Day 6: Reaching High (Grace Village) and Kneeling Low (Elder Visits)

Today found us leaving Port-au-Prince and traveling to the rural community of Titanyan to visit Grace Village.  With each mile, the noise and congestion of the city were replaced with natural beauty, open spaces, and ocean coastline.

 

Grace Village sits on top of a mountain with a view that is nothing short of amazing.  Everything is clean and bright, and exudes a spirit of hope and joy.  Built by Healing Haiti in 2011, Grace includes an orphanage, a school, a playground, family housing, a transitional program for young adults, a medical clinic, an Aquaponic Tilapia Farm and a church.   

 

The orphanage currently houses 5 children who were recently brought from another orphanage that was deemed ‘unfit’.  (The government agency in Haiti that monitors orphanages rarely closes orphanages so the conditions are assumed to have been deplorable (at best).  While they search for biological parents to explore reunification, Grace is caring for them.  The other 40 children at Grace live in family housing (as opposed to traditional/institutional orphanage).  They live in a home environment with two house parents and ‘siblings’.  While most of us take family for granted, the impact on these orphans being blessed with a ‘family’ is HUGE!

 

Nearly 400 children arrive on foot from all over the hillside communities to attend school at Grace Village.  In Haiti, an education is very valued and very important yet most kids cannot attend due to availability and costs. Grace is also home to a year old community medical/dental clinic and is based on “pay what you can” basis.  They have Haitian doctors and nurses on staff and the waiting room is usually full.   

 

After unloading a dozen giant suitcases stuffed with needed supplies- new underwear, play clothes, hair accessories, and medicine – we went to find the kids.  Since it was Saturday, school was not in session but the kids who live at Grace were all in one place – watching a professional soccer game on TV.  Soccer is a HUGE sport in Haiti so most eyes were glued to the TV and the crowd went crazy for each big play. Some of our team joining in the soccer cheering (followed by a game) and others did art projects and played with punching balloons with the kids.  From the youngest (about 2 yrs old) to the oldest (about 14 yrs old), Grace kids are like most other kids around the world – they love 1:1 attention from a caring adult and they like to play.   Some younger kids ran amok punching balloons and giggling while some of the older kids focused on drawing and coloring. It’s amazing to me how much laughter and joy a few simple toys and games combined with can bring to these kids.

 

In the midst of all this fun, some very touching moments happened.  One little boy took advantage of a loving set of arms to settle in for a sweet nap with Lisa (insert pic).   I was able to reconnect with Bondja, a special little boy I met on my first mission trip in 2013 and now sponsor*/correspond with.  A staff member told me he is very shy so I am feeling so blessed to have some quality time playing with and chatting with him. 

Next, our team headed into the hills of Titanyan to visit 4 “orphan” elders who are sponsored/supported through Healing Haiti ElderCare Program* -   Charitable, Felice, Lindor, and Izna.  Each of these elders lives in a home with a dirt floor, no electricity and no running water.  The animals in the yards - goats, chickens, pigs – often wander into their homes.  The lucky ones have a dilapidated mattress on the floor to sleep on and a roof that does not leak.  Due to physical limitations, they depend on neighbors and family for their basic needs.  We delivered a hot meal to each elder and sang and prayed with them.  We washed/massaged the hands and feet of each, sharing love through the gifts of touch and comfort and prayer.  I was so humbled to be able to kneel before Izna - I could not even imagine the struggles and pain her weathered and crippled hands and feet have experienced.  At one point, I was so overcome with emotion that I had to step away…. How could someone who has so very little and lives in such dismal environment sing praise to God?  How is it that I who want for nothing so often fails to be grateful? I will never forget Lindor excitedly saying “I am so happy, I am so happy” Felice saying “God Bless” in Creole over and over. 

At each elder visit, the neighborhood kids would wander over to see us.  Some joined us singing worship songs, some held our hands and guided us over the rocky walk to each home and some just watched through the cactus from afar. We shared loom bracelets with each -  I think it was the elders who loved their “bling” the most.  I have no idea what these kids thought of these white people in their neighborhood but I hope we demonstrated how to honor and love each other just as Our Father taught us.  And I pray I carry this example with me long after returning home….

