Good evening!

It is hard to believe that we woke to our last full day of serving in Haiti.  The past few days have been quite the experience.  

Friday afternoon was emotionally difficult as we visited the General Hospital.  If any of you have seen the movie The Impossible, the hospital conditions are about the same.  Considering we were able to walk in and the nurses were happy to let us hold babies that were laying in wood cribs and terminally sick gives you a sense of the need in this place.  Many of these babies have been abandoned and the parents who are there with children sleep under their cribs and have to bring in their own supplies.  We are so grateful that God led us in this path to the hospital to love on children who may never get that type of human touch again. 

Yesterday was spent at the beach with some of the local children that live near the Healing Haiti guest house.  What an experience.  Most of them have never been to the ocean let alone have the freedom to just swim and play.  They were given a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch and you could tell it was probably their best meal in a long time. 

We went to church at Grace Village now and spent the afternoon Shopping and driving to the top of the mountain for one of the most beautiful scenic views of Haiti. Tomorrow we will deliver the Feed My Starving children packets and then head to the airport.  We have included a picture of one of the boxes packed at Calvary this past year which we will personally hand out to the Tent City.  What a small world it really is!

Looking forward to seeing you all again and sharing our stories.  Prayers for safe travel is requested.

Posted by the Healing Haiti Calvary Team

Ready to use our blessed hands

Good morning!

We just returned from attending the sunrise service in our neighborhood.  As we walked through the neighborhood it was interesting to see a man coming out of his home (a tent) dressed in his best and holding a clean cup of water and a toothbrush.  Presenting themselves at their very best is so important. 

 

The pictures attached are from our time yesterday.  We started at the mass graves, home to hundreds of thousand who perished in the earthquake.  It was a perfect moment for us to take some time in prayer to give thanks for all that we have in our lives especially when we are surrounded with so many with so little.  The boys in the photo were at the graves and we gave them each a cross necklace and a soccer ball.  We wish you could have experienced the joy on their faces.  It was beautiful!

The second half of the day was spent at two orphanages where we spent time singing with the children and coordinating an activity.  Oh the care they put into their drawings, they wanted their work to be just perfect!

We've also included photos from the aquaponics area at the orphanage.  They are doing an incredible job of raising Tilapia and vegetables to feed the orphanage as well as the locals.  The next step will be to teach and allow the local Haitians to use the facilities so they can sell the goods at the market.

 

There is so much work to be done it is almost overwhelming.  Prayers of guidance are so important so that we put our gifts in the right place.  This morning at the church service, the message was about if you go and do good, if you use your gifts, God will surely bless your hands.

 

We are leaving now to visit the elderly and going to the General Hospital to help out the families.  They say the hospital can be really challenging on the emotions, so prayers of understanding and openness and grace would be greatly appreciated.

 

Posted by all the Healing Haiti Calvary Team

 

Water Truck Day

Here are some photos from our time in City Soleil yesterday.  We spent the day delivering 6.000 gallons of water to the poorest section of Haiti.  On one of the stops they gave us a tour of their neighborhood which included a trip by the ocean.  The difficult site here was that this is now the bathroom for most of the neighborhood unless they want to pay to use a facility.  But here is the beauty, even in the midst of all the garbage and destruction, they made a point of stopping looking over the water and singing to us...they sang God is Good, God is Good,  God is so Good to me.   

Yesterday's devotional was from the book of John and the two verses that stand reflecting on it now are: 

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not over come it".

The Haitian people clearly understand life and we are learning so much being in their presence.

Today we will spend the day at Grace Village, providing art activities and lessons to the children. More to come later.

 Posted by the Healing Haiti Calvary Team

Magnanimous Day

Hello Family and Friends,

It is Tuesday evening and we just finished our evening devotional time.  We picked words to describe our day and they included words such as responsive, connected, energy, magnanimous, etc.  In simple terms it was an incredible day. 

We obviously arrived safe and sound yesterday with a very smooth travel day.  This morning we woke to a wonderful breakfast and then headed out to the home for sick and dying children.  As you can imagine seeing this on the itinerary is nothing short of overwhelming and intimidating.  For those of us who had not experienced this before it is hard to believe that we have any thing to offer, that is until you walk in the doors and see the rows of cribs with the most beautiful children, arms up high, begging you to hold them.  It didn't take long before we were all stepping in changing diapers, feeding milk or dancing in the hospital room.  The presence of our Lord Jesus in that room was so clear in every eye of every child.


Our second journey was to Gertrude's Orphanage for the disabled.  We spent time playing with the children and then had an incredible opportunity to bring six of them to a local hotel swimming pool for swim therapy.  Most of the children have cerebral palsy and operate often with clench fists and crossed legs that is until they reach the water.  What a sense of freedom for them, in no time their muscles relax and they feel as light as air.  One of them actually fell asleep and began snoring as she was being held in the pool. We have attached pictures and hope they give you a glimpse of what it was like for them.

Tomorrow is Water Truck Day where we will be bringing fresh water to the people in City Soleil and then we head to the Haitian initiative where the youngest member of our team, Ellie, will be giving these Haitians a run for their money playing soccer.

