Mt Horeb Haiti Team 2009

My Haitian Testimony

2009-08-15T14:03:00.001-07:00

My haitian testimony.

I've always worried about what college i'm going to go to
or what I want to be after I graduate. I worry about how my clothes, my shoes... my STUFF would compare to others around me
It was only until I was brought to the level of the Haitians, who have next to nothing except for each other, that I had
an epiphany. These people don't worry about having next new shiny toys, in fact they make their own out of common household items, they don't worry about having the best clothes, just that they have clothes, they don't have to wrestle with... which fast food place they are going to go to... but when and where will they have their next meal. I was out working on the orphanage that my group was helping build and a couple of friends and I decided to take a walk to the nearby river to check it out. Some of the local haitian children who had been loyal to our sides accompanied us down there. On the walk back from the river, I had this burning desire to take out this little toy called an evangecube( a cube that depicts the story of jesus) from my friend zachs backpack.
So I started flipping though the little pictures that you can form with this cube. The next thing I know one of the little children named Mckinzie seems curious to see what the cube is about.
As a group we decided to try to explain what each picture meant. Before we began to explain we asked the translator if he knew who jesus was. The boy quickly responded 'Non' in haitian. So we asked
the boy if he knew why we were in haiti, again he replied "non". We took a moment to digest something that was quiet new to us... the concept that he didn't know Jesus.
So we took the cube and went through the story of Jesus with him and each picture we went through he seemed to be more interested in the story. When we finished explaining to him the story of Jesus and how Jesus died for him he asked for us to pray for him
He said that he has never been to school in his life, and he had always wanted to. He asked us to pray that God would grant him just that one gift. I remember the prayer so well, and I could tell he had finally had hope in his life.
I never really appreciated school and learning and the opportunities that we have here in America. On the other side of the Haitian spectrum I met a kid who was privileged enough to be able to go to school.
He told me that school was very expensive in Haiti and that very few people ever attend it. There was one thing that struck me still about him, he was so eager to learn and succeed in life, He had a beautiful amount of work ethic. I still think the true reason he
Spent so much time with us these past 10 days is so he could better his English, which he was already extremely proficient at. I know people get tired of hearing that we are taking what we have for granted.... but ITS SO TRUE. I truly believe that 90% of us truly
Don't deserve what we have.... and sitting there as we prayed for McKenzie I just wished that me and him would switch places because I am not deserving of what I have in life and I felt that he should be the one blessed with a wonderful life, after having suffered 14 years in such poverty.
I am planning on coming back next year to Haiti and seeing the new friends that I have made... But the sad truth of it all is... The faces I've seen, the friends I've made... Might not make it until next year.. and it breaks my heart knowing this solemn fact. I just wish I could cloth everyone of them
feed everyone of them... love on everyone of them.. but there aren't enough of us who care to do anything about it... and I want that to change.

