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

What is God trying to teach me?

A week has gone by and one question that keeps coming to me is “Why?” My pastor friend Trent Anderson once told me instead of asking “why?”, ask “what is God trying to teach me?”

So that is how I will approach my thoughts of the past week.

When God puts in front of me his precious children who are hungry, uneducated, sick and lack basic necessities of life, yet have the brightest of smiles, the kindest of gestures and pure joy in their heart, what is He trying to teach me?

When God shows thousands of people living in tents and shacks without water, electricity or sanitation, yet Praise and Thank the Lord, what is He trying to teach me?

When an earthquake causes mass destruction to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and they don’t have the capability to manage that crisis, what is He trying to teach me?

When children who have no parents or family to love them can be so obedient, affectionate and caring, what is He trying to teach me?

And when I see “special” children that have no services, therapy or compassion from those that surround them, what is God trying to teach me?

When the elders of a community bring us to the one smelly, dirty and pig infested toilet station for the community that closes at 6pm and charges a fee to use, what is God trying to teach me?

When I meet an uneducated mother with 5 children who can’t pay her rent and will be put out on the street, what is God trying to teach me?

And when faithful elderlies who have survived a tough life, are forgotten by society, what is God trying to teach me?

When hundreds of people tell me they are hungry and need food, but all I bring is clean water, what is God trying to teach me?

Why do I see potential, feel safe and have such compassion for these people, while others dare not go? And why does God bless us with wealth, opportunity and knowledge?

What is God trying to teach me?

I am still learning. I will never have all the answers. Life isn’t fair and God never promises it to be. He does promise to those who follow Him that He will provide for the day...and I believe He does...Sometimes I think we don’t realize how little it takes to get through a day because we have so much of everything.

I think God is teaching me that I must do everything I can. To stay focused. To use the gifts and talents He has blessed me with to work for His people. For years, He has been teaching both Jeff and I skills to prepare us for “such a time as this”. He is continually teaching us about patience. And He has instructed us through His word to care for the poor, the widowed and the orphaned.

We forget that we already have everything we need in Him. I think God is reminding me that He is with those who have faith in Him. He feels their pain and suffering. He never leaves them. He gives us the opportunity to care for His people. To shine His light.

Many are delivered to Him through all of this suffering. Over 300,000 people have perished in the earthquake...I believe Heaven has gotten a bit more crowded.

Alyn

A Humbling Experience...

We have been here for 4 days and what a humbling experience it has been. This is my first trip to Haiti as well as many with our group. We have had busy days but they are days that are full of joy, fun and LOVE. We met Jean and Fanfan, what incredible men. I hope someday they will come to America to meet the many people who know of them and pray for them. The light that shines from them is so bright. They truly are the face of Jesus.

On Saturday, we delivered water to Cite Soleil and Jeremy Wharf, some of the poorest of the poor. The children there were full of smiles to see us. I think of these children who have nothing, but yet still have a smile and the twinkle in their eye. It makes my heart sad to see the older the people become, their smile becomes less. I feel for these people but know that everyone has a purpose in life. Their purpose could be as simple as to break my heart. We will never know the specific mission we have to fulfill our life, so we must remember to be still and listen.

The children touched our hair, they were so curious. Freckles... they came to loud laughter when saying the word. They were so intrigued by Brett and Kristin being married, the children wanted the two to kiss....I do not know if they ever did, but oh they had fun. It was amazing to see how family oriented they are. What a joy it is to see this and to be close to the center of ones life again. It was sad to leave Cite Soleil as the people and children were so appreciative. Watching them run after the truck, oh how I wish I could have taken them home with me. Yet I wonder if their spirit would change, and I wouldn't want it to ever change. These people are selfless and so protective. We were walking to the ocean and I slipped and fell to one knee and all the children scrambled to help me up and wipe off my knees. They didn't want me to be hurt nor dirty. Yet they were dirty. What precious gems the Haitians are, I have learned so much from them, IN ONE DAY!

