We're coming home!

We can hardly believe our time in Haiti is nearing and end.  We have to leave for the airport at 5:30 tomorrow (ahem, 3:30 Pacific time!), but we wanted to write a short note to you before we leave.  A lot has happened today; attending the orphanage church service, touring the aftermath of the earthquake, saying goodbye to the kids -there is a lot to process. 

The Presidential Palace, completely destroyed by the earthquake.

It looks the same as if the earthquake happened yesterday.

 

We've been exposed to so many things that we weren't exposed to before - things that are making us think deeply, and pray. 

The churches here don't see a need to help because kids on the streets are "normal" for them.

One of the many vast tent villages, where people are still living after their houses were destroyed in the earthquake.

But we are not in despair because the kids at this orphanage are a BRIGHT LIGHT here in Haiti, and we know there is hope for the future of this country. 

We are weary, emotionally and physically, but are very excited to see our families tomorrow.  We too are excited to share with all of you in more detail (and in person!) our experiences someday very soon.  Thank you for praying for us and we cannot wait to see you!

Love,
The Team

Razor wire and guard dogs... ...and silly girls who lock their keys inside

One of the things that has been so cool here is how amazingly secure and well-protected we are.  Our contacts on the ground here are taking amazing care of us and being very vigilant about taking every single precaution.  Any concerns that we had coming in were totally alleviated once we met up with Dan and Smith at the airport.  

But the reality of this country has definitely been interesting to observe.  Every house is within a compound surrounded by cinderblock walls and razor wire, and there are guard dogs released at night just in case someone makes an attempt over the razors.  Each day we go in and out a padlocked gate from the guest house and through another one into the orphanage.

One fun thing that happened today was that one of us girls locked the keys to our dorm inside the door.  And man, that dorm was built to be impregnable, as we soon found out (a credit card or slim jim was not going to do the trick here!).  But it was also a little comforting to see that our host family is serious about safety.

...Tomorrow we're getting the pleasure of going to the orphanage's church service and then taking the kids on a field trip to a historical park and the team's going on a tour of the city after.  Busy day, better get to bed!

No wonder we're so tired!

Some of the things we've done so far:


We did so much laundry that they had to hang up three more clothes lines in addition to the three they already had up ("and by laundry, imagine Debbi & Nicki crouching over 5 tubs of water, scrubba scrubba scrubba, rinsa rinsa rinsa, and hang them up," -Lisa).

We made 60 boxes of macaroni and cheese over an open fire with powdered milk and the kids ate over a box a piece.

Painted lots of little girl nails and sat for lots of manicures (and too bad for you the nail polish remover is coming out tomorrow night before we leave so you won't get to see them!  ;)

A few of us on laundry crew got to use an old-fashioned iron heated with charcoals (that one very tough girl picked up with her bare hands), and spontaneously broke out in song, belting out "Lean on Me," "This Little Light of Mine," and and learning some of their Creole songs.

We nailed bracer panels onto 14 bunk beds.

Got 52 fabric paint handprints.

Some of us built a divider wall in the girls dorm ("and by dorm we mean cinderblock rooms with concrete floors and bunk-beds crammed side by side" - Lisa)

We made millions of friendship bracelets.

We taught 5 piano lessons on a keyboard drawn on paper.

Took lots of video and pictures.

Helped the kids decorate 52 picture frames.

Ate LOTS and LOTS of amazing food (we've been showered with affection by Katia & Smith, the Haitian orphanage directors here).

Visited and prayed over the new orphanage.

Sewed frogs (and frantically tried to manage the needles!)

Painted two ceilings.

Popped 52 bags of popcorn.

Watched a movie where the kids didn't mind or complain AT ALL about the long wait to set up the projector, or it being in English, or having to stop it 1/3 of the way through when the generator went out.

Toured the bakery that where the kids are being taught to keep a job and earn income for themselves.

Put on lots of bug repellant.

Taken 27 showers half on the floor (the water pressure here's a little low...)



And MOST importantly, all the while:

Playing with, cuddling, teaching, holding, playing basketball and soccer with, dancing, singing, snuggling, rocking, laughing with, being taught by, and LOVING 52 beautiful, wonderful, amazing children who love Jesus with all their hearts.

