Matt's Blog

We started the day off going to church. The people in the worship service were very enthusiastic about worshiping God. What really impressed me was when the pastor asked if there were any visitors there and told them to stand. There were three that stood up and he asked them what they names were, where they were from, and if they knew Jesus as their personal savior. WOW! Why don't we do that? That is what I call taking care of business.

After church we went to Port-au-Prince. What a devastated area. There was trash all in the streeets, buildings tore down from the earthquake last year, and a lot of broken hearts. I realized that the government was not going to ever do anything about it when we pulled up to the capitol building. The earthquake was last January, and the palace, which is their White House, was still in shambles.

We then came back to the compound and reloaded the truck and went to another church to deliver food. When we got there, the generator that feeds the church electricity was broke down so they were having their service in the dark. We gave them 14 boxes of Kids Against Hunger food and two bags of beans. The pastor asked if we had anyone that could speak some words of encouragement, and the other team members volunteered me. So I spoke about keeping Jesus as their savior and that all their problems are temprary. I told them to hold onto God and that we all ened to try to be better Christians for Him.
After this we came back and started packing for our trip back home. What a week it has been. We are all a blessed bunch. To have a God that not only sent His Son to die for us, but He placed us all in a free country where we do not have to scrounge around for food, we can take a bath whenver we want, we can worship freely, and I could go on and on. The simple fact is that god loves us all equally. None of us are better then the next, and it's hard to believe but these very same people who have all these troubles, will be side by side with us "when we all get to Heaven."

Brittany and Kelly's Blog

1/1/11--seems like a perfect date for the start of an amazing new year. Last night we were told at about 10:30 pm that we would be leaving at 5 am New Year's Day to hike two hours up a mountain to a mountain village. While we may have groaned at the prospect of rising before the roosters (yes we hear roosters every morning), it was an experience that could top any Times Square ball drop or champagne toast. It was pitch black when we started climbing the steep mountain. As we climbed farther up, the sun peeked over the ocean and mountains in the distance. The sky opened up into an amazing display of colors.

As we huffed and puffed our way up the mountain, we were passed by men on mules and a woman carrying supplies on her head. This steep journey, that even Brittney as a marathon runner was struggling with, is one that the Haitian people in the mountain make with ease. When we arrived in the village, we led the children, over 200 of them, into the church. We handed treat bags to each of them and fitted the girls with pillow case dresses and the boys with t-shirts. The joy on their faces could melt the hardest heart. We ended our visit with a prayer for the people of the village that God could provide for their needs.

In the afternoon we headed out on foot to another Lifeline site. Donald (the president of Lifeline), said that it was an easy walk, but we would describe it more as "off roading" as we trudged through the plantain fields. Contrasting starkly against the paradise of plantains and mango trees was the poor local village of earthquake-damaged houses and shacks. As we walked the local children, many shoeless, grasped our hands and tugged on our shirts while asking "my friend?". Donald gave us a tour of the school Lifeline has built and the orphanage that they have begun to construct. It's amazing; the school was built last December and shows no trace of earthquake damage-- it was done right, the way that Lifeline strives to do everything. Donald explained their plans to add on to the school, build a church, and how the orphanage will be run. It will be an entire community to feed, educate, and raise children so that they can not only survive but thrive and one day contribute to their community.

Our final destination of the day was to one of the poorest orphanages in the area. The people running it are indescribable, the love and hope they give these children is unparalleled. There were about 24 orphans to whom we gave fruit snacks, crackers, stuffed animals and clothes. We also colored with them and led them in songs. There was one little boy, one with special needs, that seemed to be missing his stuffed animal. Another girl came up, and at first Kelly thought she had taken his Tigger. But, it was just the opposite. The little girl, his twin sister, was safeguarding it for him. She looked after her brother and shared her food with him. This three-year-old girl who has no parents and no possessions in the world, could very well have kept the toy and food for herself. Instead, she was totally selfless. This is a theme we have seen over and over, like the little boy at the tent city who divided up his candy with the other boys--those with the least are willing to share the most. It is a lesson that we can follow. Kelly has decided to sponsor that three-year-old girl, and you can sponsor a child too, ensuring that they will get a full belly and the hope for a better life.

