I am combining days five and six because I spent them both practically doing the same thing. Other team members did other outreaches but I stayed at the Home for Children the entire day. The girls began school on Monday so they were at school until about 12:30 each day. That was good because it gave us time to organize things that we were planning to do.
Monday morning members of the team spent time at the school preparing lunch for the children. As I said before, I personally wasn’t a part of this but I heard that it was a great experience! From what I understand, the food that was packed in Myrtle Beach through HUG is used to feed all of the children at the school. What a great outreach! Once the girls got home from school Monday we spent the remainder of our time at the home helping homework and Smith did an English lesson.
Again on Tuesday I spent the morning doing random tasks at the home. Members of the team did things like printing photographs for a collage, changing bed sheets, repairing appliances, hanging hardware … etc. Once the girls got home from school they started doing their homework. After that our team spent our last bit of time at the Home for Children just reading books and being with the girls. Mr. Donald and Mr. Joe ventured out Tuesday to do a training session on the Evangacube that Pastor Maxeau had arranged. There were some 100 people in attendance, and after the training session they took what they had learned into the city and 105 souls came into the Kingdom! Praise God!
Tuesday was our last day at the home, and it was very hard for me to say “goodbye” to these precious girls – in two ways because obviously I don’t pronounced the word very well in French! They all giggled and corrected me as they had done the entire week when I would mess up a French word. As a result, I am determined to learn Creole before we come back in March!
Tomorrow we are going on a ‘field trip’ to the Palace, a cathedral and the Baptist Mission. I am very excited!
Love to you all,
Blessings,
Han
Friday, October 22
Wednesday, October 20
Update for the HUG website.
Mr. Donald asked me to write a little update to be posted on the HUG website, and I thought you all might enjoy reading it as well.
"Greetings from Haiti!
Our team has had an incredible time so far ministering here in Haiti. Most of our days have been at least partly spent at the Home for Children in the AFCA Village. We have read books, done Bible lessons and played games with the girls at the home. They are each such a blessing!
Some members of the team have led training sessions with pastors in the area on the Experiencing God series and the Evangacube. Team members also prepared lunch at the school in the AFCA Village on Monday, which was the very first day of school for the children. While team members were preparing the meal, others were outside praying for people who were living in the tent city. One young lady made the decision to accept Jesus Christ!
We had the opportunity Sunday morning to worship and have lunch at Valley of Hope church with Pastor Maxeau and his church members. What a great time of praise and fellowship it was!
As our time here is winding down in Haiti we cannot help but think of the tremendous amount of support that we have felt each day of our journey from those back home. We are so grateful for the covering that each of you have placed over us in prayer, and look forward to returning home and telling you about all the great things God has done in Haiti!"
I'll do my best to post days five and six tonight. Thank you all for the continued prayer and support!
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
"Greetings from Haiti!
Our team has had an incredible time so far ministering here in Haiti. Most of our days have been at least partly spent at the Home for Children in the AFCA Village. We have read books, done Bible lessons and played games with the girls at the home. They are each such a blessing!
Some members of the team have led training sessions with pastors in the area on the Experiencing God series and the Evangacube. Team members also prepared lunch at the school in the AFCA Village on Monday, which was the very first day of school for the children. While team members were preparing the meal, others were outside praying for people who were living in the tent city. One young lady made the decision to accept Jesus Christ!
We had the opportunity Sunday morning to worship and have lunch at Valley of Hope church with Pastor Maxeau and his church members. What a great time of praise and fellowship it was!
As our time here is winding down in Haiti we cannot help but think of the tremendous amount of support that we have felt each day of our journey from those back home. We are so grateful for the covering that each of you have placed over us in prayer, and look forward to returning home and telling you about all the great things God has done in Haiti!"
I'll do my best to post days five and six tonight. Thank you all for the continued prayer and support!
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
Day Four!
Today started off the same way as my other days here, wake up at 5:30ish and a forced cup of coffee. Breakfast was at 7 and we took off with Serge at 8 to church! I’ll admit that I slept most of the way to the church. None of you could completely understand how hard it is to see in the back of a tap tap. I’ll post pictures when I can but it is very shaky, bouncy, bumpy .. you get the picture. Nonetheless, I put a Rick Pino/Misty Edwards mix in my ears and I was out for at least 45 minutes.
