A Journey of the Heart - Forever In My Heart

Although it has been over five months since I actually went on my mission trip to Haiti – I am just now finishing writing about my experience.

When I returned from my trip, I definitely wanted to write about my time there.  I returned speechless, overwhelmed, touched deeply, and challenged.  I looked through my journal and photos from my trip and realized this would take so much more than one post on a blog to just get a glimpse of what we experienced.  So then began my periodic writing – each posting sharing about one of our days.  I was not only sharing what we did, I was able to reach into my heart and relive my time in Haiti – reflecting on this amazing journey in my life.

It was our last full day – Sunday – a day filled with celebration for the people in L’Espinasse.  We attended Church – held in the Children In Need School building.  Jean Simone usually preaches to the people of L’Espinasse, but this Sunday our Pastor was asked to preach.  Mark had been seeking the Lord for months on what he should share.  Once we had spent 10 days in Haiti, all was confirmed as to what his message would be. 

We had a delightful time in praise and worship.  The people sang from their hearts, dwelling in the presence of a Holy God, sharing their passion, loving their Lord, thanking Him for the blessings they have been given.

Mark preached, along with a translator, and all listened with open hearts.  It was a message of hope – given to a faithful people – encouraging each to work together as a body – grow in the Lord – trust in the Lord – let go of past traditions that take their eyes off the Lord.  It was a wonderful service, and we knew the Lord was present with us throughout it all.

Following the service, we headed up the hill to another building - where there was going to be a graduation ceremony for children moving from kindergarten into the 1st grade.  This may seem trivial to some, but in Haiti, where education is so scarce, parents are so hopeful as their children continue receiving the education that can open the doors to exciting opportunities for their future.  Most parents are not educated themselves and their children may be the first generation of hope. 

This day of celebration had been planned, rehearsed, and prepared for many months.  Children were dressed in beautiful white dresses, fancy socks, ribbons in their hair, white shirts and ties, and dress pants.  The sacrifice of each family to be sure their children looked their very best, only proved once again how important this day was to each family.

The older children also honored their teachers by celebrating in song and dance while offering gifts to each.  Some shared what they have learned with us – and some proudly spoke in English to us.

This was the last time I would spend with the families in L’Espinasse.  As I sat there during the ceremony, with many children crowded around me, holding my hand, hugging me, giggling as I invited them to sit next to me, I knew I would remember these beautiful faces for many years.

When all was finished – we went into the Tap Tap, and headed for the last time back to the house we grew to love as our home.  We had a wonderful Sunday dinner together as a Team.

That night when we met for our de-briefing, we each had many moments to share.  We all knew it would be quite some time before we were no longer feeling some of the emotions we were experiencing.

We ended with a prayer meeting, mostly for our hosts, Jeannette and Felix, the Children In Need Haitian Project and Polynice.  We knew when we returned to our homes, we would now have a much better understanding of the challenges, both physical and spiritual, they face day after day.  

Our last morning was bittersweet.  Anxious to return home - yet sad to leave the special people we were priviliged to share this amazing time with.  We said our goodbyes to the staff that served us so willingly during our stay and took our last photo of our Team.

I thank the Lord for allowing me to be a servant of His for the people in Haiti.  I thank Him for giving me the opportunity to touch the lives of so many children, even if just for a moment.  I pray that the children and families we visited will remember the “foreigners” that came one time, to love them, encourage them and serve them.  I ask the Lord to bless each one and let them know He is with them always and that each has a destiny that He ordained before the foundations of the world.

This experience will be forever in my heart.

A Journey of the Heart - I Will Give You Rest

We were near the end of our mission trip and had experienced so much.  We were physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted.  Although we were anxious to return to our homes, our hearts were heavy for all we had come in contact with; the many, many children, the men and women in the remote villages, the people living in Grace Village’s Tent City, the people in the markets and countryside, the amazing missionary couple that served the people of Haiti for over 60 years - which we were privileged to spend time with, and especially the children and teachers from Children In Need School in L’Espinasse.

We were being blessed with a day of rest – a day to spend at one of the beautiful beaches in Haiti – a day of fellowship, food and laughter with our Team.  But even with a day of rest we would need a 3-hour ride in the Tap Tap, down the mountain and across Haiti, to Saint-Marc.

Once we arrived, we all paused and were amazed at the beauty – the crystal turquoise ocean, the surrounding mountains, and the quiet that gave us a moment of rest.

