Hope for Orphans

My name is Judy Anton. Today we briefly toured Elder School. We were so impressed with the enthusiasm of the students there, and some in our group were happy to see calculus (I think) on the chalkboard :) It was a joy to see the opportunities this will lead to for the future of these children.

From there we moved onto Grace Village, a work in progress where orphans from two current orphanages will be combined in a beautiful facility on a mountainside, with a stunning view of the ocean. We were told that Alyn chose the site, and selected the colors, layout, etc. It was absolutely perfect and we know the future tenants will feel like they've moved into a palace. It's so evident that God is guiding this project. Three local children followed us into the compound and we shared our snack lunch & water with them, and had another opportunity to witness how the children (and adults) are so kind and loving to one another and, with the little they have, are always wanting to share and take care of each other.

From there we moved on to Guillaume's Orphanage, stopping on the way to dip our toes into the ocean and get photos with that gorgeous background - again just stunning. At Guillaume's, we were greeted by a round of songs, with hand motions, adorable. What a greeting - we loved it! We had brought crafts & activities for the children and divided up into four stations, something for everyone... string bracelets, nail polish, soccer balls, 3D wooden puzzles, and probably more but I was so wrapped up in the bracelets that I didn't see much of the rest. Oh yes, balloons and markers to write on them - names, faces, messages... Here, and everywhere we go, we are struck with the joy the children express in having these opportunities. And they are SO affectionate, the moment we walk in some are attached to us and that fills me with joy, as I know it does the rest of my team.

It was such a huge blessing to see where the orphans are moving to, and visiting them in the afternoon made it all the more meaningful, to actually meet children who will call Grace Village home! I felt immense gratitude toward God for giving them this new home.

Lastly, it's apparent everywhere we go that Jesus is at the center of all that is done through Healing Haiti for the Haitians in need. Not only are there physical needs being met, but their hope for eternity with him. My heart was broken today and I'll never forget the experiences of this day! Love to all from all of us!!!

So Many Little Ones, Not Enough Of Us!

Hey everyone, this is Ryan. Today was another awesome day for our team in Haiti. The things we experience here continue to alter our perspectives and push us beyond barriers we had before. To start off this morning, most of our team got up early to go to a local church that Fanfan attends. Here, there was amazing worship with members of the church. The praise and worship in Haiti is very active. It was fun for us to see how involved the Haitians get in their worship. They lose themselves in the music and praise of God.

After eating breakfast and our daily devotional from Charlie, we drove to a home for sick and dying babies. In this place, dozens of cribs are packed into two small rooms. The women who work there go about nonstop fixing IVs and cleaning, changing, and feeding babies. Here we had the opportunity to hold, feed, and care for these babies. Many are malnourished and sick. I think it was a special, yet difficult time for many members of the team. It was hard to see so many sick children in poor condition. However, it was cool to see how we could go from hauling heavy buckets of water one day, to gently feeding a small baby the next day. We are truly being used as Jesus' hands and feet in many ways. The babies there crave attention and love, and simply holding them, bringing them outside for a bit, and caring for them is a way we can make a difference.

After we helped feed lunch to the children there, we also were able to visit a place called Gertrude's; a home for special needs children. It was fun getting to know and playing with the children here. Everyone on the team really threw themselves into the activities; swinging the children, pushing them in carts, playing with balls, etc. The kids here loved playing with us and didn't want us to leave. To finish off the day, we went back to the home for sick and dying babies, and helped feed them dinner.

After a pizza dinner, we had group reflection time followed by some praise and worship as a team. This was a great way to connect with God after our day and have fun together as a team. On one last note, today is Charlie's birthday! We celebrated with a delicious cake after dinner. Happy birthday, Charlie!

I saw God today.

Hi guys, it's Danielle.

Today was fulfilling to say the least. Our team has meshed so well and everyone has had an open heart throughout our journey thus far. To say that I felt and experienced God today is an understatement. God is everywhere here. I have never felt so comfortable in such a foreign place. As i look at each Haitian face, I see God. There is nothing like greeting someone here with a simple "hello" and getting such an emotional loving response. This is something that we don't see very often in America and makes being in Haiti such a blessing.

Today, we brought water to the people of Cite Soleil. As I rode the water truck to our first stop, I was completely overwhelmed, but that feeling didn't last long. Here in Haiti, there is no hesitations and being selfish is simply not an option. Our whole team jumped right in and to witness such an act of God was simply incredible and to see His face in each of my teammates was one for the books. I have seen transformations already and it's wonderful. Who knew water, which we all take for granted, meant so much? I think that this experience of helping fill the water buckets and carry them to their destinations will be remembered by us all.

Our time in Haiti thus far is unexplainable. Pictures and stories simply do not do this place justice. I have met so many friends and have so many "God" moments and it's only the second day. Our Healing Haiti hosts have been such a joy and have been generous beyond belief and for this I am forever thankful. God is here. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Home for sick and dying babies and I pray that God blesses us all with an unforgettable experience.

God Bless,

Danielle

We Made It!

This Is Lauren NOT Charlie!

