Today in Haiti

Today was a pretty eventful day. We started out the morning with the usual quiet time and small group. From there we left and went to a village not too far away from the school and church that we had been working at the previous couple days. The village was on a gravel road tucked back behind the main roads. Several families lived on a small plot of land there. The houses were just a plastic tarp covering the walls and weren't well protected because this was an area that was effected by the earthquake a while back. Our project was to pretty much make walls for them that are more durable, especially during rainy season to protect the families, a lot of whom are single mothers with children.

For our lunch break we went back to the school we had been at the previous two days. The children didn't know we were going to be there, so when they saw us arrive it was like a stampeed of kids running towards us as fast as they could! It was really cool to see their enthusiasm just to see us and get to play with us for a little bit.

 

While we were there, we got the opportunity to pray over the classroom of the 9th graders; the one that we poured the floor for. They have the government exams coming up here soon so we were able to pray for them on those as well as just for their lives in general. Some of the students were in their praying with us. It was awesome. This was a lot of people's picture of the day; everyone praying together for these students and for the Holy Spirit to fill up that classroom and the students. It was defintiely an unforgettable moment.

Later, we went to the Lighthouse children's home to eat dinner with them. These are the kids that we are going to get to hang out with a lot tomorrow and take to the beach for a day of fun! Overall it was a great day of experiences. Most everyone is worn out, but God is giving us the energy to keep serving, we defintely would not be able to do this on our own power. He has come through for us on this trip time and time again, and we as a group are just so thankful for this opportunity that he has given us to be down here

Day 3 Ellen Rootring

Hi my name is Ellen! Today is May 28, our fourth day in Haiti. We got to sleep in a little later than yesterday, which gave us an extra hour of energy to work and play with the children.  We began our day by driving to the school to finish our cement project.  My job was to shovel cement into buckets so it could be poured into the floor of the school house.  After shoveling about two loads of cement into buckets, the school house floor was complete.  I was encompassed with feelings of fulfillment and gratitude; fulfillment for creating something that would benefit the students and gratitude for all of the academic resources I receive back home. 

            After finishing the cement project, we all took a break for lunch and to hang out with the students.  The children get out of school pretty early, and therefore immediately after lunch the students were climbing all over us.  A little girl named Lindsey climbed into my arms.  She repeatedly stole my sunglasses and laughed as I tried to get them back.  At some point during our interaction, another little girl came up to us.  She shouted something at Lindsey, which immediately caused Lindsey to burst into tears.  I can’t speak Creole, so I had no idea what the girl had said to Lindsey.  Lindsey shed tears for a good half hour that afternoon. The only way I knew how to console her was to keep holding her; I felt like I was holding her the entire afternoon! During this time, another girl I had spent time with yesterday (I have no idea how to spell her name) found me.  So while I was consoling Lindsey, this girl took me to her classroom (a tent with a blackboard) and introduced me to her teacher.  She also introduced me to her friends.  I was overjoyed that this little girl trusted me enough to introduce me to some of the influential people in her life. 

            Eventually, both girls had to leave to go home.  Lindsey got on the school bus first.  My arms felt such relief, but my heart said otherwise.  The other little girl waited with me for a short while before she had to leave.  She continued to hug me until she left.  We all waved and shouted goodbye as the children left school.  After that, we rode the taptap to Canan, a village in Haiti.  We got to see some of the houses and children that live in this village.   It was life changing to see how the Haitians live compared to us Americans.  There could be up to ten people living in one room, while my four person family lives in a house containing multiple rooms.  It really makes you think about what is important in life, and the good you could be doing for others instead of worrying about your own material items.

            Lastly, we went to the Lighthouse.  We were able to just hang out and spend time with the children there.  Some broke out the sidewalk chalk and made some beautiful designs, while others played an intense game of basketball: Americans versus Haitians.  Even though we were all exhausted from a day’s hard work, we still all wanted to be there for the kids.  God gave us the strength to carry on even when we were weak.  I think that is something I need to keep in mind next time I encounter a struggle or difficult situation.  Overall, we had a fantastic day filled with joy and grace.  

