Day 7, February 9, 2011

We are thankful to God for giving us the opportunity to be a part of the recovery ministry in Haiti.  The photo on the top left shows our first day at work. The right top photo shows our last day at work.  

We are very thankful to our Guest House family (photo left middle) for their hospitality, delicious meals, coffee, and all the careful attention they gave us during our stay.  It was indeed our home away from home.

Finally, a big thanks to the hardworking VIM team (Photo left bottom) representing Corum UMC (Ted and Frankie),  Freeport UMC (David), Nichols UMC (Michael) and Westhampton UMC (John and Vennie).  The prayers and support from their local churches, their families, and friends made this trip a great success.  We have seen the face of God and we have been changed by the many miracles we experienced during this trip. 

I invite you to join the VIM trip to Haiti because there is more work to be done.

Day 6 February 8, 2011

When we arrived at the work site the villagers were already waiting for us.  The weather was moderate and we got a lot accomplished. The roof rafters are being installed and the building is beginning to take shape. Today we were there to help the carpenters.  They were excited to have a helping hand and they too learned a technique to make their work easier.

The day closed with a fellowship moment.  It was a time of sharing. There was a testimony from a woman who was at bible study when the earthquake struck and how she lead people out of the collapsed building.

I sensed a profound expression of gratitude from the members, workers and villagers.  They’re channels of blessings. The people see the rebuilding of the church as a miracle in their time and presence.

This community will never be same and the team has felt an indelible mark upon them. They are now looking forward to the rededication of their new church

As we bring our sojourn to an end each member reflected on the impact this mission trip had on each of us.

Day 5 February 7, 20111

Today was an awesome day. It started with the sun in full blossom and clear blue sky. Things started out slowly but once we got going we cranked!  We completed the block walls, installed the sill plate and installed the cross beams. Lord willing we will raise the rafters tomorrow or Wednesday morning. We all agreed to wok an extra half day on Wednesday.

The air was filled with excitement. Many of the people from the village were there today and they were excited because the church building was really beginning to look like a church building.

We had a special time of communion inside the church. We have been working with another team from South Carolina over the last couple days. Today was their last day and their pastor did the service. We stood together with the Haitian workers, the elders of the church and the elders of the village.  In the center was a small piece of plywood, a plastic cup of juice and a few loaves of bread set on cement blocks.  After service we sang amazing grace together. They sang in Creole, we sang in English. The combined voices were a sweet fragrance to the Lord.

I can’t end without mentioning the children. There are between 30 to 50 children of them fewer than 10. They love to play with us and we love to play with them.  

I know this blog has been going for a couple of days and if you are moved to do something, I suggest you pray to take the training course and come here for a week.  There will be group coming here for a week. There will be a group coming here once a month for the next 3 years. Your life will be changed forever. Thank you all for your prayer and May God bless you.

Day 4 February 6, 2011

Yesterday began with breakfast cereal without milk.  We got around that by using water and cremora – problem solved.  Well imagine our surprise this morning to find that spaghetti and hotdogs was our breakfast.  But we’re fast learning that what might seem a bit strange to us is really quite good.  And did I mention that peanut butter and jelly accompanies our breakfast each morning?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Being Sunday we all went to church of course.  Although the service was all in French and Creole, we didn’t understand much but could still recognize most of the components.  It was a “high church” service with all of the components – choir, familiar hymns, old and New Testament readings and even a baptism. 

Somewhat new to some of us was a tradition on inviting all of those who had birthdays during the month to come forward, be prayed over and receive a special flower.  The same recognition was then given to all the visitors – which was us.

Sunday was a time of rest and we drove to a beautiful “on the Atlantic” beach for a swim and a walk.   Three of the brave among us were taken in a hallowed out canoe to a nearby island.  The beauty of the waters rivals anything you might find in Bermuda or the Bahamas.

Sunday evening found us unsuccessfully scanning the channels looking for the Super Bowl.  But we’re getting score updates by cell phone.

As I reflect back on these last three days, these are my thoughts:

                I came to bring hope, but hope was upon their faces.

