Photo highlights- Day 1

I will try to post some shots daily of the team doing different ministry so you can see what they are up to.  I will let them post blog updates to read.  Enjoy!  - Crystal

church by the beach in a pavilion with goats walking through the building.  Fun times!

The children with their food provided by a church in Michigan!  (OSE Orphanage)

Josh on the mountain- the children told him he looked like Jesus

Gwen showing the children some photos she took of them!

Same with Auston... showing photos

hiking back to base from the mountain overlook

Renee helping carry food into the orphanage!  :)

Worship Time

One of my favorite parts of the day was when we visited an orphanage. We went and played with the kids. We used a parachute to play games with the kids. Like all kids, they could repeatedly play the same game over and over. They loved running under the parachute. We then all stood around the parachute and waved it up and down while singing some church songs. I knew of the songs, but they were singing in Creole. I love how we can be all singing the same songs but in different languages. It is such a cool thing to all sing together in your own native language, but be worshiping the same God. I think that is a big reason it's important to visit other places and get out of your comfort zone because you see the unifying pieces that connect all people. 

Can't wait for tomorrow's adventure!

(p.s. Ally wants to say that she is still kicking :))

-Breanna S.

sunday/funday

Hello, friends! My name is Skyler Burkhart, and I'm currently part of the Hearts United With Haiti team. It's been a great experience so far. I flew in a day earlier than the rest of the team, so I've had a little more time to adjust and hang out in Haiti. Every day has been eventful, and I can already tell that this is a great country.

Today was Sunday. We started off the day with going to church. The church that we went to is located by the beach, so that was very cool to see. The water was so blue. I think Haiti is often portrayed as a very dirty country, but it is actually very beautiful here. After church, we visited the OSE orphanage down the road and played with some of the kids there. They were all extremely friendly and energetic, which was awesome! After the orphanage, we went on a hike to the top of the mountain that is near us. That was quite a sight to see. I took a few photos if you are interested in looking at them.

I am excited for what the rest of the week has in store! We will continuously need your prayers and thoughts, so we thank you in advance for them!

-Skyler (and the rest of the team)

Update 12/29 - early morning

Sorry for not updating more last night.  First night is full of questions, unpacking, etc... and (of course) we had NO ELECTRICITY! So.... we were extra busy holding flashlights for one another and doing other things to stay dry with the rain. BUT... all were in bed at least before 10 pm. and I think they are all still asleep as I type this....

Here is the ONE photo I have from yesterday.... sorry there are not more but again it gets so busy as the team can explain to you once they return.  Now that we are safely at the base and organized things should move at a much slower, "island" pace!  "Haitian time" is what we affectionately call it.  We have a plan, but it's not necessarily God's plan for us all so we need to be open and sensitive to His direction.
(cool story below the photo- keep reading)

For those of you who are following the blog and not necessarily the team (or those following the team)- check out this God story I have from yesterday!

So... Redgi and I went to the airport in the Montero to get the first group.  I packed a backpack and some snacks to eat because after the 3 students from Malone arrived I was going to wait 2.5-3 hours in the parking area for the next group and then another hour for the final group.  MY PLAN- not what God had at all!  First of all, after Redgi left for the base with the first group and I was sitting/relaxing some of the porters I have come to know came over.  They had some questions for me to help them improve their English speaking skills.  (for example:  "If I have a group of women, can I say, 'Come on guys" because they are NOT guys- they are female"?)  So, there I was asking them questions too and giving an impromptu English class which I loved.

 Then came a text from the 3 York College students who were flying through Miami that they had missed the plane.  The other 7 York students were already in the air flying from Fort Lauderdale and one was planning to stay INSIDE the airport to wait for the second group.  I didn't know if they knew that the 3 had missed their flight.  (hope you are still following this- it's kinda complicated)  Well.... to make a long story short- when I told the group what happened, one of the guys I had never met before who was in my impromptu class says, "Miss!  I can get you inside the airport!  My brother works security."  So... he introduces me to his brother who speaks no English but who brought me inside and got me to a bench (still not inside baggage claim but close) and tells me to wait there.  After he left me, another man came up to ask who I was and why I was there and I told him.... HE took me all the way to baggage claim where I was able to connect with the group.  So, I now have the phone number of the security guard and know him (believe me - I tipped him well) and I actually got inside the airport.

Not only that, but in between the two security people when I was on the bench waiting, I met an American who is working with a great organization. We shared stories and have very much the same philosophy on ministry.  She got my contact information and I am excited to share that we are going to meet up sometime after the team leaves.  She is looking to MOVE to Haiti and work as a teacher somewhere.  We just started a school.... Who knows what God might be up to!  Only He knows but one thing is sure!

