Today is our 4th day in Haiti and of course
another beautiful day. We traveled to the school of Dupin. To get to the school
we had to take about a 40-minute hike up mountains, past rivers, and through
banana trees. Although very slippery and wet on the way there, it was one of
the best hikes I have been on. Once at the school, we started our usual routine
of day camp with the kids. Today I was assigned to be a leader of a group of
about 15 kids. My group was very diverse in age from 1 year old to about 11 years
old. The majority of my group was girls but included two guys. As a group leader I was in charge of making
sure the kids stuck together and got to visit each station. There were five
stations each having a different activity. Activities included soccer, bible
skit, crafts, music, and games. My kids had the most fun in the music station, which
Drake and Chase did an awesome job with. Overall the camp was a great
experience and opportunity to share the word of God with young children. In the afternoon we traveled to the MPCA to
paint their chalkboards new again. After painting we came back to the mission
center and took a swim in the ocean. So
far this week has been a very eye opening experience. One of the things that
really hit me was Sunday at church when offerings were collected. It was awesome many people who struggle to
get through with daily life are giving to the cause of God. Another thing is
that the fact that we can’t use our phones on the trip-- it has been a really good
thing when it comes to building relationships. On this trip I have had some of
the deepest conversations, arguments, and most fun with a group of people than
I ever have had. I have grown so close to these people and without distractions,
people interact so much better. Hopefully the second half of the trip goes as
well as the first half did. God has
blessed this mission team and continues to by giving us the chance to share His
word. The people here have been very friendly and although I do not understand
their language, it is fun to interact with them.
-- Corey
-- Corey
It is nearly impossible to put into words the joy I am
experiencing, and have been experiencing, here. I can honestly say I have never
smiled as much as I have been smiling these past few days. My cheeks actually hurt,
because of how much I have smiled. The kids are so amazing. The hardest part is
leaving the schools each day and I am dreading leaving Haiti already. I feel so
broken knowing how they have so little yet they are so, so happy. They are some
of the best people I have ever met. I am so blessed to be able to come here and
serve with the people on this team. I am already building so many great
friendships. It is pretty funny because everyone on this team is mostly from
Ohio and I am the only one from Minnesota. They tease me on how I have an
accent and say things differently than they do. I don’t mind at all though,
haha! I got involved in this trip from my cousin Erin Helms. She asked me a
while back if I would like to come. Of course I did not hesitate, and next
thing you know, here I am having the time of my life serving God and others. It
is absolutely the most rewarding feeling seeing the kids here smile and laugh. In
my picture you will see a few of the girls I met today. They are such
sweethearts and have the cutest smiles! I know little to none of their language,
and same with them for English. But it is easier than I thought to communicate
whether it is through words or actions of love and kindness. I am so in love
with the people and this place. It just feels so right to be here with people
who love Jesus and want to serve others as well as I do. I have always wanted
to go on a mission trip and my dream has come true. Here in Haiti is my first
mission trip and it is better than I ever imagined.
- -- Mallory Jordahl
It is great to be back in Haiti training
the Haitian teachers at their annual Teachers’ Seminar. As the “grandma” of the group, I would like
to take a moment to brag on my kids…and your kids. Though I have not been with the youth during
their morning sessions, I have been able to watch them work without complaining
in the afternoon to paint chalkboards at the MPCA school. I was so excited to know that our group would
be painting the chalkboards, as it is a primary tool that the teachers use. The typical classroom has a map and a
chalkboard. In one room I noticed that
the map had been worn and torn and a resourceful Haitian mathematics teacher
had used even that space to draw the graph of the algebraic equation of a
hyperbole. Isn’t Algebra difficult
enough to learn and teach, let alone if you are limited on space, paper and
chalk?
It has also been a pleasure to see our teenagers independently studying
the Word of God, journaling, praising and praying. Many truly have a heart for service and I am
praying that God will continue His good work in each one as most are at a time
of their life when they are seeking God’s will in their education and
subsequent careers.
-- Jeanette Marshall