At the beach were many Haitian artists, showing and selling their artwork, crafts, and jewelry.

Men gathered coconuts, which the tops were cut off, a straw inserted and we enjoyed a drink of fresh coconut water.

Fishermen went out into the ocean to gather conch, which would then be cooked and served for lunch. 

 A day of rest . . .

 such a blessing.

Please show me now your way, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.  Consider too that this nation is your people.”  And He said, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”  – Exodus 33:12-14

A Journey of the Heart - True Gratitude

Picture your home with thin wooden panels as walls.  If you are lucky, tin panels are tied on the outside.  A tarp is tied on the top, with a piece of tin lying across – large rocks or branches are placed on top to hold it down in case it becomes windy.  Your floor is the dirt your home is sitting over.  Light, and many times rain, comes through between the roof and the sides and the many other openings around your home.  If your home is large enough, you may be able to separate “rooms” by hanging cloth.

And when you hear there are people coming to visit your family, you run on the narrow path up the mountainside to greet your visitors – smiling – embracing each and every person in the group – thanking them.

You proudly ask everyone to enter your home – introducing your family – and ask that they pray with you and your family.

Immediately – your entire family – down to the smallest toddler – falls to their knees on the dirt floor, bows their heads, and praises their Lord – thanking Him for the abundance he has blessed you with – thanking Him for the honor of having these visitors join them in your home to pray with your family.

True gratitude.

He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God. – Psalms 50:23

A Journey of the Heart - Hunger Satisfied

I was able to see the hunger in the souls of faithful people satisfied and enriched.  It touched me in such a way, that I was ashamed of how much I take my faith for granted.  How often I look at my schedule seeing prayer meetings and bible studies and wonder whether I need to go to all.  I soon realized I should wonder if there is a reason I shouldn’t.

We were scheduled to head up to L’Espinasse to hold men’s and women’s meetings.  This would be held in the Children in Need school building.  All those in the village and surrounding areas in the mountains knew we were coming to pray, teach, and encourage them.

Although most had a strong faith and hope in our Lord, there wasn’t much opportunity for the men of L’Espinasse to be mentored, encouraged and taught on a regular basis, besides attending church on Sunday.  The women of L’Espinasse had formed a weekly prayer meeting, which was led by Madame Simone, but the men didn’t see the importance of doing the same, to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, His Word, and as leaders of their families and community.

We planned on having two meetings, simultaneously, in different classrooms of the school.  We were pretty certain that many women would be attending, including the women who meet regularly as well as others, curious as to what “the foreigners” would have to say.  We weren’t sure how the men would respond to the invitation – but with prayer and knowing this was the Lord’s leading, we anticipated a blessed day.

As we arrived on the top of the mountain, we saw the many women already waiting anxiously, greeting us with smiles and hugs.  We entered the school building and watched as they came in and found seats, waiting with anticipation.  Some men started to come as well, and we directed them to the room they would be meeting in.

Mark, our pastor, would be teaching the men, and his wife Annabelle would be teaching the women, each with a translator.  They had been praying and seeking the Lord’s guidance as to what was needed to be shared, and what message would not only encourage the people of L’Espinasse, but also give them the guidance to take hold of their faith, and realize their responsibility in growing in the knowledge and direction of the Lord’s will.

I took a picture of the men’s group before the meeting started, which was a small group at that time.  I then joined the women’s meeting.  I sat there praying for the Lord to touch the hearts of these people, to speak to each personally, and build up strong faithful families and community.

Annabelle spoke to the women about growing in knowledge of the Lord in wisdom and prayer.  She shared about the dangers of holding on to traditions of their culture, relying on idols, rituals and superstitions of voodoo or any other past practices that would distract them from the truth of their faith.  We prayed for the wives of some local pastors, encouraging each to meet as a whole community and support one another in their faith.  We asked the women if they had anything they would like us to pray for and to share their needs.  They shared openly and personally for the needs of their families, children and themselves.  The meeting was inspiring and you could see the encouragement in each of the women’s eyes.

As I sat there, I continually saw more and more men coming in, walking quickly through to the room the men were meeting.  Their meeting may have started with a handful, but soon the room was full of men seeking the Lord, praying, and committing to meet each week to pray, encourage each other and grow as faithful men for their families and community.

