Healing Haiti

Today was a Fairytale...

2012-01-08T21:31:00.000-08:00

Today was a Fairytale. One of the most
beautifully written fairy tales. No it did
not involve any sort of romantic love
between a woman and a man. Nor did
it involve a missing slipper, a sleeping
beauty, or a knight in shinning armor.
My fairytale was written between me
and my God, interceded between the
Hands and Feet of Jesus and the breath
of the Holy Spirit. I could not ask for a
more perfect and marvelous God. Today,
I fell even more in love with my savior,
Jesus Christ, and God, my Father.

The morning had started with a little
hesitation and anxiety about the plans
for the day. I had to get to Grace Village,
but had no way to get there. Jean told me
the night before that we would wait to
see what tomorrow brings to see if he
could get me there. Well, this morning
there seemed to be a pretty slim chance
I would be able to get up to Grace Village...
my mission here in Haiti was not complete.
There was a few more kids I needed to
assess and I needed to deliver the letters
to the orphans from the 5th graders in
Nebraska. I felt as though I had failed my friend
(who is the teacher)... failed the class of
5th graders who wrote such beautiful
letters from the bottom of their hearts.
What was I going to tell my friend?
How was I going to tell her that we weren't
able to have them write letters back? ..
I guess that's just Haiti. After breakfast,
I went into my room. Sat alone on my bed,
put my ear phones on, and bursted in tears
as I listened to Rescue by Desperation Band.
I felt so weak... so out of control.... so hurt.
I knew how much this project meant to my
friend, to the kids in Nebraska, and to myself.
Connecting the link between the young kids
in Haiti and in Nebraska was so important to me...

Suddenly, one of my roommates (Jennifer)
came in the room, tapped me on the sleeve
and said, "Hurry up get ready! Dr. Sem can
drive you to Grace Village! Do you need help
with anything?" In complete and under shock,
I scrambled to put my bag together.
Thank you God... answering my call once
again. The hands and feet of Jesus came alive
today amongst my team mates, Missy and Jennifer,
and Dr. Sem for giving me a ride to Grace Village...
I could not be more appreciative.. more thankful.

It was the most perfect day at Grace Village,
and I did not want to be anywhere else but
where God had placed me. I was exactly were
I wanted to be... where God wanted me to be.
He heard my cry, and He answered. I could not
imagine leaving this place without saying goodbye
to these children that I have fallen in love with
and could not have imagined not having said
goodbye to Fanfan, one of my best friends.

When I got to Grace Village, I was greeted
by the kids with their big smiles and warm,
gentle hugs. We spent the morning playing.
The boys had gotten a few new toys like
batman and superman, and they were
playing with them.. telling me who they were..
and flying them around the courtyard.
I moved to the girls' dorm and was greeted
by my little 3 year old peanut, Shersunny,
"Kristina!" she said in her sing-song voice
followed by a sweet giggle. It's hard not
to fall in love with her and her uplifting spirit.
I picked her up off her feet and snuggled
her in. The girls and I played with the
jump rope and hula-hoop for a while
before it was time to gather as a group to
do my project.

Fanfan gathered all the kids in the feeding
center around noon, and I told the kids
about the 5th graders in Omaha that had
written letters to them explaining what
snow is. I showed the kids the pictures
of the snow men, snow flakes, and sleds
that the 5th graders drew. I explained to
them what this thing called snow was like.
Then I shared with the kids a few
of the letters.. we couldn't read every one
because Fanfan had to translate.
But I passed around the photos of the
kids in Omaha, and the kids all gathered
around trying to get a look at what these
5th graders looked like. In some of the
pictures, they noticed the playground in
the background of the picture.. and
realized that it looked much like their
new one at Grace Village. They were
all so eager to get their hands on
these pictures... to see their new
pen pals. After the excitement of
the photos, I passed out the letters
so that each kid would get a chance
to see the letters.. and read them if
they were able to. While all the kids
were viewing the letters before them,
I prepared a little sample of fake snow
and gave each kid a pinch of snow so
that they could understand better
what it is. They were so interested
in this white, fluffy powder. They
pinched their fingers together to
pick it up out of the palm of their hand.
Some smelt it to see if it had an odor.
And others cupped in in so that none
would fall out.. they didn't want to lose
this precious new treasure. Once the
kids were finished observing, I asked
them if they would like to write a letter
to their new friends in Omaha. They all
were so excited and eager to participate..
to share the news of Haiti with their friends.
I was just as excited to see what these
kids were going to share with the
5th graders. During the creation of the
letters, I was blown away by some
of the artists in the room. One of the
six year old girls was drawing flowers
for other kids since she was so good at it.
I was shocked by her talent at such a young age.

