We are the sons and daughters of our God...

Yesterday morning, we followed our usual schedule of VBS...you pretty much know the drill by now. :)  We were told that in this past week while being in Haiti, there have been 117 salvations from Bible school.  It was a sweet sight to see all the little ones kneeling down at the altar praying to receive Christ.  Many Haitian leaders then took them to a separate room and continued praying with them.  How amazing it is to know that we were able to be a small part of that this week!! 

Right after Bible school, some of us took a tour of the food warehouse, which ships out food for 69,000 people a day.  Here, we had our first blast of air conditioning for the week!  73 degrees never felt so nice!  The warehouse was packed with boxes upon boxes of food from several organizations helping to end hunger.  It was amazing to see how Mission of Hope and other organizations are working together to feed the people here.

The highlight of our afternoon included jump ropes and stamp pads!  We went back to Cabaret village to play with many of the kiddos in a variety of sports and activities.  Kids were playing basketball, football, frisbee, jump roping, and kicking around a soccer ball.  Although there was a language barrier, we were able to really bond with all the kids by covering them from head to toe in stamps and braiding t-shirt bracelets.  They seemed to just flock over in an instant in order to join all the stamping and braiding fun!  A special thanks to Amber, Sarah, and Sandy for contributing the supplies needed to put huge smiles all over the childrens' faces.  As we were leaving the village, Mark and our interpreter Johnny, began talking to a little boy named Jordan.  As Johnny translated, Jordan accepted Jesus Christ into his heart along the streets we were walking along!!  What an amazing and memorable way to wrap up our time in the village.

This morning we hopped out of bed (haha, just kidding...we're too tired for that) to enjoy our day of relaxation.  We loaded up and rode to the nearby beach resort Moulin Sur Mer.  We spent the day swimming, kayaking, laying in the hammock, and enjoying the sunshine.  Susan and Ken both had their first experience with kayaking and didn't seem to hate it too much!  For lunch we were able to enjoy a huge buffet with chicken, rice, pork chops, mac and cheese, and chocolate cake among many other yummy things.  After pigging out, we made our way to the nearby museum.  We learned about the history of Haiti, which is actually pretty close to America's!  Basically, we looked at lots of old things that we weren't allowed to touch.  Although a few of us returned sunburnt (some more than others!), we definitely enjoyed our last day here!

As we start to pack and wrap up our time here, we're looking back on this past week and how it has impacted us.  To be honest, we're also looking forward to a possible trip back here in the future!  We came here to give blessings, but we were also blessed by the people here.  It has been a beautiful week filled with beautiful people, beautiful places, and beautiful relationships formed.

One verse in particular reminds us of our time here: 
John 15:5 -"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."  

Each and every moment we have experienced this week has reminded us of God's true faithfulness and love for every single child in this world no matter the circumstance.  Song lyrics came to our minds as we continue reflecting on our dear time here in Haiti:

We are the saints, we are the children, we've been redeemed, we've been forgiven. WE ARE THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF OUR GOD!!

Until our next time in Haiti,
    the Blogettes

Fish face!

Wellesley, a 3 year old Haitian, who was just fitted for his prosthetic leg!

The warehouse packed full of meals

Bracelet fun

Stamp time!

Jordan, the boy who prayed to accept Christ in Cabaret!

The water was calling our names

Enjoying our smoothies :)

117 children praying to accept Christ during VBS!

Ken trying to braid....kind of

Jordan, Johnny, and Mark

Our "graceful" exit from the kayak--we didn't tip over though!

So proud of Susan for going kayaking today :)

A tour guide leading us through the museum

A painting representing the voodoo culture in Haiti

 

Second Chances

As we sat along the rooftop of the guest house captivated by the sunset, God was truly surrounding us with His presence.  Within about a 3 minutes time frame, the sun completely set behind the mountain in front of us.  This event led to some thoughtful reflection at our team devo time tonight as we are realizing just how quickly our time is fleeting just as the sun set within minutes.  We spent our morning time at VBS once again loving on the hundreds of children that came.  Several of us served the traditional rice and beans meal for snack while others shuffled around with the kids listening in to their experiences.  The little boy that was so sick yesterday, was back again this morning looking somewhat better but still needing water and food.  Please continue praying for this sweet child whom we finally figured out the name of when he spoke today - Taniel.  Susan and Ken sneaked away a bit early from VBS to go visit the prosthetic lab.  The lead doctor said that they serve the people of Haiti and that they have to be fitted every 3 months.  They are able to give out braces and prosthetics but most of it is for legs, from the knee down.  The lab sees 2-3 patients a week who have lost a limb from diabetes because they wait too long to receive proper care for their diabetes.  A lot of the people are able to go back to work and provide for their families for a second chance at living a more meaningful and hopeful life.

