You know your in Haiti when your knee cap sweats

You know your in Haiti when...
when you are at the airport and they offer to take your bag and they don't mean to your car...
when you have names for the geckos in your room
when on a two lane highway the passing lane is in the middle
when you think you have a tan...until you get in the shower
when your sweat has deja'vu
when you look to the right and see the ocean and to the left and see the mountains

when the missionaries dream mode of transportation is a donkey

BUT Most of all, you know you are in Haiti when you give out love and what you receive back is 100 fold!

The world changes when you see it differently... (Rick Warren)

It's hard to find the words that can truly describe this experience and how much it has touched my heart. Understanding that this is my first Mission trip, I thought I knew what was ahead of me, but not even close. I wish I could let each of you jump into my memory bank and roll through some amazing moments that I have encountered throughout the week. It starts with this team that God put together for a reason...to bring love, peace, and work skills to the deaf community of Leveque. The connections that we have formed with each other are contagious, as it has definitely warmed the hearts of our new Haitian family. I am truly 'honored' to be one of the thirteen members of the Seacoast Haiti 2012 Mission Team.  When a group returns to Leveque; I will be right there with them. I applaud Mary Chris for her love of the Haitians as she works so many overtime, behind the scene hours, in preparing this trip and making it happen for all of us...Tracy too. 

I have been truly touched with God's graces this week while working with the adults and children in both deaf communities...the Red Cross Deaf Camp in La Piste and 410 Bridge's deaf community in Leveque. The leaders that we have been working with are so excited to learn from us, teach us their language, and share their stories. Regardless of  the different cultures we're accustomed to, the different languages we speak, whether we sign or not, or even the color of our skin, we are children of the same God and have the love for sharing his Word. We circle together in prayer, we sing out through worship songs, share our tears and laughs, embrace each other with hugs, and never miss an opportunity to wave our hands to God, our Father, who loves our every beating heart. 

My hope for the 6 ladies, whom we have worked so closely with, become working partners in their new Paper Bead Jewelry business. 410 Bridge has done an amazing job encouraging community development amongst the deaf population here. It's very important that the ladies also become active in their community...by developing small businesses, for one. It gives them a job, responsibility, profits, ownership, and pride.  I pray for their continual enthusiasm and hard work. God Bless each one of you that has touched my hearts in so many ways! Until next time..........  ~~Laney~~

Beads, Gardens and Lessons

What a day - anyone getting tired of hearing that from me (MC) yet? :0)

Today the team helped a newly married woman till (used loosely meaning shovels, pick axe, rakes and tons of elbow grease!) her garden and turn her house into a home.  Some had sign language lessons while others helped 6 ladies in the community begin their bead making business. 

Overall it was an extraordinary day and much love was shared.

  First Necklace made!!!

 Ladies of Leveque making the beads

Love being the hands and feet of Jesus in Haiti.

Three Languages, One Love

Praise God! We're finally on our blog in English...after a few stops in Haitian Creole and Chinese! (We couldn't find sign language!) What a wonderful experience we had this morning as South Carolinians, deaf Haitians and Creole Haitians worshipping in church together.

Pastor William mesmerized us with his rendition of "I will sing of your love forever" in sign, while simultaneously Creole words enveloped our ears. It is amazing how we speak three different languages and still understand each other completely through God's love. The experience continued in a small group in our new friend Mackenson's home, where we read our life verses. Tears of joy were shed by the speakers and the audience. Our hearts were captured by the interpretation of the creation in sign language.

We cemented our friendships with our sisters in Haiti by teaching them jewelry making in hopes of having their own small business. The joy and pride on their faces as they created beautiful beads was priceless! It won't just be a moment in time for this team, but an afternoon that will live on in our memory and hearts forever.

Silent Saturday

These are a few of my favorite things....

Each person's views of their favorite events from today...Favorites Friday!

Christi- Love and loss are a universal language.

Yolanda- Color my world with a paint brush from God.

Sandy- A little boy about 4 years old, covered with paint up to his elbows...

Megan- Joy on the adults' faces as they learned and affirmed God's word. When a baby called his father "Papa," the complete joy on his father's face after Kyle signed to his father what his son had said, it appeared for the first time.

Kristin- The little ones just wanted to be held and touched and loved which erased all barriers in communication. I became an American jungle gym. One child was tapping my shoulder as I gave her a piggy back ride, yelling, "Giddy-up, giddy-up!" in Creole.

MaryChris- Prayed for a baby with a high fever. Three hours later the fever broke.

Sue- Communicating with a deaf mother with help from God, understanding through two loving mamas.

Helen- Dr. MC was an amazing prayer warrior today. What a blessing she was to all the babies!

Abby- All the little children touching and playing with my hair. They all wanted to feel it and it was just so intriguing.

John- Seeing Abby, Kathy, Christi, and Sandy ministering to and laying hands on Carlins, our interpreter, whose son was in a terrible accident today.