 

From the clean air at Grace to the dirty feet of the elders, this was another God filled and amazing day.  I felt God loving each and every member of this team and am so humbled and blessed to part of it. 

 

If you want more info on how to sponsor either a child at Grace or an Elder please visit www.healinghaiti.org

 

 

Our Team

Mission trip goodbyes are always so hard...


We started today the same way we have started everyday here in Haiti: laughter around the breakfast table. We then headed off to church. The service had special moments for each of us but singing "Hosanna" was the icing on the cake. We then headed up the mountain to do a little shopping and sight seeing.  Being on top of the mountain looking down at Haiti is such an amazing experience. Seeing the beautiful mountain side, feeling the fresh island rain and the entire time being fixated on the smoke rising from Cite Soleil. How can there be so much beauty and so much pain in one view?

I want to tell you why Mission Trip goodbyes are so hard. Because you meet people like:

Jill who is without question one of the hardest working people I have ever met. There was nothing she wasn't willing to do on this trip. Bucket Patrol (Check) Hold the water hose (Check) Twirl the jump rope until her arms wanted to fall off (Check).  There is so much more she did but my mind will always find her pushing a girl on a swing at Gertrude's for about 45 mins. 

Nancy who is a lady of very few words but the wisdom and faithfulness when she speaks is amazing. I believe she was the last to join our team but her willingness to follow where God called her made an impact on every single team member.  Her smile, love and grace gave us all the ability to keep going when many had hit the wall; as graceful a woman you will ever meet.

Angela who has a spirit about her that is so joy filled that you can't help but smile as you see her coming. She remembers the names of single person she comes in contact with in Haiti. She looks them in the eye and lets them know how much they mean to her. She has a passion to get to know the Haitian people and make them feel like they are as important as anyone in her family. I will have a picture of Angela calling out at neighborhood boys by their first name and seeing them react as if their best friend was yelling for them.

Josh who is as humble, sensitive and free wheeling as the come. To have a guy in his mid 20's on a trip with his mom and never hear him complain or speak badly of his mom is almost beyond belief. I have learned so much from how he loves his mom. Not only did he reach higher every day, he also dug deep to make sure he never wasted a moment to make some one else smile. I know God has a bright future laid out before Josh and I can't wait to see where it leads him.

Deb who is Josh's mom. She has raised a young man that she can be so proud of. She has a laugh that makes you cry, she never misses a moment to encourage you, and most of all she kills with kindness. This trip was a battle everyday for Deb. She got sick the day before we left and coughed the entire trip. Sore throat, headaches, and awful cough. None of this could keep her from working the water truck with her pride and joy. She wasn't going to let her pain and suffering keep her from seeing Josh hold kids at Juno's. Deb fought harder than anyone on this trip and she did so for Josh.

Barb who can only be described as the most gentle soul I have encountered in a long time. If I had to use just one word to describe Barb it would be Love. She was the first to reach out to team members who were struggling, she was the first to have 3 kids hanging from her, she was the first to love on babies fighting illness in orphanages. She wanted everyone to feel her love and she left no stone unturned to do it.

Katie who is determined, strong and steady. When we first started meeting I had no idea what to expect from Katie. That all changed as I spoke with her in the back of the Tap Tap at Juno's.  I quickly realized that Katie was much more than a "Silent Assassin" she had a real passion for life.  This passion drives her and I have no doubt that it also drove the rest of our team.  Her smile lights up a room and lets everyone know that she is their friend.  My trip would not have been the same without her.

Sherry who is sweetest person you can possible imagine. The kids flocked to her and would not let go. Each child had no doubt about how special they were when they made eye contact with Sherry.  Her warm spirit brought us all comfort when we needed it the most. By the way she is Angela's mom, makes sense doesn't. 

Nicole who makes every single moment count.  Every picture she took had a reason, every word she spoke had a reason, and every journal entry had a reason. She has been here for two weeks and I promise you not one single moment was wasted.  Her cup overflowed into our team everyday.  The single picture in my mind of Nicole will always be: seeing her holding the water bucket, the water hose and two kids hanging from her back all at the same time. She analyzed every word spoke and wrote about each moment that touched her heart.  She held nothing back and gave everything she had.