-Alex

Our Last Day in Haiti

2009-08-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up feeling so ready to go home. I wanted my bed, a shower, and some chocolate chip cookies...not sure why. Anyway, I was not expecting this day to be as life changing as it was. For the morning half of our day we went on a of Jeremie. During our tour we stopped at The Samaritans Home. This was a facility for the elderly. I honestly wasn't looking forward to this. I connect better with childern the with the elderly, but my though changed quickly. The moment I walked in my heart started to break for these people. The first room I went into had an elderly lady in it who was litterally skin and bones. She layed face down and was strapped into the bed. She spoke not one word to us when we were in her room. I was with Peter and Kristina. Kristina leaned over and kissed her on the head. Instantly I started crying. We left the room and went into a room Nick J was in. This elderly lady was praying for Nick. It was somewhat strange to me that she was praying for him and not the other way around. When they were done she talked to us about her pain, but also about how happy she was that we were there. I, again, brekdown in tears. Nick and Danielle comforted me while we all prayed over this lady. I never knew something like that could have broken my heart the way it did.
Next we went to the worksite to say goodbye to the people there. When we arrived no one was there so we prayed that God would bring the people, and he did. Kids started running down the streets towards us and embracing us with their hugs. Then my favoite little old man, Joe, came up and gave me a hug. I had worked with him yesterday on the work site. I was so shocked he remembered who I was, but he did. Saying goodbye was so hard. All I could think about was leaving these precios kids with nothing while I was going back to America for so much. We ae so blessed to live in America.
The last part of our goodbyes was the saddest. We got to go back and visit the orphans. Like always they greeted us with hugs. Then they sang to Mrs. Janis because today is her birthday. After that, they sang to us. I started to breakdown. The 3 older boys Yvon, Vnel, ad Auguste all saw mw crying and once the were done Auguste came and hugged me. He told me he loved me and thanked me for loving him. Vnel saw us crying so then he started to. Needless to say all the orphans were crying and most of us were too. Junior, a translator. told us that he has never seen these kids cry because a group was leaving. These kids truley loved us and we felt the same way about them. We decided to pray together before we left. I had little Richard and Mattieu sitting on my lap. Once the prayer was over they both looked me in the eye with such sadness. They wanted us to stay so bad. Emotions were flying.
I never thought I would be so impacted by the people of Haiti. Their love for Christ shines in everything thay do. I thought alot today about why they had to deal with the living situations they are in, and I don't know why, but God is here in Haiti even though it is rough. I will never forget the precious faces of all the orphans, or the kids whoose hair was turning orange because they were starving.
I hope and pray that next year we will come back and see all of these people who impacted us, but if we do not we will one day in heaven. There we will be able to worship the one true God together.
Now that the day is over I don't want to have to leave. I miss my family but there is so much that needs to be done here. My heart belongs to Haiti.

Last day with the orphans.

2009-08-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, it's Lauren here.

So today was our last day with the orphans. We pretty much just hung out with them but after singing some songs with them all the girls in out group started crying except for me. I really didn't feel the need to cry. But then Mrs Janis said "You will be here with us," as she pointed to all of our hearts. I was fine when she said this, but then she turned and pointed at the orphans hearts and said, "We will always be here in you." When she said this I realized how true that was and I broke down crying. All the orphans were crying too. And the ones that each one of us were close to started to cry when they saw us crying, but there was one girl, Marriseul, that I had not really been around her at all this week, but yet everytime I looked at her she cried, which made me cry more. And then my favorite boy, Bergeau, started crying and held my hand as we all prayed together. Everyone's eyes were wet and the kids were wiping the tears off our faces. It was soo sweet. But just as I was started to stop crying, one of the interpreters told us that he had never seens these kids cry this much for anyone else. This broke my heart and then when we had to say goodbye for the last time, it was soo hard to turned away from them and walk away. Many of us cried walking back to the guest house. I am soo sad to leave them and I look forward to coming back next year to see all their smiling faces again. I will miss them soo much for the next year.

Hello

2009-08-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

Hello, this is Nick Hammond. I would like to take a few minutes to recap my experiences here in Haiti. The past week has been truly amazing with many great experiences and life-changing moments. I have seen things that have blown my mind and have experienced Haiti in a great way. The people here are incredibly good-hearted and loving and have made me feel at home even though it is incredibly different from the lifestyle I am used to. In Haiti, there is no such thing as air conditioning or TV or almost anything I am used to in South Carolina. However, it is really a beautiful place. We only have a few more days here and I am sad but I am looking foward to seeing everyone back home. The End.

From Pastor Brian

2009-08-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

Most listed followers of this blog are parents and members at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church. I wanted to take a moment to tell you what a remarkable experience this has been for the whole team. As a leader, I have seen our youth jump into any and every project they have been asked to acomplish. Our task have been quite varied--we have presented VBS in several churches, some went out on a medical mission, we have helped mix and pour cement on a 6000 sq. ft. building to serve as an orphanage, we have chopped weeds with a machete (so parents don't blame me when your child brings one home-they really did use them to do the Lord's work), and prepared a chicken house to be re-screened in the fall so it can house 5000 chickens. Today we scattered a truck load of rock to provide better drainage for the orphange to reduce malaria risk. No matter the task, it has been carried out with enthusiasm and in a Christ-like manner.