It took us what seemed like a long time to get there, maybe an hour and a half. Once we got out of the city, we entered into the country which looked very poor. I know I keep comparing this place to Disney, which isn’t the best analogy .. but it look a lot like something you would see in Animal Kingdom. There weren’t any tent cities, but the people lived in shack looking things. After what seemed like forever of driving straight, we turned right on yet another bumpy road! Being on all of these bumpy roads makes me want to go 4-wheelin’! Once we turned there were men on motorcycles who would drive you up the ‘mountain’ to church. I was very close to hopping out of the tap tap and hopping onto a motorcycle. I mean, you only live once .. you might has well take the opportunity to ride up a mountain on the back of a motorcycle with a Haitian! Haha. Mr. Donald said he would pay for it .. but then he said that he wouldn’t pay for our hospital bills. Well, that did it for me. I know that there are angels all around, but I’d rather not chance it.
Once we arrived church had already begun. We unloaded the truck, and the women headed back for a potty break. OH. MY. GOSH! I will never, ever, ever be paranoid of public bathrooms again. Their “toilet” was literally a very large hole with a big brick square around it, maybe two feet high and two feet wide. Since the whole was in such an awkward location it made this process very difficult. Not to mention it smelt very, very, very bad. After the adventure to the bathroom (Yes, it was an adventure!), we headed into the church. I felt so special because they had saved us seats right on the front row. The place was packed with men, women and lots of children! They were singing when we entered so, of course, we joined right in. After that Pastor Maxeau called Mr. Donald and “Madame Donald” up to the platform so he could speak. Mr. Andy went next and then it was just opened to different team members who wanted to share what God had placed on their hearts.
I think I went fourth. I shared with the people of the Valley of Hope things that I am sure I have shared on here but are so amazing they can be repeated. Anyone reading this should know that I love the Spanish language, and I can speak Spanish fairly well. The people of Haiti speak a mix of French and Creole, which has made communication only possible through hand gestures and translators. You know what though guys, I have never FELT so much love in all my life! I am so thankful that love doesn’t have to be spoken, it is expressed. The Haitian people are such loving people and this was shown yet again on Sunday at Pastor Maxeau’s church. There “go hug 40 people” as Pastor would say, wasn’t just hugging because they had to. No, they loved on us! It was an amazing experience. I also shared a Scripture with them. Romans 5:5 – “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” The name of their church is Valley of Hope, so I thought this Scripture was very fitting. Often times in life we feel as though God has disappointed us, but He has not – and He never will!
After we shared we praised a little more! I even got on the keyboard, which was fun! Then Pastor Maxeau preached some more, then we praised more, then more preaching, then more praising! It was an action packed, Spirit-filled service! Following the service Ms. Fran, Smith and I did a puppet show for the children, and Pastor Maxeau passed out some of the goodies that our team brought. Then we ate! I’m sure I’ve mention this before, but Haitian food is so good! I took pictures of the meal, so I’ll post them on Facebook when I can. After the meal we all packed back in the truck and ventured back to the guest house.
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
It took us what seemed like a long time to get there, maybe an hour and a half. Once we got out of the city, we entered into the country which looked very poor. I know I keep comparing this place to Disney, which isn’t the best analogy .. but it look a lot like something you would see in Animal Kingdom. There weren’t any tent cities, but the people lived in shack looking things. After what seemed like forever of driving straight, we turned right on yet another bumpy road! Being on all of these bumpy roads makes me want to go 4-wheelin’! Once we turned there were men on motorcycles who would drive you up the ‘mountain’ to church. I was very close to hopping out of the tap tap and hopping onto a motorcycle. I mean, you only live once .. you might has well take the opportunity to ride up a mountain on the back of a motorcycle with a Haitian! Haha. Mr. Donald said he would pay for it .. but then he said that he wouldn’t pay for our hospital bills. Well, that did it for me. I know that there are angels all around, but I’d rather not chance it.
