We arrived to the Atlanta airport around midnight and we had the luxury of sleeping on the floor. Happy campers we were as some of us pulled out our sleeping pads and others stayed up all night taking funny pictures with all the sleeping people or in my case using my phone to take silly pictures while I was sleeping.
Tuesday morning we flew from Atlanta, GA to to Miami, FL then from Miami to Port Au Prince, Haiti. I praise the Lord that my 53.5 lb. pack was moved right along without any fees! I will have to reassess yet again and get rid of some things. It is difficult to pack your life for eleven months into a 65 Liter pack and a regular size backpack.
Upon arrival in Haiti, the airport was very small and very hectic. I am thankful we all made it safely as well as all our packs made it too! Success!
Flying over the Carribbean Sea was so beautiful. There are so many different colors and scenery. We even saw Cuba on our flight from a distance. We may never go, but we have seen it.
Now to the good stuff!!!
This month we are serving at Mission of Hope (MOH) in Titanyen. We arrived to MOH by a school bus and we were greeted by an amazing woman, Elizabeth, and a super yummy lunch awaiting us.
Elizabeth gave us a nice orientation to Mission of Hope and a glimpse of what our life this month will be like. We all became so excited about all the opportunities of ministry within this organization.
Mission of Hope’s mission statement says this: “As an organization following Jesus Christ, we exist and seek to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti.”
Every thing this organization does correlates with their mission statement and vision that God has given them.
Tuesday night after unpacking and getting settled, we went to church on the MOH campus. The service was all in Creole, the primary language of Haiti, but it was so awesome! It was truly inspiring and moving through the music and message. We have learned a few words and phrases in Creole which is a lot of fun. The Haitian culture thus far has been a great experience and I look forward to learning more and finding ways to relate to them, build relationships, and share Christ’s love.
Wednesday morning was our first official day. Most of the teams went off campus to serve, but my team stayed on site and we began to clean and organize what will eventually be the Super Clinic. It will be a hospital but will not be called a hospital because it will not be open all night. Later we did inventory in the MOH store.
Thursday we went to Bercy, a nearby village, where we unloaded pavers for a Conference Center where MOH will be able to train pastors and other leaders. We were tired and sore, but there was no complaining from anyone and of course we made it fun with songs and games.
Friday we went to Transformation Village. As soon as we got off the bus the kids were swarming all around. A little boy jumped from a tree into my arms. His name is Jerry. Jerry is four years old, but he looks to be about two or three because of his size. I held him the majority of the day and carried him around. He did not want to walk because of the holes in his shoes where his toes poked out. He was a little sassy to begin with but we ended our time together with tickles and laughter.
We went house to house, talked with the people, built relationships, and we were able to pray for each of them before we left their house and went to the next. We met some wonderful people.
After lunch we returned to the same village and brought some balls and jump ropes to play with the kids, and of course we played soccer. It was a great afternoon of building relationships and loving on the kiddos.
There are eleven different villages that MOH ministers to. Throughout the month we have been ministering to each of them in various ways with the translators and each Village Champion. Village Champions are the contacts in each village for MOH and live there as well. They make the contacts with the people, communicate the needs for the village, and so much more.
There are so many things that MOH does to serve the people of Haiti. We have been so blessed to be serving and living here this month. Please continue to pray for the four teams in my squad that are here at Mission of Hope and for the other two teams in my squad serving in a different location with the organization Together We Can.
Hang on there is more coming about my time in Haiti!
I am sorry I did not post this sooner. The internet was $5 per hour and not very reliable so I have waited for the lovely free internet that is also just as unreliable, but hey, it is free!
