Our Monday was a busy day but we
all had such a great experience! Today, the Community Agents came to do some
health trainings with Deb and enjoyed hands-on activities. The rest of the team visited the Mission
Possible school in St. Marc and all had a part in running a very crazy but
successful 1st day of VBS.
Everybody was assigned a job of running a station or being a crew
leader, much like VBS in America. The stations included Music, Arts &
Crafts, Storytelling, Bible Drama Skits, and Games. The crew leaders were quick
to learn that the children of Haiti were not as easy to corral and lead from
station to station… they just go and do whatever they please, but that is ok!!
Everything went very well in the morning and we had twice as many kids for the
afternoon, because news spreads fast here in Haiti. We all look forward to
another day of VBS at Chardene tomorrow.
For devotions this evening, after
some great praise and worship lead by Elisabeth, Stephanie shared her devotion
from “Kisses from Katie” about how God reminds us in many ways that we are all
beautiful to Him, even through all the sweat, dirt, and brokenness and says “I
choose you…you are beautiful.” Everyone
then had the opportunity to share their impressions from today and on this trip
so far, as well as the story of how they got here on this mission trip. Here
are a few personal experiences some of the team members have experienced so
far.
Eden: It’s funny how up until the moment I got to interact
with the children, I already had a stereotype in my head as to what they would
be like, and I think a lot of us could say the same. You see pictures of them
in commercials and assign words to their heads such as “poor” and “resident of
a 3rd world country” but often times we forget how little those
words matter until you’re face to face. The first time I looked into the eyes
of a Haitian child, I saw a soul that is very loved by God, and a soul that
needed love just like every other child I know. The universal sign of “pick me
up” became familiar to me today, and it was as if every inhibition that
would’ve kept me from loving on those children was gone. I look forward to the
rest of the week, and I can only hope that when children look at me they can
see Jesus, because I see him in the eyes of every single one of them.
Stephanie: My trip here so far has been very rewarding
already… and I did so well emotionally up until today when we got to interact
with the kids for the first time. I’m very thankful for the Creole classes I
was able to take before this trip, for they have truly helped me to communicate
with the Haitians, and the children especially. I know the Lord has called me
to work with children and it’s a rewarding experience, but also very hard
sometimes not to wear my heart on my sleeve. But no matter what, in all I do, I
keep being reminded of the first and second commandments to love God and to
love others as myself. No matter what the circumstances, I will continue to
just love these children as they are creations of God… and no matter where we
go in life, we are just reminded to do all things with love as God has
intended! Much love to my family and I can’t wait to share more experiences
with you when we get back!! Mwen renmen ou!!
^Erin spent the afternoon getting her hair done... ^
^Shaker eggs = happy child = happy Lily!^
^Checking to see if Logan needs to shave...^
^A birthday boy! Or, just a boy who found a birthday hat...^
^Jeanette leading the triumphant march around the walls of Jericho!^
^How we all felt after our first full day of VBS!^
