Haiti - Gateway - March 21-27, 2016

March 22, 2016

The team is doing great.  They had a very busy day yesterday working with children at MPCA and then a hike up to Degeance for the evening outreach.  They got home late which is why they were unable to blog last night.

Today was another full day.  They have been at LaHatte since this morning.  They spent time with the children in the morning, then were working on construction projects this afternoon and when I talked to Pastor Herve, he was heading up there with their supper which will be followed by another community outreach service.  It could be another late night.

March 23, 2016

Hey everyone! It's the third day of the trip and its been nothing but fun. So far we have visited three schools, we have played games, ran relay races, and played soccer. Today we ran soccer and at the end of the day we got all of the kids together and I wrapped it up by restating the 4 spiritual laws and a prayer to the kids! I've been having a lot of fun.
- Hunter

Bonjou! Haiti has been a fantastic experience so far. Everything from the Haitian foods to the rides in the cattle trucks has been incredible. Everyday has brought new and exciting challenges, and gives us more and more opportunities to share our faith with the locals. While things like the language barrier prove difficult at times, our translators have done amazing work helping us bridge the gap between the two different languages. Per the time of my writing, we have visited three schools. Out of the three, I enjoyed the work we did at LaHatte the most. We took apart a  ton of desks, and replaced the desktops and the benches on them. We spent the whole day there, and while it was hot, it didn't bother me because I knew that the work we were doing would help the students tremendously.
- Owen

Bonjou, sak pase?? (Hello! What's up?) - All is well and I am healthy! Coming back to Haiti has been the best experience of my life next to my first visit here. Like the guys above me have said we have visited three schools so far and it's been great. It was so awesome to see our translators again. We have 2/3 this trip from the last trip so it's awesome being able to pick back up where we left off. I was struggling if ministry was really the best option for me in college but I know God is calling me to some form of ministry. I miss you guys but I could easily live down here until college starts. I've been able to share my testimony with a group of people and that was awesome. My favorite part thus far was sitting down with a group of kids at LaHatte and telling them Bible stories. I told them Daniel and the lion's den and also the story of Adam & Eve. All with a translator of course. The kids really loved the stories. Again, miss you all and I'll see you Monday!!
- Drake

March 25, 2016

We have been to four different schools. Every school is so different and unique in their own way. Yesterday, Erin and I played soccer with the girls while Hunter and Drake played soccer with the guys. Let’s just say, the girls played for about two minutes then stopped to watch the boys play. I don’t think they were really into the sport. Let me tell you, those girls are tough. There was one little girl that was hit in the face with the soccer ball. She shed a couple tears, then her friend said something to her (I have no idea what). She stopped crying then went right back to playing soccer. There was another girl that completely face planted in the dirt. The girl just got right back up and rubbed the dirt off. Erin and I just looked at each other with our mouths open. I think they need to come to America and toughen up the girls there. Besides playing with the kids and interacting with them, we have shared the Jesus movie at night in the community that we played with kids in during the day. Today, we sang with the kids. It was so fun! I love how they don’t care and sing at the top of their lungs. My heart was so happy when we were singing and dancing. God is so good. The people here have so little but are so inspiring with their faith. Their lives are obviously not easy, but they make the best out of what they have.

- Gabby

 

We have been to four different schools. At the school we have a skit that we do, then we go and play games with the kids. We play soccer, run relay races, and play mini games like duck duck goose. At night we go back and show a movie about the life of Jesus. There are great crowds every night. It has been a lot of fun playing the games with all the kids.

- Ryan

Hey everyone. This trip has been really good and I love interacting with the kids and being around them. This trip has really opened my eyes on how to serve others instead of being served. Its been a lot of fun playing with the kids and helping them learn more about God and what it takes to be a good Christian. This trip has also made me learn that I need to be more grateful for everything I have from hot showers, to not having to walk up a mountain to go to school. I hope to go on more mission trips in the future.

- Caleb

Spending time playing with the kids has been awesome and many including adults have been exposed to the gospel message.  We fixed and constructed benches Tuesday and Wednesday for and at LaHatte.  The last two days have been restful compared to the others because we did not have to to do construction. Tonight we will show the Jesus movie at MPCA. This trip has showed me to be thankful to and rely on God.  I have had two opportunities to speak to groups of people about Jesus.  I enjoyed having both of these opportunities.

- Nathaniel

A note for the Parents from a parent. 

