We are HOME! It feels so good, and I am so grateful to be able to take a hot shower, brush my teeth with water from the faucet, have electricity whenever I need it, and enjoy all the comforts of home I normally take for granted.
Personally, I left with a deep love for the Haitian people and a broken heart for their country. My prayer is for their new government to do what is right by the Haitian people and for the country to recover from years and years of tragedies and devastation. Please join me in praying for the country, the land, the people, and their future -- it is essential. Only GOD can heal the hurts of a nation.
We will be posting pictures on Facebook in the next few days, so please check out the team's photos. I will also be providing 12Stone with copies of the photos, so they can post the pictures as well.
There is one other thing I want to add. This team was incredible, and I feel so blessed to be have been a part of it. God knew exactly who needed to be on the team, and each person brought their own special gifting to the team. Thank you GOD and thank you Kerry, Melissa, Jules, Deeds, Tyler, Ryan, and Chris. I love you all!
Tracy
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday- Wesleyan School
This morning during our devotion we made it a point to encourage one another and keep our heads up and focused on why we're here. Most of us are experiencing or have experienced some type of physical reaction to the food/water/environment here. It's amazing to me how quickly physical discomfort manifests itself into mental, emotional, and spiritual distress. The team did great today though with the Wesleyan School we visited. The children were great as usual and it was nice to get back to hanging out with kids again from our sabbath yesterday.
One thing that really resonated with me was when we were leaving the school there was one boy chosen from the kids to wish us goodbye. His response so was beautiful and I hope that us as a team and the people who read our blog can take it to heart. His hope is that when we return to the states that we will continue to pray for the people of Haiti and continue to send people to them.
It's so weird to think tomorrow is our last full day here before we leave Wednesday. Time has flown by on this trip. We have experienced so much and whether we've impacted one life or one hundred, we've at least seen what the people of Haiti live like on a daily basis and I know that I will never be the same. Please continue to pray for the people here, that lives would be changed for the better, that the newly established government does well by their people, and that Haiti would be a place of light and not of darkness any longer. - Melissa
One thing that really resonated with me was when we were leaving the school there was one boy chosen from the kids to wish us goodbye. His response so was beautiful and I hope that us as a team and the people who read our blog can take it to heart. His hope is that when we return to the states that we will continue to pray for the people of Haiti and continue to send people to them.
It's so weird to think tomorrow is our last full day here before we leave Wednesday. Time has flown by on this trip. We have experienced so much and whether we've impacted one life or one hundred, we've at least seen what the people of Haiti live like on a daily basis and I know that I will never be the same. Please continue to pray for the people here, that lives would be changed for the better, that the newly established government does well by their people, and that Haiti would be a place of light and not of darkness any longer. - Melissa
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Sunday -- Our Sabbath
Hello Everyone,
It's Sunday today, and we started the day by making breakfast for our hosts, and then it was off to church. We went to an English speaking Haitian Church, and it truly was such a blessing to us. Spiritually, it has been an intense few days, and being able to worship our Lord and feel the peace of the Holy Spirit wash over us was a moment to be treasured. We left there feeling fed and refreshed.
After church, we headed to beach for a couple hours of relaxation, and on the way, we passed one of the mass gravesites for the victims of the eartquake. It was sobering to see it, but even more sobering to think about all that the Haitian people have had to endure. The devastation is still everywhere to be seen, which is a moment by moment reminder of January 12, 2010. Just as vividly as we remember September 11, they remember January 12. At the tent city, the kids were quick to tell us that their Goliath was and is the earthquake. Even though they survived the earthquake, they still have to face their Goliath everyday.
Please continue to lift up the country, their new government, and the people of the Haiti in your prayers. Your prayers are Goliath slayers!
Blessings to all and especially to all the other teams who are returning from missions, on missions, or preparing for missions.
Tracy
It's Sunday today, and we started the day by making breakfast for our hosts, and then it was off to church. We went to an English speaking Haitian Church, and it truly was such a blessing to us. Spiritually, it has been an intense few days, and being able to worship our Lord and feel the peace of the Holy Spirit wash over us was a moment to be treasured. We left there feeling fed and refreshed.
After church, we headed to beach for a couple hours of relaxation, and on the way, we passed one of the mass gravesites for the victims of the eartquake. It was sobering to see it, but even more sobering to think about all that the Haitian people have had to endure. The devastation is still everywhere to be seen, which is a moment by moment reminder of January 12, 2010. Just as vividly as we remember September 11, they remember January 12. At the tent city, the kids were quick to tell us that their Goliath was and is the earthquake. Even though they survived the earthquake, they still have to face their Goliath everyday.
Please continue to lift up the country, their new government, and the people of the Haiti in your prayers. Your prayers are Goliath slayers!
