Re-Entry

So as I am sitting hear in my apartment the day after getting back from Haiti, I am thinking about all that I experienced on our trip. Honestly it is a lot harder than I thought to come back to the States after being in Haiti. It’s almost like over stimulation when you come home. There are so many more choices here and people are in much more of a hurry than in Haiti. I have talked to some of my team members and they are also feeling the “re-entry” effect.

As I think about all of the things I experienced on the trip there is one story that has really stuck with me and it would be the letter that we got right before we left. Our week was spent working on cleaning up the first floor of team housing. There are five boys who live down there that Sandra and Nixon sponsor. They are able to go to school, have meals and get mentored by Nixon. We worked on renovating their rooms, kitchen, dining area and bathroom. When we first saw where they were living it was not very good. Paint was peeling, mold was growing on the walls and we even found remnants of where mice had been there. As we fixed up the rooms, I found myself thinking we should have done more, it should be nicer than we are making it, but of course we ran out of time. This is where the letter comes into play. The night before we left the boys wrote us a thank you letter that Nixon read to us. It was so sweet. They were so appreciative of their new rooms and one boy thanked us for his new shower. It made me realize that the little things really matter. This was a huge deal to them and they were able to see and experience God through our scraping and painting of their rooms.

Even though “re-entry” is very hard we can all hold on to the stories and experiences we have had. It has helped me to see God in even the small things. Thanks for all of your prayers and support. I can’t wait to share more pictures and stories with you all.

-Johnna

On our way...

Hey guys...I have to be quick, we're getting ready to taxi out to the runway, but the flight is thankfully on time. Our flight # is AA 978 from MIA to RDU. Thanks for your prayers, and we'll see you soon!

-Travis

Peace

This week has gone by so fast it’s hard to believe it’s already Thursday. It’s not over yet – we still have the rest of the day and tomorrow morning (I’m writing at about 2:00 on Thursday). I am looking forward to souvenir shopping and going to the restaurant later. It will be interesting to see how restaurants operate in Haiti; we had to place our order 2 days ago so they could make sure they actually had what we wanted to order. Later it will be time to pack up and get ready for our day of traveling tomorrow.

Yesterday I was able to go with Gwenn Mangine, her daughter, and Devin to the beach to pick up trash and put it in bags. First we went to the public beach and got a few pieces of trash. That beach had been raked for trash recently so we left and drove over to the beach on the HCH land. When we got there these 3 boys followed us all the way down to the beach and helped us pick up trash. It was so nice to see them so eager to help. They were such sweet boys. I gave them a whole bottle of water, and between the three of them they had that water drunk when I turned around next.

The thing about that beach on the land is it is so incredibly peaceful. It is like a beach you see in a movie about a desert island. No hotels, no mansion, no snack shacks, and no tourists with beach umbrellas and boogie boards. It was nice not to see all that action for a change. After we picked up a bunch of garbage I was able to get my feet wet and explore in some of the rocks. It was so peaceful, especially looking out into the sea. What a wonderful experience to have. God made the oceans to connect the whole world together.

- Emily

Devin's Week At a Glance

Hi all! I m having a blast in Haiti! I’m excited to come home and see you all, but I wish I could stay longer! Today is day 6 out of 7, and today we are going to a souvenir lady on a beach. Here is what happened this week:

Day 1

• Took the bus ride to Jacmel, (had a little nap)
• Just hung out the rest of the day

Day 2

• Met the kids @ HCH (Haitian Children’s Home)
• Went to the land (purchased by our church)
• Went to the beach (SO MUCH FUN!!)
• Water felt perfect (not too hot, not too cold)

Day 3

• Went to a blazing hot church for 3 hours!
• Rode on the Jimmy (truck) yesterday…. (On top of a car on a platform)
• Ate mangos (small ones, DELICIOUS!)

Day 4

• Went to the Mangine’s house today
• Did some projects

Day 5

• Went to beach again with Gwenn Mangine, her daughter Nia, and Emily from our group
• Found some really cool shells, sea glass, rocks, coral, and a crab claw
• Went back to HCH after dinner where we had goat…(it was actually yummy!)
• Said goodbye to the HCH kids (I’m gonna miss ‘em!)

