Day 4 An education

Today we got an early start. We attended an early morning prayer service at the Tent Church.
Many locals attend this service before going off to work for the day. In many ways, the experience was uniquely Haitian. There was a great deal of movement in the congregation as the preachers inspired the congregation with prayer and music accompanied by a drummer, keyboard and an electric guitar. Afterwards we enjoyed a magnificent sunrise while perched on a ledge overlooking the city below.
Next stop was the Apparent Project. The artisans utilize discarded materials to create jewelry, metalwork, pottery and clothing.  Purchases empower the artisans to support their families while their children are cared for on site.
Next came a visit to the National Museum of Haiti in Port-au-Prince. Originally constructed as a memorial resting place for the four founders of modern Haiti, it was converted to a museum in 1983. Highlights include a permanent exhibit detailing some key points in Haitian history as well as artifacts and artwork.
Lastly, a visit to Notre Dame des Victoires Orphanage. We played, did arts and crafts,jumped rope and did yoga with the children. Outside, a game of soccer was a highlight. The children had a great time!
Home to the guesthouse, where a Haitian feast awaited us. Rice and beans, chicken, root vegetables and plantains. Delicious!
Tom and Melinda

Water Truck Day

There are rides at amusement parks that post on certain water attractions, "You will get wet. You may get soaked!" In so many ways both are true for water truck day in Cite Soleil, but not simply for the reason you might think. We got off the tap tap geared up for holding a four inch hose that dispenses the water to the empty buckets, basins, and drums the residents of the poorest of the poor bring to get water. This is their only source of water for days and for the most part it is the children - some in the dirtiest of clothing, some in none at all - and the girls and women who come to fill their vessels with water to cook, drink, and clean with until the next water truck day. If you're holding the hose, you absolutely get wet. Water splashes everywhere, and all around you children are catching water from a leak in the hose to drink or simply washing off the dust that they are coated with all the time. Each 5 gallon bucket is 40 pounds and it is amazing to watch elementary school age girls carry them on their heads. Our job is simply to get it there. Others carry small 3 foot basins back to their metal shanty homes with our assistance as well. And still others just need a hand carrying their bucket if they can't balance it on their head. The truck pumps until there is no more buckets to fill or no more water in the truck, and there seems to always be more buckets to fill.
If that's all water truck day was it would be moving enough to have your heart break. But as you get off the tap tap the children are already lined up. Not with buckets raised for water but with hands outstretched with one request on their lips - "Hey you!" Translation: "Pick me up and hold me to let me know that I am loved." You learn how to hold a child in one arm and a water bucket in the other. And it isn't long until you are soaked in not just the water from the truck, but also the joy and comfort that comes exudes from their faces and eyes. And with each water stop I became soaked in the love of God that poured not only from our team to the people of Cite Soleil but God's love toward me from them. Sometimes it's not easy. Hard life creates hard faces. Yet, like the water that erodes even the mightiest of mountains maybe the water that comes in the name of Christ through Healing Haiti will soften the hardest of faces and allow for the light of Christ to shine through from their eyes and smiling faces.
We also were blessed with the opportunity to witness the soccer initiative supported by Healing Haiti among others. We watched the boys practice and were invited to play a scrimmage against them. What fun! And they were the best of sports when the game ended in a 2-2 tie. It was then off to dinner where we fed the boys a Feed My Starving Children meal and watch their faces light up again.
I am blessed to have been a part of this experience and don't think I'll water my lawn ever again knowing how precious it truly is in this world and just because I can doesn't mean I need to water my lawn or continue living according to the status quo of the U.S. society. I got wet and soaked today in Cite Soleil while delivering water. I pray I never dry off.

Day 2

Day 2 - Tuesday, October 6

Our first stop this morning was Grace Village, a school and orphanage about a 45 minute drive north into the mountains. We were surprised with the beauty of not only the view of Titanyen, but the school and supporting structures as well. Titanyen translates to “less than nothing”, which we found to be far from accurate. The village is void of businesses at the moment, but progress is being made thanks to the expansion of Grace Village. They have a community church and a bakery that will be open soon and employ 50 families. The school has over 400 students and 39 resident children. We were impressed with the organization, leadership and care put into every aspect of the children’s schooling and socialization. They also focus on sustainability, and have a hydroponic garden. With 15 acres of land, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for the community.

From there, we headed to the Haitian Mass Grave, a memorial that marks where hundreds of thousands were buried following the earthquake. We listened to our Haitian guides’ personal stories about the earthquake and prayed over the victims. While there, we distributed FMSC Manna Packs to the local children and adults. One of the little boys looked up at us and asked, “Do you believe in Jesus?”. And one of us replied back, “yes, we do”. He lit up when we asked him the same question in return and he replied “yes!”. For us, his smile and response represent the resilience of the Haitian people - despite extreme poverty, they are joyful and take pride in their country.

Our final stop was Shalom Orphanage. Compared to Grace Village, Shalom was small and simple with only 10 live-in children, but the children were just as happy. We had the opportunity to play with the children - we blew up balloons, colored, and played soccer. The children really seemed to enjoy the interaction, the hugs, and taking the hats off of the guys’ heads!

-  Darcy and Elyse

Day 1

Day 1 - Monday, October 5

Although the sun wasn’t up (and it wouldn’t be up for another few hours), 15 members of the Haddonfield Healing Haiti Team met at 3 a.m. to begin a day-long journey.  Our travels would take us to Philadelphia’s airport, through Miami where we would meet our Minnesota team leader, Nick Wellen, and on to Port-au-Prince and a fascinating drive from the airport to the guest house that will be the team’s home base.