I have waited MANY times for groups and NEVER been allowed inside the airport before.  Only God could have orchestrated all that.  So, once again, what the enemy meant for distraction for the group was used by God for good!  Praise Him for all the ways He guides and directs us.  It is because of prayers from many like you that this happens.  So, thank you once again for all your support in prayer for the ministry.

I was just so excited I had to share this with you all! God bless you on this last Lord's day in 2013!  -Crystal

Team has arrived

The Malone University students are here at the base safe and sound.  The York College group is mostly here (3 are still in Miami due to a delayed connecting flight and will arrive early tomorrow morning).  We had orientation and a great Haitian dinner of rice/beans and beef stew and they are all relaxing on the roof after a slight rainstorm which has cooled things off greatly!  We pray for a good night's sleep and will update again in the morning or early afternoon (after church) if possible.  Thanks for the prayers!

1/4 of team has arrived

Today was very busy with getting supplies for the upcoming trip, finalizing details, picking up Skyler and Auston at the airport, traveling to the orphanage, etc... but God has already been evidencing Himself for sure!  We were kept safe on the roads, Auston/Skyler got here with no trouble, we found all the supplies needed to paint the orphanage for decent prices, and more.  We were even able to stop by Redgi's house for a few minutes to get personal items for Madame Josee' and bring them to the base so she didn't have to carry them on tap tap tomorrow when she comes to begin cooking (all the while SHE was at the base delivering fruit/vegetables for the team that she had purchased in the city- lol).  We are all exhausted and ready for some much needed sleep.  

Tomorrow's plans include picking up three groups from the airport at three different times (12:30, 3:15 and 4:30) and then traveling to the base for orientation, dinner and to get organized.  Praise God we have electricity.  Hopefully tomorrow we will have the same since it is nice to get unpacked and organized/settled with light to help.  We can also use the fans to keep us cool when sleeping, though it is nice and cool here at night right now.  

Prayers for a good day of travel for the team members coming tomorrow and for the upcoming ministry God has called us to.  We have the tentative schedule posted and will see what He brings our way!  

God bless- Crystal

Christmas Blessing!

The concordance (in dk. blue), a book on Christian family living (light blue upper left) and two Bible study books on Romans along with 75 New Testaments in Creole!  What a gift from God to Haiti! (through the generosity of His people).

So, here is an amazing story of God's provision that I just have to share with you!  It all started with an e-mail I received from Delta Airlines saying the itinerary for my return trip to Haiti had changed.  I opened the e-mail to view it and it didn't seem to be any different from what I already had on record.  Then, I noticed the change!  I was moved from Economy class to BUSINESS class!  This means that in addition to the wonderful seat with more room I was now entitled to two free checked bags - 70 pounds each.  No, you have to realize that every trip to Haiti I take the allowed 50 pound free bag and then I always check a second bag that weighs 50 pounds and pay for that one (usually $40).  Since I keep my clothes and other items in Haiti at the base we rent, these suitcases are usually filled with donations, items for people I know, items for the base/orphanage, etc...  Well, I called Delta to confirm and YES!  I do get the two bags!  This is almost another whole suitcase.  :)  :)  

WAIT!  This story gets better.  Now that I knew I had extra pounds I could pack I began to pray, "God, what would you have me take to Haiti this trip that would be a blessing to Your people?"  It didn't take long until I got an answer.  Within a few hours I got a text that someone had donated a large amount of money for us to use to bless someone this Christmas season.  Again, I went to prayer.  "OK God, I have extra weight to pack, and extra money to spend.  What should I do with both?"  

A few hours later I was cleaning and came across the catalog feom a place near our house in Pennsylvania that sells books in Haitian Creole.  DING DING DING   The lights went off and bells whistled (not really, but you know what I mean) and I knew!  I called, placed my order and went to pick up the books.  75 New Testaments in Creole, a concordance for Pastor Yves and Pastor Robby, and three Bible study books for some of the translators we are close to. 

Not only did the price come to almost all the money I had to spend, but guess what?  Right before leaving I had a quick thought pass through my head.  I asked the guy selling me the books how much he thought they weighed.  He said, "I have a scale right here for when we ship packages.  Let's check".  Yep!  You are right.... the books I had just purchased weighed........... 40.8 pounds!  

If that's not God at work, then I don't know what is folks!  So, my bags are packed and I am ready to go back to Haiti.  Seventy five people will receive the word of God in Creole and some of those who have blessed us in the past year will have some material to study His Word (in their language).  THANK YOU JESUS!  A Merry CHRISTmas indeed!  

Blessings - Crystal