Updates 7/19/15

Note from Crystal....... Though it is CRAZY in the house, it has been very uplifting to see the CCC students (and leaders) process their situation as they are "stuck" in Haiti currently.  They are a GREAT group of students and I can not imagine any other group being so flexible.  Some are missing family vacations, one is drum major and should be at band camp starting today, and others have work commitments, medical appointments, child care to arrange, etc.  Through all that, they are seeing God at work in their team and in the situation.  HE IS GOOD!  They are safe, they are still having fun (evidenced by the laughing from the porch as I lay and listen from my bedroom at the opposite end of the house) and they are being taught a life lesson-- that though things do not go as WE planned, God is still God.  God is still in control.  And, God will never leave them.  (PS-  the new team of 5 people have just become part of the CCC family and God is using them too through all this.  I LOVE to see how He works in and through people.



  This morning, we all woke up to the realization that we are still in Haiti. Though we were all emotionally and physically tired, we pulled it together to make it to the church service. That’s when God started lifting our spirits, wowing us, and making us feel like we are stuck here for a reason. We walked in and recognized the tune of the song they were singing: How Great is Our God. Pastor Robby, Jonas and other friends we have made came up to us with huge smiles and let us know that they prayed they would see us soon. We were able to see children from our VBS that we thought we would never see again. The best Haitian Christian rappers happened to be at the church that morning, and they blew us away. After church, we came back to the base and had our 8th lunch of peanut butter and jelly. Since we all used up our clean clothing, each person picked out one outfit to wash. A few other girls and I took all of the clothes down in a bin, filled it with powder soap and water, and filled a separate bucket as well. Kylee showed us the ropes of scrubbing the clothes together and then rinsing them in the bucket of water. After (let me emphasize after) we were finished with all of the clothes and had them hanging up to dry, a dear neighbor that had been watching us came over and told us to get all of our clothes. He proceeded to add a ton more soap, pull up buckets of water from the well, add disinfectant, and show us how to properly scrub our clothes together. He was so thorough. I was happy when I saw that he had grabbed my shorts to clean because I knew they would be washed to perfection. He also made us laugh a ton which is something that we all really needed! He even separated our whites and bleached them, using his own bleach. You don’t need to be in Haiti long to realize that everyone here has so little but is willing to give it all away. At the end of the day, we had the opportunity to go up on the mountain to the overlook again. If we weren’t stranded here, we would not have gotten to go up there again, and that overlook was a highlight of all of our trips. From there, you can see the whole city and the ocean. We all feel close to God and are filled with peace up on the mountain. All day I’ve been repeating a phrase in Creole that we learned this week. Gen lafwa (have faith). We all love Haiti, but we all also miss our family and friends. Praying to find a way back to everyone as soon as possible. As my dad said,  “He’s got it.”
                        Kendra


So, the last several days/hours have been quite a blast. Even though it has seemed that just about everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong, there have been more than enough positive events. And I am very happy that the team that has arrived has been willing to work with us and slowly become part of our family. So, even though some believed that I have been too happy/too energetic, I truly believe that God has a plan for us and that He will provide. So, as I am staying strong in my faith, I pray that my team and those back home will do the same. I hope everyone is having as good of a time as I am and that God would be with and bless.
--
                       Evan

       It is my group’s official first day here in Haiti. We started the day by going to church, which is always a highlight of mine in Haiti. It is conducted mostly (if not all) in Creole so as an American who understands English and some French I can’t comprehend what they are saying. Although I can’t understand almost anything I can just see the love for God, which is just as rewarding. Today’s message was about how God is simple and greatness means serving others. I think it’s something most of us forget during daily life but when you really stop and think about it by serving others you really are working towards greatness, especially during the most trying times. Later in the afternoon we took formula to a nutrition center and just sat and played with a little girl named Talia and 2 babies, one of which was dropped off by a mom because she was sick but after she returns to full health she will return to her family in the countryside. Another baby was dropped off by an aunt after her mother died simply because her aunt did not want her. They are in the process of figuring out what to do with her. Talking to the nutritionists was so eye opening, they are around my age, medical majors, and planning to do missions medical work. It is overwhelmingly inspiring. A couple of us went on a prayer walk later which consisted on walking around the neighborhood talking and praying with people. One family in particular stood out to me because it was the first time I was actually invited into a Haitian home. Most families live multi-family in houses so there were a bunch of little kids running around, a few older kids, and then a few adults. But it put Haitian life in a bit more perspective for me. We then ended the day at the overlook which is one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen (overlooking most of Port au Prince and the ocean). We also got the pleasure of playing ‘Jacks’ (like jacks but with rocks) with a few of the local kids. All in all it was a great first day and I can’t wait to see what the next week has in store.
                Shelby

Evan and Mel taking notes in church

Meeting of the CCC group. Talking about how they have seen God working through this whole situation/delay. 

Lili teaching advanced English to our translators and friends. 

The new team!!!! They are amazing already. 

Worship/team time on the roof. 

This one says it all!!!!!!