Greetings from Haiti! As a part of the blog, we wanted to try and give you guys a snapshot into the lives of some of the team. We wanted another way to share part of our experience here with you, so we're going to highlight and share some of the experiences that specific members had throughout the trip.
So the first person we talked with was Anna V. This is not only her first time to Haiti, but also her firsts time ever leaving the country. She has always been open to doing a missions trip like this one, and told God that she would be willing to go, if he allowed her to go on this trip. Now that at least 2 days have passed, we had a chance to sit down with her and really see what she thinks about the experience thus far.
When she was asked what she thought about the trip in general, she said that she loved the trip and the experience so far, but that it was definitely an eye opener for her. She mentioned that she has loved getting to know everyone on the team better since she is fairly new to the church, and how kind it has been of God to hand-pick all of the members of our team to bring them over to Haiti so she could really bond with everyone over this really exciting experience. She said it feels like Grace Community is very present here in Haiti for her, and that she feels more connected with our Church home back in Kingsville being here with everyone.
As much as she admits bonding over trying conditions has been a highlight of hers, she also said that the hardest part of the trip is seeing all of the Haitian people living in huts and tarps in conditions that seems so severe. As she looks out of the windows of our school bus that we use for transportation, she compassionately mentions how much it moves her to see all of the poverty around us. It is so much worse then you think when you see it in person compared to what you hear or see on TV back home. You can only imagine the feeling. She says it's hard to look into their eyes and not be emotionally moved in what you see. You can just look in their eyes and see the weight of the world weighing on them, especially in many of the little children she has had the privilege of working with at the medical clinic.
She says that after this trip she sees herself being a changed woman even after only 2 days. She describes herself as someone who use to care a lot about "the little things" back home and would get "fussy" when they didn't always work out. She realizes now seeing what the Haitian people go through every day and how little they have, that those things that used to upset her are of very little importance. She feels that this trip has already given her a new perspective on her life and what really matters for not only here but her life when she returns home. She has been praying for this before this trip that God would meet her in this way and has been so encouraged in what He has already revealed to her in her short time being here.She is excited for all that is to come and for what God will show her next, and prays that God would allow her new vision for her life to last long beyond this trip.
She spends most of her time at the medical clinic interacting with the children there and praying with the people attending the clinic for that day. She has already been pushed beyond her comfort zone in many of the ways she has been able to serve, and has later been very joyfully able to share with our team how blessed she has felt as a result. She is continuing to step out further and further in faith each day here, eager to see how God would use her next, even if it is not what she would consider the most comfortable.
One of the things that has really stood out to her culturally, is the fact that even though the Haitian people are living in a completely different world than us, we are so much alike. She has spent a lot of time talking and praying with people with a translator and has been really amazed and blessed to witness the hunger and thirst they have for the gospel. She would describe the trip so far as physically exhausting, but spiritually fulfilling, and when asked if she would ever come back, she answered without a doubt, yes.
I hope this brief view into one of our team members has blessed and encouraged you all back home and that you will continue to pray for Anna and the rest of the team as we move forward with what God has planned for us here. Please feel free to leave comments that we can pass along to the team, or questions you may want us to answer.
Signed, Lisa Sharpe for the Haiti team
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday and Wednesday
This morning we woke up to a beautiful morning in Haiti. The sun was bright and reflecting off the mountains that are all around us and the sky was bright blue. We are all very grateful for the accomodations that we have here at the Bethel Guest House. And the weather has been delightful so far. Although the days are hot, it's cool at night. Pastor Don made the owner, Dr. Bernard, chuckle when he asked for a blanket. "Imagine that! He wants a blanket andk it's summer in Haiti!" Yes, this is a very different trip than last year.
Tuesday, June 28
Today the whole team went to Calabasse - which is the main hub for the convention. Pastors Don and Greg and the VBS team adjusted their plans so that they were ready to begin their parts. But when we arrived, we were told that the convention wasn't beginning until Wednesday. The VBS team continued with their plan but Don and Greg needed to adjust again. Instead of beginning their teachings, they had an opportunity to meet with several of the pastors and leaders to tell them what they would be teaching about and then they were able to talk with them and pray for them.
It was a joy to watch the medical clinic in action. Our medical team cared for 77 patients. They saw the very young to the very old. As people waited in line for their turn for care, we had 2 teams (each with interpreters) speaking with each person and caring for them with prayer. They also handed out toys to the children or explained the gospel with a gospel bracelet. Brandie D. mentioned later that she was so touched that before the people were seen by a nurse and doctor, they were cared for spiritually by prayer and the gospel.