            I could not be more proud of your kids.  They have maintained an amazing, Godly attitude.  They have worked extremely hard and finished everything we started.  The schedule in Haiti is always flexible with eating times and leaving times and what is coming next… and each and every one of students have rolled with it.  As a team we (in the 4 days) have shared the Gospel with hundreds of kids, hundreds of adults and been able to lead several to Christ.  God is so good and is faithful!! Each one of our team members have learned at least a couple of Creole words and tries to communicate with the Haitian kids.  It is so awesome to see the joy in the Haitian kids as the American kids pour God’s love into them.  This trip is going to make a lasting impact on all of us, both Haitian and American.  God transcends all language barriers and breaks downs the walls between us… reinforces the fact that we are all GOD’S children.  I am overwhelmed at God’s work. 

            Yes, we have had some scrapes (duck, duck, goose gets competitive), some sicknesses (everyone is good now), SOME bug bites, lots of laughs, lots of games played, spontaneous songs (thanks to Drake) and endless encounters with God.  Thank you all for your prayers and the chance to take to kids to Haiti.  God is good all the time! 

- David

March 26, 2016

Hello, well it’s was our last full day today. We went to the fifth and final school. The students were very excited and a lot of fun. I was the leader of relay races today, which the students enjoyed. We had a race: The Haitians vs. The Americans, we won one and lost one. With the younger children, we did not play relay races but attempted to play some Haitian games. It started off well but then turned into the children wanting to climb on us and take pictures. It was a little crazy at times, but it was a lot of fun. We then played soccer against some of the adults from the school, we lost by a lot… But it was still fun. Overall, this week has been an amazing experience, and I have learned a lot about God and myself. Even though I am enjoying my time here, I am excited to come home to air conditioning and some American food.

-Erin Long

Today we went to Chardene, the fifth school, but Dupin was probably my favorite because the kids were very into the games and loved when I fell while I was playing duck duck goose. We played soccer against the Haitians, we lost 12-8 but it was still fun. Overall, this week has been a blast and I have learned not to be shy about being weird in front of the the kids. I love it here but I will be happy to be home and have a double cheeseburger and see my mom.

-Keaton Rath    

Tonight we shared our favorite part of the week. Mine was watching each of the teens share their testimony. I'm sure it was out of most of their comfort zones, but was an excellent opportunity to share what God is or has done in their life. Today we also got to witness a number of folks being baptized from St. Marc church. Two from Gateway were also baptized in the ocean. It was great to see Caleb and Keaton be baptized by their fathers.
-Jenn

March 27, 2016

We are in the Port-Au-Prince air port, The trip was amazing.  We were able to share Jesus with over 1000 people!  

Haiti, Feb 5-12, 2016

February 6, 2016

Today the construction team worked on a playground for the Lanzac school. The team broke up into teams each working on sections of the project. They built swings, monkey bars, and teeter totters. The children came for moral support and enjoyed the job of testing out the equipment. The squeals of joy coming from the children made the day worth all the tireless work of gathering supplies, making plans, and doing the construction. Everything is much more difficult here and nothing is taken for granted. The Lord loves these Haitian children and these children see it in the way Mission Possible sacrificially serves their needs which includes their physical, spiritual,educational and even their need to play. Happy children are well loved. And the team enjoyed joining the work of love.

The Medical team went to the rice fields north of St. Marc. We were in awe of the sun glistening off the bright green blades of the rice plants. We came to a small village where there was a church. The medical team came in, moved benches and made a waiting room, in take room, examining room, a lab, a pharmacy, and outside the church we had an eye clinic. Of course the medical team had to be resourceful. The people were beautiful. We heard the most beautiful worship coming from voices of thankful Haitian people as the welcomed us with a song. We we were beyond moved. We saw around 168 patients in seven hours. The Hygiene kits were so needed.  I wish all those hands who put those kits together, could see the depth of gratitude witnessed in these women's eyes.  

February 7, 2016

Our day began with an amazing worship service at Degeance school--two languages but united as brothers and sisters in Christ. After worship, we held a medical clinic for the community. There were no construction projects on this day of rest, but stay tuned for more construction updates.

The Pharmacists are ready to serve the drugs!

Many patients were examined and treated today!

Reading eyeglasses were very popular!

Very patient patients as they wait in a long line for the clinic.

Day two of medical clinic completed!

February 8, 2016

A new day dawned hot and sunny here in Haiti. With this new day came a lot of productivity. But, first, we neglected to write about yesterday's sewing project. After the inspiring church service and during the medical clinic, Liane, Jodi, Bev, and Julie helped the local women sew hot pads. Today, the sewing continued at the Mission Center with local women using looms to make more rugs with strips of t-shirt material. The construction crew had three projects today: more work on the playground as well as reinforcing some roof beams at MPACA, and varnishing table tops at the Mission Center.  The medical team went to Chardene. We had a good reminder of the easy access to medical care that we have in the US as we saw some difficult patient cases that need treatment (e.g. surgery) beyond what we could provide. Despite these cases, we were able to help many more people with medicine and treatments (including opening the suture kit).

