Photos

Here are some photos from yesterday- the orphanage (playing with the children), the hike to the "lookout", etc.... it was a great day!  (and Redgi is picking up the Montero this morning- so far it cost $750 US to fix the suspension (tie rod, new rim to replace the bent one, bushings and things I don't understand but may after I see the receipts- MOST of that was parts- labor was $180).

Megan making lions with the kids after a lesson on Daniel and how God will take care of you.... 

Katie doing the same-  :)  

and Cory...... 

Jenny playing with the kids after the lesson- they LOVE photos of themselves..... 

Kenzie is fitting in and making friends!  This little one is adorable!

The view from the lookout spot we hiked to ( to pray for our time in Haiti while overlooking the city)

group shot at the overlook! 

Hiking back DOWN the mountain.... much tougher than going up... but at the end a COOL soccer field... (my last two teams have played here but I never saw it until yesterday

Almost down the mountain and we can now see the soccer field.  This photo doesn't show how STEEP this walkway is.  At the bottom is a huge area where people get public water.  MANY people were there but we didn't photograph cause it was a bit too chaotic. 

God is Good

What a hike! All is going well here in Haiti. Woke up after a good nights sleep on the roof! Those stars were a sight to see. Went over to an orphanage today and these kids... They have hope in their eyes and it makes you melt! Played with a parachute and they sang.. Music is music in any language. Took a hike up to a church on top of a hill. It was hit with the earthquake and the walls dropped. The breeze just flows through the area. The sight just takes your breathe away. Being close to God and just sitting there looking over everything was a very inspiring.  Went on a prayer walk through town and the people are so hopeful and friendly.  Can't wait to see what God has in store for us here. How is God going to use this trip? What are we going to see God doing?

His Love
Katie

Group has arrived

The group has arrived safely at the base and already been hanging out on the roof drinking coke (made with REAL sugar) and getting to know one another.... :)  :)  We will post when we can, but everything is great so far.  Thanks for the prayers- keep them coming.  (PS- keep praying about the Montero situation- it's looking like we can get a few parts already and have it back on the road within the next few days- praise God)

One Week In Haiti

When I first got the call from my mom about going to Haiti, I was so excited. I had been praying the night before about opportunities to really grow in my faith. That my mom called me the next morning was definitely an answered prayer. About 4 weeks before we were supposed to leave I was still unsure if I would be able to go, and I remember telling my mom that I would need a miracle to get work off. Long story short, I'm writing from Haiti now. Another answered prayer.
In the days leading up to our departure I was constantly thinking about all the cool stories that I would have when I got back to the US, what I saw, the people I would meet, new experiences, and how my life might be changed after being here. After being in Haiti for only one week, my thoughts on how life here would be were so wrong. I don't think that I can describe exactly how I thought Haiti would be in a few short sentences. Lets just say that I knew I would meet new people, but I wasn't expecting them to become such a large part of my life so quickly. I knew the culture would be different, but I wasn't expecting to feel right at home after the first day. I knew that the heat is Haiti in SO much warmer than anything I'm used to (True Michigander here), but I wasn't expecting to be walking around in a sweatshirt during the mornings and curled up in three blankets at night. All in all, I wasn't expecting to fall in love with Haiti the way that I have. Everything here is beautiful. As much as God used us to bless and serve the people here, they truly blessed me as well.

-Mara

Last full day

The last day is always difficult but this one was by far the toughest- both on the orphans and the team.  Great bonds were formed (as evidenced in the photos).  Last night at final debrief we prayed that when the children look back and remember this time, that they would see Jesus and not us.  That they would remember how very much He loves each one of them and how special they are.

Beach Day Update( and Random Thoughts from Becca)

We had a super special day at the beach today with the kids!  We were all waiting at the beach when the kids arrived in a rented bus.  They were waving like crazy and all excited.  They walked off the bus in their beautiful new dresses but quickly changed into their swim gear and went to explore the water.  There was a LOT of squealing, screaming and laughing as the kids splashed at the water's edge and slowly worked their way in.  This was the first time to go to the beach for many of them, so they were so precious as they experimented with floating, splashing and getting lots of rides around the water from us!  The kids also had fun with the frisbees and balls that Drew brought.  After awhile, the kids took a swimming break to eat a special lunch of little pastries with meat, cheese puffs, "casino" cookies and a bottle of cold pop.  They were eager to get back into the water and keep playing like crazy.  Most of the time we were in the water, we had at least 3 kids riding on us through the water. The kids were so eager for hugs and to hold hands or to be twirled around in the water. There were a lot of special moments with the kids (and we also got a great work out playing with the kids)!!

Also today one of our interpreter took time to tell her story of what happened to her family during the earthquake.  Very touching!!  She was able to look back and see how God took care of her family and saved her brother from nearly dying.

For me, the most touching part of the trip has been the opportunity to do some medical care for some of the orphans.  These girls have been through so much.  It was so hard at several points to not burst into tears as they told of such things as being abandoned by parents at church service, being burned just because of being disabled, being raped, and more.  I'm so glad for the hope that we have to offer in Jesus and pray for healing and wholeness spirit, soul and body!!

I miss you all very much!  All the teens on our trip are amazing in the way they minister!  Zac is being such a champ.  He and some of the other guys have been playing basketball at the orphanage and also with the boys in the neighborhood where we are staying.  Drew has done a beautiful job of doing some lessons for the kids.  Kayleigh and Mara and other girls have endured great facial pain as the girls in the orphanage have played with their hair like they were Barbies.  The kids on the team have all done such a great job reaching out and playing with the kids in the orphanage.

Special hugs and kisses to Scott, Ethan and Ehud!!!

Photos- beach

Here are a few photos of the beach day... more to follow!