Oh How He Loves Us

How can God allow a whole nation to suffer in such poverty, filth & desperation? That isn't fair. These are the questions and statements I and the people I share my experience with have been mulling over since I returned from Haiti over a week ago. I know my God is a loving God. It is His character and it can not be changed. So how do I reconcile this truth with what I have seen in Haiti? This question did not rock my faith. In my whole being I have always believed that God is Compassionate, Loving and full of grace. Yet, I couldn't quite overcome the quiet, nagging whispers rattling in the corners of my mind. "It really isn't fair. They didn't choose this anymore than I chose to be born in a loving family in a wealthy country with countless opportunities." Than Saturday at church during worship I was enveloped be God's presence. While singing David Crowder Band's "How He Loves" an overwhelming understanding that God loves every single living being as His beloved penetrated me. That is enough. He is all we need. More than wealth. More than sunshine. More than clean water. More than than food. Poverty, sickness and even death can not take away the best gift everyone has been offered. The love of our Father through the sacrifice of His one and only beloved son to die on a cross for us. He lovingly offers this, the greatest gift, more precious than gold to anyone who would receive. To the Queen sitting on her thrown, to the business man in a power suit at a power luncheon, to the spoiled child in a mansion surrounded by toys and delights, to the orphan abandoned and starving, to the sick child slowly dying in a crib in a sea of dying, to those living in tent cities with only the clothes on their back, to the poorest of City Soleil wondering where they will find clean water and a crumb of food for their starving child. Yes, Everyone is loved. Everyone. Life is not fair but our GOD IS LOVE. That is enough.

And oh, how He loves us oh. Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all.

I can't believe that today we are headed home, although it was an amazing experience...it is time! I can't wait to see,hear, smell, taste & touch my" home" with my re-newed senses.


Yesterday several of us went to morning Mass at the Missionary Church. Though we didn't understand the launguage, it's the same Mass....Music...Word...Eucharist...but it was simply more, like everything in Haiti. It was fun to hear the spirited songs & see everyone dressed in their Sunday best (their whites even brighter than their smiles!) and feel the Love radiate from the Priest who walked among the people during his homily.


After church we spent a long day at Guilliam's Orphanage, which will also be moving to Grace Village. Again such loving children. We enjoyed a sticky, colorful day of tye-dyeingt-shirts, jewelry making, coloring, tattoos & ballgames. All this activity going on while Dr. Sem worked tirelessly.


Back at the house we prepared a birthday celebration for Jean(our Haiti house mission director)complete with all his favorite foods...french fries,chicken, goat, & lots of vegetables & rice along with Birthday cakes & champagne! Several of his neighborhood friends joined our celebration. After they left we went out to experience Jean's favorite activity.... Salsa Dancing.... with our team of 12 women!


My word of the day(s) was "FEEL" because when you come to Haiti you have to .....

Forget Every Expectation Let-go Live & Love the experience.



I can't wait to see you all!

written by:Michelle Schroeder
July4th,2011

Rerfreshing

Beach day! We finally got a chance to cool down in the salty ocean water of Haiti. It was refreshing to be away from all the dust of the city. We planned our swimming day with the children at Yvon's orphanage. When we went to pick them up, I walked into their common grounds and said, "bonjour" to the kids standing on the steps and all together the kids responded with "bonjour." You could see how respectful and family-like these kids were throughout the whole day. They listen to Yvon (the orphans' director) and respond to his command instantly. They greeted us with a song and a prayer and everywhere you looked you saw them helping each other and sharing with one another. After our few minutes of greeting, we packed them in a little, colorful bus and headed to the beach about 45 minutes away from their home.

On the ride to the beach you were able to see Haiti from a different light. When we drive through Puerta Prince and City Soliel, you are able to see so much dust, dirt, and lack of color. As we moved along the road to the ocean, we were able to see the vegetation and greener part of Haiti. There was so many trees, farms, and animals. A description such as this may make it seem like a less poverished area, it was not. You still saw tent huts, muddy streams, people taking baths in dirty water, and desperation among the people. It was just a different kind of Haiti, more of the native Haiti rather than the city life Haiti.

When we finally arrived at the beach, we were able to see the beautiful sight of Haiti. The mountains lining the crisp, blue water. One would almost forget they were in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. As soon as we set up camp at the beach, we all got ready to swim and headed towards the water. I swam with the orphans for a bit, but was a little under the weather today so I took it easy. It's funny when you swim with the kids because they all cling to you. They don't know how to swim so they hold on so tight with so much trust that you won't let them drowned.

After cooling off a bit, I headed back to the area where we put all our things and started making peanut butter sandwiches for the kids. I made over 50 sandwiches and by the time I was done, it started to rain and the kids swarmed to our place under the trees. The kids were so respectful while they ate-- they would help each other open chip bags and share what they didn't finish.

