A Journey of the Heart - Devastation or Blessing?

A year and a half after the earthquake that devastated Haiti – just 5 percent of the rubble has been removed or repaired.

Half-demolished, the National Palace still sits. Enormous piles of debris, containing odd pieces of metal and concrete, now comprise much of what used to be small neighborhoods.

Choking clouds of dust and exhaust hover above the roads, which are clogged with idling cars as well as people, dogs, cows, donkeys, and even the odd pig.  Home to thousands of people living in tents with torn, frayed tarpaulins, are vacant soccer fields, basketball courts, unoccupied areas alongside the main road, and even the Champs de Mars Plaza, directly across from the National Palace.  There is no sign of any renovations at all.

It seems the people of Haiti have no sign of hope coming from their government, being after such a long period of time there isn’t much difference in the condition of their lives.

 

As we drove through various areas, saw and interacted with various people throughout this land, I noticed there was either a look of hopelessness and despair in the faces of the people - or I saw an inner strength that came from a faithfulness to carry on, trust in the Lord, and work hard to give their families the best possible life they can.  The circumstances of each of these people were basically the same, yet there was such a contrast that you almost thought you were visiting people in different countries when going through each area.

As I reflected on these differences one night – I realized that it is very similar with most people in our country as well.  The only difference is many in America are convinced they are fulfilled with the abundance of material possessions (even if few) that we have available.  These possessions usually distract one from the void that truly lies within our hearts.  As many gain abundance, even in small amounts, or wealth – they ignore that inner void within.  After awhile, what they have doesn’t seem to be enough and many try for more and more.  The pattern continues, usually throughout their lifetime – leading to more feelings of inadequacy and an emptiness that many times cannot ever be satisfied. 

Yet those with very little have more of an opportunity to look above, calling on the Lord, and realize the truth of what they are blessed with; many times being more fulfilled, having more joy and hope in the promises of their Lord to carry them through day by day.  As I met, interacted, and prayed with the many faith-filled people in Haiti – I realized – They got it!

In Jesus’ famous beatitudes given in his sermon on the mount, Jesus turned the social order upside down by teaching gentleness, humility, mercy, and purity as more valuable than any power or wealth we may strive to attain.

The Beatitudes

He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
                                              for they will see God.
                                             Blessed are the peacemakers,
                                               for they will be called children of God.
                                             Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
                                               for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:2-10

A Journey of the Heart - Grace Abounds

One of the most powerful days for me in Haiti was when our Team was given the opportunity to serve in Grace Village – a most outstanding tent city still home to over 16,000 people following the earthquake of 2010.

Grace Village is in Carrefour, a district of Port-au-Prince.  We had a long journey and a very full day ahead of us.  At least 3 hours from where we were staying, our Tap Tap was ready to leave at 5:30 am.

When we arrived we were greeted by Michael – who was one of the sons of Bishop Joel and Madame Doris Jeune – the founders of Grace Village.  Grace Village first began in 1974 and with the faithfulness of its founders and supporters over the years, has been impacting lives by managing 270 churches, 65 schools, 3 orphanages, a medical clinic, hospital, and a home for elderly widows.

          

Many people in this and surrounding areas knew the passion the Jeune family had for the people of Haiti, and regularly were ministered by them over the years.  In the last few years they acquired additional property adjacent to their compound.  They had been calling on the Lord in prayer as to what this land should be used for.  Waiting patiently for guidance, the earthquake of 2010 occurred.  Most of the homes and neighborhoods surrounding Grace Village were seriously damaged, leaving tens of thousands of people dead, injured and homeless.

Immediately following the earthquake, people from miles around starting showing up at Grace Village, knowing if there was any place they could find help, they would be able to find it there.  Bishop Jeune seeing the thousands of people gathering knew, “this is what this land had been given to us for.” 

They organized one of the largest refuge centers in Haiti, which housed approximately 22,000 people in tents on their grounds.  What made this tent city so unique compared to other tent cities was due to the many steps taken; they fenced in the area, arranged security, enforced definite rules that all those living in this tent city had to adhere to in order to be allowed to stay.  The area is treated as a true community with respect for each other as neighbors, enforcing sanitation policies, an area where the women do their laundry, teaching life skills to all those living there.  Grace Village is recognized as one of the largest and most organized compounds in Haiti; a blessing to thousands and thousands of Haitians and their families.

After we arrived, we were given some background on Grace Village by Michael and taken on a quick tour.  Our team was then divided into various groups to help throughout this amazing place.  Some were assigned to do manual labor; digging massive holes for upcoming construction.  Others were assigned to paint the outside walls of the hospital that is in the process of being renovated, following the damage due to the 2010 earthquake.  And a few worked at ‘The Lord’s Kitchen’ – an outdoor area that prepares and serves one meal a day, which is distributed to the children at Grace Village.

