On the plane in Haiti headed to Miami!!

On our way back to Port au Prince

Monday. Part 2

Ohh dear, where to even begin! Tomorrow is our last day in Haiti. It will be sad but fun. This trip so far for me has been very awakening to like and my faith. Seeing everyone here and how they have so much appreciation and respect for pretty much anything or anyone is renewing for me as a person. All the people are so anxious and happy about every little thing they try and do. It is actually really inspiring to me! Now  it will be very challenging for me to bring what I have learned here back to my home in Cadillac.  I know I can't bring it all but I can bring some :) I haven't quite comprehended on how I will fulfill my real life and faith there yet.. But I will! With the help of God. I can not wait till our last day tomorrow. I know it will be very exciting and emotional but undoubtedly fun. I will probably post after our last day also so... Tah tah for now :)

 -Rachel-

Monday. Our last day in Verrettes.

This trip has truly been an inspirational one. This week has opened not only my eyes but so many others as well. We are all truly blessed to have experienced this in our own unique and special way. For me it's been getting away from the everyday life. No worries, no complications, and no hassle. A care-free week for me to learn from and help others.  The friends and bonds we have made between the Haitians  and our fellow team members will never be broken or forgotten. Today we helped Tom some more with his house, well others did, I mostly like to play with his little boy Ryan while observe too! We took a break for lunch and took some time in the hot sun to play with some of the local kids and teens in the streets. We had fun jump roping, coloring, learning creole, playing frisbee, soccer, and volleyball. All those laughs and smiling faces just really make you feel good inside. After that we headed up the mountains to play and do some crafts with the people of Terre Rouge.  As we shared a good time with them, many laughs, and a lot of singing we ended our day pretty tired out. I look forward to tomorrow visiting mother Teresa's Home for Malnourished Babies and spending our last day in wonderful Haiti.  It has been a spring break that I not only needed but truly enjoyed and found God in so many ways. These people have a joy I can't explain and it has touched me and put a smile on my face and our group's faces that won't be erased.

Love, Bekah

Cards games at the guest house. Intense!!

Hanging downtown

Sharing bracelets with friends

Heading out in our trusty truck

It's Monday!!!

Good morning!! This morning we are off to spend the day with our Haitian friends in the mountains!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

At the Health Clinic

Sunday!!

It has been another amazing day here in Haiti!  We woke very early (4am) to a loud horn honking in the road outside the complex. Come to find out it was a normal daily occurance as an alarm for the workers to head into the fields to work. Anyway, the reason we heard it so clearly was because our generator was out!  No lights, water, etc. not a big deal....it's Haiti right!? Made getting ready for church a bit more challenging. We went to Father Alexis' home and were treated to a wonderful breakfast of Freedom soup prepared by Maude, Lillian and Madame Denae. It was Palm Sunday and we processed through the streets of Liancourt with the congregation of Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel parish waving palms and singing!  Then Mass with wonderful singing and many friendly faces. We then visited Vania at the " to be" Our Lady Of Mt Carmel health clinic. We were treated to a surprise lunch she had prepared for us and were able to eat it inside the clinic!  She recently was able to install the well and has a very nice fence around the clinic property. With the help of many we were able to present Vania with a check that should cover the installation of a septic system and water reservoir and bring her dream of  opening and serving the people of her community one more step closer to fruition.  We found some time to relax  in the heat of the late afternoon and finished the last bit of daylight with a visit to the local bakery. The building is not what one would expect with dirt floors and wood fired oven. Unbelievable bread! It's a wonder how it dosent get full of dirt!   In the evening we met, as we always do, to pray and discuss the day. Everyone agreed that the experience we are having is changing us in many ways. Some commented that it would be difficult to go back to "normal" when returning home as we are finding that our happiness depends little on what we have and more on what our relationships are like with those God has put in our lives.  The simplicity of Haitian life has grounded these people in the faith that God provides for our needs if we trust in him. I pray that we can develop this trust and learn to live a more simple life as to more clearly see and hear the plans he has for each of us. 

God bless,

Jeff