Photos from Jan. 3 & 4-

 Here are some highlights from the past few days.  YES the water truck came and YES our neighborhood did have lots of power but we personally still have some trouble with our line so we have not had power since two days ago.  This computer battery is VERY low so again if you don't hear from us, don't panic.  Lane's foot is turning pretty colors, but is fine- don't worry.  

Plan for today:  Soccer finals (tournament) and medical clinic followed by a trip to the grocery store to buy a few items and exchange money.  Thanks and God bless- Crystal

The large hill people have to walk down and up to get water from the public source by the soccer field.  It gets soooo slippery when dust gets on that rock!  

I had to get a photo of the water truck!  :)  Praise God... we not only have our tank full but filled some for the neighbors and even about five extra 55 gallon drums!

Shelby made a friend..... (it's neat to see how the children each have their "buddies" when we go to the orphanage)

penalty shots to determine the winner of a tied soccer game in the tournament

Lane's beautiful foot from playing soccer.... memories from Haiti he will never forget.  We got an x-ray and he will go with us to the medical clinic today too so Dr. Carl will see it.

Chasta with her buddy.... Magnolita

Some of the children eating their Christmas dinner (rice/beans/chicken/sauce and milk)

Playing hand games is ALWAYS fun.....

The whole group on the roof....... the view at the orphanage is amazing!

Gwen and Skyler

again at the soccer field- on the sidelines playing games

soccer field....

Urgent Care Today

Today we (the medical people, plus Skyler) went to the maternity hospital for the second time but found ourselves in the urgent care (stat care type setting) for the majority of the morning. We saw many dressing changes and had to hold ourselves back from trying to tell the nurses how "we americans" would perform the tasks. We saw someone who had been in a motorcycle accident, a few recent mom's with cesarean dressings to be changed, a few children with days old injuries, and a boy who did not get his dressing changed when needed which lead to a worse injury/infection. We were able to provide medication for the boy as well as financial aid for him to get the proper medication needed. Gwen got to do a dressing change on one of the patients as well. It was an interesting and more hands on day then we have had so far in the trip. PLUS a surprise visit by one of our own, Lane, who had a small foot injury today playing soccer which was examined by Marla (the administrator of the hospital) by an x-ray... Don't worry they say all is well, no fracture or broken!! THANK THE LORD
God is working in wonderful ways to allow us to practice our skills and show his love to the people we have had the opportunity to work on and with.
Love Jaclyn, Gwen, and Brittany

Still no water! :-(

Well, we STILL have not been able to pump water. Yesterday we got about five buckets full but the cooks needed that to do their dishes/wash fruit/etc... The team played soccer and did other things to get REALLY sweaty too!  Yuck.  Praise God that the neighbor let us get water from her 55 gallon drum where she keeps it so I think most people got "showers" (or at least got to wash off a bit).  I was waiting for today to take mine but the drum is now empty too and even our cooks have NO WATER.  So, we will have to call a water truck company or something if nothing gets better today.  Oh, and did I mention that we also lost electricity for some reason last night.  It was only to our house this time though so no one living here in any of the apartments in the complex had it but the neighbors did.  We do not know what happened with that but are praying it is able to be fixed in the daylight today.  But, we have a generator so electricity isn't as essential as the water is.

Sometimes it is good for God to put us in a situation where we truly understand what others go through on a daily basis.  Haitians come to the water spring near where we are playing soccer to wash clothes, bathe and gather water in 5 gallon buckets to take home.  We are blessed to have a spigot - even if it is controlled by the government.  There are always lessons to be learned about how truly blessed we are as people of His though.  We may be stinky.  We may be running out of batteries for our flashlights.  But, we are all healthy so far (a little sunburns here and there is all) and we are smiling and having a great time serving Him!

Yesterday the medical team took a prayer walk and asked God to show them who HE had for them to work with/minister to.  We found a woman and her husband who were both pretty sick and it was amazing for me as a leader to watch them as God obviously directed the entire walk.  They were able to diagnose her with 100% accuracy using only physical assessment skills because we left things like the stethoscope here at the base.  We had just the antibiotics they both needed and even had a Davis drug guide to confirm the dosage.  It's always exciting for me to see people step out, trusting God for His direction and then to hear them as they give testimony to His provision at evening debrief.