A hunger that was present at the beginning of this day was truly satisfied by the end.  Men and women left fulfilled with the spirit of our Lord, with the hope of his word, and encouraged in their faith.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. – Luke 6:21

A Journey of the Heart - A Servant's Heart

Although it's been 4 months since I returned from my missions trip to Haiti, I continue to reflect on so many of my experiences.

We had served in so many areas of Haiti - touching families and children in various villages, schools, homes and a tent city.  I was overwhelmed with the joy that our simply being there brought to so many people.  The families continued to thank us for spending time with them and especially for praying with them.  The children were overjoyed with "the foreigners" visiting and organizing games, singing songs, teaching bible lessons, and so much more.  They each welcomed us with their songs and sent us away running alongside the Tap Tap, cheering and waving good-bye.

The Haiti Mountains, although spectacular to view, were so underdeveloped, especially for the large number of people living in these areas.  We had learned that it took days for the people to travel from their homes to go to Market, and how difficult it was for families to travel for any medical care; it amazed me how in 2011 so many still lived in such an uncivilized way.

Each time we visited a village, we traveled by Tap Tap as far as was possible.  Sometimes we were able to do our ministering where we stopped, other times we had to hike on dirt paths, constantly climbing up and down, high into the mountains, as we visited homes to offer medical care, prayers, and encouragement.  Even the most physically fit on our Team sometimes found these hikes a challenge, yet we pushed on to serve the people of Haiti.

We were scheduled to visit the village that was once home to Polynice as a young boy growing up in Haiti.  Grenier was so high into the mountains that once the Tap Tap went as far as possible, we were told there would be very difficult hiking, straight up the mountainside, for at least an hour each way.  There was no roadway, dirt path, or anything of the sort, from the lower areas of Haiti up to this village.  Foot paths had developed in some spots, and an old dried out river served as a rocky path up the mountain to the village.

When Polynice was a young boy, he would leave his village each morning and travel up and down these mountains for approximately 3 hours each way, to go to school.  Determined to get an education, he did this knowing this was his chance to break the cycle of poverty in his family.

We were planning our day in Grenier, which would include visiting a school filled with children - singing vacation bible school songs, a bible lesson, and then making home visits - praying with the families in Grenier.  Supplies would need to be carried up the mountain, in the extreme heat.  Serious discussion over the intense hiking this particular trip would include made each think seriously whether they would be physically able to handle it.

I myself have various respiratory restrictions, and although I had already been pushing myself quite a bit during all of our other activities, I was concerned about not being able to pace myself and becoming more of a hindrance than help if I went along.  Two other ladies on our Team also felt the same about themselves, therefore we decided to stay behind.  It was a difficult decision, since so far, in spite of many struggles I had experienced, I was able to accomplish all that was needed along with my Team up to this point.  Jeanette said she would stay behind and we made plans to do some major work back at the house; clean out closets, go through medical supplies, toss out expired medications while organizing supplies to be kept or given to local hospitals and other medical facilities.  We may have been staying behind, but we wanted to still have a productive day serving.

We all rose early that morning, had breakfast together and then the few that were staying behind said goodbye to the Team as they left in the Tap Tap.

We got to work immediately, and as the day continued, Jeanette continued to thank us for all that was getting organized and said this ended up a blessing for her.  The amount of items that needed cleaning, sorting through, and organizing took a good part of the day.  The joy we each felt in serving was a blessing to us.

Afterwards we had a small snack and decided to go on a leisurely hike.  It was funny, even a small leisurely hike in Haiti, always includes rough pathways, steep climbs, and a bit of panting!

When our Team returned, they shared about their day; the children rejoicing when they would guide them in song, the people in Grenier so blessed by their visit, the home visits that were filled with prayer and gratitude.  And yes, the intense hike they experienced heading up to Grenier.  

Many shared that while climbing the mountainside, they couldn't believe people lived in such a secluded area.  They struggled; carrying large bundles of supplies, dealing with the extreme heat, and for the first time - taking many breaks along the way to literally catch their breath.  Some admitted that this may be too much and wondered why they had gone along.  But once they met the people of Grenier, they were so blessed themselves and they knew that if needed, they would definitely serve in this village again.

Our entire Team served that day - and we were able to due to our prayers and faith that the Lord had called us to do so - letting us know he was with us every minute, showing us the way.

For those hiking up the steep difficult mountain, and those that remained behind sorting the immense amount of supplies to be used in the future, we all served with our hearts, resulting in touching lives - once again.