Once we arrived church had already begun. We unloaded the truck, and the women headed back for a potty break. OH. MY. GOSH! I will never, ever, ever be paranoid of public bathrooms again. Their “toilet” was literally a very large hole with a big brick square around it, maybe two feet high and two feet wide. Since the whole was in such an awkward location it made this process very difficult. Not to mention it smelt very, very, very bad. After the adventure to the bathroom (Yes, it was an adventure!), we headed into the church. I felt so special because they had saved us seats right on the front row. The place was packed with men, women and lots of children! They were singing when we entered so, of course, we joined right in. After that Pastor Maxeau called Mr. Donald and “Madame Donald” up to the platform so he could speak. Mr. Andy went next and then it was just opened to different team members who wanted to share what God had placed on their hearts.
I think I went fourth. I shared with the people of the Valley of Hope things that I am sure I have shared on here but are so amazing they can be repeated. Anyone reading this should know that I love the Spanish language, and I can speak Spanish fairly well. The people of Haiti speak a mix of French and Creole, which has made communication only possible through hand gestures and translators. You know what though guys, I have never FELT so much love in all my life! I am so thankful that love doesn’t have to be spoken, it is expressed. The Haitian people are such loving people and this was shown yet again on Sunday at Pastor Maxeau’s church. There “go hug 40 people” as Pastor would say, wasn’t just hugging because they had to. No, they loved on us! It was an amazing experience. I also shared a Scripture with them. Romans 5:5 – “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” The name of their church is Valley of Hope, so I thought this Scripture was very fitting. Often times in life we feel as though God has disappointed us, but He has not – and He never will!
After we shared we praised a little more! I even got on the keyboard, which was fun! Then Pastor Maxeau preached some more, then we praised more, then more preaching, then more praising! It was an action packed, Spirit-filled service! Following the service Ms. Fran, Smith and I did a puppet show for the children, and Pastor Maxeau passed out some of the goodies that our team brought. Then we ate! I’m sure I’ve mention this before, but Haitian food is so good! I took pictures of the meal, so I’ll post them on Facebook when I can. After the meal we all packed back in the truck and ventured back to the guest house.
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
Sunday, October 17
Day Three!
I’m sorry that I was slack and didn’t post this last night. I was so tired! Day three was better than day two, and day one. If each day just keeps getting better I don’t know what we’ll do by Thursday. I figured out that I still really don’t like coffee. I tried it again this morning, and it wasn’t nearly as good. It must have just been that I was running on empty Friday morning and my body was willing to try anything. Haha.
I woke up about 6:30, took a shower and ate breakfast (which was delicious, per usual). Serge got here about 9 and we all piled into the truck to head to the girl’s home. Actually, I rode in Pastor Maxeau’s truck instead of with Serge. We spent the entire day again at the girl’s home doing several activities with them.
The first was to get them all upstairs to get ready for their pictures. I didn’t help with that because Ms. Fran, Smith, Joe G. Mr. Jack and I took the time alone downstairs to prepare for our puppet show. More about the puppet show later, because it was absolutely hilarious! After the pictures, some of the team members took the girls outside to play a game. I’m not sure the name of the game that they played but I have seen people play it at the beach and tailgating. I took some video footage of it, because the girl’s got so excited with their ball/role went around the rod. Following the game, Smith and I did a picture story with the girls. We did the story of Lazarus. They all seemed to enjoy, and understand it. After the story they colored a picture about Lazarus.
This is when my “moment” for the day happened. I was very, very tired at that point in the day so as the girls were coloring I sat down in the middle of all of their tables. As I was watching them all color and practicing my Creole by telling them “good job”, one of the girls climbed into my lap. You have to understand that it is nothing out of the ordinary for a girl (or five girls) to be in your lap. Nahomi, who is twelve, was the girl that was in my lap in this particular occasion. As she sat there I rocked her pack and forth, and sang (in English, so I’m sure she didn’t completely understand it). After a few minutes she turned around and asked me if I was tired. I told her that I was. What she did next blessed me so. She started scratching my back and playing with my hair, just like I had been doing with her, until I fell asleep! Yes, I’ll admit that I fell asleep on this little girl while everyone was finishing up their pictures. What Nahomi did just blessed me so. I know that I am here to give to these girls, but for her to give back to me (even though it was such a small thing as letting me rest my head on her) blessed me.