I worked at ‘The Lord’s Kitchen’ and helped clean and sift through the massive amounts of rice and beans before being cooked.  I was then blessed with the opportunity to serve the children.  As they lined up for their food, youngest to the oldest, each carrying their own metal dish for food, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how this one place has been such a tremendous blessing to so many children; for many this is their only meal each day.

    

The children are fed each day until the food runs out.  The day I served at Grace Village, we were able to feed 465 children – yet we knew there were so many more children being turned away that day.

Their precious faces, smiles and sweet voices saying, “Merci,” as I handed each their dish with food, will always be in my heart and mind.

Grace: the infinite love, mercy, favor, and goodwill shown to humankind by God. 

How appropriate that this village bears the name of the most precious gift given by the Lord Most High.

The King will answer and say, ‘Truly I say to you, whatever you did to one of the least of these, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:40

A Journey of the Heart - Market in Haiti

Along the side of any road and most especially in any main area, you will see hundreds of people sitting in the direct sun, or under a small umbrella or tarp, selling their goods every day in a market area for their livelihood. 

When walking through these market areas – you will find anything for sale from farm fresh produce, coffee beans, handmade soaps, house wares, cooked food, meat, poultry, livestock, etc.  Many people travel from far in the mountains – taking days to get to the main market areas to sell their goods.

One particular day, very early in the morning, beginning approximately 4 am, we could hear crowds of people traveling down the mountain on the road just outside the home we stayed in – with their bundles, animals and families – on their way to the market.  Some singing loudly, some having conversations, some arguments – they were on their journey to the market.

Another day as we stopped high in the mountains to take a moment for an amazing view from the mountain top, we saw some people walking down the mountain either with livestock or bundles carried on their heads, filled with their goods to sell.  This was a typical sight anytime we traveled.  We approached the women walking down the mountainside, asked when they had left their village and how long it would take before they hoped to arrive at the market.  They told us they had left late the night before – around midnight (at that time it was approximately 2-3 in the afternoon) - and hoped to arrive in a main market area by early the next morning.  It was very common for anyone living in the mountains to take anywhere from 1 1/2 – 2 days for this journey.

The bundles they carried on their heads were so large that many times it takes 2 men to lift the bundles and place them on the woman’s head.  Filled with many items they hoped to sell, bringing back both money and also taking this time to purchase items from the market for their families, the “market process” took days each way and many, many miles of walking and hiking.

While strolling through one of the insanely crowded outdoor markets I was amazed at the amount of items that were available for purchase.  Most people were friendly and greeted us warmly, hoping we would purchase some of their wares.  Others watched cautiously as to whether we were planning on purchasing something or as foreigners gawk at them in a pitiful way.  The Haitian people are a proud people, and it is important that visitors look at them directly eye to eye, don’t take pity on them, and treat each with dignity.  I was sure to ask if it was alright to take a picture anytime I wanted to do so.  Most were fine, but I did get a few people saying no and even had one woman get extremely upset with just the idea of me taking a picture anywhere near her.

The experience of going to the market only confirmed my impression of how resilient and hard working the people of Haiti are.  A simple task of selling goods takes so much time, energy and determination.  These people are incredible.

A Journey of the Heart – L’Espinasse

Although we ministered to various villages throughout Haiti, our main purpose for this mission trip was to work with Children In Need Haitian Project, especially the children in their school.

We had a full schedule for Monday – a full day of Vacation Bible School; including songs – with hand motions and dancing, a bible lesson, a special lunch treat for the children, outdoor games – which were very new to the children in this mountain area - and prizes to be distributed following the games.

My daughter, Krista, is the Director of Children’s Ministry in our church in Flushing, NY.  She not only oversees our Children’s Church, but she has directed our Vacation Bible School for the last five years.  One day last summer, during VBS in our church, one of the founders of Children In Need was present.  She was extremely impressed by the entire program, the organization of all the activities, and the excitement of the children participating, both from our church as well as children from surrounding neighborhoods.  She approached Krista and asked her to pray about someday coming to Haiti and possibly organizing such a program for the children in L’Espinasse.  This summer – that prayer was answered.

Preparation for this day began many months before our coming to Haiti.  Planning a full, one day program, for children who have never experienced this was both exciting and challenging.  The evening before our day in L’Espinasse, we organized the supplies, which had been brought from NY in a couple of suitcases; Krista reviewed the lesson she prepared for the children; the Team discussed our participation and jobs for the day; and a good night’s rest was definitely in order.

Our Team woke early, as usual, and after a quick breakfast, began loading the Tap Tap with everything needed – including hot dogs, rolls and fruit punch for lunch – which would be a definite treat for the children.

A “short” one hour ride in the Tap Tap and we arrived on the top of the mountain where the Children In Need School was located – I had seen so many pictures and heard so many stories about this school, and here I was actually standing alongside the actual building, looking over the beautiful mountains that surrounded it.

We were greeted by some children – since the word was out that the “foreigners” were coming today with a really fun day planned.  But it was much earlier than the start time, so a small group of children were there.  We were introduced to Jean Simone and his wife, Madame Simone, the Directors of the school.  The joy and welcome they greeted us with was tremendous. 

