I have to admit... I didn't know much about Haiti.

**Haiti** 07/28/2010 - 08/04/2010

I have to admit, before the earthquake, I didn't know much about Haiti. I didn't even know where it was located! The earthquake happened the day before my birthday. I was talking to one of my co-workers, and he was telling me how poor Haiti is. I remember him telling me that the average Haitian makes under $3 per day. I never knew this; I was shocked! He also told me he took a trip to Haiti and that the people there were extremely kind. After our conversation I went back to my desk and did a little research. He was right. Haiti is a poor country. And now with the devastation of the earthquake, things are even worse for them. I decided I should use all my vacation time and go to Haiti to help with this disaster. I tried to find an organization that I could go with, but at the time it looked like all they were looking for were doctors and nurses. After that, I stopped searching, but the thought of Haiti never left the back of my mind. A few months later, by the grace of God, I stumbled onto the webpage for HealingHaiti.org. I was amazed by their website. I watched a few videos and right then I knew that I was going to Haiti. I would do whatever it took to get there. This organization looked like they were really making a difference down there.

On July 28th my group met at the airport to head to Haiti. Before I went, I thought I knew what to expect. After arriving, I immediately saw that the country was much worse off than I could have imagined. Driving down the roads you see sea after sea of tents. People are still living in tents six months after the earthquake. This blew me away! Most people can barley stand to go camping for a long weekend, let alone to live in a tent for six months! Can you imagine? Another thing I noticed right away was all the friendly faces and people waving. Every time we drove by someone, they would wave and say "bonjour". Through all the turmoil these people are going through, they have the biggest smiles on their faces. It didn't take long for me to realize that Haiti may not have much money, however, they are still really rich. Rich in spirit, strength, compassion, and love. God is shining his light on these people, and it wasn't hard to see.

Every day in Haiti was my favorite day. It's hard for me to pick just one. One of my team members would tease me each day and say, "I thought yesterday was your favorite day" because every day consisted of something so important, yet so different from the next. One day we planned to take Guiliame's orphanage to the beach. We woke up early, made forty peanut butter sandwiches, and climbed on the bus to go pick up the kids. It was a long and bumpy ride, but we knew we had arrived when thirty kids started chasing the bus. We were approached with shouts of excitement, smiles, and hugs. I have never had such an overwhelming welcoming in my life. These kids were so excited to see us, as we were to see them! I couldn't even find open ground to stand on when climbing off the bus, and by the time my feet hit the ground, I realized I couldn't move. There was the prettiest little girl with her arms and legs wrapped around me. I picked her up in order to move forward because so many other kids were grabbing at me and wanting my attention. Once it was time to get on the bus, I noticed how well behaved the kids were. The lined up in a single file line - shortest to tallest. We got on the bus first and the kids followed. Before I knew it, there were seven people in my seat, which was only meant for two people. It was really hot in the bus, and we were all squeezed together, but no one cared because we were all so happy to be with each other. Right when the bus took off the kids started singing "Lord I Lift Your Name on High", followed by many other songs to praise the Lord. Some were in English, while the others were in Creole. Right in front of my eyes I was witnessing this group of kids that have nothing, not even parents, and here they are thanking God for the blessings in their life. This moment really taught me that we don't need "things". If we have faith and compassion, then we too can be rich! It's hard to find the words to explain that moment, but I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. It was an experience that not a lot of people will get to experience in their lifetime, and for some reason, God chose me to be there. I am so grateful for that! We all had an amazing time at the beach. We prayed, played, ate, and did a couple projects. Not one time all day did I hear a complaint or see any of the kids fight. Instead, just the opposite. I felt so much love, gratitude, and compassion from each and every one of those children. One the bus on the way home, the kids continued to sing for us. They sang a song that I am actually quite familiar with. The lyrics include:

" together at the end of the day- we all say

when I get older, I will be stronger

they'll call me freedom just like a waving flag

And then it goes back, and then it goes back, whoa. "