Day 2 - Charlotte Sinkula

The Lost Luggage Chronicles
To say the beginning of the week was rough for me would be a bit of an
understatement, but honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way know looking back. My
name is Charlotte and I am the youngest person on the trip and was worried about
everyone thinking I would be immature this week. As anyone who has ever met me knows I
can be very goofy and I really wanted everyone to see my serious side. Well as God always
does, he gave me a chance to act upon my wishes. When we arrived to the airport in Portau-Prince there was a lot of talk about luggage. But not once did I possibly imagine that mine wouldn’t make it here. We were all standing and watching the carousel, waiting to see our bags so we could yell to Chad to grab our bag. After about ten minutes I was the only one left standing with Chad. Panic had started to set in when I looked around and couldn’t see my bright green bag anywhere. It was obviously not there. I turned around to look at the rest of our group and I saw in their eyes the same pity that I had often given to my
friends who have forgotten or lost things in our many travels. My lip quivered and I wanted nothing more than to cry and have them crowd around me and cheer me up, but instead I just put a smile on my face and said “I’m okay, I’ve dealt with worse”, and that was the truth. I have had hardships in my life just as anyone else and I figured if God got me through those then he can surely get me through this. Plus being the ever paranoid traveler I packed a pair of skirt and two shirts along with my shirt and skirt that I had been wearing.
I had all I needed for the most part. What I learned in that instant of not having my bags was how beautiful the people are I have around me here because all of them instantly swore to give me all they had to make sure I was well taken care of. And I was.

One of the greatest things about being here is talking to all the children and people. They are so
interested in my life and I am of course so curious about theirs. What I have learned is almost all of them have lost someone in their lives, and that they have very little to their name. But nonetheless they still have a big smile on their face, and will happily give away what little they have to help someone else. After talking to so many of these kids I can honestly say I am glad theHaitian Airport lost my bags. It was God’s little way of giving me the slap in my face I needed to truly appreciate these children and be thankful for all I have.

Before coming here I had some wavering faith in a few categories and had fallen off the band wagon of Christian values a bit. Having my bags brought to me today while I was working at the school and being able to take my medicines that I had in my bag that without I had been very sick, made me so ridiculously happy. I don’t think I have ever been so excited to take medicine ever. I just want to thank to Lord so much for this amazing learning opportunity to prove that I can be an adult and I should appreciate so much that I have. I hope that you who are reading this can be thankful for all you have in your air conditioned homes back in America. Love you Lots -Charlotte

First Day in Haiti - Krista Kuhlman

Today was our first full day in Haiti and words cannot even describe how amazing it was. We woke up at the crack of dawn and had a breakfast of cereal and mangos. All eleven of us girls somehow managed to get ready for church with our one toilet, one shower, and one sink. Church was nothing like I have ever experienced. It took us about 45 minutes in a TapTap (basically a truck with a barred in truck bed where all eighteen of us try to fit). Church is outdoors with just a roof over top.  As soon as we walked in, kids of all ages sprinted to us wanting to be held and hugged and loved. Although we are unable to understand a single word they say, we expressed our love through our actions.  The actual ceremony is full of a pastor preaching, tons of singing, and a short play to display a teaching. I was overwhelmed with emotion as I watched the hundreds of adults, children, and us Americans praise the same God. Every one of us had a least a half of a dozen children surrounding us at all times. Church was from 10 a.m. to around 12 p.m. and although I knew almost nothing they were saying, I still felt very connected to everyone in worship. After Church, we ate lunch of chicken, plantains, and rice at a small restauraunt in town that seemed to be extremely popular with Haitians and Americans alike. We arrived back at the house around 2 p.m., quickly changed, and rode over to Tom's place where he cares for fourteen orphans and twelve of his "boys." [boys that have come to live with him and help him run the LightHouse (ophanage)] Most of these boys are teens or above and some have places of their own now. We painted the kitchen and three bedrooms at the Lighthouse. After, Chad grilled probably 100 hot dogs for all of us for dinner.

