This morning part of our team did VBS with the kids at Degeance (and hiked up the mountain even further to see some incredible views!), while the other part of the team finished up their Teacher Seminar at MPCA! Later this afternoon, we got the unique opportunity to get together with some Haitian young adults. We spent time eating popcorn, sharing testimonies and asking/answering questions that we had about each others' culture. Our team was totally surprised when we were each given a hand-made bracelet that had our name personalized on it! So thoughtful and kind!! We are constantly overwhelmed with the selflessness of the people here and the love that we are shown. Below, Griffin and Abbey shared about why this day in particular was extra special for them! Thank you for continuing to pray for our team; we can feel them all the way here in hot Haiti! :)
Unbelievably, since my first trip to this beautiful country last July/August, I am now on my 4th trip here. The amount of opportunity that God has provided me in past year in regards to opening doors and affirming His plan are truly, and denotatively, awesome. I’ve been blessed with a future career path that fits both my passion for missions, and my desire to create. The most miraculous of these opportunities has been my involvement with the upcoming change occurring with the school in Degeance. Although I have only had one year of architecture schooling, I was handed the responsibility of designing a new school compound for this community. Considering the current school we visited today is high up a mountain, and consists of banana leaf huts, being able to be apart of the process of giving these kids and staff a new, expansive facility to work with brings me overwhelming joy. Additionally, this trip in particular has allowed me to notice how much spiritual growth I have developed in just the better part of a year. I have been able to have theological discussions, and advise people on many varying topics, things that I could not have previously done. In closing, I love this country and I love this team. God’s will is, at this very moment, being done here on Earth as it is in Heaven.
-- Griffin
Bonjour Mama! (oh yeah, look at me using some Creole). Nothing that I write will do this day justice, but I’ll give it a shot! Today we hiked up to Deagance, my favorite school in all of Haiti. The school is in the middle of the trees, on a mountain, in the middle of nearly nowhere. The kids traveled from all over the hills in order to come to VBS, walking up with nothing but a smile on their face, ready to learn about Jesus.
I’m so in love with the fact that I can be sitting next to a Haitian child, nearly completely incapable of engaging in an actual conversation with them, and yet am able to smile, giggle, and play together! In January when I came to Haiti, I met a little boy at this school that I fell head over heals in love with. Coming into this trip, I wasn’t expecting to see the little guy because I had heard he was really sick. To the delight of my heart, he was there! I got to take pictures with him, and run with him as we played ring around the rosy. I was so incredibly happy to simply see my little boy. This week, we’ve taught the kids that we are all children of the one true King, making us all siblings in Christ. I feel so loved knowing that I get to have these kids as my brothers in sisters. Being a hand for God to love and encourage them to grow closer to Him is the best thing I’ve ever been able to do.
I’ve learned that when we are truly serving Jesus, it often won’t make much sense to the rest of the world. Does it make sense that a group of young adults would give up a week of their summer to come to Haiti, willingly, in order to work? Does it make sense that young kids will let a stranger pick them up, or will sing and dance with no limitations together? Furthermore, does it make sense that when I expected to be serving God beyond the point of exhaustion, I actually feel more alive for God, and exceptionally loved by Him this week? He provides for us; He loves us; He delights in our hearts. The idea of taking a missions trip, and coming home feeling like you received more from God than you were able to give to Him, is not something you’d expect. Glory to God, because without Him, I would not have been able to stand in the middle of the forest, on the top of a mountain, holding the same little boy I met months ago, spreading the love of Jesus!
-- Abbey