Later in the afternoon, we returned to Leveque village to paint two more cement houses an olive green color.  Ditto to the hot weather, sweat, and getting paint everywhere.  We were able to see their outdoor toilet (outhouse for all you older folks!) located behind the houses - one stall per every four houses.

We know tonight is short because we are REALLY tired but we have an amazing surprise for our church family on Sunday.  Tonight's blog was brief because we have - massive bug bites, sunburns, butt rashes, swollen ankles, toe rot, vertigo, boogers the size of Wallburg, and possible broken finger.  Now please match the ailment to the team member.  (Hint: Some members may have more than one ailment) Prizes will be awarded upon our return!

The Blogettes

Mark sharing his Jesus bracelet with a dear girl.

So precious...she is sharing her sucker licks with her brother...

Waiter on duty

Haiti's version of a Lowe's Hardware store where we bought paint for the houses.

HEFTY, HEFTY, HEFTY!

Thank you to those who have Tom's and are helping the cause.

Prosthetics Lab

The doctor holding a child's prosthetic leg

Waiting room at the clinic.

We found shopping!

Don't mess with these paint divas!

The outside potty.

Clean-up time!

Two of God's precious children.

Body of Christ

 VBS! VBS! VBS! VBS!

This was the continuous phrase we heard over and over again from the sweet voices of over 320 children today.  Their excited and innocent spirits are always amazing to be in the presence of.  One of many sweet moments was spent nursing a little boy about one year old back to health.  He came over and sat with Rebekah during VBS and was so sweaty, clamy, and lethargic.  We discovered that he was dehydrated and needed some water.  They gave us several bags of water and after great efforts, he refused to drink hardly any water.  After about 30 minutes, a girl from another church had the idea to try giving him some juice.  We spoon-fed him a little juice and he finally drank!  We were also able to give him a little rice.  Someone later told us that he was actually able to WALK out of the eating area moments later.  After time in the ceremony, our group split up into two different areas.  Susan and Ken went with the younger kids to travel around to the different stations.  For the nutrition station, kids learned about how to clean and eat papayas and bananas.  The leader even told the kids that if they eat these things, they become strong and it helps them get their swag on!  They were able to "herd" the kids around to the different stations again today and just love on the kiddos.  Lacey, Mark, and Rebekah were asked to hang around in the kitchen to help serve the meals.  It was a hectic time of washing dishes, spoons, and pans repeatedly and then switching to serving plates of rice and beans to hundreds of children.  It was amazing to be a part of serving a meal that was probably the only one some kids may have for days.  Even more so, it was amazing to have the opportunity to love on these children and be a part of their lives.

Later on after VBS we ministered in the nearby village of Cabaret.  We were able to walk around the area and speak to many of the people (using an interpreter of course!)  We came upon a family of 8, only three of which being nonbelievers.  We were able to plant a few seeds in the hearts of two of these people.  The third, Catyen, decided to accept Jesus into her heart!  After praying with her, the group gave her a cross necklace so she can remember Jesus' love for her.  Walking back to the bus, everyone tried some authentic Haitian soda....sold out of a cardboard box, but it was delicious nonetheless!

Worship service tonight began with about an hour of beautiful worship and praise music. The lyrics alternated between Creole and English, so we wouldn't stay confused for long!  It was amazing to watch Haitians and Americans alike worshiping and praying in their own unique way.  Some shouted their prayers while others whispered them while on their knees.  The pastor spoke for a short time before the party REALLY started.  What seemed to be a "dance party for Jesus" broke out with jumping, running, shouting, singing, and maybe a conga line or two!  Children were up on shoulders and masses of people ran out one end of the church only to come back in the other side!  A few sweat drops later (okay, maybe a LOT of sweat drops), the dancing stopped and we ended the night singing "Holy, Holy, Holy".  And holy He is indeed, allowing the body of Christ to worship together.

Au revoir!
    the Blogettes

Lindsey, one of the VBS kids

Susan spent the morning at the salon

Two sweet kids...and Rebekah, too (not so sweet!) ;)

The conga line is universal

Snack time!

Waitress on duty-Smokey T's has been good practice!

Nursing the baby boy back to health

The mommas back home would be so proud of us!

Serving hundreds of kids

Ain't she a cutie?

Christiana and her beautiful family at church

Beautiful child of God

Sleeping during service? Shame shame.

Praise and worship

Picture perfect

Superman has to eat healthy!