We miss all of you and are incredibly grateful for your support and prayers.  We will be sure to post more tomorrow.

Blessings and Good night.

Posted by Susan Schneider - Healing Haiti Team Member

Schneider Family

We are the Schneider family - Mark, Susan Jack (16) and Ellie (14). Mark had the opportunity to travel with Healing Haiti last January and came home transformed by not only serving those who are in dire need but more importantly getting clarity on God's greater purpose in his life. Immediately upon coming home he began planning for the next trip and wanted to make sure that our family could experience it together. We feel so blessed by our family, our co-workers and the kids school for supporting us and doing everything possible to make this trip the best it can be. We are so excited to go and cannot wait to begin this journey and seeing where the Lord takes us from here.

Sandy Rogness

Today I’m attempting to pack for my second mission trip to Haiti.  How different than a year ago when I physically prepared so far ahead.  Now preparing seems more about prayer even though I know what the basics of our purpose will be.  The message God is good, gracious, and ever present will abound.  My husband, John, and sons, Jeff and Nick and their families have known wisely to let Mom have a somewhat clear calendar for the week before leaving, no caretaking of the grandkids.  I go as a retired teacher, with years of volunteer time at our church and some at our day school, subbing and tutoring, yet I wonder why this sense of inexperience as I try to pack.  Last year I joined with friend Cheryl, as an adventure to see her daughter, Jessica Burmester, serving a full year at Grace Village.  This year, without Cheryl,  I’m keeping Christ closer, as I feel my heart strings will tug harder with more babies and children to hold, smiles of joy and the blessings of Jesus being proclaimed as we share activities and food.  I go to give, and yet will receive so much more, attempting to take in how much of our Lord’s presence is at hand.  Can’t wait to see Jessica again!

Allison Puppe

       

Hi, my name is Allison Puppe. I am originally from Nebraska, but now live in New Hope with my dog, Eddie. I attended a mission trip meeting on a whim after church one day and was absolutely captivated by the pictures and stories from previous trips. After a short weekend of soul searching, I volunteered for my first mission trip. I could not be more thrilled for this opportunity. In a world full of discontent and always wanting more, I am hoping God will show me, through the Haitian people, to be satisfied with what He has given me and how to use the gifts I have to be His beacon to others. I believe it is through His will that I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to be a member of this mission trip.

Calvary July 2013 Team Slideshow

Monday -Pray for Safe Travels

By Becci Powers-Johnson

Today this journey ends, but a renewed life and journey will be just beginning.  We did everything we could to best serve Jesus by serving the people who need it most here in Haiti.  We have formed a strong bond as a team.  It has been a truly amazing and inspiring experience.  

Yesterday we attended a beautiful service at Port of Prince Fellowship.  Then we drove up the mountain for some site seeing and shopping.  Here is our team at the top looking down.

Then we shopped.

We came home and a few of us went to the local grocery store.  We waited for the other group so we could go distribute our 300 care packages to a Tent City.  We did that at about 6:00pm just before dinner and witnessed true despair.  We couldn't finish distributing as they mobbed us grabbing bags.  It was so sad to see how disparate these families were.  We all left with en empty heart not being able to serve all the families.

Upon our return, we had an an incredible final evening meal together on the deck of the 2nd Guesthouse.  We celebrated Megan's 21st Birthday which is today!  Happy Birthday Megan.  Jon and Elisa, Linda and Sarah, and Andre joined us.  The meal was awesome. The fellowship together was amazing.  Thank you Nikki and Mike for leading us safely through this journey.  Thank you to to the Michels family, Steve and Cheryl, Heidi and Kalie for your humor and generosity.  And to Phil for keeping Steve in check and your experience.  Thank you to Cathy for your amazing work you do with Healing Haiti and to Joy for helping Cathy and adding humor to the trip.  Thank you to Deb and Jeff for taking this journey with us, your love for one another is inspiring.  Thank you Carla for caring so much for each other.  Thank you Megan for having the courage to join this mission trip, you are amazing.  Thank you Holly for your medical wisdom and love of animals.  And to my daughter Kelsi, the youngest one here.  I am blessed and honored to have you as my daughter and was so moved by your word of the day last night.  "Beginning"... This is not the end, but just the beginning of what you can do for others.  

God, be with us on our journey back to Minnesota and keep us safe. This was so inspiring and life changing.

I will leave this with some dinner pictures... Note we didn't have time to shower but we didn't really care... The late showers, all be it for only a few minutes was such a blessing and privilege to have when we know so many Haitians are not so fortunate.  

Steve and Mike and Kalie 

Heidi and Nikki and Kelsi

Holly and Deb

Joy and Phil and Cathy

Jeff and Becci

Megan and Carla and Cheryl

Jon and Andre and Sarah and Linda and Elisa

Megan's cake!  

