We will rejoice!

Hello from Haiti! Sorry we didn’t get a post yesterday, the blog wasn’t working. I know ya’ll checked it because you miss us so much :) 

Today was yet another awesome day. We started off with some wonderful French toast from our amazing cooks, had an encouraging devotional from Rachel M., then it was off to work! We finished painting some doors at the compound as well as priming cabinets in an apartment that will be used for missionaries coming to Haiti soon. We also got to help with cementing a house, although we realized it took a little more skill than we thought!  Rachel M. and Margaux got to go to the hospital today and were put to work doing dressing changes on the locals.  We also went to the market and saw what would be like their “walmart” here.

In the afternoon, we went to the orphanage to spend one last afternoon with the kids.  There is always so much joy when we are with them.  While we were there, they started singing “This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” in English then in Creole.  During a debriefing tonight with the team, many of us had tears in our eyes talking about today and the ways we were touched by the children, but also the way that our hearts are breaking for the children.  We all have loved our time here, but also have missed our families.  We cannot begin to imagine what these children must be feeling and the ways they are missing their own families.  Yet, we are thankful for the opportunity we have had to not only show them God’s love, but to see God’s love all around us.  We are trusting in the hope that God will be a “father to the fatherless”.  Just like it talks about in Matthew 6, we know that if God cares for the sparrows and the flowers, how much more He cares for His children. Praise the Lord!

We feel so blessed to have our families and friends to support us, encourage us, and to pray for us.  We love you all!  

Mid-Week Tiredness

Hey All!

Today was an exciting day here in La Gonave. We started out by thinking we would finish up the man’s house we were working on yesterday, but quickly found out that was not an option. Apparently there were some “demonstrations” in the town square that we have to walk right through to work on the house. A demonstration is political unrest, rioting rather. Today some unhappy folk lit parts of a school on fire and threw some rocks through a window of a church. I am not sure how destructing the only buildings they have constructed is really helping the issue…but that is how they feel their voices are heard. Anyways, because of those events we decided to stay on the Wesleyan compound with the gates closed. We finished up a couple projects here for the missionaries. Rachel G and I got the awesome opportunity to travel up the Mountain with Lowell (a missionary man who is the leader of community health alliance here in La Gonave) to a “city” called Fontina…my spelling may be wrong…We dropped some concrete off at the top of the mountain and got to see a school. With so many problems it was interesting to see that they definitely still valued education. This trip took us about three hours to go five miles up the mountain and five miles down. It was SOOO rocky and SOOO bumpy and lots of fun, but I am glad we and the truck made it back in one piece! The others stayed here and worked hard! They got so much done and all got safely down from a rough roof! Your children are safeJ

Today was one of the best days with the orphanage we have had yet. The children seemed a little tired and so were we; but everyone was happy with holding babies and loving on the children. We made tambourines and bracelets for the craft. They had a snack and we played outside but it was relaxed. We picked them up in a truck for safety reasons and they loved it! They never get to ride in a car, even if it is only 20 of them piled in the back of a truck. The children are so wonderful and beautiful. I am pretty sure everyone here wants to adopt…including Jason. If only it was that easy…

Thank you for tuning in and I hope we are able to update this more in the upcoming days! We love you and will see you soon! Thank you for your prayers…today we saw how much we need them!

Taylor and the Team

By the Way: we are safe and really everything is good here. Please do not worry

Today for breakfast we had some awesome pancakes and mango. We then began work on one of the Haitian workers homes. He has been working for the the compound since he was 14 and is now beginning the process of retiring. Some of us made repairs on the roof of the house and others worked on painting two rooms on the inside of the house. We were able to finish half of the roof and get both of the rooms painting.

In the afternoon we brought the older children back to the orphanage with us. We did crafts played games and ate snacks. Right before we took them back some of the boys flipped over a 5 gallon bucket and began drumming out some sweet beats and the girls then began dancing around. One of the older girls led all the rest of them in a song and dance that they all knew. We had a small dance party which was pretty cool to see. Almost everyone joined in (even Dr. Runyan, aka Runster or Papa Run or Rev Doc Run). After dropping the kids back off at the orphanage, we stopped at a place in the market to get some good fruity Haitian drinks.

After dinner we played a good game of catch phrase as a group. All together it was a great day!!

We miss you all and love you all!! And for all of our mothers we are safe and sound and working hard.

A long blog for the folks back home

We all had a lot to share. It wont be this long each night, but we will try to keep you updated as much as we can.

Hellooo ALL! We are sitting here chatting and we want to let our mother’s know that we are here safe and sound and without malaria or typhoid! Although our minds have been blown by some of things we have already seen, we could not be more excited to finally start this journey in Haiti. Tomorrow we will travel to La Gonave by truck and boat! We brought ten suitcases and a book bag FULL of supplies so we are excited to give it to them. Today I ate goat. That’s all. Love you mama! And daddy! And hi franzJ-Taylor

Hi America, we have obviously made it to Haiti. It is incredible here. I could not believe how beautiful this country is, even amongst all the poverty that exists. The people are so happy & have smiles on their faces (for the most part). Good news, we all ate fried goat today, and had watermelon, pineapple, and papaya juice. Delish. Tomorrow we leave for La Gonave, and I cannot wait to see the clear blue water. Ok, that is all. Mike & Sandy Tuttle if you are reading this, I am alive. Shout out. Love you. –Casie

Hiiiiiii everyone! Today we have had quite the experience. We all made some new friends on the airplane, which is always exciting. Then, after eating our goat lunch we rode in the back of truck to where we are staying. It was quite the bumpy ride, however it was so much fun to be in the midst of the traffic and bustle of the city. Riding through Port Au Prince, we saw the life of the people and the slightly scary driving. While driving through the town, it was amazing to see the different culture. We are loving every crazy minute! Okay, that is all! Love you all very much! Andrea!

