From July 10 through 18, we have an opportunity to travel to Haiti on a humanitarian mission. Our team of volunteers will help to reduce the suffering of Haitian children by build transitional homes for over 50 orphans who were left homeless by the quake.
Haiti is the most densely populated nation in the western hemisphere. Plagued by disease and malnutrition more than three quarters of the population live in extreme poverty.
On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earth quake struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. Over 250,000 died and hundreds of thousands homeless. The earth quake is a tremendous blow to this poor nation, from which it will take years to recover.
While God has opened the door for us to develop a greater heart of compassion for this suffering nation, you can share in this endeavor with us by, praying for our mission and following our blog.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to following this journey!
ReplyDeleteI have received text messages from my daughter Alex. They made it and are getting organized. It sounded like it was going well, but very hot.
ReplyDeleteMy wife Laura has texted some pics to me. They are on my FB page (Robert Montgomery). I think that all of Laura FB contacts should be able to see the pictures. Let me know if you can't.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tremnedous opportunity to serve and grow! We are anxiously awaiting to see how God moves as the advnture unfolds.
ReplyDeleteRick C.
Haiti update #1 from Rob Ippolito that was received this (Sunday) morning:
ReplyDeleteHoly mama!
Hot and hell don't begin to describe. Travel was easy but arriving at the Haiti airport was nuts. People trying to grab your stuff in exchange for pay. Over 300 Haitian waiting outside...for what we have no idea.
The bus ride from the airport was eye opening. We rode what they called interstate 5 but felt like a back alley. The drive was 45 minutes and every inch of the way was total poverty.
Staying at pastor's house with all of us sleeping on the roof. Set up tents on roof but everybody slept outside....long night but fun.
Great team time last night with worship and Robert (missions leader) saying a few words.
Keep praying...reality sets in today!
Text from Jill that was received morning around noon…
I am here at the orphanage with a boy named john luey. His legs are extremely distorted... And he lays on his belly all day.. Biggest smile ever. So blessed to be here. Heidi has found a group of older boys and playing music and singing her brains out... In her element. Love you
Haiti #2 from Rob Ippolito that I received tonight…
ReplyDeleteI wasn't planning to send daily or periodic updates but sharing our experience is our commitment to those that are supporting us through many different avenues: financially, family support at home and most importantly through prayer.
Today is very difficult to put into words. We slept our first night on the roof of a concrete house, for Chrissy and I... pretty crazy. Fortunately the house serves as an Oasis from our work at the orphanage and the coolest part of the house is the roof so there we slept.
We awoke early 5:30 (3:30 SD time) with the roosters and were up and ready to go by 6:00. Unfortunately there was nothing to do so we just decided to start sweating by 6:30.
At 9:15 we headed to the orphanage to have church with Pastor Bob, the orphans and the surrounding community. Church took place in a tent located on the concrete slab that used to be the location of the former church. We were generously welcomed by 75 to 100 friendly Haitians singing and worshipping Jesus passionately. We joined in while they sang and the pastor preached with a women translator. They then gave Kyle (our music leader) the floor to lead worship and he brought the house down. They wouldn't let him stop even after 5 songs. Amazing Grace was a special moment.
After service was dismissed amazingly the people didn't leave. We fellowshipped for 2+ hours playing with the kids, and adults as well. There are kids as old as 20 and babies as young as Sam (his 1 year old daughter)...that was hard to see especially after holding a couple babies. They are appreciative, joyful and full of life. All it took was a hand, a hug or a smile.
We investigated the orphanage with our construction team’s guidance…where to start and finish is anyone’s guess. We will be building shelter for the children as they now sleep in tents unprotected to what's out there...its unimaginable so I won't attempt to describe!
The most amazing moment that I must share took place just before we departed. As I was walking back to the tent I noticed my sister Jill and Olivia sitting under a tree with a young boy. This boys name was Jean Louis and he has Cerebral Palsy and lives his life on his belly under a tree surrounded by flies and trash. I felt compelled to walk over and noticed Kyle breaking out his guitar to sing. Kyle sang three or four songs which Jean Louis smiled throughout. Before long 25 other Mission team members and Orphans joined in to share...it was an emotional moment I will never forget...Gods working through Kyle's music while He works through Jean Louis right back at us...amazing.
We toured the "city" for lack of a better term, afterwards. There are no words to describe other than something you might see in a movie or history book. Five story concrete buildings totally pancaked or titled at a 45 degree angle. This went on for miles and miles and miles and included the Palace, IRS, Dept of Justice and many more. Interestingly the US Embassy is fully functioning and was never damaged. There's not much else one can say about the city other than total devastation.
Back to roof for dinner and bed under the stars. We are exhausted, exhilarated and somewhat confused...but make no mistake we each feel called that we are Gods hands and feet in Haiti and are serving Gods purpose...whatever it may be.
Pray for: Energy, Strength, Water-Cold, Rest...the serious manual labor starts tomorrow.
Today marks 6 months since the quake. Here's an article that has some video reports on the conditions. Say extra prayers for the group today.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thegrio.com/specials/thegrio-on-the-ground-in-haiti/six-months-after-quake-haiti-is-still-on-shaky-ground.php
Just got a text from Jilane. She said everyone is doing awesome but the blog isn't working and they haven't been able to do updates. I guess that's pretty obvious. She also said that she's picked out the Haitian baby she wants to bring home. Guess that's why she brought the big suitcase.
ReplyDeleteJack
Thanks everyone for posting info from your loved ones. We're enjoying the updates very much.
ReplyDeleteWilly sent a text using Woody's phone and said they built a road and sleeping on the roof is good.
Received text from Rhonda and Alex. Alex has found a baby boy she too wants to bring home. Sounds like the heat was an issue for Rhonda this morning, but doing fine now. All of them are in my constant prayers.
ReplyDeleteTalked to Addison and Terri for a few minutes tonight. They talked about making a road into the orphanage, picking up trash, and "beautifying" the orphanage. Addison said she has been serving as a chair for allot of little ones who seem to like her and her long hair. She said she sits down and immediately has 3-4 kids on her lap. I loved that. They said it was really hot in the middle of the day and hard to sleep at night, but honestly, they never sounded happier to me on the phone. - Mike
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking about all of you of the CSC team and following the weather for Haiti on the internet. Hot and wet seems the norm. Hope everyone is okay - you all got the prayer on that one. Love to read the blogs. Eagerly looking forward to everyone returning especially our daughter April Anderson. Yo....how many goats did you guys buy? Love Dad, Mom, Eric, Caylin and Missy.
ReplyDeleteJust received a txt from Woody and they are safely at the resort in the DR!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear ALL the stories!!