My week in Haiti went by way to fast but through God, we were able to accomplish so much. All of the numbers below represent what a team of 18 was able to do however, that 18 would not have been there without everyone of you. This isn't about "me" or "us", if you gave a monetary donation, clothes, and/or prayer, you are part of these statistics. You were as much a part of this trip as I was. I am forever grateful and honored that I was able to be there.
1543-Number of patients who received free medical care
16-Number of homes built
88-Number of people who now have a shelter to live in
53-Souls saved by the love of Jesus Christ
Too many to count-People who now have clothes or shoes
25-children who now have school books thanks to $750 that we were able to donate
9-children who now will attend school thanks to $900 that was donated for a need
7-volunteer construction workers who received more than a years pay last week thanks to donations we were able to give (the average Haitian makes $59/year)
$150,000-worth of medication that was donated by Dr. Watts in Clinton, NC
$18,000-money it took to get 18 team members to Haiti
18-American lives who were forever changed thanks to your generosity and prayers
Monday, February 7, 2011
Friday--Day 5--February 4, 2011
Today we all woke up with heavy hearts. We know this is our last day and we still have so much more we want to do. The need here is overwhelming and there is so much more that needs to be done. We left for the job site a little later than usual as we had to load the truck with materials. We were all excited when we pulled up to the home of the lady who practiced voodoo who gave her life to Christ a few days earlier. We were building her home. We were able to give her clothes for her children, her, and a few of her neighbors. We went time with her just sharing about ourselves. Her home dedication was something that words cannot adequately describe. The feelings were overwhelming for all of us as we held hands and sang with her. Imagine my surprise when Freugens started singing one of my favorite songs, "Thank You for Giving to the Lord". If you haven't heard it, please go listen. Those of you who are reading this blog, praying for me and my team and/or gave monetarily will one day meet this lady in heaven. She is the life that was changed. Part of the words to the song say "thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed, thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave". You see, without your prayers and financial support, none of our team members would have been there at that moment when she accepted Jesus. I may be the one who was physically in Haiti, but without your support, I would not have been. Your role is just as important as mine. I hope you all realize that and I can never adequately thank you enough. You will get your reward in Heaven I know!
The second part of the morning was more emotional. It was a God thing. You see, back in November, the last day I was there, we walked approximatly 2 miles up hill in the blazing sun and 90+ degree whether only to reach a homesite that had a gated and we weren't allowed in. We sat for over an hour singing and talking with our Haitian team. Imagine mine and Paul's surprise when exactly 12 weeks later, we were sitting at the exact same spot with the materials for the home we were going to build. Just another reminder that we are on God's time, not ours. See, 12 weeks ago, we were ready to build that house and were more than frustrated that we didn't get to. Now 12 weeks later, I am in the exact same spot building this home. It was an awesome finish to the week.
The afternoon was spent going into Port au Prince visiting a market and seeing the capitol building (or whats left) and the devastation in the city. We visited a local eatery which was alot like our food court. The food was not very good but the ice cream was a nice treat!!
Evening was spent packing up and going for a walk. We hung out at the pool talking about our week and sharing. Saturday morning...I will be heading home!
The second part of the morning was more emotional. It was a God thing. You see, back in November, the last day I was there, we walked approximatly 2 miles up hill in the blazing sun and 90+ degree whether only to reach a homesite that had a gated and we weren't allowed in. We sat for over an hour singing and talking with our Haitian team. Imagine mine and Paul's surprise when exactly 12 weeks later, we were sitting at the exact same spot with the materials for the home we were going to build. Just another reminder that we are on God's time, not ours. See, 12 weeks ago, we were ready to build that house and were more than frustrated that we didn't get to. Now 12 weeks later, I am in the exact same spot building this home. It was an awesome finish to the week.
The afternoon was spent going into Port au Prince visiting a market and seeing the capitol building (or whats left) and the devastation in the city. We visited a local eatery which was alot like our food court. The food was not very good but the ice cream was a nice treat!!