After coloring, and my nap the girls lunch was prepared and they ate. I chose to sit at the table to eat lunch with the girls, which was interesting. I enjoyed watching them interact, even though I couldn’t understand a thing they were saying! Haha. Once lunch was over Smith, our translator and the girl’s tutor, cut the radio on so the girls could dance. The might have been the cutest thing ever! I now wish that I had videoed it. It touched my heart to see the girls dancing around and with Smith. You can definitely tell that they all love each other.
After that fun we did more activities with the girls. Two of our team members (Mr. Jack and Mr. Joe) did flannel board Bible stories with the girls, which went very well. Ms. Fran, Smith and I did a puppet show, our very first puppet show actually! Smith did great! Again we did the story of Lazarus. The story line was basically how Lazarus went back to the funeral home and asked for a refund for his funeral since he obviously wasn’t dead anymore. Ms. Fran and I just moved the puppet, and Smith did all of the talking. He differentiated the voices between the funeral home director and Lazarus very well, and the girls laughed the whole time.
Once the puppet show was over, we taught the girls about the Salvation dolls and allowed them to make their own Salvation necklaces’ with different color beads. I do think they enjoyed the activity but at this point they were tired and so we were. As I type this our day doesn’t seem that long, but believe me – it was!
We left there about 4:00, and came back to Dottie’s. For dinner last night we had a Haitian classic, beans and rice along with chick and various types of Salad. Mr. Donald did the devotion and then he told us the story of Pastor Maxeau’s church. What an amazing God we serve! That story just shows how incredible God is! I’ll make a special entry about that – I just don’t have time right now.
Yesterday I went off on a “bunny trail” about how much the girls love having their picture taken. Today though my “trail” is going to be about the language barrier we have. The girls speak French/Creole, and I can only speak English and some Spanish. Communication has been mostly done through people translating and body language. I have tried to learn some simple phrases like “good job”, “I love you”, “write your name”, “see you tomorrow” and so on .. . I am really paranoid that I say them wrong because each time I say something to the girls in their language they giggle! Maybe I am just that bad with pronunciation. Haha. You know what though, I am so thankful that you don’t have to talk love – you just feel it and love is what I feel from the time I walk through the gates at the girl’s home to the time I leave!
Tomorrow we are going to church at Pastor Maxeau’s and I am so excited! I can’t wait to worship with these people and see what God is going do to in the service. I also am excited about the meal afterwards. Have I mentioned that I love the Haitian food?! I’m sure I have, because it is just “that” good. I’ve just realized that I haven’t taken pictures of any of the food yet so I’ll be sure to do that tomorrow.
Please keep praying for us!
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
I woke up about 6:30, took a shower and ate breakfast (which was delicious, per usual). Serge got here about 9 and we all piled into the truck to head to the girl’s home. Actually, I rode in Pastor Maxeau’s truck instead of with Serge. We spent the entire day again at the girl’s home doing several activities with them.
The first was to get them all upstairs to get ready for their pictures. I didn’t help with that because Ms. Fran, Smith, Joe G. Mr. Jack and I took the time alone downstairs to prepare for our puppet show. More about the puppet show later, because it was absolutely hilarious! After the pictures, some of the team members took the girls outside to play a game. I’m not sure the name of the game that they played but I have seen people play it at the beach and tailgating. I took some video footage of it, because the girl’s got so excited with their ball/role went around the rod. Following the game, Smith and I did a picture story with the girls. We did the story of Lazarus. They all seemed to enjoy, and understand it. After the story they colored a picture about Lazarus.
This is when my “moment” for the day happened. I was very, very tired at that point in the day so as the girls were coloring I sat down in the middle of all of their tables. As I was watching them all color and practicing my Creole by telling them “good job”, one of the girls climbed into my lap. You have to understand that it is nothing out of the ordinary for a girl (or five girls) to be in your lap. Nahomi, who is twelve, was the girl that was in my lap in this particular occasion. As she sat there I rocked her pack and forth, and sang (in English, so I’m sure she didn’t completely understand it). After a few minutes she turned around and asked me if I was tired. I told her that I was. What she did next blessed me so. She started scratching my back and playing with my hair, just like I had been doing with her, until I fell asleep! Yes, I’ll admit that I fell asleep on this little girl while everyone was finishing up their pictures. What Nahomi did just blessed me so. I know that I am here to give to these girls, but for her to give back to me (even though it was such a small thing as letting me rest my head on her) blessed me.
