Jacmel Trip- Kenscoff/Furcy Adventure

Today was a great first day of serving! We started our day with a devotion from Charlie about wonder, and how we always need to be open to what Christ has in store for us, instead of making our own plans. After the devotion, we headed towards Kenscoff. This was a new area for everyone to experience. We were able to visit four elders there who were full of lively spirits. Each and every one of them were rich in their faith and were able to share fantastic stories. We were able to connect with all of them through music and songs. We were able to serve many elders, but in reality, they were also serving us. Kenscoff had a welcoming community, where we could all see the love of God and love for one another.

Next, we headed higher up the mountain towards Furcy. There were breathtaking views along the way, and a much cooler climate. We started a long trek down the mountain towards a waterfall. Along the way, we kept making new friends, aka "tour guides." If it weren't for those young, kind men, we would never have made it. The path down to the waterfall was very narrow and slick. We avoided many major injuries with the help of our new friends and our teammates. After a few slips here and there, we finally made it to the waterfall, which was beautiful, but not quite as large as the "tour guides" had promised.

After taking a few pictures, we started the long journey back up. Our "tour guides" then pulled us back up the mountain to complete their duty. The hike was quite an adventure with amazing views. We also stopped to get some coffee on the way up. The coffee trees did not look like what we had imagined. The beans were pink and white. We were also able to see a gentleman ground the coffee beans himself with a large stick. There were also lots of chickens roaming around. We finished the rest of the hike to the tap tap and began our long journey home. The ride was much longer than expected since we were stuck in unexpected traffic. We were able to pass the time with some good stories. On the way home, we stopped to pick up some Haitian food, which was delicious. We finally made it to the guest house at 8 pm, where we scarfed down our taco dinner.

Overall, the day was filled with lots of laughs, smiles, and adventure. We were able to make many new friends and see a lot of new things. We are very excited for another day of serving tomorrow.

Brooke and Kristen

Jacmel Going Deeper - Travel Day

Jacmel Going Deeper Trip
Travel - Day One - Jan 5, 2020

We arrived in Haiti and were joyously greeted by Healing Haiti Haitian staff outside as we exited the Port-au-Prince airport.  The weather was a balmy 86 degrees - quite a difference from Minnesota and Kansas weather! The staff informed us that the Vikings had won the play off game against the Saints. The atmosphere in the streets is calm and peaceful and it's pretty much 'business-as-usual. This is a welcome change from the difficulties the people have been facing in the last months here. The schools are re-opening later this week.

After a short ride in our tap-tap on now paved roads we arrived at the Healing Haiti guesthouse and settled in and then enjoyed a great meal of oven baked shepherd's pie. After dinner time we walked up to the Elite Hotel meeting friends along the way to relax around the pool. Even though the pool water was super chilly some of the team members engaged in a rousing game of pool keep-the-ball in the air. 

Back at the guesthouse we had a team meeting and Word of the Day. Some of the "Words" that came up are anticipation, excitement, and peaceful. There is singing, laughing and lot's of chatter going on all around the guesthouse.

Kimberly and Charlie

If I had to wrap our day up in one word I would choose heavenly..

The morning began with a beautiful sunrise at 6am. Roosters roosting, goats bleating, and a nice breeze on the balcony while most of the team slept in a little later.

Every morning the Haitian staff from Healing Haiti trickle in before most of us are awake and they begin making the most amazing breakfast from scratch. When I say from scratch I mean fresh squeezed papaya juice or passion fruit, scrambled eggs with chopped up onions, peppers and tomatoes, freshly chopped up avocado and bananas, oatmeal made with condensed milk and cinnamon, and pancakes. We all sit down and do a morning devotion with prayer to get the day going. We surrender the day to The Lord.

As the day got going our serving opportunities were somewhat limited but God had us get creative and serve at the mission house. Team 1 invited us to join in on what would be a piece of heaven on Earth. God had led them to become the hands of feet of Jesus to the Haitian staff that so selflessly serves missionaries week after week. They are so used to serving us that some were reluctant to receive what had been prepared for them. They received facials, a mint for their mouth, massages, foot rubs and hand rubs while Tommy played the guitar, Danielle as our drummer and the rest of us brought praises and worship to the Lord. We sang some songs in Creole and forced pampering on people who received facials and massages for the first time in their life! Although it was difficult to get them in this vulnerable position most of them did not want to get up once they got comfortable. They were extremely thankful and made fun of each other a little bit. What a blessing and honor to serve those who take such great care of us while we are here. They drive us, translate for us, cook, do our laundry, plan our trips and protect. This staff has been amazing and we've enjoyed getting closer with them!! To see all ages, male and female, different cultures and colors come together and love one another as Christ loves us is nothing short of heavenly!!!

