Hello all! I can not believe day two of work has come to an end. Everyone here has been putting 100% effort into every project despite the heat and lack of sleep. My name is Katie Phares and I am so incredibly proud to say I am a first time member of the Joyful Spirit Haiti Team. Ever since my brother came here I have had a strong desire to experience Haiti for myself. Many years have passed since then but I believe that God had a plan for me to come this year and I couldn't agree more. I have to admit that being the youngest on this team intimidated me at first, but I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to spend my first trip in Haiti with. Since the time we stepped into the van at 4:00 a.m. last Saturday morning, God has been continually melding us into a tightly knit community.
Today Christiaan, Gina, Julie, Josh and I went to Little Children of Jesus. When we arrived we helped feed the little ones breakfast. Then some of the members enjoyed some play time with the kids during rec time. Christiaan even played his guitar and had the kids actively engaged in playing musical instruments. Throughout the day Julie, Gina, Christiaan and I did some therapy with some children and we finished the day off with some crafts that resulted in neon circle stickers stuck to not only the kids' faces but all of us as well!
Our other team members; Pam, Cheryl, Jim, Gene, Shannon, Steve and Jimmy went to Village of Hope and painted up a storm while battling high winds. I have to give them credit for doing such hard manual labor out in the blazing sun. At the orphanage we are fortunate enough to have shade! They also enjoyed time with the children from the school, who socialized and watched them as they worked. I have not yet been to VOH but can't wait to go tomorrow as we have front row seats at the kindergarten graduation.
Tonight during devotions we discussed the initial sadness we experience when we see the severe disabilities the children at LCJ deal with each day and how difficult it can be to not question God about why these children are the way they are. It can be heartbreaking to see child after child with complete mental capacity but trapped in a body that to our standards does not work right. Especially when many of the disabilities we encounter in these children, are to an extent we will never observe in the states. However, these kids have more joy, love and trust than I will ever have. They are our example of who Christ really is and in God's eyes are great. The short time that I have spent here has taught me this and has allowed me to realize that what the world sees as great is no where near God's view of what the Kingdom of Heaven is. I have personally never seen the love of God shining more brightly that I have at LCJ.
Tuesday, June 26
Monday, June 25
And the Work(?) Begins
What do nine individuals ages 20 through 65 who attend Joyful Lutheran Church in Bolingbrook, IL, one individual age 38 who attends Life Changers International Church in Hoffman Estates, IL and two 21-year college students who attend GPS Faith Community Church in Rockford, IL have in common? God's plan to bring us together "for such a time as this". We set out on the morning of Saturday, June 23rd on a six-day journey (missions trip) to the country of Haiti.
Hi I'm Shannon - the 38-year old from Life Changers Church - and I'm excited to be here with this wonderful group of folks on my very first missions trip. Today, was our first official work day and while we worked it was in many ways NOT like work. We sweated. We got sunburn. We were tugged and pulled on by many little children. We bobbed around on the back of truck. We got dirty. We even got a bit tired. But at the end of the day after having yet another tasty Haitian dinner and some time of devotion, we all shared our experiences from the day and NO ONE spoke in terms of "work". Several of us went to the Village of Hope school and clinic to help with some painting projects. In addition to helping improve the appearance of the buildings/structures, we had the opportunity to interact with the beautiful children and the friendly staff. Others who went to the Little Children of Jesus orphanage were able to spend time with the children - administering physical therapy methods, feeding, playing games and caring for them. If you put together all that was done today (at both places) it all adds up to LOVE. And that's exactly what God has equipped us to do here in Haiti - i.e. pour love on the people of Haiti.
As was shared in one of our nights of devotion - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:1-2. How I pray this continues to resonate with us not only while we are here the next few days in Haiti but also when we return home. For that's exactly what God has equipped us to do here in earth.
Thanks Cheryl and Joyful Spirit Church for inviting me to come along.... I'll be forever grateful for this experience.
Hi I'm Shannon - the 38-year old from Life Changers Church - and I'm excited to be here with this wonderful group of folks on my very first missions trip. Today, was our first official work day and while we worked it was in many ways NOT like work. We sweated. We got sunburn. We were tugged and pulled on by many little children. We bobbed around on the back of truck. We got dirty. We even got a bit tired. But at the end of the day after having yet another tasty Haitian dinner and some time of devotion, we all shared our experiences from the day and NO ONE spoke in terms of "work". Several of us went to the Village of Hope school and clinic to help with some painting projects. In addition to helping improve the appearance of the buildings/structures, we had the opportunity to interact with the beautiful children and the friendly staff. Others who went to the Little Children of Jesus orphanage were able to spend time with the children - administering physical therapy methods, feeding, playing games and caring for them. If you put together all that was done today (at both places) it all adds up to LOVE. And that's exactly what God has equipped us to do here in Haiti - i.e. pour love on the people of Haiti.
As was shared in one of our nights of devotion - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:1-2. How I pray this continues to resonate with us not only while we are here the next few days in Haiti but also when we return home. For that's exactly what God has equipped us to do here in earth.
Thanks Cheryl and Joyful Spirit Church for inviting me to come along.... I'll be forever grateful for this experience.
Sunday, June 24
Sunday Sunday Sunday!
AAAAH, my second day here in the caribbean. Steve here, so far it's been a very moving experience for me. People everywhere on the side of the road. Are they homeless or just looking for direction?
We started the day with one eye open. Sunday morning breakfast. A bumpy ride to the church for Service. On Sundays everyone dresses to the nines. The Sunday service was fabulous. A lot of interaction with the crowd. It reminded me of Us for our once a year revival tent service. Afterwards we had a nice lunch buffet at the Visa Hotel. Very nicely done. We even watched NASCAR.
Afterwards we headed off to the St. Christophe Earthquake memorial area. This is where all the bodies were buried after the January disaster. The best way I can describe this scene is to imagine looking up at a pretty blue sky. Then look west at the waste dump off of Royce Road in Bolingbrook, IL., filled with black crosses placed unequally along the hillside. To me, this is what loneliness feels like when you drive by, or just stare at that hill.
After the visitation a respect of life, we went back home and just took it easy, for 30 minutes. Then we pre packed all tools and donations for the next 4 days to be handed out.
Tomorrow, the work begins. To make life just a little bit easier for a few of our fellow neighbors.
We woke up with one eye open, and ended the day with both eyes open.
Peace Out
sb
We started the day with one eye open. Sunday morning breakfast. A bumpy ride to the church for Service. On Sundays everyone dresses to the nines. The Sunday service was fabulous. A lot of interaction with the crowd. It reminded me of Us for our once a year revival tent service. Afterwards we had a nice lunch buffet at the Visa Hotel. Very nicely done. We even watched NASCAR.
Afterwards we headed off to the St. Christophe Earthquake memorial area. This is where all the bodies were buried after the January disaster. The best way I can describe this scene is to imagine looking up at a pretty blue sky. Then look west at the waste dump off of Royce Road in Bolingbrook, IL., filled with black crosses placed unequally along the hillside. To me, this is what loneliness feels like when you drive by, or just stare at that hill.
After the visitation a respect of life, we went back home and just took it easy, for 30 minutes. Then we pre packed all tools and donations for the next 4 days to be handed out.
Tomorrow, the work begins. To make life just a little bit easier for a few of our fellow neighbors.
We woke up with one eye open, and ended the day with both eyes open.
Peace Out
sb
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