Photo Album

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Post by CU Service Leadership.

Photos from day 5

Words to come but here's some pictures! 

Day 4

Bonswa from Day 4 

Today was a great day serving off site from a host church in Maiti, Haiti. The whole team arose once again with a song sung by our fearless leader Scott at 5:50 a.m. We then drove over and hour and half by mini bus to our rural destination and building site. Needless to say we were very ready to get out and meet our local building contact who was the pastor of the church. Our two building projects were to move large heavy rocks to assist with building a large dam to prevent flooding to the church and preparing the food fora local feeding program for around 35 school children. It was a wonderful full day of sweat, hard work, and some tropical downpour. Please remember to pray for us as we are heading into the home stretch. 

Thanks,

Team Haiti! 

Day 3

Day 3 

Bonswa!

         We had an eventful night as some of us tried to sleep on the roof, but we're soon met by a lightning storm accompanied by a torrential downpour. The windowless rooms soon started to flood, though we were enjoying playing in the rain at the time. Soaking in the first time we truly felt cold and relaxed in the crazy rain, we played games and had many laughs.

        Some of opted to sleep in a room that was free of flooding, but soon realized this sacrifice meant sleeping a sauna. Needless to say some of our team members were woken at 6am after a hot, sweaty night with little sleep.

       After a quick breakfast the team was eager to begin our first day of work! We were sent to different work assignments including assisting in the compound's hospital, painting, moving bricks, and helping prepare food for the Lord's kitchen. Each of us was given an incredible opportunity to work alongside the Haitian that serve here (some of us were even shown up by some elderly ladies as they did not fear the large spiders). 

      Later several of us were given the chance to serve food in the Lord's kitchen, which feeds the local elementary, middle, and high school with the money received from teams like ours. The children loved greeting us and some decided to stick around for as long as they could. 

       Following a short break we traveled in the back of a tap-tap (a taxi like truck much like the one that picked us up from the airport) to the Grace International village which was sponsored by solid rock church. As we arrived it was like a celebration as kids that were just old enough to walk up to 19 year olds came to meet us. Today we all got to feel like the most interesting person in the world as they want to learn our names, play with our hair, sit on our laps, play soccer or frisbee, or just even hold your hand. 

       Though it was hot we all took advantage of our time with the kids and got to finally experience today why we are really here! Everyone laughed and shared stories of today's adventures, which makes us all the more excited for the days to come.

       As we shower and cool down from a hot day of work and fun, we all know we'll get a great night of sleep and can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store for us!

Blessings from Team Haiti

Day # 2 blog: Bonsoir from Haiti!

Allo 

    We are winding down our first full day here in Carrefour. Five AM came bright and early, accompanied by the beeping of car horns and crowing of roosters (which, incidentally, do not stop just because it is nighttime.) Many of our team members had an interesting sleep experience- between the time zone changes, heat, and light from the nearby lighthouse, several of us had a fitful night's rest.

    After a beautiful sunrise and a pancake breakfast, we all got cozy in a white passenger van for the bumpy ride through Carrefour to the local church. By 6:50am, the church was packed- standing room only- with Haitians, every one of them dressed in their Sunday best. We were welcomed by the pastor, and Scott got to say a few words of thanks and blessing to the congregation. Then, as a group, we got to sing to them an American hymn; don't worry- each and every one of us was perfectly on key.

    Haitian church is quite unlike anything most of us had ever seen- clapping, yelling, stomping and praying out loud are all ways common to the people for showing praise to God. We were amazed at the passion and fervor that the Haitians have during church, and also interested to observe that is doesn't appear to be rude to nod off slightly during the sermon!

    We have spent our afternoon here at Grace Village, playing games and talking to get to know each other even better as a team. The relaxation time has been a blessing, especially during the hottest parts of the day. However, it's making us even more excited to begin work bright and early tomorrow!

Bondye Beni Ou, 

Team Haiti 

We've arrived!

Allo!

First things first, we have landed safely at our final destination: Port Au Prince, Haiti. Some people slept well on the plane (it was a redeye flight), others not so well. There were some of us who stayed up to watched Blazer's Game 6. The whole plane cheered when Lillard hit the buzzer beater 3! #RIPCITY. Susie Miller, the representative from Forward Edge, met us at the airport in a huge blue cage truck. It was a quiet ride on our way to Grace Village; our team was slowly taking in this new way of life, the Haitian culture. Driving through tremendous traffic, hearing various pitches of honking, smelling trash piles on the side of the street, and seeing the Hatians in their everyday life was some of the things we observed. When we arrived to the compound in Grace Village, we were graciously met by a much needed lunch. After, those who did not sleep well on the plane decided to take naps while others hung out. Today was a day of rest and for time to adapt to this new culture in which we are living for the next week!