Michelle's Blog

This morning we loaded the trucks with boxes of kitchen items, pillow case dresses, and 2 suitcases full of treat bags to distribute at one of the tent cities. As we were pulling into tent city, the people were having their market. They needed to move their merchandise in order for us to pull in. Once we were driving up the dirt road, people started coming out of their tents, especially the children. There was a sense of excitement in their faces. Donald organized with the leader of the “city” to figure out the best way to distribute the boxes. We each took a box and followed the leader to different tents and dropped off our boxes. The tents were made of tarps and sticks. It was VERY warm inside of them. There was one bed with a blanket on it. It had a chair in the corner next to the bed. In the front right corner there was a “kitchen.” The kitchen consisted of a foot by foot area where they can put their pots and pans on a very small table. It would not be what we consider as a house.

After passing out the boxes, we moved all of the children into the tent church. Here we passed out pillow case dresses, treat bags, and t-shirts. I walked up to this little boy, about 2 years old that had no clothes on, which was eating some crackers from his treat bag. He ate these crackers so fast that by the time I had gotten to him the crackers were gone. An older girl, Sonya, proceeded to open up his other bag of crackers. She took 2 of them and gave him the rest. I felt sorry for him. He was just standing there. No parents, no siblings, nobody specifically looking after him. He had nothing but the crackers. This may have been the only thing that he has eaten in a while. As we were getting ready to leave the leader of this “city” gathered all of the people he could around our truck. Our time here ended with Todd bringing the gospel to the people and saying a prayer while Robenson, our Haitian friend interpreted.

From here we went off to one of the poorest orphanages. We walked in and all of the children were sitting on these wooden benches. They started to sing a song about how they were so glad that we were there. We handed each of them silly bands, treat bags, and pillow case dresses.
All of the children joined us in a version of Father Abraham. They sang in Creole while we sang in English. After pictures of the beautiful girls, we were taken on a tour of this orphanage. There are about 20 children who live here. It is put together with some concrete block walls and tarps. There were 3 beds. We were told that most of the kids sleep on the ground on tarps. My heart was broken for them. As we were listening to the conversations between the woman and man who work here, I began to cry. The thought that keeps running through my mind is that we have a choice to make. Are we going to sit back, live our lives, and do nothing, OR are we going to stand up for justice and do something to help others?

Codie's Blog

Another day. How amazing is God? He truly puts us in the right places at the right times to hear things we need to! We went to the prayer rock today and heard devotions and some of the team's testimonies. God truly gave me peace and comfort from that for stuff that I have struggled with in the past. It is amazing that God can heal you in a place like Haiti. We did a work day again today and I spent the day in the medical clinic again with another team member (Josh). We saw so many more children today. We stitched up a little boy's forehead yesterday from where he fell into the canal and it looked so GOOD today! Praise God! :)
The rest of the team sorted clothes and shoes and sifted through the medical supplies here. Some even tore down a whole wall!! We definitely sweated today that's for sure! But this country is so beautiful that you can just tell God has made this land. You can feel His touch on everything. When we decided to let the village children from La Digue into the compound to play with us, tons of children came in! We played a game of soccer which was hilarious. They definitely are better at soccer than we are! But it was fun and I think both sides had a lot of fun!! There was a boy that I met a few days ago that has really impacted me named Leo Paul (that might be spelled right!). He just came up to me today and remembered my name and I had been helping him learn English and he just started talking to me. So amazing! I'm learning Creole and he's learning English! God is truly amazing and is working in this place in so many ways! Sometimes we can't tell how God is working in our lives because we don't see the big picture. But you can truly see God moving in this place and with these people. :)

Jordan's Blog

Today we got up at 5a.m. and went up to the prayer rock to pray and up to the big cross on the hill. Wow! You could see everything from the hill. What a beautiful place Lifeline is at. There are mountains everywhere. It's really the most beautiful place I've ever been to in my life. Then we walked around the compound and learned how Lifeline works. There are awesome things being done here.