-The Team

Frantz

His mom is dead.  His dad abandoned him at a hospital 4-5 months ago.  The people at Gift of God Orphanage found him in his bed about a month ago, not certain of whether or not he had been held or even touched over the course of his life.  They think he has cerebral palsy, but he hasn't been officially evaluated.  He is receiving therapy, especially for his wrist.  He is responding well.

We found him in his crib, and proceeded to pass him around though out the morning.  He's about as big as Emilie and Elina.  Right now he's the youngest resident at Gift of God - the hope is that if all works out from a legal standpoint he will be the first official resident at the new home they're currently building and be available for adoption someday.  We'll do our best to love him well, touch him as much as possible, and pray God's grace in his life.

We made it! - by Alyssa

Well dear friends and family, we are in Haiti! 


We arrived this afternoon after 3 flights and one very long layover. I have already been amazed by God and things that he has been showing me along the way. I have seen His beauty and promising consistency in last night's sunset, this morning's sunrise and the lightning, thunder and rain tonight. 


Miami was a very unfortunate experience for me because I was feeling sick and so disappointed that it was happening on the way to Haiti instead of on the way back! But it drove me to constant and desperate prayer, proving again in a simple way how much we need God in everyday life. I was well taken care of by my travel buddies and soon after we boarded our plane to Port-au-Prince, God poured out His grace on me and I felt much better and have since! 


We met Dan, the founder of Faith Missions International, at the airport and already we have learned so much from him about Haiti as a country, Haitians, the orphanage and his heart for the orphans here. Upon arriving at the guest house where we are staying, we met Smith and Katia, the directors of Gift of God Orphanage and essentially the mom and dad to all 52 kids there. I loved hearing their stories and I so look forward to spending the next few days with them. 


We are all wiped out and definitely ready for some sleep tonight! We haven't met any of the kids yet, but so far it's been an incredible experience spending time bonding with my team members and hearing the background story on FMI and GOG and getting to know our new friends. I so look forward to tomorrow. I can't wait to see what God has in store for this little group that has answered a calling to Haiti. I hope it is more than we can even imagine. 


Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21


-Alyssa

It Takes A Village

We haven't stepped foot on an airplane, yet I am flat-on-my-face overwhelmed by the way God works in and through people to do his good work.  Here are just a few ways he has already shown up big as we get ready to put feet to words this week in Haiti...

First of all, I have had the opportunity to talk to so many people about this trip, Ella's school friends' parents, family, friends, Paul's co-workers.  The list goes on.  And with such talk comes really pretty phenomenal responses.  I mean, there's the sweet first-grader friend of Ella's who saved her very own twenty-two dollars to buy paint supplies to refurbish the girls dorm at Gift of God Orphanage. 

Or how about my college roommate's Grammy who JOYFULLY agreed to bust out a BEAUTIFUL quilt for the kiddos in Haiti in just a week?! 

And the kiddos, toddler to teen, who stamped their own print to show that they could care about something beyond themselves.

Then there's the mom who took her kids shopping for diapers for dear twenty-two-month-old Frantz, a real life lesson of just what we have here in the U.S.  Or, my neighbor who brought stuff to sell at a garage sale to help with our expenses.  Then there are the friends and family who have written checks and offered up prayer and encouragement time and again these past weeks as we prepare.

Of course we can't forget Brad the plumber, from right here in Camas, whom none of us has met.  But, he just happened to have a passport, and happened to be able to get free this week (with days notice) to work on the new home and admin center being built in Port au Prince.

There are the beautiful conversations we've had with our own kids about what the heck we're doing for these few days so far away...Lindsay's talk with her babes about why the little ones in places like we're going don't have shoes...watching them "play orphanage" or pretend to fly on a plane to Haiti to help the kids who don't have mamas or daddies.  Really the list goes on and on. 

And, that first tiny step hasn't really been taken yet.  What in heaven's name have we in store for ourselves?  Looking forward to God's good work this week!
Lisa

Our bags are packed, we're ready to go (well, hopefully!) - by Elise Strickland

As I put my kids to bed earlier tonight, I couldn't help almost ominously think, "This is the last time I'm putting them to bed until we leave!"  And then as I hear them upstairs in their room right now, both throwing fits and egging each other on as Jon steadily disciplines them (and the cats, who seem to know when we're already spread thin and join in on the misbehaving), it doesn't seem so bad - but ask me again at the airport tomorrow!

