Haiti Mission Trip

HEALING HAITI

Mission Trip January 26 - February 2, 2015

by Deb Hochstetler

I

t’s difficult to express adequately with words the experience of this mission trip and the people of

Haiti, but I shall try. Everyday, something breaks our hearts in a different way. I believe God is changing us

1ST DAY THE WATER TRUCK Beautiful children just trusting each and everyone of us. Lines of beautiful people, young and old waiting for the life giving water we had, and that Healing Haiti gives freely to these people.

and reshaping us through each of these experiences.

The smiles and laughter, the struggles of their everyday life.

The guilt for the petty things that we complain about, the waste, that they would be so appreciative of, and have probably never even dared to dream about, or even imagine.

The realization of the hard life they have.

2ND DAY THE HOME FOR THE SICK AND DYING BABIES Wow! I had expressed to several of my friends that I really didn’t think that I could do this one. Well to be honest, not all of the babies are sick or dying, their

parents can drop them off, for various reasons, and leave them there unless, and until they can care for them. So it could also be termed a rescue for these children, and they can and are encouraged to come and visit, and of course the prayer is that they can and will be a family again.

There were many sad moments there, but as I have found true so often, God had a blessing in store for all of us. In fact, my word for that day was going to be giggles!, Except, someone else used it first. I had to find another, and I believe it was trust? It is most amazing to me how very trusting these children are, I do believe they would leave with us if we let them and never look back.

The hardest part has been to peel those little arms off, and say au revoir. Tears streaming down their faces, and of course ours too.

And then, visiting an orphanage that Healing Haiti supports, we had a craft project for the kids. Who could ever imagine that 2 plastic spoons, an Easter egg, some dry beans and some duct tape could prove to be so much fun. From musical instruments to weapons, in the true spirit of children!

This orphanage cared for 14 children, and literally depended on God for their daily bread.

I have been struggling with my “let me fix this attitude,� but what would make me think that I have any answers. How presumptuous of me to think that I would know what their happiness and perfect life would look like! They are a happy people, they are proud, just as we are, it just looks different in a third world country.

3RD DAY MASS GRAVE, MANNA PACKS, GRACE VILLAGE, AND ELDER VISITS The mass grave is where it is estimated between 300,000 and 400,000 bodies are buried after the earthquake that devastated the entire country.

We brought along manna packs from Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), to share with the families that had relocated here after the earthquake. Our driver shared that they were hoping to be safer there.

The children and adults came running when they saw we had food. I just lost it that day, realizing that may be all they have to eat for awhile.

The visit to Grace Village was a beautiful change of pace from all of our previous stops. It is truly an amazing mission that is being accomplished there.

Children are being educated, fed, 42 call it their home, there are jobs being created, a medical and dental clinic. They are raising their own food with the help of innovative technology, a tilapia farm and growing vegetables hydroponically. They have also recently received donations of pizza ovens, in which they are hoping to bake bread and sell at a local market. All of this is carefully engineered to employ the Haitian people.

After our tour of the village, we made visits to some elders in the community. What a blessing that proved to be. The life expectancy of Haitians is 52 years, but these elders had exceeded that by 20 some years. Being left with no one to really care for them, Healing Haiti has come along side them to help provide their daily bread.

We took a keyboard and guitar with us that day and say songs, and loved on them with the power of Jesus Christ. There were feet washed and lotioned, along with nails polished and even a back rub. In the true spirit of our loving God, in the same way that elder visits here are such an inspiration, these people prayed with us and we were blessed beyond words.

4TH DAY WATER TRUCK, THE APPARENT PROJECT, AND GENERAL HOSPITAL Another water truck experience, which proves to be blessing after blessing. Once all the buckets and containers are filled, the water just keeps flowing, and these kids play to their hearts content. Dumping water all over themselves and of course on anyone who will except their playful efforts. My prayer partner, Tanya just sat on the ground with children all over her and got drenched.

We moved on to witness an initiative taking place to create jobs and employ many Haitians by using their creativity to make beautiful things, from beads to bags, the metal art that Haiti is known for, even sewing projects creating clothing and aprons. We all had a hard time deciding what to take home with us.

Later that day we visited General Hospital, and delivered some care packages to each of the kids there. We prayed and laid hands on all of the children and parents there. Several of our

team members had visited here on previous trips, and commented that the conditions here had dramatically improved. God at work again, Healing Haiti.

And still, we had 2 more days before returning home. We had a chance to see some of the beauty of the country with a visit to Wahoo Bay. A beautiful resort, tucked into a bay for some rest and relaxation. A welcome respite, a little piece of heaven in which to reflect and unwind.

On our final day out, we drove through the city and up the mountain for a breath taking view of the country. You could see for miles and miles, the mountains, and the mass of humanity that lives just below. Colorful houses, built side by side, along with local artists displaying their wares. Another day done, we went back to the guest house to get packed up for the journey home.

During the week, we also had opportunities to worship with the locals, in the “tent church” which is no longer a tent, but a permanent building, attend mass at a local Catholic Church, and on Sunday we attended Grace Church. Interesting to see how they worship and trust in the same God, our one true God! We also spent each evening after dinner talking about our day and expressing our feelings with the “word of the day”. This always proved to be moving and helped to cement our relationships as a team. Many nights were spent in Bible study together and alone.

I think to sum all of this up in retrospect, I guess my word of the day would have to be “life changing”.

To see and experience God at work, to witness His love pouring out from the mission team, as well as the people of Haiti, to feel the power of the Holy Spirit at work in a very real way, my hope and prayer is that my life is and will be forever changed. That I will not forget these people, but with God’s help, I will continue to remember them in my prayers, and return again to help continue the mission of Healing Haiti.

In light of what we have seen and learned, what are we going to do to effect a change in the world?