Another young boy who appears
to be mentally slower than the rest
of the kids took me by surprise.
A true artist; he drew the most beautiful
and detailed heart with vines all around it;
I couldn't believe my own eyes.
The detail and quality of his picture was
breath taking. He showed me the gifts
and talents God had given to him.

Other kids wrote things like "I love you.
I love Jesus. I love Healing Haiti"
and "God Bless you." Another boy, who is 16,
was writing a letter and kept asking me
for a new piece of paper. Unfortunately
I didn't have another piece of paper,
so I asked him what was wrong with the one
he had. He said, "I screwed up.. here,
here, and here."
He pointed to mistakes on the paper.
"You see. I can't have mistakes with
the name of Jesus." He was so
determined to write a perfect letter
about Jesus. I explained to the boy,
"It doesn't matter if it isn't perfect.
Jesus loves you and your writing
even if it isn't perfect. Jesus just
loves that you are spreading His
word and sharing the good news.
"The boy continued to write.. and
his letter was absolutely beautiful.

I felt so accomplished after the crayons
were picked up and the letters were
in a pile on the table.
"Thank you, Lord, for blessing me"..
was all I could think about. I looked
through a few of them and was so touched.
All the kids expressing their love for Jesus,
love for Jeff and Alyn, love for Grace Village,
and for Healing Haiti. (I can just picture their
little Haitian voices saying Healing Haiti...
brings a smile to my face). It felt so great
to know that my mission here was nearly
complete for this trip. Almost all the
kids assessed for nutrition; the
Feeding Center at Grace Village now
having a pantry stocked with peanut
butter and whole wheat flour; seeing
my buddy in Cite Soleil and starting
to make plans for supporting his education;
and completing the letters for the 5th graders
in Omaha. None of this.. absolutely none of
this could not have been completed
without the grace of my God.

I spent the rest of the day with the
kids and the two beautiful ladies that
will be spending a month with them
at Grace Village. My heart ached as
I hugged the children and rubbed
their backs. I didn't want to leave them..
I had drawn so close to them this trip.
I was slightly jealous of the two that
get to stay with them because I so
badly wanted to do the same, but
I knew God has other plans for me
and I need to trust what He has
written for me. I knew that
the kids will be in good hands..
the two ladies staying up at Grace Village
are so full of faith and love, and God
has brought them to Grace Village
for a much bigger purpose. He has
written this month on their hearts
and has prepared the way for them.
I was comforted watching the ladies
and Fanfan interact with the kids...
I smiled when I heard children singing
"Glory to God" in the shower...
in the bathroom.. in their bedrooms..
as they were playing... when they
were cleaning. Songs of worship
were being sung throughout the
whole village. I could not imagine
a more perfect place for these kids;
they have been so blessed. God
has been preparing Fanfan, their
spiritual director, for this job his
whole life, and it was absolutely beautiful
seeing what Fanfan has shared with these kids.

I will miss the warm smiles and
gentle hugs of these children.
I will miss their angelic voices
and their child-like faith. I will
miss their sweet giggles and lively
spirit. I will be longing to be reunited with them..

When I arrived back home to the guest
house this evening, I opened my facebook
to the most perfectly written letter.
It was the icing on the cake to my
fairytale day. A facebook friend that
I have never met in person, but
shares a deep love for Haiti and Christ,
sent me a letter with this devotion in it:

"I AM ABLE to do for beyond all that
you ask or imagine. Come to me with
positive expectations, knowing that
there is no limit to what I can accomplish.
Ask My Spirit to control your mind,
so that you can think great thoughts
of Me. Do not be discouraged by
the fact that many of your prayers
are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer,
teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust
Me in the dark. The more extreme your
circumstances, the more likely you are
to see My Power and Glory at work in the
situation. Instead of letting difficulties
draw you into worrying, try to view
them as setting the scene for My glorious
intervention. Keep your eyes and your
mind wide open to all that I am doing i
n your life. I love you." -Jesus

God spoke to me today.
He reviled Himself to me today,
and I am here to testify His great
love for me, for you, for Haiti, and
for this world. You weak and wounded sinner;
you imperfect servant of the Lord..
God is not finished with you yet.
He is still writing... He is still completing His fairytale.

Kristina Ann
Healing Haiti Team Member

Our God Really is an Awesome God.

2012-01-02T03:32:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I am back in Haiti. Six months ago,
I didn't even think I was going to be able to come
down for at least a year. Stepping off the plane
into the Haitian airport, I felt like I was stepping
back home. It feels so amazing to be back again..
it's hard to think that I am only here 9 days!