Dave (Leader) I have known Dave 4 years, but in the last 7 days I have realized how much depth he has for Jesus Christ. Beyond his story, beyond his jokes is a man that at his core loves Jesus. He lead our team in devotions each night and pierced hearts with his thoughts. Dave could walk up to the hardest Haitian man, and with in seconds, have him smiling. Only a man that has Jesus at his core can do this. Dave on behalf of our entire team thank you for being a messenger of Christ.

Lisa (Leader) I have no words. (Lisa just said "Yeah Right") I have tears in my eyes as I type this. I would challenge anyone to show me a better Christian Leader.  She never faltered at any moment.  She built our team on the Rock of Jesus Christ reinforcing it daily with grace, compassion and humility. Every single day I caught myself saying I need to become a leader like Lisa. She was an example to each of us that true leadership is defined by putting the team a head of yourself. Thank you Lisa for allowing your strength, love and passion for Haiti to be delivered by our team.

So that is our team 12 people who came together in the hopes of providing an opportunity for others to see Christ.  We loved, laughed and we cried. I am so thankful that God blessed me and called me to serve with this group.

In Christ
Jeremy Brandt

Day 4 & 5. Apparent Project, Juno's orphanage and Gertrude's orphanage & Water truck day 2

Our 4th day started out with a trip to Apparent Project. This is a initiative that hires Haitians to make art/jewelry and sell it for income. This shop is my favorite. They have such great gifts in there, I always want to buy one of everything.

This was my second visit here, but the first time that I got a tour of the workshops. It was so awesome to see the workers creating jewelry. I said as we walked through... "I would give anything to get paid to do arts and crafts all day long!" Seriously, if I lived in Haiti, I'd want to work there.

After a tour and some shopping, we headed on over to Juno's orphanage. This is my favorite stop! There is just something about the kids at this orphanage that give me so much joy.

Earlier this year when I came here for my first time, I met a little boy named Edmison. He was just the sweetest little kid. I was anxiously expecting to see him again (as were a few others) but when we got off the tap tap, nobody saw him. After asking a few kids where he was, we found out that he was sick and had to go up to the Grace Village clinic. While I was sad that I didn't get to see him, I was very thankful that the Grace Village clinic is there and that he was getting the help and medication he would need. I pray that this little boy is healing.

At Juno's the kids always sing for us. It's one of my favorite parts about the visit, they have such wonderful voices, and I'm always impressed by how well some of them know some English. We did a few art activities with them and even taught them how to make a human pyramid.

We set out with great excitement yet an enormous feeling of apprehension and uncertainty to Gertrudes Home for the mentally challenged children. Some of us carried lots of worries, anticipations & anxieties, especially related to the living condition of the home.

I did some research and found that before the earthquake in 2010 it was estimated that 800,000 people were living with disabilities & they were among the poorest int he country. With the quake, the number of people with disabilities has increased dramatically. Disabled children lost their parents and their homes. What is even more sad, is that in Haiti there are beliefs about disability that create strong barriers to assistance for people with disabilities often referred to as “cocabi” in slang Creole, which basically implies that they are worthless. They are ignored, stepped over, abandoned & alone.

Last week, while driving I noticed an elderly man, with only a shirt on that was crawling along the dirt road among the bustle of the day. Goats walked past him, tap tap’s drove 50mph past him blowing dirt into his eyes, a man tripped over him while looking at his phone & didn’t bother to stop, but kept walking.

Do you think that in America we have a bias or stereotypical actions towards people with disability? Do you know someone with a “disability?” Have you ever stopped to acknowledge or talk with someone that has a disability? In my experience, I have found that they are often people with the biggest hearts & it is my {hope} that one day we can all see them for what their ability is.

Our group walked into Gertrudes, quiet at first, taking it all in. Children were half dressed and some laying on the tile floor.  But it wasn’t long before we all heard Jeremy yelling & flying past us with a young child in a wheelchair who was giggling in excitement. The barrier was broke and right after, everyone on the team was either reading, pushing a child on the swing, singing, holding a child, tickling, or pushing a child in a wheelchair. We took the children off the floor, dressed them & put them in wheelchairs. The room was filled with light and in that moment, we were all as one.

