The ocean is calling

If you have gone on a mission trip before you know that part of the experience should include taking in the sights and interacting with local people. A storm blew through the previous night so the surf was high but that didn't stop us from taking our trip to the beach. The day was still overcast so there were not a lot of other "tourists" at the beach that morning. You might think is a good thing...NOT! We definantly interacted with the locals. I think everyone in Jacmel was there trying to sell us something...everything from paintings and jewelry to shells and food. After trying unsuccessfully to convince them all that we didn't want to buy we made our way to the beach. I thanked God for the beauty of his creation that was all around us. It was awesome swimming in the ocean with the waves washing over us and the beautiful view of the mountains as a backdrop. How wonderful it is to be alive. Denny tried to convince everyone that he was lighter because the saltwater made him more boyant. Carolyn found a cool shell in the surf so the search was on to find shells. I have to say she was the winner though. We had chosen this particular beach because Denny Ron and Tom had been there before and said you could get a huge lobster dinner for 11 bucks. I knew since they are men they probably exaggerated somewhat. So the lobster was huge but it cost us 15 bucks....there goes my extra shell buying money! HOW am I going to get the shell guys to believe that I have no more money. The lobster was very tasty even though I almost ate the eyeballs...YIKES I SAY! After another swim we climbed aboard our faithful tap tap and headed to the hotel to change. The guys gave us 15 minutes and believe it or not we were pretty close. Then we were off to see the kiddos again. We arrived to learn that they had water issues during the night so the guys tried to fix the problem. The rest of us kept the kids occupied so Mama could rest. No outside activities today since it rained. Marty made the mistake of trying to paint fingers and toes by herself. Even some of the boys wanted painted. I handed out some small airplanes for the kids to put together and it was pandimonium! Note to self...come up with a better system when handing out our gifts. Needless to say it was a little noisey in there but everyone had fun. We did some other activities and it was time to head back to the hotel. Its amazing how fast the time is going by.

Oh the glory of the mountains

Friday Barb took the nurses and some of group two for a hike up the mountains. They saw many interesting things along the way including a man purposed to be cursed by voodoo. Marty said ie was pretty scarey. They also saw many goats and pigs that are usually tied to a tree. An older boy named James travels up the mountain ..every day to feed his goat. Papas cabin was described as something out of the wild west. Very primative but effecient. Papa stays at the cabin several times but is now at the new orphanage. The remainder of our group played with the children while Mama rested. Mama has not been feeling well which is quite a concern as she is the backbone of the orphanage. About 3:00 we got to see the children have their dinner. American children really could take some lessons from these Haitian kids. They are to stay away from the tables until all the plates with food are placed on the tables. Then either Momma or Ellisia call them and they quietly seat at the tables and they are quiet thru the whole meal and eat every crumb. Barb and Rick and the group were somewhat subdued most of the day as this was their last day with the kids. The nurses had gifts to pass out and the kids exploded with excitement. But then came the sad time of goodbyes. By the time we left everyone was crying both children and adults. We all loaded up in the back of our tap tap....all 19 of us in the back of a small toyota pickup! Don't anyone tell my mom or I wont get to come back! The pool was calling our names so many relaxed with a cool swim before dinner. Every dinner at the hotel is an experience. Very good Creole cooking. Most everyone turns in early as we are warn out by the heat and trying to keep up with the kiddos. So we said goodbye to our friends. May God watch over them and help heal the sadness in their hearts.

Greetings from group 2

We are having trouble with our wifi connection so I will try to type quickly.... What an experience! God is good all the time! Many of us had never flown internationally. The view of the ocean was amazing. The airport in Port au Prince was an eye opener. We are definately "different" but that is ok. We have never seen anything like the streets of Port au Prince...their driving is CRAZY! Everyone driving in a hurry with no traffic laws. Horns blaring wildly. Quite something just hang on and "enjoy" the ride. They took us to see the old orphanage. Very depressing to see that most of the people are living in those conditions. It took about an hour to get through the city. Then the real experience began....our trip over the mountain. The view from the upward winding road was spectacular....as long as you didn't look down...YIKES I SAY! After our sensory overload in the city the beauty of the mountains was a welcome sight. Everything is so luscious and green with flowering trees everywhere. Could this be what Eden looked like? Once there we checked in to our hotel. Another slice of paradise right on the ocean. Waves breaking against the beach and sea birds calling. What more could you ask for....how could someplace so beautiful be painful for so many. We were so glad there was enough time to go meet the children. A crier by nature I was surprised that their joyious faces didn't make me cry...they were so happy to meet us all that came to my face were huge smiles. These children have been transformed from the shadowed being they once were. There is much dancing and singing and all the things children do. It was a God moment for me...so precious I will never forget it. It was nice to see Rick and Barb again and meet the nurses. We had a late meal together and learned some of the things that need to ne done. And so ended our first day.