Jeff (my uncle and the co-founder of Healing Haiti),
Jeffrey (my cousin), Jessica, Kerry-Ann, and Jean
(our Haitian Mission Director) picked us up at
the Haitian airports full of hugs and smiles.
It was so great to see familiar faces and to
meet up with the group that has been down
here for the past 2 weeks.

It's a full house at the mission home in Haiti,
but it's great to be here with so many people
that love Haiti and that are just getting their
first dose of what will be the most profound
week of their life.

On my way down to Haiti, I spent some
time reading a book about Mother Teresa,
and her life reflected through the Beatitudes.
Mother Teresa spent much of her life facing
human suffering, poverty, and death.
She cared for sick, dying, disheveled, and
outcasts of our world. She was a woman
that gave up her life of comfort to come face
to face with suffering. While many people fear
suffering and try to avoid it at all costs
(often times using drugs, alcohol, or other
worldly pleasures to numb their emotions/ feelings),
Mother Teresa dove right into the deep-end,
into places most people would not dare to go.
Her work eventually received recognition and
praise from others who had heard of what
she had done and what she was doing for the
poorest of the poor and those on the margins
of society, but Mother Teresa continually gave
her glory to the one that was working through her,
Jesus Christ. There is so much to be learned
from this great woman; there is so much I aspire
in her.

The idea of suffering brought up throughout
the book really strung a chord in my life and
what is being done in Haiti. Over the past few
experiences I have been down here, I have
realized that God uses Haiti for so much more
than we (the missionaries) realize. Many
people that come to Haiti to do mission work,
realize this contradictory about Haiti; it is literally
a beautiful mess. How can a place full of so much
poverty be such a beautiful place? While many
question this about Haiti, they also began to
realize their own brokenness.. their own mess...
Many times people are faced with turmoil,
uncomfortableness and doubts in their own
lives. They face a period of trial, which often
leads to frustrations, sorrow, and drastic life
changes. People on the mission teams began
to open up about their suffering, and allowing
other team mates to partake in their suffering
experience... helping them to understand or
discern what exactly is happening in their life.
It is through this human connection and
relationship that the Body of Christ is exemplified. ...
and so often we realize how God turns our
broken selves into a beautiful mess, as well.
God calls us all to look into our own lives to
see how we are broken, and how we are
poor of spirit. God calls us to find beauty
in our suffering... just like that of the suffering
and persecution of Jesus Christ. When we
allow others to partake in our suffering,
we allow the work of Jesus Christ to be
reviled and God's love to heal us and make
us more beautiful than we have ever been before...

Glwa pou Bondye! (Glory to God)

2011-12-24T05:07:00.000-08:00

We got an early start Thursday morning and headed to Guillaume’s orphanage near Cite Soley (Soleil) As we approached the orphanage gate we could see the children were wide eyed at the gate waiting for us!! Their embrace melts you. We walked through their rooms and were reminded of the run down indescribable conditions the kids lived in. It was incredibly humbling and sad for me. The kids loaded onto the bus some holding their bibles that were being held together with layers of tape nothing else other than clothes.

As the bus entered the gates to their new home you could hear singing voices. Forty beautiful lives moved into Grace Village on Thursday! It was an amazing and emotional experience. The sweetest innocence, the sense of contentment and joy filled the rooms today as the children settled in. The new playground set the stage for the day’s events. They swung for hours!! When it was time for them to get ready for bed they grabbed their baskets and towels and marched off to take their first shower. They enjoyed the shower SO much that they took two. As the day was drawing to a close, they sat in their beds with such satisfaction on their faces! I went to say bonwuit (goodnight) and saw a sweet boy reading his new beautiful Kreyol (Creole) bible out loud. I thanked and praised the Lord for all the incredible moments we got to witness as His plan unfolded. How faithful He is to these sweet kids and they are so thankful!

Today Gary drove the Kubota from the guest house to Grace Village with FanFan. He was in his glory. When we arrived many of the boys gave Jeff sweet letters.. I wish I could better understand their thoughts and experience. One child said it was like paradise. They loved to be held and touched. I spent time with the oldest girl today and as I rubbed her back she slowly moved closer and closer with the sweetest smile. They are truly amazing kids. Allie and Lindsay don’t want to leave, we love these kids so much mom, they say! We are so blessed and humbled to spend Christmas at Grace Village.

Glwa Pou Bondye!

Becky Nelson

Healing Haiti Team Lead

The power of an embrace: Jessica Burmester

2011-12-24T05:05:00.000-08:00

MY PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE….this was the title of my daily devotion this morning and how fitting it was especially for today.

