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Ghana Mission Trip
We left the city Monday morning and drove for about two hours to visit Pastor Eric and his wife, Felicia, at the Adotomein Child Development Center - now named Grace Home International School. After working with Hernando to design a website and tshirts; staging the Great Treasure Hunt back in June; and surviving the Goals for Ghana soccer tournament in literally 110 degree temperatures on a turf field in Northwest DC, we finally saw the site of the new school addition. Pastor Eric and his wife are unbelievably dedicated to the community - families and children - they serve. It took six years of raising funds little by little and numerous volunteer groups to build four classrooms. These four classrooms are a place where a group of children from Adotomein village have the opportunity to go to school and hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. A few full time teachers work at the school during the academic year. Felicia cooks all the meals for the students and Eric fills in teaching when necessary - even though he pastors a church full time back in Accra. In the brief eight months we worked on raising funds, we were able to ensure that Eric has the resources to complete at least two additional classrooms. How awesome it was to bless Eric and Felicia with these funds to ease the job of raising money for construction supplies and labor!
The new school year begins in just a few weeks, so we took a few hours to learn more about this area and tell families about the school this afternoon. We split up into teams - of course always had someone local to the area with us! - and handed out fliers and encouraged parents to visit the school and consider enrolling their kids. During my time exploring this community, we ran across a group of kids who actually went to Grace last year. Really neat to meet a few young faces who will eventually sit at the desks in the classrooms that we had the opportunity to provide them.
Since arriving in Ghana, some of the sites and images we've seen have been kind of overwhelming - poverty in certain areas that you just cant imagine unless you've witnessed it yourself. However, today we saw hope and joy in a rural village - a place I never knew about before committing to this trip and now I know more kids will have a greater opportunity to reach their goals and care for their families like so many of us in the States have the privilege of doing each day.
Kristin
Hope for Haiti
"There's NO hope for Haiti"- This is what I wrote in my journal at the end of our first day on the ground there. After the extreme heat and mass confusion after arriving in a metal pole building which was serving as the arrivals terminal we were escorted outside to wait under a tin roof for our bus to arrive. As we piled on with our bags we were told that there were more people arriving that afternoon so we'd go to a girl's orphanage to spend time before their arrival and then head to our lodging. We pulled into the "orphanage" to find 38 girls living in tents on a vacant lot. Their home had been destroyed at another location and now they were waiting to build on this site. We played with them and they sang us a few beautiful songs and then we had to move on back to the airport. As we left the airport and headed toward our lodging, which was empty rooms in a church/school compound, we had an hour-long ride and our first real picture of the city of Port-au-Prince. I always thought that the conditions in Papua New Guinea were "worst" I'd ever see, but nothing prepared me for what I was to experience here in Haiti. The destruction, the poverty, the overcrowding, the trash, it all seemed so hopeless.
The next morning began with the beautiful singing at the church service beginning at 6 AM at the church where we were staying. Some team members were attending there, but the Salem group was scheduled to go to a church an hour's bus ride away where we would also be spending the week working on a school building project. When we arrived we were ushered up front and a fan was directed at us. (PTL because we never stopped sweating 24 hours a day!) Again, the singing was beautiful and as we recognized songs in their Creole language we began to join in singing in English and the voices lifting to the Lord were a beautiful sound. As the pastor spoke he made three points and I was to hear these same points made again by the pastor at our hosting church when they had a "thanksgiving" service for us the night before we left. They said: Haiti has had a catastrophe, Haiti has economic problems, Haiti has the Lord!
Between hearing those words on Sunday and again on Thursday evening we worked along side believers at the construction site, had many serving us and taking care of us at the lodging site, but also spent may hours back and forth trough the ravaged city in a bus. But in the end I was able to write in my journal: There IS hope for Haiti- that hope is the Lord Jesus Christ.
The believers in Haiti have a strong faith. They didn't ask us for anything, but thanked us for and appreciated our help. There is revival going on in the country and there are many new believers since the earthquake. There is a big job before them, but they're up to the task. We can encourage them with work teams and donations, but most of all we need to pray for them. Pray that they will remain strong. Pray for continued revival. And also pray for a strong, honest leader to be raised up to help the country out of their problems. There is an overwhelming work to be done, but there is HOPE for Haiti.