The VBS had a small crowd of children on Tuesday. They played sports in the morning. In the afternoon the team used the parable about building your house on the rock to teach the children about the gospel.
Wednesday, June 29
Today the medical team was off-site from the convention. They went to a town about 45 minutes away. Deborah S. joined Tracy C. as a prayer partner. This enabled Jesse B. to help out with medical things. With small changes like this the medical team is becoming more efficient each day. We were especially thankful for their skills and gifts because 2 of the members on the VBS team (Phil B. and Kati R.) became sick and needed to be transported from the convention to where the medical team was ministering. Although they are feeling much better now, please keep them in your prayers.
The VBS had about 120 children today. The children love to laugh and love to play games. It's fun to watch them being silly with the team. Kristina W. noticed that, before he got sick, Phil B., was like the Pied Piper with a string of children following behind him. They love him! They were sad when he needed to leave them so that he could rest and get care. When Phil and Kati were sent to the medical clinic, we also sent Lisa S. so that she could watch over them. Mike V. was blessed by the way the rest of the team (Brian K., Kristina W. and Philip G.) stepped up. Leading a VBS of 120 children with only 3 leaders, who don't speak the language, is challenging to say the very least. The grace of God was abounding! Thank you for your prayers.
Pastor Don began to teach the pastors and leaders. There were about 30 of them. We pray that they are being blessed by the material. Because the convention was just getting started, the pastor of the church decided that it would be best for Greg not to stay for the evening session.
The team is really being blessed by our evening debriefing/devotion times. It's so wonderful to come together as a team to worship, be in the Word and hear stories about the day. We really appreciate that Brian K. is playing guitar for us. Dave N. has been leading our times very well. Many verses have ministered to us, but on Tuesday, he reminded us of Revelation 7:9 - 12: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation , from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." Our small trip to Haiti, in a very small way is our way of participating with God's purpose of bringing in that 'great multitude...from every nation.' What an awesome privilege we have!
Thank you for reading our blog and for praying! We appreciate you and can sense your prayers. Many people on the team are having small ailments and are not sleeping well. Please continue to cover us with your prayers.
Robin
Tuesday, June 28
Today the whole team went to Calabasse - which is the main hub for the convention. Pastors Don and Greg and the VBS team adjusted their plans so that they were ready to begin their parts. But when we arrived, we were told that the convention wasn't beginning until Wednesday. The VBS team continued with their plan but Don and Greg needed to adjust again. Instead of beginning their teachings, they had an opportunity to meet with several of the pastors and leaders to tell them what they would be teaching about and then they were able to talk with them and pray for them.
It was a joy to watch the medical clinic in action. Our medical team cared for 77 patients. They saw the very young to the very old. As people waited in line for their turn for care, we had 2 teams (each with interpreters) speaking with each person and caring for them with prayer. They also handed out toys to the children or explained the gospel with a gospel bracelet. Brandie D. mentioned later that she was so touched that before the people were seen by a nurse and doctor, they were cared for spiritually by prayer and the gospel.
The VBS had a small crowd of children on Tuesday. They played sports in the morning. In the afternoon the team used the parable about building your house on the rock to teach the children about the gospel.
Wednesday, June 29
Today the medical team was off-site from the convention. They went to a town about 45 minutes away. Deborah S. joined Tracy C. as a prayer partner. This enabled Jesse B. to help out with medical things. With small changes like this the medical team is becoming more efficient each day. We were especially thankful for their skills and gifts because 2 of the members on the VBS team (Phil B. and Kati R.) became sick and needed to be transported from the convention to where the medical team was ministering. Although they are feeling much better now, please keep them in your prayers.
The VBS had about 120 children today. The children love to laugh and love to play games. It's fun to watch them being silly with the team. Kristina W. noticed that, before he got sick, Phil B., was like the Pied Piper with a string of children following behind him. They love him! They were sad when he needed to leave them so that he could rest and get care. When Phil and Kati were sent to the medical clinic, we also sent Lisa S. so that she could watch over them. Mike V. was blessed by the way the rest of the team (Brian K., Kristina W. and Philip G.) stepped up. Leading a VBS of 120 children with only 3 leaders, who don't speak the language, is challenging to say the very least. The grace of God was abounding! Thank you for your prayers.