Sunday - A day of Worship and Praise

By Becci Powers-Johnson

Yesterday, we went to Grace Village and did a Faith Lesson for the children.  Cheryl prepared a lesson from Acts II, the topic was the Holy Spirit.  We had the kids to a "trust" exercise and our group acted out the lesson.  Then we helped the kids write letters to their sponsors.  To meet the kids of Grace Village or learn more about the Sponsor program, go to www.sponsor.healinghaiti.org.  Then we just played.  It was hot, but we played.  Some of the group even got a soccer game going.

From there we went to Isaiah's.  We had decided that this orphanage was where we saw the biggest need.  There are just 16 kids here.  All of which Isaiah and his brother rescued from the earthquake. They all lost their parents on January 12, 2010, at approximately 5:00pm.  Our generous group had significantly overpacked for our lunches.  We decided to make 16 care packages with snacks.  We wrote the children's names on each bag and a bible version for them to read.

These kids were grateful and excited to sneak a taste at the snacks.

Our next stop was at the mass graves.  There are believed to be 300,000 buried here.  The parents of the kids from Isaiah's included.

The sign at the bottom of the hill reads:

12 Janvier 2010

Nou Pap Janmbliyew

Translated, "we will always remember".

This is Nikki and Mike, at the top of the hill.

It was an emotional, surreal moment.

We came home and joined the team next door and made 300 care packages!

We are off to worship, then touring Porta Prince, then this afternoon we will serve a tent city with care packages that include food (feed my starving children), soap, clothing, flip flops, tarps, and more.

What a glorious morning!  

July 4th & 5th Adventures

By Becci Powers-Johnson

Our 4th July...

We started out visiting Grace Village. This is the Orphanage and school that Healing Haiti built. It was truly "amazing"! My word of the day, "amazing"!. The Aquaponics (fish and plant) system is one of the largest. Cathy LeVahn, on our trip with us, is working on this project!  It is an amazing system.  She is an amazing individual.

Then we visited 5 elders that are sponsored by Healing Haiti. Charitable, Maricia, Elie, Felozia, and Nick (to learn more, go to www.sponsor.healinghaiti.org).  Another amazing experience. We sang to them, brought them lunch and gave them shoulder, hands and feet massages.  It was an incredible serving opportunity.  One women, her name was Bonita, followed us after we sang to one of the elders and asked us to pray for her and her mother that lost her house.  Phil shared an awesome prayer.  It was just Mike, Heidi, Phil and I that remained outside because we all couldn't fit into the elder's house we were at.  We definitely made an impact.

Our last stop was Isaiah's. He is amazing in what he has done. He grew up an orphan with his brother. They started bringing food to Cite Soliel when they earned enough to get by... All their extra money went to help hungry families.  After the earthquake, he went to check on families he helped with food and found kids crying in the street. He and his brother went home to pray. They prayed for four hours, returned to the city and loaded up 16 kids who lost their parents. He knew God would provide for him and the kids. Long story short, but now Isaiah's lives on as an Orphanage with those 16 kids from age 6-15. Healing Haiti provides funding to Isaiah. And these kids all live now as one family with Isaiah as their father figure.  These kids are amazing.  We brought them 16 beach balls and played catch with them for almost two hours. We all had a great time!

July 5th...

While most of you reading this are "at the lake" or recovering from picnics and late night fireworks, we are just trying to cool down.  We had a "Haiti-time" day.  Here is a collection of our words of the day:  Positive, Carefree, Natural, Comfortable, Bond, Test, Disappointed, Longing, Joy, Partnership, Excitement, Simplistic, Question, Choice, Conflict, Go-with-the-flow.  

We left at 9:00am with all intentions of making two water stops in Cite Soliel.  However, a water truck mechanical issue caused a minor delay and then the line was over an hour long.  Needless to say, we waited at the water filling station for nearly two hours!  The filling stop is right next to a tent city... And what do we do when we are together, we serve God by playing with children.  New pictures include us playing and giving shoulder rides with some amazingly happy kids.  It was really fun and carefree!  Then we got to our waters top. It was in the Four Coffins district of Cite Soliel.  There was a really long line which means the demand was greater than the supply!  But we served as many families as we could with clean water.  And these families were amazingly tight.  The mothers and siblings handed us their small children so they could get water.  And they never lost site of their children.  The children pointed out mamas and papas and siblings.  It gave us all hope that there was a strong family connection in this district.

We came back to the Guest House... Some showered, others went to swim next door.  Then we went to see what the women of Haiti make at the Apparent Project.  This project supports single parents and teaches them how to survive.  They make beautiful beads out of cereal boxes!  Awesome jewelry!

Our next plan was to go to a Tent City and pick up a Tap Tap full of kids to play soccer.  However with the days delays and the heat, we didn't have the energy, so instead we bonded more as a team and decided to make care packages for each of the 16 children at Isaiah's with all of our snacks we brought for our lunches.  It was really fun and we are really excited to share these tomorrow with the kids on our way back from Grace Village. Then we planned our Faith lesson that Cheryl prepared for the kids at Grace Village.  

Tomorrow, our first stop is the Mass Graves. Then Grace Village.  Then Isaiah's.  our week has flown by and I feel so blessed to be here with my daughter, Kelsi and with this incredible team!