My favorite part of the day was meeting a nine year old boy that lives at the Lighthouse named Jovince. He was born with a disease that is easily curable in the states but unfortunately was unable to get the medicine when he was born and the disease has now caused him to be blind. He is the most loving and perfect little boy I have ever met. As Nate said, he helped me paint the walls even though he would never be able to see his work. I genuinely cannot express how I feel about this little, innocent boy. He has touched my heart and I believe I have changed just through my interactions with him. Mom and Dad, if you are reading this do not be surprised if I come home with another son for you. I am so blessed to be able to experience every moment here. This is my heaven.

-Krista Kuhlman

Last Day Pics

Today was our last day in Cancun.  :(  Of course, once again, our team is too busy playing mafia to bother themselves with letting you know what happened today, so I'll fill you in!!  Today we had a super productive morning at Oti's house.  Oti is a widow with 8 children.  She lost her husband about 2 years ago to HIV after a blood transfusion and she was left with no job and no way to support her kids.  Back2Back has come along side of Oti and have tried to prevent her losing her kids.  It's amazing to see the progress a year makes.  We walked into her house this morning and those who came last year were blown away that she had some new walls, a door, and  it was actually looking closer to sufficient living quarters.  Today we were able to bless her by painting the inside courtyard, putting up some ceiling fans in the inside of her house and also installing exhaust fans .  The team worked super hard to put together the fans and get them hung and working.  It was a huge blessing to us as we recognized that just those fans would completely change their living environment.  When we walked inside we were all sweating within minutes because of the heat.  Knowing that she and her kids will have a way to cool down makes us all smile :) 

We then took a trip to the beach to have our quiet times, small groups, and a little fun time...then to the market for a little shopping (yes, your kids may or may not be bringing you something home) and to dinner at a local food court.  Yum.  

Worship tonight was awesome as Brant (our worship leader for the week) led us in some great time just enjoying God.  Lots of singing and prayer time which was extremely moving.  All in all it's been an awesome trip!!  See you soon!

Day 4 as Seen Through the Eyes of Julie Loock

Happy 4th of July!

We had a busy day today. It started with getting up a half hour early (I really enjoyed that), so around 7:45am, and traveling to a government-run children's home called the DIF around 10:00am. We did VBS with the kids there and then ate lunch at "PDA park" across the street, appropriately named for the public displays of affection that go on there, although I never saw any. Maybe Jamie and Lucy a little...just kidding. Anyways, after that we went to a Delila's house. She's a widow that Back2Back has been serving and ministering to. We split into 3 groups to work on her house. One group painted, another (my group) dug a trench, and the 3rd did some electrical work. We were probably there for 3 hours or so, although it felt like a week for those of us who were out in that sun. Man! After that we came back to the house to eat dinner - the most amazing tacos ever - and were surprised with a mariachi band! (is that spelled right?) The trumpets were a little to loud for my taste, but it was awesome to see/hear one in person. Then we debriefed and, of course, played some Mafia. For those who don't know, it's a group game where players are assigned specific roles and are expected to lie, deceive, and manipulate one another to win.  Just ask us about it when we're back..we'd love to explain. And don't worry parents, it's a widely accepted game at Christian colleges/organizations, and church youth groups. It was a great day altogether. I've never seen anyone work so hard in my life. The 4 men in my group who dug the trench with me (Dr. Jay, Jonathan, Austin, and Alex) worked themselves to the bone, and never complained once. Not even when we hit about 3 feet of rock stretching across where we needed to dig towards the end. We ended up having to dig out of the way a little to make a new path but they just continued digging as if it didn't even annoy them the slightest. Even Amy Rudge came over towards the end and started to dig...with her broken back! So cool to work with such hard-working brothers and sisters in Christ.

Hope you all lit off a firework for us! See you soon!

Tuesday/Wed pics