After coloring, and my nap the girls lunch was prepared and they ate. I chose to sit at the table to eat lunch with the girls, which was interesting. I enjoyed watching them interact, even though I couldn’t understand a thing they were saying! Haha. Once lunch was over Smith, our translator and the girl’s tutor, cut the radio on so the girls could dance. The might have been the cutest thing ever! I now wish that I had videoed it. It touched my heart to see the girls dancing around and with Smith. You can definitely tell that they all love each other.
After that fun we did more activities with the girls. Two of our team members (Mr. Jack and Mr. Joe) did flannel board Bible stories with the girls, which went very well. Ms. Fran, Smith and I did a puppet show, our very first puppet show actually! Smith did great! Again we did the story of Lazarus. The story line was basically how Lazarus went back to the funeral home and asked for a refund for his funeral since he obviously wasn’t dead anymore. Ms. Fran and I just moved the puppet, and Smith did all of the talking. He differentiated the voices between the funeral home director and Lazarus very well, and the girls laughed the whole time.
Once the puppet show was over, we taught the girls about the Salvation dolls and allowed them to make their own Salvation necklaces’ with different color beads. I do think they enjoyed the activity but at this point they were tired and so we were. As I type this our day doesn’t seem that long, but believe me – it was!
We left there about 4:00, and came back to Dottie’s. For dinner last night we had a Haitian classic, beans and rice along with chick and various types of Salad. Mr. Donald did the devotion and then he told us the story of Pastor Maxeau’s church. What an amazing God we serve! That story just shows how incredible God is! I’ll make a special entry about that – I just don’t have time right now.
Yesterday I went off on a “bunny trail” about how much the girls love having their picture taken. Today though my “trail” is going to be about the language barrier we have. The girls speak French/Creole, and I can only speak English and some Spanish. Communication has been mostly done through people translating and body language. I have tried to learn some simple phrases like “good job”, “I love you”, “write your name”, “see you tomorrow” and so on .. . I am really paranoid that I say them wrong because each time I say something to the girls in their language they giggle! Maybe I am just that bad with pronunciation. Haha. You know what though, I am so thankful that you don’t have to talk love – you just feel it and love is what I feel from the time I walk through the gates at the girl’s home to the time I leave!
Tomorrow we are going to church at Pastor Maxeau’s and I am so excited! I can’t wait to worship with these people and see what God is going do to in the service. I also am excited about the meal afterwards. Have I mentioned that I love the Haitian food?! I’m sure I have, because it is just “that” good. I’ve just realized that I haven’t taken pictures of any of the food yet so I’ll be sure to do that tomorrow.
Please keep praying for us!
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
Friday, October 15
Day Two!
I must warn you all that I have been up since 5 o’clock this morning and I am very tired, so I’m not even going to bother proof reading what I am about to type.
Day two was amazing. It all started this morning with something very new for me – coffee! I haven’t ever really considered myself a coffee drinker because I only drink frappes and I don’t really consider that “real” coffee. I had three cups this morning! I don’t know if I was just willing to try anything to get this day rolling, or if Haitian coffee is just that good .. but I had fun doing the “adult thing” and drinking coffee this morning. Breakfast was amazing! Like pancakes, sausage, fruit and fresh juice kind of amazing.
After breakfast we headed off with Serge to the children’s home. I sat in the front seat, so I took some really great video footage and pictures on the way! Once we got there Ms. Fran showed the girls all of the new books, and explained to them some “book rules.” They were so happy about the books! When you think about it though, a book is such a small thing that can make a huge impact in a child’s life. When she finished I (along with the help of Smith, who translated) introduced the girls to two of our new puppets, and let them vote on some names for them. This process was fun, chaotic and hilarious all at the same time! When it was all said and done though the girl’s name is Selena and the boy is Mike Gyver .. interesting, huh? We made paper bag puppets after the naming of the real puppets, which was a lot of fun. The girls are very talented! Speaking of talent - they did some songs, skits, poems, and a fashion show for us today! I can’t wait to upload the video that I have. It was fabulous.
