Home, Again! Now what?

So, we are all home now.  We've been home for almost 3 days.  What's going on in our minds and in our hearts?  Well, I can't speak for the whole team, but I can speak for myself.  There is a tension in my mind and heart.  It is back to routine, as usual.  But, should it be?  I am enjoying spending time with my husband and children.  I am thankful for family.  It feels like some of my family is still in Haiti.  What difference can one week make?  I think it makes a lot of difference.  We wonder if we really could make a difference?  I believe it made a difference to us all. 

How do we go on with our lives of drinkable water, food aplenty, medical care, safe streets (relatively), hot showers and air conditioning?  How do we resolve such blessings in our lives when we have left behind 120 children who live day in and day out without such blessings?  We have family.  For many of the orphans in Haiti, belonging to a family is not an option. 

God called all 7 of us to Haiti for such a time as this.  We poured into their lives.  We gave them time, attention, and affection.  For the time we were there, we showed them family.  We are their family because of Christ Jesus.  Hopefully, they were affirmed in the Truth that they are not forgotten.  God knows their names.  And now, so do we.  "He has plans to prosper them and to give them a hope and a future."  (Jeremiah 29:11)  I believe our team was a part of that hope. 

I am grateful for my time in Haiti.  I am grateful for the 6 sisters in Christ who shared this experience with me.  I am grateful to the 120 children who showed me love and allowed me to share in their lives.  I am grateful for the blessing to feel love, compassion, mercy, grace, and goodness.  I am grateful for the prayer warriors who daily lifted us up and interceded on our behalf.  I am grateful to the Lord, our Creator and Savior who calls us all into relationship with Him so that we can glorify His name in all the earth.  I am grateful for the Holy Spirit within me that breaks my heart for what breaks the heart of God.  I pray for my heart to be opened up and broken each day.  I don't have to be in Haiti to make much of Jesus. 

In the meantime, we are called to be faithful, whether in Haiti, Tennessee, Michigan, Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, or Texas.  We are called to seize everyday for His glory and His pleasure.  I pray I am found faithful...  There is tension in my heart and soul.  I know it is the Lord continuing the good work He has started within me.  Haiti is a stepping stone in that journey.  I am ready for the next step.

Following His lead, Melanie

OUR TOP 21 MOMENTS OF HAITI....

21.  Who's going to marry Jonas? (looks at Karli and Becca)

20.  Is it 8 o'clock yet?

19.  Just wave.

18.  Angela getting pooped on by doves.

17.  Haitian Salt Water...Bottle it. Sell it.

16.  Power's out again..."BARRY!"

15.  Karli getting peed on.

14.  Alisha: "Jonas, what does this say?"
       Jonas: "It's English."

13.  Run for your life! There are sea urchins in the water!

12.  Don't sit by Kelly! You'll throw up!

11.  What happened to my face???????????? Ughhhh!

10.  Will the let us back into the country looking like this?

9.    Oh look it's a parade...Oh wait, it's a funeral.

8.    Do we really want people to know that 5 of us are on our period this week?
      (American college guy right behind her)

7.    Haitian Man: "I am hungry."
       Becca: "No thank you."

6.    Crystal: "Help me! Somebody translate! She's gonna throw up!"

5.    Haitian Man: "How are you?"
       Alisha: "I don't speak Creole."

4.   What happened to my face?

3.   Are you pregnant?

2.   I don't want your Deet!  I want my skin.

1.   LET ME WHITE IT DOWN FOR YOU!

Beach Day!

Internet connection is very poor tonight, so I won't be trying to upload any photos... sorry.  But, I can give you an update on our day.  Guess what?  It was another adventure....

We loaded our big bus around 8:00 and drove to the orphanage.  Mission Ryan and 45 children were waiting to load the buses to travel to the beach.  Apparently word got out that some "blanches" were taking the kids to the beach because there were WAY more than 45 kids there ready to get on the bus (adults, too)!  Needless to say, we turned no children away but had to tell many adults no.  Each of us took 3 children with us on our bus.  So, our 25 passenger bus had our team of 7, 21 children, 1 orphanage staff worker, and 3 translators.  Off we went!