Blessings to all and especially to all the other teams who are returning from missions, on missions, or preparing for missions.
Tracy
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Day 4
It's been a great weekend so far here in Haiti.
Our Saturday began with a great devotion out of Ephesians discussing what it is to walk with God and how we apply that daily. Throughout the trip, we have been focusing on sitting, walking, and standing with Christ and keeping that in the forefront of our minds as we venture out in this broken country.
Our discussion was followed delicious breakfast, as usual. And after that, a long and bumpy car ride (also pretty normal).
We drove to a city we've heard is one of the most dangerous places in Haiti-Cite Soleil. Perhaps it was our lack of knowledge, a progression of the city, or a combination of both, but we felt at ease. Throughout the whole trip, God's hand has clearly been over us. Our destination was a school/church and although they are not in session on Saturdays, their parents dressed them up in their best clothes and sent them to meet and play with us when they heard we were visiting.
When we arrived, we encountered approximately eighty kids between the ages of two and thirteen (roughly). We sang songs together, acted out a bible story, gave them a quick tooth-brushing tutorial, and played all kinds of games with them. Despite the hot weather, obvious lack of nutrition, and dirty feet, the kids laughed, smiled, and loved us and we loved them. It's a reminder of God's love and how God sees through our dirt and still chooses to love us.
We all left with sad and happy hearts. Sad to see the kids go back to what their life is here, but happy that we could give them joy, even if only for a short period of time. They have given us more than we could ever give them and they don't even know it.
The rest of the day was spent riding around, eating, and attempting to shop with little more than no luck. We ended the night with deep prayer and ask that you join us in asking God for protection for us as well as our brothers and sisters in Guatemala who are sick. Help us pray over the children here and the brokenness of this country.
Our Saturday began with a great devotion out of Ephesians discussing what it is to walk with God and how we apply that daily. Throughout the trip, we have been focusing on sitting, walking, and standing with Christ and keeping that in the forefront of our minds as we venture out in this broken country.
Our discussion was followed delicious breakfast, as usual. And after that, a long and bumpy car ride (also pretty normal).
When we arrived, we encountered approximately eighty kids between the ages of two and thirteen (roughly). We sang songs together, acted out a bible story, gave them a quick tooth-brushing tutorial, and played all kinds of games with them. Despite the hot weather, obvious lack of nutrition, and dirty feet, the kids laughed, smiled, and loved us and we loved them. It's a reminder of God's love and how God sees through our dirt and still chooses to love us.
We all left with sad and happy hearts. Sad to see the kids go back to what their life is here, but happy that we could give them joy, even if only for a short period of time. They have given us more than we could ever give them and they don't even know it.
The rest of the day was spent riding around, eating, and attempting to shop with little more than no luck. We ended the night with deep prayer and ask that you join us in asking God for protection for us as well as our brothers and sisters in Guatemala who are sick. Help us pray over the children here and the brokenness of this country.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Ofelina
Last night Thony announced that we'd be going to the orphanage today instead of going to a school. My heart immediately filled with excitement. It had been a year since I had visited the orphanage in Leogane, and my heart was longing to see those precious children again. More than that, though, I was anxious to see how the team would react and interact with the orphans.
Today started off with us driving 2 hours through the streets of Port-Au-Price... and that was an experience in itself. This was the first time that the team got to see what the rubble and damage looked like as we got closer and closer to the epicenter. There was not a minute that passed by during the 2 hour ride where you could not see some type of damage from the earthquake. The evidence is everywhere. I could tell that they were each thinking about it just by watching their faces and finding the objects that caught their eyes.
When we got to the orphanage, it was amazing to watch the team mingle with the children. These children were so loving, even though they have probably not been loved well... and our team could definitely feel the love from these orphans. These children live in a Christ-focused orphanage, so many of them knew the story about David and Goliath and if they didn't, they at least knew the main songs that we were singing. They loved our skit, too, and they reenacted it so well! After we did the Bible lesson, the skit, and the songs, we spent time playing with the kids. Whether it was soccer, playing line games, playing on the see-saws, or singing and dancing with the kids, it was obvious that everyone was having a good time.
Deeds and I are probably the only Americans who have seen the orphans both before and after the earthquake. He said something tonight that described exactly what I've felt all along. He said, "It's amazing to see how our feelings have been the exact same as the orphans each time we've left. The first time, they were miserable and so were we. This time, they were happy and so were we." Props to Deeds. Thanks team, for being so great.
Tomorrow, we'll go to Cite Soleil.... which is also one of my favorite places to go. These kids have a whole bunch of nothing, just like the ophans, but they're about as happy as can be. Man, I can't wait!
