Haiti Highlights

It's been a while since we've had a wifi connection.  I've gathered a few comments from some in the group, as what would be a better pulse check for you understanding Haiti then from the group of eye witnesses here?

Tamara: It is such a blessing to be back in Haiti, and to have the group to be eyewitnesses. So much love and joy has been poured out. Every day seeing the kids laugh and smile and seeing as a group everyone pouring and receiving is a blessing. God is faithful.

Jess: Before leaving for Haiti, I didn't know most of the people in this group very well, but now, I feel so close to each and every one of them. This trip has been amazing - from seeing my sponsor child and cuddling with the kids at the orphanage, to eating the incredible food and swimming in the Atlantic. God has already taught me so much in this adventure, and I'm just trying to take it in as much as possible.

Brea: This trip is beyond what words could describe, and only an experience can tell. Its so incredible to be with all these Haitians, and do life with these children who have so much joy for the littlest of things. I'm truly in awe of this place and have fallen in love with not only the kids but the nannies, Kim, and the simple culture such a hurting place could offer.

Nathan: I wasn't sure what to expect, but as we drove to our resort, the poverty became real. Yet it didn't bother me because (and I can only see this upon looking back) God gave me hope. Not hope that Haiti would be relieved of poverty but that it would be a place where God is truly glorified. And through our songs at VBS, the hours of infant holding, or the people who said hi to "Miss Tamara", that hope built in me. Not hope for the present, but a hope for "pita" (future). And I am okay with that.

Tyler: Three Highlights:

Returning to the orphanage on the second day and hearing the children remember you and raising their hands so you can pick them up.

Being in the moment with the people around me, not being distracted by Facebook, YouTube, or cell phones.

Being open/allowing God to show off and blow us out of the water with his many provisions. From Airport Security, to accommodations and an incredible translator!

Kevin: Trip Highlights:

1. The main highlight for me was the five young ladies leading the singing oat VBS and the vibrant joy in all the kids' voices.

2. The way the kids at VBS and the orphanage smile when with our young people and are so engaged with them. The talents of our young men especially bring beautiful smiles even to the faces of the nannies, who don't seem to smile easy or often.

3. The tropical thunderstorm the night we shared our hearts with each other. The thunder during our prayers felt like God's voice speaking to us in reply.

Ben: Looking around Haiti I started to wonder why we were even going to try. This entire country seems to be falling apart even after the earthquake had passed years ago. I look into the eyes of a stranger and I see no hope but I look into the eyes of those kids and see only a desire to be loved. This is something I can give in abundance. What Kim and Tamara are doing is changing these kids' lives. We are only human and from a different country so we can only do so much for Haiti. But these kids we can help raise to be the next Prime Minister. These kids can change Haiti for the better if we raise them right. We don't know what God will do but we can hope and pray and these orphans can change a country for the better simply because we helped make their lives more comfortable and gave them joy and love.

Daniel: To sum it all up;  beautiful. The joy they have here; beautiful, the energy and passion they have here; beautiful, and best of all, how they worship and how everything here feels so genuine; beautiful. For despite having little, they have so much we do not; this trip has taught me, among many other lessons, that it is just as Jesus said; "for unless you become as a child, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven".

Our kids lovin' on the orphans.

 Tamara and Jess always with someone on their hips.

 Tyler making balloon animals, a BIG hit for the kids!

 Brea walking down the street with random kids that run out from their hut to hold her hand and walk.

 A VBS kicked up a notch!  :)  That place was shaking!!

 Alyssa in all her glory!

 Roger's new friend, his "Haitian Messi"

 The dresses we one of our 80 year olds in Kelowna, sewed now on the children.  Bless you dear woman!

 Kim who oversees the orphanage and our dear sister!

 Tie-died shirts we made on the children with their new balloon bracelets.  They so looked forward to our visits everyday not knowing what to expect!

Daniel... YES DANIEL... a little chick magnet!  The children adored him.  And he too embraced them fully.  Oh when we all step beyond ourselves to be used, poured out in a love offering to others it's amazing how God will use us.


When all is stripped away God has a way of solidifying what matters most to Him in each of our hearts.  It just takes so long for us to beyond ourselves.  This trip has been life changing for all of us.  He is enough.

We enter this world with nothing, we leave with nothing.  What in the world are we trying to hang on to?