This really touched my heart to hear because it shows the faith and courage these kids have in each other and in God. They all have high hopes for the recovery of their country. The kids are the future of Haiti and I truly believe that one day they will be the difference that the country needs. These kids are truly God's angels and He just had them waiting there for me, to show me His work!
When I look back on the video at healinghaiti.org, I try to answer the question, "What is God trying to teach me?" I think God is trying to teach me to always think with my heart. He wants me to see how fortunate I am and to start putting the less fortunate first. God has taught me a valuable lesson of compassion and love through these kids that don't have really anything. He has shown me that no matter what, faith will always get me through. My goal when going on this trip was to share my love and example of Christ with all the kids. Who would have thought it would end up being the other way around? These kids taught me what real love is, as well as real heartbreak. My heart has never felt so broken. I, like many others, left my heart in Haiti. Can you believe this lesson was all learned in just this one day? Can you imagine the whirlwind I experienced when you include the other five days of my trip?

I am so proud of what Healing Haiti has accomplished thus far! With all our help, they have been able to do so much. We must continue to pray for the recovery of Haiti, as well as make awareness to the people around us. This experience in Haiti has forever changed my life, and I cannot wait until I have the opportunity to go back again!

Margaret Knaeble

Healing Haiti Team Member

Another week in Haiti

Six months after the earthquake and I am sad and disappointed to say that not much has changed. Still rubble in the streets, collapsed buildings everywhere, and tent cities that seem to have become permanent residences. Yet still I see the hope, resiliency and faith of the Haitian people. I wonder how they go on...

This week we had Al and his daughter Jill from Kids Against Hunger join us for a day on the water truck, also visiting our school in Cite Soleil and another day trip to Grace Village and the Orphanages. Kids Against Hunger has donated 500,000 meals to Healing Haiti and they wanted to see where it is going. It was awesome to spend time with people who "get it" and have worked so hard and given so much. Als wife died of breast cancer 3 years ago and is now exploring the seminary. I could tell how much he missed is wife, talking about her often and sharing memories. It really hit home for me.

Our next visitor was Scott Anderson from EagleBrook Church. After picking him up from the airport, which was an experience in itself... (we were late to the airport because according to Haitian American Airlines the flight was delayed...but wasnt really...) we headed off to Gertrudes Orphanage for special needs kids. As always we were greeted with hugs, shrills of joy and pulls and tugs from these beautiful children. After a quick visit we took Sue Fleck, a good friend and neighbor who is working on the adoption process with Gertrude and who was staying there on the "Earthquake Tour".

I recognized all the same buildings that collapsed as thought it was 5 days after the Quake. Much of the rubble in the streets...still there...a concrete jungle that took a rumble was still intact. Down by the palace it was if time had stood still. The buildings still in the same position as they were when they flashed across our TV screens on January 12. A huge tent city in the park houses thousands of people that lost their homes and have no where else to go.

Discouraged, we then went to Visa Lodge for pizza...thats always a good comfort food! Al, Scott, Jill and Sue were amazed at how deep the devastation was and still is...but all felt much better after pizza came.

The next day Al and Jill headed to Jacmel by bus accompanied by Fabrice, while we took Scott on the water truck. I gave him a wet hand towel to wear around his neck and told him it was going to be hot and this would help cool him down. Hot doesnt even begin to describe it...We did 2 stops in Cite Soleil where Scott worked so hard that I thought he was going to collapse, but he assured me thats just what he looks like in the heat. Puffy, red, bulging eyes, sweat pouring down...well you can see by the photos...

We then visited Enel's house, one of the truck guys and Scott got to see his one room house that is repairing with hopes of adding a second story. Annel has been living in a tent city with his family for 6 months while being treated for TB. Healing Haiti has provided for his medical care and repair of his house along with the go ahead now to build the second story. Enel has the responsibility to care for his brothers 2 children who worked on our water truck for 2 years and died from AIDS. He also has a new baby, a mother and a sister who live with him.

At our last stop I was happy to see some 25 small concrete homes being built funded by sisters from Rome. As I played with the children I noticed bones mixed in with the rocks and stones. The kids were quick to tell me that they were human bones and then went on an adventure collecting them. It just made me sad.