Today started off with us driving 2 hours through the streets of Port-Au-Price... and that was an experience in itself. This was the first time that the team got to see what the rubble and damage looked like as we got closer and closer to the epicenter. There was not a minute that passed by during the 2 hour ride where you could not see some type of damage from the earthquake. The evidence is everywhere. I could tell that they were each thinking about it just by watching their faces and finding the objects that caught their eyes.
When we got to the orphanage, it was amazing to watch the team mingle with the children. These children were so loving, even though they have probably not been loved well... and our team could definitely feel the love from these orphans. These children live in a Christ-focused orphanage, so many of them knew the story about David and Goliath and if they didn't, they at least knew the main songs that we were singing. They loved our skit, too, and they reenacted it so well! After we did the Bible lesson, the skit, and the songs, we spent time playing with the kids. Whether it was soccer, playing line games, playing on the see-saws, or singing and dancing with the kids, it was obvious that everyone was having a good time.
Deeds and I are probably the only Americans who have seen the orphans both before and after the earthquake. He said something tonight that described exactly what I've felt all along. He said, "It's amazing to see how our feelings have been the exact same as the orphans each time we've left. The first time, they were miserable and so were we. This time, they were happy and so were we." Props to Deeds. Thanks team, for being so great.
Tomorrow, we'll go to Cite Soleil.... which is also one of my favorite places to go. These kids have a whole bunch of nothing, just like the ophans, but they're about as happy as can be. Man, I can't wait!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Day 2 -- The Tent City
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
We made it!!!!
Hey everyone this is Deidrick! We are finally here safe in the home of our wonderful host Thony. The trip went super smooth. Everyone had high spirits despite the fact that we were all running on about an hour of sleep.
The drive from the airport was eventful as always. People here like to drive on both sides of the road no matter whom and what is in the way. The driving here was always one of my favorite things. Our host Thony recently came back from a visit to the states, and I asked him what he thought of the driving here compared to America: he said driving in the states was boring...
After the trip of dogging cars, motorcycles, people, and potholes the size of me, we arrived to our h
ost home. Everyone was pretty tired; however the desire for food quickly became the thing that was on the forefronts of our minds.
Thony took the team to a local restaurant down the street, where most of the team enjoyed their first taste of Haitian cooking. The food and company was fabulous!
Today has really been a great start to the trip. We are all tired, yet our spirits are not dampened. Please continue to pray for us, as I am sure the obstacles will become more challenging. Tomorrow is our first day in the tent city and we will have to fill a gap of time a little bit larger than we anticipated. Thanks for everyone who is praying for us! We are all healthy and feeling great! Pray for God sized stories and for His Kingdom to come to those kids in the tent city! We'll be in touch soon!
Goodnight everyone!
The drive from the airport was eventful as always. People here like to drive on both sides of the road no matter whom and what is in the way. The driving here was always one of my favorite things. Our host Thony recently came back from a visit to the states, and I asked him what he thought of the driving here compared to America: he said driving in the states was boring...
After the trip of dogging cars, motorcycles, people, and potholes the size of me, we arrived to our h
ost home. Everyone was pretty tired; however the desire for food quickly became the thing that was on the forefronts of our minds.
Thony took the team to a local restaurant down the street, where most of the team enjoyed their first taste of Haitian cooking. The food and company was fabulous!
Today has really been a great start to the trip. We are all tired, yet our spirits are not dampened. Please continue to pray for us, as I am sure the obstacles will become more challenging. Tomorrow is our first day in the tent city and we will have to fill a gap of time a little bit larger than we anticipated. Thanks for everyone who is praying for us! We are all healthy and feeling great! Pray for God sized stories and for His Kingdom to come to those kids in the tent city! We'll be in touch soon!
Goodnight everyone!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Ready to GO!
We are hours away from our departure and the excitement and anticipation are growing every minute. It has been such a blessing to get to know the different team members and to spend time with them. We have already seen God's hand moving in the way he put this team together and provided financialy for each team member. Two of our original team members aren't going with us physically, but Heather and Ben, you are with us in our hearts. Thank you for your contribution to the team, and we pray God's blessing on you. :)
We would appreciate your prayers during this trip; and in particular, we ask for God's favor and protection while we travel and once we arrive in Haiti. Please pray for people's hearts to be open to hear the Gospel and for us to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Most importantly -- not our will but God's will be done.
Hopefully, we'll be able to update this blog daily, but it depends on our access to an internet connection. Keep checking back. You can also check the 12Stone Church Outreach page on Facebook.
Tracy
We would appreciate your prayers during this trip; and in particular, we ask for God's favor and protection while we travel and once we arrive in Haiti. Please pray for people's hearts to be open to hear the Gospel and for us to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Most importantly -- not our will but God's will be done.
Hopefully, we'll be able to update this blog daily, but it depends on our access to an internet connection. Keep checking back. You can also check the 12Stone Church Outreach page on Facebook.
Tracy
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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