Tracey- I wonder if they think that I'm just Haitian in spots. They look at my freckles like they might be my dark skin that's just not all filled in.

Kathy- Hearing Kyle's story today. What an amazing man.

Laney- I absolutely loved water painting with the young adults today. Their sense of excitement in doing something that we take for granted was far more than what I imagined. Happy, happy smiles.

So that's it for today. :0)

God does not call the equiped, He equips the called!

We are here!  3:30am Thursday morning came quick for most of us!  Many were up till 12 or later packing after having worked all day the day before.  But some how the excitement of this trip made that hour easier! 

We arrived at the airport, checked in and rode a puddle jumper (my words) to Maimi.  We made the connection in Maimi and landed in Haiti around noon.  The airport has changed and ran very smoothly and we had our inside connection that had already rounded up the bags.  Kyle and Tompy (a friend from last year) met us outside and loaded us up in the vans.

Our first stop was La Patist.  This is the deaf camp run by the Red Cross in Port-a-Prince.  The Red Cross is pulling our and everyone has till Jan 1 to find other housing.  This is the reason for the new land in Leveque.  

As soon as we pulled up the kids saw the bus and knew that this means grownup to play with!  We had a wonderful introduction to the deaf leaders and heard their stories and then played soccer with the kids.

OR

So we tried!  We are going to get smoked in the Soccer game on Tuesday.

Hopefully pictures tell the story!!

The Start for me...

We are 9 days from leaving for Leveque, Haiti.  My excitement is building so much that I am afraid if it was not for my child I might not come back.  Just kidding (I think). 

Haiti is in my heart.  How it got there, I can only tell you it is God.  Haiti was never on my horizon but when the earthquake brought the country into my view I knew I had to go.  During my first trip Pastor Jason went and visited the area the deaf in Haiti were living.  The situation was tough and the need was high, as he shared about his time seeing this community my heart hurt and connected.  That night I had a dream.  In my dream I was here sending over 3 container ships to this community and they were guarded by three of the tallest angels...larger than the containers.  I still do not have any idea the meaning of this dream but feel like I am at the start of it.  This year going to work and support the deaf in the community of Leveque, Haiti is a dream come true.  I know what we have planned and I am praying for Gods will on this trip, even if it means every plan we have made is out the window!  I feel like I am a blank slate waiting to see what He is going to do and how He is going to use us.

I am blessed to be going with an amazing group of ladies and one awesome man this year.  (You might want to pray for John being the only man on the trip!)  We have bonded as a team and know and love each other's weakness and strengths.  We all stand together when we say "God, use us as you will!"

Stay tune as we step out in faith, out of our comfort zone where God can use us the most!

MC

43 Days...Not That We're Counting...

It’s hard to believe that in just 6 short weeks, we will finally be on our way to Haiti! We still have a lot of work to do to prepare…but are so excited about all that God has planned for us as a team. We are taking on a very special mission this year...

Among the millions of Haitians impacted by the 2010 earthquake is a large community of deaf families. Immediately after the earthquake, with the help and generosity of a few relief organizations, the deaf community organized themselves into tents and ultimately into temporary wooden structures in Port-au-Prince. Their recovery has been particularly difficult as they are often exploited by their neighbors to gain access to the aid that is intended for them.

 In September 2010, an organization called The 410 Bridge agreed to undertake a development effort that would help the deaf create a permanently sustainable community outside the city.  They now have access to the land and infrastructure they need to launch their permanent community in Leveque, Haiti.  Dozens of families have moved in and Leveque is beginning to thrive. Gardens are flourishing, residents are learning and taking part in art workshops, and Tuesday afternoon soccer games are bringing the community together through sportsmanship and competition. Our team will be working with The 410 Bridge and will spend 8 days teaching and ministering to the teachers and children of the community.

Through the support of our amazing friends, family and church community, we have officially reached the halfway mark of our fundraising goal…and then some! We’re working hard to raise the rest by the end of this month. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of all you Seacoasters who stopped by to support us this past weekend at our boxed lunch event. We had a blast and hope you all enjoyed your lunch!

Half of Team Haiti ready to serve lunches!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve really taken some time to get to know each other and bond as a team. It is pretty amazing how God brings people together. Not only does He have great things planned for these 11 women in Haiti, but it is very apparent that He brought each and every one of us to this group for a specific purpose. The honesty, affirmation, transparency, love and spirit that has been kindled in this team can be described as nothing less than a blessing. I think we’ve all been overwhelmed with the feeling that God has brought us together for even more than this mission…that maybe this journey is His way of bringing us into a lifetime of friendship as well. We are so excited for all the work He has planned in and through us in Leveque and can’t wait to share it with you! Please continue to keep this team and the people of Leveque in your prayers as we prepare. We can’t wait to get there!

Welcome

Haiti 2012...let the adventures begin!