The ladies at the home cooked lunch for us, and it was one of the best meals I think I have ever had. And yes, I mean that. It definitely may have even topped a Sunday dinner of pork chops, macaroni and green bean casserole! Now that I have figured out that I like Haitian food, I may not come back home. ;) The men did some Experience God training with some of the pastors this morning, so they joined us back at the home for lunch also. It was a very ‘family’ feel there during lunch, which I thought was great!
Once lunch was over, which was seriously a good hour and a half, Smith and I did a Bible story with the girls. We did the story of Jonah with picture cards and it went very well. I think the story of Jonah is very relatable to a mission trip expericene. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and share the Gospel but he disobeyed. Well, I guess he at least tried to. Sometimes when God tells us to do something we try to ‘haggle’ it out with Him instead of just obeying. We may say things like “God, I really don’t want to go to a foreign country, but I’ll definitely send them a check” or “God, I want to witness to that person, but I am afraid of what others might think.” Please don’t get me wrong, checks are great but if God is telling you to go (whether it is to Haiti or two seats down at the lunch table) then you better GO! After the story the girls did their performances, which were so great! Then we just read books and danced around until it was time to leave.
Tonight for dinner we had a Haitian stew, corn salad, bean salad, ‘real salad, and cake. It was delicious. We have devotion during dessert, and tonight Mr. Andy led. God is so amazing because, of course, he spoke on just what I needed to hear. Not even in a Haiti related way, but just in life. He talked about nothing getting tired or weary .. and as soon as I get back from Haiti I am going to devote a whole blog to the Bible verses. It was great. After devotion we all shared our favorite moment from the day. I feel so close to every one of the team members, even though we have only been together two days. They are all such great people.
I’m sorry that there haven’t been many pictures. I’m trying not to upload anything, so that’s why there is just one on each blog. However, get ready for the release of pictures next Thursday .. I do have nine hours to kill in the Miami airport!
There are so many thoughts running through my mind, so I also ‘vlogged’ tonight. However, I look a mess so I’m not posting it. Oh! I forgot to tell you all that the girls braided my hair today! It was so fun, and its looks great. For all of the “Facebookers”, there is a picture of it on there.
The plan for tomorrow is to take pictures, do a puppet show, teach them about Salvation dolls and make Salvation bracelets. I’m going to get on a ‘bunny trail’ for a few sentences. These girls love having their picture taken, and taking pictures. From the second they realize you have a camera all you hear is “Photo, photo, photo!.” As a result – most of my pictures are crooked, only have half of face and are completely out of focus but they love them so that’s all that matters.
I guess I have expressed my thoughts enough for tonight. I’m not proofing, so hopefully this makes sense. Please keep us covered in prayer. I know it may sound stupid, but I can feel them!
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
Day two was amazing. It all started this morning with something very new for me – coffee! I haven’t ever really considered myself a coffee drinker because I only drink frappes and I don’t really consider that “real” coffee. I had three cups this morning! I don’t know if I was just willing to try anything to get this day rolling, or if Haitian coffee is just that good .. but I had fun doing the “adult thing” and drinking coffee this morning. Breakfast was amazing! Like pancakes, sausage, fruit and fresh juice kind of amazing.
After breakfast we headed off with Serge to the children’s home. I sat in the front seat, so I took some really great video footage and pictures on the way! Once we got there Ms. Fran showed the girls all of the new books, and explained to them some “book rules.” They were so happy about the books! When you think about it though, a book is such a small thing that can make a huge impact in a child’s life. When she finished I (along with the help of Smith, who translated) introduced the girls to two of our new puppets, and let them vote on some names for them. This process was fun, chaotic and hilarious all at the same time! When it was all said and done though the girl’s name is Selena and the boy is Mike Gyver .. interesting, huh? We made paper bag puppets after the naming of the real puppets, which was a lot of fun. The girls are very talented! Speaking of talent - they did some songs, skits, poems, and a fashion show for us today! I can’t wait to upload the video that I have. It was fabulous.
The ladies at the home cooked lunch for us, and it was one of the best meals I think I have ever had. And yes, I mean that. It definitely may have even topped a Sunday dinner of pork chops, macaroni and green bean casserole! Now that I have figured out that I like Haitian food, I may not come back home. ;) The men did some Experience God training with some of the pastors this morning, so they joined us back at the home for lunch also. It was a very ‘family’ feel there during lunch, which I thought was great!