Once the rain cleared up, I moved to a rock near the water and sat with Carol, a 13 year old girl. She is a beautiful, young lady that speaks fairly good English. She offered me some of her chips and we started talking. I asked if she had brothers or sisters, and she told me she had a brother that lives with her mom. I asked if she ever gets to see her mom, and she smiled at me and said yes. From my understanding, Carol wasn't a true orphan, but was living at the orphanage simply because her mom couldn't take care of her all on her own. After observing Carol all day, you could see her love and affection for all the kids. She was almost like their mom. No one would guess that she was a 13 year old girl. She was so selfless and mature for her age. It was incredible. I was moved by Carol's love.

On our way back from swimming, it started to not just rain... it started to down pour. Rain pelted the top-top and brought with it a cooling. It's a sad thing here--it only seems to rain near the mountains and not in the city where the rain is needed. No wonder people in City Soleil can't really grow anything or have much vegetation. It makes sense why it is so dust and desert-like in that part of Haiti.

During my car ride back to the house, I road in the front of the top-top with Junior (our driver) and we talked about his family, his girlfriend (soon to be wife), and he tried to teach me some creole. I think one of my biggest frustrations being here is not being able to communicate with the people. Junior was an excellent teacher and helped me to practice saying things like "I am a girl." and "I am tired." He taught me what the word for cow is and the word for car. It was fun!

The rest of the evening, I was completely beat. My "under-the-weather" sickness caught up with me and I was out-of-it. I could see the love of our group members unfold as they all grew concern for me and checking in on me.

Shelley, our team leader, washed each team members’ feet during the word of the day. It was really fascinating to see her so eager to humbly wash each person’s feet. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to serve God’s children with Shelley. She has a big heart for others and is very accepting of everyone that stumbles, trips, or falls in her path.

so many kids not enough arms

It has been said the eyes are the windows to your heart and soul. That was the case at the home for the sick and dying babies. In a tiny room 20 cribs are crammed in with little room to walk. One or two workers feed, clean, and change the almost toddlers. Every child is reaching up to you as you walk in the room. These huge eyes and absolutely beautiful brown faces are just craving human touch. Each child holds on so tight. When I decide to put a child back in their crib, they cry and reach for you to come back. We help feed little ones in another room. As I am feeding a precious tiny boy, I see a little girl giving orders to other children to get out of her way. She is busy stacking chairs and pushing them into the corner. She is working so hard. Some children have bands on their arm or leg that says their name and date of birth. This band means they have parents.

Outside an American is playing a ukulele and singing with his teenage daughter. The faces are lit up clapping and playing with some instruments.One tiny boy catches my eye. He comes outside on a mission. He fands a tamberine and a stick. Of course, another child has it but he finds awayto get it into his hands. He is smailing ear to ear. He sits down and starts beating to the music. Then he adds an extra beat with his hand. This boy has rythnm! Right in the middle of the little drummer boy's concert, another boy wants to join in. The struggle begins.

There is such happiness on their face when they they have so little human contact and attention.

Written by Team Member Jill

WHY?

A quick comment from a conversation this morning with another team member:

Don't ask, why did they die
Ask, why did they live

GOOD MORNING HAITI

The mornings in Haiti are one of my favorite times. I love to hear Haiti coming to life and have time to reflect in the peace of the morning. The sound of the roosters and the people on the street are such a comfort knowing that it is a new day.

My reflection today has been on Healing Haiti. How the dream of two people has evolved here.

Not only helping the people of Haiti but all of us who are blessed to visit this place.

Thinking about all we have done so far this week and how Healing Haiti has touched so many places here just amazes me.

We have delivered water in a place where they have none. We drove up to Reiser Heights another area far from the dust and crowds of the city. A school which bears the name of a man who has done so much for me and continues to serve the poor in the area through the help of Healing Haiti. Through their support the school and community have been able to touch so many.

Then off to the other side of the island where Grace Village is coming to life. The people who will benefit from this place will be many. It is a beautiful peacefull place and I can't wait to see the faces of the children when they move into their new home.

I wish I could have started coming here a long time ago. It is so nice to see parent's bringing their younger children along with them. I can't imagine what the impact of this place will do to their hearts for the poor.

I want to do so much more here. It is very hard to think about leaving again. I am so thankful and blessed to have this short time here, to see God at work through a vision of two, who have spread their love for God and the poor of Haiti across the world.

God Bless Healing Haiti, the dream and vision of God working through Jeff & Alyn

Faith.

THE LITTLE BOY I PICKED UP AT THE WATER STOP

A BUILDING AT GRACE VILLAGE

I am left exhausted and beat this evening. Physically I am exhausted, but mentally I am stimulated. It was especially hot and extremely dusty today. The city is dry due to a lack of rain these past few days. We delivered water to two spots within the slum today and for some reason they were more exhausting and physical for me than most days. (maybe it is because I was skipping with the kids, jump roping, doing push-up contests with the water truck drivers, and helping hold the heavy water hose). Not only were we busy delivering water within the slums, we also went to Grace Village and delivered food from Feed My Starving Children to a tent city near by our mission house. It was a busy day filled with a lot of activities.

