Hearts United with Haiti

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Safely on their way home!

Both groups have officially checked in and are safely on their way home. They are already missed here in Haiti.

Final trip photos...

Handprints on the wall.....

Organizing shelves...

A final walk to the overlook

The chair maker... (met on a prayer walk)

Helping at the hospital...

Final Bible study day they took communion together

Communion elements

Blood pressures all around!!

Communion again

Final dinner-YUM!

More of our final dinner.

First off let me apologize for not posting anything yesterday. We did type one up, but had some computer malfunctions and when we went to post it it had been lost. So tonight we will be doing one big final blog that will encompass the whole trip.

This trip consisted of a cornucopia of people. We had people who would make this their fifth trip and some people who it would be the first. No matter how different we all were when we left our home one thing became clear very fast. We all were here for one reason and that reason was to serve God and spread his love, mercy and grace to the Haitian people anyway we could. For example, today we were able to comfort Haitian women who were in labor. In Haiti, moms do not have a support person during labor like we do in the states. So Emily, Tori and Chrissy were able to hold the laboring mothers hands while they were having contractions. You could see in their faces that they were very appreciative. We even got to pray with a few of the moms.

Lane, Kelsey, Teddy, and Mike went over to the orphanage and were able to see the kids one last time before we left. While there we were able to play some tackle keep away soccer/Frisbee/Dancing on the cement… Luckily no one got hurt this time unlike the first time where Lane may or may not have kicked the soccer ball into someone’s face… and Kelsey held a photo shoot for the girls. She brought a bunch of cardboard cut outs of different shapes such as beards, lips, and other fun shapes. The kids seemed to love it. Our last 10 minutes was full of hugs and goodbyes. Lane had a passenger come on to the bus with him. A little girl named Daphne, she latched on to him and wouldn’t let go all the way to the bus. She was even asking him to adopt her. It was sad but at the same time normal in Haiti. You just have to be willing to say no to things but in the nicest way possible.

We came home for dinner to enjoy one last meal together as a family. We talked for hours recalling all the events that occurred. There were many laughs, some sad moments but we were blessed to share them all together. At the end of the night we all said whatever was on our hearts and thanking Crystal for bringing us all together under one roof. We thanked Redgi for driving us everywhere, translating all day long and being there as a friend when needed. We thanked James for blessing us with his knowledge of the bible and his willingness to answer any questions we had. When no more words were left to be said we raised our glasses to Haiti, God and each other. We all stood up and James led us in one more prayer, saying what was on all of our hearts.

I don’t think any of us will ever forget this last week and a half. Whether we come back here or not, this place and these people will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We have made new friends and formed stronger bonds with old ones. When we leave Haiti we will know that we all have each other if ever needed no matter how far away.

We all want to thank those who helped us get here, and those who have prayed for us while down here. Words will never express our gratitude and thankfulness for giving us all this amazing opportunity. We love you all and look forward to seeing you soon.

Kirk Out.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Photos- Day 7

Bible study

People were really taking notes.

We played a game called telephone to illustrate how gossip can harm others.

The beach

Playing keep away (kind of)

Group beach shot

Silly beach shot

Group in the water...

Typical view on the road home from the beach (lots of people on the top and back of this truck)

Mike's blog- 1/6/16

Hello everyone! Mike Miller here, Today has been another blessing down here in Haiti. I have been helping with a 4 day bible study. Today we spoke about communication and how key that is for all relationships. Many relationships can fail due to a lack of communication, it is interesting to think how poorly we communicate sometimes when so many have cell phones and many outlets of social media. In the middle of our bible study we broke into three groups, (we had extra help from the Malone group today) they were break out groups that opened up many different types of questions from the people of the church. Pastor Robbie thanked us over and over again for coming and having the bible study, I was so encouraged because this trip I have tried to make it my goal to bring this church together and create stronger relationships within this community of believers. As we were discussing many different topics before I could answer someone else in the group spoke up, there came a time where Redgi was just able to translate the questions and answers. This was such a God moment for me because I took a step back and saw God working within these people.

These people have blessed me more than they know, as we finish every bible study Pastor Robbie has everyone give a hug to someone else. Being flooded with 30+ hugs and everyone saying God bless is truly amazing. I am very excited to have a strong finish at the bible study tomorrow and let God work. I am thankful for everyone’s prayers, things are going great as we just have a few days left.

Shout out to Matthew love you brother, mom dad I am great!

Also happy birthday Ron!

Go Seahawks

-Mike