I have been privileged to hear comments from other mission teams as well as from the people in Haiti about our group. Without exception, every comment is a complement. We have an incredible group of young people who are investing 9 days of their lives to bring change for children in Haiti. Mt. Horeb, be proud! You are an incredible church who has invested in 15 young people who are going to spend the rest of their lives changing the world.

Last three days in 100 words or so from Andy

2009-08-11T16:59:00.000-07:00

Construction and children playing games....picking them up over our heads...starvation abounds, smiles as well...soccer is the universal language apparently, besides love...great love and service abounds amongst our own team, which is a blessing....rocky road to the town of Leon in the mountains....VBS with many, many children in multiple locations....God's love and presence everywhere here!

Andy is a Police Dog!!!!

2009-08-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I havent written the whole trip so this is going to be long. The first 2 night in Haiti we stayed in the guesthouse at Port Au Prince. I was shocked at how nice it was. We even had a pool. In Port Au Prince we went on a tour. We saw the White House, and all sorts of other Haitian things. The next morning we woke up early to get on our little plane to Jeremie. Luckily, I made it through the flight without getting sick. It was not as bad as I expected and the view was beautiful. Once we arrived in Jeremie we checked out the guesthouse and then went to the work site. Instantly we were swarmed with kids wanting to be around us. We played games with them and taught them songs. There was a little baby girl, I never found out her name, who I ended up holding for a few hours. Her mom kept trying to tell me something but I had no clue what she was saying. Soon enough Mrs. Janise and I fond out that she had ringworm. This scared me at first but I just kept on holding her...and for thoose of you wondering I am fine, and so is everyone else who held her. The next day I went to the orphanage for VBS. God worked so much at the orphanage. The first second we opened the door all the kids were running at us and hugging us. They were so precious. They all had huge smiles on their faces. It was obvious that they wanted us around. To start off we all introduced ourselves. Then they sang to us. It brought me, and a few other people to tears. We taught them about Moses, Pharoh, and Jesus. We played games, ainted canvas, and did other crafts. We sang songs, and they caught on well, motions and words. My favorite part was when we were leaving. I got the privlage to help each girl pick out a new pair of shoes that we had brought. Their smile lit up and I was given a hug by everyone of them. The next day was our free day. It was fun until like Patrick and I got sick. We think it was a combination of dehydration and motion sickness, but it was awful. Being sick in 100 degree weather is no fun, but with the help of Kristina, Mrs. Ellen, and Mrs.Janise I recovered. Patrick and I called each other sick buddies. By the next afternoon I was feeling much better and got to help at the orphanage the secong half of the day.
God has worked so much in the little time we have been in Haiti. He has blessed us with an amazing house to stay. He has brought us closer as a group. This trip has really made me realized how blessed we are in America. Its not everyday you get to wake up to cleanwater and fod. God is doing amazing things in Haiti. I miss and love y'all!
-Chandler

from haiti by patrick

2009-08-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

so to start out i was sick all sunday puking my guts out. it was so bad in 100 degree weather and not being able to be cool. so i had to miss beach day and going to church. the worst part was that mrs janis stayed behind to care for me and she didnt get to go to church. i felt so bad. it was very selfless of her and it really touched me. now today we left the house at 830 this morning for leon but it took about 3 because one of the jeeps got a flat tire. to make things worst the roads were not roads at all but rock gardens. it was so painful to ride in.... when we returned to jeremie we went to a school to run vbs. well it lasted about 30 min and then it turned into an american vs haitian (football) soccer match. the avg. age of these kids was like 7 and we played for 2 hours and got schooled 5 to 0. it was insane but the computer is working so i am going to turn it over. aurevor

