Thursday, October 17, 2013

Finally Home...

Coming home is a mixed bag of emotions.  There is the relief of sleeping in your own bed, having a hot shower, and all the other conveniences of home.  But there is also the reluctance to return home after spending time with the beautiful children that God has called Faith to support.  For each team member, the challenge is to not rush back into our busy life schedules and make sure we find time to let God speak into our lives the things He wants us to take home from a trip like this.  And you have to really be disciplined to carve out that time for God and be still and listen.  I struggle with that even though I have been many times.  I love to return home to my family and spend time catching up with them.  At the same time my heart aches a little bit from missing the kids, staff and Haitian people.  But it's a good tension.

I came away from the trip feeling like there is much to do but also know that God is in control.  Thank you for praying for our team and praying for the Desire project.  We look forward to sharing the vision of our partnership and the images from this trip.




Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Heading Home

Yesterday we said our goodbyes at Desire which is always difficult.  But we leave feeling like we have strengthened our connection to the children, the staff and the community.  We will continue to pray for our friends.

We arrived just outside Port au Prince late yesterday afternoon for our final evening at Jumecourt.  We had our final team meeting where we shared some of the things God has been showing each our team members.

As I write this, I am reminded of the early days when we stayed here as a team when it was known as the Orphan Transition Village (OTV).  Lots of memories and lots of development since those days.  But the thing that remains the same are the roosters and dogs.

We head to the airport in a few minutes and I will continue to write and post photos.





Monday, October 14, 2013

Monday at Desire

Today was another full day of ministry in Desire with English in the morning and Bible stories and a fashion show in the afternoon.  The team is doing amazing! We are spending every ounce of energy while we can because tomorrow we say goodbye.  And as always, that is hard after spending several days building relationships with the kids.

I am excited about promoting the sponsorship of the kids in the next few weeks.  John and I had some fun with the kids capturing images and video to help portray the opportunity of getting involved in supporting our Desire project. Each year we put it in front of the congregation to support the orphans financially for the coming year.  This year Pastor Jeannot has added to his number of children bringing the total to 71.  We will have some fun things to share as we ask the congregation to support the 71 kids for another year.

At this stage of the trip, every team begins to wrestle with the leaving.  The time has been very fruitful and a blessing to us but the time comes tomorrow morning to say goodbye- even if it's only for just now.  For some us, Lord willing, we will return but it still makes the goodbyes hard.  I ask you to pray for our team in this and for health and safety as we begin to prepare to come home.

Tonight we read in Joshua about the stones that were collected and placed as a memorial for all that God had done so they could share that with their children.  In a very small way we too are reflecting on all that God has done through Faith in ministry in Haiti and what He's been doing in each of us personally.  Ultimately we give honor to God for all He's done.











Sunday, October 13, 2013

Sunday's My Favorite Day


I have to say that as many trips as I have had the privilege to be a part of, Sunday is always my favorite day.  It's also the longest day, the hottest day usually and the most satisfying day.

To start the day off, we get to worship at two different worship services- in Gonaives at about 7:45 and then up at Desire at 10:00.  Both services offer something unique from each other but they both are equally God-honoring in worship expression.  Pastor Jeannot preached a lively message in Gonaives and I shared an encouraging message in Desire.

In the afternoon we returned to Desire to do an art project with the younger kids and a craft project with the older girls.  As all of this was happening John Crane and I took a little hike up the mountainside behind the project to get a encompassing perspective of the project- see the pictures that follow.  The difference between two and a half years ago and today is staggering.  The project we visited in March of 2011 had nothing but tents for the children and a primitive latrine which consisted of a concrete slab with two round holes cut in it for using the bathroom.  Now the project has real homes for all the children, still primitive but very functional latrines, a kitchen, an office and security walls that surround the project.  To be up on the mountainside and look below, a person cannot help but realize this is all possible through God.

While ministry was happening at the church, from the side of the mountain a community soccer match was getting ready to start.  A visiting town traveled up to Desire to play a team from the community which included two orphan teens- Wilson and Nasson.  It was The Event and was exciting to watch a game where the home field crowd was cheering on their team at the same time hearing children singing at the church less than 50 yards away.  That was one of those moments you wish you could bottle up and hold on to and revisit when you go through your Haiti withdrawals.  In that moment, all was right with the world.  And my teammates will understand it and if you've been to Desire, you can imagine it and understand it too.