The rest of the day we spent in fellowship at the pool mingling and getting to know other members of the team. Bonds have been made. It feels like one big family down here!!
Mesi Jezi

Friday, October 11th

God is so relational. Yesterday morning our teammates assisted with helping the ladies make breakfast. Our team and the kitchen staff enjoyed time together working as a team in creating a meal and building relationships. God offers rest.

The Lord then offered us some down time to rest and wait on Him for His plans for the day. God is able.

God is able to open some paths that seem closed. By late morning,we were able to visit the community center. We played several games and did a number of activities with the kids. The most fun was when the kids painted on us as opposed to us face painting them. God refreshes His people. After returning to the guesthouse several members on both teams walked to a nearby hotel for a refreshing dip in a pool.

Thank you, Lord, for making a way to serve others, for your provision, and for being so good to us.

Today started out with tasty breakfast and prayers on the balcony. We learned that we were going to be serving in a unique and wonderful experience at a local community center called New Hope. This is a place close to the guest house and we learned one of our Healing Haiti staff grew up in this area so that made it even more special.   As we arrived we were welcomed by a director who was happy to see us and LOTS of kids of all ages. Staff decided it was best for us to split up some of the older kids from the younger so a handful of us went to the local basketball court and entertained the teens with our basketball skills or lack thereof. Lol.  We had half american, half Haitian teams. Some played in their flip flops and some in their bare feet. Us Americans wore out way before the teens did!! It was amazing how they could just keep going despite the heat and without drinking water. As we tired and trickled out to the sidelines we were joined with some of the younger teens that showed a lot of interest in us and wanted to communicate in 1 way or another. They began showing us their flexibility and double jointed skills. These kids are so creative and curious. Some walked on their hands, did headstands on the concrete, and even did a El Kempo? Marital arts show for us. They had lots of questions for us and we really enjoyed them.

Back at the building with the smaller kids there was face paintings, a puppet show done in Creole and English and some music played on the guitar. The little kids took great pleasure in decorating some of the Americans faces as well! At the end of our visit we all joined together again to watch the Haitian version of guitar along with mosh pit. It was a new and amazing experience to goers old and new!

After our visit we were able to take a deep breath at Papillion for some smoothies and shopping. It was a nice break from our extensive play time!! A good opportunity to regroup and reenergize.

We all feel really blessed to experience community in the way we have so far this week. Within our team.. With the other team and most of all with the Haitians. Staff and kiddos.

Love is a universal language. A smile. A wink. Just acknowledging "I see you." What an honor to experience a third world country such as Haiti. Such resilience and care for one another here. We could all learn a thing or two from each other if we just put down our difference and shared in each others wisdom.  I would call this: A HEAVENLY EXPERIENCE.

Going to bed with our palms up and ready to serve in whatever way God has for us tomorrow.
Bon nwit

We praise you God. We praise God for the calm in Delmas.  We launched into a day with a devotion from "Jesus Calling" book and an awesome breakfast cooked by our kitchen staff. We received soul and spiritual food and fuel for the day.

An interesting element is occurring this week.  Both teams have united into one unit.  We are walking shoulder-to-shoulder serving together as the hands and feet of Christ. This started yesterday and is continuing today.  This morning, both teams walked up the street to "harmonies des arts" to shop.  The "harmoines" has metal art, canvas paintings, stone sculptures and wooden nick-knacks.  Next, and uniquely, as only God can plan the week, both teams to the "home for sick and dying children".  The nuns were thrilled to see us and we were excited to assist them. The team jumped right into holding babies, changing diapers, and interacting in various ways with the babies.   We were gifted the opportunity to assist with helping to clean areas of the facility and feed the babies. We were also blessed to sit with each other as one team form differing states and connect with one another.  Then we were able to enjoy some down time at the Elite hotel swimming pool.
A bit of soccer in the street with the neighborhood boys rounded out our day.

"All of you together are Christ's body and each of you is apart of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

Late posting our first blog - our first day was good.  Our team and the other team united and did 2 water truck stops together. We were told by Alicia and Katie that the Cite Soleil community was excited to see us.  It was intense as usual, but oh so good!

Our team visited the home for sick and dying children, we held and fed the babies. The streets were calm and quiet. Rachael discerned no energy on the streets when we arrived on Monday. I trust the streets will soon be bustling with people.  We have spent each night worshiping the Lord honoring praise to him.  We feel safe and protected as any previous trip - by God's almighty hand.  We will see what the Lord has planned for us each day.  Keep the prayers coming!