Saturday-Culture Day!

Haitian culture. That is what we experienced today. 

We attended the funeral of our good friend, Vania's (the nurse who is building the health clinic) mother. It was both moving and emotional to experience the ways people grieve in different cultures. What is normal here would not be at home. 

Because Vania's brother is a priest and her mom was pretty well known, 30 priests came from all over Haiti to pay their respects,  including Canada and Europe.   The church was packed full as was the outside around the church  Fr. Alexis received all the priests and religious sisters (about 60 people)  in his home afterwards for a meal while the funeral procession continued down the street to the cemetery - complete with a band leading the way. Such a celebration of life after the time of grieving. 

After this, we took a tap/tap to Verrettes.  There we found our good friend, Limene, and spent some time at her home visiting with our friends. Our friend, Aniel, was busy sewing school uniforms for his children  It's so nice to see people in town that you recognize and that run to see you. 

We continued on to Sr. Judy's and had a very productive meeting about our upcoming project.  Their are so many details to work out, but we have wonderful people we are working with!  On our way back, we visited another home of a couple boys where the roof is falling down. This was probably one of the poorest homes we have visited. I am still overwhelmed at the joy these people can have even under the worst of circumstances. Amazing!!

When we arrived at Fr. Alexis' we found Lillian busy mashing potatoes by hand for our dinner. She had been up since 3:30 this morning getting ready for the reception of the priests after the funeral, yet she still had the biggest smile on her face!  Such a servant!  She loves what she does and does it with joy!  

We learned a lot today about the Haitian culture. The more we learn, the more we can start to understand and therefore serve better.  For that is our sole purpose - to serve others using our "Hands for Haiti."

Bon nuit!!!

Day 2 - Friday!!

It doesn't take long to fall back into the "Haitian way." We woke to the chickens and roosters and dogs and early morning traffic and...well you get the picture. After some terrific coffee and a hearty breakfast we took a Tap-tap to meet up with Sister Judy in Verretttes.

Most of today was spent discussing and planning for our future projects. We were introduced to two young men, Fresnel and Joanes, who will be helping us with the coordinating of the building projects. We are very lucky to have them here doing the groundwork that we cannot do from the States. Sister Judy drove us around to different sites to get a feel for the lay of the land but more importantly to meet and hear the stories attached to these families. Needless to say, our resolve to help them was renewed and the look of hope in their eyes reminded us of just how important what we do here is.

It is very difficult to feel like we are doing very much for others here because each time we come we feel so much more like we are the ones receiving the help. God has Blessed us with many friends here and its really neat to be recognized and greeted as we travel through the villages. The thunder and rain has begun and the temp is falling so it looks to be a good night for sleep!

We look forward to tomorrow here but have gotten word that Nurse Vania's mother passed away. Vania is the nurse building the health clinic we have been fundraising for. We will attend the funeral in the morning. Father Alexis and his staff will receive more guests tonight for the funeral and are busy getting ready. Servants for sure!


God Bless,

Jeff

Thursday - Arrival in Haiti

Today wasn't any different. The wave emotions that hit me when I walk off the plane are always the same. It's like the bond that was formed between me and Haiti eleven years ago gets stronger and stronger each time I return. And today celebrating Jeff's birthday here was so special! The only thing that could have made it perfect were if our kids were with us, but we know they we...re here in spirit.
It's amazing the plan God has for us and the paths He leads us down and the people He so carefully places in our lives. I wonder at His patience in us (even when we are impatient), His skillful way of teaching us (even when we don't want to learn), His faith in us (even when our faith in Him is lacking), and His unconditional love for us (even when we forget to love others).
Pray for us as we begin tomorrow to set in motion the "plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."    ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Pray for the people of this beautiful culture that we are called to serve and give hope to. Help us to be the hands and feet of Christ while we are here. Help us to live out the true meaning of JOY: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

God bless and good night!!

2 months since we returned!!

Today marks 2 months since Team March 2012 has returned from Haiti. 

Where has the time gone? 

We've gotten back to the routine of our daily lives, but has something changed in us?

Stay tuned... for more reflections!!!

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