Monday, we went to visit Guliame's orphanage.The children received Valentine's from the children at St. Michael's in Bloomington, MN. We helped the children also make cards for the children back in Minnesota. The Haitian children were so detailed and excited to be able to make the children something special. Their little eyes were twinkling. They boys went to play soccer as the girls stayed back to do Spa day. The boys eventually came back wanting the Spa day as well. They soaked it all up. We gave them head massages, hand, arms and leg massages, and polished their fingers nails and some even did toenails. I rubbed some of the women's feet, boy did I enjoy this. I was so thankful to have the skills I do to be able to give back to them what people treat themselves to back in the States. They kept moaning and telling me "Mesi Mesi"....Thank you thank you! I thought to myself. When was the last time someone rubbed their legs and feet? if ever? Touch is such a necessity in life I believe. We were grateful to show our love for them in this way, as touch is a way to communicate when you cannot verbally do it. The children kept asking us if we would have to leave soon. It broke my heart to have to leave them. We're maybe only a few people yet there is proof that it will only take a few people to make a difference in the world.

There is so much more to write about and I will post more again soon, but I cannot help but wonder about how I will be back home? I have fallen in love with Haiti. I cry thinking about having to go back to a place that I call home, that is driven by money and material things. I am guilty of this myself. We as Americans are so abundantly blessed with a job that pays more than $2 a day. My goodness, an hour for that fact, a home with a door, running water and toilet, a soft bed... not one that is made from concrete bricks with maybe a 1 inch piece of cushion on top. We have a washer and dryer that does everything for us. As one day we will all be stripped of our material things, I wonder where Americans and Haitians will be? Where will we be? I do believe that we have so much to learn from the Haitians! How kind, and family oriented they are, manners, appreciation for all and all things. It saddens me... the misconceptions that so many have of the people here. I pray that we all will be more aware and awakened to the needs of all people not only in your home town but around the world. Their faith is something that I have never witnessed before in my life. They have nothing yet they still have God and know that He has a plan for them to prosper, have hope and a future.

I leave you with this for the night.....how can ones with SO much have SO little, and ones who have SO little have SO much?

Rachel Ray

Healing Haiti Team Member

A few More days in Haiti...

Tuesday and Wednesday

It had been over a week since Jeff left to assist the earthquake victims of Haiti. The workload of responding to this disaster over the last week has been overwhelming but we have been blessed with many wonderful volunteers to help us. We are grateful for the response received and continue to ask for your prayers for the people of Haiti.

We were asked by Eagle Brook Church to accompany a videographer to Haiti to document Healing Haiti's response to the disaster and how we were attempting to be the hands and feet of Christ. Travel to Haiti right now is difficult and time consuming having to fly through Chicago, San Juan, Santo Dominto and then bus into Haiti to Port au Prince to get to our mission. Because of timing, the videographer was unable to go but I went anyway. I knew the emotional and physical toll Haiti's plight was having on Jeff and just needed to get to him.

Jeff had just brought four orphaned children out of Haiti and was able to meet up with me in San Juan on his way back to Haiti. We flew together to Santo Domingo and traveled together by bus to the Haitian border. From there we met a Haitian government official who graciously gave us a ride to Tabarre. After 36 hours of travel, we were finally back in Haiti.

Our first task back in Haiti was to continue with the humanitarian parole visas for orphans at Mother Theresa's. On the way there we stopped by Gertrude's Providence Guest House which had totally collapsed. I now start to see the massive destruction of this earthquake. By the grace of God, Gertrude and her cook were the only ones in the house at the time of the quake and both escaped to safety. Gertrude slept on the street outside her house for days. JoAnna says she is having a difficult time coming to grips with the reality that everything is gone. Can you imagine devoting your life to God, building and caring for severely handicapped children in the poorest country in the western hemisphere... and what took years of struggle and hard work to create, is destroyed in a matter of seconds? I am at a loss for words and my heart is heavy for Gertrude.

Before:

After:
At Mother Theresa's, the damage is also obvious. The courtyard has been setup as a makeshift emergency room with blue tarps providing shade for many injured laying on cots and gurneys. There's a clinic set up and a doctor from Ireland is treating wounds. The sick and abandoned babies and children have been moved outside into the church yard because the orphanage has damage and is not safe to stay in. Visiting the sick children, I try to comfort a seven year old girl who is extremely malnourished. As I pray over her, I can't stop the tears. How can these Sisters be so strong?

