Our First Day: Travel

For months I have felt that God has been calling me to go to Haiti. When my alarm went off at 3AM this morning, I had my doubts. Nonetheless, I got up and got ready for whatever the day would bring. I gave Lucy, Kim and Elaina their goodbye kisses. Elaina slept through hers, Kim had never gone to bed last night, and Lucy decided to get up and send me off. Lucy had some hard times with her goodbyes. She was homesick after four days of camp and I was going to be gone for 8 days. I understand that she got to go snuggle in bed with Kim after I left. 

Fortunately, the flights to Miami and Port-au-Prince were uneventful.  If you haven't been, let me say that the Port-au-Prince airport is nothing like the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. As you get off the plane, you go down a corridor that is air conditioned. Don't get used to that. At the end of the corridor, you hop into a shuttle bus for a quarter mile ride to the customs check-in and baggage area. Nothing of note to the customs check-in but the baggage claim felt more like an Easter egg hunt. There is one track for baggage and it travels a near-W shape. Around it is a crowd a good four people deep. There is no shortage of black suitcases with wheels.  After we managed to gather a stack of our team's 30-some odd bags and enough carts to place them on, we headed outside.

 As we went outside, we were greeted by about 100 people -- all of whom were anxious to take our bags and help us out. I was not the first one out of the building so I was not aware that we had an arrangement with a team of these people so I was a bit uncomfortable when someone came and tried to take my cart away from me. He showed me his laminated ID as if to let me know that since he had a laminated ID he couldn't possibly be stealing our bags. You can't laminate a lie; he did work with our group. We were lead to a meeting spot a little ways away  to await our carriage. It's only a mild comfort to be watched over by armed UN soldiers while you wait for a ride.

Our ride came and it was something special. It is called the Tap Tap. It might have felt a bit like a prison shuttle since it had metal grating on all the windows, but that vibe was overshadowed by happy sayings, hearts and bright colors painted all over the exterior. As we drove, we got our first sights and smells of Haiti. We got intermittent diesel fumes from the Tap-Tap. Goats and chickens along the sides of the roads. Women balancing things on their heads in near-Cirque de Soleil style. Tent houses where the tent fabric had rotted through and been covered by tarps that are now rotting through as well. Homes are generational projects. First generations buy the lot. Subsequent generations start to build the homes. The roads are passable but bumpy.

After about 15-20 minutes, we made it to our home for the week. For those at home who are worried about us while we are here, you can eliminate our accommodations from your list of concerns. We have electricity and a back-up generator. We have a full kitchen with access to a Culligan machine. There are 3 bunk rooms -- all of which have air conditioning.  We have indoor bathrooms. There is a staff of three women who help us make breakfast and dinner (lunch will be snacks while we are out in the field). For the record, tonight was taco night; a true Haitian tradition complete with Doritos. So rest assured, our days may be tough but our nights will be comfortable and safe.

We wrapped up our evening as we will wrap up all of our evenings, with group talk time. We are all very excited to be here and begin the adventure we have been planning for months. I think it will be an early-to-bed evening as tomorrow will be our toughest day physically.

-Jeff Gerst

Words

 

Today our team arrived in Haiti, two women and eight men - all from different life experiences, but with one goal - to be the Hands and Feet of Christ.  We have all given our lives over to God to focus solely on doing His will during this week without the daily chores, deadlines, interruptions, etc. that can interfere with this opportunity in our everyday lives.  As we arrived, we immediately knew we weren't "in Kansas (really Minnesota) anymore."  Starting with the deplaning process where people from rows 36 and 37 were the first ones off even though people in rows 1 - 35 where still in the aisle waiting to get off - so much for order and letting those in front of you to go first.  To the chaos of the customs/baggage claim/tap-tap (Haitian mini-bus) pick up area where locals argue over our business with one another - again not an everyday site at the MSP airport.  To the 15 minute drive from the airport to our guesthouse during which we saw tent cities with dirt floors, naked children, women cooking not quite certain what, and wild chickens and goats - you don't see that on 35W.  After unpacking and eating a delicious taco dinner, we had our "pit time" where we talked about the day.  While it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, it is those words that put the picture into perspective and really drive it home.  Listening to our team speak about their thoughts for the day brought laughter, thought, and tears.  You can look at a picture and believe it is saying one thing, but until you listen to how that picture impacts another person, you can miss another thousand words that picture is saying.  That is exactly what happened to us today - while we all saw the same "picture", that picture said something different to each one of us.  That is God at work in each of us.  Though we are all part of His creation, He is telling us each something different through His pictures.  To use my word today, anxious, I was anxious yesterday about the unknown and how this trip will impact me both emotionally and physically, but after arriving here today, I am anxious about the days ahead because I can't wait to get started being the Hands and Feet of Christ to the Haitian people.  I am truly blessed to be able to be on this trip with a great team and am anxious about the words each of us will use to desribe God's pictures we see throughout this week. 

