Posted in On the Calendar, Travels, tagged Missions on April 19, 2012| Leave a Comment »
So, as some of you know, I have a couple of happy places. Mountain TOP Ministries in Altamont, TN, is one of those places. I’m on my way there soon with some of my very favorite people!!!!
Want to know more? Go here, and learn all about this wonderful ministry!
More later…….
Posted in Haiti Missions, tagged Grand Goave on April 14, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Sorry folks, I just realized I never gave an update on Thursday. Since it was our last day at the H&FP compound, there was a lot of activity. The team focused on finishing up various projects.
Painting monkey bars and the swing set.
Cleaning up around the campus.
And continuing to work on fencing in the soccer field.
I may have mentioned it before, if so excuse the repeat. The staff wants to allow the community to use the field (which is inside the walled compound). So in order to make this work, the soccer field will be fenced separately with an entrance from the outside. We ran out of materials, but made a lot of progress.
I also took a few minutes to photograph our accommodations, as well as the kids’.
Girls dorm
Boys dorm , notice their poster montage!
We also had to begin packing up to come home. Packing to return home is SO much easier than packing FOR the trip to Haiti. One reason, we are traveling at least 100 lbs lighter. Notice the amount of luggage in the photo of our bunk area.
We closed out the day by having worship time with the kids. We sang worship songs in Creole and English and read from scripture. The kids played along with the songs on an electric guitar (bass I believe), trap set and tambourines. Since H&FP was started by the music group Audio Adrenaline, it shouldn’t be any surprise that they have instruments. They have several budding musicians in the group! Worshipping with the kids was one of my favorite times in the week. Beautiful voices raised up in praise! And knowing that the life these kids have is blessed. />
I have more to share…….but it must wait until tomorrow.
Posted in Haiti Missions, tagged Grand Goave on April 11, 2012| Leave a Comment »
It doesn’t happen very often on mission trips that you get a day to just enjoy being in the place God sent you. We short term missionaries want to accomplish the all that we can during our time of service. And that, in itself is a good thing. However, as missionaries, we should take the time to take in and appreciate the people, land and culture around us . Thanks to our hosts, Angie and Andrew, that is exactly what we did today.
We started the day with an early morning hike up the mountain just behind the compound. We hiked through the lush valley and then began a rather short but steep climb. Angie and Andrew had promised a beautiful mountain and ocean view when we reached our destination. Boy, they certainly told us the truth.
Our next stop was a trip to the market. Picture a hot, crowded, maze of vendor ‘stalls’, selling everything from shoes to fresh produce to meat (that’s freshness was at the very least questionable. Grand Goave’s version of Walmart.
Did you know that Haiti is located in the Caribbean? Of course you would never guess it was a beautiful place to be if the only info you had came from news organizations. Besides having beautiful mountains, there are also wonderful beaches. We drove a short distance from our compound to a restaurant located on a beach. It was a real treat. Since it was a weekday, we were the only customers!
If you only concentrate on the problems of our world, like orphans, poverty, corruption and such, you’ll never see or appreciate some of God’s greatest gifts. Beautiful landscapes, oceans, flowers and our own brothers and sisters.
Posted in Haiti Missions, tagged Grand Goave on April 11, 2012| 1 Comment »
I know everyone wants to see the kids so here are a few. With 32 kids, it’s a little difficult to keep the names straight when you are only here for a short time. So the photos aren’t labeled with names.
Posted in Haiti Missions, tagged Grand Goave on April 11, 2012| Leave a Comment »
I first learned of the H&FP in January of 2010, days after the disastrous earthquake hit. My heart went out to this tiny nation as information about the massive loss of life, destruction, and injuries began to flood into our news outlets. Actually, I became a bit obsessed, trying to get as much information as possible. H&FP were some of the first people to get ‘on the ground’ information out to the world. They were also able to use the local airstrip to manage small planes flying in with supplies, medical help etc. from that point on, I knew I wanted to some day serve with them in Haiti. It’s taken until now to make that happen. Even though we are at their new location which is only a year old, I’m so happy to be finally working with this great ministry.
