Glory to God

 

 

 

I was really impressed with our group today. We spent the morning working on the water truck again, providing clean water and love to the Haitian people who needed it most. Before we even began our work, we learned there was a delay with our water truck, and we would have to wait at the water station until it arrived. Instead of groaning and complaining and staying on our tap-tap eating salted nut rolls until we threw up, our group made the most out of a bad situation. We quickly noticed two little kids playing around outside of our tap-tap, laughing and having a good time. Without hesitation, our group piled out of the vehicle and embraced these little boys. And it wasn't just some of us, everyone was joining in on the fun. We played and danced and joked around, communicating with a minimal amount of Creole and a lot of finger pointing. These kids were so resourceful too, turning a car into a drumset, a cap into a Frisbee, and when there was nothing left to use, they could always play a simple game of bouncing around on their feet and dancing. I watched as each member of my group had a blast pouring their hearts out to these underprivileged boys at the water station. And I thought about how lucky I am to be surrounded by people who can turn an annoying inconvenience into a beautiful memory.

Nathan Derks



 



Unlike the three water stops we made on Tuesday, the two we did today had far worse living conditions. The people at the first stop seemed to have better homesteads. As per usual, the children would immediately jump on to you with smiles on their faces. With a weird fixation on my hair, the kids would crowd around us, trying to get any kind of love they could get. The second and final stop had to be the most demanding one, both emotionally and physically. What made this stop significant, was that this one was a tent city. The old women would fill up their buckets of water and point to their tents. I would carry the buckets with them only to find a collapsed, stitched-together bundle of cloth that they called home. I had the hardest time wrapping my head around how these people could have so much joy from such living conditions. On the way back to the guest house, I decided to sit in the front of the tap-tap with Margie and Lukenair. Lukenair explained to us that these tent city residents were given extra resources and money from the government to move out. I then remembered Philippians 4:19 which states, "And my God will supply ever need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus". I was reminded that God provides supplies for these people to survive.

Riley Derks

Our morning devotion from "Jesus Calling" stated, "Glorifying and enjoying Me is a higher priority than maintaining a tidy, structured life.  How true this would prove for our whole day. 
After we had finished our water stops we loaded up on the Tap Tap and traveled to an orphanage named, "La Pherre".  Our plans included bringing a bit of Vacation Bible School to them. (although vacation is not quite the right word that we want to use in Haiti).  We arrived to a broken concrete open air facility housing 18 children ranging from 2 - 16 years old.  They sat attentively on old wooden benches as we made name tags for them and talked about how God loves them and they are a child of God.  They were so appreciative of the backpacks that we gave each one of them.  The packs were made from donations we received from friends and our church.  In each bag was a toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth, pen and a Creole Bible as well as an Eden Prairie basketball jersey.  (Interestingly enough just that day they had run out of toothpaste).
Before we left the children asked our interpreter if they could sing a song for us.  Listening to their beautiful voices I was overcome with emotion as they sang, "Glory to God, Glory to God forever.  Take my life and let it be, all for you and for your glory.  Take my life and let it be Yours."
I couldn't help but thing, "Who was the student?"
    "But let all who take refuge in you be glad, let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."   Psalm 5:11

 

Carrie Derks