Pastor Don began to teach the pastors and leaders. There were about 30 of them. We pray that they are being blessed by the material. Because the convention was just getting started, the pastor of the church decided that it would be best for Greg not to stay for the evening session.
The team is really being blessed by our evening debriefing/devotion times. It's so wonderful to come together as a team to worship, be in the Word and hear stories about the day. We really appreciate that Brian K. is playing guitar for us. Dave N. has been leading our times very well. Many verses have ministered to us, but on Tuesday, he reminded us of Revelation 7:9 - 12: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation , from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." Our small trip to Haiti, in a very small way is our way of participating with God's purpose of bringing in that 'great multitude...from every nation.' What an awesome privilege we have!
Thank you for reading our blog and for praying! We appreciate you and can sense your prayers. Many people on the team are having small ailments and are not sleeping well. Please continue to cover us with your prayers.
Robin
Monday, June 27, 2011
Hello from Haiti
Everyone made it! It's been a long day, but we wanted to give you a recap of how the trip has gone so far.
We landed safely in Haiti at 1:30 this afternoon with all of our luggage in tow. The layover during the trip even provided some of the team members the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep. After we arrived we hopped on a bus and headed to the hotel we will be staying at for the week. Once again, it was difficult to see the poverty and devastation that still plagues the country even a year after the earthquake.
As with any missions trip, you have to be prepared for things to not go quite as expected and today was no exception. We found out that the conference, which would include the pastors teaching and VBS, will be starting tomorrow instead of Wednesday like we had originally thought. We are in the middle of making some adjustments to our plans to fit with this new schedule and would appreciate your prayers for the process.
Also, unfortunately it looks like we won't be able to upload any pictures to the blog through out the week due to a slow Internet connection. Hopefully, however, when we get back to the states we will be able to share with you all the photos of our trip.
Excited to share with you all what God is doing and plans to do!
Deborah
We landed safely in Haiti at 1:30 this afternoon with all of our luggage in tow. The layover during the trip even provided some of the team members the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep. After we arrived we hopped on a bus and headed to the hotel we will be staying at for the week. Once again, it was difficult to see the poverty and devastation that still plagues the country even a year after the earthquake.
As with any missions trip, you have to be prepared for things to not go quite as expected and today was no exception. We found out that the conference, which would include the pastors teaching and VBS, will be starting tomorrow instead of Wednesday like we had originally thought. We are in the middle of making some adjustments to our plans to fit with this new schedule and would appreciate your prayers for the process.
Also, unfortunately it looks like we won't be able to upload any pictures to the blog through out the week due to a slow Internet connection. Hopefully, however, when we get back to the states we will be able to share with you all the photos of our trip.
Excited to share with you all what God is doing and plans to do!
Deborah
Sunday, June 26, 2011
A Note from Pastor Greg
 |
Pastor Steve praying over the team, June 26, 2011 |
As you read these updates, concerning our preaching, teaching, VBS, and medical teams, pray with an attitude of thanksgiving for the grace and power available to us through the gospel. May God give us joy in the victories and perseverance in the trials before us. Thank you for your labor on our behalf.
Ephesians 6:18 "...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.,,"
We are keenly aware of the prayer cover that you, our church, family and friends provide for us on these trips. Without this spiritual support our labor is in vain! Pray also that we will abide in Christ by faith and that we will glorify him in much fruit!
John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing....7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
We look forward to sharing with you on our return. May God bless you and use you in your 'mission field' during our time away.
Grace and peace to us all!
Greg for the team
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Team, Our Mission & Other Details
Last summer in Haiti we began a wonderful relationship with Reverend Liberius. Not only is Reverend Liberius Darby's dad, but he also oversees about 50 churches, clinics and schools in Haiti. This summer the Haiti Team is blessed to be serving, in various ways, Reverend Liberius, his leaders and staff, and their families.
Who is the 2011 Haiti Team?
Pastor Greg is our leader.
Similar to last year, our team has 3 components:
Teaching
Each year Reverend Liberius holds a convention for his leaders and staff, and their families. This year Pastor Don and Pastor Greg will be doing 20 teachings for approximately 150 leaders and staff. Their topic is the power and implications of the gospel. During the evenings Pastor Greg will also be teaching at revival meetings.
Medical
![]()
Our medical group will be working with Haitian doctors and interpreters and has the potential to care for hundreds of people daily! Not only are there nurses who can care for the physical needs of those who come to the clinics, but there are team members who will be ready to share the hope and mercy of the gospel too. The medical component is lead by Brandie D. The other men and women serving with her are: Jesse B., Lorri B., Ann C., Tracy C., Beth C., Jordan H., Darby L., Rachel M., Dave N., and Anna V.
