So, as many of you know, I just returned from my 6th trip to Haiti. To say that I have completely fallen in love with this country, would be an understatement. I remember back to my very first trip, and how I was in so much shock, that I was actually looking forward to getting back. I think I needed time to process, but now, I am never ready to come back.
A lot of my trips, I have returned with a theme or reminder that God has revealed. This time, I think there were a few, but one of the biggest was "break my heart for what breaks yours." There is always the resounding reminder that these are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are all the same in His eyes. I absolutely love that while walking through the village, you see people doing laundry, washing dishes, or taking a bath. While it may look different in the states, these are still hard working people. I love the chance to get to help, although I know we don't do it nearly as good as they do. For example, while in Minoterie this past week, Suzanne and I offered to help wash clothes with two younger girls. I jokingly had the translater ask them if they were going to rewash the clothes we were doing, and their response was laughter and "oui." We all starting laughing, because we knew we were not doing it like they were. They scrub every detail of the clothes and they really are more clean than what some of our machines in the states do.
So, many of you have probably heard me talk about the Kerleys. They are one of the biggest blessings in my life, but what you may not know is that I really got to know them on my June 2013 Haiti trip. On that trip, we served in Leveque all week, and sweet Hannah (or HB) fell in love with this sweet little girl Segline. Every single day, HB would carry Segline around and she would fall asleep on her. It was the truly sweetest thing. Lynn and Hannah were on this trip, so they were most excited about heading to Leveque, because it holds a special place in their hearts (well all of ours). So, as soon as we got done with the tour of the school, we walked up to the playground. (Sidenote:: Last February when I went to Leveque, I did not see Segline, only her sister Sashu). I was praying that sweet little Segline would be there, and guess what... SHE WAS. This little girl comes running up to HB, and Hannah looks down and then Lynn realizes it is her. I have it on video, sweet, sweet moment. Hannah got to hold her the whole time we were there, which was so precious. You should have seen the smiles, heard the giggles, and experienced the joy in that moment; I know I will never forget it:)
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| So thankful for her and that we got to serve in Haiti for a week together:) |
This trip started out different, as many of our team members nearly dropped out for one reason of another. We had so many examples of how Satan tried to get people to stay home and not serve God in this beautiful country, but in the end the six of us that made it there knew God had won - and always does. Our first village day didn't start out the way it was supposed to. On a typical Monday morning at MOH, you are getting ready for either a village day or work day. Campus was busy that morning, but not with people getting ready to leave. We were all called to the roof top for a meeting. They told us that there was a public transportation strike in Haiti that day. While private vehicles were still allowed to pass the protests, they did not want to jeopardize Mission of Hope's reputation in the villages, so they decided to keep us there. They said the protests were cival, where kids were actually playing soccer in the streets, but they just wanted to respect what the Haitians were doing. Gas prices everywhere else had dropped significantly (I think back home it was around 2.00 before we left.) Unfortunately, in Haiti, it was nearly $5/gallon. The Haitian government was keeping the difference, so they needed to take a stand. A lot of us were pretty bummed at first that we would not be leaving campus, but in the end God knew what He was doing. Many of us had been super stressed and busy before leaving for this trip; we needed REST. That day turned out to be such a gift to many of us. For the first time in months, I was able to sit and be still and God knew I needed that. I laid in my enu (hammock) and journaled, studied, listened to praise music, and soaked up every minute of the beautiful weather Haiti was having that week. I cannot even tell you how peaceful that day was. We felt as though we had come to Haiti to do for others, but really God wanted to do for us. He is REALLY that good, all the time:)
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| you know you love someone when you share an enu with them:) |