Ryan Sandell

Packing for Haiti on Tuesday

I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for our trip to Haiti that is coming in just a few short days.  I walked into our Fellowship Hall and met piles and piles and piles of supplies!  What a blessing it was to have so many things donated from so many giving families for this trip.  Our biggest problem became fitting all of the items into the bags that would be carried on the trip.  A great problem to have.  There was an energy and excitement that was so very tangible in that room on Tuesday as the ten members of this trip organized the supplies, laughed, ate pizza and got to know each other just a bit better.  We all knew that in a few very short days we would be away from the comforts of our lives in Minnesota, away from our families, and in a very different place.  Knowing that the Lord will be using us in ways that we can't begin to imagine or plan for is an exciting thing and I believe everyone is ready to go do God's work!

Several people have asked me in the past few weeks if I am looking forward to the trip.  I really am.  I know I will enjoy the fellowship of the seven other men and two women that I will share this trip with.  But that is not what I am primarily looking forward to.  I am looking forward to helping where God leads me to help.  To give a hug where God wants someone hugged.  To pray over someone that God wants prayed over.

I am looking forward to doing God's work.  I can't wait for Monday, September 17!

written by Rick Jones

God Has Called, He Knocked and I am Listening...

Hello, my name is Mikell. I am very honored and blessed that I can join the St Michael's team. This will be my first trip to Haiti. I had been asked to make a trip in August to Haiti several years ago. It would have been with my sister,Alyn, but the week she chose was the week I would be moving my oldest daughter into college, one of those milestones a mother keeps track of. Alyn and I spoke about it and I would be able to make another trip with her. Unfortunately I was not able to go with Alyn. But this year I was called. In January I found out that my company that I had worked for for 7 years was selling and the doors would would shut. Perfect, When its done I will go to Haiti, I will have the time. I watched the Healing Haiti site and saw that the weekly trips were booking up for the year. I still did not have an end date from work. In April I got the news, at the end of June we would be closed. In June I was on facebook, something I do not spend a lot of time at, and I visited my friend Margie's page, we grew up together, there she was in Haiti with children. I “liked” her picture and commented” You went to Haiti without me- It is time for me to go and see what Alyn and Jeff have started.” Soon after, I received a call from Margie, she said how amazing we were talking in Haiti that you needed to come. By the way I an leading a group that is going in September. I asked what days in September. I happen to be a Director of a weekend Girl Scout camp on Sept 14 – 16^th. I have been doing this for 5 years and we plan all year long. Margie told me that we would be leaving on September 17^th thru the 24^th. At that moment I knew I could not say NO, Alyn's birthday is September 17^th. I called my family and they agreed I needed to go. Is it Fate or maybe God politely pushing me, knocking on the door to see if I answer him. I believe a little of Alyn too. God has called, he knocked, I am listening – show me the way.

Mikell Nestaval

Preparing for the 2012 Trip

As a past traveler to Haiti almost a year ago, I'm excited to have the opportunity to help prepare this year's group for a faith experience like none other!

We've been meeting regularly all summer in preparation for this year's trip from September 17-24.  Our group of 8 men and 2 women (that by itself makes us unique from most groups) have been using the time to contact friends and family for support from every angle (prayer, financial, emotional, physical, spiritual) and have been studying what it means to go on a mission trip and what the possible effects it will have on all of us!  We've been praying that God's Spirit will direct our steps and that He will use every opportunity leading up to the trip and every moment we are on the trip to teach us what we each need to learn in order to grow our relationship with Him. 

And He will be teaching us.  I'm still processing the many thoughts that were a part of last year's mission team.  Since that trip, I've taken some different directions in my own ministry efforts - not necessarily what I would have thought they would be - but a refocus toward the mission field outside of the church walls.

I can't wait to see how the Spirit uses these men and women to minister to the needs of people we encounter.  And I can't wait to see how the Spirit uses those people to minister to our team members!  Not a one of them will come home the same as they left home.  As a wise man once said, God's gonna break your heart in a good way!

