Archive for 'haiti' Tag

We start our trek home today, but before we did we stopped at another orphanage and had the best time playing with some kids. It was one of those moments that made me a little sad to leave...because the people of Haiti have a spirit that will not quit.

We met a girl who came down to work with Gcom from Louisiana. She was in college when Hurricane Katrina hit. She went home and proceeded to spend the next 6 months just trying to find her parents. She made a comment about the Haitian people that they are so resilient. Six months after Katrina she said “New Orleans was sitting in rubble and people were devastated and didn’t know what to do; six months after the Earthquake in Haiti the people are looking at the their homes, salvaging what they can, and getting on with life as best they can.”

We will be letting you guys see the videos we are making for Gcomintl.com soon. Keep checking back on the blog and keep praying for the Haitian people.

As an update, Doctors Without Borders is trying to fly that little boy (I told you about yesterday) to the US for treatment (but it is 400.00 just to get him seen). His mother had 8 children and he is the only one who is still alive. Haiti’s infant mortality rate is 97.1 per 1000 births; in the US it is 6.5. His mom is in high spirits though and is thankful for all the team is doing for her son here. Keep him in your prayers.

Talk to you soon,
Aaron

Today was a tough day. It was really hot and really long. We left the place we are staying at @ 8am and didn’t get back until 6:30pm...and I am still thinking about the day. We did a whole lot of medical stuff in one of the tent cities. I am amazed at the lack of health care available to the people of Haiti.

One man showed up who had blood pressure of 250 over 170...and he was complaining of chest pain (well, of course). Julie, one of the nurses asked if he had medication of any sort, he said, “no, I cannot afford it.” Essentially it is a death sentence.

We have another little boy who showed up who has a growth on his neck. It has been there for the last 6 months and it is so big he can barely swallow. If we didn’t show up today who knows if he would have gotten help. We have picked his mom and him up and brought them back to our “house” and are contacting the local Doctors Without Borders to see if they can help him.

There is so much need here, but the interesting thing is that I don’t question God over it (as most Haitians don’t either). Jesus does things in a way that many times we do not understand...and I could totally see Him doing something greatly unexpected here. I got to pray for over 50 people today, most didn’t understand a word of what I said but I think they appreciated the idea that some white guy would come to their country with a group of people whose sole purpose was to glorify God by caring for those who need it most. "Qu'est Ce Que C'est" means' "what is that?" - well, it's the gospel (good news). The gospel goes forward by tangible acts of love...this good news is good news because those who love Christ BRING that good news.
Aaron

In case you didn’t know, the reason we went to Haiti was for the purpose of helping our friends at GCOMintl.com film a few video spots to showcase what they are doing in Haiti. When Garry was 18, God laid it upon his heart to start a ministry that could help all of those in Haiti that had lost hope. Today his organization leads trips to bring relief to Haiti. He eventually wants to start a school offering better education than the children of Haiti now receive. We are making a video and production packet for GCOM to send out to garner support for their mission in Haiti.

As we were filming the video it rained...and rained...and it is still raining. It has rained for the last 3 days. So, I played futbol (soccer) with my new friend Spryder.

And I chased chickens around the yard. Not much else to say as I have to start editing more video now...hope your Sunday was great and James did a good job. See you soon.
Aaron

It’s Aaron's birthday so he has been pretty much slacking the whole day, he wont even update the blog, pffsh. Actually, he has been working hard editing a video for the first group that was here.

A large group of 17 people arrived last night from all over the States. The group ranged from high school kids to nursing students, and all played their part serving today. The main project today was helping out a large tent city close to the airport. Being in a tent city is like being in a different world all together. It’s times like these that I wish I wasn’t white, I mean we just look so silly and disorganized, especially in groups.

We had food and medicine that we were giving to the people, little ones first. I fell in love with this kid named Sebastian, who was four. I never thought about adoption before now. My heart breaks seeing the needs of everyone. I want to give everybody all the things they ask for, but only Jesus can give them what Haiti truly needs.

TIH, stands for, “This is Haiti”. Which is the answer for a lot of crucial questions. For example, “Why are some people living behind the gated parks and others not?” Or, “When you order food, why is it a 20 minute ordeal where you have to talk to a minimum of 4 different people for a fried piece of goat?”...This is Haiti...

God is Sovereign and is in control of everything, I can’t pinpoint what exactly He is doing here, but He is moving. I can tell you this though, I will never complain about a phone call or when something arrives late again (I hope).

Bon Dyea Bon God is Good
Luke

I know, it’s Haiti and you want to know what is going on...but...I almost died today and thought I would tell you a funny story.

These are the cars we ride around in while in Haiti; they are called Tap Taps because when you want a ride you make a tapping motion and they stop, pick you up, take you for a ride...and when you want to get out you tap tap on the window to get out.

The GCOMINTL.com (the people we are here with) simply rent a tap tap for the day...and you never know how good the tap tap will actually be. We were out today in our tap tap (I was sitting up front because I nearly puked yesterday in the back) when a freak storm unleashed rain so thick you couldn’t see.

At the same time I realize that our tap taps windshield wipers do not work the Tap Taps air brake fuse blows AND his regular brakes get so wet they don’t work. We are careening down a hill, unable to stop when our drivers cell phone rings...AND HE ANSWERS IT. I look over and say (in English, which no one understands), “This is so awesome, we could die any moment.”

This was the response I got.

BTW, here is Luke after we stopped and the driver put in a new fuse for his brakes.

Aaron

Today we went to one of the tent cities and passed out many of the gifts that you at Element gave to pass out. Some of the kids were orphans and some were with their families, living in the tent city.

Tent cities sprung up after the earthquake because not only were many homes destroyed but many more are unsafe to return to.

Over one million people in Haiti live in tent cities today (probably more like 1.5 million).

Tomorrow we will return to the orphanage and continue working Garry's support video...so he can eventually plant a school/orphanage to help all these kids.
Aaron

Well, we made it. The weather hits you pretty hard as it is not only hot (113 in the day) but humid...that's a bad combination. I would think the people here would be in a worse mood because of the weather...but so far they are all pretty pleasant. Garry, the guy who runs the mission here, has friend who is cop and he got us through customs with out any charges (maybe that is why everyone is so nice).

Luke has gone over to orphanage while I am giving you the first update. We hope to start filming tomorrow and getting you some more pictures.

Thank you for praying for us.
Aaron

We leave for our trip to Haiti next Tuesday and here is the place you can be kept up to date. Don't get angry if I have a gazillion typos because my wife won't be there to edit my posts. I leave you this picture of sandals and toothpaste because if you want to send something with us to Haiti, they are asking for shoes/sandals and toothbrushes and toothpaste for kids 4-14 years of age.

Sunday there will be a big box marked Haiti and you can put whatever you want to in there.

So, here is to Haiti...be posting soon.
Aaron