The next morning, we all woke up hoping we would get to go out, but quickly learned the strike was still going on. It was not as intense on Day 2, but school was still canceled. We were told we definitely could not make it to our sponsored village, but that we could visit another one. So, we loaded the buses and headed to Minoterie. I had been to this village once before, and I was excited to go back. We arrived there and immediately started visiting with families the village champions pointed us to. The very first house we approached there was a woman, her baby, and a young boy, Vildelson. Eventually the dad came up, so our team was visiting and talking to them through our translators. We found out that sweet Videlson had lost his mom that morning. She literally passed away that morning. To say that our hearts broke for this sweet 11 year old, would be an understatement. Ashley, one of my dearest friends, immediately bonded with him. We ended up having to leave for lunch, but were coming back afterwards. When we got back, they dropped us off at a huge open field of gravel and dirt. There were already kids playing, so we were excited to play with them. Ashley felt God tugging at her heart, so she went back to get Videlson, to see if he wanted to play. He ended up joining us, and Ashley was able to get him to smile a few times. It was one of the sweetest moments watching him play like a kid and hopefully for a few minutes not being sad about the events of the morning. We took a jump rope, and it was great to watch the girls jump and count how long they did. Hannah and I painted some of the kids nails, and it was nice to just be around so many of the sweet kids in this village. About 30 minutes before we were about to leave, a dad stopped by and was holding his precious little boy, Wilkie. By the way, Wilkie was only 4 months old. I saw this baby, and as you can imagine, had to go hold him. He was the cutest thing I have ever seen. The.cutest. I got to hold him for about 15 minutes, and I was in Heaven. Hannah got lots of great pics, and then she got to hold him as well. Between the two of us, I am pretty certain we wanted to take him back with us, like for real. Enjoy the pictures:) That night we went to church, and even though some of the songs were in Creole, they played songs we all knew in English. There is just something about worship music and how close I feel to God when it is playing. I honestly imagine Heaven being similar to worship night at MOH. The Haitians are singing in creole, while the North Americans are singing in English. It is just a sweet, sweet sound.
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| the most precious baby ever. |
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| Ashley and Videlson |
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| Sweet Lynn and friends in Minoterie:) |
The next day, we woke up and the strike was over. I found out that I was going to get to see my sponsor child, Brina. I was super excited to see her again, as last year, she was a little hesitant of the whole situation. I had been praying that she would be a little more relaxed and comfortable, but knew that God had it all worked out. So, before heading out to our painting project for the day, we went down to MOH school so Guy and I could meet our sponsor kids. I don't think I ever got around to blogging about my experience last February, so bare with me. Last year, right before we went to Haiti, I got a call telling me that the little girl I sponsored (Ruthcine) was no longer attending school, so they needed to change my sponsor child. I was a little bummed, because I had already purchased Ruthcine some things and wanted to meet her, but I just had to trust. The school assured me that Brina needed sponsorship and that if Ruthcine ever enrolled in school again, I could sponsor her as well. With the sponsorships, we pay 80% and the family is expected to pay about 20%. Unfortunately, when the family cannot pay that, the child has to drop out of school. At MOH, they want to give the parents some type of ownership, so they pay what they can. Brina was 3 years old, and I knew it would be hard for her to understand who I was, but I love little kids, so I was ready. When they brought her down the side walk, she looked terrified. They said that it was probably overwhelming seeing a group of white people sitting down in front of the church for someone so little. I had the translator with me, and gave her a few things I had taken with me. One of the things in particular, was a pair of pink ruffle leggings. She saw those and immediately picked them up. Brooke, the sponsorship coordinator, told her that we could put them on her. We did, and then Brooke asked her to pose. It was the most precious thing ever. So, back to this year. I have sent her a few letters throughout this past year, but truly did not know if she would remember me. As they turned the corner at the sidewalk, she remembered and actually ran towards me. That moment was so special to me. To think that a sponsorship of 35 dollars a month, one meeting, a few letters, in a year and this sweet little tiny thing remembered me. I was elated. I had a backpack of things for her this year, and when we handed it to her, the translator said, " she remembers you gave her the pink pants." I.cannot.even. I got to hang out with her for a good ten minutes. She even gave me a kiss on the cheek. This was one of the highlights for me, on this trip. I hope, more than anything, that sweet Brina knows she is loved and prayed for often.
