Hello after our Saturday adventures in Haiti. The team expressed what a good day it was to bond with each other as we had a less frantic pace. We visited our last orphanage in the morning at one that isn't frequented by many groups. We arrived with the children all dressed in their finest for their annual Christmas party. This was the largest of the orphanages we visited outside of Grace Village, as we brought gifts for 35. We commented how it seemed as though the kids were not used to visitors as they didn't smile easily for pictures and they didn't even seem to know how to open their presents as if maybe they had never received any before. We did the story of the The Three Trees again, and the kids seemed to enjoy, as Patrick translated with his usual charisma. They opened their presents and we did the Salvation bracelets again and gave them Christmas cookies home-made from Minnesota, and the kids colored and did bubbles and the tried blowing bubble gum. They made us feel so loved as they absorbed all the love we could show them and were always reaching for us and loving us all the more. Precious memories...for us...and we hope a very special Joyeux Noelle party for them.       Next we headed by Tap-tap up the mountain to try and buy some souvenirs along the roadside to bring back reminders of our precious time here. We found many items that we will cherish and share. We continued up to the top of the mountain to a perfect stop for lunch, eating outdoors with a view overlooking the valley below and Port au Prince  and, far in the distance, the hills of Titanyen and Grace Village. We had 3 guides, Patrick, Emanuel, and Valerie{a great young man}, and our leader Gates, whom we all got to talk with and learn more about, while eating goat, some chicken and even some French fries. After the emotional first 5 days this felt like a transition day to us, as tomorrow is our last day here. We then enjoyed a night of pizza and fellowship, compliments of Latitudes, a philanthropic organization we were please to become acquainted with and impressed by. Some definite damp eyes and breaking hearts as we reviewed our week so far...and everyone is sad to leave and everyone promises to return.

Wednesday December 17, 2014
On Wednesday we got the opportunity to spend a few hours at Mother Teresa's Home for Sick and Dying. Our team split up into two different groups of service. Half of the team got to hold and pray for the babies who were sick. It was a very emotional experience for a lot of our team members watching these babies lying in their beds struggling to breathe of even to smile. The rest of the team got to clean out the rooms where the babies lived. This spot was definitely an opportunity for huge amounts of service.
Later that day we got the go to the Apparent Project. This place was started by an American woman looking to help Haitian families stay together through more job opportunities. This program provides jobs to 300 Haitians and also provides childcare for the parents to leave their children at while they work. Some of the jobs include painting, making beads, steel work, ect. Some of the items they made were available in a boutique that we got to buy from.

Thursday December 18, 2014
On Thursday we got the opportunity to go to the Mass Graves located in Titanyen. On January 12, 2010, Haiti experienced an earthquake that took thousands of lives. This Mass Grave is where the Haitians decided to bury the bodies because there were so many. There is a memorial being built on top of the grave to honor the lives lost and serve as an opportunity for the families of the lost to come celebrate lives. We got to pray over the grave for the country of Haiti and for families still mourning.
We then got to go feed the elders who are sponsored by Healing Haiti. We visited Marie, Meme, Pierre, and Marcia. We brought them hot Haitian food, washed their feet, painted the ladies toe nails, sang for them, and prayed over them for their families, community, and health. It felt so very humbling to be able to do that.
We then went up to Grace Village where we brought medical supplies for the clinic, took a tour of the place, played with kiddos, and loved on the four little new boys. We also got the opportunity to help feed the Grace kids lunch through the lunch program.
Our last stop was Shalom's orphanage in Titanyen. We got to deliver to the kids a Christmas gift. We read them the story of "The Three Trees". They were very attentive and seemed to learn a lesson from it. We made salvation bracelets and then we said our goodbyes for the day.

Friday December 19, 2014
Sadly, today was our very last water truck day. We went to sites 17 and 26. Again, like every water truck day, we were broken by what we saw. Whether it be holding kids, playing games, holding the water hose, or carrying buckets, everyone on the team was touched.
We then went to La Farre orphanage to deliver Christmas presents, bring Christmas cookies, read "The Three Trees", and make salvation bracelets. This orphanage was especially fun because we got to sing with the kids. That orphanage sure does have some fun people:)
Our last stop today was Gertrude's special needs orphanage. This place is full of a variety of kiddos. What a blessing these kids were to so many of us. They all have huge smiles and their own personality about them. We feel especially thankful for this place because it brought these children new hope which they otherwise would not have had.

Haiti-Day 1 of Outreach (Dec. 15-22)

Tuesday December 16, 2014

Today was our first day of outreach in Haiti. This was the first of two water truck days. We made three stops, all in Cite Soleil. The children we got to encounter blessed us with so much love. We were able to learn more about the culture by seeing the Haitians live there everyday life, including the way they love. When we got off the truck at each stop all the children stormed us chanting "hey you". What a beautiful sound it was to be able to hear Gods children open to receive our love. Please pray for our team to have strength and courage to step out of our comfort zones. Pray for hearts to continue to be bold with love.

                                            Love from Haiti,
                                                          Emily

Checking in from Haiti

We made it!!

Our day started at 4:30 yesterday morning. The first flight of the day left at 6:00 am. We caught three flights total today. Just like last year, we ended up having to leave one of our behind in Wichita Falls. She'll be joining us today though. 

We joined with two others in our team (from Kentucky and Minnesota) and boarded to head to Haiti. There are nine of us total (not counting the long-term missionaries.) There is also a girl from Pennsylvania. 

Once we landed in Haiti, we met up with our peeps outside of the airport and loaded up in the top-top to head to the guesthouse. We're the only team this week so we get all the translators!! Two long-term missionaries with Healing Haiti will also be journeying with us this week. 

Today we were supposed to Cite Soleil but it was too dangerous today so we'll do it later. Instead we'll be going to the Apparent Project, Home for Sick and Dying, and Getrude's. 

Dear Child ...

This week I blessed you with my most precious children. You may look at them with sadness, but in heaven, they are princes and princesses - couldn't you see it in their eyes? Each day as they endure the fallen world in Haiti, I walk with them. Many times, I scoop them up and carry them on my shoulders, I gently kiss their dirty faces, and hold them tightly. As I let go and send them back to their mission field, I smile, pat their heads and I hold back tears of pride. Their perseverance and strength blesses me. They are called to do my work unlike my other children, they have hearts to break for me!

I am writing to thank you for enriching their spirit for me - my hand through yours, my smile through yours, my voice through yours. I ache for the day when you will all be in my arms together…however, you may need to help them carry their crowns as their jewels will be so heavy.

Press on my child,

Father

Do small things with GREAT love!