Today was a busy day for funerals.  On the road back to Desire we passed by two funerals taking place and in the last couple of days, we saw as many as 4 new burial sites in the cemetery we pass by.  Add to that the two wedding receptions that we have seen at our hotel  since we arrived Thursday, we have witnessed a lot in Haitian culture.

This evening we visited a friend who runs an orphanage in Gonaives.  She now has 31 kids (last year when I visited there were only about 15) and the house was buzzing with activity before bedtime.  They welcomed our team and had fun playing with us for the brief time we were there.  I was encouraged by what I see The Lord doing in the life of that orphan home.

So now I am exhausted trying to make sure I capture the events of the day knowing that the heart impact on my own heart is still processing...  

We have one more full day of ministry with the kids in Desire and we are asking The Lord to give us all the energy we need to do it well.  We just want to show up and let God use us as He sees fit.








Saturday, October 12, 2013

Saturday Afternoon

This afternoon our team continued teaching English with the younger children followed by a Bible story as told by Annie.  She had helpers (3 of the older boys) who at first looked like they would really get into it because of the costumes.  But when time came for the story, Jesus and the disciples didn't come through with winning performances- they were apparently too cool but the younger kids loved them!

We have encountered rain every afternoon which is greatly needed but it has cut our time short with the kids.  We know God knows what He's doing and we are adjusting fine.

It looks like we have another wedding at the hotel which is another fun aspect to taking in the culture.




Saturday Morning in Desire

We had a fun, busy, hot morning in Desire on this fine Saturday.  Part of the team taught English with the older children and the rest of us entertained the younger kids.  I broke out the items that the KidzZone children's ministry sent to Desire- bean bag toss and soccer goals. More to come tonight.




Friday, October 11, 2013

Full Day and a Trip to Marmelade

Today was a great day full of ministry and new experiences.  This morning we headed up to an orphan project in the town of Marmelade.  I visited there almost two years ago before children's homes were built.  Pastor Isaac is the head of that project and a good friend of Pastor Jeannot.  The project currently has 38 children who come from around the mountainous region and the city of Gonaives.

Marmelade sits atop the mountain range that separates Gonaives from Cap Haitien on the north coast of Haiti.  It is very lush and green because of the rainfall that happens often allowing multiple growing seasons in one year.  Marmelade is also the hometown of Haiti's most recent past president Preval.  This unique mountain community is supported by its rich agricultural roots- it used to be the coffee capital of Haiti in terms of production.  Coffee production is back on the rise but the most common crops we saw were cabbage and beans. There was something cool about smelling coffee roasting where it's naturally from.

We had fun meeting new friends and spending time with kids who appreciated having new visitors come to them.  It was worth the 2+ hour drive in the winding narrow mountains the resemble a drive on top of trail ridge road in Colorado.

During team time tonight we had great discussions about the work The Lord has called Faith to do in Haiti and reflecting on our day.












Thursday, October 10, 2013

Got to Desire...

We made it up to Desire this afternoon just as heavy rainfall began.  It was coming down in sheets and the road was quickly becoming very muddy.  The kids were thrilled to see us as we were to see them but the rain cut our visit very short for fear of becoming stuck in the mud and the threat of the river crossing becoming difficult.

We felt the mixed emotions of being happy to see them and sadness because we really did need to leave.  But as we debriefed our day, clearly the team took it in stride.

Tomorrow we take the day to travel to a beautiful remote mountain town called Marmelade where The Global Orphan Project has an orphan project.  We wanted to use our extra day to bless the children of Marmelade because it is rare for teams to visit because of the long, steep, narrow, twisty roads to get there.  We anticipate it taking over two hours to navigate the mountain roads.  Photos to follow tomorrow...

Please continue praying as a couple of us are trying to shake a cold we brought with us.  The team is doing well and excited to see what The Lord has in store in the coming days.

