there to serve her and yet walked away like she was the one delivering grace and love to us.

Mr. Rogers out it best when he said "treat the person right in front of you like they are the most important person in the whole world."

What if.....what if we each spent our days, busy as they are, trying our best to live that mantra. Treating every person, at work, at home, at the store, like for that quick minute they were the most important person in the world? What might change? What pain might lessen? What confidence might be bestowed? What conflicts might be averted?

Not easily done, but perhaps massively impactful. And, nothing was ever promised to be easy. 

A friend once asked, "why do you always take the hard road?" I replied, "what makes you think I see two roads?"

Do better by each other. Kids, elders, everyone. Treat each other like the other is the most important in the world for that minute in time and see what happens!

Stoebner Team - Day 3 (In house)

An Unexpected Day!  

We all awoke with excitement and expectant hearts.  We had a full day planned - Another day to hold and love on the 'bell' Haitian people.  We plan in our hearts the course, but the Lord established our steps today.  Unexpected situations turned into unexpected blessings.  

Stories of who we are defined by God.  Your story - My Story - God's stories!  We paused to listen to God's stories within the 2 teams!  Community shared between two teams turned into Unity that only could happen because God established our steps today.  

We experienced and shared in the cultures of Haiti right within the walls of the Guest House of Port au Prince.  I think they thought they were only sharing their secrets of Haitian cooking and cleaning, but again Communities coming together turned into blessings. They have a Joy, Passion and Love for life that is so evident in their beautiful eyes and smiles and SO willing to share with us.  

The night was ended by the Guest House staff in preparing a Haitian Feast at one table for both teams!! 

What an amazing AWE some filled unexpected day!   Our hearts are full - can they get any fuller!   

It was a good day to have a good day!

    

Stoebner Team - Day 1 (Travel)

 Uncertainty and Excitement! 

Our team is a mix of primarily Minnesota folks and an Illinois goer. Experienced team members who've been to Haiti anywhere from one time to more than 20! With the times being what they are in the pandemic world, our flights were fairly smooth until we hit Ft. Lauderdale. The reporting needs for Covid testing to fly into and out of the country left us late arriving into Port-Au-Prince which made for a very long day We left arrived to meet the team at 0600 at MSP and didn't arrive into Port-Au-Prince until about 7pm. Just enough time to get slightly unpacked and settle into the guesthouse after a quick team meeting. 

So much to look forward to in the week and we can't wait to walk alongside the people of Haiti and to see the amazing in-country staff of Healing Haiti.

Stoebner Team - Day 2

 Grateful, Mommas, Belief, Laughter…these are only a few of the words that our team used to describe or summed-up in one word what today meant while they experienced our first full day on a Healing Haiti team.   

My best friend invited me on this trip and although I had always wanted to go to Haiti on a mission trip, I had said no in the past a couple times when asked.  Why did I say no, I’m not sure, but maybe it was that I just had not felt called at the time to go or my life seemed to have more important things going on, so I thought.  Nevertheless, as I prepared to pack for Haiti, I sat down and prayed asking for God to help me understand why. Why now, when we are still in the midst of a pandemic and people are afraid and travel is tight, complex and you just never know what might happen with expectations of tests, flight changes and countries potentially closing and so on. As I continued to pack, I had an overwhelming sense, and the word “Watch” came over me. My bestie, (the one who invited me) and I prayed for God to open our eyes to why now, what does he want us to see and learn while we are there.