Debbie
Relationships
Haiti was in shambles. I couldn't help but think how can I help these people? However, when God is leading us for His Glory, there are many ways to show our Christian love and help to others. Working all day in the sun and heat along side with the Haitian people showed me that when I am working for the Lord, no heat could scorch me and the sun could not be too bright. The Lord provided strength and perseverance every day. The workers were so diligent and patient as they showed us how to build the way they build. They could have easily told us to leave or to give up. However, they took the time to show us how to connect rebar or pour cement onto walls. Our Heavenly Father is just as diligent and patient with us as the Haitians were with us. It's amazing what God shows you in the most mysterious ways. The workers were teary eyed as we said our good-byes. Even though it seemed like we didn't accomplish much on the school, we accomplished a work God created - relationships. The orphanage visits reminded me that there are children everywhere without a home. They are just as valuable as the children in the US. One little girl greeted me with open arms as soon as I got off the bus. All she expected in return was a hug and a smile back. All the children were elated with the small gifts we presented to them. However, our encouragement, smiles, and comments like, "Tre Bon!" was just what they needed! It was amazing to see God's love being spread in such a small space!
Overall, my experience was overwhelming and humbling. The smells, the noise, the lifestyles... it shows how God provides for me daily and faithfully. Even though the church we stayed with didn't have much, they built us a bathroom, fed us every morning, noon, and night, and kept us safe throughout all the days and nights. Their hospitality was just amazing and humbling. Little Rosette worked from sun up past sun down cleaning with a smile on her face! She was so happy to greet us and clean for us! It only reminds me of how God tells us to show hospitality and love. The Haitian people have something we can learn from each day - satisfaction and sacrifice. They are satisfied with Christ and how He is the one who ultimately provides. They also sacrificed their school to us so that we may have a place to sleep. What an amazing group of people to be around each day! The picture shows one Hatian, Almondo, translating as I read a story. My Dad has more on Almondo in his trip comments below. I hope it is God's will that I will be able to go back and see what God was doing, is doing, and will do! When we give God the glory and we allow Him to lead, He blesses us more and more with opportunities to share His love!
Lauren
Should We Go?
The trip certainly was not what I had expected. My wife Sherry was dead set on going to Haiti. I was not as excited at first and I must say I was quite apprehensive, but I felt the push to go. Knowing that I didn't want to be a Jonah and get swallowed by a big fish! So. I slowly geared up to go. However, I knew from the get go I would be out of my element. I just couldn't imagine what my purpose would be in Haiti. The problems there are so great and I knew that anything I could do would be like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. However, by the end of the trip I realized that we were not there to build anything physically, but were there to build relationships in Jesus Christ and provide encouragement to our Christian brothers there!
There were many special times there. I must tell you though, that the most special times was working with our team mates. Many of the people that we traveled with, we really did not know before our journey. It was such a pleasure to get to know and experience what we did with these very special people. Watching them use their talents for the Lord was such a delight! It's ashamed that we had to go to Haiti to meet these people, but we praise the Lord every step of the way! If we must give one special time, it would be what we call "name that tune!" The Haitian people love to hear us speak, in their language and ours. We think it's because Americans are so animated. As we sat in church on Sunday and then again at the work site, the Haitian people love to sing their hymns. As they played their hymns, I would think to myself, I know that tune, but I just couldn't think of the words. Our team would look at each other and when one would get it, we would start singing in English and the rest of the team would join in. You could see the joy on the face of the Haitians when we would join them in our language! A common tune just praising the Lord!
There are so many ways we saw the Lord working. We saw it in the Haitian Christians there, because what they lack in material wealth they make up in spiritual fervor. They immediately accepted us as brothers in Christ. We also saw the Lord protecting us in many ways. We were in a very dangerous land, but we were safe in the arms of the Lord. As Pastor John put it, we were just one flat tire away from a major disaster! The security team was just awesome! Every moment of the day you could just see God's hand moving!
There were a number of Haitian people that impressed us. I will tell you two stories. One was the orphanage we were at. The people running the orphanage had given up their house and were living in a tent outside so that the children would have a place to sleep. They converted all rooms in the house except the bathroom and kitchen into bedrooms for the children. (shown at right) There were approximately a hundred children at the orphanage from babies up to fourteen years old. What a sacrifice on these people's behalf!
The other is the story of a young man named Almondo. Almondo is a 23 year old man. He is not married and as would have it he is responsible to help support his family. He has a mother, father, older sister and two younger brothers. Almondo and his family are originally from the south of Haiti and moved to Port-Au-Prince to try for a better life. Almondo was one of the top students in school and had won a scholarship to a University in British Colombia, Canada. However, the earthquake hit and he and his family lost everything. Almondo was unable to get a passport or visa out of Haiti in time and lost his scholarship, due to the destruction of the government buildings. Almondo has come to know the Lord and is on fire for Him! Almondo is working with the church as a volunteer and is helping Praying Pelican Missions with translation and leading worship meetings at night with the mission teams. What Almondo doesn't know is that Praying Pelican wants to bring him on staff so that he gets paid, and are waiting for approval from the main office. In the meantime Almondo is out of work and has no means of support. Almondo wants to continue serving the Lord but is being pressured by his father to get a good paying job somewhere and is not open to the church. Almondo is not unlike many of our own young people here in America. Almondo needs prayer and encouragement to say the least. We should also pray that this would be an opening that his father might see the hand of God at work and be won for Christ. Please keep Almondo and all Christians in Haiti in your prayers.