Day 6

• Today we are going to finish up some work
• Going to a souvenir lady later
• Going to a Haitian restaurant
• Leaving tomorrow

I have had so much fun on this trip, I can’t wait to get back and share my stories with everyone! <3

- Devin

On the walls...

Hi all!

So, here I sit on the second story porch outside Nixon and Sandra’s house. It’s late, but there are still so many sounds on the street. Some Latin music, a motorcycle, people laughing…ahhh, the sounds of Haiti. I am in love.

I am also honored. Honored to be here to serve the servants. I love being around the kids at HCH, but I also really love serving Danny and Leann, Nixon and Sandra and now, Nick and Gwenn! Today we got to paint, paint, and paint some more. The first floor of team housing is occupied by about 6 boys (and one ‘nanny’) that Nixon and Sandra have sponsored from different parts of Haiti to come to Jacmel for school. We painted their dining room, bathroom, two bedrooms, a small (and I mean small) kitchen and a storage room. Yesterday we cleaned the rooms, scraped the old paint off the cement walls and ceilings (oh my, what a job!) and today we painted – with oil-based paint. Some of the rooms were a bit small, with little ventilation, so you can imagine the ‘fun’ we had!

One of my teammates (Ashley) asked us a question at devotions tonight that was pretty interesting. For thought, how does painting and cleaning show Christ? I mean, we’re not on a street corner telling people that Jesus loves them…can painting some rooms really be showing Christ’s love? Yes, I think it can. And does. Christ humbled Himself for us. The least I can do as a ‘blanc’ (white) American is to do the same. No task should be too menial, too beneath us.

Tonight, after coming home from saying goodbye to the Pye kids (which is one of the HARDEST things to do here), we saw some of the boys that live here…Jean-Robert, Whiskey, Franzi (not sure how to spell that….) and the smiles on their faces when we asked them how they liked their rooms were, well…priceless. I really hope that when they look in my eyes they see Christ, but if not I hope they see Him on the walls.

- Andrea

Pictured here is Mdm. Coco's room after scraping and cleaning, while before painting.

Tool Time with Anthony Bruno

Hello family & friends. I want to let you know that I’m doing great and time is going too fast. It’s Wednesday and we have accomplished so much. There’s no comparison to this trip from last years. I feel very useful and I’m thankful I can give back. Each one of us has a very special gift to contribute. Mine is to make things more efficient. I know HCH & the kids are important, but without the people who run it there are a lot of little tasks that are over looked. I feel like everything I repair or correct will make their lives a little better.

My experience with fixing things down here is not always a simple task. It’s not like you can go to Home Depot and purchase what you need. The hardware store doesn’t have everything. It can be very frustrating. For instance…we needed washers and the clerk said, “We don’t have them.” I said to myself, “You have to be kidding me.” I kept thinking to myself – you’re in Haiti – so I’ve just been going with the flow and moving on. I’m very thankful for the people in this group that are here. We started off as strangers less than a year ago. We have grown together so fast before and during this trip. I consider them my family and I love them. I will be sad when this trip comes to an end, but I know that we really made a difference in people’s lives and that makes me happy…I want to say I love and miss my family and can’t wait to see you. I also want to say I LOVE YOU April & Kelsey!

-Anthony

Woody's Update

Friends,

As most of you now know, Woody has been through his first surgery after reaching Port au Prince. Woody is one of the Pye family boys who over the weekend broke his leg. The injury needed medical attention, which sent Nick Mangine and Danny Pye with Woody to Port au Prince to the Doctor’s Without Borders Hospital there. This is a very capable and well-maintained facility, with knowledgeable doctors and nurses to care for him. Woody was scheduled for two surgeries, one of which he has already had and he is currently recovering from. He had a fever this morning and is being treated for infection. Please keep him in your prayers throughout this entire recovery process. Also, pray for Danny and Leann who are doing their absolute best to keep everything running at home with their other children, while loving and caring for Woody while he’s there. Pray for Woody’s brothers and sisters who are nervous and worried for him – that their hearts would be calmed and their worries put to rest. Pray over the Doctor’s hands that will be taking care of him, as well as those in the next surgery. Pray for Nixon, Sandra, Nick and Gwenn as they are helping out in Jacmel and stepping up to the plate to allow the Pye’s some time to work through the situation.

