Yeah!!! We are finally all back in the USA!!! We had a safe trip back from Haiti and we are really enjoying some familiar American food. Not to say that the Haitian food was not absolutely wonderful!!! We had so many different foods that we never ate before. Each meal was exciting! I'm sure that you will hear many exciting stories of our trip!! And remember to keep watching the blog for the rest of our updates and MORE pictures!!!!!
Hands for Haiti Team June!!

Trees continued...

We were priviledged to be a part of the whole procedure. First Jean Rony talked to the people about what the trees signified. He told them that we could give them each $100 but then when it was gone there would be no more - and what would they have learned. Instead Faith in Action was giving them 2 trees. If they took care of them then in a few years the trees would produce food their families and offer them a way to earn a small income by selling the extra fruit in the market. This would benefit them much more! Then FIAI's agriculturalist explained to them the best way to plant and care for the trees. He took them to a spot and planted one for them to see. It was very interesting. Their soil is not like ours. After the first 2 inches of dirt the rest is lime. Then the fun part began! We helped distribute the trees to the very grateful and excited people. It was our honor to be able to experience this. We will forever be changed after these mountain people let us into their lives even though only for a few hours. We saw the faces of God everywhere we looked!
After this, we were again both priviledged and blessed to watch the children receive the trees that they themselves had planted and cultivated at the FIAI Children's Nursery. Even though it was pouring rain, it did not take away from the sheer excitement on these kids faces when they were able to take their trees home to plant and take care of. What an awesome thing to do! This was a wonderful example of how we are called to help eachother become better people. The love that was shown to these people by caring for them enough to provide a means for them was overwhelming at times.
The more we learn about the work FIAI does within the villages of the Haitian people, the more awed we are. But in this difficult fiancial time we are, they are having to cut back on some programs. Their adult literacy program in this particular village among others had to cease but hopefully will soon be back up and running. They are reaching out to so many.

We finished up our day with an awesome group time, reflecting on all that we were a part of that day. So much giving tool place it was exhilerating!
God bless Faith in Action and God bless all of you!!

Monday night post.

So, let's go back to Saturday. We had an unbelievable experience delivering mango and avacado trees in the mountains. The drive up was the most exciting that probably all of us have ever had - except maybe John and Chase's while bear hunting. The view from where we were was spectacular. When we arrived, we were met by a whole crowd of Haitian children anxiously awaiting to announce our arrival to the rest of the village people. While the first group waited for the second, we were able to interact with the children. From blowing bubbles and coloring to Kam's juggling act and soccer with a mango, we experienced an overwhelming realization that even though these kids had absolutely no material possessions, they had insurmountable joy exploding from them. They were amazed at the bubbles Megan was blowing with them. They were both patient and excited about the crayons and paper Terri was passing out. They were wide-eyed when Kam juggled rocks. And they ran down to the road when they heard the "machine" coming up the trail with the second group of us and more trees

Hi from Haiti!! Sorry about the last post. I was so exhausted I actually fell asleep while blogging before I was finished and when I awoke in the morning, it had sent. Been extremely busy here - it's a good thing! I will post more later! Love and miss you all!!
"team June"

Yeah!! We finally got some pictures up!!! I was able to use the Internet at Fr. Alexis' house today. But before I talk about today, I need to back up a bit and let you all know how yesterday turned out. (Sorry I didn't get those pictures up, too.)
Yesterday we delivered the fruit trees to people in the mountains. What an experience! First, we loaded the trees from the tree nursery into the back of the FIApickup truck

Our experiences in Haiti!

Good morning! Today is Saturday-I think. It's hard to remember what day it is when you feel like you're living in a different world. We were able to sleep in a little this morning. After a very hot day laying brick under the sweltering sun yesterday, we will have a welcome change today. Faith in Action International had a tree nursery where they grow mango and avacado trees to be distributed among the extremely poor people living in the mountains. That is what we are doing today. We will be taking truckloads of trees up the mountain to pass out and to help plant. I have a feeling that we may be learning more from the Haitian people today than they will be from us.

Day 3 and still going strong! This group of people are unbelievable workers! By golly, I think we will actually complete this house in 3 days! There were some that were doubtful, but we have made great progress! And the progress has not only been in building on to the foundation of a house, but also in the building on to the foundation that Christ layed. You know, when St. Francis of Assisi heard the voice of God telling him to "rebuild my church" he thought it was to rebuild the structure of a church that had fallen down on the town of Assisi. It was only after working on this structure that he began to realize that God was talking about rebuilding His church - the people. I think we are realizing this the more we work. We are having a great time working to build a home for someone, but we are being touched in the interaction and relationships with the beautiful Haitian people that are coming out to work with us and watch us and play with us and get to know us. We are seeing Christ in so many ways! We are really beginning to understand and put in practice the words of St. Francis of Assisi himself. "Preach the gospel always, use words, if necessary."
God bless you tonight!

From the group - we apologize there are no pictures yet. We are in a very rural area and cannot find Internet. We have only been able to post blogs via texting so far. As soon as we can, we will post pictures. Thank you.