During debrief, I think that we summarized that being there was extremely difficult to see. But god gives us more than we can handle so that we know what we are capable of and where His hands and help are needed to mend our broken hearts and fill it back up with the love that these children gave to us.


~Angela

Day 3. All of the water.

Best news: the water truck was fixed today!

Today we were able to make 3 different trips into Cite Soleil to deliver clean water. Our first stop was rather quiet. I was pretty surprised with how quickly we made it through all of the buckets to fill. Usually we run out of water first. We guessed they either had plenty of water from the recent rain or they got a water delivery recently. This obviously is a good thing for them.

After a short while at this stop, we wandered to a plot of land where the new church will be built in Cite Soleil. For those unfamiliar with Cite Soleil, it is the slum of Haiti. Most people here live in tents or tin shanties and don't have access to clean water, among other basic life necessities. I learned this trip that most other missions/service groups are surprised we go to help those of Cite Soleil. Why? It's not a safe area. Have I ever felt unsafe in a trip to Cite Soleil? Never. It's amazing how God's protection can be felt when we visit here. I cannot imagine not experiencing this part of the trip, or not being able to help out the poorest of the poor in some way.

Since our first stop was rather quiet, we walked to another stop nearby. This location seemed to be a little more in need of water. Some of the kids from the first stop followed us over there. As Americans we always struggle with "should these kids be following us?" The sad reality is: for the most part no one is really looking out for them.

At our second stop, there was one boy in particular (I'm guessing around 4 years old) who was hanging out near Nicole while she was trying to help with the water hose. Another little boy had tried to take a woman's bucket from her. She got upset and ripped the bucket out of the boy's hands and the bucket clocked the other little boy (by Nicole) right in the head. It looked like it would have hurt bad. He immediately started crying and it broke my heart that the woman just continued on her way. None of the neighborhood adults watching even moved, even after witnessing what had happened. No one consoled the boy until I went and picked him up. I can't even bring myself to entertaining the thought that someone consoling him is a foreign concept.

I held on to this little boy until he stopped crying. We took a picture together and after a little while, he was ready to jump down and be with the rest of the kids. Soon after, Jill brought out the jump ropes that we brought along. These simple ropes have brought so much laughter and so many smiles to our first 2 days here. Before we knew it, there was a whole crowd of people laughing, chanting, singing and smiling around the jump rope. It really is the simple things.

We had one final stop for the day before returning to the guest house for the night. This third stop is always the most busy. It's in a close, crowded alley-like street. At all of the stops it can be hard to get a good process going with lining up buckets, filling buckets, then moving the buckets out of the way. This is one stop where we literally just run out room and it gets a little crazy.

Most of my time at this stop was spent with a little girl who pegged me as her person right after we got off of the tap-tap. This stop seemed to go by really fast. Either we had too much fun taking photos with the kids, or they cleaned us of water really fast.

At the end of the water truck day we are all 110% spent, physically and emotionally. It's really an experience that's hard to summarize in words or photos. Until you experience it with your own two eyes, hands, and feet... and take in the sounds and smells, it's really hard to get it. This is my second trip and I still am not sure I really get it yet, it's so much to process. It's hard to understand how people can live like this and so many people not appear to care or help.

--Angie

Day 2. First lesson in flexibility.

One of the main things we are told going into this trip is: be flexible, nothing is set in stone. Today we got to practice that.

Our Tuesday (Day 1) plan was water truck/delivering clean water. However, we were told last night that our water truck was down for the count and we may have to change plans for today. The change of plans was confirmed at breakfast, as they were still fixing the water truck. Our change of plans was to go to The Home for Sick and Dying Children in the morning and La Pherre orphanage this afternoon.

After a delicious morning breakfast of french toast, eggs, oatmeal, fresh-squeezed juice and, my personal favorite, avocado (it's SO GOOD here...) we hopped in the tap tap for a quick drive to The Home for Sick and Dying Children (HFSDC). Our job here is simply loving on the kids and helping out the sisters by changing diapers and feeding the kids.

