1/25 Day 6

Jeff:

Today we had the amazing opportunity to visit Little Children of Jesus (LCJ).  At this facility campus we were able to spend time with the Brothers (who are from Africa serving in Haiti) who are caring for the disabled children.  To put things in perspective, locals have told us that Haiti may be one of the most rejected countries in the world and the children who are left at the door steps of LCJ are rejected by the local Haitians.  But the Jesus says in the Bible “what you have done to the least of these you have done to me.”  It was amazing to see how happy these children are even among such challenging conditions and to see how the staff are doing such a fantastic job with the limited resources.  My prayer is for these children to continue to be loved and cared for by the Brothers and others who are able to serve here. 

Breakfast and lunch meals are simple, fruit, granola bars and peanut butter sandwiches.  Dinner was a local meal prepared for us by local employees who come to the Hope House.  They prepared meatballs and local rice pilof (beats, onions, seasoning, rice) with a salad, local bread and a dessert with carrots and jello?  It was delicious and I am so pleased how well we are eating.
  

We finished the day with group devotions and playing Uno/cards.  The devotions were special as we shared how we felt about being present at LCJ today.  Each of us have different feelings and comfort levels being around disabled children.  It was a blessing to see Caleb, who shared he is not comfortable being around these kind of things, playing with the kids and doing exercises and stretches with the children who have contractures and need positioning in order to prevent skin breakdown.  It was enlightening to also hear others share how deep and moved we are from being around these precious children of God, they are important and being a part of caring for them, even for a day, is part of God’s plan.  Good night and be blessed.

Peace & Blessings,

Joyful Spirit Haiti Team

1/22 – Day 3:

Lynn:

A little change of plans for today. We were going to be headed to the Little Children of Jesus Orphanage today, but they were having a medical team come in for assessments and healthcare, and we would have been a distraction for all of the kids! So, we decided to make today our Hope House work day instead and it has been a flurry of activity. As soon as lunch was over, the painting began. The guest houses are now a bright and colorful yellow and aqua. A new bathroom vanity has been built and installed, screen doors replaced, screens themselves replaced throughout the kitchen and common space. So much has been accomplished and it really looks quite great. Several of the local Village of Hope employees were also working today and it has been a joy to work along side them and get to know them as well.

It was nice being able to love on Rob and Trish and showing some love to Hope House.  It is so nice being a part of this team as we have been working so well together and having a great time.  We are gelling nicely together and really creating many great memories to last a lifetime!  After the day of work, we had a very good dinner which consisted of Haitian chicken, djon djon rice, milton squash, salad and some fresh mangos.  Yum Yum!!  After dinner, I was surprised with a homemade card and a Haitian cake to celebrate my birthday!  This was such a surprise and much appreciated!  Thank you to all of you!  It sure made my day.  We wrapped up the day playing many games of Uno.  Off to bed we went since we have an early start to the day so that we can see all the children at Village of Hope!  What a great day that will be!!!  Good night all!  Thank you for the prayers while we are here!  Its been another great experience!!!

Peace & Love,

Joyful Spirit Haiti Team

 

You can also check out some great photos of our team from the Village of Hope Facebook Page!

 Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/Village-of-Hope-Haiti-814928685280131/

 

1/21 – Day 2:

Pastor Dave:

Its our first full day and first overnight here at the Hope House Compound. It has been incredible thus far to observe and drink in all the that Haiti has to offer. For this first timer to Haiti, there wasn’t much in the least that was familiar once we touched down in the Port au Prince airport. But familiarity isn’t the experience I was hoping to have. There is a rhythm and a flow to life here that works and makes sense from traffic to commerce to social life.

Being that our first full day in Haiti is a Sunday, we all went to church. For myself, it was a unique experience just being a parishioner and not a worship leader! Unlike years past, we went to Port au Prince Fellowship, which is an English-speaking congregation for worship service. There was wide variety of people present from Haitians, to other American live-in missionaries. And wouldn’t you know it, there is much that you all would be familiar with from the Joyful Spirit worship experience. All of the music was lead by a wonderful praise band. Much music was sung jubilantly, and a living Word was heard by all.

After worship Rob & Trish (our in-country mission administrators and wonderful hosts) took us to one of their favorite restaurants for lunch. Now this lunch spot is one of the places they frequent for when they are wanting a bit of an ‘American Fix.’ The restaurant is located in a complex that houses the majority of temporary in-country government workers. To their credit, it was delicious!

After lunch we came back to Hope House and got started on some of the work projects around the compound. Some of my This Old House viewing come into good practice! I changed out the three drains in each of the kitchen sinks.

Our day rounded out with dinner, fellowship, devotions and even a euchre game or two. And now, time for rest and sleep to be ready again for tomorrow!

Peace & Love,
Joyful Spirit Haiti Team