Your Haiti Spring 2012 team arrived at LAX last night after a long day of travel.

We left Port Salut on Tuesday morning after Sister Nikki blessed us with a beautiful worship song and prayer, she is such a beautiful example of God’s love and was such a blessing to our team on this Faith Adventure.  We headed out, in our trusty yellow school bus, for Carrefour for our debrief and our last night in Haiti.  Our return drive was sunny and warm and gave us the opportunity to see the central part through the mountains without rain. The drive took us only 5 1/2 hours and Kara won the pool on how long it would take gate to gate to arrive at Auberge do Quebec in Carrefour.  We took a side trip to stop at Pastors Joseph and Sam’s church, to give us all a chance to see where the tent city had been and to see the church and school that serve the local neighborhood.

Our night at the Auberge was filled with fellowship, laughter, wind down and a chance to talk and process what this last week has meant to all of us on the team.  Everyone of us were such a blessing to this team and I can’t imagine doing this trip without each and everyone of them.

We want to thank all of you that supported us on this trip, to know that we had family and friends at home praying for us and for our Haitian friends kept us strong during our long days.  Thank you !!!  Bondye Gon Bon Ke! Tout Tan!  God is good! All the time!

Today started with a bus ride to the town of Charlotte. The plan was for our team to conduct a VBS and a medical and dental clinic from 9-3pm. We rode our lovely yellow school bus packed tight with our team, our supplies, our interpreters, and a few of the youth leaders, from the conference we held on Saturday, through tiny rural towns in the forests of Port Salut. The cacophony of this beautiful culture bombarded and pressed in around us. We were literally pressed in on all sides in these towns with street vendors having to grab their wares and run as we passed by on these small dirt roads.

Charlotte is beautiful and very rural.  The families here grow their own crops and there are cows, chickens and goats everywhere. We were told there would be about 100 kids for our VBS and we drove up to about 200 little ones all lined up waiting for us with these gorgeous expectant smiles in a grassy/muddy field in front of the church.

I truly appreciate that our team focuses on the relational aspect of connecting with the people of Haiti because these kids are so hungry for affection. We spent the first hour playing with the kids. Ali led half of the kids in a game of Down by the Banks while other kids played soccer with the men youth leaders. Kara even jumped in and played soccer with some of the girls and women of the town who kicked the boys off the field because they wanted to play.

At snack time for the kids we decided to take a break and I unfortunately took a turn in health. I was pretty badly dehydrated and had to be hooked up to an IV for fluids. It was so painful to not go back out with the kiddos, I love them so much and playing with them and sharing God’s love and promise with them is such a blessing for me. Needless to say, I had a very heavy heart as my team left to finish and I stayed to be rehydrated. But God is so good and merciful! Even in the midst of great sadness I felt his grace. The experience turned into a magical time as Drs. Ed and Joseph took time out of serving over 203 people to tend to me with care, compassion and love. Lynda would periodically take time out of  the dental clinic to bring me a handkerchief soaked in cool water to cool my neck and forehead. Each member of the team in turn came up to check on me. I was so blessed to watch the medical and dental teams work with such calm, love and attention as I lay there watching this well oiled machine be God’s hands and feet not only to me but to a crowded church of patients packed in like sardines. When Dr. Joseph would tend to my IV Chantal would step in and see patients on her own, checking with Dr. Joseph to make sure she was diagnosing correctly. And I learned an incredibly humbling lesson today- I learned that by accepting help when I truly need it allows God to shower me with love through those who are willing to love like him, and that that in turn blesses those who he calls to love me.  Joseph tonight  affirmed Chantal for her hard work and care and the joy in their faces at seeking and feeling God’s provision in those moments is an image I will never forget. And after being hydrated God blessed me with being able to go out and play with the kids again before the day ended at 4:30pm.  Bon dieu le Bon.  Jenny Castillo

To pick up where Jenny left us for VBS.. When the kids returned from their snack, we had planned to share the story of Genesis 37 with them through a skit.  With the help of some awesome leaders of the church in Carrefour (that have been with us in the south all week!!) we brought Jacob, Joseph and his brothers to life.  Watching the eyes of the kids light up during the skit and hearing their giggles at our ridiculous acting absolutely filled my heart!! But that ended up being the least of it..

When we finished the skit, a few questions were posed to the group and one by one, sweet kidlets popped up to say what they’d learned and what God had done for Joseph. So incredible!  But even that ended up being the least of it..

We told the kids we’d play for a while then tell them the rest of Joseph’s story, and there were immediately many hurried Creole words exchanged between the kids and our interpreter. It seems that they wanted the rest of the story right then.. They couldn’t wait!  I was floored to see these sweet young things hungry to hear more of God’s word! So humbling, and all I could think of is Mark 10:14, “let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”.  I saw that lived out today.. So beautiful!!