With all of this being said, one of the things that I love about our relationship with Danny and Leann is how much more we do with them than just writing a check and wishing them well. We are on the ground here this week, helping to provide care and love in the moments that need it most, and you all have been a huge part of allowing that to happen. We thank you for that, and want to encourage you that we are all doing well. With that being said, the relationships we’ve built with Danny and Leann do in fact need funding at times – more as an act of love than necessity. I would love for our supporters and community that love them to step up and meet a very specific need that has presented itself.

The total amount that has been estimated for the surgeries and expenses that are occurring is about $2,000. As a community, we are always looking for ways to partner alongside this mission and the relationships that we have with Danny and Leann, which leads me to how you can tangibly help. If you would like to help by covering part of the costs of the hospital stay and surgeries, as well as the hotel and meals that are being funded for Danny and Leann in Port au Prince, please let us know. Even if it’s just a small contribution, everything counts and everything is a blessing. Out of love, we have a great opportunity to come alongside them in support for everything they are doing here, above and beyond what we as a community already do. Pray over that decision, and if you would like to contact us for this specific reason, please e-mail travishinton@mac.com.

Thank you for your prayers and support as we honestly can feel them. God is working in each of our lives this week, and we are so thankful for that. Grace & Peace,

Travis

"I like it here..."

I didn’t know what it was going to be like to bring my 11-year-old daughter Devin with me to Haiti. In such a beautiful country with the bluest water that she has ever seen lives incredible poverty and thirst.

Devin watches quietly and takes things in. Haiti’s a crazy place to come into as an adult. On one side of the plane as we land are beautiful mountains and blue-green waters – truly paradise. The other side of the plane shows a totally different picture...tin shacks that lean against each other, people crammed in small spaces and trash everywhere – true poverty.

My last three days have been amazing, I have fallen in love with this place and its people all over again, but I have also been watching Devin grow and been seeing how mature she is. Watching her deal with new experiences: 3 hour church services in concrete buildings, with no air or ventilation, riding in the back of a pick-up truck and on top of a Jimmy truck, watching her interact with the kids from HCH, and simply taking in the sights around her.

The first night we were in Haiti, riding back from meeting the HCH kids she and I were in the back of the pick-up truck driving down a dirt road. With light rain, coconut trees and palm trees all around, she said “I like it here.” I asked her, “Here in the back of the truck or here in Haiti?” She said, “Here in Haiti.” At that point I new she had been captivated. If nothing else I want her to see the beauty in this country and its people and the need that is here. I want her to go home to share her stories and to know that, although only 11, she can make a difference in someone’s life.

-Karen

Signs?

This post was written on Sunday night, but due to problems with power and internet connection we are just now being able to post. We will hopefully have another blog update tonight after dinner, so check back for that too! More pictures coming soon, and thank you all for your prayers. They are so necessary and so appreciated! -T.H.

Hi!! J First of all, thanks to everyone who is reading this and praying for us - I know that personally I’m so grateful for all of the support…this trip has definitely been smooth and we feel so blessed to be here. Also, Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, and definitely all the other team members mothers’ at home! I know we’ve all been thinking about you today, and want you to rest assured that all is well here with your children!

This trip has been amazing so far. I really feel like God has opened my eyes to the beauty that exists, even in the face of such poverty. Haiti may be a third-world country, but to see the people and the activity that surrounds us here, it is evident that these people are alive in a way that I have never really experienced before.

This morning we attended Haitian church. A-MAZING!!! I was admittedly nervous before we got there because I had heard so much about how it was going to be hot and the people were going to be dancing and loud and it was just so different than the church we’re used to. We walked in and it was great!! People were dancing and singing and the energy in the room was incredible. I loved it!! Since the service was in Creole, we definitely couldn’t understand what they were saying, but a woman approached us and translated the songs and message for us. The best part for me was that there were a lot of deaf people sitting in the area near where we were sitting. A couple summers ago, my friend Cheryl taught me some words in sign, mostly church-related words. So I could watch the deaf people signing and tell what the pastors were singing or saying...mostly picking out words like Jesus, Hallelujah, God, Lord, King, etc. The translator saw me watch the people sign while I was showing Andrea some signs and their meanings, and signed to ask me if I knew sign language. I said I knew a little, so after service was finished he came over to talk to me. He brought some of the deaf people that were at the service over to talk as well and they were smiling and all wanted to shake my hand. They all started to sign to me (I should mention that I’m not fluent in sign, so that was a little dicey), but basically they wanted to know my name, where I was from, if I knew Pastor Bow J and really basic things like that. We got ready to leave and they signed that they were really happy to have me there, and all said goodbye. It was really cool to connect with them that way and they were very excited to see someone who could sign back to them!