We drove 2 hours to the beach.  More than half of our children went to sleep.  You would too if you got up every morning at 4:00 am!!  They were so excited when we woke them up at the beach.  All of us Americans were anticipating sandy beaches.  And, they DO have those type of beaches in Haiti.  However, our beach was still beautiful but all rocks.  That didn't stop anybody.  Everybody went running into the water with huge smiles on their faces, until.............

Sea Urchins!  Many of the children stepped on them, leaving their spikes in their feet.  Can we say "ouch?"  We felt terrible for the kids who were the urchins' victims.  Dr. Cho from Mission Ryan said there was nothing to do for the stings.  However, they kids did implore their friends to urinate on them to remove the stinging.  It worked!  We changed locations to a relatively "urchin-free" part of the ocean.  I think we only had one more person get stuck after that.  Also, the kids kept their shoes on! 

In the meantime, the truck bringing all of their cooking supplies for the meal broke down.  It did not arrive until almost 1:00.  That meant the meal of bbq chicken, pasta salad, plantains, and french fries would not be ready until 3:30.  YIKES!  We were planning on leaving the beach around 3:00.  But, hey!  We're in Haiti!  We must expect the unexpected and be fluid, right?

The meal was served around 3:45.  They served us first.  (That means that the kids we were responsible for got 2 plates of food today!)  Our bus left around 5:00.  Not sure what time the Mission Ryan bus left the beach!! 

It was a great day, inspite of all the chaos.  It would feel weird to have a day without event.  Our bus of kids slept the whole way home, bellies full and plumb tuckered out.   (I am from Tennessee.  Those of you reading this not from the South may not get that expression.  It means really tired.)

I will refrain from any deep thoughts tonight.  I will also refrain from sharing with you my adventures with a true Haitian toilet.  I think the story above is enough for today....

By the way, my belly is full and I am plumb tuckered out, too!
Melanie

Thursday

Our team spent time at Children's Household For Tomorrow Orphanage today. Everything about the day was different compared to our experience the first 3 days. Probably the most memorable part of the day for several of us was that we assisted another organization (Mission Ryan) in dental extractions. Yes...extractions! These poor kiddos were all in great need of getting rid of some bad teeth. So our job was to hold them, try to calm them, apply the numbing cream, and help the dentist as he gave the numbing shot and then pulled the tooth. Definitely an experience none of us will forget. It was hard to see, but the kids were so brave and really did a great job.

But for me the highlight of the day was Fransos. When we walked in the gate, he came up, asked me my name, and then we started tossing the ball back and forth. For the rest of the day, we walked around holding hands while he said, "Kelly, Kelly, Kelly" over and over. We played ball some more and then wrote our names for each other. The heartbreaker was when he wrote "Mamma" by my name. Oh how I hope and pray he felt a mother's love for those few hours!

I know I'm going to have a lot to process when I get home. But my prayer from the beginning has been for a heart broken and hurting for what hurts the Lord. I know that Fransos is just one of so many that will help me never to forget.

~ Mamma Kelly

God is Good!

        The Lord has been doing so many wonderful things here! Mostly I see Him in the orphans, especially the children of Well Being Orphanage. I deeply miss them already!!! There were several children that just stayed attached to my body for days. They had to be touching me always, holding my hand, playing with me, having me hold them/ pick them up constantly....  and I LOVED it! However the goodbye yesterday I did not... it was so hard. I couldn't sleep at all last night (the heat may have had a little to do with it) But mostly I couldn't stop thinking about and praying for the children of Well Being. I love them. I really do. I felt an instant connection with them-- they are special. I was blessed to be chosen by the Mama of the orphanage yesterday to say a closing prayer. It was awesome to pray over them. These children are truly the least of these and yet their thankfulness to God abounds. They have all taught me and changed me for good. I will never forget them. Much love, Alisha
       

Our Well Being Children

Let me white this down for you (LOL)

This experience has been such a wonderful and blessed experience.  Something one could never begin to prepare for.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful team of ladies to share this experience with.  God has brought us all together for a particular purpose to help serve his kingdom.  We have definitely bonded together over the past four days, laughing, crying and sharing so many amazing stories. Crystal keeps us all on our toes.  (She even talked me into getting corn rolls on my head).  And we could not ask for a better leader...thank you Melanie!

