Team Members: 11
Travel Dates: June 12 - 18, 2010
Ministry Partners: Int’l Missions Outreach, His Home for Children
Supplies Distributed: Shoes, Medical supplies, Baby formula
Locations Visited: Port-Au- Prince, Delmas, Thomazeau, Terra Rouge, Petionville, Boutialle
Day 1 - Travel
The travel to Haiti went fairly smooth, except that we couldn't find our driver at the airport at first. Once we connected with him, we headed to the IMO compound and we settled in for the night.
Day 2 - Acclimation
We woke up Sunday morning to the sound of the local church worshipping. We had the privilege of joining them for the 9 am service and then we experienced the children's services as well. After lunch and a short rest, we were given a tour of the devastation in downtown Port-Au-Prince. Five months after the earthquake, and there is rubble still everywhere. We drove past the national palace lying in ruins. Our driver kept explaining that the crumbled buildings were all "broken". I can't help but see a connection as my heart broke for those affected today as well. There is so much to do, but we realized that we will only be able to accomplish small tasks that the Lord has placed us here to complete.
Day 3 - Organization
We have been very busy working with the IMO staff. We have started every morning by having a team devotional and then joining the IMO staff for their devotions as well. We have enjoyed the Haitian worship and prayer.
The hospitality of the IMO staff has been second to none. Every meal we have eaten has been superb.
On Monday morning, we were able to tour the school on the Delmas property. Every class was able to perform a small song for us and we distributed candy to them all.
After our time at the school, we worked in the IMO warehouse and helped breakdown and sort pallets of food for them. We worked as a team and assembled 8 - 10 full pallets of food for them. It was fun to see the team really come together and accomplish the goals.
Day 4 - Thomazeau
A visit to a school
On Tuesday, we left after devotions and traveled to the IMO school in Thomazeau. They have about 400 enrolled but there are many students out right now because of a fever, either from the water or mosquitos.
The children were very excited and we were blessed to share the shoes with them as well. We were also able to leave approximately 200 pairs of shoes and hundreds of tubes of toothpaste so that the church and school could distribute to the other students and local children in the community.
Afterwards, we traveled to a new mission compound that IMO recently purchased and we helped clean part of the land and prepare the buildings for further construction.
Day 5 - Terra Rouge
We spent the day painting the newest IMO church. We were really amazed by the beauty of the area.
Day 6 - His Home for Children
We had attempted to connect with His Home for Children since the second day of the trip, and we were finally able to visit the children about 12:30 pm on Thursday. Everyone immediately connected and soon we were all playing with the children. It was a very rewarding time.
Day 7 - Travel Home
On our way to the airport Friday, we were able to drop off two boxes of baby formula for the children. We are hoping to collect supplies for the next trip so that we can bring more formula and diapers to assist the orphans.
I think what you and Garrett are doing is amazing. You know, I hear a lot of people say "Thank you for your service" to soliders, and I feel it is well warranted; however, I would like to say thank YOU for your service to humanity. And thank you for spreading God's love where ever you go. You may be my "little sister", but I look up to you all the time. Love you!
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