Day Two and Three: Making an impact for God's glory

DAY TWO: Tuesday was the first official day of our mission trip. Our team started the morning with the goal of making an impact on the people of Haiti for God's glory. It ended up being the other way around. One of the most memorable moments of the day was our team providing clean water and carrying buckets of water to the people of Tent City.

While walking alongside children who are accustomed to walking in dangerous ruble without shoes, one young girl (approximately 7 years old) stepped on a nail. Our co-leader Janelle sprung into action and attended to her foot with a first aid kit. Moments later, the young girl ran right back into the dirt filled with debris, dead animals, urine, feces, and glass. This is an everyday occurrence for these children. They have no access to a bathroom in their tents. It reminds me of how much we take for granted in the comfort of our homes. We rounded out the day playing soccer with the kids of Cite Soleil with the kids involved in the Haiti Initiative program. They outscored us 4 - 0 (hee hee). Despite the gruelsome heat, we had a ton of fun! The next part of the day brought emmence joy and a profound impact. Our team spent a few hours later handing out free soccer gear them. The smiles of the soccer players when receiving new soccer cleats, shin guards, and jerseys (donated by fellow Minnesotans) are unforgettable.

DAY THREE: Today started out with a tour of Grace Village. An amazing facility on the hill that provides education, medical, and dental care to the people of Titanyen. It was nice to see our team embrace the children, absorb the methods of self-sustanence that are being instilled (aquaponics center, greenhouse, so much more). The impact of God's provisions are a blessing. We also visited the elderly. This was the most touching part of the day. As we washed their feet and fed them food and water, the most amazing thing happened. One man gave a portion of his food to the goats who appear to visit him regularly. Another woman fed half of her food to her grandkids. Despite having NOTHING of value to really call their own, they make a divine decision to give to others. An impact that will stay in my heart forever.

Our last stop included an orphanage. My bonus daughter Miranda led a fun art activity with the children. They were very engaged as they prepared handmade greeting cards while learning the fruitage of the spirit and just how much Jezi (Jesus) loves them.

As we drove back to our guesthouse, we enjoyed the cool breeze and a view of an aqua blue ocean. My daughter Jayla describes her first time in Haiti as unique. She appreciates the beautiful and not so pleasant parts of this broken island. Our prayer is that all of Haiti's beauty is restored. We continue to rejoice in being the hands and feet of Jesus and making an impact on others for HIS glory. Thank you for sharing in this journey with us and reading our blog!

Day 1: Delivering water in Cite Soleil

Today we delivered water to Cité Soleil. It is my first time in Haiti and today was an overwhelming experience. The amount of poverty was unimaginable and I'm still trying to process it in my head and my heart. While getting off the bus at the first stop, children came running up to us wanting us to hold them. I picked up one little girl and she clung on to me so tight. I hugged her back as I knew she needed my love. After a few minutes, she pulled back to look at me and with a the biggest smile she said God is good, God is good! This was one of many truly amazing experiences I had today. I think it's safe to say the rest of the team experienced similar encouters today. It was amazing to see how much hope they had and how happy the children were with the simplest of things. They had nothing but were so happy with just the love we gave them. I came to Haiti asking God to work through me and I opened up my heart to whatever He may have in store for me. God has humbled me today and made me ever so grateful just to have been born into the life I did. I must use that gift to do great things. This is just the beginning of my journey. To be continued....

We arrived!

We have arrived in Haiti!  We had great travel today and arrived safely to a very hot and wonderful feeling Haiti!  For many of us on the team it is a return trip and we took a sigh of relief feeling as if we were home.  For others this is there first experience and many took in the new sights and sounds, and all are looking forward to a life giving day tomorrow of delivering water in cite soliel, the poorest slum in the Western Hemisphere.  Thank you for your prayers!

Getting Ready to leave for Haiti!

Here is a picture of our team (missing Kristina) at our packing party.  The suitcases of donations are all packed and we are set to go!  We leave this coming Monday March 31, 2014!  We are ready to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus, doing whatever he may ask of us. 

A song that always inspires me and was written by Matthew West is called Do something.  The lyrics are below.  We can not wait to get to Haiti and Do something!  This is a team on fire who is ready to go and serve in Haiti!  Thank you for your prayers as we travel and serve.

"Do Something"I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

I’m so tired of talking
About how we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
“I’m gonna do something”