Just Arrived in Gonaives


The team is a bit tired from our long travel day yesterday and our early flight and then road trip up to Gonaives today.  We are getting settled in the hotel and taking a short rest before going up to Desire to see our many friends.  Our plan this afternoon is to play and have fun and introduce our rookie Haiti team members to everyone in Desire.

On the way to Gonaives, we stopped at Volcy's (our translator) home.  Volcy is from Cabaret and has been building a home
there for most of this past year.  With his growing family- two children and two adopted children, Volcy and his wife really needed a place where they could spread out and meet the needs of their family.  Here are some photos of our stop.

Almost there

This morning the team is anxiously waiting for our flight into Haiti.  We still have a long road trip to the northern part of the country but we should be there this afternoon.  Stay tuned for more updates tonight and the days ahead.  Everyone is in good spirits and ready to see our friends up in Desire.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

October Team on the way

Our October Haiti team is on the way to Desire today with a stop for the night in Fort Lauderdale before flying into Haiti early tomorrow morning.  This great team if 8 is ready to see the kids in Desire and renew or start new friendships.  We have 6 veterans and 2 rookies ready to teach English and share Bible stories.  Please pray for our safe travel and good health.


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

In His Arms: Our Last Day in Haiti

From Hayden:

Today we made the difficult trip back to Port Au Prince.  It was difficult because we were leaving the kids and the time we have had the last four days.  It was an adventure getting up to Desire after a large rain last night made us get stuck once.  The time with the kids was great, but it was hard to leave them.  Tomorrow we fly back to home, but we know we will be coming back changed for the better as God has worked in us.  

Tonight we shared the verse from Matthew 25, "And the King will answer them, Truly I say unto you, whatever you did to the least of these my brothers, you did unto me."  While we came to serve, we have all been impacted by these beautiful people.

In His Arms: Last Day in Desire

From Hayden:


This was a group picture taken before we left. There were a lot of tears. Now the long journey back home. 

In His Arms: Sunrise on the Rooftop

From Hayden:


For the last morning in Gonaives, my daughter and I went up on the rooftop to watch the sun rise. This is looking to the north at some nice views. 

Monday, July 15, 2013

In His Arms: Last Full Measure

From Hayden:

Today was our last full day in Desire.  We changed our plans a bit so that we can visit a friend tonight.  We stayed up there for an extended time rather than making two trips.  We shared the story about David and Goliath, read to the kids and just played with and loved on them.  They enjoyed the jump ropes and frisbees we brought, as well as coloring sheets.  Our team really emptied their tanks and gave it their all to love these kids.  I asked our translator, Volcy, what do the kids enjoy most about us coming down.  He said, they just love you spending time with them and holding them.  Enough said.

In His Arms: What Did We Eat?

From Hayden:

One of the things I look forward to on our trips is the food.  It is an unwritten rule, that when in Haiti, eat as the Haitians do (although I think they go a little easier on us "blancs").  Well, one of those delicacies is goat.  It is one my favorite dishes and is so tender. Well last night she tried it!  And, I must say she finished her meal before me.
Another favorite is spaghetti for breakfast!  I don't know how they make it, but is Bon ampiel!

In His Arms: One World, One Language

From Hayden:

One of the greatest challenges we have on our journeys to Haiti is the language barrier.  While we can learn a little Creole just to be polite, it ends about the time we figure out names.  But, the one thing that is universal in any language is a smile.  It transcends cultures and barriers and opens up a world of possibilities.  When we show that one person that we genuinely care about him or her, they begin to open up.  And while we may might not be able to understand the words each of us speaks, in that moment we have touched each other's life.  

In His Arms: Sunday in Desire

From Hayden:

I stayed  back today with my daughter since we both weren't feeling well.  Today the team had the chance to worship in Gonaives and Desire today as well as have lunch and spend time with the kids.  They had a full day and their biggest "highs" were spending time in church and hanging out with the kids.  They had a bit of adventure coming back as Pastor Jeannot's truck broke down.  But like all good resourceful Haitians, our driver was able to put it back together for him
quickly!  In all, it was a good day for the team and tomorrow we have a full day with two times at Desire and going to visit Jan Thompson's home and learn about her work with orphans here in Gonaives.