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