Next we heaeded toward Grace Village. Scott and Jeff did alot of talking. Im sure Scott was sharing some of his expertise...

Next we brought lots of smiles to Evons Orphanage with a little fashion show. The older girls had a blast picking out some fashion outfit and walking the walk!

Scott at the end of a long hot and hard day...

My Haiti Snow Globe

Often times when I travel I bring home a snow globe to show others where I've been. As I was flying away from Haiti I wondered what a Haiti snow globe would look like.

This is my Haiti snow globe:

I would include all the familiar images people have seen recently on television, but I would also include much more if you look closely inside.

You would see the love and life of this beautiful place through the children. You would see the boy who lost his baby teeth, the genuine smiles on the kids faces, the girl holding a teddy bear. You would see the boy whose mother never gave up on him, the kids having the time of their life swimming. And you would see the princess playing hand games. You would see the future of this country will come from the children.

God's hands would be holding my Haiti snow globe. If it shook again He would hold it tighter and as in the past, He would send little bits of His Grace down upon it.

Once again I left part of my heart in Haiti. There is so much more I want to do there. Already I miss the kids, but my biggest image of hope came when up on the hill I saw Grace Village as I flew away.

I have been very Blessed in being able to travel to Haiti a few times this year and I ask God everyday to help me use my experiences to open others hearts to help these wonderful, poor people, who have touched so many like me.

God Bless Jeff & Alyn for their endless work Haiti.

Shelley Mannella

Healing Haiti Team Leader

June 2010

Haiti Day Six

You, oh Lord are the God of this city. You are the God of America, and the God of Haiti. You have revealed yourself in countless ways the past five days, more than I can remember, and I know there is more to come.

On the third day here, my heart was split wide open, but it had been rapidly breaking wide apart since the moment we arrived. I am struggling to understand, what makes ME so worthy of my life that God has given me? I have always heard about life in third world countries, and of course I've seen infomericals, but to experience Haiti, to see it, live it, taste it, smell it, my preconceived perceptions were nothing in comparison. The love I have developed for he Haitian people is indescribable. Their lives are so completely different, so simple, yet complex, so poor, yet rich, so lacking, yet full.

Why do I have my life, and not a Haitian life? Why do these people have their lives, and not mine? Why don't I live in a tin shanty with my husband and two daughters, with mud floors, one or two sets of clothes, no job, and a faith like no other? What my daughters have compared to what all the children have in the tent city nearby just breaks my heart. I feel guilty for the life I have. I feel heartbroken for the life they don't have.

It is hard to keep my tears trapped within. To view Haiti through a filter. While I do not understand, I can and do care. I know that God has His reasons...He has His purpose for me, and for each and every person here. He has a reason why I live in America. Why I have STUFF. It is hard to have stuff now.

My tears cry out to Jesus. I have so much, yet can give them so little. It should be reversed. I want it reversed. I want to have little and give much.

So many memories bring me joy...

When I sat next to Ivonne's wife (Ivonne runs an orphanage that Healing Haiti sponsors, and we brought to the ocean 36 children to the ocean.) I taught a few of the children how to bury her feet in the sand, and then how to unbury them and wash them off. That brought joy to both her, the kids, and myself. I fell in love specifically with two girls at Ivonne's orphanage. One is Rachel, she is 12 I think. She sat with me on the tap tap (bus) and tried to stay with me as much as possible. The other girl, I don't know her name, but she is around 17, and she held on to my hand as much and as hard as the little orphan girls did. I broke the ice with her by putting sunblock on her shoulders before we got out to the water, and were close the rest of the day. She braided my hair when we returned to the orphanage, and I gave her my cross necklace.

This is us in the toptop. Rachel is sitting next to me in a lime green shirt. My other girl, she is in front, mostly cut off, but in the blue tank top. Our bus was PACKED.

Okay, side note - Mirliton is delicious. It is a squash we have with Chicken Creole at the Habitation Hut restaurant. I order that every night wherever we are.