Another really cool thing for me was the music. There was a guy playing keys and one of the HCH kids were drumming, and the people were singing (in Creole, obviously) but it just hit me what a universal language music is. I could have gone up to the guy playing keys, and even if he didn’t speak a word of English, we still have a connection because of the music. It just really hit me as I was standing and dancing and singing that I always knew that music was an amazing connection between people, but it never really occurred to me that it was universal. A really moving moment!

As I write, Elinda is trying to hijack the computer and wiping the salt from peanuts on my arms, and the bugs are biting, so I’m thinking it’s time to wrap it up and head in for dinner. Thanks again for all the prayers and thoughts from home - we really know that there is no way we’d be here without you and your love and support. What an amazing mission God has made us all a part of.

P.S. We got to see Nick and Gwenn’s house today—amazing!!! I love it!! Such a beautiful place for them to start their mission here in Haiti!!

-Ashley

Our words are few...photography will do.

For all those we love at home...here are a few highlights from the day - in photos because our words are so few right now. I am so proud of our team and how much we have bonded in the past 48 hours alone. It's getting late though, and we've got church Haitian style in the morning. Until tomorrow, Grace & Peace.

-Travis

"Hold on and jump!"

Bonswa! I’m currently seated on the third floor outdoor porch at Sandra & Nixon’s home in Jacmel. A beautiful sunset is taking place behind one of the most beautiful mountain ranges I’ve seen in a long time. There are noises of people walking up and down the streets, of bikes racing through town, and lots of horns honking! (Note to self: ALWAYS honk when approaching a vehicle while in Haiti) ☺

Anyway, Travis asked me to blog tonight so here I am! Our team had our first full day in Haiti today after traveling all day yesterday. Thank you for praying for safety in travel! We not only got here safely, but also smoothly. What a huge blessing! Sandra and Nixon are the most fabulous hosts any team could ask for. We had a family style meal last night after unpacking, took some nice cold showers, had devotional time, and headed to bed. I have to thank everyone who has prayed for me. I am a VERY light sleeper and sleep was definitely a worry I had coming into this trip. However, in spite of all the noises, I slept like a baby. God is awesome. I think the whole sleep issue has definitely been something that God has allowed to happen so that I can learn to trust in Him and rest in the fact that regardless of how much sleep I get, He is sufficient enough for me.

Today we hung out at the Haitian Children’s Home, took a tour of the land, and then went to the beach. The land is absolutely breathtaking! What an awesome experience. However, I’ll be honest—I was a little nervous and unsure about how the kids were going to react to meeting me. There are quite a few people on my team that have been here before and know the kids, so they had a bond I didn’t have. I was scared that I was going to get there and while everyone was having a grand reunion, I’d be sitting in the corner. I was a little apprehensive at first, but after a little bit, I decided to go up to one of the younger girls who was playing with the chalkboard. Since then, Slendia has been attached to my hip. She’s the beautiful daughter of one of the live-in nannies at the HCH. She is six years old and has such a bouncy personality. One memory that I think will stay in my mind forever was today at the beach. We were all out in the ocean and Slendia insisted upon me holding her while we jumped waves. There was one wave that was MUCH bigger than all the other ones and so I yelled, “Hold on and jump!” She held on and we jumped and made it over the wave only to get splashed in the face by the next smaller wave. Slendia came up laughing hysterically. She had the biggest smile on her face and we both just sat there cracking up. It was a beautiful moment for me to sit there and see this beautiful young girl having an awesome time, and realizing that thanks to so many people who make HCH go round, that she is able to have a hope and a future.

It’s absolutely amazing being in Haiti and I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. I’m making lifelong relationships and just staying open to what God wants to show me. I have no doubt that the rest of this week is going to be awesome! Time for dinner…Pasta Mangine tonight! ☺ God is SO good.