Now its megan signing in late thursday night. All humungus tarantala stories aside, today has been an awesome day. Spending time with the locals was so fun, for the most part they were all very welcoming and friendly. We finished a lot on the house, it was pretty cool to be building it up block by block. Can't wait for what tomorrow holds! Shout out to my Fam love u! Megan

Hi. This is Daniel. I am blogging today from Verrettes, Haiti. It is approximately 9:36 here. We just got finished with a battle with a tarantula that was bigger than Chases face. Brock ended up heroically dualing against the gigantic spider after Bill succesfully captured it under a bowl. He lept in front of it, smacking it with a broom, stopping it from harming the rest of the group who were standing by screaming loudly. Brock struck the tarantula with such force that the broom collapsed in his hands. We can now sleep in peace... or can we?
Daniel

Wow!! Mixing cement, setting string, placing block, sweating profusely, drinking a cool coke, walking in the river, playing with the Haitian kids in the rain - and it's only lunch time!!!!!

Good evening everyone! We arrived safely in Port au Prince at about 1:35 - right on time. It was a little bit of a challenge getting out of the airport with 9 people, 18 suitcases and 9 carry ons, weeding through the very anxious helpful Haitians and finding Fr. Alexis and Jean Rony. We successfully loaded up and began our 3 hour journey north. We arrived at Fr. Alexis' home at about 6 pm for a wonderful Haitian welcome dinner! Chase put a little too much hot sauce on his rice and downed a pitcher of water. But the food was fantastic. It was the first time most of the group had eaten goat but the concensus was that everyone liked it! Then on to the mission guest house. After some minor challenges with plumbing, lights and really HUGE bugs, we all are settled in almost all asleep. We are all very tired but excited to see our job site tomorrow. Until then... God bless and good night.

So after an early morning we are all anxiously waiting to get on our next plane to Haiti!! Can't wait to actually be there! We'll keep you all posted.

Megan

Tuesday: PRE-TRAVEL DAY!!

Hello all of our faithful blog followers!! Well, it's Tuesday and we are busy packing and will be on the road by 4 p.m. to Canton where we will have dinner together and spend the night. Then it's on to the Detroit airport at 4:30 a.m. to catch our flight!! Wow - that's going to be very early! We should arrive in Haiti at about 1:30 in the afternoon!

Haiti location update:
- As of last Friday the foundation was in and our blocks had arrived on site!!!
- Yes, the weather is true - they are getting a mild tropical storm so it is raining! But never fear - they are setting up tarps for us to work under.
- One day we will be hiking up into the mountains to deliver avacado and mango trees to the extremely poor mountain people.
- The guest house is being prepared for us - they are making sure we have working plumbing!!

Keep watching for new posts every day!!!

"Team June"

Consider being our prayer warrior!!

Well, we have 7 days to go before "Hands for Haiti's" first group builds their first home!! At times I just have to stop and stand still - I am so overwhelmed by emotions - so many emotions. Excitement, nervousness, joy, anxious, thankfulness, uncertainty... It's just so amazing to me the amount of people - friends, family, acquaintances, people in the community - that are all involved in this mission. The checks that come in the mail are awesome, but the notes that come in the mail or e-mail are inspiring and most times move me to tears. But if you know me, that's pretty normal. I just received a beautiful note from someone who is hanging our article on her fridge and will be praying for us while we are gone. Such selfless love! It gave me an idea...

Because more important than anything else we can do, any structure we can build, is to share God's joy and love. It may be challenging for us in this unknown environment to us. So I am asking all of you to join my dear friend in prayer. Please, if you would like, commit to pray for us each by name from June 23-30. Put our names on your fridge and remember to pray that we have the desire, courage and strength to show as much joy and love that our human bodies can. For God to give us His graces everyday to touch those we encounter and also to be touched by our experiences. If you feel you are called to pray for us, please add your first name to the comment of this blog post. I would like to list all our prayer warriors on the edge of this blog.

Thank you so much for all your support so far. Don't forget to watch everyday we are in Haiti for our pictures and experiences. Don't be afraid to pray with us, cry with us, love with us and live our experiences with us while we are gone. Your involvement is important, no matter where you are. Your prayers and encouragement are just as important as going there yourself. We are a community of believers in the one true Christ. Let's show how strong we can be - together united in Christ!!!

Spaghetti Dinner Pictures!!! We had a blast!!! Thank you for coming out!!! We raised $3,200 at the dinner alone!!!

Spaghetti Dinner a Huge Success!!!

Thanks to all who attended the Spaghetti Dinner! It was a huge success!! We made $3200 !!! I will post details and pictures as soon as I can, but I wanted to at least post the results!!!

SPAGHETTI DINNER TODAY!!!!

Yes, our Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser is today!! If you cannot attend but would still like to support us, just drop a donation in the mail today to:
Hands for Haiti
7421 W. Blue Rd.
Lake City, MI 49651

or come out and have some great food and fun!!
5-8 in the St. Ann School gym

This just in....

We will have Tom Braak and his wife Fecilta with us!! Tom founded Faith in Action International in Haiti in 1997. We will be working with them in Verrettes, Haiti.

February 2010 Trip Pictures

We're on the RADIO !!!

Tune into WATT 1240 AM in Cadillac tomorrow (Friday, June 4th) at 9:00 am and you can hear an interview about our upcoming trip!!!

We will also be featured in the Cadillac News sometime in the next couple days!!!

Wow - this is great! And thank you for all your prayers so far! Things are starting to come together in Haiti!!

Don't forget....

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

(Tom from FIAI might even show up!!!)

Tuesday, June 8th

5-8 p.m.

St. Ann's school gym

Donation!!!