The bow was tied on the day with our craft, which were crowns that the kids could decorate with jewels to celebrate how God had rescued Joseph from prison into power. It’s hard to explain the joy placing a crown on a child and having the chance to hold their face and share their joy.. A simple craft but an extraordinay moment.

Not only did the kids all join in, but so did some of the mothers and grandmothers that were nearby! There was a sea of golden crowns everywhere you looked and a smile on every face.. But then again, I’ve learned to expect that from these lovely Haitian people. If this week has taught me anything, it’s that there is a gratitude and kindness and love and hope among these people that is currently unrivaled in all the world that I’ve seen.

We start our travels home tomorrow by making the drive back to Carrefour.. And I can tell you that for me, it will be a tearful goodbye to Port Salut.  Brooke Pacini

We all agree that today was such a Joy filled day from beginning to end.  We started our day with our group splitting in half to attend church at two of Pastor Joseph’s churches.  In one service they did a baby dedication which was so joyful to be apart of and Pastor Sam spoke at the other service with such passion and love of the Lord. Both services had such an impact on all of us, their love of the Lord is so powerful!!

After church we set up for our medical and dental clinics while Sol and Dan filmed for the VBS video.  It was so great to have Ali, Jenny, Brooke, Kara and Michelle join in the clinics today, since there wasn’t a kids program today. We were able to see people today that we weren’t able to see on Friday.

Today was Brooke’s birthday so we were able to celebrate her special day with a trip up a narrow mountain road to swim under a cascading waterfall. When we returned to our home away from home Sister Nikki had a special birthday celebration planned complete with decorations, cake and local women doing  traditional  Haitian folk dances.

There really are not words to describe what today and this trip are meaning to all of us.  Please continued to pray for us, for our families and for our friends here in Haiti.

This morning we started the day with a devotional about Esther who was called to go to the king and speak on behalf of the Jews. She was called to beg for mercy and plead for her people in order to save them. Initially Esther was fearful of death but Mordecai replied to her saying that God’s will would be done regardless of her actions. He said to her, “who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

I can say honestly that each person on this trip has been called to such a time as this. Each of us has a backstory and without a doubt each person has been on a lifelong journey to get to this place. To get to Haiti. To meet with patients. To pray over others. To encourage each other. To empower young leaders to see the gifts God has already blessed them with.

A team of five of us had the opportunity to facilitate a youth leadership training today. Two moms, a children’s ministry worker, a youth leader, and an outreach director. I use the term “training” loosely only because we entered this time with 30 young leaders not with the intent of coming in and teaching them to do what we do in ministry with kids but to work together and learn from each other. We had 30 people with us ages 16-40 (mostly mid-twenties) who travelled from all parts of the country to be with us today. They, too, were youth leaders and people passionate about teaching kids about God. They are people who love kids and think they are fun to be with. God has given them the heart to serve these kids and to change Haiti in the process.

While these leaders desired to teach their kids to be the next generation, little did they know that THEY are the current generation that can change Haiti. God has given them gifts and dreams. Our goal today was to show them those gifts and dreams, encourage them to think outside of the box, and to rely on each other as the body of Christ to work together for the same goal. They have the same goal of showing God’s love to these kids, but they each have different gifts to help reach that goal. They can sing. They can dance, act, pray, play, create games, write, draw, teach and care for kids. They can do so much they don’t even know.

That being said, today a seed was planted. We saw so many lightbulb moments in the eyes of these leaders. We saw the wheels churning in the brain God gave them, and we a confident that THEY are the generation that will change Haiti. THEY are the people who will fight the Lord’s battle and beat the enemy who has too tight a grip in many areas. God absolutely utilized 5 woman from all different backgrounds to start building a foundation that will soon be built upon. While we desire to be a part of that, we know God has already equipped them with the gifts, dreams and desires to change their country. To enlarge God’s Kingdom.

Each of us here has been on a lifelong journey to bring us to such a time and place as this. Like the leaders we met with who we know are equipped, God has equipped us our whole lives for this moment. And the moment doesn’t end here. God will continue to equip as He sees fit to what He will call us to. In this moment, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Haiti. To show His love for these people and encourage them the way our Heavenly Father encourages us. It is not by our own strength but in the strength of the Lord that we can do all things.  Ali Morris

Today the medical team traveled to Charlotte.  Our second case, Nikolai, came to us in his fathers arms completely unresponsive. Initially his temperature was 103.  We began to cool him down by pouring water over his head and entire body. This brought his temperature down but he began to have a seizure. Since we have limited emergency supplies in terms of starting an IV we were only able to supply basic medical care which included maintaining his airway.  We then began to pray over him.  He continued to have seizures every ten minutes, however, after the prayer he gave us signs he was about to have a seizure by opening his eyes and blinking.  I have never seen anything like this in my twenty years of practice as a physician.  I thank God for the apparent warning before each seizure because it made us prepared to support him by turning him to his side and maintaining his airway.  Luckily our team decided to summon transportation to the hospital and without ambulance service this involved obtaining a vehicle.  We believe this could be considered a miracle because had we not been there today the child would have surely died because of the remoteness of the village.  I left with Nilolai and the team was left short one doctor, however, they continued to treat and we were able to see 130 patients, 160 with dental.  We continue to pray for Nikolai and ask that anyone reading this blog continue to keep him in your prayers.