I encourage you to learn more about them at: Hands & Feet Project They are wonderful to the children God has given brought to them. You may even feel led to sponsor a child.
Posted in Haiti Missions, tagged Grand Goave on April 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »
I first learned of the H&FP in January of 2010, days after the disastrous earthquake hit. My heart went out to this tiny nation as information about the massive loss of life, destruction, and injuries began to flood into our news outlets. Actually, I became a bit obsessed, trying to get as much information as possible. H&FP were some of the first people to get ‘on the ground’ information out to the world. They were also able to use the local airstrip to manage small planes flying in with supplies, medical help etc. from that point on, I knew I wanted to some day serve with them in Haiti. It’s taken until now to make that happen. Even though we are at their new location which is only a year old, I’m so happy to be finally working with this great ministry.
I encourage you to learn more about them at: Hands & Feet Project They are wonderful to the children God has given brought to them. You may even feel led to sponsor a child.
Posted in Haiti Missions on April 9, 2012| 1 Comment »
Web we weave. Today’s work…….
Some of our group worked on fencing the soccer field. They want to make it accessible to the community, yet secure from the orphanage. We started by removing an old portion and untangling 100+ ft of chain link fence. And then it rained, and rained and rained……
Kids like ring pops no matter where you are!
Posted in Haiti Missions, tagged Grand Goave, Haiti on April 8, 2012| 1 Comment »
Easter Is a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Some celebrations are loud, colorful and complex. Others are subdued, quiet and maybe even simple. Is one better than the other? More reverent? Or sincere? Or holy?
As long as its heartfelt, then I don’t think so. I’ve been blessed to be a part of, and enjoy lots of different kinds of Easter celebrations and worship services. God was at all of them. Right up in the middle. And it was glorious.
Today’s celebration took place in the church of Mission of Hope, here in Grand Goave. Let me set the scene, dirt and gravel floor, wooden benches (no padding or backs), tin roof, only few windows, NO electric fans, wonderful band, beautiful voices, LOTS of people dressed in their best, and the message delivered in Creole. And guess what, God was there. No spectacular fanfare, but the message holds true. Jesus died for us….. ALL of us.
Walking to church
Dresses up and ready to go!
It’s been a great day! After church we took the kids to the beach and had the kids first Easter egg hunt. At this Hands & Feet orphanage, there are 31 children. 7 girls and 24 boys. The ages rang from 6-16. We are slowly learning names. I do know one thing, there are about 5 variations Steven represented!
Beach and Easter egg hunt photos tomorrow.
In His Grace (even in Haiti),
Holly
Posted in Haiti Missions, tagged Grand Guoave on April 7, 2012| 2 Comments »
Let’s see if technology is going to be my friend or foe this trip!!!! So far, so good. As some of you are aware, it was an epic fail last time. This will be a learn as you go experience, since I’m using WordPress for the first time on a new phone. Just hang with me, good bad or ugly, and I’ll get some posts on the blog!
We are safe and sound at the Hands and feet project, Grand Goave, Haiti. I’ll give you more details later, after I make sure this is going to work!
This is my 5th trip to Haiti since the earthquake of January 2010. That event, disaster, tragedy or calamity, what ever you want to call it, changed this country in so many ways. But despite the destruction and loss of life, Haitians persevere. Each time I come, I see progress.
That by the way is one of the most asked questions. Is it any better? I always start my answer with, ‘By American standards……’. We are so use to quick answers, immediate response and visible progress, that if we aren’t careful, we miss the progress. But pay attention, look closely, and you’ll see, little by little, Haiti is moving forward.
It’s the same when we ask God to help us. We want a quick fix, immediate results. We don’t want to have to wait. We want what we want, when we want it. But, as in Haiti, that’s not how it works with God. God uses time to open our eyes, soften or edges, and teach us a few things. So be patient, have faith, learn from the Haitian people, and the answers and blessings will come!
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