Today I was blessed to be able to be apart of the most amazing experience; moving the orphan’s into Grace Village-their BRAND NEW HOME. It was the most incredible site to witness these children seeing their new home for the first time. The anticipation of where it would be and what it would look like was so evident on their faces. I had the opportunity to ride on the bus with all 40 of them up to Grace Village and I can’t even put into words the joy and excitement that filled the bus. Through their singing songs of praises, smiles and laughter, and pointing at all the big buildings/villages as we drove by them wondering if that was their new home, I could not stop smiling and my heart was overflowing with joy for what they were about to experience and see.

As we drove up to the gate the kids were yelling and cheering and practically jumping out of their seats to get a glimpse of their new home. As I sat back and watched each child try to get out as fast as they could I was filled with so much joy and excitement for each one of them.

As we showed the children their rooms it was beyond a doubt that they were so thankful and happy. Seeing their faces as they each found their own bed along with a bible, and little beanie baby on it was better than any words could describe. Watching them lie on their beds, hug their beanie babies and open up their bibles melted my heart.

With as much joy and excitement that filled the rooms there was also those few children who weren’t quite sure what to think. Wislene was one of these little girls who was feeling extremely happy but yet a bit overwhelmed-we could see it in her face. Fanfan asked her if she was ok and she said yes, but I knew she wasn’t. As the others cleared out of the room I climbed up the bunk embraced that little girl in my arms and told her, Mwen renmen ou, which means I love you. I just held her and kissed her and told her I loved her and as I started pulling away she wrapped her little arms around me and held me tight. As we continued embracing each other and rocking back and forth I couldn’t imagine what she was going through nor did I have the communication to talk to her but I knew that all this little girl needed was a loving embrace. As I started to pull away again she pulled me in closer, my heart just broke for her. As others came back into the room, we released each other, I told her I loved her, kissed her on the forehead and showed her that her name was written in the front of her bible and she gave the biggest smile ever. Later on the playground as she was swinging, I walked by her and smiled and she told me, Mwen renmen ou. They were the best words I had heard all day.

As I sit back and reflect on the moment I had with Wislene and the power of a simple loving embrace, I think I needed that moment and embrace just as much, if not more, than she did.

An excerpt of my devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, for the day reads: “Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My Strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles—and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight enables you to see My Glory.” Today was an absolute miracle for these children and everyone involved. This is the beginning of something amazing for each one of these children—GOD’S PLAN FOR THEIR LIFE.

Sounds of Glory

2011-12-24T05:03:00.001-08:00

Voices squealing.

laughing, clapping.

Voices praising God in worship.

Cheers echoing from heaven.

Feet crunching.

Children racing.

Swings squeaking.

Legs reaching to touch the sky.

Voices praising God in worship.

Garlic crackling.

Oil splattering

Plates shuffling along the table.

Popcorn popping.

Toilets flushing,

Showers dripping.

Bare feet slapping as they walk by.

PJs rustling.

Kisses smacking.

Pages turning.

Voices praising God in worship.

Hearts breaking to say “goodbye”.

By Julie Sexson

My Plan For Your Life

2011-12-22T14:47:00.001-08:00

MY PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE….this was the title of my daily devotion this morning and how fitting it was especially for today.

As I sit back and reflect on the moment I had with Wislene and the power of a simple loving embrace, I think I needed that moment and embrace just as much, if not more, than she did.

A letter to Alyn...

2011-12-11T06:41:00.001-08:00

Do the heavens open for you to see all that's happening at Grace Village, Alyn? Surely they must, for when I stand on that hill, I am certain it is the place that heaven touches the earth.

Your creative, God-given imaginative fingerprints are everywhere there. How it must bless the Savior's heart to see those gifts living on through the many who continue to come to carry on the work He started here through you and Jeff.

I imagine you... when the heavens part... beaming from ear-to-ear as you catch a glimpse of Grace village... for I could feel you smiling down on us all day long!

I can't tell you how much I miss you dear friend, but, you are with me today! :o)

Written by Julie Miller

Mans Searching for Meaning...

2011-11-30T19:27:00.001-08:00

For over thirty years my lay ministry in church consisted of assisting parents in guiding their teenagers through the rocky years of adolescence. Some responded to the adventure of scouting, some to the discipline and focus of sports and some to extreme high adventure. We once found a service opportunity for a week at a state hospital for mentally retarded (the term used at the time).

For every child that found real purpose in life, confidence and respect for themselves in serving others, uniting in a worthy goal of being the best they can be at something or touching someone's life with the love of God through our willing hands, we rejoiced and thanked God with joyful hearts that we could be instruments in His hands with those sweet, choice souls that He had entrusted to us.

