Our visit to the Home for the Sick and Dying Children was an especially memorable experience - here is my story:

    Before I entered the facility I felt substantial fear- fear of illness, fear I wouldn’t be able to handle seeing sick and dying children, fear I wouldn’t be able to help. Upon entering and seeing sick skinny children with IVs and hearing a multitude of crying babies, I felt an immediate conviction that I should do all I could to help - and all of my fear subsided. Part of the relief I felt was in part due to the presence of sweet little orphan girl in whose eyes I could see Joy - sheer joy that she could play and be held and happy like every other little girl- even if just for the morning. I spent much of the time playing with her. She was thrilled I know a bit of French, and together we came up with a song which included fragments of common phrases. As we sung this song we’d created we were surrounded by twenty sick, crying babies and foul smells, yet she seemed so happy, and she absolutely glowed as she spoke and intended to include in our song the word, spoken: “jay-cee.”  I replied - “Je ne comprend pas” - I do not understand. She pointed to the Cross on the wall and I nearly broke down. Jesus. Here was her focus- she knew that this was her only Hope.  -W 

    We were honored to visit the home of the sick and dying children this morning. We were not sure that we would be allowed to enter. We were led through a courtyard lined with parents who were visiting and holding their sick child. A visit that I am sure was way too short for these moms and dads. The first vision of the room we entered was four long rows of white metal cribs and babies, lots of babies. Two women worked here, how only two?  It was very hot, but clean. We immediately knew what to do because the children called to us with their eyes and some with cries and some with happy smiles. I forgot these were sick children. Some were so easy to smile and all had beautiful eyes. Some had loving parents, others were orphans. They clung to us as if we were their mom or dad - funny to think they trusted us so as didn’t appear to notice we “looked different”. Their love showing in their eyes. Lisa was a diaper changing machine :) Several managed to hold several children at one time. The hours we had were not long enough. There are no pictures to convey what I so inadequately am trying to describe as no pictures are allowed. But I will never forget the images of these beautiful babies.  -Sue

Water Day: 3rd Stop

With the heat increasing steadily as the day progressed, we could see the tension and the desperation mounting as we arrived at our third stop - located somewhere deep within Cite Soleil. Though it’s rained for the past three days, the need for clean water was still high, as evidenced by the long line of women and children and stacked buckets, trash cans, and basins that met us as we emerged from our cage-like, albeit protective ride, called a Tap Tap (see photo.) Immediately upon entering the district, the youngest children latched to us like vices for hugs, while the others filled buckets hastily. The Haitians were noticeably more aggressive at this stop. We wonder if this stemmed from the heat of the surface scorching their bare feet as they waited in line for the resource they so desperately need, or the smell of burning trash, or pain from sickness, or hunger.

We watched in amazement as children as young as three placed balled up shirts on their heads and had 50-plus pound buckets of water placed on their heads to be carried back to their tarped, dirty homes - arms aching and feet burning all the way.  At this stop, we were not allowed to help carry buckets more than a short distance from the truck, it was too dangerous. Our third and final stop ended before the water truck was fully emptied - our Haitian guides cut the stop short for safety reasons.

                              -W

Water Day: 2nd stop

We escort a large tanker truck with fresh water to our 2nd stop in Cite Soleil.  Within less than 1 min, hundreds of men women & children surrounded us - 1000 empty containers filled-7 & 8 year old children have us help them place 50lb. buckets on their heads.

  There are long embraces- this was an emotional-powerful experience. -Alan Bahr

Water Day: First Stop

We ride in the 'Tap Tap' (the name for a Taxi-like truck) to the wharf in Cite Soleil.  A large pig scrounges in the refuse on the “beach”.  A man repairs a wooden boat with a mallet.  A few children swim naked in the water.  We notice a bird, smaller than a seagull, is being taken under the water by a fish, however, a string is attached to the bird and a boy holds the other end!  Several birds are “caught” with this technique.  Wilson, our friend from Healing Haiti, begins to sing “God is so good”.  Many children join in and we jump and clap to this fast-paced song.  I hold a little girl about 4 years old.  She has a beautiful smile and and extra pinky finger on her left hand.  Heading back to the Top Top and the water truck, I carry her.  The children follow us clamoring to be held.  I am overwhelmed with the sights, sounds and smells and blessed to have this experience.  - Linda

Off We Go...

After a long day of travel the team arrived safe and in good spirits. We shared a great home cooked meal, a rich time of sharing, and a peaceful nights sleep. We are off to Cite Soleil this morning the poorest slum in the Western Hemisphere to deliver both fresh water and hope to those in need. There is a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air of what is ahead. We will post stories and pictures tonight after we get back from a full day of serving.

Packing Night

We had a great time packing all of the donated items.  We have 21 full suit cases packed full of clothing, school supplies, medicine, personal hygiene products, flip flops, and even stuffed animals for the children at the orphanage.  Over 1,000 lbs of donations will be loaded on the plane with us on Monday September 9^th to make the journey to Haiti.  Thank you to all who are supporting our team through donating items to bring to Haiti, financial gifts and prayers.  We do appreciate it very much.  

The team roster is as follows… continue to check the blog for our progress and please remember to pray for us. 

The complete team pictured below left to right:

Back Row – Linda Nash, Barb Larson, Michelle Connolly, Bill Mennell, Don Fadell, Sue Weis, Sharad, Kim Salo, Michael Larson, Dave Rosenbrook, Ashley Adams, Jamie page

Front Row  - Alan Bahr, Carrie Hill, Lisa Olson

Guy in the Suit Case – Ryder Seeler