Day 5

We were expecting a little over 5,000 kids at today's party. It ended up being a thousand or two more than that. It was kind of hard to count past the first couple hundred. The kids were all excited to be there, and we had a lot of fun interacting with them.

The ladies at the church here were up all night fixing rice and beans, chicken, and pasta so that each child could have a lunch. Pastor Eric went over to watch for a while and was impressed by the efficiency displayed in preparing the chicken. A number of the ladies from our team spent the morning helping to dish up the food into containers for each child. While the kitchen was quite warm they had a great time helping prepare the kid's meals.

The children started arriving around 8am for the party and kept arriving until the early afternoon. The team had a lot of fun playing with the kids. A number of the children also took the stage to provide entertainment by singing or dancing. It was wonderful to see all the talent the children possess.

Towards the end of the morning, the team helped put on a puppet show version of the Nativity story. The show is lead by Marlon and Jerri Migala from the Miami team. The kids always enjoy the puppets, and it's a great way to explain the story of Jesus' birth. The puppet team was comprised primarily of Haitians, but a few of our team members jumped in to fill a couple of roles. Luis, Peggie, and Boyd all enjoyed getting to play a role. Chris Casino and Boyd were also in charge of assembling the puppet stage that was designed and brought by Pastor Eric.

Shortly after the puppet show the kids were dismissed out into the yard to line up and receive their lunch, juice, and gift bag.

As a well deserved break, most of the team then headed up to the Baptist Mission which is up in the mountains. It is much cooler and the air is much clearer up there. Of course most people stocked up on their supplies of Haitian vanilla since it is so delicious.

The portion of the team that stayed behind from the Baptist Mission helped finish passing out gifts to the kids and closing up the party.

Its hard to believe that tomorrow is our last full day in Haiti. We will attend church in the morning and then have our final party at the Boy's Detention Center in Carrefour.

 

Day 4

The first party was amazing! The decorations were awesome donned with signs of "Bonne Fete Jesus", neatly placed balloons, and an inflatable nativity scene. 

The church was filled with over 1500 children.  Great music was playing as the excitement amongst the crowd grew. After a string of fantastic solo performances, a good ol' game of musical chairs began. The kids had a blast and even some of the team jumped in to play.  The kids won, of course!

Shortly after, the puppet show began engaging the children through puppetry telling the story of Jesus' birth.  Our Haitian translator, Rudolph, did a wonderful job performing the entire play in Creole.  Our team did just as well knowing to move the mouths of the puppets with little to no English. 

 After the puppet show, Jojo the dog came out whom the kids love to see.  As Jojo was leaving, an even better surprise came out for each child ~  a delicious plate of food with fried chicken, rice and beans, vegetables, and Tampico juice for a drink.   But the best was saved for last ~ a gift for each child. They were ecstatic to see the bags handed to each one of them, and their eyes grew wide with joy as they peeked into the bags. 

 It was an amazing day, and so many of the team members had such lovely things to say:

A word from Boyd ~ "There was a young girl whom I was sitting with no older than the age of five who I knew didn't know much English but she told me, "I will miss you".

A word from Dorothy ~ "After dancing with some of the kids, they wanted me to sit with them during the program. I enjoyed that time, and one little boy said that he was happy. They all were happy, and that meant a lot."

A word from Chris Fewox ~ "This year was different from the years before in that the kids seemed to enjoy just spending time with us the most".
 
Following the party, some of the team went with Paulette and Ingrid (from Miami, FL) to Sunshine Home. The Sunshine Home is an orphanage run by Madame Jeune's mother. The team was able to experience the joy of giving.  Each child received new clothes and shoes, taking pictures in front of the Christmas tree, and having a delicious meal together.
  
A word from Tammy ~ "The children are so independent and are having to grow up so fast.  I helped a younger girl get ready, and she did not need my help as much as say my little girl would. I'm amazed to see how much they can do on their own at that age."

Day 3

Today was an eventful day.  A day that began very sobering as we toured the compound. 

We were told of a story of a couple who began an orphanage with just a few girls that has grown into a home for many girls and boys. 

As we toured the compound, we saw the effects of the earthquake on the previous guest home, the girls home, and the houses they stay in now. The earthquake proved to be such a traumatizing event, they no longer desire to sleep inside.  These young women assisting us each day are the future nurses, doctors, and pastors' wives of Haiti. 

As we continued on our tour, we reached the harsh reality of those who live in tent cities. Seeing the tent cities made the devastation and the lives of the 10,000 people who remain so real. The area was unkempt; tents so close together privacy was not an option.  Survival is the word that comes to mind.  The resilience of the people is astounding. 

 As our tour came to a close, the silence of the team carried a single thought.

"What can we do, Lord?" 

A word from Muriel ~ "It was amazing walking through the compound today seeing the people and children living in such tight quarters. Everything was so unclean; everything but the water."

A word from Kila ~ "I am in awe that anyone has to live like this.  Surely there is a better way. My prayer is that God opens doors of opportunities for better conditions."

Following the tour, the team continued to pack toys for the party and felt so accomplished by lunch time.  Following lunch, some of the team members traveled to Port Au Prince to decorate for the party and rehearse for the puppet show.  The remainder of the team continued to pack toys. 

A word from Luis ~"During the ride to Port Au Prince, it was amazing to see the people so hardworking. They were so unaware of their needs.  They looked happy.  They had hope.  Rehearsal went well as the team from Miami, Florida, the Haitian Nationals and the Raleigh team worked so well together."

Our first party is tomorrow and everyone is so ready to see what God is going to do!!!  Continue to keep us in your prayers, as we know you will.

TEAM HAITI

Day 2

GO HARD OR GO HOME

~ our motto for the week 

Today we successfully packed 4,800 bags for the Christmas Party.  We spent the better half of the day packing bags with a toy, candy, a balloon, and a brochure. The team worked well together and new friendships were formed.

A word from Vickie ~ "I had so much fun.  It was great to see how well everyone worked together and to see the mounds of candy, toys, etc. wind down.  To think about how excited the kids will be brings me great joy to pack the bags." 

Following lunch, we continued to pack bags till late afternoon.  We then began puppet practice and learned how to make balloons.

One more day of prep till the parties!!!


TEAM HAITI

The Team Has Arrived

We made it to Haiti!

Everyone is excited about the trip.  Christmas parties are planned for Friday through Sunday and preparations for the weekend begin today.

We have been up since 3:30am, but as you can see some of us have been able to sneak in a nap. 

This is the first time in Haiti for many on the team.  Nancy said, "I have seen poverty before and it is still sad to see, but to see what the Jeune's have accomplished over the years is impressive."   

 

We are looking forward to what God has in store.

TEAM HAITI