Today we went up Cha Cha Mountain. What an adventure that was! Anyone reading this knows that mountain climbing is not my thing, at all .. and I can say that it still is not. It was definitely an amazing experience, but a once in a life time experience – for sure. If they ever dedicate a church up there, I’ll go back but other than that I don’t ever see it happening it again.
It took us maybe 2 or so hours to get to the bottom and maybe another 45 to get to the top. We had the option of riding a donkey, walking or riding in the truck to the very top. I’m sure you all know which one I chose – the truck! It was a fun ride in back of a truck, for sure.
Once we arrived there was a church service already in session, so we finished that one and then took a break. Once everyone was there we started up again with more singing, dancing, praying and preaching (not in the order, and all more than once). We also all got a chance to share something with the people. I chose my ‘ole faithful Jeremiah 29:11, because we all need to be encouraged that God has a plan and it is always a good one!
What stood out the most to me was toward end of the service the pastor announced that we were going to Holy Spirit dance after prayer. It reminded of the times I have heard to “praise my way into victory.” They must have danced for 30 minutes. It was incredible.
After that we looked at some land for a possible church building location. We were heading back to the truck and we were asked to come back to the church because they had prepared breakfast for us. Mind you, it was about 2 o’clock at this point. There was coffee, bread, cheese spread and eggs. I wasn’t very brave and only had bread and cheese spread, but it was very good.
Following ‘breakfast’ we headed back down the mountain and to the mission house.
It was an incredible experience, and definitely one that I will never forget! These people worshipped and praised with everything they had, and there was such an atmosphere of expectancy in that place. I’ll end this with something that I have heard my Papa say many times “The atmosphere of expectancy, is the breeding ground of miracles!” A miracle is what they need on the top of Cha Cha, and these people are definitely expecting God to move on their behalf. We all need to join in agreement with them. We serve a big God, and through Him ALL things are possible!!
Blessings,
Han
Wednesday, March 9
Tuesday, March 8
Haiti: Day Four.
The plan for today was changed several time, but ‘our’ plans are never as important as God’s plan. The original plan for the day was to prepare food at the school, but the girls do not have school this week because of a festival. The next plan was to visit downtown, but that wasn’t possible either because of the festival.
We started out the day by going to visit a possible new location for the girls home. It was very nice! This is the second one that we have seen, and I like the second one much better than the first. If all goes to plan, we should be moving the girls with-in the next couple of days. There ended up being a problem with one of the cars while we were there, so we stayed there quite a while.
Once the car was fixed, we headed over to AFCA. I was in the car with Serge, Ms. Barbie and Sarah. I had been having an itch to visit an art vender. We passed one on the way and stopped! It was great. I didn’t buy anything, but it was a good ‘I’ve been to Haiti and done this .. ‘ experience. Sarah bought two paintings, and it was so neat to listen to Serge and Ms. Barbie negotiate the price.
After our shopping adventure, we continued on to AFCA. I think we got there about 12, and at 12:30 we did a Bible lesson and craft. We did the story of how Jesus calmed the storm, and made pinwheels to go along with it. The girls really enjoyed this.
We didn’t do much else with them the rest of the day except for play games and just fellowship. In many ways those days are my favorite, because you don’t have to be concerned with projects finished – you just get to be around them.
Please keep the prayers coming.
Blessings,
Han
We started out the day by going to visit a possible new location for the girls home. It was very nice! This is the second one that we have seen, and I like the second one much better than the first. If all goes to plan, we should be moving the girls with-in the next couple of days. There ended up being a problem with one of the cars while we were there, so we stayed there quite a while.
Once the car was fixed, we headed over to AFCA. I was in the car with Serge, Ms. Barbie and Sarah. I had been having an itch to visit an art vender. We passed one on the way and stopped! It was great. I didn’t buy anything, but it was a good ‘I’ve been to Haiti and done this .. ‘ experience. Sarah bought two paintings, and it was so neat to listen to Serge and Ms. Barbie negotiate the price.
After our shopping adventure, we continued on to AFCA. I think we got there about 12, and at 12:30 we did a Bible lesson and craft. We did the story of how Jesus calmed the storm, and made pinwheels to go along with it. The girls really enjoyed this.
We didn’t do much else with them the rest of the day except for play games and just fellowship. In many ways those days are my favorite, because you don’t have to be concerned with projects finished – you just get to be around them.
Please keep the prayers coming.
Blessings,
Han
Monday, March 7
Haiti: Day Three.
Today we went to the Valley of Hope for church. This was also the Sunday that they were going to dedicate the church. What a service it was.
We got there early, which I was glad about because it gave us some time to take pictures and look around. The church looks amazing compared to the last time I saw it in October. There is now guest bathroom! Pastor Maxeau also has an office (made out of a Samaratian’s Purse tents), which has a little store attached to it.