We went to see and hang out with the kids in the village and what an experience that was. Words couldn't describe it. The kids love to hold your hand. We had 4 to 5 kids for every teammate.
I love kids. I have three of my own, so it's natural for me to be drawn to the kids here, but to see the kids that have nothing was heartbreaking. But man let me tell you they love to be loved on. Seeing that was a tearful moment for me. Another precious moment was when I saw a teammate, who is a physician's assistant, take care of a kid that had a cut on his head.

Next thing we know there were tons of kids with all kinds of cuts and scrapes lined up needing help. God's work is amazing and to personally see it in action was just plain great. I will be back to see the kids and help with God's mission to feed the kids and do the work needed around the village.

GOD'S HANDIWORK!!!

When God's men come together with their faith, resources, talents, and finances great things happen! This week in the midst of all the upheavals and turmoil of the elections and all of the terrible tragedies that the Haitian people have resiliently lived through, God has held out His most precious hand in placing some of the most wonderful faith building people in place to further His Kingdom here in Haiti and to partner with Lifeline to build a very needed Orphanage. 

Our Haitian Director donated some inherited land to begin with the process of building a new orphanage. Along with another God driven group from California, and a team of Christian workers from Tennessee, and a dedicated group of Haitians, the wall was broken down that adjoined the Lifeline Barbancourt School yard and the land where the new orphanage is being built. 


This ground breaking ceremony took place and soon after forms were built for the foundation of the orphanage. The work didn't stop there! The group continued on to pour yet another foundation for one of the buildings that is going to be the Administration building for the Orphanage. This will be only one of the many buildings that are going to be built on the compound. There will be others such as buildings for the food warehouse, the wash room, the facilities that will house the teams of people that will join efforts in God's amazing work to take care of some of God's very special children that He places with us in this orphanage.  The children will be allowed to LIVE, GROW UP, LEARN, FURTHER GOD'S KINGDOM IN HAITI! 

The Bible tells us "When God is for us, who can be against us." The hand of God Has been present and shown bright in ALL that has took place this week! So we will continue to give God the Glory in ALL that He does and His MANY BLESSINGS on His people and those who have chosen to serve Him to do His Will.

The Most Incredible Experience I Have Ever Had! Adrian Center

This trip was the most incredible experience I have ever had. God revealed himself to me and opened my eyes in so many ways. The night Mrs. Bunse told me about this awesome experience and invited me to go, I immediately felt God speaking to my heart. I knew He wanted me to trust Him, take this opportunity,and ignore all the doubts and fears racing through my mind. In just a few short weeks, God provided all the funds. 
The day we arrived, we had a tour of the mission, then went to the village. I instantly fell in love with the people and all of the kids. They are the most beautiful people I have ever seen. They are so genuine and the joy in their smile is unforgettable. These people have so little, yet they are always willing to give more and help out in every way they can. As soon as there was a need and work was to be done, there was always a Haitian there ready to help. Everything we did was appreciated, even the smallest acts. My favorite part of every day, was watching the children go to school. When they stepped inside the gates in their adorable school uniforms, excitement would be on their faces, as they got ready to learn. It made me think of most Americans and how they view school. Every morning I wake up and complain, as I have to face another day of learning. However, with these people it is a privilege to go to school. In just one week I realized I need to trust God in whatever he asks from me and to not take for granted all that I have been blessed with. The people were so inspiring. 
Leaving an experience like this is always the hardest part, especially after seeing so many needs that still need to be met. I did not want to leave those people and I wanted to spend everyday with those amazing kids. Even though it's been a few weeks, I have not lost the excitement of my experiences when I first arrived back from Haiti. I talk about it every time I get the chance, to anyone that will listen. I'm pretty sure I am annoying my family by my endless stories of Haiti. But I plan on going back as soon as it's possible; and this time, I hope it's much longer than one short week. I am graduating from high school this spring and I am not still not sure what God's plans are for me. I have a strong feeling it's going to do something involving missions, though. But I sure hope He wants me to go back to Haiti as much as I want to. (: