I was back to MJ on Feb 25, after having a one week detour from Haiti to Radium Hot Springs in BC. Most of our immediate family was able to be there for a few days of skiing, mineral hot pool soaking, and just plain chilling out with my husband and the kids. Literally CHILLING, as the change in temp from Grand Goave was from 29 or 30 C, to –29 C. It was instant culture shock on the thermometer!
We had an awesome trip, with very few minor cases of upset stomach, injury or illness of any kind. A testimony to the quality of the guesthouse kitchen and staff and God’s providence!
We were disappointed to learn that we were not able to start construction on the first home for the Children’s Village. This was for various reasons: eg: the perimeter wall is not complete, due to the dispute with 6 individuals who want H.A. to build them a private road on the H.A. property; the bobcat loader had an electronic breakdown for several weeks in January, AND this project is being build in Haiti, which has it’s own distinct, predictably, unpredictable time lines!
The delay may also be a deliberate act of God, until we get the right design for the homes. Marc and several board members met while in Grand Goave, and have requested that the plan be revised as such: slightly enlarge each unit, as well as make it a 4 plex., 2 storey building that will occupy a smaller foot print on the site, while accommodating the same number of orphan children. The buildings will be laid out so that each family unit will have their own garden plot, and the center of the ‘village’ will have plenty of open play space.
Marc personally reassured me that the funds, which were raised for constructing the homes, would be kept in reserve for that purpose only.
Time there was not wasted, while we were there team members worked on:
-2 community homes were wired
-¼ of the medical clinic roof was formed, reinforced and poured
-over 100 feet of wall was assembled at the Children’s Village [holes dug, posts concreted in place and conc wall tiles slid into the post slots.]
-2 days of Vacation Bible School were conducted for kids in the area
-a first time ever women’s conference was held for women in the local area and
church. This included speakers from our team and local Haitian leaders, and
meals cooked by the church’s Haitian men…. Also a first time event, which
seemed to be as much fun for the men as it was for the ladies!
-an afternoon / evening was arranged for the teen girls in our team to “do” hair
and nails with 12 to 15 yr old local girls. About twice as many as expected showed up!
-rice and hygiene supply kits were distributed to 217 families living in tents in the Grand Goave central park tent city. Some of these gracious tent shelter residents wanted to pray for our well being BEFORE they were given the packages.
-small groups went out on home visits 3 evenings in the neighbourhood, sharing God’s grace and leaving gifts of food, clothes and or toys for the countless children.
-we attended church services on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, and on Sunday
morning. No A/C, many support posts to impeded my view, and the service rocked on for close to 3 hours.
-Kat Morrissey, and architect from BC, who has been supervising the construction of the medical clinic and Roy, also from BC and who will be very involved with rebuilding the Technical School enlisted me to draft out the foundation plan for the Technical School [Thank goodness I had packed a pad of graph paper. Method: tape 8 sheets together to make a page large enough for the building, find an old wooden ruler, pencil and one eraser, and get on it!] They had 2 designs for the proposed foundation system, one much less complicated to form than the other, which meant that some information from both plans had to be set out on one new, working drawing. Once the plan was finished, it was ‘laminated’ to a sheet of plywood [glue the sheet to the ply’d, and completely cover with clear packing tape] it went to the site immediately, as the forms were already being screwed together and set in place.
-Michael was set to work doing a material take off for the rebar, and amount of concrete required for the footings, support columns and floor / roof slabs for the Technical school.
-Almost every step of construction there is complicated….what kind of gravel is needed, where can you get in, and is there sufficient quantities on hand. Will the size of rebars needed come bent or in straight lengths, and can transport be arranged for the long, heavy bars? Marc and Michael had several impromptus meetings with local suppliers to resolve these and similar problems.
-My next drafting project was to redraw the medical clinic plan, as it was built, with 2 addition rooms, and add a set of shower and bathrooms [to be open to the public], with access through the compound wall, but operated by H.A.
-H.A. has also been financing the drilling of wells in the community of Grand
Goave, and played host to a team of 4 men and 2 drill trucks in the compound
during our stay.
I am sure that I have overlooked several other events…….there was just too many things going on to keep track of.
Days started with team devotions at 6:30, breakfast at 7:00, work assignment meeting at 8:00, work till lunch, work assignment meeting at 1:00, work until at least 4:00, some longer! Supper at 6:00 and ‘decompress meeting’ at 8:00 on the roof of the guest house, unless it was raining!
Thank you to the Board, and the Congregation at Minto United Church, as well as all of the all the other churches, individuals and businesses for the financial and prayer support. None of the accomplishments would be possible without your input.
It was an amazingly full agenda, and the 10 days just flew by. This is a mission adventure that I would highly recommend to everyone, at least once per lifetime, and if you can arrange that you have family members with you on the trip, it will be even better. It was an honour and privilege to take a very small part in this huge vision that God has bestowed upon one couple and their supporters.
Karen Schoenroth March 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
There were many incredible moments on our trip. One of the things that stands out for me was the unity we all experienced.It was wonderful that we worked well together. If there were moments of frustration and disagreements, it was rare and we put them aside to focus on our work of serving our Lord. I miss the team already and I hope our friendships will continue.
One day when we went out distributing food and praying for families, there was an older man about 70 years old, who stood with child like faith . After praying for a lady and her young children, this man came forward and gestured with his hand that he wanted to be prayed for with a hand laid on his head. It reminded me of Jesus' word to accept the kingdom of heaven like a child. What an honor to pray for him !
I found it difficult to dream about that work being completed in Haiti Arise and also surrender my rights to be involved in it. Perhaps its best to commit all to the Lord and trust Him to raise up the right people to accomplish it. There were moments I pictured my family down there enjoying the opportunities to serve and love the people; not only my immediate family but my church family. Well thats a tremendous picture of the spiritual reality- family and friends at home were involved with us through prayer and financial support, blessing us from their hearts. Thank you!
One more situation I,d like to share. God uses the weak things of this world to confound the wise; and our moments of weakness He is our strength. We went out one day to distribute food and I volunteered to give a testimony. Why did I do that.? I guess deep down inside I wanted to encourage the Haitians to look to God and trust Him. I had no idea what to say but the Lord likes it when we trust Him and rely on Him. We walked around this " tent city" with over 200 occupants and prayed for peace and for God to move in their lives, and their hearts. As we walked through a market area without purchasing from the vendors I was aware of their desperation. I was reminded of years before when I sold wooden products at the local farmers market in Halifax. Many weeks I returned home with little or no sales and questioned God wondering how He would provide for my family . We were desperate, in debt, and saw no way out. We went to the local food bank several times over a few years. God got us through those difficult times! Now I found myself thanking Him for allowing us to go through that time of desperation. He worked His compassion into my heart. Perhaps He had this moment in His mind back then. I was moved to tears !
When the time came for me to give a testimony of Gods character - His goodness -I knew what I needed to share! So as I them of this moment in my life, I encouraged them to Trust God. He would care for their needs and help them. I was moved to tears again at this moment and the Haitians present blessed me, prayed for me and thanked us for being there to help them. Wow! What a blessing! and the Lord surrounded this time and the following food distribution with His peaceful presence. There were many opportunities to pray for people and see joy on them as we gave out food and care bags. We represented Gods love not only from ourselves but from our friends at home. Thanks for sending us out! What a blessing! John Loney
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
We've been home for 5 days. Now Emily will blog.
Five long and very boring days have passed since I left Haiti. I have talked to several people about my trip and every time I find myself talking about the beauty of Haiti. It truly is a beautiful country! Before I went to Haiti all I saw on the news was destruction, rubble and intense poverty. When I saw Haiti with my own eyes I saw something different. I saw children smiling, playing and content with their simple toys. I saw forests of mango, banana and palm trees. I saw communities working together so that they may grow and regain their strength. But despite it's beauty it still is a poverty ridden country that needs our help. It was hard for me to see children running about the streets with no clothes or parents that were without work and they couldn't support themselves or their children.
It was an amazing chance for me to really see how blessed I am. I always knew I was blessed but when you see poverty with your own eyes your whole view on being fortunate changes. I am so glad the Lord for placed me in Canada and gave me a family who loves and supports me. I can't thank Him enough but some how I find my self jealous of the Haitian people. It made me very frustrated until I realized that I was not jealous of their stuff or the warmth but I was jealous of their love for each other and God. I was jealous of their openness and how we walked up to them and started preaching. North Americans would never allow that because we are to scared of opening our selves to each other and being put in an uncomfortable spot. It was if the Haitians had no fear and I want to see that here in Canada.
It was very difficult coming home. I'm tired of our secluded and afraid society. I love the Haitian people and can not wait to meet with them again. I most definitely will take the next opportunity to get back to that wonderful land if that is Gods will. So, Lord please make it your will for me to go back!
Signing out, Emily Dombowsky
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sat. Feb.19; a fresh snowy white morning with blue sky, and sun streaming in the window. Janet has freshly painted and cleaned the whole house. I see the pet cat and her dish.Panic hits my chest and brain because I know the Haitian people we visited won't have a meal as big or as good as our pet today. Their homes won't be clean, if they are even intact.The charcoal from yesterday's meal, or the remains from the burning garbage pit in the yard, will hang in the air. The path that they will walk today for water or food will be full of rubble and garbage. The rest of the country is similar. Thankfully Janet and Nic are getting up so we can recount our stories,cry and even thank God for the good we saw in Haiti. In a country with not much, God is doing quite a lot.
There were two and three hour church services that were the most joyful,peaceful,worshipful services I have experienced. Haiti Arise is making progress on the children's village, medical clinic and technical school. All that has been donated is going to a good work! The bottom line for me is that Marc and Lisa's ministry is with the people and that by taking responsibility for these projects, many Haitians have turned to salvation in Jesus. Lives are being built, not just buildings.
One personal story: Our family was praying and hoping Nic and I would get the chance to meet Nesda, the girl our family sponsors in Haiti.Because of the earthquake, prearranged normal channels were not working. I shared with Marc our hope to meet Nesda and believed she lived in the next town, a short 15 min. away. He said he would check into it. The next day brought bad news. Her village was across the island, over the mountains and bad roads separated us.Marc said he maybe knew of a ma
n in that town and he would keep checking. For three consecutive nights our team members prayed for God to make a connection with someone so we could find Nesda. On Wed. afternoon, with one day left, Marc pulled me aside and asked if I had my contact info. on Nesda. I immediately reached for the slip of paper I kept carefully in my pocket. Marc invited me to sit down in the busy dining room.I am thinking "bad news" but am surprised to look up into the face of Nesda!! I was shocked and Marc was laughing and it was incredible! She and her mom had traveled over two hours on the back of a motorcycle to see us! The mystery of the missing link turned out to be that the pastor from Nesda's church had been a school mate of Marc's from grade one to grade twelve! Amazing!!
Thank you to all of our fellow team members and to our supporters and prayer partners, if you would like to hear more, give us a call!
David
There were two and three hour church services that were the most joyful,peaceful,worshipful services I have experienced. Haiti Arise is making progress on the children's village, medical clinic and technical school. All that has been donated is going to a good work! The bottom line for me is that Marc and Lisa's ministry is with the people and that by taking responsibility for these projects, many Haitians have turned to salvation in Jesus. Lives are being built, not just buildings.
One personal story: Our family was praying and hoping Nic and I would get the chance to meet Nesda, the girl our family sponsors in Haiti.Because of the earthquake, prearranged normal channels were not working. I shared with Marc our hope to meet Nesda and believed she lived in the next town, a short 15 min. away. He said he would check into it. The next day brought bad news. Her village was across the island, over the mountains and bad roads separated us.Marc said he maybe knew of a ma
n in that town and he would keep checking. For three consecutive nights our team members prayed for God to make a connection with someone so we could find Nesda. On Wed. afternoon, with one day left, Marc pulled me aside and asked if I had my contact info. on Nesda. I immediately reached for the slip of paper I kept carefully in my pocket. Marc invited me to sit down in the busy dining room.I am thinking "bad news" but am surprised to look up into the face of Nesda!! I was shocked and Marc was laughing and it was incredible! She and her mom had traveled over two hours on the back of a motorcycle to see us! The mystery of the missing link turned out to be that the pastor from Nesda's church had been a school mate of Marc's from grade one to grade twelve! Amazing!!
Thank you to all of our fellow team members and to our supporters and prayer partners, if you would like to hear more, give us a call!
David
Thanks Kathleen for making this easier. Coming back from Haiti to California is the true culture shock. I`ve been on many of these kinds of trips, to South America, Mexico and Africa. This one was the most profound. So when people ask me (a hundred times), "How was it?", I always find myself wanting to say "Awesome" or "Great" or "Incredible" or some other cliche`d response, because, in fact, it was awesome and great and incredible. But what does that all mean when, for most of the trip, you`re face to face with "incredible" poverty and "great" barriers to progress and "awesome" feelings of guilt and inadequacy when trying to share the Gospel, or you have to leave some still hungry? I feel like it all came into focus for me on this trip. It was the "awesome, incredible, great" Grace that God gives in the face of everything that is uncomfortable, or that doesn`t smell right or is unsightly, or any feeling of inadequacy or irrelevancy. His "great" Grace enveloped and permeated and oozed at every moment, so that I was never repulsed, or defeated or anxious, but rather eager to go again and help even more. It was an "awesome" experience, and it will be "incredible" when I learn that I can experience the same "great" Grace here and serve Him here with the same eagerness. david nelson
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Blessed Once Again
Well, first of all I would like to thank everyone involved with this trip, from financial supporters, prayer warriors, to the team members and families! It has been a huge blessing to Haiti Arise Ministries and the Haitian people! But most of all God and our Lord Jesus Christ was honored through everything that was accomplished for His Glory!!
For me, it was an honor to serve with every team member as we worked, worshiped and ministered amongst the Haitian people. Each member of the team was a shining light to all whom we came in contact with, from children to seniors, we will remember their smiling faces and expressions of grattitude for the rest of our lives. It was easy to see that every team member was spiritually called to this missions trip for specific individual purposes as we ministered over the ten days. With 25 members on the team, it was clear to me that everyone walked away truly blessed with the satisfaction of fulfilling the call in which they have been drawn to.
There were many many highlights for me on this trip, but the two that I would like to mention are the youngest members of our team and the families. First of all, the teenagers and young adults of this team would be some of the most mature young adults that I have had the privilage to lead and serve with. These young men and women served and ministered to the young and old with a true spiritually driven servants heart. This is a real testimony to the parents of each one! Secondly the families of this team were a real blessing to watch as they journeyed together from start to finish. The respect and love that they all shared together was truly inspiring to watch as they experienced God's favor on them in Haiti.
It has been an honor to serve with each and everyone of you!
Eric Fawcett
For me, it was an honor to serve with every team member as we worked, worshiped and ministered amongst the Haitian people. Each member of the team was a shining light to all whom we came in contact with, from children to seniors, we will remember their smiling faces and expressions of grattitude for the rest of our lives. It was easy to see that every team member was spiritually called to this missions trip for specific individual purposes as we ministered over the ten days. With 25 members on the team, it was clear to me that everyone walked away truly blessed with the satisfaction of fulfilling the call in which they have been drawn to.
There were many many highlights for me on this trip, but the two that I would like to mention are the youngest members of our team and the families. First of all, the teenagers and young adults of this team would be some of the most mature young adults that I have had the privilage to lead and serve with. These young men and women served and ministered to the young and old with a true spiritually driven servants heart. This is a real testimony to the parents of each one! Secondly the families of this team were a real blessing to watch as they journeyed together from start to finish. The respect and love that they all shared together was truly inspiring to watch as they experienced God's favor on them in Haiti.
It has been an honor to serve with each and everyone of you!
Eric Fawcett
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Back from Haiti
Yesterday was a long day to say the least. We got up at 5:00 and loaded the vans and were on the road to Port au Prince by 5:30. The ride to and from Port au Prince in my opinion was the scariest part of the whole trip. The roads are at times trails through river beds, narrow and many speed bumps, sometimes having big cracks about a foot wide from the earthquake, but the traffic is crazy. People driving on the wrong side of the road at times to get ahead, horns beeping, bumper to bumper traffic and in the city, children coming up to the vehicle when stopped in traffic begging the "blanc" for money or food. It had rained the night before we left so some streets were full of water as they don't have sewer systems to take it away. There was lots of garbage, mud and debris in the streets as people were trying to walk through the streets and keep clean and dry.
We arrived at the airport about 9:00 and flew out about 11:30 to Miami. We quickly made our connection to Toronto as they had to hold the plane for us. We arrived in Toronto at about 7:30, went through customs and had a bite to eat as we were all getting quite hungry. We left Toronto about 10:00 and arrived in Regina about midnight (1:00 Haitian time) to cold and snow. What a contrast from the morning! Gathered our stuff and said some goodbyes then drove back to Moose Jaw and home about 2:00 a.m. My bed felt good to say the least. It is wonderful to see my husband as this is the longest that we have gone without communicating since we've been married.