James, for Sherry and Lauren
Mission to Haiti -July 2010
We Arrived! (text copied from Praying Pelican Missions.org website)by Team
July 31, 2010 at 07:24 PM
We made it! Our team safely arrived in Haiti today and we are now settled in to our lodging facility. We arrived in Haiti mid afternoon and went straight to an orphanage where we played games and sang songs with 38 orphaned girls. Their orphanage was completely destroyed and they are now using tents to house the girls. It was an experience we will all remember for the rest of our lives. We then headed back to our lodging facility and had an amazing Haitian meal consisting of fish, rice and beans, and salad. We just received word that the power will soon go out and it is time for bed anyways. Pictures will come tomorrow. Thank you all for praying! We are so excited to be serving in Haiti!!
Wonderful Sundayby Team
August 1, 2010 at 09:03 PM
Today we had the privilege of worshiping with the wonderful Haitian people at the church of Gressier. It is there that we will be working this week on building a school that will serve over 1000 children. The 3 hour service was amazing and we enjoyed every minute of it. Following the service, we headed back to our lodging location for some lunch (goat), and then we went to an orphanage on the other side of Port Au Prince. The orphanage had 100 children at it and we spent time getting to know them and playing games with them. We also had an opportunity to act out the story of David and Goliath. It was an amazing experience that we will always remember. It was hard to say goodbye, but we had to get back to our lodging facility. On the way back, we stopped by the palace. The amount of destruction is truly unbelievable. We are now settled in for the night and we can't wait to start our work project tomorrow. Continue to pray for us as we serve God in Haiti!
Haiti - Monday
First Day on the Work Site!
by Team
August 2, 2010 at 07:57 PM
Our day began full force this morning as we headed out to a worksite where the building of a school is underway. We were blessed by the Lord as we worked side by side with gracious Haitians--learning how to lay bricks, sift sand, mix cement, and tie rebar! Part of the day was spent in assembly lines moving cinder blocks to their necessary locations. Our sweat and hard work was absolutely worth it though because we knew this school would serve over 1000 children! After our day of hard work, we enjoyed a delicious Haitian meal of chicken, potato and beet salad, rice and beans, and wonderful mixed cherry juice.
As our team met this evening, we were led by one of our Haitian staff in a brief overview of Haiti's history. We were thankful for a greater understanding of this country. Our night ended with a beautiful time in worship and prayer, praising the Lord for what He has done, what He is doing, and will continue to do! We look forward to all He will lead us in tomorrow!
Haiti - Tuesday
Building More Than A Building!by Team
August 3, 2010 at 07:20 PM
Today was a blessing! We continued our hard work at Gressier construction site. After yesterday's work, we all seemed to find our rhythm in the building process and hop right to work in the hot sun! Walls were built, cement poured, and rooms cleaned up. We noted two great ways that God worked today. The first is the way that he has bonded so many of us together and allowed us to have great teamwork. The second is the candidness of the relationships we are building with the Haitian workers. When we arrived the Haitian's greeted us with smiles and showed us that they remembered our names. Many even wanted to learn English and teach us more Creole. One of us even had the chance to share the gospel message--despite the language barrier! Please pray for renewed strength as we continue to labor alongside of our Haitian friends!
Haiti - Wednesday
No report filed yet today. Haiti - Thursday
Getting Ready...by Cassie
August 5, 2010 at 08:09 PM
Hey family and friends! We have been unable to post via internet from Haiti, but we did get a call through to stateside and we are doing great! Ministry has been fantastic and we are going to be seeing you all tomorrow! Thanks for all your prayers!
Final Day
Final Days in Haitiby Team
August 6, 2010 at 10:30 AM
The last few days of our trip in Haiti have been beautiful. We continued to work alongside of Haitians at our construction site! So much was accomplished. The site almost has all the walls up now! We furthered our relationships with the local people and were blessed by their heart for us. We are hoping to take that love home with us as we return to the States.
Thursday night we had a beautiful closing service with our host church at Cote Plage. The host pastor thanked us, invited us back, and encouraged us in serving the Lord. We are blessed to have been apart of what God is doing in Haiti!
Keep Checking Back!
Salem Bible Church often sponsers Short Term Mission Trips. Keep watching for announcements of future trips.Printer Friendly Format