Grace Library Takes Shape

Library at Grace School was a seed planted in my heart back in March 2013……so awesome to see this God size dream come true for the staff and students at Grace School in December 2014!
The last 4 days our Haitian friends and our team members have worked hard putting shelves together.
So exciting to see the books being placed on the shelves.  Next step to get the books into the hands of the students……I say to my students back home…"Books can take you anywhere you want to go!"

The pictures below:  5200 French Books being shipped to Minnesota from "Books for Haiti" in CA (Oct 2013)
6000 French Books processed and ready to be shipped to Haiti from Minnesota (June 2014)
Grace Library, Everybody Section completed and Fiction Section almost completed (December 2014)

Want to thank Jesus for this amazing journey…..who would of every thought that a girl from Minnesota, who doesn't know how to speak French could set up a complete library in Haiti…..only God could do that……!!

God Bless,
Ann Spinner

Staff Appreciation

Every day has been an endless blessing. Throughout the week the staff have prepared our meals, driven the cars and cleaned the house. This morning we had an opportunity to repay them with a staff appreciation breakfast. While we were preparing the food one of the ladies who worked in the house came over early and started doing the laundry. My dad explained to her what we were doing and invited her to help me learn French instead. For over two hours she smiled and tried to teach me phrases. It truly showed me her value of relations, not just between us, but also between her and God. The first thing she did was teach me how to say Jesus loves me. As the day went on it was easy to observe the strong faith and light that shined in each of them as they sang after breakfast, but what I was most taken back by was how they included us in it and made us see the light in ourselves. I was easy to see why the lady I had talked to earlier valued relationships the way she did. With these bonds she was able to bring people into a family, letting us all know God better.

~ Jacqueline

Cite Soleil ... Words Cannot Describe

Yesterday we delivered water in Cite Soleil, a place that even to write the words brings tears to my eyes, it is truly indescribable. A smelly city of garbage, filth, and depravity that is home to tens of thousands of Gods children. People who did not ask to be born there and have no hope of escape. While we delivered water, the children ran to us and jumped into our arms, hungry for a hug and a smile. Their dark eyes sparkled with joy at our visit. But as our time came to go, we gave one last hug, and peeled them out of our arms, we had to watch helplessly as they ran off down the road, back to their prison of hopelessness. Last evening, when I returned to the Guest House, I wished I had never experienced Cite Soleil - the situation is so dire. Healing Haiti, I wondered, how can this place ever be healed? it is impossible!

However, today I learned what will change this place, LOVE. God has infused special people with a vision of hope and His love to change Haiti.

Some of the examples of Gods stewards we were blessed to visit today:

The Home for the Sick and Dying Babies is a beautiful place that cares for babies when they are ill. It may seem as though we were the ones giving when we held, fed and played with the babies, but truly, we were far more blessed after meeting them. 

In Haiti, many of the mothers can not care for their children and in desperation, give them up for adoption. The Parent Project is an amazing ministry that employs over 200 mothers so that they do not have to give their babies away. The mothers make jewelry and other artwork while their babies stay at the onsite daycare. During their workday, the moms take computer classes to learn Microsoft Word, Excel, and typing. They even use Rosetta Stone to learn to speak english, giving them a hopeful future!

We were also blessed to visit Gertrude's, a home for special needs children, while others on our team helped assemble shelving for a library. 

There is hope for Haiti through Gods amazing Love!

