June 5, 2011
Dear June 10th group,
Welcome to Haiti! The best advice I got when I arrived in Haiti came from Sarah, a girl who was living and working with Rebecca last summer. She talked about keeping an open mind; being open to the full experience of our Haitian journey and she said simply “soften your Heart.” I have come to love this saying and it has stuck with me well beyond the boundaries of Haiti. You will see suffering. You will see living conditions that will be shocking. But keep a soft heart and an open mind. You will see smiles and hear laughter. You will experience hope and love. You will do things in Port au Prince that are illegal back home (no seatbelts… much less seats). It is an adventure that will leave you more fulfilled than when you arrived.
Enjoy the time with Patrick, Jimmy and Bony. Play them in Uno but beware if they start speaking in Creole-they are ganging up on you! Enjoy Margareth’s cooking - You will miss it when you get home. Enjoy Rebecca’s wisdom and get her to tell you some stories. Learn to love the sounds of “cock-a-doodle-doo”… even when it is way too early to wake up. Be flexible and allow yourself to let go of rigid schedules. Allow yourself to enjoy the adventure when plans change… which they will. And don’t stress when you are sitting in traffic… which you will. Use the time to take a snapshot in your mind of everything going on around you. It will be over before you know it.
Most importantly, shower the children you meet with love and hugs and kisses. There is nothing better than the love you will give and get back ten times over while you are here. Soften your heart and spread your love and joy.
I am leaving 5 days before you arrive and I am already envious of the week you are going to have.
Sending loads of love to you---
Cara
Dear June Group #2
As I write this on behalf of my team, we are packing to leave. It is bittersweet.
*Beth says to tell you to “Duck on the truck” or how Bony says, “Watchit Watchit Watchit!”
*Genie says to not bring your culture to Haiti, but embrace and enjoy the Haitian culture.
*Vicki has a lot say-but we are going to let her tell you in person. We are leaving her behind. She is staying to help Rebecca.
*Dylan says “always be thankful for what you have and live in the moment.”
*Edwin says to “take it all in. Do as much as you can, take as much as you can, and be grateful for what you have.”
*Dominic says “Get to know Jimmy and Bony really well. They are a lot of fun and even though they have been through a lot they keep God in their hearts.”
*Linda would say (If she were feeling well) to not be afraid to let God Push you out of your shell.
*My advice is that you never have too much water or bug spray. By the time we leave I will likely have 130+ mosquito bites. But doesn’t worry - no one else has as much as me!
Enjoy Margareth’s cooking. It is wonderful. Enjoy her sweet smile and soft heart. Thank Jonas for all the cleaning around your stuff he does. Ask Jimmy to make animal noises for you, and enjoy his sweet disposition. He is one of moist polite young men I have met in a long time. Enjoy Bony’s smile and dare him not to smile - He can’t! Enjoy his singing and know if he isn’t singing in the truck then he isn’t feeling well! Enjoy Patrick’s amazing driving - but most of all his humor. Don’t say ‘Sshh” To him - He thinks that is what you say to chickens! Enjoy Rebecca’s gracious and kind spirit. Watch how much she loves and cares about the boys. Enjoy her sense of humor. Her love for Haiti is contagious. She can see the real person in everyone. Hug every child you see like you really mean it. Look into their eyes and let them know they mean something in this world.
Let God put a love for Haiti in you - like He has put in us. Give all you can all the time you can. Give all the talent you can. Give all the treasure you can. Give all the love you can. Give all the hope you can. Give all the joy you can.
My last piece of advice is the most important: DON”T give Vicki ANYTHING to hold on to. She loses EVERYTHING! But I am sure you”ll love her as much as we do.
Leaving Haiti on our heart,
Sherri Smith and the team
From Life Baptist Church, Las Vegas, Nevada
He IS the God THIS city and the GOD of these people.
June 30, 2011
To the next team that is so blessed to be here:
This is the beginning of the best and most challenging week of your life. As it is so trying and emotional, we have some wisdom to impart to you…
Do not leave home without hand sanitizer and baby wipes; they will be your life savers. No, not because they keep you from illnesses and germs but because the children love the baby wipes and you'll want fresh hands to hold each loving child with.
Be sure to drink plenty of water so that you're clear headed. You won't want to miss one moment here in Haiti.
"Watch yo he'd," around every turn because God will throw some serious things your way and because of tree branches and wires.
Play Uno and basketball with the boys whenever you can and make sure to ask lots of questions. Through their answers, you'll see their hearts for both the nation of Haiti and their people.
If anyone asks you "Sakpase" you should respond with passion and grit "Nap Boule" (Nahhh boooooolay).
Check "twice, three times" to make sure you put on your sunscreen. If you do not, you will pay for it later.
Henry, oh Henry… The rooster is not a good judge of time because he doesn't crow in the same time zone. Don't worry about waking up on time though because the FFCIN way is to wake up sweating due to fan power outage.
Enjoy learning how to balance on the trucks and getting used to the Haitian driving experience. Also, please look out for the people walking backwards in the intersections; they sometimes bounce off the truck and get their shoe caught in the tire.
To the ladies: make sure you sleep with your feet elevated because they will swell like never before. Carry lots of bandanas; they will be your best friend and a great gift to someone who needs it more than you.
Remember to wave at the little girl across the street each time you pull in. She is always there, waiting patiently, waving and saying, "Hey you, hey you!"
Spend as much time as you can with Rebecca because she truly does love each and every person in Haiti. She has so much wisdom and faith; you are blessed by just being in her presence. She is, without a doubt, a woman after God's own heart and has unparalleled discernment. Encourage and support her as much as you can because she daily gives out so much of herself.
Make sure to bring a bible with you in the truck because there are some amazing graffiti versus on the Tap Taps and the walls of Haiti.
Remember the power of prayer because you'll need to rely on God every single day. Most importantly, make sure that you empty your heart of love on every child because the next one will come along and fill it up again. So dance your heart out, sing until your lungs hurt, and laugh until your belly aches; this mission trip will change your life. Enjoy every single moment here in Port-au-Prince, Haiti because when it's time to leave, even though your bed and shower call, you'll wish you could stay forever.
Much love,
The Northway Church Missions Team
P.S. Ask Jimmy about "Ou Fou Dewclaw".