This little one fell asleep in my arms while standing in the ocean, while packing up, on the bus ride home, and during my hair braiding session. :) I will always cherish that time!

Okay, my time is up. We are eating very authentic tonight, rice and beans, made by Michelle, who works for the hotel that our house used to belong to. She also did our laundry...by hand.....in a metal tub out back. My clothes have never been cleaner. They hung outside for 2 days.

I love Haiti. I haven't even left, yet I already long to return. Thank you God for sending me here.

Sandy Anderson

Healing Haiti Team Member

June 22, 2010

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Why is it so hard for us to just ‘be’ ?

I feel so often that we go through life just to get by and do what we need to do; trying to get to the next thing on the list, trying to get things done before the deadline, trying to get somewhere, or waiting for something or someone. These are the moments that I feel furthest away from God and am just trying to get through my day and check the items of my ‘to do list’. During these moments I often feel that I am frustrated, worried, anxious or concerned.

Why is it that we often feel the need to always go go go? Why is it so hard for us to just ‘be’ and spend time with God? Why am I so preoccupied with myself and everything else that is going on in my life?

It amazes me how being in Haiti brings me so much closer to my Lord and Savior. Even though it has only been a couple days since we arrived, I am continually reminded of all that I have to be thankful for and what a loving, caring, compassionate and forgiving God we serve.

Despite all that has happened in Haiti, they continue to be joyful and seem to be enjoying life and making the most of it. Of course not every moment is going to be a joyous moment, but I feel that they view those moments as possibilities and opportunities for hope. I wonder if people look at my life and could say the same? Do I view every obstacle as an opportunity for hope and possibility and bring it to the Lord or do I become frustrated?

Being in this environment; surrounded by poverty, trash all around, tents as homes, limited water supply, broken roads, children walking on rocks without shoes, piles of cement from what used to be someone’s home breaks my heart. As many have wondered I’m sure, the question is why? We could repeatedly wonder this question and try to come up with a million reasons as to why Haiti is like it is, but it comes down to faith. We have to have faith that God knows what He is doing and that He has a plan for everything.

As He says in Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

Should it really take an environment like this to help me to just ‘be’ and spend time with God? Why is it that I can’t do this at home in my own environment? I’m not sure why that is but I do know that I need to bring it to the Lord and pray about it because the closeness that I have with my Savior while I’m in Haiti, I long to have everyday of my life.

The Haitians lifestyle is definitely different from the Americans but I feel that as I am here and interacting with them they continually teach me and remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.

Enjoy the little moments in life, don’t live your life just trying to check the items off your ‘to do list’ or be constantly on the go that you don’t have time to spend with God and ‘be’ in His presence, life is too short.

Jessica Burmester

Healing Haiti Team Member

June 19, 2010

A short but heart filled trip to Haiti...

I can't believe I am already on the way home. It was a very quick and heart filled trip.

It is exciting to see all the rebuilding, construction and water delivery that Healing Haiti has been able to do with all of your support... but it was very disappointing to see how little has changed in Haiti since the earthquake. The rubble and collapsed buildings are still not removed and cleaned up. Tent cities are everywhere, now surrounded by mud. I wonder if this will be the new Haiti. US troops are gone. We saw plenty of UN personnel from Brasil, but who will help rebuild? We didnt even see the DRC in force like we did in March.

Jeff and I purchased a small guest house for our mission teams and to house our Director Jean Filsaime and Fan Fan who both lost their houses in the earthquake. It is a wonderful place and we are so blessed to have found it. It had become very difficult to find lodging after the earthquake. Many guest houses and hotels have collapsed and many of the ones left standing many have been blocked out for six month to one year commitments from large construction companies to house their workers.

We worked hard all week doing things to make it a little more comfortable for mission teams. From buying fans on the street at night to stay cool, to bargaining for plastic chairs on the corner, to visiting hardware stores and delimarts. It is so hard to understand how everything in Haiti is more expensive than in the US... I know they have to import everything, but how can such a poor country pay almost double of US prices? It really made me appreciate how everything is shared and how people have to go through rubble and garbage to get things. They are truly masters at recycling. And I became such a hoarder of plastic bags.