Some were harder to reach. We never gave up but unfortunately some of them gave up on us and went on into adulthood learning only by the school of hard knocks that God designed as his "reform school" of life.

I still follow these children into adulthood, especially our "problem children". We hope they have found meaning in their life and a self respect that God wants for all His children.

Turn about...

One of the great experiences that we have enjoyed on this Healing Haiti trip is that our team leaders have included parents on the trip. My daughter Karen, invited me and her mother-in-law Jan , and Jenn invited her parents Lynne and Bill.

I heard about Haiti from Karen and she was so excited to share her transformative experience with me. As much as I tried I could not get into it like she did. I also found another friend Jan, who had returned from Haiti who too could not wait to share her experience with me. Everyone who went was somehow transformed. They were revitalized.Life suddenly meant more than before. Some things were not as important as they once had been. An energy and purpose infused the lives of those who returned.

My sons would talk about the dramatic change in their sister's life jokingly saying, "I hope they don't sell their house and live in a shack and dedicate all their money to charity." They too knew something had permanently changed. And it was good.

Today we went to Cite Soleil. The poorest area in a country of nine million. 80% in the country are in poverty and 50% in abject poverty. I learned what the term abject poverty meant today. I will not dwell on that. What is not expected in that squalor was the bright eyes of the children. The little ones tugging on my shorts wanting to be held and loved. Their bright eyes flashing a deep soulful gratitude that can only come from a child.

An eight year old child Cece that Karen bonded with on previous trips, the last of 9 children, came to the water truck and they were reunited. She had prayed for this little one for eight months, and to her delight, she was doing well, going to school and had the real hope for a better life. Child after child would say in English, their native language is Creol, God is good, in all their little ways in gratitude for the water and the love we brought.

A (semi)crusty old man was touched today, in a way no telling of the experience can.

The torch has been passed. My daughter is now dreaming up ways to guide her parents (and others) through the rocky years of middle age. Hoping somehow she can be an instrument in Gods hand to reinvigorate the purpose and meaning in the lives of those she loves. Hopefully I will get it and not be her "problem child", relegated to the school of hard knocks.

The miracle has happened again. Where the giver and the receiver are both blessed.

Greetings from Healing Haiti (aka "Adult Spiritual Rehab")

Paul (Dad)

2011-10-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Touched by a "Haitian" Angel

We have our own little welcoming committee here in Hait

i in the form of an elderly Haitian woman who I affectionately

refer to as "Auntie." I first met her in July at a charasmatic,

outdoor church service that I went to with our interpreter Fanfan.

She immediately captured our hearts as she joyfully shuffled

over to our location with a twinkle in her eye and a spring in

her step to individually greet each one of us. In fact, the woman

deeply touched one of our team members in particular ...

our team leader Tom Gacek.
This week, when we arrived at church, I knew that Tom would

be looking for his little angel. We took our seats and waited

patiently for our welcome to begin. The music had started

and suddenly, I noticed that Tom was gone. I glanced around

and spotted him in the row that we had sat in during our July trip ...

I knew that he was hoping she would see him.

Finally, disappointed, Tom returned to his seat with the rest

of our team members.

I quietly said a quick prayer asking that little Auntie

reveal herself.

When I opened my eyes, there she was ... doing a quick little jig

down the aisle of the church heading straight for Tom.

My heart immediately fluttered and was filled with excitement

and warmth since I knew Tom would be just thrilled to see

her once again. Then, after greeting Tom, to my amazement

she individually greeted each one of us just like she had done in July.

She wanted to make sure that the visitors to her church felt at home.

Tom gave her a piece of gum as she continued dancing

down the aisles, waving her hands in the air in worship.

Shortly thereafter, she reappeared with a gift for each one of us ...

pieces of candy.

She sweetly placed a piece in our hands as she looked us in

the eyes.

Then, she found a seat in front of Tom where she sat quietly alone.

Well ... Tom would have none of that ... he did not want her sitting

alone so he politely escorted her over to an empty seat

right next to me.

As the music continued, she placed her hand on my shoulder

and began to pray silently over me. I couldn't believe the tender,

loving care she showed by doing this act for a total stranger!

When she was finished with me, she repeated this practice

with several of my other team members. We were all so

touched by her grace and eloquence. She was so precious

and made us all smile. We were the outsiders at this church,

but felt completely at ease.

So ... if you ever come to Haiti, don't be surprised

by the warm welcome you will receive, especially

from a little elderly woman at the Morning Star Christian

Academy in Port-au-Prince. Just like us,

you will be touched by this angel.

It's Not About Me...Or is it?

2011-10-09T20:03:00.001-07:00