Joseph Imarah and Christina Brown

We woke up to the sound of a dutiful rooster this morning; 5:30am. He must have been on Miami time. Too early for breakfast, just yet, and just enough time for a quick walk. Then something happens; God starts to throw in some real nuggets, when you least expect it. Sol and I are trying to get some b-roll footage of Max climbing through the jungle, and in the distance, I see a man and his three sons, standing next to their wooden boat, untangling a fishing net. “Move closer…” I hear from the back of my mind. And my feet take a few steps toward them. “Start recording …” He continues. And my thumb hits the red button. And what fill my frame, was nothing less than beautiful. Simple. A man with his sons preparing for a day of fishing. ‘I think thats enough.’ I think I hear from somewhere else. “don’t stop.” He interrupts. “it’s just about to get good.” My thumb moves away from the stop button, and one the sons looks to camera, as though on cue, and walks straight for us. And I’m thinking: ‘oh man, we should have prepared for this. This would have been really cool for … And Sol steps into frame with his hand out-stretched and in almost perfect Creole: “commo ou rele?” (what’s your name?) “Justin”, he says. And I swing to capture both Sol, Justin, Dad, Brothers, and the boat in one frame. Stunning. First take. The only take. Sol would continue on the dialog with Justin about the Creole word for boat and would, himself, turn to camera and talk about how they use it to get their daily food, but honestly, my heart was so full by then, I don’t remember much more. There are a few times in my life when I witnessed the orchestration like this morning, and when it happens, you just feel Him all over. I saw Him move in many ways today. Through VBS volunteers with hundreds of kids, happy and engaged. I saw Him in the medical clinic, in eyes of the volunteers as they sat with each of dozens of patients. I saw it in the hands of the dental volunteers as they held a terrified and trembling eight year old. And I saw Him in the arms of our leaders as they embraced us, encouraged us, and affirmed us. I saw Him today…Dan Doble

Our verse for our day “This is the day the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it”Psalm118:24

What a day filled with joy flying into Port-au-Prince to see so many of the tent cities gone and rebuilding going on through the city.

Thank you to Tacy and terry for getting us through customs. god is good!

Pastor  Sam and the guys met us and we loaded up and headed out on our “three hour tour” yes we sang the theme to Gilligans Island!

Pour drive took us west toward Leogane then a left turn and we were headed south towards the other side of the island.  What a beautiful change from the hustle and bustle and traffic of the city to the beauty of the countryside. We were in the rain forest and yes it rain for part of the trip, a beautiful cleansing rain.

Our arrival at the Fortress Inn was met by the warm welcome of Sister Nikki, our first yummy meal on the patio, showers and bed.

God has put together such an amazing team and we can’t wait to see how he will use us tomorrow and on the rest of the trip.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and love, you all are such an important part of our team.

Ps new at the iPad.

Bonswa!!  To all of our families, friends, supporters and prayer warriors we want to say MERCI !!!  We are packed and ready to fly to Port-au-Prince tomorrow night.  We are all so blessed to have the love and support of all of you, we could not be doing this without you.   We are so excited to see how God will use our team as we partner with Pastors Joseph and Samuel and their churches in the Southern part of Haiti.  Please keep us in your prayers as we wrap up our final prep and travel.  We will be updating this blog regularly with stories and pictures so be sure to check back often.  Orevwa !! Your Haiti Spring 2012 Team Michelle, Jenny, Sol, Christina, Tacy, Lynda, Kara, Chantal, Joseph, Diana, Ed, Dan, Brooke, Terry, Ali, Kimmberleigh and Aaron

Check back often for updates on the Haiti Faith Adventure during April 11th — 18th.

Haiti Team #6 is heading out next week! we will be distributing wheelchairs through Free Wheelchair Mission and providing medical and dental care to families affected by the earthquake.

We continued on with another busy day of medical and dental and also helped to construct some new tents in the nearby tent city.  The community came togother to build, even the children.   All were so eager to have a job and a purpose.   The people from the church and those that helped translate and support us here are wonderful and we hope to see them again.  They prayed for us to be blessed so that we may continue to be a blessing to them… Something familiar for Mariner’s members ;  )  Today was bittersweet knowing we would be leaving so soon after making so many wonderful connections with these truly amazing people.  Please continue to pray for us and the people of Haiti.

We’ve got an early early trip to Dominican Republic tomorrow where we will debrief for a day before heading home.