Lois's Post

We started our Sunday morning with worship led by our dear friend, Fanfan. Our worship time began with songs of praise, and Fanfan’s message was based on John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches…” This verse spoke to all of us as it confirmed that, apart from God, we could not have served the Haitian people in the way we have. God’s presence and our open hearts to hear Him enabled us to act on the unexpected opportunities He put before us. This verse has never really spoken to us in quite the same way before. It takes on such a powerful meaning now -- We could not have been useful for His purposes on this trip had we not continually stayed "connected" to Him.

After our time of worship we piled into the taptap and explored downtown Port au Prince. Our first stop was the president’s palace that had collapsed in the earthquake. This pristine white building had fallen in on itself. The lawn was still beautifully maintained, while there were tents directly across the street. All the city parks were also filled with tents. What was supposed to be temporary has now become their permanent residence.

Next we stopped at various markets as we wound our way to the top of the mountain, Boutilier.We enjoyed bartering with the locals while purchasing some Haitian crafts for our loved ones back home. The closer we traveled to the top, the larger and more beautiful the homes became. In fact, only those who are truly wealthy can afford the homes at the top. Land is expensive and homes are expansive. The view is breathtaking! Although this part of Haiti is easy on the eyes, it is uncomfortable to think about. This small population has physically removed itself from the Haitians we had come to know and live among this past week - those whom we've grown to love deeply.

We enjoyed our last night at a very nice hotel restaurant for dinner, seated outside in the "cool" evening air. Good food, rich laughter, and great conversation was had by all around the table! We've become such a close group. We were friends before the trip, but because we have now shared such a life-changing experience, the depth of our knowledge of each other has become even greater. What a great way to end our trip...........

But wait! It's not over yet. For most of us it's time to dance!

Jean, another one of our fine Haitian friends, gave us a crash course in dance last night.

After dinner tonight he took us to a club to dance the night away. We had a wonderful time! (Even if we quite clearly didn't do the Salsa justice.) We braved the dance floor, but we also soaked in the atmosphere. These local Haitians belong on "Dancing with the Stars." Wow -- they were amazing to watch! What a great way to end our night and our trip. We crawled into bed around 2 a.m. with beautiful memories in our minds and smiles on our faces.

Tomorrow we go home. It is with a bittersweetness that we bid adieu to this country and to its people whom we've grown to know and love. Thank You, Lord, for choosing us to serve You and Your people this week. Thank You for using us.

Becoming comfortable…

As we moved into day five, we were given a choice of how we would like to serve. A majority of the team chose to do a few runs on the water truck in the morning, and serve at the Home for Sick and Dying Babies once again in the afternoon. The only team member to serve elsewhere was Chad, who has experience working a backhoe. Chad was able to help excavate the land and move many large rocks up at Grace Village, which he said was the hardest land he had ever worked.

As we made our way out to our first run on the water truck, it was evident how comfortable we had become, almost overnight, at our new jobs. We were thoroughly enjoying our time serving the people of Haiti. Where there was trepidation a few days earlier, now was confidence to run the water hose, organize the bucket line, and carry heavy buckets of water through winding paths to shacks far from the truck. We saw many more smiles, and heard peals of laughter ringing in the air. The heaviness of the last few days had lifted a bit as we continued serving with our new found confidence.













After a short rest at the guesthouse, we went to the Home for Sick and Dying Babies to once again serve the sick and dying children. As we entered the Home this time, it was interesting to watch all the teammates scatter to their “favorite” rooms or babies that they remembered from the previous visit. We found that all the children were still there from our previous visit, giving us relief that no children had died since Tuesday. Once again, we entered with an eagerness to serve. They had just finished having a special party for the kids, to celebrate their 19th year of operation. The little girls were all dressed in matching fancy dresses and bows in their hair, and the little boys had on matching blue pressed shirts and shorts. The older kids had been given suckers and were all in a very festive mood when we arrived. Again, the heaviness we felt during our previous visit was lifted a bit as we celebrated with the kids. There was singing and dancing, and lots of hugs. The hard part of this visit was leaving, as we knew we would not be back to see these little ones that we had become so attached to.

As light as the mood was throughout most of the day, I didn’t want to become immune to what I was seeing and experiencing around us. We were still surrounded by extreme poverty, garbage everywhere, and sickness and death. But because we had allowed God to push us out of our comfort zone, I believe we can now see God in the midst of this all. As our leader Jeff has been telling us all week, if we allow God to have His way with us, we will be amazed at what He can do through us. We have been challenged to see God in every child and adult that is put in our path, and even among the devastation, I believe we have all seen God in Haiti…in every smile, every hug, every tear, and every helping hand. God is so good, is so good, is so good!