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| Sweet Brina in Feb 2014 |
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| Brina in 2015 |
We painted two homes that day; I played with kids at the second house, as we had "too many cooks in the kitchen." I was happy to sit with kids on my lap and sing Jesus Loves Me:) At the end of the day, we took the brushes down to the water source and were cleaning them. A little boy came and sat beside HB and started helping her. After the brushes were clean, he took his fingers, and started trying to get the paint off of HB's arm. Sometimes it is hard for me to put things into words; this is one of those moments. After she stood up, he bent down and strapped her shoes. Here we are, in their country, thinking we came to serve them, and they serve us.
On Thursday, we had plans to go to the village that morning and do community health lessons with families and in the afternoon we were going to pamper the kitchen staff ladies. We went out to Source Matelas that morning, and used glitter to show germs to the kids and how easily they spread. We then showed them how to was their hands and get the "germs" or glitter off. We even played Shake It Off by T.Swift for added affect:) They just shake their hands dry, no towels needed:) It was such a cute lesson and the kids all loved it. We also showed them how to brush their teeth. We had a chance to ask about their families and their health. We collected data for MOH, who is trying to map coordinates and identify ways to help families in need.
When we got back to the campus, we were ready to pamper the kitchen staff ladies:) Brandi, the intern, told us multiple times how excited they were. Unfortunately, it was one of the busiest days, so they did not have a whole lot of time to sit and relax. We were all working on different ladies to help get all of them finished, because they were busy preparing the fried chicken for that night. We only had one translator, so he was busy. We would ask them all if they were married, had kids, what they liked to cook, and what we could pray for. Wouldn't you know the first lady I get was the only one not married out of all of them. When I asked if she was married or had kids, the answer was no. I had the translator ask if she wanted to be. She replied, "Oui" (yes). Her face lite up and she smiled so bright. I had the translator, Jeffney, tell her that I too am not married and do not have kids, and I want to be. She smiled so big at me; like there is someone like me! I love how this happens so often to me, and I am honored that I got the opportunity to pray for my sweet sister in Christ, Sofnia. I gave her a big hug, and still think of her often.
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| HB and Suzanne praying with a kitchen staff lady:) |
I could write for hours upon hours about my trip, my love for Haiti, and so much more, but I am trying to wrap up, so that some of you will actually read to the bottom. I will share my last story. Upon our return, we have been cleaning my grandparents house. I knew in my heart that no one else could have my grandmother's sewing stuff, so I asked if I could have it. My uncle, aunt, and mom were happy for me to have it. I started sewing lessons two weeks ago. After the first lesson, the teacher simply recommended that it might be easier for me to learn on a machine that is newer. At first the thought of not using Mom's was upsetting, but I prayed about it. After I got home that night, I was talking to Paige and we thought of Mission of Hope:: Three Cords. So, I had a sewing machine my grandmother got for me in 2007, but it is very hard to learn on, and then hers that was purchased in 2007. I decided the next morning I would email MOH to see if they could use them. Well, Brittany, who is on staff, responded and said that it was the biggest answer to prayers. SAY WHAT?? I couldn't believe it. I then emailed my mother and asked for her blessing. I was having a hard enough time processing that I would give these two machines away, so I needed my Moma to say it was ok. I just kept reminding myself that Mom would love that her machines are helping others that mean so much to me. She never got to see my joy of Haiti, but I know she would be so proud. Of course, my mother responded and said I had her blessing. It was such a sweet moment and reminded me that God always provides. I love that my grandmother's sewing machines will help the sweet ladies of Three Cords.
Thank you to everyone for the prayers for this trip. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you all encouraging me to go back, to ask about my trips, and simply letting me talk about it for hours! I am heading back in July, and truly cannot wait:)
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| Our Team:: Feb 2015 |
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