For the past three days we have been at the Well Being Orphanage; all of these children had major impact on me. However; two little boys Moses and Claudey  hold a dear piece of my heart.  Both of these little boys (2 &3 years old) have special needs.  Unfortunately, none of the children at this orphanage are able to be adopted because this orphanage is not registered through the Haitian government (trust me otherwise I would be coming home with one of them).
  One of my favorite moments happened today when we had to say good-bye to the children...I was crying and one of the little boys came up and put his arm around me and started singing "My Jesus I love you"!  How does this not break your heart. God is truly doing amazing things here.  Please continue to pray for our team and the rest of our journey.
In Christ, Angela

Time flies when you're having fun.

 I can't believe it's already the middle of our week here in Haiti. It has been an incredible experience so far. Our first three days at Well Being Orphanage were so great. The kids are just the sweetest. The smiles and hugs and kisses will definitely be remembered forever.

I just wanted to share what God has shown me the past few days. A couple of years ago, God told me that I was made for orphan care. But arriving here in Haiti, the first couple of days, I was extremly homesick. I was doubting my calling. It's hard to explain but I was just overwhelmed emotionally. While I was holding Moses at Well Being, I looked down at his smiling face and God just reaffirmed everything. I can't not do what God has created me to do because I'm scared or uncomfortable. I know that someday, I will be the mother of an orphange because taking care of God's children will bring Him glory.

It has been amazing getting to know these children. It's so comforting to think about the fact that God created each and every one of them and is taking care of them. Yes, they may not have an abundance of luxuries but our Father is providing their needs.

I can't wait to see what's next on our journey.

-Karli :)

After three days in Haiti...

     Monday night we had our team meeting and my mom asked everyone if they were starting to realize why God had them here. Everyone talked about how they felt so broken for these kids and the conditions they were living in. I didn't know why, but I didn't feel that broken. I stayed after and asked my mom if I was lacking compassion or insensitive. But she said that wasn't the case, but that God was maybe just trying to grow me in that area.
    The next day, God really started working on my heart through these kids. I became very close to three boys: Seme, Sebasien, and Jenson. Well, I was sitting with Seme and Sebasien when Jenson came over and handed me this English Bible. I got Jonas, our translator, to ask him if he could understand it when he read, but Jenson said he wanted me to read it. I asked if he meant out loud, but he said "No, no, no. It is a gift." This little 13 year old boy, who lives in a tent, gave me something special to him. The growth of compassion had begun.
    Today was the day that we had to say goodbye. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Anyways, before we said goodbye, we got to play with the kids for about 3 hours. While I was with Seme, he looked at me and said something in Creole. He wouldn't let me get one of the translators. Later I attempted to tell Jonas what Seme had said. Jonas said it meant "I love you." Broke.My.Heart. Seme said it again later and I knew that he had told me that he loved me. And I love him. I love all my little guys so much!
    When the time came to say goodbye, the Mama of the orphanage had the kids sing "My Jesus I love you, my Jesus I love you so, because you're my Savior, because you're my Savior, my Jesus I love you so." Then we prayed together. By this point, I was in tears. Seme kept holding my hand, Jenson had his arm around my shoulders, and Sebasien was holding my other hand. They walked us all to the truck, and all of us slowly, reluctantly climbed in. We began to drive down to the gate, and the kids followed us, waving goodbye, until we out the gate and on our way home.
     What amazes me the most about the past 3 days is that the love is mutual. The kids love me just as much as I love them. I will never forget these kids, and everytime I think of them, I will pray for them and their Mama. I hope that I made a difference in their lives these past few days..because I know that they've made a difference in mine.

The Impact

     I, along with many others in society I'm sure, questioned the impact that a person could have on a group of children, especially orphans, in only a few days. Moments before I had to leave these children today, I told myself that I barely knew them. I would be home in a few days and back to my routine. It won't be that hard. Big impact takes longer. I was leaving ok. I numbed myself.

    That moment arrived to say goodbye. I turned to leave, and couldn't move.  Fabiola, my sweet princess, I had to hug her one last time. I turned back to look at her and met her eyes. And I broke. Tears flowing. I scooped her up for my last embrace and knew the impact she left on me in only 3 days is everlasting. Even with all the love and people in my life. 3 days worked in my heart.

     With that..... I know, because of the few people in her life, the missing love, the soul entering looks of sincerity non-existant, the caring embraces yearned for but not recieved, that I with all of these things given by me to her in only 3 days. That I have made not only a huge impact on her. But more importantly, a Christian Impact, that I pray stays with her longer than the rememberance of my love and my caring embraces.