I have left a piece of my heart in Haiti. I enjoyed the work that we were doing there, but the people really touched my heart. The children are delightful and love to touch us by rubbing our white skin, playing with our straight hair, holding our hands when we are walking or sitting our knee when we sit. We had VBS with them for two days and they loved it as much as we did.
I loved the women's conference and spoke to the ladies about the beatitudes and how they serve God when they serve others with those "attitudes." I gave many hand massages to the ladies on the beach and was surprised to think that most of them cannot swim even though they live so close to the ocean. I enjoyed watching the men cook for the women and hearing the banter back and forth as they prepared the meals for the weekend.
The rice distribution was a awesome experience. To share some food and hygiene bags with them and pray God's blessing upon them on their families was humbling. One lady asked if she could pray God's blessing upon us, because they wanted to encourage us too. What a blessing we recieved by giving to these people. WOW!!!
It was nice to see the progress of the different projects going on in Haiti but the people who live there are the ones who impact you. Not the projects. They do appreciate the effort of the different aid organizations, but they really need a hand up not a hand out so that they can become self sufficient and can provide for their own families. That is what Haiti Arise is trying to do and I really think they are on the right track.
I believe God did open the eyes of my heart and I did see Jesus high and lifted up, shining in the light of His glory. Pouring out His power and love and the people sang Holy, Holy, Holy. What a awesome time and I am so thankful that I got to experience this first hand. If you ever feel God asking you to go on a short term missions trip, be obedient and take the opportunity and privilege to be blessing and be blessed and help those in need who don't have the same opportunities that we have.
Thank you all who were praying for me and our team. I couldn't not have gone through this without God's strength and the prayers of His people to encourage me.
It was wonderful to be together with "Team Haiti" and connect with you all. Especially my room mates Marilyn, Michelle and Kathleen. Good times and great talks. Thanks for putting up with my snoring too.
Blessing
Cindy Knelsen
We arrived at the airport about 9:00 and flew out about 11:30 to Miami. We quickly made our connection to Toronto as they had to hold the plane for us. We arrived in Toronto at about 7:30, went through customs and had a bite to eat as we were all getting quite hungry. We left Toronto about 10:00 and arrived in Regina about midnight (1:00 Haitian time) to cold and snow. What a contrast from the morning! Gathered our stuff and said some goodbyes then drove back to Moose Jaw and home about 2:00 a.m. My bed felt good to say the least. It is wonderful to see my husband as this is the longest that we have gone without communicating since we've been married.
I have left a piece of my heart in Haiti. I enjoyed the work that we were doing there, but the people really touched my heart. The children are delightful and love to touch us by rubbing our white skin, playing with our straight hair, holding our hands when we are walking or sitting our knee when we sit. We had VBS with them for two days and they loved it as much as we did.
I loved the women's conference and spoke to the ladies about the beatitudes and how they serve God when they serve others with those "attitudes." I gave many hand massages to the ladies on the beach and was surprised to think that most of them cannot swim even though they live so close to the ocean. I enjoyed watching the men cook for the women and hearing the banter back and forth as they prepared the meals for the weekend.
The rice distribution was a awesome experience. To share some food and hygiene bags with them and pray God's blessing upon them on their families was humbling. One lady asked if she could pray God's blessing upon us, because they wanted to encourage us too. What a blessing we recieved by giving to these people. WOW!!!
It was nice to see the progress of the different projects going on in Haiti but the people who live there are the ones who impact you. Not the projects. They do appreciate the effort of the different aid organizations, but they really need a hand up not a hand out so that they can become self sufficient and can provide for their own families. That is what Haiti Arise is trying to do and I really think they are on the right track.
I believe God did open the eyes of my heart and I did see Jesus high and lifted up, shining in the light of His glory. Pouring out His power and love and the people sang Holy, Holy, Holy. What a awesome time and I am so thankful that I got to experience this first hand. If you ever feel God asking you to go on a short term missions trip, be obedient and take the opportunity and privilege to be blessing and be blessed and help those in need who don't have the same opportunities that we have.
Thank you all who were praying for me and our team. I couldn't not have gone through this without God's strength and the prayers of His people to encourage me.
It was wonderful to be together with "Team Haiti" and connect with you all. Especially my room mates Marilyn, Michelle and Kathleen. Good times and great talks. Thanks for putting up with my snoring too.
Blessing
Cindy Knelsen
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