Shealy here

2009-08-09T19:30:00.000-07:00

Lynne Lynne here :) I have a new nickname thanks to Kathy. I just want to say that its hot as Haiti down here hahah. If you are wondering about my scabs from my recent extreme biking accident they are almost completly gone. At first the ones on my shoulder started peeling off and then came the ones on my hands and today the one below my elbow came off in the ocean haha it was gross. I'm having an amazing experience soaking in the culture and nature of this country. I love it here. Tomorrow I get the chance to go with another team that we are staying with at the house to a medical clinic. Im so thrilled at this oppurtunity because I will be studying to be a nurse and I'm sure I will learn so much. I feel like this is totally Gods plan for me to go with them so I can get a taste of what he has possibly called me to do. So pray for me and for Gods will for the rest of the trip. I miss you all and love you :) beijoooo btw i saw some Brazillians and talked to them in Portuguese! haha i would. I love you mom and family and friends.

Sunday August 9th

2009-08-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

Post by Zach Chandler.

Haiti is no where near what I expected in the first place. Not just because of the change of the scenery compared to Lexington, but the spirits and happiness of the people there. I have never in my whole life met people so welcoming and so nice to people in a different part of the world. It fills my heart with joy to see these people working with us, playing with us, and just being with us. They are so friendly! I also am glad that God is using me as a vessel to come out and minister to the people, because the main reason I am here is to share the love of Christ to the people of Haiti. Let me tell you it is one of the greatest feelings that I have ever felt. I am enjoying myself here so much and it is a very great experience to me, to show the love of God to people in another country.

I miss you all back in Lexington though.

Sunday the 9th

2009-08-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

{a brief post by Spencer Cary}

Today was our Sabbath here in Jeremie, which we were glad to use after a hard day's work from yesterday. I was helping work with the construction of the new orphanage yesterday. We were working along side of 50+ other Haitians. While working, we began building relationships with the Haitians while also sharing our love with the Haitian children who were watching us work. We have run into scores of malnourished children who are happy just to be able to spend time with us. Although there are so many people living in extreme poverty here in Jeremie, God is working. The ministry we are working with us changing the community, and God's kingdom is advancing. Today at church, we worshiped with 500+ Haitians. God is moving; He is working. I am just so blessed that he has chosen to use me to do His work.

Spencer Cary

Hello Fish

2009-08-08T17:16:00.001-07:00

Hey Everyone this is Nick J, I had to state that because there are two Nicks here! Haiti is amazing! Seriously we are so blessed to be in a such a beautiful place and have such wonderful people serving us. So much has happened so far but i'm saving most of it for my return but today we visited the orphanage and it was so amazing to see these kids run up and hug us we spent the day doing vbs i was moses. These kids sang a song about their soul and it was so touching I love these kids! Well Mom I havent contacted you yet but as you see I am safe, I did get schooled in soccer today and burnt my feet! But I'm having so much fun and I'm seeing God in everything around me. I wish y'all were here. Dad I love you and I miss you I'm bringing back stuff to grow banana trees! Mocow I love you too and I wish you were here to experience this I know the kids would love you and you would benefit them so much.! Laura its amazing here! So amazing and i wish you can see this but i've filmed and taken pictures and recorded everything! Miss you but I hope your having a great time at the beach! I love all f y'all so much and miss each one of y'all even the peole i didn't mention, but i wouldn't come back for the world God has called me into this and I feel so comfortable and exstatic about everything! Love y'all!
--Nick Johnston

2009-08-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hey guys this is Railey, Lauren, and Danielle here! First we want to say hello to katie, macall, zachary, and laura...

This is Lauren. So if any of you went to Newberry Salkehatchie then you'll understand me saying this, but the people here are worried about my eating habits. You probably won't understand that if you weren't at Salkehatchie with me, but I think it's funny. Anyways I just wanted to say that today we met some kids at the work site and they do not speak english so right of the bat it was hard to know what they were saying but we could atleast get names across to each other. We had to leave for lunch but came back later and decided we would sing songs and play games with the kids and the greatest thing happened. We would start singing a song in english then they would know the tune and sing along in their language or even if they didnt know the song they would pick up the motions and english words so fast and sing along with us! Anyways thats all i have to say so see you later!