Thursday

The next morning, Jeff was off to the US embassy again to inquire about getting 3 more orphan children to the US. I went to Heartline Ministries clinic to help sort medical supplies. We had sent a load of medical supplies down that we had collected from several generous donors the week after the quake. I now understand the huge task it is to sort and organize all the supplies. The people who have been working at Heartline over the last week and a half were close to burn out. I could see the sadness and exhaustion in the their eyes and faces. They had just lost a baby, done several amputations and treated a severely burned child as listed on the chalkboard for the previous day. I helped comfort a woman who was having her foot treated. Her toe had been amputated and it had become infected and she now needed it closed up. She was in despair and crying. I laid my head on hers, caressed her and kissed her forehead. Her crying slowly turned into singing. A nurse came over and said that a lot of the patients start singing hymns of faith when they are in pain. It was so sad yet so beautiful. How can these poor people be so faithful?

In the afternoon I met up with our water trucks in Cite Soleil. It was good to see both trucks in action, knowing it was through the generous support of those at home that made it possible to bring additional relief during this disaster. Our first truck is delivering water bucket by bucket directly to the people in Cite Soleil, the other is filling cisterns for orphanages, medical clinics and emergency relief in the many tent refugee camps in Port au Prince.

By now I was used to seeing all the concrete and steel rebar that came crashing down everywhere... but I was not prepared for what I would feel while delivering water in Cite Soleil. There were makeshift tents everywhere. The sounds of helicopters overhead and the mass destruction made me feel like I was in a war zone. How could these people who have nothing now have even less? It amazed me how life continued to go on for those who didn't perish. It just had to... they have no other choice. A few vendors still try to sell their wares, kids still play in the streets, people still wait in line to get water. The water lines were more orderly than usual... maybe people were just tired of fighting to survive. Several people had a white paste above their lips. I asked our truck driver about it and he told me it was toothpaste that they rubbed under their nose to keep the smell of death away. We made 3 trips that afternoon and I had the opportunity to walk through much of the city with Johnny, one of our water truck workers. He knew who I needed to see and brought me to Renaldo. I cried in delight to see him. Everyone who lives in his house survived. When we left Cite Soleil the radio of our new water truck was playing "Hallelujah". I couldn't stop weeping... what was it that God was trying to teach me?

We then headed to our orphanage outside Cite Soleil to fill their water tanks. The building we rent has been damaged but by God's Grace, all the children are OK. I was overwhelmed by the greeting from our 30 kids as they came running to hug and touch me as I entered the front gate. Again I just started crying and thanking God that they were all OK. Most of the walls around the orphanage were down and there are cracks and holes in many of the building walls. Gillium led me to the back of the building where a tent city had been setup for the kids. He used money from our donors to buy tents to temporarily house these children. The rainy season is coming and we must now focus on getting these kids moved into Grace Village as soon as possible. I prayed that we will be able to provide permanent shelter for them soon. It was getting late and we couldn't stay long. The kids sang "Merci Jesus" for me as I left. How can these orphaned kids living in tents, surrounded by broken concrete and fear of tremors be thankful? For many of them, faith is all they have.

It was an exhausting day. It was getting dark as I met up with Jeff at Bobby Duvall's soccer field where we park the water trucks. Jeff gave me the news, because of changes made by the Haitian governments, no orphaned children were being granted humanitarian parole visas until the Prime Minister personally signed off on their case. We pray that these transfers will quickly continue.

Friday

I spent much of the time this morning at the clinic helping where I can... first sorting sutures, and then comforting a man who was brought in to have his amputated wounds treated. I learned that he was mute and sought pain medicine for his amputated leg and finger. Doctors asked me to help hold him down while they treated him. This was a very difficult job. One doctor worked on his amputated finger while the second doctor cleaned his amputated leg wound which showed signs of infection. God had prepared me for this task though through previous experience at Mother Theresa's wound clinic. I held the man's stump while the doctor picked, scrubbed and cleansed the wound. The man winced in pain... I wondered just how much pain and suffering anyone can endure?

Later in the day I was given the job of holding and caring for baby Ester. Dr. Jen had grave concern about her. She was emaciated, dehydrated and barely breathing. She was put on oxygen to help her breath. Ester’s mother was exhausted and emaciated herself. I held this little girl and thought about the Esther study I am doing with my small group. Before I left, I made a little box to cradle baby Ester in as patients continued to come into the clinic and no one else was able to hold her.