Once lunch was over, which was seriously a good hour and a half, Smith and I did a Bible story with the girls. We did the story of Jonah with picture cards and it went very well. I think the story of Jonah is very relatable to a mission trip expericene. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and share the Gospel but he disobeyed. Well, I guess he at least tried to. Sometimes when God tells us to do something we try to ‘haggle’ it out with Him instead of just obeying. We may say things like “God, I really don’t want to go to a foreign country, but I’ll definitely send them a check” or “God, I want to witness to that person, but I am afraid of what others might think.” Please don’t get me wrong, checks are great but if God is telling you to go (whether it is to Haiti or two seats down at the lunch table) then you better GO! After the story the girls did their performances, which were so great! Then we just read books and danced around until it was time to leave.
Tonight for dinner we had a Haitian stew, corn salad, bean salad, ‘real salad, and cake. It was delicious. We have devotion during dessert, and tonight Mr. Andy led. God is so amazing because, of course, he spoke on just what I needed to hear. Not even in a Haiti related way, but just in life. He talked about nothing getting tired or weary .. and as soon as I get back from Haiti I am going to devote a whole blog to the Bible verses. It was great. After devotion we all shared our favorite moment from the day. I feel so close to every one of the team members, even though we have only been together two days. They are all such great people.
I’m sorry that there haven’t been many pictures. I’m trying not to upload anything, so that’s why there is just one on each blog. However, get ready for the release of pictures next Thursday .. I do have nine hours to kill in the Miami airport!
There are so many thoughts running through my mind, so I also ‘vlogged’ tonight. However, I look a mess so I’m not posting it. Oh! I forgot to tell you all that the girls braided my hair today! It was so fun, and its looks great. For all of the “Facebookers”, there is a picture of it on there.
The plan for tomorrow is to take pictures, do a puppet show, teach them about Salvation dolls and make Salvation bracelets. I’m going to get on a ‘bunny trail’ for a few sentences. These girls love having their picture taken, and taking pictures. From the second they realize you have a camera all you hear is “Photo, photo, photo!.” As a result – most of my pictures are crooked, only have half of face and are completely out of focus but they love them so that’s all that matters.
I guess I have expressed my thoughts enough for tonight. I’m not proofing, so hopefully this makes sense. Please keep us covered in prayer. I know it may sound stupid, but I can feel them!
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
Thursday, October 14
Where's Hannah?!
So, guess where Hannah is?! HAITI! Day one was amazing. The airport situation was extremely scary, because everyone just tries to grab your bags and you’re only option (that they actually pay attention to) is to yell “No!, No!, No!” until they stop. So, Haitians first impression of Hannah was that she was very .. erm, forceful. Possibly much different than what Americans think of me. Once we got through the airport, the team split into two trucks. I rode with Serge to the guest house. That might have honestly been the most impacting 30ish minutes of my life. You know all of that stuff you see on tv?! Well, it’s no joke. I’ve never seen anything like what these people live in, ever. There are actually tent cities. Yes, people who live in tents on ground that is nasty because pigs just wonder around rummaging through the trash that is dumped on the streets. I don’t know why I didn’t think that there wouldn’t be, because I have seen the news reports and heard the stories but to witness the destruction and the lifestyle that these people live in leaves me at a loss for words.
I made myself promise that I wouldn’t cry because these people don’t need my tears, but I’ll admit that I had to choke back tears several times today. My life today has felt like a movie from the second I step off the plane in Haiti. I have seen things that I “knew” existed but didn’t “believe” existed. I have found a new love for everything I have in life that I, at this very moment, feel I don’t deserve. What makes me more ‘worthy’ of my home, my car, food, and even my education than these people who may not ever know anything more in life than this?! I am using the word ‘this’ because I honestly have no words to describe it. I’ll post a few pictures, but I’m going to try and get some more tomorrow on the truck ride to AFCA. Speaking of AFCA, I met the girls today and I love them all! More about them tomorrow, right now its 7:30 and I am exhausted.