Soo this is Railey...uh i have aweful short term memory so i dont really remember everything that happened today/yesterday/the day before at the moment, buuut, we flew into beautiful Jeremie this morning and it was completely different from the exciting chaotic city of Port-Au Prince. It is wonderful and tropical and i dont want to come home ha. I am having a blast here evry second of the day. The people on this trip are amazing me daily with their wilingnes to serve and their passion for the people of Haiti, from nick hanging out of the van to record the busy streets of Port-Au-Prince at night to Patrick pushing himself right in with the million hation workers on the work site to lovely Danielle pouring her heart out to the children of the community. We were able to spend most of our time today with the children at the work site and that was such a strnge but awesome experiance that i will share at a later date maybe not so late in the night ha besides im sure several others will share..anywho we are safe and wondrful and extremely well fed!! and im going to sleep now so goodnight!

This is Danielle now! everyone says Jermie is soo pretty. Today we went to the site and got to play with al these children but the one that stood out to me was a todler named Banushe. He was literally starving to death. He was so malnourished and it just broke my heart because the little girls would show me that he had no shoes but there was nothing i could do about it. But the only thing we could do was me and Railey held him the entire time and he fell asleep in Railey's arms and he was the prettiest baby ever! Al in all im learning so much from the children and its been very amazing, goodnight!

caleb from Jeremie.

2009-08-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

so today was AMAZING we woke up super early and got on this awesome dual engine plane to go from Port-Au-Prince to Jeremie. when we arived in jeremie i saw the haiti that i was originally expecting. A rural haiti with lush trees and small farms instead of a crowded city. when we reached the worksite god showed me so much. there was a little boy named mckenzie that was attached to me instantly. when i went to work we parted ways but after tha we met back up. my ankles were covered with dirt so mckenie just started to go get water and clean them. i had no idea what was going on so i just told him to stop. i then realized that we all need to be as humble as mckenzie to god and serve people that we may not know that well. we are in a country that needs to see gods love and i hope that he will work through us to do jst that.
-caleb

Wooooo.

2009-08-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

Friday August 7th

Today was a great experience for me in the Haiti Airport. This morning we woke up pretty early, around 5 and rode in vans to the private airport. The majority of our group waited for about an hour and a half for our plane. It was about 30 minutes before we were to board that we found out that 4 people weren't going to be able to go with the rest of the group. I naturally volunteered thinking nothing of it and stayed behind waving the rest of the group on. 4 bags of crackers, about 3 hours of powernapping for total of 6 hours later our plane finally arrived and we were on our way to jeremy. The flight was breathtaking but very short and our landing was a little rough. Because I arrived late I missed the first day of work on the site but briefly met some of the kids that hung around the site and I am really excited to start work tomorrow....

-Alex Long

Hello from Patrick in Jeremie

2009-08-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

so hello from jeremie. it is so different here then the big city. we went to the work sight today for the first time after sketchy small airplane ride on a dirt airplane strip with cows walking across. once we arrived to the worksite, we were surprised to find many, many workers (120 total) who were mixing concrete at the speed of lightning. it was insane! we started to get involved with the workers by helping mix concrete in the 103-105 degree heat. there were many little kids that some of our team played games with and taught. peace out for now!

haiti fun

2009-08-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

so the airport was a blast with our one armed bag man named jackson. to say the least it was very sketchy. then we packed 20 people into a 10 people van. it was a mexican party coming across the border. then we get to the house and it is great with a pool and what not ha. there are mean dogs to protect us but i have to go bye

patrick

We're in Port-Au-Prince!!!

2009-08-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! This is Andy...we are in Port-Au- ince and arrived safely with no issues! We have wonderful weather and are staying at the Methodist Guesthouse in Port-Au-Prince, which is an amazing place! We enjoyed an awesome dinner and breakfast and are about to leave for our Encounter Haiti tour of the city. Please pass the word to all parents and to the church that we are here and God is good!