On our way out to Titanyen, we saw the dumping of concrete and metal debris all along our route. So many buildings are down... so many lives affected, Dump Trucks are starting to remove the debris and dump it in an area that is on our way to Grace Village. We saw men going through the concrete piles, pulling out any rebar or metal they can find. Jean says they will straighten the rebar and resell it. We saw cracks in the road and Jean tells us how our dump truck was on the bridge when the earthquake hit. The driver told us how the bridge shook and moved back and forth as he drove to Grace Village with his load of sand. When we crossed the bridge ourselves, I wondered how anyone would know if it is safe? When we get to Titanyen we see more damage, but not nearly as much as we have seen in Port au Prince. Adrenoi counted 253 houses down or damaged in Titanyen, including his own. He has lost one elderly and tells us there is damage to Lucilles house.

Grace Village had some walls collapse, but our workers were starting to rebuild. We headed to our Titanyen orphanage. Even though the building damage is minor, Yvon and the children are to scared of aftershocks so they have setup a tent made from sheets and blankets for the children to sleep in outside. We hope to make repairs to the orphanage as soon as possible so the children will be able to move back in before the rainy season. All the children are fine. We have accepted four new orphans whose parents were killed in the earthquake. I thank God that we can provide a home for these children where they will be loved and cared for and surrounded by faith. We then visit Jean Garys school that has suffered major damage and is not repairable. This puts about 300 kids out of school. We again see how this earthquake is affecting children... not only now but for the foreseeable future.

On the way home we stop by another small school that Print for Change had just presented a check for roof and floor repairs two days before the earthquake. The school was in bad shape before but even worse now. As we prepared to leave, the schoolmaster arrived and told us he is already working on repairs. He said it was a blessing to have the funds to start the rebuilding. This little school holds multiple shifts educating over 300 children. It is difficult to have optimism when you look at all the damage... how is it possible to have such determination and strong will to go on?

Saturday

We headed out by motorcycle to Bobby Duvalls soccer field to meet up with our director Jean. The soccer field is now a refugee camp covered by tents and about 600 people living there. Bobby was on CNN when Anderson Cooper came to visit this “tent city”. We have provided food and water for these people since the quake and Jeff even gave some rides to the kids on the motor bike. They all had so much fun. It was like an amusement ride for them and all the smiles warmed my heart. How can these kids, who have lost everything be so happy and carefree.

We then went to visit Jeans house and visit his son Djovany. It was so surreal. Amidst all the damage, the market was still going on, and traffic was heavy. We ran into Mialta's wife and daughter in the market. Mialta runs Reiser Heights, our school in the mountains. His wife comes down to the city twice a week to sell beef. Her income helps fund the school. She said that several families have lost their homes in Lespinasse. I thank God that the school is ok and the kids can continue with their education. She sends us away with cabbage and lettuce scraps for Jeans rabbits. Jean has started to clean up around the house. 12 family members had lived there. He has set up a tent for his uncle and cousin while he sleeps in his truck at night. The rest have gone out to the countryside for now.

We go back to Tara and Troys to gather our things and head out. We decide to leave through the Haiti airport. Jeff checked with the embassy and they said military evacuation would be possible through Sunday. We just needed to show up with our passports. We arrived at the airport around 6 pm and waited till 11:30 to board a C17 cargo plane. We arrived in Orlando at 2:30 am. We were treated with such care by everyone and met by the Red Cross upon our arrival to the States.

We spent a day in Florida... never leaving our hotel room. It has been a nice way to re-enter. A time to re-energize. To not be thrown right back into our culture. A time to think about the questions I have asked...

Can you imagine devoting your life to God, building and caring for severely handicapped children in the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, and what took years of struggle and hard work to create, is destroyed in a matter of seconds? How can these Sisters be so strong? How can these poor people be so faithful? How much pain and suffering can anyone endure? How does anyone know if it is safe? How is it possible to have such determination and a strong will to go on? How can these kids, who have lost everything be so happy and carefree?

Looking through my photos I found an image that spoke to me louder than any words could. And it is very simple... it will be by faith, grace, hope, love, patience, and compassion found only in Jesus Christ and those who serve Him.

Blessings...

Alyn