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!

    

Danielle - Malieka - Beyonce - Sanja

These names, among many more belong to beautiful Haitian children that we were able to love on today.  We started our day with VBS expecting a traditional Saddle Ridge Ranch type theme with a brief opening ceremony and the typical stations.  However, we quickly realized that VBS here is very different.  The "brief" opening ceremony lasted about an hour with chanting, dancing, screaming, and games.  The groups in which we joined were formed based on which child clung to us the most (and with the hardest grip!).  We went with our groups to several different stations, one of which included a hygiene lesson on teeth brushing.  Other stations focused on anything from agriculture to bible stories.  At one point, 80 children were packed into a classroom (which was the size of a medium-sized bathroom in America) in order to make a craft. VBS also included a snack time with a common Haitian meal consisting of rice and beans.  The kids were anxious for a snack and often emptied a plate full of food in under 5 minutes.  Mark watched as one girl ate every single grain of rice on her plate.  Small bags of water and juice were provided as drink for the children.  One child showed selflessness by pouring his juice into his sister's cup.

Fortunately, we didn't have bugs for lunch this time.

After lunch, we traveled back to Leveque for our work project.  We were able to be apart of something amazing - providing improved and strong homes for displaced families that currently live in tents.  These houses have one larger room and two smaller rooms typically used for bedrooms.  The approximate size of one of the concrete homes is 14 x 14 and can house a family of up to 8 people.  We unfortunately were assigned painting time during the extreme heat of the day with little breeze or shade.  We painted two houses a beautiful sunshine yellow in about 2 hours. We were also able to hang out with and talk with several of the children who live in the Leveque village.  It was truly a humbling sight to see children with no clothes watching us paint their future homes.  

We ended the long and tiring day with a spontaneous dance session to Cupid Shuffle. (this only includes the Blogettes)

Sincerely, the Blogettes    

We caught Mark Hollar dancing with the children!

Craft time at VBS!

Team member teaching the kids how to brush their teeth.

Snack time at VBS.

A sweet brother giving his juice to his sister.

Trim work crew.

Today was Susan's birthday!

These two houses now complete plus one more yellow one!

We will forever be marked with the sunshine yellow paint!