Team 3 made it to Haiti! What an experience it has already been! When we arrived in Miami one of our team members was feeling under the weather. She had taken medicine which wasn't working. We laid hands on her and prayed over her for a quick healing- and by golly the good Lord answered our prayers! Within the next hour she was back to 100% and ready for the last leg of the journey here. It was truly amazing!
When arriving at the Port-au-Prince airport I had no idea what to expect. Nothing could have prepared me. It is nothing like an airport that we would see in the United States. We walked off the plane, down the hall and outside to a shuttle that took us to immigration. We got in line to turn in our papers and to get our luggage. This place was chaos! Lots of people and not a lot of space. With patience and love we worked with each other to collect all of our bags. We exited the airport with a flood of men surrounding us to help us get all our luggage to our top top where Jean was waiting. Again, pure chaos! We made it to Jean and boy were we excited to see him!
We got all our bags in the back of the top top and climbed in. Nothing could have prepared me for the sights and smells I was experiencing. There were pigs eating the garbage on the sides of the road, there are no traffic laws, no stop signs or speed limits- I have never heard so much honking in my life! We were able to say hi to people that were on the streets as we were driving along and to see them greet us and smile back was a gift.
We arrived at a beautiful house where Fan Fan, our other Haitian staff member was waiting for us! What a welcome he gave! We unloaded the luggage, got our room assignments and then got acclimated with the grounds. We were able to go over and see the hotel swimming pool which was also beautiful. There were chickens roaming the streets by the house, as well as dogs. There was a soccer game going on up the road with a ton of kids playing. When the children saw us on the street they came running from all directions to get our attention.I have never seen children so excited to see someone they had never met with huge smiles on their faces. Those faces just melt your heart, they are so precious. They introduced themselves and wanted to know who we were. We didn't get to stay in the streets long to play or talk but it was just a taste of what we will be experiencing the rest of this trip. We have had a great first day in Haiti and I can't wait to see what God has in store. What an honor and blessing it has been already to be able to come to such a beautiful place.

AMAZING

Today was Amazing! What a great end to a great week. We started the day with Church at our house with Fanfan. It was so wonderful to start the day this way. After Church we went to the tent cities to deliver donations that we brought down from MN. We also included food that was packaged by Feed My Starving Children. I was excited to deliver the soccer balls my son's bought with their own money. The kids were so excited!

The rest of the day we made our way up the mountain to tour the life in Haiti and do some shopping. We went from the very busy town of Port Au Prince through Petron Ville to Boutilier at the top of the mountain. What a beautiful trip! We traveled from the very poor to the very rich. Shopping at the street market was wonderful. The Haitians are such great artists and work hard to barter with you to make a living.

We ended the night with a walk to the Visa Lodge for dinner. It was a great ending to an AMAZING trip. I loved every moment here but I do miss my family. I love you all and will see you soon.

God Bless! (Ke Bondye Beni'ou)

Love

Love...so much meaning in such a small word.

Today is our last full day in Haiti and as I am sitting here this morning reflecting back on the week all I feel is love. A love for a country that I had only read about in the paper, only seen pictures of in magazines and newspapers, a love for Haiti and its people. At the beginning of the week, all I could see is the garbage, the broken streets, the mass cluster of homes bunched together, the smells around me. Now I see the faces of the people, their smiles; the people on the streets saying "Bonjour", the children yelling "hey, you!", the people working in the market. It is the people.

God is present in Haiti and it is evident on their faces. God cares about the people. Yesterday, we made a second visit to the Orphanage of Sick and Dying Children, amidst all the babies and children were the workers. While feeding a baby, I observed the ladies that work there. They selflessly share their love to these children everyday and they come back again the next day and the next. They work so hard to give God's love and touch to these children.

All around me from the people at the Healing Haiti Guest House, those who deliver water everyday, the workers at the orphanages, you can see that they have a love for their country, for Haiti. It is on their faces. These people do not have much, but they praise God for what they do have. They are grateful for all that they recieve. I do not feel sad for these people, I feel sad for myself and hope to leave with a greater appreciation for what I have and remember that all I have comes from and belongs to the Lord.
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."
—Mother Teresa

Comparison

Today we went back to Cite Soleil for the second time to deliver water. It was nice to see some of the same children again. They remember you and run right to you. I loved it! At our first stop I met a 17 year old boy named James. He told me that he is very poor and that his parents are not able to buy him school supplies. He said that he loves school and knows he needs to be educated to reach his dreams. He prays to God to send someone who can help him buy a backpack, pencils, paper, English book, shoes, shirt etc. I felt God tug at my heart to help him. I told him that I will get him the supplies he needs and to let me know if he needs anything else. It felt so good to help him.

In the afternoon we went back to The Home for Sick and Dying Babies. A lot more babies seemed sick today. I helped feed them dinner, change diapers and held them. I felt so grateful that I could help out. God bless the sisters and workers who run this home. They have sacrificed so much for these children.

Today I compared life in Cite Soleil to the Orphanages. In Cite Soleil children have both or one parent and are the poorest of the poor in Haiti. The children are a lot more aggressive for love and attention vs the orphanges. At the orphanges the children are more laid back and well discipled. The people who run them love the children so much. The orphans too want love and attention but it is different. In Cite Soleil the people need water and human touch to survive. At the orphanges they want a friend to play with them or a parent to take them home. Both are in such need but in different ways. God thank you for letting me see what Haiti needs. They need you. With you they all have such joy in their eyes.