Hi family and friends! I think everyone had some awesome new experiences today as we started our trip to Haiti. Some highlights of my day were just watching our team as they were starting to experience the culture. It is really amazing to see the poverty that the Haitians live in, but yet even better to see how they are still thriving in such a poverty stricken area. We covet all your prayers as we head to La Gonave (the island we will be staying on this week) tomorrow morning! – Lauren

Hello!! We are actually here. It’s hard to believe that we are actually in Haiti. It has been a long day but one full of adventure. From our delay in the airport to the new food to the cattle truck ride. I have developed a new appreciation for Haitian drivers. There were several times that I thought we were going to crash. Then the driver of the cattle truck backed up a hill to the guest house we are staying at for the night. Can’t wait for what will come tomorrow! Love and miss you all! Margaux

I can’t believe we are actually in Haiti right now! We’ve been planning and meeting since December, so it’s exciting to see everything fall together. Today has been nothing short of amazing! The landscape is very populated, but the mountain range hanging in the back is beautiful. I learned today that lines on the roads in Haiti are scarce because there were cars going the wrong way and driving on the sidewalks! This is going to be a great adventure. Love everyone back home so much!

P.S. Mom- there’s barbwire on the fence surrounding the missionary house, you’d approve J - Rach G.

So, I have decided that I am going to start driving like everyone here in Haiti. They are amazing at purging their way into traffic, passing, going up steep bumpy hills, and avoiding 1000 distractions all while staying calm and honking their horn every 15 seconds. It has been awesome so far as everyone else has shared! Praise God for bringing us here together! I love you family! –Quinn

I don’t know how many times we have said, “Guys, we are really here!” It all seems so unreal but so exciting at the same time! The truck ride was awesome, along with the food (and pineapple juice!) and the people here. We are all amazed at the beauty that is all around us. I have definitely felt God’s presence, joy, and peace today! I feel so blessed and excited to see what God has for us here. Thanks for all your prayers…keep praying, we have an adventure ahead for sure! Love love! Sarah

Well since I am one of the last ones to write, everything has pretty much been covered. Although, this IS my first time out of the country so I have been blown away so far with what I have seen and experienced. Considering I am a very type A personality, I have remained really flexible and calm throughout the chaos. It has been a learning experience and I love every minute of it! Thank you for all the prayers already prayed for our team. We would greatly appreciate any prayers during the next 9 days as we continue our adventure! For my parents: I am still upright and conscious. I know you will still worry but everything is fine and will remain fine. I love you!-The other “Rach”-Rachel M.

Currently we are awaiting the next journey tomorrow. Today seemed like a crazy rollercoaster ride. Some of us have never been out of the county and others have been blessed to serve in many other parts of this amazing world. I think the best thing is still seeing God’s beauty here in Haiti. After such devastation the people are able to find joy, and love by those who surround them. We already feel that love and joy, from the amazing people we have meet so far. For the rest of our time on the Island of La Gonave we will try to keep you updated as much as we can. Tonight we are going to add some pictures of our adventure riding through the city together. Love you all back home Marissa!

Safe in Port au Prince

The team has made it safely to the guest house in Port au Prince Haiti. With the only small hiccup in the trip being the 2 hour delay leaving the Indianapolis airport. We were able to pack all our our checked bags with supplies for the trip. Only one ended up being over the weight limit. Later we will hope to write a team update on how the rest of the trip is going so far.

Thanks for all your prayers that got us over here safely.

The Lord is our strength.

As I have been packing and thinking about leaving tomorrow, I am amazed at how much God is already teaching me (and all of us) before we even get to Haiti! I have been realizing how much I look past all of the blessings God gives me each day.  The simple fact of having clean water is a blessing!  I was reading in Habakkuk last night and was encouraged by these verses (Habakkuk 3:17-19): "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."  At times preparing for this trip, I have felt nervous and unsure of what to expect. I am ashamed to say I have been hesitant to leave my place of comfort to go to a place I will probably feel uncomfortable. But I know without a doubt that God has called each one of us on the team to go on this trip.  I am choosing to put aside my hesitations and trust the "sovereign LORD is my strength". Like Habakkuk, I want to learn to rejoice in the Lord no matter what the circumstance. Even as I am writing this, I received a message from a friend saying she will be praying for me.  If God is for us, who can be against us? In my weakness, He will be strong. So thank you for all who are praying for us. God is good!

Time to Fly Out

The team will fly out in a little over 24 hours. We are all very excited to begin our journey to Haiti. So far the teams resounding theme for the trip is trust. Each one of us has had to let go of something, and leave it up to God to take care of.

We have learned more of what we will be doing while we are in Haiti. Our first evening will be spent in Port au Prince. We will spend the rest of our time on the Island of La Gonave. There we will help with rebuilding in the morning and then spend time with children at an orphanage. There will be many other opportunities for us to work and maybe even a chance to relax here and there. While we are there we hope to be able to continue to share what we doing.