We are officially in Haiti. Our travels were smooth with no major delays, problems or set backs. Haiti hasn't changed much since I was here in January. The place still looks the same, except it looks as though the Haitian airport has had some major improvements. It feels like I was just unboarding the plane in January. It's crazy how time just flies and I automatically step off the plane back into the feelings and emotions that captivated me throughout my last experience in Haiti. I felt so comforted as I saw our friendly Healing Haiti Haitian staff greet us with their bright smiling faces! A stream of excitement rushed over me as I saw Fan-Fan and Junior-- two of my Haitian friends! It's a funny thing here-- these people don't ever forget you! Junior hugged and greeted me as thought we were best friends. He picked up my suitcase and took my heavy backpack. I told him he didnt have too, but he insisted on helping and chuckled, smiled, and took the bags from me. Junior has such a giving heart and is always stepping up to help and to serve-- I could tell that he appreciate me allowing him the chance to serve me and be a servant of Christ.
It felt so great to be back in Haiti. It almost felt like I was home again, as we drove down the streets of Haiti in the Healing Haiti top-top (taxi like bus). Having been to Haiti before, it was awesome to see the excitement, the emotions and the reactions of my fellow team members as they were able to witness, first hand, the tent cities, the piles of garbage on the roads, and the sights, sounds and smells of Haiti.
After settling into our rooms at the mission home, playing ball in the courtyard, and finishing an awesome Haitian dinner, several of us took a stroll along the streets surrounding the mission home. I think the team members were shocked, amazed, and a bit shooken up over the brief encounter with Haiti! I could relate to their emotions and the overwhelmed experiences. However, this was nothing like what they will see tomorrow when we deliver water into the poorest slum in Western Hemisphere. Boy do they have no idea what is ahead of them! I am excited to help bring this experience to life for my group and allow them the chance to be moved, be touched, and be renewed by their encounters with the Haitian people.
Tonight during our team meeting I said a prayer for our group that they open themselves up to let themselves go and to be true servants of Christ. I encouraged them to not only serve these people, but to allow the Haitians to serve them as well! We are all apart of the Body Christ, therefore, we all have equal contributions in this life.
Father God, I ask that you watch over us tomorrow as we embark on an activity that will provide essential resources to our Brothers and Sisters of Haiti. Please open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to doing your will. Help us to be open to You and the experiences we encounter-- shape us, use us and mend us into the people You have called us to be!
For my pictures, check out the link! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1822998536103.2091363.1274400099&l=731c1c4cd9
-Kristina
Today was the most amazing humbling experience. The opportunity to share something we take for granted **WATER** As we approached our first stop there was allot of people running and gathering with buckets kiddy pools empty rubber made tubs just about anything that would hold water. As the truck stopped and we got down to prepare I noticed the littlest baby crawling on the side of the road as her Mother stood in line for the chance to fill her buckets. I scooped her for some love and safely returned her to her Mother not before she left me with a warmed heart and a wet shirt. I have been greeted everywhere I turn with heart felt hugs and smiles. My love affair with Haiti has begun
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