Haiti Team Picturere

2009-08-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

Here is our group photo before we left for the trip!

Prayer Itinerary for Haiti Trip

2009-08-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

Prayer Itinerary
Mt Horeb UMC Youth & College Team, Haiti Mission, August 5-14, 2009

5th
The Mt Horeb group of 19 students and leaders will leave from Lexington, SC. We will drive to Atlanta. From Atlanta, Georgia, we will fly into Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Ephesians 4:1-6. As the team meets together, pray that we will have a unity in the Spirit. Pray for our leaders, Andy Cunningham, Janis Albergotti, Brian Rainwater and Ellen Long, that God would use us to lead our team as a unified body in Christ’s love. Pray that any language barriers would be broken down. Pray for the translators to be precise and exact in their translations. Also, pray for the loved ones who sacrificed so that this trip could be possible for the team members

6th
Experience Haiti Tour in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, the capital city. Students and leaders will learn about the culture and the people of Haiti
Isaiah 45:1-3. Pray that our team will be freed from any preconceived ideas that might hinder us. Also, as our team encounters the culture, that they would be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit and all that we are to learn through God on this journey. Pray for Katelyn Shealy and Katie Albergotti

7th
Depart Port-Au-Prince for Jeremie and work a half day on the construction site
2 Corinthians 3:18. Pray that, as the team learns through the example of the Haitians, we will become more Christ-like in our role as servants. May our team be strengthened as we serve and learn to put the needs of others before ourselves. Pray for Chelsea Crocker and Chandler Crocker

8th
Work day in Jeremie, as well as Vacation Bible School with the children of the Haiti Children Project
Zephaniah 2:3. Pray that the team will be made humble as they experience the people of Haiti. May they experience Christ in a new way through the other team members and the children of the orphanage. Pray for Railey Collins and Lauren Moody

9th
Church services in Jeremie in the morning and a half day of rest on the beach
Psalm 86:11-12. Pray that our team would be open and teachable to God would want us to see, learn, listen to and do. Pray for Spencer Cary. May God use this time to slow our team down, so that they may focus on Him and rest in His presence on the Sabbath day

10th
Work day in Jeremie, as well as Vacation Bible School with the children of the Haiti Children Project
Ecclesiastes 3:14. Pray that the team members will be filled with awe as they learn the stories and share their lives with the children of Jeremie. Pray for Peter Alford and Nick Johnston. Pray that God will bless the church and God’s Kingdom moving in Haiti

11th
Work day in Jeremie, as well as Vacation Bible School with the children of the Haiti Children Project
Isaiah 65:1. Pray that the team would catch a glimpse of God’s control and power as we see what He is doing in the hearts of the children and workers in Jeremie. Pray for Danielle Haner and Patrick Hill. May the Lord expand their service to the people of Haiti

12th
Work day in Jeremie, as well as Vacation Bible School with children near the construction site
1 Corinthians 12:27-30. Pray that, as the team encounters children and people who do not know the Lord, that they will learn to be bold and share their faith with them. May they begin to see more clearly God’s call on their lives. Pray for Zach Chandler and Alex Long

13th
Half work day in Jeremie, finish up Vacation Bible School with the children near the construction site, as well as a half day at the beach to rest
Matthew 28:18-20. Pray for God to grant the team a better understanding of the Great Commission, as a representation of God’s heart toward the whole world. May they share the love of God and life with other team members and Haitian people before they depart. Pray for Caleb Senn and Nick Hammond

14th
Depart from Jeremie to Port-Au-Prince and then back to Atlanta, Georgia. Arrive in Lexington, SC
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. Pray that the bonds that have been made during this trip will continue and that each team member will more intimately walk with Jesus as they come home. Pray for Wade McGuinn, the founder of Haiti Children Project and the continued blessings of God upon the ministry in Jeremie, Haiti