"Bless the Lord Oh My Soul" Friday in Haiti

This morning our team went to two water stops in Cite soleil to deliver water. The children swarmed the top top with expectation in their sparkling little eyes: expectation of a cold bucket bath, relief from the heat, and a pair of "blanc" arms to embrace them with love. And we, with no persuasion needed, happily responded to their outstretched arms and loved them, because Jesus first loved us... and because the children are simply irresistable.
At the water truck filling station, one specific child just blew my mind. As we played games and laughed, I wanted so much to talk to her and understand her life. Through a translator I got to talk to her and find that she goes to church and loves Jesus. I asked if there was anything I could pray for her for. Out of everything she could have asked for like water, food, clothes, she stunned me with her response: "Pray that people here and people in America would go to church every Sunday, and pray for my parents and brothers and sisters everywhere."
Wow! Be encouraged, a nine year old Haitian girl is praying for you, and me, and believers everywhere! I stood there completely delighted by my little sister's faith! No wonder "God delights in every detail of the lives of the Godly."
After lunch, we went to the home for sick and dying babies. Our team took such joy holding the babies, playing on the playground with the toddlers, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. We found it very difficult to leave this specific place, but we walked away knowing that although many of the kids are orphaned, their Father who loves them more than we ever could, is with them til the end of the age.

Far from Nothing

Most of us began the day with about 200 Haitians packed into a small red and white striped tent in the drizzling rain. At 6 a.m. we drove through the quiet streets to the tent church where the service had already begun. The people sang and chanted and worshiped God in so many ways, all-together, but in a personal ways. Each one raising hands or kneeling to pray, all thanking God for His presence and his care -- worshiping him. As someone that might be described on the opposite end of the spectrum of "charasmatic" it was quite an adventure. Yet, I was certainly not uncomfortable, but able to appreciated the wonder of it, the passion of it, and the faithfulness I witnessed in His people.

The second part of our day was spent on a tour of Grace Village, what a wonderful place full of color and life. The kids were released for recess from school as we finished our tour. We were able to play for a short time but will be back in a few days to spend more time. There is progress being made on the medical center. The aquaponics are running well and the bread ovens are ready to be put to use. It is so much more than an orphanage, but a future hub of community life. The potential is spectacular. Left in Gods hands, it promises to be amazing.

Our afternoon was spent visiting the elders in Titanyen. What a fun group of people to meet and interact with. Pierre jumped up and down while laughing as we joked about dancing at his upcoming wedding. Izna glowed with joy as we delivered her a new mattress. We played with the local children and handed out candy. We sang and prayed blessings on those we visited.

As we left, it was said that "Titanyen" is translated as " less than nothing." This city that is home to hundreds of families is "far from nothing" in God's eyes. It was a pleasure to serve them today.


Posted by Darin

Haiti's Faces

                              Before leaving the house where we are staying at.

                         Astonishing look in the middle of the people gathering water.

Very proud of her sister!!!

Our truck. This is how we get around in Haiti

Walking in Cite Soleil. The children were so happy to see us! All they wanted was to be pick up.

I love road biking and this store caught my attention... It is a bike shop Cite Soleil's style.

She really wanted her picture taken and was mesmerized when she saw her face in the screen of the camera

Cite Soleil... the children hold your arm constantly for a little bit of attention and love

This is a smile of a champion!

A face of curiosity. I wonder what was he thinking at that moment

Do you know that saying...Don't play with Strangers.... Does not apply to Haitian’s Children...

He found a leak of gold and was not shy to take advantage of the opportunity

 Who needs Disney World I have my friends!!!

Filling the buckets-up.  Water delivery time! 

I will give you my best smile

Posted by William Mujica

I thought I knew.....

Wondering to the unknown a group of 11 people from Healing Haiti on the morning of April 2, 2013 started a journey to the poorest city in the world - Cite Soleil or how we will called in English Sun City, which is a city extremely impoverished and densely populated commune located in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area in Haiti, with an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 residents, the majority of whom live in extreme poverty. The area is generally regarded as one of the poorest and most dangerous areas of the Western Hemisphere and it is one of the biggest slums in the Northern Hemisphere. The area has virtually no sewers and has a poorly maintained open canal system that serves as its sewage system.

The mission: to deliver water to people in Cite Soleil for their basic survival needs. Easy right, I thought I knew!!!
The mission was not mine to decide, it was God who drove the team to 11 unexpected but marvelous learning and self-reflections. God does know!

1. TOUCH - the basis of love and relationships


2. NORMAL - what is normal? And for whom? Is my normal the norm? I just don't know normal anymore


3. FAMILY - God's family is everywhere, my family is everywhere, my brothers and sisters are also in Haiti


4. WHO - who allowed this to happen? How does this got to be so bad? How can we fix it? What can I do?


5. CONFLICTED - I just don't know how to deal with this? Is confusing and frustrating? God I just want to help and for this to make sense.


6. THANKFUL - I'm just thankful god for this opportunity. Thank you God!


7. LOVE - not water, not money, not toys...it was love what children's needed the most. You can't donate love, but you can give it and demonstrate it.


8. WATER TRUCK DAY AT CITE SOLEIL - it was the people, just the people. It is about the people of god


9. LIVING WATER - I swear that the water was alive. How it kissed and hugged the people at Cite Soleil, my eyes could not believe. It was Jesus in the living water and the people of Cite Soleil running after him.


10. HOPE - I know our actions are giving hope. Oh! God I have hope that things will get better.


11. PHOTO - I heard that word so many times today, from smiling faces of hungry of love kids, who were amused by looking at their loving eyes on a glass screen of a digital device.

I thought I knew but the learning was for me not from me. The help was for me not from me. I did not have choice. Hey you... Hey You.... Pick me UP... Pick meeee UP! Were the words that God used to show me life, to show me meaning to show me love. I pray for a better Haiti and for a better life for those in needs and I do know that God is listening.

"Although someone else could wash your physical body, only you can cleanse your own soul; you are responsible for polishing it."

Thank you Haitians and thank you God for this great team!
Posted by William Mujica

Here are a few images from our water truck day!!  These pictures do not even begin to explain what we saw and felt today.  

Posted by: Laura

Our Arrival day in Haiti

Today we arrived in Port a Prince, and for many of us it was our first time coming to Haiti. We are all excited to be doing this mission trip,to play with the children, and deliver clean water, basically do whatever we can do to help heal Haiti! However; on our way to the Guest House we got a first glimpse of how majority of the Haitians live. We saw many tin roof houses with dirt floors, families gathered together just sitting by a curb. Almost like they were just waiting, hoping, that things will get better for themselves, their lives and importantly their children. It was rough scene to look at at first but for the most part it motivated myself to help those i can and do my part to help make a difference in this community. Once we got to the guest house, i think we were all suprised of how nice of a guest house it was!We got a tour of the rooms that are so very nice, and very colorful! Then just got settled in, unpacked and enjoyed some pizza. Tomorrow we are eager that we get to go on the water trucks and help deliver clean water and see whatelse God has in store for us and showing us what all we can do to help!
Written By Emily Clark