Evening was spent packing up and going for a walk. We hung out at the pool talking about our week and sharing. Saturday morning...I will be heading home!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Day Four--Thursday, February 3
Today the construction team built two shelters in the morning and two shelters in the afternoon. It was blazing hot but every now and then, a nice breeze would come through. The homes we built today were in places that were unbelievable!! Tiny narrow streets, trash everyone, homes that are now rubble. There were children everywhere wanting to play with us. We played ring around the roses, slaps, and many other games that they taught me. They are such loving children.
Before we left there village, while Bryan was showing the kids the evangel ball (soccer ball) a voodoo priest came up. He listened to Bryan and Ramil and began to ask questions. Before we left that house, that voodoo priest accepted Jesus Christ along with the 3 people who will be living in that home. How awesome is God!! We passed out candy and several dresses in the village. We made a quick exit (which we are good at) as people began running towards us wanting something.
Tomorrow is our last day and if all goes as planned, we will work until noonish. Hopefully we will be able to go into Port au Prince, something I didn't get to do last time. We will do a mini tour and visit the palace and the cathedral before going to dinner at the Haiti version of McDonalds...wonder if I'll be eating...I doubt it!!
The excitement of the day was me putting on my shoe, feeling something in it, taking it off only to sling it across the kitchen when a baby lizard came out of it. Something I will never get used to is the lizards, geicos, and bugs. Our other excitement was on the 2nd house we were building, when we starting digging to level the ground off, about 10 tarantuals came out of the ground and started running everywhere along with a lizard that was huge by our lizard standards!! Lots of creepy crawly things in Haiti!!
If you haven't checked out the other blog, go to the Eastern Baptist Association website and read it. There are alot of great posts from all of my team members.
Before we left there village, while Bryan was showing the kids the evangel ball (soccer ball) a voodoo priest came up. He listened to Bryan and Ramil and began to ask questions. Before we left that house, that voodoo priest accepted Jesus Christ along with the 3 people who will be living in that home. How awesome is God!! We passed out candy and several dresses in the village. We made a quick exit (which we are good at) as people began running towards us wanting something.
Tomorrow is our last day and if all goes as planned, we will work until noonish. Hopefully we will be able to go into Port au Prince, something I didn't get to do last time. We will do a mini tour and visit the palace and the cathedral before going to dinner at the Haiti version of McDonalds...wonder if I'll be eating...I doubt it!!
The excitement of the day was me putting on my shoe, feeling something in it, taking it off only to sling it across the kitchen when a baby lizard came out of it. Something I will never get used to is the lizards, geicos, and bugs. Our other excitement was on the 2nd house we were building, when we starting digging to level the ground off, about 10 tarantuals came out of the ground and started running everywhere along with a lizard that was huge by our lizard standards!! Lots of creepy crawly things in Haiti!!
If you haven't checked out the other blog, go to the Eastern Baptist Association website and read it. There are alot of great posts from all of my team members.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
We are waiting for the election announcement and what it brings. I am very hopeful that we will be able to continue as usual!
Today I went with the Omega medical team to the mountain clinic. I was amazed that people actually lived on top of the huge mountains. I worked in the pharmacy all day which was very busy. We had about a 15 minute sit down break in 7 hours. There were 209 people seen. There were alot of very sick people some with cholera, scabies, malaria, and many other illnesses. They were so grateful for their medical care. We were able to pass out some clothes and shoes as some of the children had no clothes.
At the end of the clinic, we played a few games with the kids, taught them the hokey pokey, sang Father Abraham, Jesus Loves Me, and many other songs. Kiersten and I taught them "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" which was a huge hit. There were laughing and joined in a few times. The faster we got the harder they laughed.
We did have one kid, early teen, who was angry that we wouldn't give him any candy. He told us if we didn't, he was going to throw a rock at us. Come to find out, that is typical of him as he threatened Dr. Merline a few weeks ago.
I cannot so enough how thankful I am to have the opportunity to be here. It is such an honor to work along with the Haitian people and serve them. They live hard lives and deserve whatever help we can afford to give. They have a special place in my heart and always will. I know if I don't see them again here on earth, I will see them in heaven!
I am already praying that I will have the opportunity to return to Haiti before the NC Baptist Men pull out.
