Hands & Feet - Haiti 2012

Our group!

I've had some pretty great spring break adventures, but this one may just take the cake. I was blessed to spend this past week in Haiti! I was part of a team of 18 (mostly from Redeemer Church) that served at an orphanage in Jacmel, Haiti. Our team was able to serve in many ways. Some painted while others built shelves. Some of the ladies put their organizational skills to use in "the depot" (where the food/clothing/medicine and other supplies for the orphanage are stored), while some of the men worked in the hot sun. Two of our team members, one of whom is a sonographer, got to teach a midwife how to use some equipment. Some had chances to work in the preschool. These are just some of the projects that we were able to participate in. It was a blessing to be able to help this organization that is helping so many families and children in Haiti. 

Painting Project

Construction Project

Jess, Beth, Hannah, & Sarah

But now, on to the really good part -- the kids. This orphanage has about 68 kids, and we got to love on just about every single one. :) From dance parties on the the porch to soccer games in the rain, we had a blast with these kids. One of my favorite memories was one of the beach trips we took with some of the girls. We packed 34 people in one van (you do these kinds of things in Haiti) and drove the short way to the Caribbean. On the way, the van was a hub of excitement, and we had an amazing time playing in the waves with the girls. I think we wore them out - the van was silent on the trip back as many of them dozed off. The baby I was holding even fell asleep in my arms. 

D'Jolande - what a cutie!

Kerby - he is deaf, but that doesn't stop him! He is so full of joy and life! 

Little Beckington hugging Samantha.

Me & Melissa

What a cutie! And a book lover! :)

I was simply in awe of the joy that these kids have. One of my prayers was to see the joy that can only be found in Christ while we were in Haiti, and that prayer was definitely answered. Haiti is a place that is hurting and broken, and most of these children come from extremely difficult situations, so to see their bright smiles and hear their joyful songs is a great thing. In the church service we attended, that joy was evident through worship. Even though we couldn't understand what they were saying, we knew that they were worshipping the one true, Most High God. That's a beautiful thing. 

Soccer in the rain and mud

D'Jolande in my lap :)

We traveled to Haiti to be a blessing to the people, but I was the one who was blessed. I am thankful for the opportunity to experience more of the love of God, to learn what service looks like, & to see the compassion and mercy he has for the broken, lonely, oppressed, and weary. It was awesome to put James 1:27 into practice:  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction... God truly is the Father to the fatherless, & I want to be a part of caring for those in need by being his hands & feet. Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers! 


 handsandfeetproject.org
redeemerchurch.cc


Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours. -Teresa of Avila

View of Haiti & the Caribbean in the distance

View from the roof of part of the orphanage

Traveling through the mountains