Saturday, June 3, 2017



Hey zanmi! (that’s friend in Creole :D)
Today we went to one of the homes for disabled children which is not in my comfort zone at all. However, once I got past all of the things that made me uncomfortable I was able to just focus on the kids and trying to make them smile. My favorite part was when we took the kids in wheelchairs and wheeled them under the parachute. Their faces just lit up.
We also went to the school/home for deaf children and I had known some English sign language so I communicated as much as I could. We brought out the whiteboards and the teenagers started to teach me sign language and it was amazing to learn and watch and communicate with these kids. They loved teaching me and I loved learning.
I fell even more in love with Haiti this past week and I can’t wait to come back. This week the Lord has taught me that I need to spend more time just loving on the people who are dear to me and still loving on the people who don’t love me. I just wish I could bring everyone I know to Haiti so they could experience the amazing culture, people, and sights I have fell in love with.
Caitlin Shell


Hello Friends,
Today we had the great opportunity to visit two orphanages. The first orphanage was for deaf children. Having both the language barrier of Creole to English and speech to sign language it was challenging to communicate with the kids. However, we made it work with white boards and a few words in sign language. We played sports, played on the playground, and just had a fun time at the orphanage for the deaf children. It was amazing to see God work through the language barriers we faced today.

The second orphanage we visited was an orphanage for kids with special needs. Caring for children with special needs in Haiti is a challenge because they take so much time and attention from the parents, which is why a lot of them end up in orphanages. The kids with special needs were filled with so much love and joy. We played with bubbles and soccer balls and the kids just loved it. My favorite part was sitting with the cutest little girl who wanted to blow bubbles so bad but she could not blow. She would hold the bubbles up to my mouth and I would blow them for her and her face lit up with the purest smile I have ever seen. Today I saw even more of God’s love and grace from all the children we visited.

-Moranda Beckman

Today I played soccer with a boy in a wheelchair – he was quite good.  

Our team visited an orphanage that takes in children with special needs in Haiti.  My new friend’s legs would not support standing or walking and one of his ankles would not bend, but he could trap and kick a ball better than most.  He did not speak, either by choice or bad luck, but we communicated no problem with looks and glances.  We started with a small ball because of course I underestimated him.  But it was clear quickly he was bored with my plan and wanted to move up to a real soccer ball.  And he did not want me to kick it right to him, he preferred a change – I loved it! When he could not reach the ball with his feet while scooting around in his chair, he would simply slide down in his chair to extend his reach.  It was inspiring to watch and a joy participate.
We are so quick to judge and rank in the US by appearance and assumption, myself included.  Today I am thankful God again reminded me he is the creator and sustainer of all we see and do.  And his gifts are often given to those we would not expect.  Look around this week for hidden and unexpected gifts. 
Craig Beckman

Beckman - Sat morning post

Wow is all I can say !! Watching our family and our team grow in faith while on this trip. My favorite part would be water truck day, Cite Soleil is the size of Abq (500k population). Its hard to imagine that there is no running water and  the people have to have every drop of water  delivered by truck. We spent 2 days delivering water there 3 stops per day, with a 3000 gallons of  water per load 500-600 @ 5 gallon buckets we helped deliver to every hut we could. It was by far the hardest job  I ever loved. The sweetest words we hear are "HEY YOU!!" the little kids scream as they come running out to greet you. They love to be held and loved on and my sons were amazing with kids and hauling 5 gallon buckets. What a Blessing to be here and our God. 


Mike McClain


On Friday, several of us visited the Home for Sick and Dying Children.  It was the most tender, humbling and heart-wrenching day of this trip for me.  My two oldest sons, Ryan and Alec, were part of the group that went also.  Watching those 17 year old boys love on the tiniest, weakest babies was amazing and I fought tears the entire time.  Many of the “mamas and papas” of these sweet children came during the short visiting hours that were allowed.  It was precious to watch the babies light up as much as they could when they saw their parents. 
As I held one tiny, sick and very lethargic baby girl and her dad arrived to hold her, I loved knowing that he saw her being held and treasured.  When she reached out her arms to him, it was overwhelming.  I didn’t count the number of babies and toddlers but there must have been at least 60.  The staff and volunteers were amazing and kept things running smoothly, but there are only so many arms to hold them.  We held and fed all that we could, and as hard as it was, we had to put them back in their cribs and say good-bye when our time was up.  We have 10 teenagers with us on this trip and every one of them has been amazingly flexible, humble and giving of themselves.  I have no doubt that this experience will have a lasting impact on us all.  I am thankful to Sarah for reminding me that as a family, it is great to show our sons – this is who we are meant to be.

Tracey McClain