Reuniting Joy

Day 1:

When we arrived in Jacmel, we didn't waste any time by heading straight to Children's Hope. Being reunited with my Haitian family was incredible and so exciting! Wow I missed them so much! I also got to see "my son", Kiki, and his family. His mom welcomed me in her home remembering who I was and that was a super sweet time! 

We shared with our kids at Children's Hope about the fruit of the spirit and they made fruit loop necklaces, which they loved.

Day 2:

We headed up to Lavalee to Pastor Barjon's school where we also shared about the fruit of the spirit. We spent a lot of time with the kids at that school making crafts and playing games. 

That afternoon we got to take our kids to the beach, a long awaited trip for them. They get so excited about going to the beach. We all piled in the back of the truck and the taptap and we were on our way. They had so much fun and it is always so exciting watching the joy on their faces as they jump over waves or find a seashell. The beach, however, didn't wipe out all of their energy because they were singing at the top of their lungs on the way home. They were just having a good ole time!

Day 3:

The team helped paint the outside of the new Alabama House. A lot of the kids that live around in the community, who I spent a lot of time with this summer, came to help. It was great being reunited with old friends and being able to love on them. This was a very special time for me, because this summer I built relationships with these kids outside of Children's Hope. This shows how it doesn't just stop with our kids, but Children's Hope opens SO many doors.

When we got home, the team decorated the Alabama House for the "missionary birthday party". Mrs. Celia Teel, with the help of the GA's and many others, gathered some of the wants and needs of the missionaries in Jacmel. Each missionary had a bag full of things like books, candy, board games, etc. It was like Christmas morning and it was so exciting watching their faces light up as they looked through their bags. It was a very neat time of fellowship. 

Day 4:

One can't put a Haitian worship service into words. From all the times I've been, I still can't explain the feeling of the closeness of the Holy Spirit in one body of several differences. During this church service, I sat with our kids, which is interesting in itself. When it came time to give the offering, Samuel passed out a few coins for the kids to give. The kids were fighting over the coins. What if we had that eagerness to give? Why do these people who have way less than we do have this eagerness that many don't? Pastor Paul preached on Acts 4:32-35. Verse 33-35 says, "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of The Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

After church, we spent time with the kids one last time before we left. Saying goodbye this time was harder than usual because it was such a short trip and I wanted to feel like I lived there again. 

We had Church on the Beach at the Alabama House, with all the local missionaries, and we discussed James 1. We talked about trials and how they grow us. We talked about how it's not the trial itself that changes us but the act of trusting God and clinging to Him. 

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11