March 14: Day 4 (Cite Soleil water truck delivery day)

Today was definitely one of the most touching days we've ever experienced. We started out the day with breakfast made by the lovely Haitian ladies in the house, and our morning meeting like usual. We got ready for our first water truck day, and as first timers, we really didn't know what to expect. We all loaded up in the tap tap and got on our way to Cite Soleil, which is one of the poorest cities in the Western hemisphere. As we drove up, we saw so much trash at every corner of the streets. It made us reflect and think about how different our culture is in the United States and how blessed we are to have access to clean water whenever we need it. Also, as we drove up into the town we saw the kids yelling "hey you, hey you" and jumping around for us. As we loaded off the tap tap, the kids immediately came running up to us and jumping on us wanting to be picked up and loved on. As for those who don't know how the water truck works, it's a large truck with a hose that we use to fill up their buckets. This is the only access they have to water so they use it for bathing, cooking, washing clothes, etc. Throughout our day, we had three different water truck stops in Cite Soleil.

In between stops we were able to stop and tour Hope church, school, clinic, and Innovation Lab. The Innovation Lab was a small pod which is known to the students as the "technology pod". They have 25 Ipads, 10 Macbooks, 5 32 inch TV's, and 2 52 inch TV's all linked to an Apple TV. This Innovation Lab is the first of its kind with the best technology education in the world. This was neat to see in such a poor country. The purpose is to educate the kids here in Cite Soleil appropriately to help them be the future of Haiti. One of our other stops was at the pier. We went there to take a group picture by the ocean and to play with the children. The ocean bay wasn't clear like most ocean water. There was also trash floating on top of the water. There were kids running around without clothes. The sight of that really was heartbreaking for all of us.

To unwind after a long hot day, we went back to the guesthouse to shower.  We then had the opportunity to walk over to a market set up by neighborhood artisans. Many of the things were handmade, like bracelets, necklaces, paintings, and many more items.

Ally, Ashley, & Dana

March 13: Day 3 (Elder visit in Titanyen, Grace Village, Fleri Bakery & Resto Tour)

Here I am! Send me.

Isiah 6:8 -  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying "Whom Shall I send? Who will go for us?" And I said, "Here I am! Send me."

After a beautiful sunrise, a delicious breakfast, and team time devotions, we began the day with laughter on the Tap Tap where the under 25's taught the Moms Big Booty game/song on the way to Titanyen and which set the infectious tone for the day. 

We served six of the Elders who are under the care of Healing Haiti. Our first Elders were a married couple, Pierre and Lauremise, who greeted us with laughter and kisses. We washed their feet, massaged their arms and backs, which was an experience that brought several of us out of our comfort zone. Through the encouragement of the team and the nudge of the Holy Spirit we overcame and felt blessed. Here I am. Send Me.  They sang and danced with us with such joy and enthusiasm it filled our hearts.  Our morning was filled with 4 more Elder visits where we felt just as many blessings as we hope they felt. 

We then had some downtime from the hot sun with ice cream and lemonade at Rosie's Boutique and cafe. It is also marketplace for 13 Haitian Artisan organizations. We were able to support these organizations that help with job creation by buying some unique Haitian items. Here I am! Send me.

We made our way up to Grace Village. It started off as an Orphanage and over the past 13 years it has grown into a school with 400 students, a feeding center providing 500 meals per day, a medical clinic that treats 80 people per day and a dental clinic.  Part of Healing Haiti's mission is to keep children reunited with their parents when possible. Kids who may otherwise be orphans, are brought into family style homes where they have chores to do, parent figures to respect, and school to attend.  We were given a tour by a long term missionary from MN, Jake Stebbing, whom felt called after a short term mission trip with Healing Haiti. Who on our team of 19 women, or you reading this, may be called as a missionary throughout the world? Here I am! Send me. 

We ended the day with fun and fellowship at Fleri bakery and pizza restaurant. Fleri (flourish in French) was built by Healing Haiti and has created over 30 onsite jobs and income for over 60 independent distributors. Healing Haiti went in with an American made plan to create a bread baking school to provide a trade for 50 Haitians. The locals spoke up and suggested a bakery and restaurant which would better serve the community and create more sustainable jobs. 

We are looking forward to what blessings tomorrow will bring. Here I am! Send me.

~Sisters in laws (Erin & Sarah)

March 12: Day Two (Haiti Design Co., Teach Haiti, & La Phere orphanage)

Today we had an amazing breakfast prepared by our lovely staff. We had pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, fresh squeezed juice! We then headed out to 3 places today. First, we were able to visit Haiti Design Co, which was established 5 years ago. Haiti Design Co houses and partners with production teams working in many types of artisan crafting, including leather work, sewing, jewelry making, aluminum casting, metal work, weaving, bead work, horn & bone, tailoring, and shoe making. They work to provide consistent employment in-house in order to give job training and stability to individuals in vulnerable situations, as well as raise up artisan leaders to succeed as independent entrepreneurs in the community. It was interesting to learn how they have grown and how many lives they have changed.  They were very welcoming and appreciative of our visit. We were able to tour the facility, enjoy lunch, shop at their boutique and had the chance to create or own bracelet with the assistance of the employees.

Next, we traveled to Teach Haiti, a school started by a Haitian women who, while carrying water buckets as a child, dreamed of one day becoming a nurse.  After coming to the states and receiving her education (and becoming a nurse), she decided to give back to her people by starting Teach Haiti, which now has over 400 students, some of whom we were able to visit with. We shared about ourselves and learned about them and sang and played with them. They showed us some of the metal and woven artwork they have made.

Finally, we went to La Phere orphanage where we met many loving and happy children. This orphanage is run by Pastor La Phere who loves these children deeply! He recently had a stroke and welcomes prayers for healing. We were able to teach the kids about brushing their teeth and got to sing them a song with a little skit. They brushed their teeth and then we were to put some fluoride on their teeth. Afterwards we got some time to play games with them and talk to them one on one. What an amazing first day of serving alongside the beautiful people of Haiti!
~Emma & Janet Stauffer