Old t-shirts turning into a useful rug!

After a diligent search, no bats were found!

Jodi can do construction, too!

Finishing the monkey bars!

Nursing assessment is the first stop at the clinic.

The providers (Scott, Belinda, and Andrea) hard at work

Bev loving on the children!

February 9, 2016

The sewing team went to Degeance and celebrated all their accomplishments.  The ladies received certificates for completion of their work. They were delighted!  The construction team went to Chardene today for the first phase (digging lots of BIG holes) of the playground project there.  After the holes were dug, the posts were set in the cement.  Jodi and Bev stayed at the Mission Center and assembled teachers' desks. Hannah and Rachel organized all the donated school supplies. The medical team went to Dupin for the day. They were so excited to see the school after their sweat-drenching hike to get there. It was a busy day with many, many patients.

We don't know who is more excited--Liane or the sewing students.

Rich takes a break from construction to be an eye doctor for the day.

Barb has found a new career--lab technician.

Julie is always willing to lend a helping hand.

A precious moment from today--a visit with their sponsored children.

February 10, 2016

Today was a beautiful day here in Haiti. A four person construction crew went to Chardene to start the second playground, finishing quickly and making it back just in time for lunch. While the teams were out, some stayed behind to take inventory before heading home here in a couple days. Bev and Liane finished up another sewing class with the ladies of Lanzac. Because the crew at Chardene finished early, they started working on some school desks. The team cut the desktops out, welded the frames, and finished it all off by staining the wood and painting the frames. 

Medical team drove a little over an hour up to LaHatte today to run another community clinic. John and Bud repaired desks and dug out water lines to the cistern while Josh ran the glasses department. The medical team saw many children today and had to chase some persistent chickens and their chicks out of the medical clinic. 

The Birthday guy, Greg, is already hard at work in the early morning.

The medical team rides in style.

Just one of the many children that came today.

Jean at the beach....painting not sunbathing!

The women were so proud to get their certificates of completion for the sewing classes.

February 11, 2016

Our week in Haiti has come to an end. We have had a long day of finishing projects, packing up, and a last medical clinic at MPCA. We enjoyed fellowship with our Haitian brothers and sisters as they made us a delicious Haitian lunch and then the school board/local pastors joined us for our last dinner together. We are now tired and ready to return home to greet all our loved ones. We want to thank all of you for your prayers through this week.

Haiti, Jan 28 - Feb 4, 2016

January 30, 2016

Maylon and Winn are putting counters in the kitchen. Construction crew is playing and
working hard at the playground. There are some local kids helping too. Tyler was using a Haitian boy to measure the depth of the holes. The boy loved it.

The medical team had a wonderful time with the kids. They went to two schools so far. The kids sang

a known worship song and then they asked the medical team to sing it back to them in English. Thankfully they knew the song.  Was a special time!

Liane has been cooking up a storm and the team are helping here and there.  The sewing group assisted the 21 ladies at Degeance  in making quilts.

Little girls met us at the bottom of the mountain to help carry medical supplies.

Long trip up the mountain for Liane.

January 31, 2016

We started off at church, then had a Haitian lunch that included the most delicious lalo - which is a jute, spinach and fish dish.

Jody played two songs on her flute, which was our Special Music at church. 

After church, we spent the afternoon at community clinic (which was in the church sanctuary). What did we see and do? A little of everything!

Jean and her new friend:

Joy doing assessments with our Haitian friends:

Tammy listening to a tummy!

Elaine offering support:

Gayle and Dr Jack fixing an owie:

Jody and Pam cleaning wax (and assorted goodies!) out of an ear:

Laurie setting up a "poke" (blood test!):

Pam doing a little foot washing: 

Christian prescribing an ear medication:

February 1, 2016

Today, the team separated into three groups: the first group did construction at Lanzac and MPCA, the second group built and painted tables at the Mission Center, and the third group did student physicals at MPCA (Mission Possible Christian Academy).

The team in the back of the the Mission Possible truck, on the way to one of the schools:

But Christian prefers to ride a Haitian Harley and feel the wind blowing through his hair...

After mixing cement for several days in a row, Ty figured out a new use for his shovel...

Steve is looking for something to haul in his wheelbarrow. 

Party at the end of the day!

February 3, 2016

Another good day in Haiti. Medical started out at Lanzac and proceeded to LaHatte for the remainder of the day. Construction was at MPCA and at the Mission Center doing many different chores. Sewing went to Degeance for the morning.

Tell me when it hurts..

Jon roughing it.

St Marc-they prayed over us at church Sunday.

Liane's proud group of quilters at Degeance.