The dedication practices in Haiti are different that than are in the States. From what I could understand, all of the people gathered at the front of the church along with Pastor Maxeau. Pastor Maxeau then knocked on the door and a voice from the inside said something to the extent of “This is the presence of God entering your church.” I have a feeling that there was more to it than that because this went on for a good five minutes. Following that we all entered the church.
The service started with some songs of praise, and then a song of worship. Pastor Maxeau then got up and spoke for a while, then three choirs sang, then our team went to the front to introduce ourselves, then Mr. Donald introduced Pastor Ted and he preached. Following his sermons Mr. Donald and Ms. Barbie went to the front to accept gifts of thanks from the church for the help that HUG and NDI had given then. I think there was more singing after that, and then all of the visiting pastors (I think there were 9), along with the mayor got up to speak. Then the choirs sang again, and someone from the church spoke and sang, and then Pastor Maxeau talked for a while longer, followed by more singing and a prayer. That summary was horribly written, but considering that the service was four and a half hours long .. it was hard to keep up with the order of events.
Following the service we had lunch, which was as amazing as I remembered. I have got to figure out how to make that beet potato salad!
After that we rode back to the house. While we were riding, I took some great pictures. I can’t wait to post them!
Once we got back here, we ordered pizza .. and I was sleeping by 7:30. :)
Blessings,
Han
We got there early, which I was glad about because it gave us some time to take pictures and look around. The church looks amazing compared to the last time I saw it in October. There is now guest bathroom! Pastor Maxeau also has an office (made out of a Samaratian’s Purse tents), which has a little store attached to it.
The dedication practices in Haiti are different that than are in the States. From what I could understand, all of the people gathered at the front of the church along with Pastor Maxeau. Pastor Maxeau then knocked on the door and a voice from the inside said something to the extent of “This is the presence of God entering your church.” I have a feeling that there was more to it than that because this went on for a good five minutes. Following that we all entered the church.
The service started with some songs of praise, and then a song of worship. Pastor Maxeau then got up and spoke for a while, then three choirs sang, then our team went to the front to introduce ourselves, then Mr. Donald introduced Pastor Ted and he preached. Following his sermons Mr. Donald and Ms. Barbie went to the front to accept gifts of thanks from the church for the help that HUG and NDI had given then. I think there was more singing after that, and then all of the visiting pastors (I think there were 9), along with the mayor got up to speak. Then the choirs sang again, and someone from the church spoke and sang, and then Pastor Maxeau talked for a while longer, followed by more singing and a prayer. That summary was horribly written, but considering that the service was four and a half hours long .. it was hard to keep up with the order of events.
Following the service we had lunch, which was as amazing as I remembered. I have got to figure out how to make that beet potato salad!
After that we rode back to the house. While we were riding, I took some great pictures. I can’t wait to post them!
Once we got back here, we ordered pizza .. and I was sleeping by 7:30. :)
Blessings,
Han
Saturday, March 5
Haiti: Day Two.
Today I spent the entire day at the girls home with Mr. Donald and Mr. Cal. The rest of the team went to a baptism at Pastor Maxeau’s church .. that didn’t actually end up happening.
We started off the morning by reading Psalm 139 with the girls. I had this idea that I was going to read it in Creole, but that plan was changed rather quickly because the pronunciation is far from easy. So, I read the English and Smith read the Creole. We focused mainly in verse fourteen, which talks about how we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The girls wrote that verse on a bookmark, and then we stamped their thumbprints on them. They were amazed to see how different each and every one of their prints are, but it just shows how great God’s design is!
Next the girls had their first experience with play dough! I would write a letter on the whiteboard, and they would recreate it with their play dough. Then they would chant “This is the letter ___”, while making a beat on the table – it was great!
B y this point my voice was starting to go, so we brought out sidewalk chalk and went outside. The girls attempted to teach us how to play this game with rocks, but I never got the hang of it. We also did hopscotch, and swung on the swing set.
Last time I was here they taught me a Haitian dance , so I decided that this time I would teach them an American dance. We did the Cha Cha Slide, and they thought it was great! They were also super cute doing it.
After they had lunch we did a Bible lesson on David and Goliath, followed by a coloring sheet. Then Mr. Cal and I took them outside to play ladderball. I don’t know if any of you are familiar with the game, but it basically is two balls hooked together by a piece of rope that you throw at a pvc pipe. The object is to hook the ball-rope thing around the pipe. The ball-rope thing reminded me of David’s sling, so we tied that into the story. They had so much fun with this. The screams and ‘jumps for joy’ each time they made one around the pole was priceless!
Lastly, we played a game of educational bingo and then we headed back to the mission house. Its 4:59, and I am ready to eat .. so I’m going to end this now.
Thanks for all of the healing prayers, I am feeling much better today.
Blessings,
Hannah
We started off the morning by reading Psalm 139 with the girls. I had this idea that I was going to read it in Creole, but that plan was changed rather quickly because the pronunciation is far from easy. So, I read the English and Smith read the Creole. We focused mainly in verse fourteen, which talks about how we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The girls wrote that verse on a bookmark, and then we stamped their thumbprints on them. They were amazed to see how different each and every one of their prints are, but it just shows how great God’s design is!
