Day 4

Today started off quite fun. Karen, Tamara and I went to visit the local hospital. Karen and Tamara are nurses so they really enjoyed the experience. It was quite different from North American hospitals. After touring the hospital we walked over to a local school in progress and saw where the kids went to school. The classrooms were over crowded and the teachers had alot of work on their hands. The ratio was about 1 teacher to 40-50 students. It was alot of fun and a really cool experience.

After lunch half of our team started to experience what we think is food poisoning, but we are not sure. They are sick at the moment and we are praying for them to feel better so they can take part more tomorrow. Karen, Tamara, Sarah, Norine, Dave, and Chad are experiencing sickness right now so keep them in your prayers.

In the afternoon we had Day 1 of VBS. We had over 500 kids show up and we started with ball tag. The kids were squeling and having alot of fun. I saw big smiles on their faces as I chased them. Chad ran the game even though he was a little sick and did a wonderful job.

After the game, I gave them a short 5 minute testimony about my life. The story was about my friend and I who went canoeing one time. He is scared of water and didn't want to go unless I knew what I was doing. I told him I was good at it and we went out. When we were far away from the land and the waves were crashing against us He got scared and said "What do we do?" I said "I don't know this is my first time in a canoe!" So basically He trusted me when he should not have. So I challenged the kids to mke sure they trust in what is Faithful and True. If you believe lies it will just hurt you in the end, but if you believe the Truth it will be a blessing for you.

After the testimony, we sang songs. The kids love dancing and actions so we sang songs with both. One of the songs the children knew in their own language and sang along as well. Dave, Amos, and Elizabeth from Strathmore did a wonderful job planning the songs and the kids really took to it. It was too bad Dave was too sick sick to take part, but his planning allowed it to run smoothly.

I then taught the lesson for the day. The theme was redemption. I taught them about the 7 redemptive names of God and what each promises when we have been redeemed. I explained that redemption means to be bought back and we did a skit to help the children visualize it. I taught them that they can receive these promises if they ask. It works like a seed, a farmer doesn't dig up the seed he has planted each and every day to see if it has grown, because that would defeat its purpose. Just like prayer, when we pray we plant a seed of life, and just like the farmer we don't have to dig it up and look for it everyday to see if it has grown. We believe it is there and it is growing. Just like the farmer has faith in nature, we have faith in the God of nature. He will perform what He has promised. I then challenge each of the kids to plant a "seed of life" into 3 people before they came back tomorrow.

We then had crafts. Sarah from the team from Strathmore had a necklce cross craft and it worked wonderfully. The kids loved it. We did not have enough crafts however as 450 were brought, and there was over 500 kids. We gave a different craft to the extras, but it was too bad because they all wanted crosses.

I ask that you pray for those tht are sick on our team. I took a break in the middle of writing this blog and both Karen and Tamara were walking about feeling a little better. We still need them to feel alot better, and the rest of the sick people to feel better as well so pray for that. Na boo lay (my own spelling for "Keep it Real" in creole)

Day 3

On Day 3 we moved alot of boxes and worked really hard on meeting some practical needs within Haiti Arise. We moved shelves, arranged medical supplies, built shelves etc. We worked hard from about 8am to 3pm.

Church was at 6 pm. It was a prayer service and each person really enjoyed it. We couldn't understand much as most of it was spoken in creole, but each person felt the Holy Spirit move and felt a connection to each other.

Day 2

Today we travelled through the tent villges here in Grand Goave and handed out hygiene packs. The kids walked with us hand in hand (a sign of friendship here in Haiti) and we prayed for the sick and some people came to know the Lord.

Tamara noted that when she was in Port au Prince she saw the poverty and it was devasting, but here in Grand Goave as she interacts with the people she sees the wealth of the country. The people's joy overshadows their grief. She can really feel the Holy Spirit while walking through the tent city.

Karen made friends today with the little 3 year old who captured her heart. He was fairly shy at first, but Karen came and played with him and gave him a ball. By the end of the day he was running up to her giving her hugs.

While hanging out with this child, Karen also attempted cutting the grass with a machete. She wasn't very good, but did better than me my first time (I started cutting down plants).

We also enjoyed the beach in the morning. It was beautiful and we had alot of fun. God Bless each one of you.

Haiti June 2010 Day 1

My basketball league in Saskatoon is doing a fundraiser for Haiti Arise on Thursday. It's called the Super Six league and I believe the website is www.supersixleague.com. Anyway, My first order of business once I got here was to give the captain of the basketball team here in Grand Goave, Louisito Leveille, a signed Jon Thiessen jersey, get a picture and email it back to the league, so I'm sitting here with the internet going quite slow and I figured I'd blog while I wait.

These are Tamara's thoughts so far

She said

"I felt overwhelmed by the poverty. Felt like I was in a dream. It was surreal. It was as if I was watching it on a television and not actually taking part in being here"

"The landscape of the country is absolutely gorgeous and I think it is a Hidden Treasure"

"I find the people to be extremely gentle and a joy to be around"

"I am sweating perfusely"

"I feel absolutely covered in prayer. I am shocked that I am not experiencing a major culture shock or feeling overwhelmed."

"I find myself increasing in my compassion"

The next part is Karen Chan's experience so far

At the beginning of the trip in Saskatoon she found out that her name had been written wrongly on the plane ticket as it didn't completely match her passport. She was warned she may only be able to go as far as Toronto and not be able to enter the States. We prayed for favor however and got it as we were able to go through the airports smoothly. God performed another miracle to get us all here.

Karen says

"Thanks for getting us here with your prayers."

"I couldn't even talk to people in the van in Port au Prince because I was in my own little world. I was soaking up my surroundings."

"Seeing the people here makes me love them"

The next part is Josh's experience so far

He has been serving with fervent passion as he has grabbing the luggage at every stop, and being blessing in helping wherever help is needed.

He says

"I don't have words right now to describe what I am feeling. You'd have to be here to know what I am thinking."

Back to me. After all that talking the loading has not noticeably increased on my picture. I just said a little prayer for the internet here. I think I am going to use this window and try again, while still loading the other. I dunno.

I am good, happy, and cheerful as always. Well at least most of the time. It's been good so far.

Tomorrow we are handing out hygiene packs in the tent villages. Friday, Saturday, Sunday we are having our kids VBS camp. Then next week we are having our 3 day basketball camp for the team here. God Bless you all, or in other words Bondieu Beni.

Haiti Trip June 2010

I will be blogging (as much as internet is available in Haiti) about the trip that I am going on to Haiti starting June 7th. I will be including thought from my team members Karen, Tamara, Josh, and Chad so if you are friends with them you can follow along with how things are going for each of them on this trip.

We are going to holding a 3 day VBS (Vacation Bible School) for the children. The three topics are Redemption, Sons/Daughters of the King, and Love. I am teaching the first day, Karen the second, and Tamara the third. We have three characters that are going to teach the children Bible verses. Josh is going to be "Tiny Tim" the first day, Tamara is going to be "Princess Sophia" the second day, and Chad is going to be "Scuba Steve" on the third day.

I will keep you as informed as much as possible about the trip through this blog. I will share what each person has done during the days, and what each are learning or feeling. God Bless