For some background: most of the kids at this hospital are either malnourished or sick with (or recovering from) any variety of ailments. The one thing they all have in common is their desire to be held. One room seemed to have sicker kids than the other. That room had kids connected to IVs and seemed to have more parents at the bedside, whereas the other room there were no IVs and the kids seemed to be more independent.

One thing I'm always amazed by at this hospital is the ratio of sisters to children. I'm just taking a guess, but I'd guess that ratio of nurse to patient is 1:10+. I give them so much credit. They feed the kids, change the kids, and care for the kids. I would imagine it would be everything like having octuplets and being a single parent. From the outside in, it looks absolutely exhausting; physically and emotionally. 

This was my second time visiting HFSDC, and both times I've had questions constantly running through my head. Like--  What is this baby's story? Why are they here? Do they have parents who come visit them regularly? Were they left here for the sisters to take care of? Will they ever get better enough to leave? Am I even doing enough by simply holding them? Do the nurses even know the names of the babies?

I picked up a little boy first. He was grinning a big toothy grin. He was one of the only babies not crying or holding his hands up for someone to pick him up. I immediately wanted to know his story. I could see his name on his tag wrapped around his tiny ankle. His tag noted that he was a year and a half old. Immediately I started asking other questions -- Is he as sick as the rest? Was he abandoned here? Is he getting the attention he needs from the nurse? Will he get to leave soon? These are obviously questions I will never get answered. But all I could think about while we were here was Psalms 139. How God knows me intimately. He knows each of those babies intimately. He knows the whole story and he sees the whole picture. All we get is this little glimpse, and I can only hope the little bit we are helping is doing much more than we can even see.

After our stop at HFSDC, we made a quick stop back at the guesthouse to change and load up our supplies for La Pherre orphanage. Visiting the orphanages are always one of my favorite parts of the trip. I think it's because there's a smaller group of kids, where everyone can interact with one or two children primarly. You leave feeling like you had a connection to one or two of the kids.

La Pherre was so much fun. We brought face paint to do drawings and designs on the kids faces. They in turn wanted to paint our faces which turned into Dave and Jeremy getting their whole heads painted. The kids just loved it.

 

We also brought some jump ropes and had some friendly competition jumping rope and even attempting double dutch. The time at La Pherre flew by, as it usually does at most stops. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations I was able to have with some of the children and teenage/young adult guys who were there. Hearing about their lives and dreams is so interesting to me. They also seem to enjoy learning about our way of living too.

Thanks for checking in! More stories to come!

~Angela 

The Great Arrival.

Bonswa from Haiti!
We have arrived safely and are settled into the guest house!

Our day started at the ripe hour of 3:45 a.m. at Terminal 1. Our team of 12 assembled with our 18 suitcases full of donations to be checked...yes, 18. PLUS our own personal carry on bags. This had the opportunity to be a craziness waiting to happen, but thanks to the organizational skills of our team and leaders this was a flawless process.

By the time we got through checking our luggage and security, if the rest of the terminal wasn't awake, they were now. We have quite the sense of humor on our team this week. The constant laughter helped to keep what could have been an exhausting travel day, fun and entertaining.

We had a quick layover in Miami. It was supposed to be even quicker... but we ended up getting in a few minutes early. We welcomed the extra few minutes as we had time to grab lunch quick. Soon, we were boarding our next flight to Port au Prince and after a couple short hours, we were landing in Haiti.

After landing and customs, we efficiently gathered all of our luggage (all 18 pieces accounted!) and found the Healing Haiti staff ready to pack up all of our luggage, and us, into the tap tap and back to the guest house. It was so great for those of us who had worked with Healing Haiti before to see those familiar and smiling faces of the staff!

The rest of the night was spent getting settled into the guest house, getting acquainted with some of the staff here, and eating dinner with more laughter. Our whole team is very excited to be here and eager to serve. We are all excited to be able to report back on our adventures and how God works through us and for us this week!

Also, stay tuned as we plan to post some brief bios of each team member later today, so you all can get to know us!

--Angie