                I came to bring Jesus, but Jesus was in their hearts.

                I came to bring God, but God was amidst their worship.

                I came to bring the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit was strong among them.

                I came to bless them, and they blessed me.

                So what did I bring – I brought love.

                A love that fed them.  A love that clothed them.  A love that embraced them.

                A LOVE THAT ONLY GOD COULD  SEND.  HALLELUIA!

Day 3, February 5, 2011

February 5, 2011 day 3

We started the day with a lovely worship service by one team member Vinnie. His focus was on “ENCOURAGEMENT”

Off to the worksite we went.  A lot of progress was made on Friday with the church. The children welcomed us with smiles. Our interpreter was very helpful communicating with the children. Our first activity with the children was jumping rope. Both boys and girls enjoyed themselves. Next the guys did soccer and football the girls did not seem as involved.

Our work activity included treating the wood with a chemical for termites. It had quite an odor. We jokingly said “we hope we don’t start acting strange as a result of the fumes.

The other VIM team joined us most were from the Carolinas and Florida. They worked inside on the cement and one lady Betsy worked with the children.

For snack one of the locals came with fresh coconut. Everyone enjoyed some were just good sports.  The children really enjoyed getting their pictures taken.  The other team had a printer so the kids were able to see their pictures right away.

Snacks were enjoyed by all gum, twizzlers.

The day ended with a tour in the late afternoon of Pettit Groave. May God continue to be with the people of Haiti.

Day 2; February 4, 2011

February 4, 2011   Day 2

 

We left Petionville this morning, went through Pourte Au Prince on our way to Petite Groave. The people of the city were up and about going here and there on foot, cars and motorcycles. You see damage about the city but cleanup has progressed to a large extent. Closer to the shore the damage had been greater and the government has yet not diverted water coming down from the mountains. In some areas it runs down the streets and just moves thru the areas including the markets that line the streets.

Tap Taps are open air truck taxis that carry people throughout the city. The Tap Taps are colorful.

Moving out of the city the people seem more connected. We see “teams” of people working together, men & women with shovels moving debris side by side. Traveling is quieter outside the city; we passed various schools with some of the children dressed alike in their school uniforms.  The blue ocean is on our right while mountainous ridges rise up on our left with houses & tents both along the road and ascending into the hills and ridges. The people are surviving; they are going about their work and trade. They are improvising their shelters and seemingly integrating their past ways.

We arrive and are welcomed at the guest house by Pastor Maude. There is more room there, more open. We go right away to Fond Deux  where the church we are helping to build is located. The walls are up; the supporting walls for the roof ridge are being worked on. We met the other team working there and the construction workers. Children mill around the worksite.  Older Children returning from school pass all in uniforms walking home.  Some of groups of girls have cloth like ribbons in their hair.  There are so many children. We leave the site and return to Petite Groave.

February 3, 2011 Day One

February 3, 2001 Day 1 in Haiti

Today was a day of great change and transition. It started off as a very early morning at a snow covered JFK airport.  Then a quiet sleepy flight with a surprising breakfast service. Once in Haiti, the airport was a loud confusing scene as porters scrambled over each other to assist arriving passengers.  The luggage carousel as somewhat chaotic as the luggage belt delivered bags to porters desperate to help travelers.

The hot almost 90 degree temperature was a stark change from cold New York.  The vehicle that took us to the guest house was called a tap tap truck.  The two lane road moved slowly pass vendors selling their goods, funeral homes, and local shops. Drivers showed great imagination as they improvised and used the sidewalk as a passing lane.  We passed by posters of presidential candidates and local vendors lined the route.  The beautiful mountains shined in the distance as the Haitian people ate their lunches smiling, showing great pride for their country

The day ended with a great dinner, a brief orientation and a group reflection on the day.  The New York winter seems far removed from the setting we now find ourselves.  We have stepped into a much different climate, culture and surroundings.  We will sleep in our cozy rooms and prepare for our early journey to Petit Groave and a visit to the work site