Haiti Team 2017 Update #7

 

The whole crew and kids at Valley of Hope

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7

Today was our last full day in Haiti as we fly out tomorrow at 4:45pm, and it was a good day!

Returning to the Valley of Hope

We headed back up to the village of Chambon to the Valley of Hope church today. It took a lot longer to get there due to traffic, which can be crazy here in Haiti. Our mission was a volleyball clinic and spend time with the children. Our Lakeside crew wasn’t sure what would be asked of us, but our goal was to get plugged in a serve where ever needed.

 

She is so precious!!

Once we arrived, the kids had gone home because it took so long for us to get there. So while we were setting up, a few kids went to tell everyone to come back.

I noticed my friend Amchel and some of the older guys shooting basketball. So I jumped in and began shooting around with them. Now soccer is their sport of choice and basketball is newer to them and they were impressed at my “skills” haha.

 

Jeremiah playing hoops with the guys

An opportunity to help in the kitchen came up and our girls, Ashley, Daisy and Alexis, quickly volunteered without complaining. They helped prepare the lunch and wash a lot of dishes. Daisy shared that while washing dishes, she had a great opportunity to connect with Wesley, one of our interpreters, through worship songs. But I’ll let her tell you that story.

Shane and I were asked to help out with the Volleyball clinic. I love volleyball so it was a lot of fun! Each coach was assigned 5 or 6 students to run drills with. I had the high school girls and they were quick learners! Volleyball is new to them and so it was fun to introduce them to it.

This was the first time to watch the team coach and see how they instructed the kids. They were so helpful, fun and patient! We have been blessed this week by how our teams have come together. Big answer to prayer! Being the last stop, the Volleyball team left their net and some balls for the school.

 

The Team with Evens, the principal of the school

After the clinic ended, we had lunch at the school. Today we had Haitian spaghetti, which is a lot different than ours. They cut up hot dogs and put ketchup on their noodles. Sounds weird, but their ketchup tastes different and the combination really works. Of course, I spiced it up with some Haitian hot sauce.

 

Sarah snapped a shot of the Haitian Spaghetti

Heartline Ministries

We left the Valley of Hope at 2:25pm and headed to visit the OK where Heartline is based. Traffic was bad and we arrived at almost 4pm. Most of the staff had already headed home, but we ran into Moise, who heads up the Men’s discipleship group. We saw the bakery, the offices, the school and the Women’s training center.

 

Moise sharing about the Men's Discipleship group

It was really cool to see the café the women have that we helped build last year!

Dan, the new director of finance, came out and met us. It was great talking with him and getting to know him. There are some really good things happening at Heartline!

Evening Devotions

Each night we have done group devotions as a big group. All of them have been good, but tonight was fantastic. Shane suggested we start with an icebreaker by having everyone share their favorite verse. It was so encouraging to hear all the Bible verses being quoted and read out loud! Then we got a treat, Kalipso read John 3:16 in Creole for us!

 

Shane and Stanley

We then shared our highs and lows for the week, the lessons we learned and what we hope to take home with us. Without fail, every team member has talked about the joy and the love they see in the Haitians, and how they can be so enthusiastic with so little. The source for their joy is the strength they have from the Lord (Psalm 28:7). Not every school, orphanage or church in Haiti teaches the Gospel clearly, but the ones we encountered this week did. It was so encouraging to hear them teach and interact with the children, knowing that we are truly partnering together with brothers and sisters in Christ. I was reminded of the truth that the same Jesus who brings joy and love in the midst of poverty here in Haiti is the same Jesus we worship at home. The question is, are we willing to allow him to be our true joy and only source of satisfaction? We can bring the smiles, the joy and the love to the world through the same Spirit that empowers the believers here.

Lastly, we closed in a sweet time of prayer together, praising God for what He has done.

 

We had to stop and say hi to Yolonda!

 It’s been a good day, a long day and a quick week. Thanks for following along.

We got some fresh coconut on the side of the road, delicious!