- Nicole Duncan

Safe in Jacmel

Just got off the phone with the team in Haiti. Other than a flat tire on the bus from Port au Prince to Jacmel all of their travels have gone smoothly and as planned. No delays, no extended layover, no street parties, and no hassles! The bags made it too!

Thanks for praying!
Pam

They're off!

The looks on their faces are priceless! Sheer exhaustion from getting up early enough to meet the carpool at church at 3:15am combined with indescribable excitement about what awaits them after the next several hours of travel. This is the day they have all worked so hard to get to. Hours of support raising, fundraisers, service projects and gathering of prayer partners...not including packing the 18 bags of supplies for the home and families living in Jacmel, Haiti have led to this moment, the moment where they receive their boarding passes, go through security and wait for the plane to depart. In about 9 hours they will exit the aircraft door, stand on platform at the top of the stairs and for the first time ever breathe in Haiti. After immigration they will gather those 18 bags, and go through customs, board a bus and drive 2 1/2 hours through some of the most beautiful land I have ever laid my eyes upon, to arrive in Jacmel, just in time for Friday night church! I have to admit, that even though I get to crawl back in my bed in a few minutes to make up for sleep lost with the 3am airport ride isn’t enough to overtake the disappointment that I too am not on that plane!

The journey this team is about to embark upon is unlike any other. Never again in history will this experience be duplicated as it is. No team is alike, and that in itself is thrilling. Over the next several days as they help with some remodeling projects with the homes, and as they taste, smell, hear, and touch Haiti they will experience God in a new way, and be changed.

I thank you for committing to pray for this team as they travel. All 150 of you are a vital part of this journey. Your prayers and your encouragement have gotten them this far, and will continue to sustain them in this journey. In an effort to keep from crowding your inbox, I won’t send a daily email, but instead I encourage you to visit this blog to see what their prayer needs might be. Any travel glitches, stories, pictures etc will be posted on this blog.

Thanks for remembering, Anthony Bruno, Devin Campbell, Karen Campbell, Nicole Duncan, Emily Formicola, Johnna Hinton, Travis Hinton, Ashley Hoffman, and Andrea Petkau this week. They couldn’t do this without you.

Peace,
Pam

Meet Anthony....

Hello everyone. My name is Anthony and I’m writing to you to tell you about my Haiti experience. This will be my 2nd trip. When I went a year ago I didn’t think I would be a person who would be affected by what I witnessed down there but I was. We are all fortunate to be blessed in our lives with what we have; my thoughts are if I can make any difference or change the heart of one person then I feel that I helped someone in need.
When I arrived in Port de Prince I was amazed to see all the poverty and disorganization this country was in. Now I have the opportunity to help again. There is a saying…It’s not that the rich don’t care about the poor, it’s that the rich don’t know the poor.

Nicole Goes Deep - May 1, 2009

One week...

So one week from today, I'll be in Haiti. (Granted everything goes smoothly). CRAZY...I know! I just thought I'd take some time to write down my raw feelings about it. I'm not going to sugar coat anything...I'm just gonna tell it how it is.

I'm excited. I am SO excited!!! Mission trips have been on my heart for YEARS and it's finally becoming a reality for me. Just to think that I'll be in Jacmel, Haiti a week from today is mindblowing. It feels like yesterday I was sending in my application forms and anxiously waiting to hear if I was accepted or not. And now I'm a mere 7 days away from being there. AHHH!!! I'm excited to be engulfed in a new culture. Not that I dislike Americans or the USA (I love it here and am so thankful for our many freedoms)...but I'm ready to experience something new. New people, new language, new food, new everything...I'm excited for NEW. I'm excited to get dirty, take cold showers, and not have to "dress up". I'm excited to be in a culture and surrounded by people that value beauty at it's core. Beauty that comes from WITHIN and not outward appearances. Beauty the way it was intended by God. I'm excited to meet Danny and Leanne Pye and their amazing children. (All 23 of them). I can't wait to hear their own stories about how God is working in their lives. I'm excited to spend 8 days with 9 amazing people. I am so thankful for my team and how God has brought us together. I'm excited to see life transformations not only others but also in myself. And I'm so excited to see how God uses this trip not only in my life, but in the lives of others...both in Haiti and back home.