Team One Saying Goodbye, Team Two ready to Work!

We have had a full day today. Many of us with James and Saul, two of the boys in the orphanage, hiked the mountain to see Papa's land that has been in his family. We noted after starting that the boys speak no english and our Creole is spotty.  Rick can say hi and start conversation so we just walked on!  It was very humid and hot today but the journey was beautiful and the tropical forest quiet and peaceful. We met the 3 goats and dog and saw the potatoes that had been planted. We came back and went to the orphanage.  The children sang songs with us praising God. The student nurses did physical assessments on the new children. Some medical work to be done was recorded. Team One passed on a long list of things to be done to Team Two.  Many games were played. The children were instructed on using scrubbies and soap.  Good demonstration by a former flight attendant with us! We had jump ropes and yoyos with much joy. You could feel our hearts fill with emotion with the anticipation of leaving as the afternoon turned to early evening. How do you walk through such an incredible journey and  say good bye. Not for good but for now?  God was so  great in planning that we do not leave them alone but with another Team to help for another week.  Then we will leave them wrapped in prayers and an e-mail away.
Leaving is so bittersweet,  seeing the children running and outside ( which they are all the time except when eating) brings such complete joy and contentment to your heart. But not being able to kiss each one in the morning leaves you with great sadness. Mama said good bye with tears streaming down her face. Which did not help us at all.  How does one say thank you, how do you process the journey that is so far from the road anyone was traveling on just a short time ago? The answer for all of us is LOVE.  It is not so complicated or complex. It is simple, basic and really what Jesus walked on this earth to show us. Love The Lord your God and then Love one another.  Sometimes teaching Sunday School helps to break it all down. So much we can learn from a child's perspective.
May each person who has been part of the journey so far feel the peace that surpasses understanding in their heart. It does not matter if you have stuffed envelopes, played golf, wrote grants, attended meetings, bought towels, sent medals, or prayed you have loved!

We have arrived!

We arrived yesterday afternoon to Jacmel. Drove through Port au Prince on the way to Jacmel, for many of us this was an eye opening experience. We all arrived safe to the hotel in Jacmel, the hotel has a beautiful view of the ocean. A few of us went for a swim before heading to the new orphanage. The children were absolutely ecstatic to see us, a little tired from their first time swimming in the ocean. We had the tour of the orphanage, and it is amazing...the children have so much room, and are so grateful for everything they have! Came back to the hotel had pizza, and many of were exhausted by the day and went directly to bed. Right now sitting in the villa eating breakfast, and watching a couple of fishermen in a row boat. Plans for today: hiking to papa's home, going to the orphanage, and see what else God leads us to achieve today. We thank God for our arrival, and ask Him to guide us through this journey. 

Katie Gibson

Joyful, Joyful We are thankful

Our blog is spotty as is the internet in Jacmel.  We have been all so very busy and the children are so happy and all have come to life in the outdoors!  It is a lot of smiling, running. playing and learning. The learning curve for all is very steep.  We have accidentally emptied the cistern. ( left faucets on when power was off, when power came back on in middle of night everyone thought it was raining).  Emptied a months worth of propane. Turned off the flame but did not turn off the propane. We are all learning so much.  I even know how to fill the cistern from the well!
The concept of bathroom is so new. We are taking turns spending the night to help in cottages. Leading them to the toilet in their sleep instead of a bucket or outside. Brushing our teeth in a sink, taking a shower and not going under the faucet for the cloths washing area! Last night I spent time turing on the lights and fans. Why are we sitting in the dark?  This is followed by much excitement and praising God.
The dining hall is such a blessing also.  Everyone sitting together and you can hear a pin drop.
The children continue to capture our hearts. They are truly gifts from God.
Time to take 47 children to the beach for their first swim!  need prayers for sure!

Miracles continue, Praises Flowing

The days are full of work, organizing, educating and taking care of medical situations in Jacmel. We fall into bed at night and although the air is 100% humidity we fall quickly asleep.  The children are also sleeping very well with all the constant motion they are in all day long. 

The nurses spent time teaching everyone how to use the toilet. We will need to continue the educating daily. It is all a process.

We said a tearful good bye to the Ochylinski family whose generosity made this a reality. They will be back. It was hard to take the children out of their arms.

We continue to explore Jacmel taking groups of children with us so they can see their new town. They are so excited to be out walking around and seeing the ocean is an amazing site for them. The joy continues to be felt in ways that in our lives we rarely feel for short times much less days at a time. 

Our hearts are full. Thank you for the prayers we are feeling every one of them.  GRATEFUL,  Barb