Our first day was filled. We started our first full day with a beautiful sun rise over the city of concrete buildings and a mountain in the background. We all jumped in and grabbed our seat in the “Tap, Tap”.  That is what they call the trucks we all travel in, all chatting as we made our way to our first day of serving and learning. Today was  Water Truck Day! Sounds fun right?   As I sat in the Tap Tap, the chatter became white noise that was distant, and my eyes were focused on what was around us as we traveled into City Soleil. The world around me just changed. The beautiful, flowered trees faded away, the concrete ground we drove on turned into a floor mixed of refuse, soot, water and things that looked like it was degraded food and clothing. The smell was of something I can’t describe, but definitely a scent of smoked plastic and rubber and maybe even spice. The grounds were covered in small creek beds of green water and litter. Amongst several concrete buildings were many make shift homes created on top of mountains of litter we might call their rolling hills and out of them came beautiful ivy that gave them some greenery. It was profound, but what was more wondrous was the smiles and waving of hands as littles came running out and yelling the words “Hey you!” That is their way of saying Hello! The excitement of their little faces grabbed a hold of my heart instantly and I could not wait to jump out of the truck and wrap my arms around them. But there was more. We continued to make our way into the city and the faces on the people there of the community were serious and yet, amongst them I also saw smiles simply come alive as they saw our truck filled with many green shirts coming. It was if their smiles screamed “their back!”   My Body is full of emotions, and as I write this, I hold back the tears. We all jumped out of the truck and toured the first village named Hope Village, we then made our way into the city where we provided water. Healing Haiti has started an amazing program at Hope Village. Hope Village provides teaching to small children as well as medical needs. Then they showed us the beginnings of an innovation program from a partner that is from our side of town in Wisconsin. This caught my eye and heart and I have been praying to God why.

We all headed to the water truck, and instantly between the entire team, we all took our spots. From loving on kids, carrying and directing the water hose, pulling and pushing on buckets to ensure they were in line to get water to carrying water buckets to people’s homes,, we did it all as a unified community. The sense of care, serving and loving on kids was an experience I can’t even begin to describe. I took a moment to pause, and look around and watch, what God showed me was incredible. I immediately saw pain, hurt, starvation, despair… and yet, in the same panoramic view I saw joy, community, care, hope and best of all a tremendous amount of Agape Love. I instantly got goosebumps all over, (I call these Holy Goosebumps). I knew I was supposed to be here. I’m still learning why.

 

As we made our way through our three stops, serving, loving and spreading hope to so many, I realized that we too were being changed, being given hope, love and community.  The hugs from children, the smiles from their mommas and watching my teammates, seeing that they were all in love as well as watching and learning also, I knew my life was about to change.  I got a sense that today, I would start it as the person I knew I was, but at the end of today, I can tell you I am a different person.  

These people I came to serve, love on and provide care for, are my sisters, my brothers and in God’s eyes, we are all one community. We are a unity, all in pain, all broken, all still learning and in the midst of our lives, we have blessings, joy, peace, and hope.  God is gracious, he loves us unconditionally and sometimes he takes us to places to help us see just how deep, how wide and how strong that love is.

 

My word today is “Wonder”.   A feeling of amazement and admiring all that God showed me today. Nothing I have ever seen…sure, but there was so much more than what was on the surface. It was the depths of what God showed me that broke my heart, but also gave me so much more than anything back home has given me. Today I learned that although I have eyes that can see, have I really seen what I should see? What have I missed all these years?  Do I really watch for opportunities to provide love, hope or something more? Our sisters and brothers here taught me that my brothers and sisters back in the states need love, need us to lean in and listen, talk, touch and laugh with them. We are all one body and we get so caught up in “our” own lives, and if we simply just pause and watch for moments of wonder, we will continue to grow, transform and be all that we were always meant to be. This is day 1. What will God continue to show me? I'm really not sure, but I’m going to focus on one day at a time, watching, learning and my goal at the end of this trip is to learn why and how to apply it in my life…after. Tonight, I rest, tomorrow is a new day. Am I ready for tomorrow? Probably not, since I don’t know what it will show me, but what I do know is that I am not alone, and together “we” will step into tomorrow already blessed in it. 

Vanguard Healing Haiti Day 4

We had lost our internet for a couple days so was not able to blog, but that does not mean we were not serving and enjoying every day.  Day 2, was our water truck day in Cite Soleil.  With our broken hearts we assisted with many heavy buckets of water for many in Cite Soleil.  With each truck and bucket, it was more apparent of our need to serve these beautiful people and their community.  As many children and women were carrying fresh water for their family, they quickly welcomed our help with the water or playing with their young children while they transported the water to their homes, many smiles and hugs were given to us.  These buckets were very heavy and quickly tired our muscles but not our spirits.  It was hard to see these difference living conditions but made the need to serve the people of Cite Soleil so much more important.  As if the passion from any staff member was not motivating enough, but the smiles, hugs and chants of "Alicia" let's you know you are following the Lord and making a difference for these deserving people. 
We then toured Fleri farms and met another amazing team member Kenny.  He quickly had us all enthused with his farming, future plans of mango salsa, future jobs, enriching the community with delicious food and jobs. 