Next the girls had their first experience with play dough! I would write a letter on the whiteboard, and they would recreate it with their play dough. Then they would chant “This is the letter ___”, while making a beat on the table – it was great!
B y this point my voice was starting to go, so we brought out sidewalk chalk and went outside. The girls attempted to teach us how to play this game with rocks, but I never got the hang of it. We also did hopscotch, and swung on the swing set.
Last time I was here they taught me a Haitian dance , so I decided that this time I would teach them an American dance. We did the Cha Cha Slide, and they thought it was great! They were also super cute doing it.
After they had lunch we did a Bible lesson on David and Goliath, followed by a coloring sheet. Then Mr. Cal and I took them outside to play ladderball. I don’t know if any of you are familiar with the game, but it basically is two balls hooked together by a piece of rope that you throw at a pvc pipe. The object is to hook the ball-rope thing around the pipe. The ball-rope thing reminded me of David’s sling, so we tied that into the story. They had so much fun with this. The screams and ‘jumps for joy’ each time they made one around the pole was priceless!
Lastly, we played a game of educational bingo and then we headed back to the mission house. Its 4:59, and I am ready to eat .. so I’m going to end this now.
Thanks for all of the healing prayers, I am feeling much better today.
Blessings,
Hannah
Friday, March 4
Haiti: Day One.
First of all, shout out to my favorite brother-in-law Dylan who picked me up very early this morning and helped me weigh my suitcase a bunch of times! You're the best.
We left Savannah about 6:30, to go to Miami. We left Miami at 9:45, and made it to Haiti about 12:30. The airport was fun - as usual. I was very proud of myself, because I had to get slighty pushy with this one guy. What part of "No, merci" did he not understand .. so much to the point that I resorted to yelling "No!" at him. He then told me to "relax." Hahaha. Lovely. I am so thankful that Mr. Donald knows what he is doing at the airport, because if not we would all be in a mess.
After we left the airport we came by the missionary house to drop off our luggage, and then we headed to AFCA to see the girls. We stayed there for maybe 3 hours, and then came back to the house.
I am so tired, and after I eat in a few all I want to do is go to bed. Tomorrow we will be at the girls home all day, so that should be a blast. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Ms. Nahomie braided my hair .. like all the way down the scalp braids. They are different, but cute. I feel special that she spent so much time doing my hair. I was so very glad to see her though. She and I really bonded in October.
Haiti looks and smells about the same .. but I don't love it any less. I am, surprisingly, a little bit homesick - but I blame that on not feeling 100%. Please keep the healing prayers coming!
Blessings,
Han
We left Savannah about 6:30, to go to Miami. We left Miami at 9:45, and made it to Haiti about 12:30. The airport was fun - as usual. I was very proud of myself, because I had to get slighty pushy with this one guy. What part of "No, merci" did he not understand .. so much to the point that I resorted to yelling "No!" at him. He then told me to "relax." Hahaha. Lovely. I am so thankful that Mr. Donald knows what he is doing at the airport, because if not we would all be in a mess.
After we left the airport we came by the missionary house to drop off our luggage, and then we headed to AFCA to see the girls. We stayed there for maybe 3 hours, and then came back to the house.
I am so tired, and after I eat in a few all I want to do is go to bed. Tomorrow we will be at the girls home all day, so that should be a blast. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Ms. Nahomie braided my hair .. like all the way down the scalp braids. They are different, but cute. I feel special that she spent so much time doing my hair. I was so very glad to see her though. She and I really bonded in October.
Haiti looks and smells about the same .. but I don't love it any less. I am, surprisingly, a little bit homesick - but I blame that on not feeling 100%. Please keep the healing prayers coming!
Blessings,
Han
Gettin' on a jet plane!
Ok, first of all .. obviously my new year's resolution was a fail. Thanks to those who stuck it out with me for those 3ish days though!
Well, in a few hours I will be getting on a plane bound for Haiti. Please cover our team in prayer. I am so excited for this new adventure, to not only see what God is going to do .. but also to eat some yummy Haitian food! :)
Just to get everyone in the mood - here is one of my favorite songs in Creole. I seriously sing better in Creole (or atleast I think so ..), and I can't wait to sing this with our girls!
Blessings,
Han
Oh, and PS - to all the people in life that I love .. I miss you all dearly!\
Well, in a few hours I will be getting on a plane bound for Haiti. Please cover our team in prayer. I am so excited for this new adventure, to not only see what God is going to do .. but also to eat some yummy Haitian food! :)
Just to get everyone in the mood - here is one of my favorite songs in Creole. I seriously sing better in Creole (or atleast I think so ..), and I can't wait to sing this with our girls!
Blessings,
Han
Oh, and PS - to all the people in life that I love .. I miss you all dearly!\
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