We also began a soccer camp.  Yesterday we played with them and did some "drills" and today we will have 8 teams come and compete.  Saturday morning will be the finals of the games today.  Then we have soccer uniforms and such to hand out to the winning/losing teams.  VERY exciting!

Then, we went to Life is Wealth Orphanage to have the group Christmas party.  That was extremely fun as well.

The days are getting longer (or seeming to be) as we get more tired but still the group is hanging out together in the evenings and playing cards or games, telling stories, etc... It has truly been a blessed trip so far.  Thank you for your prayers-  Crystal

Faith

Yesterday I volunteered myself to teach a lesson at today's soccer camp that we put on for the community. I decided that I was going to talk about one of my favorite verses, Hebrew 12:1-2. I thought that the camp was going to be mostly for kids, so I was totally comfortable with speaking to them since I've taught a lot of Bible Classes for kids. Then I found out that the camp would be for young adults as well AND the community would be involved (because of a near by water supply). This brought on some nerves. On top of that, I had been feeling discouraged before I left for this trip because I was doubting that I could be useful to God in a time of personal weakness.
This morning's team lesson was on faith from Hebrews 11. I found it to be sooo applicable! I wasn't sure that I would be able to give a good lesson for little kids and adults. I wasn't sure that I was the right person for the job. Hebrews talked about how Moses and others had faith in God's plan and promises. This encouraged me because I keep on being told that God has put each team member on this trip for a reason. Through out the day, I kept on telling myself that Moses didn't even know God when he began his journey to fulfilling God's plan, so surely I can be of service to God even when I'm struggling.
The lesson went well and the soccer camp was a great success! I'm definitely looking forward to going back tomorrow.
So anyways, that's what I learned today :)
Thanks for the encouragement Mom!
-Renee Wubbenhorst

Christmas at Life is Wealth!

Today was the second time I was able to be a part of the planning, organizing and actually putting on the Christmas party at the Life is Wealth Orphanage (yes, we are a week late, oops.)  This party was the highlight of my holiday break last year when I came to Haiti and I can honestly say it made the list again this year.  There is something so moving about being able to treat these children like the precious, God-made beings that they are and being able to show them just how special they truly are not only in our eyes but in the eyes of God.  I am a sponsor of a young girl at the orphanage named Miqui and being able to serve her a heaping plate of yummy dinner, a couple glasses of milk and then being able to hand her a Christmas gift that I personally picked out just for her makes me feel so honored because she is just one of the incredible children living in this orphanage and she is so deserving of being treated this way.  These children also have a way of always humbling me because in the midst of receiving these gifts that they have every right to keep all to themselves, they always find some to share with their siblings or closest friends.  I just remember being a child and feeling so special on Christmas morning, not always because of the gifts that were waiting under the tree but because I was surrounded by friends and family who loved me and being able to share my love while helping to create lasting memories in the lives of ever-deserving children is a new holiday tradition that I have adopted and already look forward to doing again next year. 

God bless from Haiti,

Bon nuit! 

Kelsey Buglewicz

party day!

Today we took a prayer walk in the morning and then in the afternoon we had our Christmas party at Life is Wealth orphanage. Here are some photos!

-Skyler

Gwen taking blood pressure on the prayer walk. 

Gwen taking blood pressure on the prayer walk.

Brittany, Gwen, and Jacqualyn helped out two locals today who had a medical issue.

Decorating for the Christmas party at Life is Wealth orphanage.

The team on the roof of Life is Wealth orphanage.

The guys of the team.

Handing out health packages at the first station.

Candy cane station.

Gift station.

Crystal handing out bibles in Creole and sponsor letters.

Giving out shoes. Some of the kids even have their shoes from last year!

POWER!!

Last night after team time when in relaxing in the living room, we noticed that power was on  in the street so we turned on our breakers and....... we had it too!  Only one casualty!  My CD player burned up so I can't listen to or play worship music any more, but that seems to be all we lost (so far).  We still have not had water to pump to the tank on the roof but hope to do so today!  Then we can SHOWER!!  a

Today's tentative schedule:  -  soccer "tournament" at the field down the street (with some evangelism at the end- Renee will give a talk/testimony to the group);  -prayer walk with the medical people so they can see people in their own homes, assess their medical needs and treat what we are able with our supply of medicines and such;  -PARTY at Life is Wealth Orphanage and home!

Keep the prayers and encouragement coming!  It's been SUCH a good trip so far- God is good.  :)  -Crystal