  

Gift-giving

Tuesday, June 28
We have neglected our blog as we have acclamated to our surroundings and the mission before us.  I will try to catch everybody up...
Sunday proved to be an uneventful travel day.  We all met and flew to Port au Prince.  The travel has been about the only thing uneventful.  The airport in Haiti is quite the experience.  I'm sure it would seem less so if any of us spoke Creole, but we were at the mercy of our written instructions from the VO office.  The staff of Heartline Guest house escorted us through the chaos and delivered us safely to our lodging, affectionately referred to the Haiti Hilton.  We spent the evening meeting other mission team members who were staying at the guest house.  After supper we used the 15-foot kitchen table to organize all of our supplies and donations.  We were overwhelmed by the amount of supplies the 7 of us were able to collect.

Monday morning came pretty early, after a night of adjusting to the heat.  We are all thankful for our fans and wait patiently for our host to re-set the generator when the batteries die!  The Lord is good and faithful and His ways are not like ours.  Monday was difficult for me, Melanie.  I had to send my team out to our first orphanage without me.  I woke up sick and unable to eat or stand.  I feel certain it was a "USA bug" not a "Haitian bug," but it was still quite a disappointment not to join my team.  Again, my agenda is not always in line with the Lord's agenda.  The team courageously headed out, got lost in the tap-tap and had a spectacular day with the orphans at Well-Being.  They spent the day reading Bible stories, doing crafts, and playing games.  They were even able to help serve them lunch.  It was a real blessing for me to hear their stories when they got home.  The Lord has put together a precious team of ladies who have huge hearts for the Lord and for the orphan!!

Today was another good day.  We all got to go to Well-Being today!  Yeah!  The kids were very affectionate and it seems that each child found their special connection with one of us.  Their faces are full of joy in the midst of such impoverished conditions.  Their home is a UNICEF tent.  Their one meal a day is cooked on a propane stove or over a fire pit.  We were able to give each child new clothes today.  The girls got pillowcase dresses that Karli made.  The boys got shorts in their favorite colors.  They all received salvation bracelets as Alisha shared what the beads represent.  Our translator, Jonas, is fabulous and helped tell the salvation story and the Bible stories with Angela.  We had lots of fun trying to teach them songs in English while they tried to teach us songs in Creole.  All of the songs were praising the Lord and I am sure He felt our worship today. 

We came bearing gifts for them, which they were excited and so thankful to receive.  We came to be the hands and feet of Christ to them.  However, the gifts we received from them were joy, peace, contentment, and an innocent love that cannot be measured.  Today, I believe we were all the hands and feet of Christ to each other. 

I know the Lord has ordained our time here in Haiti.  He has called each one of us for such a time as this.  Please pray with us that we will be moldable and submitted to His Holy Spirit.  Pray that we will walk in His anointing and power in the days ahead.

Two Days!

As we approach the beginning of our actual trip, we come to the end of a crucial part of our journey.  I think of all that has taken place in order to prepare us for this trip.  I think about how the Lord has provided for every financial need... above and beyond what we could expect.  I think of how our local communities have come together to give of their time, talents, and money to provide for various needs that these children have.  I am humbled and excited to see how the Lord wants to use 7 women from different parts of America to unite on His behalf to make His name known.  I think of all the spiritual warfare our team members have faced up to this point.  It makes me full of anticipation to see what the Lord is going to do for His kingdom!  Personally, I know He has given me a very specific goal:  I am to go, share, and make known the unconditional love of the Father to the fatherless.  I cannot do this in my own power and strength.  This, I know.  My prayer is one like Habakkuk:  "Lord, I  have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.  Renew them in our day, in our time make them known" (Habakkuk 3:2)  Join us as we seek to make Him known among the nation of Haiti.  Our hearts are prepared.  Let us move into action with great expectation.

Following His lead, Melanie

Welcome!

Welcome to the 1st blog post from Visiting Orphans Team Haiti.  In just a few days, all 7 of us will meet in person for the first time and join together in the Lord's work to visit orphans and share His love and compassion.

Many prayers for Melanie, Karli, Angela, Crystal, Rebecca, Alisha, and Kelly as we prepare our hearts and minds for what is ahead.

Can't wait to meet you all on Sunday!

~ Kelly