Donna: On the first day we arrived here, we were nervous and unsure of what to expect. However, within minutes of being here one of the little girls kept calling me mama which means mother in Creole. This made me feel at home. It made me realize we were going to be loved and welcomed here.
Denise: The thing that keeps coming to mind for me is that the Haitian people and the American people are not that different. We both want the same basic things; things like an education, good health and to be loved. Geographically we are far apart but we are all still brothers and sisters in Christ. This trip is about uniting.
Cindy: I have enjoyed meeting the Haitian construction workers and getting to know them. I admire how hard they work. I love learning about different cultures and how they live and interact. Being here reminds me how blessed we are in America. Many Haitians live on only one meal a day.
Melissa: I love the kids here. They are so innocent. They have very little here compared to American children. But, they are so innovative in coming up with games to play. In a way, playing and interacting with them allows me to go back to my childhood and just be a kid again myself. Children here have to do a lot of work so I enjoy playing with them and letting them enjoy their childhood a bit more. I hope they remember me. I know I will remember them because they have changed me.
Leslie: As the team leader, I enjoy seeing what the other people are getting out of this experience. When you take yourself out of your normal element, you learn so much about yourself. You also don't even realize the impact you have on others because you are taking them out of their normal routine as well. It feels like we are bringing a light into their lives.
Katie: Being here has reinforced the messages I was taught as a kid. Those basic things such as sharing and caring. As a college student it seems like you are expected to stand out, be the best at what you are doing and take care of everything on your own. Here, I am learning to share the physical and emotional burdens. I am learning the value of swallowing your pride and accepting help to get the job done. There is a real sense of community and teamwork here. I think this will change how I do things when I get back to Virginia. I recently graduated and will be searching for a job. Instead of trying to do it on my own, I will be more willing to network and accept help.
Tim: From the beginning, I have felt very welcomed here. I was anxious to get working and on the first day one of the workers, Joseph, kept saying, "You're my friend". I worked with Joseph all day and he kept giving me fist pumps and made me feel part of the team. They don't know anything about me and yet they embraced me right away. The Haitian workers are resourceful and efficient. I have enjoyed getting to know all the people and I'm trying to soak it all in; everything from playing with the kids, working, or just sitting around and talking and joking with everyone. They are happy people and laugh and tease each other. I can see how our work and time here is benefitting this community. We will be able to show the difference we've made and to show what we've done and it is extremely rewarding.
Caz (our Haitian interpreter): One of the first jobs I had as an interpreter for an American mission team was a special experience for me. These twelve people were very important and very rich and they helped me to learn many things about life. I realized we are the same and we feel the same things. When we see people hurting, we pay attention. But, I didn't always feel that way. Christians value serving God and we serve the same God. When these Americans were here, I thought, they have all they need. Why are they paying attention to us here in Haiti? We aren't important. But, they helped me to have more love in my heart for my own people. This lesson I learned from the Americans. I learned love, attention and compassion. Being with them and watching them made me to take time to think about me. It made me ask, how do I want to live my life? How do I want to use my life? What am I doing for God? When the mission teams come here, they don't do it for money. They do it because they want to help. Now, my life has changed. I realize, I have to do things for others. My dream was to learn a profession but I know life is not about that. It is something more important. I must make an impact. I must do something not for myself but for God.
So, that's the update from our team. Let us know your thoughts! It is sad when we open up the blog and don't have any comments so please comment. And thank you to everyone who is supporting us with your prayers!
Enjoy some of our PICS!