We have started rebuilding part of a wall surrounding the property that came down in the earthquake. That is really the only damage that happened to the house. We're going to put a new roof on the little house in the back that is home for the security and laundry person live on the property and repurpose a storage area for a part time cook for our mission teams. I was shocked at how they have been living. We purchased fans for them and shower curtains for privacy in the toilet and outside shower area. We are also offering any curtains and furniture from the house that we

won't use. They each live in a 6 x 10 room that has a bed and a piece of luggage that they use as a cabinet. They put their mattresses outside during the day to dry because the roof leaks at night and the mattresses get wet Another wake up call to how spoiled we are!!

The stove isnt working so we were not able to cook yet, but it was sure nice to to have a simple sandwich, cheese, fruit and snacks. We did buy a crock pot for Jean...he had no idea what that was....so that he could cook with electricity...when he has it! Hopefully painting will get done this week along with some repairs to chairs so it is ready for our teams leaving on June 16 and the 23. We brought new sheets down and it was so cute...Mikail put the pillow protectors over

the pillow cases. We also brought fresh colorful towels that are stored in the hallway bookcase!

Years and years ago Jeff and I thought we would make great bed and breakfast inn keepers... looks like God has a funny sense of humor :). Oh and we have 2 dogs at the house..Bitsy and Bacon. Bitsy is super friendly and is just so excited to see you every time you come home. Bacon is the security. He has a tough bark, but is also very friendly once he knows you.

It was great fun to hop on the motorcycle and visit Elders School in Cite Soliel. We are doing major recontruction on the building and it was exciting to see the progress and well as 750 students. The kids got a real kick out of my bald head.

The down side was the new toilets are backed up and urine is overflowing...but it didnt seem to bother any of the kids... they were just so happy to be in school. The toilets are being looked at today and hopefully fixed.

We stopped at Mother Theresas on Thursday, but no one would answer at the gate. They have totally removed the old builings that were damaged in the earthquake and have set up big hospital tents for the babies. We will contact Joyce and Dale to see what volunteer opportunities are there now.

We visited both orphanages and made the Haiti friendship bracelets with all the kids and gave out treat bags. Fan Fan was such a joy to watch lead the kids in song and prayer. He is like a new person. We got an appointment for his Visa at the embassy on July 13. Please pray that he receives a Visa and can come to the US.

We then stopped at the school in Titanyen that Healing Haiti supports. We have rented a new building since the old one collapsed in the earthquake. It was exciting to see that another 350 children being given the opportunity of an education.

Carl Djovanny was so excited to visit friends and family. He said his mother Gigi kissed him over a 150 times. I thought it was interesting that he went to his old house and slept in a tent for a night. This young man has brought me so much joy.

Seeing how far the construction has come at Grace Village was amazing. The feeding center is going up fast. We received a generous donation of $60,000 to build it. God is so amazing. I worked on paint colors and Jean our Director thinks its too colorful...he is a typical tan and brown guy. (I am bring back with me the bed in the bag set I got him because it is too colorfull and graphic...we did find one online that he liked and I ordered it for him). We are learning in Haiti that certain color palattes are used for certain kind of buildings... Aquas are for hospitals, yellow for schools, blue is for police, neon bright colors are used on small businesses and the neutral colors are for sophisticated bigger business. Brighter caribeann colors are used mostly in the country side. I guess I think that Grace Village is in the mountain/countryside, so we're going with the caribean colors.

I am thankful that I could make this trip. Today I am a bit sad. Wondering if I will feel this good in the future or will I become less able. Please pray for me to stay strong and be able to continue my work in Haiti. Fan Fan prayed over me evernight. All the school kids are praying, all the orphans... it just amazes me.. God has been such the perfect planner for my life. Transforming my life just when I needed it, building a new support system before I needed it, teaching me forgiveness and letting go, knowing that would bring me peace and giving me opportunities to live in faith, trust and love. I have had the life that most only dream of.

Thank you all for loving me. And for your kind hearts for Haiti.

Alyn