Vacation Bible School![]()
Our VBS group will serve the children of the leaders and staff at the convention, and the children in the surrounding community. The parables of Jesus are the launching pad for telling the children about the gospel. They have lots of skits, crafts and stories prepared! They plan on serving several hundred children in their 4-day VBS. The VBS group is: Phil B., Phil G., Brian K., Katie R., Lisa S., Kristina W., and is lead by Mike V.
More Team Members
Deborah S. will be documenting our trip through video and still photos.
Robin V. is administrative and other support for the team. Some affectionately call her the team mom.
Other Details
The team will leave from Grace Community at 2:00 AM on Monday, June 27. Our flight departs Reagan National at 6:00 AM and we should be in Port-Au-Prince around 1:00 PM.
We are blessed to be staying at the Bethel Guest House while in Haiti (take a look at the link at the upper right). It is located in the beautiful mountainous region to the south of Port-Au-Prince and about 1 hour's drive from where we'll be ministering on most days.
We can't say often enough that we covet your prayers. There are several people on the team who have never been on a mission trip before. Please pray for them. And please pray for all of us to acclimate quickly and to be full of faith for all that the Lord has for us.
Thanks for coming along on the journey.
Robin
Who is the 2011 Haiti Team?
Pastor Greg is our leader.
Similar to last year, our team has 3 components:
Teaching
Each year Reverend Liberius holds a convention for his leaders and staff, and their families. This year Pastor Don and Pastor Greg will be doing 20 teachings for approximately 150 leaders and staff. Their topic is the power and implications of the gospel. During the evenings Pastor Greg will also be teaching at revival meetings.
Medical
Our medical group will be working with Haitian doctors and interpreters and has the potential to care for hundreds of people daily! Not only are there nurses who can care for the physical needs of those who come to the clinics, but there are team members who will be ready to share the hope and mercy of the gospel too. The medical component is lead by Brandie D. The other men and women serving with her are: Jesse B., Lorri B., Ann C., Tracy C., Beth C., Jordan H., Darby L., Rachel M., Dave N., and Anna V. Vacation Bible School
Our VBS group will serve the children of the leaders and staff at the convention, and the children in the surrounding community. The parables of Jesus are the launching pad for telling the children about the gospel. They have lots of skits, crafts and stories prepared! They plan on serving several hundred children in their 4-day VBS. The VBS group is: Phil B., Phil G., Brian K., Katie R., Lisa S., Kristina W., and is lead by Mike V.More Team Members
Deborah S. will be documenting our trip through video and still photos.
Robin V. is administrative and other support for the team. Some affectionately call her the team mom.
Other Details
The team will leave from Grace Community at 2:00 AM on Monday, June 27. Our flight departs Reagan National at 6:00 AM and we should be in Port-Au-Prince around 1:00 PM.
We are blessed to be staying at the Bethel Guest House while in Haiti (take a look at the link at the upper right). It is located in the beautiful mountainous region to the south of Port-Au-Prince and about 1 hour's drive from where we'll be ministering on most days.
We can't say often enough that we covet your prayers. There are several people on the team who have never been on a mission trip before. Please pray for them. And please pray for all of us to acclimate quickly and to be full of faith for all that the Lord has for us.
Thanks for coming along on the journey.
Robin
Monday, June 20, 2011
Welcome!
We're less than a week out from beginning our adventure in Haiti. Our supplies are packed and now its just a matter of packing our personal items and doing those final preparations that anyone needs to do before they leave the country for a week. Passport - check. Anti-malaria meds - check. You get the idea.
Our preparations for this trip began in March. Pastor Greg pulled together a team of 22 people that would have 3 different components: vacation Bible school for children, medical, and teaching. Each group has been working hard to get their part ready. Now we're excited for the role we'll play in bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the hundreds of people we'll meet while in Haiti. As each group was making their preparations, Pastor Greg was helping us to prepare our souls. He read to us some of Esther Ayn Kim's story which helped us to understand that no matter how weak and 'unqualified' we think we are, God can do mighty things through us. He also reviewed with us a wonderful tool for evangelism called 'Two Ways to Live.' And most importantly he reminded us that this trip isn't mostly about us, but it's about Jesus Christ and what he wants to do through the power of his gospel. |
| Along the city streets in Haiti, 2010. |
Glad to share this adventure with you!
Robin
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