Over the course of the months leading up to this mission we've all as a team put a lot of prayer into our planning.  As we finish our last minute preparations tonight and tomorrow, I thought I'd share with you the team's most recent prayer requests:

Lisa Andrewjeski
*Organizational/mental preparation
*Freedom from guilt, especially leaving my girls on Emilie's birthday
*Paul and the girls while I am gone
*That God would reveal and provide direction for His plan for Harvest as it pertains to global orphan care.  I am walking in baby steps of obedience.  I need prayer to fully trust God in this.

Alyssa Higginson
*That the team would be unified in training, praying and sharing our hearts.
*That I would be teachable
*That I would go without expectations, knowing God can and will work for His glory.
*That Haitian people will be receptive of our love and help
*No fatigue before/during
*That my heart, mind, thoughts and prayers would be focused on God's will and purpose
*That I would serve without reservations and rely on the Spirit
*That the will of God would be done and His kingdom would be advanced 

Elise Strickland
*Protection from malaria, since I can't take the preventative medication while I'm nursing
*Solveig and Lincoln, here with my parents and brothers, pray against guilt and for strength for me in that, and for Solveig and Lincoln (who is still nursing) while they're away from us.  Please also pray for my parents that everything goes as calmly as possible while they take care of two babies full-time.
*For clarity and peace during our trip, that details come together in a smooth way so that this trip can be as impactful as possible in its short length.
*That we as a team remain thoughtful and intentional about our actions on this trip and that everything we do is God-centered.
*That God will keep me sensitive and aware in both my preparations and during the trip so that I am careful not to unintentionally offend.
*Pray against despair and feeling overwhelmed.
*That we can be empowered and hopeful in God's work so that we can bring that determination back home with us to share with the rest of our church

Katie Bafus
*That I would be a light to the people in Haiti
*Fear that I would do something to offend someone
*Good health, that I wouldn't get sick in Haiti
*Strength, we will be busy - I don't want to burn out

Todd Jay
*For my family; our kids will be without both parents for the first time, pray for the worrying parents who aren't there with them.
*For the team; safety, unity and flexibility, please pray for the attitudes of each member, may we all be gracious with each other and conscious that any inconveniences are temporary
*That the Lord will work in each of our lives
*That He will change our hearts to be more like His, we would be willing to let Him transform us, and that we would appreciate this opportunity to touch and love others like our Lord does.

Jessamine Miller
*That the trip will have an impact on me
*For my heart to be prepared
*That we will all stay healthy
*That the trip won't cause me any stress for missing school and having to do make-up work

Jonathan Strickland
*That God might be able to use me in an effective way
*That the jobs they need us to do meet our skill sets
*That I will be encouraged about what God is doing in Haiti through spending time with the kids there and that the people in Haiti will be receptive to meeting us
*For health and safety, that my wife and I will be protected from illness in our travels
*That Solveig and Lincoln will have peace and calm while they're away from us, not miss us too much, and be well-behaved
*That my view of the world might be broadened and my eyes opened to mission possibilities in Haiti
*That we come back with a story to tell that is God's story not ours
*Pray that the school I'll be missing won't harm me and that my professors will be understanding

Debbie Miller
*To stay healthy and not have any bad affects from my MS during the trip
*To be bold as I share with non-Christian friends about this trip
*To be open to however God wants to use me on the trip

Sara Pirolo
*For strength and grace to love and serve in whatever capacity is needed, even if it is an area outside of my comfort zone
*That the kids and Haitian staff members would feel encouraged and blessed by our presence there
*For eyes to see what God is doing in Haiti and for inspiration to know how our family and/or Harvest can join in this movement in the future
*For my own growth in Christ that this experience would bring me closer to God's heart for orphans and the poor
*For health and safety for myself and my family at home, likewise for the rest of the team and family members here
*For my family while I'm away, that David and Elina would have a special time being together