Today I went with the Omega medical team to the mountain clinic. I was amazed that people actually lived on top of the huge mountains. I worked in the pharmacy all day which was very busy. We had about a 15 minute sit down break in 7 hours. There were 209 people seen. There were alot of very sick people some with cholera, scabies, malaria, and many other illnesses. They were so grateful for their medical care. We were able to pass out some clothes and shoes as some of the children had no clothes.
At the end of the clinic, we played a few games with the kids, taught them the hokey pokey, sang Father Abraham, Jesus Loves Me, and many other songs. Kiersten and I taught them "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" which was a huge hit. There were laughing and joined in a few times. The faster we got the harder they laughed.
We did have one kid, early teen, who was angry that we wouldn't give him any candy. He told us if we didn't, he was going to throw a rock at us. Come to find out, that is typical of him as he threatened Dr. Merline a few weeks ago.
I cannot so enough how thankful I am to have the opportunity to be here. It is such an honor to work along with the Haitian people and serve them. They live hard lives and deserve whatever help we can afford to give. They have a special place in my heart and always will. I know if I don't see them again here on earth, I will see them in heaven!
I am already praying that I will have the opportunity to return to Haiti before the NC Baptist Men pull out.
Tuesday...February 1, 2011
Tuesday, like Monday was a great day. In the morning we built 2 shelters. During the dedication of one home, we there was a lady there that one of the Haitiian workers was witnessing too who practiced voodoo. Bryan and Ron were able to talk with her through a translator. She accepted Jesus Christ and they immediately went to her house and she burned her voodoo items. After praying with her and burning her items, she said she felt "free". That is why we are in Haiti!!
During the afternoon we built 1-1/2 shelters. We had alot of children around and were able to pass out soccer balls and candy.
Words cannot express the feeling of being in Haiti. When people ask me why I go back to Haiti or any foreign country, I only wish they could spend a day here. In America, we have poor people. America's "poor" is nothing compared to the poverty in a third world country with no government help. You are on your own. When you walk through the villages and see children with no clothes, who are filthy dirty and smell with knats and flies all around them, you understand what poverty is.
During the afternoon we built 1-1/2 shelters. We had alot of children around and were able to pass out soccer balls and candy.
Words cannot express the feeling of being in Haiti. When people ask me why I go back to Haiti or any foreign country, I only wish they could spend a day here. In America, we have poor people. America's "poor" is nothing compared to the poverty in a third world country with no government help. You are on your own. When you walk through the villages and see children with no clothes, who are filthy dirty and smell with knats and flies all around them, you understand what poverty is.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Day 2---posting a day late :) January 31, 2010
having a little trouble posting this morning...
things are going great. i spent yesterday morning sorting through meds and clothes getting them ready for the clinic...not to exciting but something that needed to be done. in the afternoon i headed out with the construction team and was greeted by my Haitian friends. It is so good to see them again.
We are anxiously waiting the announcement tomorrow and wondering what it will mean for us. i pray the predictions are wrong and the rioting will not happen. If it does, we will wait it out and watch from afar.
the medical team saw 364 patients and 2 were saved. the construction team built 3 homes and 4 were saved that we know of right now. It was a great day in Haiti and I am so blessed to be here. I only wish everyone had this experience. As bad as it sounds from afar (cold showers, no air, power outages constantly, etc) when you get here, all that is not important. The relationships that we build and the people we meet will forever change my life. Right now, sitting in Haiti with a fan blowing on me to stay cool, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. If my boys were all here, I know I would be.
Love you and keep praying!
things are going great. i spent yesterday morning sorting through meds and clothes getting them ready for the clinic...not to exciting but something that needed to be done. in the afternoon i headed out with the construction team and was greeted by my Haitian friends. It is so good to see them again.
We are anxiously waiting the announcement tomorrow and wondering what it will mean for us. i pray the predictions are wrong and the rioting will not happen. If it does, we will wait it out and watch from afar.
the medical team saw 364 patients and 2 were saved. the construction team built 3 homes and 4 were saved that we know of right now. It was a great day in Haiti and I am so blessed to be here. I only wish everyone had this experience. As bad as it sounds from afar (cold showers, no air, power outages constantly, etc) when you get here, all that is not important. The relationships that we build and the people we meet will forever change my life. Right now, sitting in Haiti with a fan blowing on me to stay cool, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. If my boys were all here, I know I would be.
Love you and keep praying!
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