Referring to our words of the day, discussed following this evening’s dinner, each one of us are “delighted” to be undertaking this journey, although not without significant “trepidation.”  We are “nervous”  about what we will experience but, at the same time, “open” to personal and collective growth and “grateful” for the opportunity.  Today and the days ahead will bring us face to face with the “disparity” we quickly found ourselves in as we drove through the streets of Port-au-Prince.  All of us look forward to tomorrow and our first real day - meeting the children we’ve come to serve, distributing FMSC food and our donations, and giving all of us the opportunity to learn how to Iive a more mission-centric life.

• Gerry, Linda, and Paul

Day 6--2nd Water Truck Day "Hey You!"

Today was the second and final water truck day in Cite Soleil. We went to three different areas to deliver water. At each stop we scooted buckets, aimed hoses, carried buckets, and held children. You can probably guess which one was our favorite! If you've always wondered what it feels like to be a celebrity, come to Haiti and serve on water truck day. As our tap tap rolls into the neighborhood, all the children chant, "Hey you! Hey you!" (because of the UN presence after the earthquake...the U stuck...) As soon as our wonderful and gracious translators/drivers unlock and open the tap tap door, little hands are reaching out to you to be picked up. You are greeted with smiles everywhere you turn. The women and children are so grateful for the help. Their hearts are so open and welcome. It's really surprising to me and makes me think... What if I greeted everyone with an open heart, a warm smile, and an open hand? What would that look like and how would that change the world? What if we cherished each other's gifts for what they are? What if we were excited and genuine in receiving everyday gifts from one another? I don't have those answers, but I know the One who does. Tonight is my last night in Haiti (the rest of the team leaves on Monday). God has taught me so much about myself, His creation, and His people. My prayer for us all: God, open our hearts to you. Give us the courage to walk in obedience. Love, Leanne

Day 5--A piece of my heart in Haiti

Today is the day I left a piece of my heart in Haiti. Began the day before dawn praising God at "tent" church. As the sun cam up blood my heart to God, "The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning. Time to sing Your song again. Whatever May and pass whatever lies before me ... .Let me be singing When the evening comes. "Little did I Know That Would this be truly my prayer today. Little did I know today That Would Be That I left the day a piece of my heart in Haiti. General Hospital was our stop today. My first act of service was to deliver toys stuffed with three others to a room with four orphans. The first babe I saw stopped me in my tracks. Was this one why I was here. This little tiny skeleton with skin stretched over. Sores front and back, Some nurses Could not cover the goal with a piece of cloth As They HAD no bandages. I tucked a small stuffed kitten under her hand, though She Could not hold it. I gazed into her eyes, though she Could not focus on me. Abandoned and Brought to the hospital by social workers, She Had been here five months. I Could not imagine what she must have Looked like Then. I did not want to. So I blood. Jesus loves me. And I Told her Jezi Reme Or. Jesus loves you. Over and over and over. Only When forced to leave and visit the rest of the hospital did I leave her side. So, hugs and encouragement from my fellow team members and off to the next ward. Passing out gift bags filled with diapers and personal hygiene items. Cuddling babies, smiling and praying for mamas. Then Reviews another baby captured my heart. She Was the third baby for me to hold in this ward. The "mama" our translator Told That Was abandoned this child and She Had Volunteered to care for her while she was here with her own child. Praise God For That mama's heart! But, I found, HOWEVER, That I Could not give her up That Easily When Time to go. I handed her off to our team leader and Walked Away Because I Could not bear to let her go. So, what is the purpose of this? Why witness thesis babies Suffering When I can do nothing? Why About did God bring me all the way to Haiti to break my heart over and dying abandoned babies? Goal I have done something. I have come here, and has-been little tiny hand of God's big picture. I have touched lives in ways I will never know this side of heaven. I have left a smile, a touch, a cuddle, a prayer, a song and a seed planted for the love of Jesus. That what Jesus says we do to "the least of These" we do to Him. That is my prayer I will continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus, Wherever He calls me and That You Will join me so That We May journey together Becoming a share of God's big picture.

Day 3--It is better to give, than to receive

Today we visited the Home for the Sick and Dying and an orphanage with approximately 35 children. Two very different places yet both spoke the same thing to me. First, I’ll give you some details. At the Home for the Sick and Dying, women served women and men served men. Each room had approximately 15 beds and the woman’s ward was about 75% full. We came with baby lotion and fingernail polish. It doesn’t sound like much - but God doesn’t require much (you’ll learn that when you come down here!) We donned gloves and lotioned bodies and painted nails of women looking for rest and comfort. Our translator played the guitar, we sang and prayed (silently) over the women and each other. Tears were shared, hands were held, and laughter heard – all for the Glory of God. The second part of the day was spent with beautiful loving children. Lots of laughter and smiles were shared by all. We played soccer, jumped rope, gave piggy back rides and made sidewalk art. Two very different places with very different atmospheres –yet both spoke new meaning to a truth I’ve believed my whole life. It is better to give than to receive. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of this concept prior to coming to Haiti. It’s always been pretty easy for me to give from my pockets, from my hands, from my home, from my lips. Not so easy from the heart. This is what God has taught me in Haiti. It is better to give your heart than to receive - period. I’m not talking about giving with your heart or from your heart and not because of your heart. To give is better than to receive if you actually give away pieces of your heart. I think when we give a piece of our heart away, God’s limitless love fills it up again and it grows and yearns to be broken to pieces over and over. My prayer for us all – God, show us what it means to give our hearts away - to you and each other. With Love, Leanne