Hands and Feet in Haiti

So we have spent two weeks in
Haiti, and we still have two weeks to go. 
Though I have sweated and worked a lot, I have learned a lot too.
Haitians are some of the friendliest people I have ever met. In the DR I
thought Dominicans were sweet, but there is something about Haitians that
really sets them apart. They are a group of people who have lost much, yet are
still smiling throughout the day. They may not have much, yet are willing to
serve you food. Those who had the money to rebuild their homes did, and those
who want a lovely Samaritan Purse house, (the ones we build) wait in line daily
to be granted one of the houses.

 

Being an American I wasn’t sure how
I would be perceived. We literally walk into an area where a house once stood and build a transitional
house to replace the fallen structure. Therefore, sometimes we’re right in the
middle of a tent city, building amongst the kids playing, moms cooking, and
elderly playing their dominos. It’s quite a site to see, but it’s an even
better site to meet the family of the house you just constructed. The kindness
of their smile, and genuine gladness that shines through their eyes is apparent
even with the language barrier.

 

In the past week, our team has
encountered a huge blessing. A radio station from Pennsylvania called Word FM
go on a yearly short term mission trip, and it just so happened that a group of
25 men and women came over to our ministry site. They were here for seven days
to do a whole slew of things. They were suppose to run a VBS for the kids at
school, hold a Pharmacy/medical clinic for people in the community, and help
break ground at the future orphanage site. A few days out of the week, we also
encouraged a few men to help build and tarp houses with us.

 

Having the “Hands and Feet Project”
was a great blessing for our team. Being on a beach by ourselves can get quite
lonely, but there was so much spunk and fire in these people, that you couldn’t
help but be enlivened by them. We got to: talk, worship, play, work, and play
games together. This past week was loads of fun due to the loving and giving
hearts of these individuals. Our team and many people in Haiti were blessed by
the these people who decided to take a week out of their busy lives and give it
to serve others. So, if you know of an upcoming short-term mission trip, you
wouldn’t know how much you could affect the lives of others, and even your own
life unless you go on a trip. So go on one!