The day started with a great conversation with Fanfan, our creole translator, about religion. He talked about how so many people go to church or say they believe in God (or Jesus), yet they don't live their lives as a testimony of their faith. People subject themselves to worldly pleasures and evil things that bring them away from their faith. It was a great conversation to start the day out with. He reminded me that I must not only live out my faith and the scripture here in Haiti, but I must bring these actions back home and share them with others. These words came alive for me today at the slums. It is so easy to get frustrated, turned-off, and unengaged at some of the water stops because you really see the desperation, the poverty, and the needs of those that live within these cities. It can be frustrating seeing the unorganized mess, the chaos, and the dirt. It is so easy to reject holding a dirty hand, carrying a heavy bucket, or holding a naked child. Denying the invitation to participate in the Body of Christ is so simple. At one stop, a small boy without any clothes on kept coming up to me and reaching his hands up to me. He would speak in creole to me and look at me with those big brown eyes. I knew what he wanted, he wanted me to hold him. I remained hesitant for a while and even denied picking him up several times. Though I had turned him away over and over again, he would not quit. He came back to me arms stretched out, reaching for me. I looked at him and it finally clicked in my head. What do I have to lose. He may be naked and covered in dirt, but he is a small child that needs love and affection. I picked him up off the dusty street and a smile shown across his face. His little body pressed against my already dirty shirt and, now looking back upon this moment, I realized how my shirt was nothing but a material of this world. The small boy had invited me to participate in the Body of Christ and I denied the invitation over and over again. When I finally accepted the invitation, both me and him were filled with this simple joy as we smiled at each other. This experience remains a worldly metaphor of how so many people deny God's invitation to grow deeper in their faith. He continually reaches up to us (or down.. or within), hands stretched out trying to invite us into a life trusting in Him. He continually invites us into His kingdom on Earth, yet we resist, we deny and we live our lives always trying to do the bare minimum in our faith. It is so easy to reject and turn away from His love.

After our water truck stops, we went back to the mission home and then drove 45 minutes to Grace Village (the new orphanage that Healing Haiti is building). We stopped at one of the mass graves on our way up the mountain. It was so sad to reflect upon the many lives lost during the earth quake. To see all the crosses and the thorn crowns made out of sticks.. what makes it harder to witness such a place is that I have no empathy for the situation- I simply can not began to understand the pain, the anger and hardship this devastation has brought to these beautiful people. I can't even imagine how they can have so much faith and love for God after having been through so much. This is something you continually learn from these people... they have SO MUCH FAITH even though they have SO LITTLE EARTHLY THINGS. They have LOVE for God.

WOW! There was so much done with Grace Village (the orphanage) since the last time I had been there. It is seriously a heaven on Earth. The orphanage sits on top of a mountain overlooking a city and the ocean. Every little detail of the orphanage reminds me of my Aunt Alyn. EVERYTHING from the tiles on the floors and walls to the designs of the iron work on the outside of the building. Though Alyn passed away this past November, she has left a footprint on this Earth.. especially here in Haiti.

Before dinner we went to a Tent city, were we distributed manna packs and shoes that were donated from a friend and a store called TC Runnings in Edina, MN. Our team split up into four groups and we ventured between tents handing out packs of food from Feed My Starving Children. It starts to turn into complete chaos when distributing things to the tent cities. Everyone wants food and it is so easy to get lost in between the tents placed so closely together. I can not imagine the lives these people must have. I can not imagine spending a year and a half living in a tent. These people have made the best of their living conditions though.. (a lot can be learned from this). I saw everything within this tent city-- people studying for school, to a lady listening to music, to children sitting on top of bricks with their heads nearly touching the power cords above them, to people with nutritional deficiencies I have only seen in textbooks, but never in real life. My heart broke during these experience .. upon arriving at the stop I had instantly connected with two young men that looked to be about 19 or 20. They looked like athletes -- their bodies toned and fit. They had seen the bag of tennis shoes sitting on the floor of our top-top. I promised them I'd be sure they get a pair of shoes. After food distribution was complete, I knew immediately that Jean was handing out the shoes from the top-top because a mob of people surround the little truck. I raced back up the hill to the top-top and saw one of the young men on the way up. I smiled as I saw that he had been given a pair of shoes. I stopped for a picture and raced back up the hill to see if my other friend had gotten a pair too. He was standing in the mist of the crowd and I fought my way to the truck to get him a pair. My efforts failed. The mob grew more chaotic and our plans to distribute shoes fell apart before us. We moved to plan B, which ended up in more chaos. Before we knew it, we were back on the top-top with a bag full of shoes and kids running after our top-top as we sped down the streets of Haiti. The young man in his blue basketball jersey was amongst the group of people chasing down our top-top. My heart sunk as I knew I had failed him. I wasn't able to give him a pair of shoes like I had promised.We all continued to watch in amazement as the swarm of kids kept running after our top-top for blocks.. they were determined to get something... ANYTHING from that hockey bag laying on the floor of our top-top. Oh how I wish I could have given that young man a pair of shoes..

My heartaches again. No matter how much we do while we are here.. there will always be more to do.