A Journey of the Heart - Ti Marche

We were about to venture out for our first full day of ministry.  Our Itinerary noted: Tour of Port au Prince on the way to Ti Marche.  Mini-VBS/Games. Prayer Walk and Home Visits.

We were up early – I quite early due to my sweet “alarm clock” which crowed first at 3 am – and again at 5 – continuing throughout the wee hours of the morning.  Prayer, quick breakfast, packing supplies for our journey; items to be used for a mini-VBS, medical supplies for a small medical clinic we would run, water bottles were filled, sunscreen and insect repellent applied, and out the door.

Our Tap Tap was waiting outside – as it always would be whenever we were to leave.  Our Team boarded, including Polynice – our guide, translator, historian, and dear brother in Christ.  Polynice would travel with us throughout our week – filling us in with the history of Haiti; the past struggles, victories and present demise of this nation; sharing details of Port au Prince as we drove through; insight on the people of Ti Marche, who were extremely excited about our plans to visit and minister to their people.  The knowledge and wisdom he shared was priceless and helped us to understand the people we would come in contact with throughout our stay.

We traveled out of L’Espinasse – down the rocky road, bouncing all over the place.  Being this was only our second time traveling in the Tap Tap (with our trip from the airport being our first), we were all still such novices in trying to remain in our seats and avoid smacking our heads and backs on rails, sides, and corners as we rode down towards Port au Prince, where there would be paved roads.  I will say, as we continued our journey throughout the week, we each learned our own way to stay stable, and “hold on” during each of our trips.  We were still shaken around each time, but most times remained in our seats and avoided the black and blues along the way.  Being a “short trip” would be 1 hour, some 2-3 hours each day, this was a necessary feat to conquer.

The traffic was unbelievable.  We travelled along the road with cars, trucks, motorcycles, people and animals all along our travel.  People crowded the streets and sides of the streets, markets all along the road, storefronts (which were small buildings on the side of the road which usually stored the items to be brought out front to sell to the local people.

We eventually drove away from paved roads and once again headed towards some dirt paths, into the remote country – toward Ti Marche.  As we drove through – I again was amazed at the beauty of this country that was yet such a contrast to the poverty, darkness and needs of the people throughout Haiti.  We passed many villages with people waving and smiling – as they saw “foreigners” driving through their area. 

Small homes far out in the fields we passed were usually smaller than my bedroom in my apartment back home.  In these areas, many were mud homes, some “better homes” had tin roofs.  Children ran to the road to cheer, wave, many running from the shallow streams they were bathing in.  Many women washing clothes alongside as well, paused to wave and smile.  They knew when visitors came to their villages – something special was going to happen.

As we continued further and further into the countryside, we turned on a path that led to the small stone school.  Outside, children were cheering with excitement, since they were told we would be visiting today.  As we got out of the Tap Tap and unloaded all the supplies we brought, we were greeted by Emmanuel Alcius, the Director of this small remote school.  Emmanuel spoke some English, and had a beautiful greeting for us as we gathered around to speak with him, welcoming us with such love.  The children were told to go into their classroom and wait – which they did, patiently and quietly, until we finished speaking with the Director.

We then headed into the classroom, where we were greeted with songs that were prepared for our visit.  Emmanuel introduced us to the children and then introduced his teachers to us as well.  Due to the lack of funds, his teachers hadn’t been paid for months, but were determined to continue giving these children the only chance they had to break the cycle of poverty – an education.  Most of the grandparents and parents of these children cannot read or write.  So anything they could possibly do to give their children (many times having to choose one or two of their children) a chance to have a better life than they had was worth any sacrifice.

Their classroom, with open windows, a dirt floor and desks (that sometimes had to be held by one of the boys to prevent it from falling over), had an energy and spirit that is hard to match.

The children had prepared something for us; songs in Creole, with such volume and energy, that I’m sure, there was a sweet song in the distant background that you heard that very day, and wondered what it was.  They also recited many different Psalms – loud and so proud that they could do this for us – their visitors. 

Once they finished their “greeting for us” – Krista greeted them and our program began.  With our translators, she shared how excited and glad we were to be here with them.  She shared Matthew 19:13-15 – explaining how much Jesus loved the children, blessed them and did not want anyone to keep them away from him.  She told them he felt the same way for each of the children in Ti Marche. 


Krista then led the children in some fun songs with movement and hand motions.  They were so excited – smiling, laughing, singing and jumping with joy!  We would sing a few lines in English – and they would repeat them, perfectly.  Afterwards they sang some of their songs in Creole – and we “tried” to sing in Creole, bringing much laughter to the children.

After awhile, Annabelle, our Pastor’s wife, shared with the children about caring for themselves to stay healthy.  She gave a lesson on dental health, how important it is to care for their teeth, and the proper way to brush.  They responded to questions, mimicked the proper way to brush and had a wonderful time.  When we were finished, the children lined up and each received pencils, a toothbrush and toothpaste.  Beautiful smiles - “Merci, merci, merci” – such an appreciation for what they were each receiving.

At that time, the children returned to their homes for lunch and we prepared for a small medical clinic that we would be holding at the school.  Some remained at the school, playing games with a few of our Team.  Once word was out that foreigners were here with nurses and would be offering some help, lines of people formed outside the school; men, women, women with babies and children.

The folks living in remote villages rarely ever see a doctor.  With absolutely no health system available, money needed upfront for any care and again for any medication needed after the care, as well as the need to travel by foot for days before even getting to any major city – which may or may not even have a hospital - most people in Haiti receive very little medical care.

Being we were blessed to have three nurses on our Team (including one pediatric nurse practitioner) we were able to offer some major assistance.  We had supplies and medication that had been obtained by various sources, including some donated and brought from the US.

Following the medical clinic – some of our Team went into the village for some home visits, to pray with the families in Ti Marche.  The people were so humbled and honored that we would take time to visit and pray for them.  Many had a very strong faith life - dependant on the Lord to carry them through each day and each hardship - always focusing on the blessings they had rather than what was lacking.  As soon as our Team began to pray, the families would all fall to their knees, humbling themselves before the God they so loved and trusted in.

We all then went ‘prayer walking’ throughout the village; walking throughout the area, calling on the Lord to bless these amazing people, to protect them, continue to bless their children with an education, and strengthen their faith as they faced the struggles of each day.

As we walked through the village, we saw where they had once built a church to gather and worship together.  This building was destroyed by the earthquake of 2010.  But they continued to worship their Lord, in a makeshift church, with open sides and a tin roof.

As we walked through the area, children would flock around us, smiling, grabbing hold of our hands, posing for ‘photos’ and then laughing as we showed them on our cameras.

We gathered one more time at the school before we left - to give balloons to the children.  Someone on our Team knew how to make balloon animals and thought it would be fun to give them to the children.  But as word spread that the visitors were giving things away – more and more children from further areas were added to the crowd around the school.  In an effort to have something for each child, we all “attempted” to make a balloon animal – which ended up created twists of colorful balloons, some representing a creature of some sort, some becoming hats, or whatever.  But the smiles and joy of each and every child was a gift to each of us.

As we climbed aboard the Tap Tap – crowds of children ran behind waving goodbye.

One day, in one small remote village, touching the lives of children and families - If memories of our visit remain in their minds - just a fraction of what was left in my mind and heart – then we may have made an immense difference in their lives.