What now?

I look around and nothing has changed, yet I have changed. Our Haitian mission trip is now a flood of memories. Peoples faces lighting up when you simply smile and say hello.A sick little girl who only wanted to be held. The tears on an old man's face when kissed by a team member. The hug from an old woman when her water bucket was carried. Frustration in not being able to help the sick in City Soliel. The feeling of hopelessness in not being able to solve the problems we've seen.

So much has happened in so little time. Most of us volunteered for the mission trip to Haiti to help in a country we'd only read about. We all wanted to try to give comfort when needed. We all wanted to try to ease a burden, even if only for a little while.

Most of us were unprepared for the onslaught of raw emotions we encountered. Yet there was great comfort in knowing that you could share your feelings with a team member. We were all struggling at some point. As meaningful as the work we were doing was, the sharing and bonding that occurred amongst us was equally so. We came as individuals and left as a family. We cried, laughed and shared our deepest feelings and together we found a way to cope.

On the trip, we tried to make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people, but now we have the chance to make a difference in the lives of all peoples. The softening of the heart, the increased compassion and the change of your life's focus is the great gift of a mission trip such as this.

Thankful

I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father for the many life changing experiences we have had thus far. God brought together an amazing team of people who have many special talents and gifts that were used to serve the Haitians.

Today, five team members went to the Wound Clinic in Port-au-Prince. Our team was blessed with three experienced nurses and a pharmacist. Seeing them in action at the clinic made me so thankful for the special talents God provided to hundreds of wounded and sick Haitians.






Each team member was given an invitation from our Father to come on this mission. Thankfully, each team member was obedient and accepted His invitation. Not only have we strengthened our relationship with God, but we have been blessed with many new lifelong relationships.

I am thankful for having the privilege to serve the Haitians, the remarkable Healing Haiti staff, the many new friendships, the messages God has revealed to the team, God shining His light through all of the team members and for reminding me of what being obedient and committed to Him really means.

Thank you Father God for an amazing experience, all the glory goes to You.

Our Hatian friends...we will miss you!

beautiful day

visiting the elderly

joy

stepping out of our comfort zones

singing

resilience

inspiring

worship

prayer

gifts

visiting Yvonne's orphanage

touched

satisfying

watching others use their God-given gifts to serve

Hope

After visiting one of the many mass grave sites in Haiti (a result of the earthquake on January 12, 2010) our day began by touring Healing Haiti's Grace Village in Titanyen. I visited Grace Village exactly one year ago on my first journey to Haiti. I felt pure hope and joy as we drove through the gates of Grace Village to see the progress that has been made. The feeding house and the children's dorms were colorful, welcoming and secure. To think, two people that went on a mission trip several years ago made this all happen.

After Grace Village, we went on elderly visits. Our first stop was to a man named Edmond. Edmond completely broke our hearts. He is blind and cannot hear well. We visited with Edmond, prayed over him, gave him food and water and rubbed his arms with lotion. Edmond praised our Father God over and over for sending us to him. He has nothing, but yet he is full of hope and his faith is so deep. While our time with Edmond was limited, I was encouraged by the support he is receiving through Healing Haiti and the love that the teams have and will continue to provide to him. He is so deserving.

We spent the afternoon at one of Healing Haiti's orphanages and made crafts, sang songs, danced and played with the children. The joy and laughter that we experienced by the children was delightful. The children have so little, but are filled with hope, joy and happiness.

Simple acts are so meaningful to people in need.

How can we let God transform us into new people and change the way we think and act? What more can we do to make a difference? God sent our team here for a reason and know he will reveal his plans to us in his own time through worship and prayer. There is so much to be done, but am hopeful by what has already been done and what is still yet to come.

All the glory to God.

Hope and Loss

For months I've thought of a 2 year old girl whose big brown eyes could look right through you. Her smile brightened the room and her hugs could melt the hardest of hearts. Last February I had to walk out of her nursery, forever hearing her cries that echoed through my heart.

It was with great apprehension that I returned to the home for sick and dying babies here in Port au Prince where she was being cared for. Will she still be there? Will she still remember me as I remember her?

I looked throughout the building and she was just not there. I never knew her name, only the warmth of her touch. I pray that her bright little spirit is lighting up the lives of her family. I pray that she is safe. I pray that she is happy. I know that I never will know. All I feel now is that she is gone.

There are many other kids there. All needing love. All craving the gift of human touch. I walk to their cribs looking at their outstretched arms. I pick up a little boy and the cycle begins again.

delivering water

serving God

amazing

in the moment

unmet medical needs

hard to walk away

willing and open group

gorgeous pink flowers

Blessed are those who understand.  Proverbs 3:13-14

What difference can I make?

hopeful

joyful children

Matthew 25 

sad

delivering water

Cite Soleil

unexpected

overwhelming senses

What is God trying to teach me?

Monday, November 7, 2011

Team #2 arrived safely in Haiti.

As we began our decent into Haiti, the view was spectacular seeing the mountains, blue ocean and green lush fields. For those of us returning, we almost forgot the reality of the conditions in Port a Prince.

Only a few mishaps along the way - Dave lost his wallet at the Haitian airport (the good news is he won't buy any Haitian art)! Luckily an honest Haitian returned it to him. We tagged our luggage with pink duct tape only to find out another missionary team used the same color tape on their luggage. We had some of their luggage and they had some of ours. Other than that, it was smooth sailing.

We were welcomed outside the airport by Jean and the Healing Haiti Taptap packed with over 30 suitcases mostly filled with donations for the elderly, orphanages and the tent cities.

We arrived at the guest house to a wonderful Mexican dinner. Everyone met Jean and Fanfan (our Haitian hosts) and are excited for the journey we are about to embark on. We spent time after dinner sharing a "word" of the day. Some of the words shared are as follows - honesty, well prepared, grateful, hopeful, privileged, tired, friendship, comprehend, overwhelming, surreal and thankful.

We look forward to our time together this week as we serve our Father God. Our team has arrived with open hearts and no expectations. Tomorrow is our first water truck day in Cite Soleil in 95 degree weather. We cannot wait to experience what God has in store for us.

Team #2