On our third day, we started the day with a church serve with Pastor Gary at Church on the Rock.  It was so uplifting and spiritual that had filled many of us with hope, love and the Lord.  Shortly after church then we head to Titanyen to tour Grace Village.  Our jaws hit the ground with all that Healing Haiti is doing there.  The medical clinic was buzzing with patients with medical needs, classes were full of happy, beautiful children at the school and the family orphanage that gives these children mothers and fathers and assists in family re-placement.  There was so much in one village happening that all you could do is smile and be happy for this community.  Plus a little play time with the children at their recess was beneficial also. 
We then headed to some elder visits that was impactful to us and them.  We enjoyed listening to their stories about them and their families while we washed their harder to reach extremities.  It was pleasant to sing and pray with them.     
We ended with a tour of Fleri that not only wowed us with the bakery and production but the restaurant definitely filled us full of yummy pizza and treats.  We ate like royalty while enjoying the environment, service and scenery.  A meal we will not forget and will tell others to experience also.   

Day four saw our return to the mountains, but not the "purple mountain majesty" that we are used to seeing. Instead, we enjoyed the beauty of the lush, verdant mountains of Haiti, and our hearts were filled by the love and generosity of the Haitian people. We spent the day in the village of Kenscoff and in the company of the community leaders.

The leaders spoke with us about their desire for local children to have opportunities within their own community; opportunities for education and for a fulfilling adult life there someday. Currently, they have what we might consider a kids club. We spent several hours playing with the children. Temporary tattoos were very popular as well as chalk, football, soccer, and styling hair. Then we had a wonderful time of singing and dancing together before it was time to say goodbye.

Next we were able to visit an elderly gentleman in the community. The community leaders accompanied us on our visit. When asked if he had any advice for young people about faith, the advice he gave struck me as similar to this verse in Ecclesiastes, "Remember your creator in the days of your youth." It was a joy to be able to visit with him.

In the afternoon, the community leaders took us hiking. We hiked into a narrow valley that would have been a riverbed in the rainy season. We were able to see where the villagers go to get water. This time of year it is a trickle of water from a rocky crevice. They use a pipe to channel the bit of water into buckets. They use this water to drink, wash clothes, and water livestock and crops. It was heart wrenching to think of how much of the day women and children must spend waiting in line to slowly fill buckets. In the rainy season, they fill buckets in the river. We stopped a little above the stream and the leaders treated us to Haitian corn cooked over a fire. It was an honor to have these leaders serve us with warm hearts. They blessed us though they have little. Their generous spirit is something I will long remember. On the way back to the guest house our hearts were filled even more by the Haitian guides that have been accompanying us sharing Haitian street food with us. It was a beautiful day.

Mandy and Kristi

 Kaeleigh playing with Grace Academy kids during recess.

 Fleri Bakery and Restaurant was incredible and has created many jobs for the community.

 Our guide Smith asking Dorothy to sing "Glwa Pou Bondye" to the kids club in Kenscoff.

 Smith and the children teaching us a new game.

 On a hike to find the main water source for this small community in the mountainous Haitian countryside.

 This photo does not capture the amazing beauty of the Haitian mountains.  We reached 3,600 feet at our highest!

 The sweet girls of Kenscoff playing and braiding hair with Kalyn and Mandy.

 Discussing the Maternal Health Program with the Director and Clinic Manager of Hope Clinic.

 The boys at Grace Academy were hanging out with Lukas during recess.

 Kristi waving to a sweet class of Kindergartners at Grace Academy.

Smith and the Community Leaders of Kenscoff grilled fresh corn for us during a break in our hike.