~ Tracy

Service with Haiti Teen Challenge

This morning we took a visit to the Haiti Teen Challenge and I (Kyle) gave my testimony to the guys there, it was hard to try to edit the testimony so that it would be easier for the translator. I also had to pause so that he could repeat what I said and I had to change some of the words I used. I feel like I didn't get to express what I wanted to say but God will use it. We got a tour of the building and it's good to know that Haiti has a place for these guys who are struggling with addictions. A few of the men there came with us to work with the water trucks in Cite Soleil. On the way there, I saw there was a guy in the back of a trailer tied by his neck. One of the Teen Challenge guys told me that the man was arrested and that's why he was tied up. We went to three different stops in Cite Soleil. I already had a pretty good idea of what to expect so I was pretty well mentally prepared for anything but it still had a much more profound affect on me by experiencing it first-hand. As soon as we got out of the truck, the kids would flock to us and want to be held. About half of the kids were entirely naked and there was garbage everywhere. One of the child's mom motioned for me to take her child. I'm assuming it was because she wanted a better future for her child. This probably is what had the biggest impact on me. At the first stop we got to see the site prepared for a church/school plant. We sang and prayed over the area. On the third stop there was a little boy probably 5 years old who had a soccer ball and we kicked it around for a while. The ball was completely covered in dirt and not fully inflated but he really enjoyed playing anyways. Online you can buy these soccer balls with scriptures written in creole on them and I wanted to bring one but they were sold out. Maybe another time we can make that happen. Everybody came back really tired and ready for dinner. The Teen Challenge guys that helped us stopped over to the guest house to have dinner with us. We had this really good stir fry with noodles, peppers, onions, chicken and rice. I was very pleased to see Sriracha hot sauce on the table. My word of the day would have to be "need". There's just such a huge need for everything from food, water, education, clothing, and shelter that you feel hopeless to make a big enough difference. I guess all we can do is our part, spread awareness, then pray that the Lord will provide.

~ Kyle

Last night I asked God to “Break my heart for what breaks yours” and today He did exactly that.
Today was filled with emotions for our team.  Our first stop was Home for Sick and Dying Children.  We brought with us diapers/wipes donations to give.  When we arrived, the children were filled with joy and smiles and reached their arms out to be held.  Being my first trip to Haiti, it was really hard to see in person the conditions these children are in.  All I wanted to do was take away their pain, hold them forever, and tell them that they are loved, unconditionally.  Every person on our team had a moment with one or several babies that they’ll never forget.  I had a hard time holding back the tears, but I also had a hard time not smiling! What an experience.
Next stop was General Hospital.  This, too, was an experience I will never forget.  Walking in, my heart sank.  This was not your typical hospital.  Families come to the hospital with their own supplies for their sick children and wait around for a doctor’s assistance.  Here, we passed out care passages (snacks, goodies, and essential needs) for the sick patients and loved up the kiddos.  One of our translators brought his guitar along to play and sing worship songs.  It was amazing to see some of the people clapping and singing along!  There were also a few children here who were abandoned by their parents.  God touched my heart (and I’m sure everyone else’s on the team) when I met a little boy who was left at the hospital by his parents.  When I met him, he was all smiles and full of positive energy, such a reality check.
Four members of our team went to the Wound Clinic to help clean and bandage sores for people in need of aid.  Almost all the wounds were severe.  What a blessing to have those members volunteer to help!  The rest of the team went to Port-Au-Prince and the top of the mountain to shop around and get some goodies.  The view from the top was absolutely beautiful!  It was great to take a moment to see God’s beautiful creation, and thank Him for an amazing, eye opening day.
We are excited for the day tomorrow, water truck and Gertrude’s.  Every day is a new experience and a blessing to be a part of!

Sarah colberg

Today was our teams first day serving in Haiti. We started the day with a stop at a school called Elder school. It was so fun to watch the kids in the classrooms they liked waving to us and having their pictures taken. Even though the school is nothing like we have at home the kids were so excited to be there and made us realize how much of a privilege education is to these kids.

Next we did our first of three water delivery stops in City Solei. As soon as we arrived people came with their buckets to get their water. The best part for most of us was having the little ones to hold. They would just run up to us, throw their hands up and knew that someone would pick them up. It seems so sad that they just need to be held and despite the fact that they don't have anything they seem so happy.

Our last stop for the day was at the Haitian Initiative/Tony Sanneh Foundation. Here members of our team played soccer with the kids in the program while others watched and cheered everyone on. After the soccer playing we got to serve kids food which was the manna packs from Feed My Starving Children. It was a pretty awesom experience see these kids being so excited and greatful for what they were given.

Today was such a great day for our team. Together we showed love to those who need it most in our world and became the hands and feet of Christ. And we will do it again tomorrow!

Ashley Jensen

The day finally came and then the snow began right about the time we were suppose to arrive at the airport! With feelings of anxiousness we knew  we needed to get out  of the airport  as  soon as  possible! Through the grace I of God , we made it to Haiti as planned  and  on  time!  God is gooood!

We are ready and willing to be obiedient to whatever direction God leads us this week.   More to come  to  tomorrow after water truck!

Jessica  Hoberg