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
I made myself promise that I wouldn’t cry because these people don’t need my tears, but I’ll admit that I had to choke back tears several times today. My life today has felt like a movie from the second I step off the plane in Haiti. I have seen things that I “knew” existed but didn’t “believe” existed. I have found a new love for everything I have in life that I, at this very moment, feel I don’t deserve. What makes me more ‘worthy’ of my home, my car, food, and even my education than these people who may not ever know anything more in life than this?! I am using the word ‘this’ because I honestly have no words to describe it. I’ll post a few pictures, but I’m going to try and get some more tomorrow on the truck ride to AFCA. Speaking of AFCA, I met the girls today and I love them all! More about them tomorrow, right now its 7:30 and I am exhausted.
Love to you all.
Blessings,
Han
I know the quality isn't good because I had to upload it small, but this is the tent city inside of AFCA.
Sitting on a plane on the outside .. ;)
Well, I’m a on a flight to Haiti! Actually it’s a flight to Miami, but its step one to getting there. I can’t believe this day is finally here. For the past 8 weeks I have been waiting for this day and its finally here! I am so tired, but want to write this while its on my mind. Last night was crazy. If I start talking about it I will babble on, so let’s just say that it included a trip to Wal-Mart at midnight; a broken frappe machine; three license checks (yes, THREE); two trips to Walterboro .. And a partridge in a pear tree. Haha. I don’t even think that’s how that song goes, but oh well – its far too early for good blogging humor. I guess though it all came together because at 3:50 this morning I got in a car and at 6:13 I boarded a plane.
I cannot believe that I am on the way to Haiti! On the way to meet these children that I have prayed for and feel like I already love! So far so good on the flight except that I can’t figure out if we are over a mass of clouds or water. This might be sign that I should go back to sleep. I must have gone to sleep for about 10 minutes after we took off, and I am so glad I did! I’m not to fond of the going up, or the coming down. The whole time though I was just reminding myself that taking off is just like Mission Space, and I do Mission Space like a champ! So, I chanted “Mission Space” in my head while chomping on my chewing gum. Then it suddenly hit me that I was trying to calm myself by thinking about a ride that like three people had died on. Somehow after that thought I must have fallen asleep and I am glad I did!
So, under me is definitely water – a beach! Maybe somewhere in Jacksonville? I can kind of see a football stadium that might be the Jaguar’s stadium. Aw, saying (erm, typing) Jaguar makes me miss my Gucci! Nonetheless, the view from here is incredible. The way you can see all of the roads and how they connect and weave through places is amazing! It reminds me of looking at life. How often do we only focus on how we don’t like the road we are travelling on, not even bothering to realize that it is taking us to another, much greater road. Life is definitely a highway .. .
We made it to Miami! The flight went by pretty fast, but I think that’s because I slept through most of it. Now we are sitting at the airport waiting for our flight to Haiti! It takes off at 9:45, so we have about an hour before we hit the road again.
I'm trying to post pictures but its having issues tonight. I'll try again tomorrow.
I cannot believe that I am on the way to Haiti! On the way to meet these children that I have prayed for and feel like I already love! So far so good on the flight except that I can’t figure out if we are over a mass of clouds or water. This might be sign that I should go back to sleep. I must have gone to sleep for about 10 minutes after we took off, and I am so glad I did! I’m not to fond of the going up, or the coming down. The whole time though I was just reminding myself that taking off is just like Mission Space, and I do Mission Space like a champ! So, I chanted “Mission Space” in my head while chomping on my chewing gum. Then it suddenly hit me that I was trying to calm myself by thinking about a ride that like three people had died on. Somehow after that thought I must have fallen asleep and I am glad I did!
So, under me is definitely water – a beach! Maybe somewhere in Jacksonville? I can kind of see a football stadium that might be the Jaguar’s stadium. Aw, saying (erm, typing) Jaguar makes me miss my Gucci! Nonetheless, the view from here is incredible. The way you can see all of the roads and how they connect and weave through places is amazing! It reminds me of looking at life. How often do we only focus on how we don’t like the road we are travelling on, not even bothering to realize that it is taking us to another, much greater road. Life is definitely a highway .. .
We made it to Miami! The flight went by pretty fast, but I think that’s because I slept through most of it. Now we are sitting at the airport waiting for our flight to Haiti! It takes off at 9:45, so we have about an hour before we hit the road again.
I'm trying to post pictures but its having issues tonight. I'll try again tomorrow.
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