Pastor Gary Smith
*That God and Christ's gospel would be glorified through our presence and ministry in Haiti
*That our team would maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace
*That our team would exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace...
*That our team would be good learners and humble servants of Christ
*That we would effectively encourage the worker and love the orphans
*That I will have God's heart and discernment to see what He wants me to see
*That I would make kingdom connections
*That Rachel and I will grow in Christ and in our relationship
*That God will be with Patty, Alex, and Emily while we're away

Lindsay Goostree
*Please pray that I would see, experience and learn all that God has in store for me while in Haiti
*Please pray for safe travels and good health
*Please pray for me as I will be so far away from my sweet Kaden and Raegan, I know they will have wonderful times and create memories with Daddy
*Please pray for our team from Harvest that we will be usable and touched by the Holy Spirit while in Haiti

Rachel Smith
*Preparation and readiness, the fact that I'm going to Haiti soon isn't quite getting to me yet, and I feel like that may need to happen soon so I can be ready and not have this trip feel sprung on me

Nicki Jay
*For our kiddos to be at peace while Mom and Dad are away
*Team unity
*That God will stir hearts at home as well as in the team



Would you please pray for us?

Oh, and now Solveig and Lincoln are both sleeping peacefully, and I miss them already!

A little about our trip before we go

Since I imagine we won't be spending a lot of time online during the short time we are in Haiti, I thought I would share a little more about what we are hoping to do while there, and some prayer points. These past months of preparation have flown by, and it seems pretty surreal, to me at least, that we are actually leaving tomorrow! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged us this far in the process, whatever your means of support has been – financial, prayer, car wash customer J. This has been a humbling and faith-building experience even to this point. I'm excited to see how God continues to move in our hearts and in Haiti.

While we hope to remain flexible in how we spend our time in the country, we do have some tentative plans for how we will be serving the kids and staff at Gift of God Orphanage (run by Faith Missions International). While there, we will  likely be doing  a couple work projects like painting and building a wall partition, as well as spending time with the kids. We also will be giving the orphanage staff some time off and serving the kids an American meal of Mac & Cheese (which apparently they love, but don’t get often due to how expensive it is in Haiti). We may even do some laundry for the staff, which I imagine they have a lot of (52 pairs of socks, pants, shirts, yikes!) I love that we get to bless the orphanage staff, who care for these kiddos day in and out, and give them a well deserved break. For those who haven't heard this already, this orphanage is for school age kids (5 years +), who likely will never be adopted – as most adoptive parents are looking at infants and toddlers. Thus, the staff at the orphanage is really focused on training these kids up into mature, contributing members of the Haitian culture – hopefully a new generation of Jesus following leaders. However, they did just take in a little guy named Franz (?), who is about 2 years old, so we'll also be bringing some supplies like diapers that they have need of. We’ll also be visiting the site of a new orphanage that is being built by All God’s Children International. And, just in the last couple weeks, a new member has been added to our team, due to an urgent need on the part of AGCI for some plumbing work to be done at the new site. Praise God that this man was available , equipped with the right skills, and able to basically drop everything and join our team at the last minute!

Here are some other specific ways that you can be praying:
 

- For strength and grace to love and serve in whatever capacity is needed; unity and flexibility as a team.

- That the kids and Haitian staff members would feel encouraged and blessed by our presence there; that we would be able to meet specific needs.

- For eyes to see what God is doing in Haiti, and for inspiration to know how we as individuals, families and a church can join in this movement in the future.

- For our own growth in Christ, that this experience would bring each individual closer to God's heart for orphans and the poor.

- As one team member said, that we would come back with a story to tell that is God's story, not ours.

- For health and safety for the team while traveling and while in Haiti. Specifically we have a couple nursing moms who aren't able to take the meds for malaria, and we have 1 team member with a medical condition that will need to take extra care.

- For family members here at home who we will be leaving behind. Several of our team members are young moms and/or dads who will be leaving young kids with spouses or grandparents. Pray that this would be a sweet time for those at home, and pray for extra strength for all the great dads and grandparents who are taking on extra responsibility so we can go! And pray for those of us leaving behind little ones, that we would not worry, but rest in God's peace.

We look forward to sharing more as this story continues to unfold. Thank you all so much for being part of this journey!

- Sara, for the Haiti team