I'm nervous. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. What makes me most nervous is sleep. I'm a very...VERY light sleeper and I don't do well with noise. With that being said...you might be wondering how on earth I'm going to survive. Considering I'll be in a house in the middle of Jacmel with the noises of voodoo drums, animals, people, and nature all humming outside my window. Not to mention I'll be in a room full of girls (some of whom may snore...haha) all while being confined to my bunk enclosed with mesquito netting. God is sufficient. I am fully confident that he will provide for me. Maybe I don't get sleep the first two nights I'm there...so that I'm so exhausted by the third night, I fall asleep with no problem. I don't know how it's going to be-- I've never been. But I know that God has a plan and that he holds me in his hand and that wherever I go...he'll be there too. So yes, I'm nervous about sleep...but I find comfort in God's promises. He will get me through.

I'm faithful. What I mean by this is that I have full trust in God in this trip. He planned it, he put it together, and his will will be done. Yes, it would be nice to have all of our flights be on time and it would be nice to have all our luggage arrive in one piece and it would be nice to get sleep all 7 nights I'm there. It would be nice. But life isn't always "nice." God allows things to happen for a reason. Sometimes we may not know what that reason is at the time...and we may never know...but there is a reason. However, regardless of what bumps we may hit or what curveballs may be thrown our way, I am confident that God will get us through. He ALONE is our source of strength. I can do nothing without him. He is good and he will provide. I am faithful.

I'm ready. (Ok maybe not entirely...considering my suitcase is only half packed and I have junk strewn about haha) But for the most part...I'm ready. I'm up to date on my Hep A, Hep B, and Tetanus shots. Just got my Typhoid shot yesterday, and this morning I took my first Malaria pill. (No side effects either! *yet anyways*) I bought out the $1 travel section in Target yesterday buying "plane safe" toothpaste and other various items. WATCH OUT...I'M GOING TO TAKE DOWN THIS PLANE WITH MY 3OZ SEE-THRU BOTTLE OF FACE WASH! I mean...really?? Haha better safe that sorry I suppose. Months and months of planning have gone into this trip and I'm so stoked! I'm ready to be in Haiti! Hurry up exam week- hurry up!

I'm thankful. I am so blessed to be on the team that I'm on. We are definitely a unique group of characters but I think we compliment each other well. Where some of us may fall short-- others can pick us up and keep us going. We're a hilarious group too. I laugh the most when I'm surrounded by my teammates. In our guide book, one of the travel tips is "Do not draw attention to yourself or the group in public places, especially while waiting at airports." HAHAHA hmmm... so about those BRIGHT YELLOW t-shirts all 9 of us are going to be sporting while trapsing through RDU/JFK/Port-au-Prince while being obnoxiously loud. Right...about that. Lol I love my teammates and I'm so thankful for each of them.

We had a team meeting/dinner last weekend which included some Haitian Spaghetti (so good!) and we all had a really good time. This Sunday (the 3rd) will be our last meeting before we meet at 3:15am Friday to leave! How awesome! Continue to pray for us as we each go about this next week preparing our hearts, bodies, and minds for what's to come in Haiti. Thanks for coming alongside and being a part of this journey.

God Bless.

Meet Karen...

Wow…can it be just 3 days away? I can’t believe just a few hours until I embark on my 2nd trip to Haiti. I’ve been meaning to get this written and posted since I started this blog but there has always been an excuse. My first trip to Haiti was almost a year ago when I went with my husband and life group. It was my first mission trip and I would say my first REAL life experience and it was so impactful that I am still wondering how God is going to intertwine Haiti and my life in the future. The children of Haiti, not just the ones at The Haitian Children’s Home, but the kids we taught at the VBS up in the mountains just crawled inside my heart and refuse to leave. I know that as soon as I set foot on Haitian soil, I won’t want to leave.

This time when Anthony and I go back down we are taking my 11 year old daughter Devin. I have to admit I’m a little anxious for her but so excited. I want her to know that GOD IS GOOD and that he can do wonderful things through people including 11 year olds. I want her to know that you don’t have to live in a big house and have lots of stuff to be happy. Love, Faith and GOD can be enough.

Keep reading and keep praying, more to come…