They took us through the school, which was a square concrete building with a tin roof, divided into three rooms.  The rooms were painted bright yellow, with the children’s work hanging on the walls, along with simple decorations of the alphabet and numbers.  One room had long desks with bench seats, another had low tables used for younger children and the third was empty.  Compared to the school we had been to in Ti Marche, this school seemed plentiful, yet compared to any school in America, so much was still needed.  Looking around the rooms, I wondered how difficult it must be on extremely hot days, or more importantly during any rain – since any building with a tin roof – although that was a blessing – left open spaces where the rain would most definitely pour in.

We then went outside, to the area where we would be running the children’s games.  With many games and activities scheduled, we first gathered as a Team and prayed, asking the Lord to guide us throughout the day, give us strength, and to send many children from L’Espinasse – even those that do not regularly attend the school.

As we looked around to where we would set up various activities, we realized the only way we could run the games on these grounds was we needed to start pulling the overgrown grass and weeds from the area, to enable the children to have a flat surface to play.  So weeding we did; it did take awhile, but we did an amazing job – creating a large playing area that would be fun and safe.

The time was here – and as if a notice was sent throughout the mountains – children began coming and filling the school.  With us were Jeanette, Polynice and Sean, who would act as our translators.  Jean Simone introduced us to the children and they greeted us with songs and Psalms, which they had prepared for our visit.  We were blessed by the vibrant voices of sweet children excited to have us visit them.

Krista was then introduced and she greeted the children – telling them how excited we were to be here and that we had a very special day planned for them.  She started by teaching them many songs, with hand motions and dancing, which they quickly learned and responded with joy.  They quickly learned our main song - “This little light of mine – I’m gonna let it shine.”  To see the smiling faces, from small kindergarten aged children to older children, was such a treat.

Krista followed with a bible lesson.  The theme and lesson were taken from Matthew 5:16 – she had a white sock over one hand and a black sock over the other.  Discussing good and evil, right and wrong, and how they each had to shine the light of Jesus in everything they do.  When asked questions regarding various activities – as to whether these were right or wrong to do – they responded by yelling their answers.  They were excited to learn, and showed they understood.

Following the lesson, we continued the theme with a craft.  The children were divided into groups in each of the separate rooms, and given a packet containing their craft – a bright yellow circle, with a candle with a flame, along with a banner: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna to let it shine,” as well as Matthew 5:16.  Crafts were not something these children were accustomed to – therefore the fascination with the craft itself as well as the idea of creating it, became quite a challenge for each of us.  But with patience and example, soon the whole process caught on and they were excited to create their own little masterpiece.

We gathered the children outdoors and separated them into small groups, each with a group leader.  We were to take the children to various “stations” which would be manned by someone running a particular game.  Being this too was an unfamiliar activity – and many games that were familiar to us would be totally foreign to them – Krista planned simple fun activities.  Some of the games consisted of: “bowling” with filled water bottles as pins and soccer balls; bean bag toss – into inverted Frisbees; marbles on spoons relay game; relay holding a soccer ball between their knees; and others.

The children were excited – we were pumped – and we began.  We soon realized that simple games, consisting of competition or teams, were very hard to convey to the children – with or without our translators.  The excitement to play also made it hard to keep everyone’s attention to listen to the rules and purpose of each game.  I was a group leader and after bringing my group of young children to a few different stations – I realized our “plans” were nowhere near what was going on.  Some children did the activities yet had no concept of being on a team – others just wanted to watch and laugh – and most had no understanding of competing to “win.” 

At first this frustrated each of us – but it didn’t take long before we realized these children were having the time of their lives.  Therefore, we smiled and just went with the flow – letting each play and attempt to try each activity without the idea of competing.  I eventually brought out a large bottle of bubbles – and ended up with a crowd of older children gathered around to blow the bubbles, and younger children running around after them.  Laughter that came from their bellies over this simple activity was just one sign that in spite of our plans, this was a most successful time.

Once we ended the games – we gathered the children back into the school where they were given a lunch treat – hot dogs and punch.  Not something they usually get to have, so more smiles and excitement.

It was time to distribute their “prizes.”  After the way our games turned out – we divided the prizes into various groups and as the children came in – we gave each 3-4 items.  Just the idea of receiving these items overwhelmed so many into just stares until the children with items left the building resulting in the remaining children realizing they too would be receiving treasures.

Once everything was finished, cleaned and everything packed back into the Tap Tap, the children gathered around us, holding their crafts, wearing their funky sunglasses they received, carrying their toy cars, domino sets, wearing necklaces, holding fun pencils and erasers, and so much more – asking us to take photos.  By the day's end - we realized that we were able to touch the lives of nearly 150 children. 

After 4 pm – exhausted – but blessed once again – our Team boarded the Tap Tap and left the L’Espinasse mountains and headed back home.  We knew we’d be back later in the week to minister further in this area – so our goodbyes were easier this time.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16