Haiti 2013
Crazy thankful for such an amazing opportunity to travel to Haiti. Going over there I thought I would bless so many, only to be blessed way more in return. God moved, lives were changed and I wrote about all of it so I figured I would share a few excerpts from my journal entries that I wrote while in Haiti. I hope your heart is touched as much as mine was.
04/13/2013
Saturday
First night in Haiti.
Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always even to the end of the age.”
Jesus still commands us to teach others the good news. Jesus is the Lord of all the earth and He died for people from all nations. We are to go whether it be next door or to another country and make disciples.
My prayer for this trip is to be the hands and feet of Christ. I don’t want these people to see Brittney, BUT to see Christ in ME. Wreck my heart, my pride, my selfishness, my ego until all I am is who You are Jesus. My heart aches for these people. Christ is my Rock and my Fortress and all I need is Him.
The poverty is unbelievable. But, it blows my mind that the Pastor we are working with here is so humble and eager and willing to help his community and give back and share what Christ has blessed him with. It’s amazing to see that.
I am so thankful in advance at what my King will do on this trip!
04/14/2013
Sunday
Matthew 9:35-38
“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to His disciples, ‘The
harvest is great, but the workers are few, so pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest ask Him to send more workers into His fields.'”
Today we went to church and it just rocked my whole world how the Holy Spirit moves and works. I had no clue at what was being sung but I still got chill bumps, tears in my eyes and felt Jesus. Lord, You move me and I crave Your sweet presence, it is SO good!
We taught Sunday School to about 75 children. They were absolutely adorable. You could tell that they just wanted to be held and loved on which I definitely did not mind doing. Cliff preached to the adults and 3 people accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior!
Later that evening we walked through the village just outside the walls of where we were staying. We had two men with us to interpret. I had the opportunity to talk with a lady and her story blew my mind. She asked me to pray for her safety and for strength because she use to be involved in voo-doo. She now is a believer and goes to church (Praise God!) I also got to give her a pair of shoes and she was so very grateful for those. Prayers, Jesus, and shoes can make any woman happy.
We were finishing up visiting different houses and about to head back to where we were staying when we came across a certain family. This man was married and had several children and we got to talk with them. He told us that he didn’t go to church because he didn’t have any church clothes and was embarrassed and ashamed. The last pair of shoes we had in our bag to give away were men’s dress shoes in his size [insert mind blow here]. Cliff also offered to give this man his suit coat and tie. God provides and He works in ways that you can NEVER comprehend. Trust His guiding and His prompting and then act. He will never return void… I promise.
It is so peaceful here. There are no worries about being here or there, returning this call, responding to that email, checking twitter, texting him or her, etc. The people here drive crazy fast and like they are in a race! One of the guys on the trip said, “The people here drive the way we live.” Always on the go. Move, move, move. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Lord, help us to SLOW DOWN. Take a breath. Don’t miss God and His voice.
Jesus, make me Your hands and feet. Wreck my whole entire heart until it’s completely YOU.
04/15/2013
Monday
Today was my first day at the orphanage. All the kids were so precious and all they wanted to do was be near you and hold your hand or touch you. They just wanted attention and love. I loved it! Jessica was one girl in particular who came to me as soon as I stepped out of the truck and didn’t leave my side for the whole time. She was about twelve it looked like and precious as a peach. She also braided my hair. Yep….. I had corn-rows haha! It hurt like crazy!! But, she enjoyed it so I ignored my headache at least until I could get my hands on some Tylenol.
We sang songs with the kids and danced and played. They were so excited!! I fell in love and just wish they all had homes! One little boy fell down and started crying. It broke my heart because he had no one to comfort him. He just had himself so he went and sat alone. He didn’t have a mother to kiss him and tell him it would be okay or a daddy to make it all better. I guess the one thing I want to do is show them love and show them that GOD IS FOR THEM and He loves them like crazy.
Lord, give me Your grace, love, and joy and fill me to the brim with all of the above so that I can overflow and can shower every single person I come in contact with, with all of these things.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere- in Jerusalem, Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.“
We receive power from the Holy Spirit, this includes: courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability, and authority. Make sure that you are contributing in some way, shape, or form to the ever-widening circle of God’s loving Message. He uses the least of these.. trust me!
04/16/2013
Tuesday
Today we started out at the orphanage. It was sweet as
always. The kids are just so precious! One little boy came up to me, he was
probably about 10 years old and so adorable! He looked me square in the eye and
said, “God loves you so much!” Then he asked me if he could pray for me. He put
his little hand on my arm, bowed his head, closed his eyes, and started
praying for me. I sat there in utter amazement at how this little boy just
walked up to me and put his hands on me and prayed for me [mind blowing]. He
finished praying for me, but didn’t let go of my hand and remained by my side
for the rest of that day. We sang “Jesus loves me.” He even taught me how to
sing it in Creole!
always. The kids are just so precious! One little boy came up to me, he was
probably about 10 years old and so adorable! He looked me square in the eye and
said, “God loves you so much!” Then he asked me if he could pray for me. He put
his little hand on my arm, bowed his head, closed his eyes, and started
praying for me. I sat there in utter amazement at how this little boy just
walked up to me and put his hands on me and prayed for me [mind blowing]. He
finished praying for me, but didn’t let go of my hand and remained by my side
for the rest of that day. We sang “Jesus loves me.” He even taught me how to
sing it in Creole!
It moves me to my inner core at how close I feel to my
Savior, Lord You move me. You blow my mind everyday and I can’t help but cry
and sit in silence at just… YOU.
Savior, Lord You move me. You blow my mind everyday and I can’t help but cry
and sit in silence at just… YOU.
God’s plan is sovereign, perfect, and pure and I trust Him.
These kids may be considered “orphans” but Father You call them YOURS. I close
my eyes and see their eyes, their hands, their bare feet, their smiles, and I
can’t help but cry. Lord, You know their names. May they feel You and Your
closeness.
These kids may be considered “orphans” but Father You call them YOURS. I close
my eyes and see their eyes, their hands, their bare feet, their smiles, and I
can’t help but cry. Lord, You know their names. May they feel You and Your
closeness.
Psalm 10:14
“The helpless put their trust in You, You defend
the orphans.”
the orphans.”
God is by their side.
John 14:18
“No, I will not abandon you as orphans- I will
come to you.”
come to you.”
Psalm 41:1
“Oh the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
The Lord protects them when they are in trouble!”
The Lord protects them when they are in trouble!”
Jesus give me a servants heart.
VBS was from 2-5pm! It was
amazing! We got to sing, dance, and share Bible stories with the local kids. My
heart is probably about to burst wide open! I have indescribable joy here. I
could stay forever. My heart is at peace x 1000 and it’s unlike any other
feeling I have ever had. It compares to nothing and it feels crazy good.
amazing! We got to sing, dance, and share Bible stories with the local kids. My
heart is probably about to burst wide open! I have indescribable joy here. I
could stay forever. My heart is at peace x 1000 and it’s unlike any other
feeling I have ever had. It compares to nothing and it feels crazy good.
Thank You for this piece of heaven.
04/17/2013
Wednesday
Today was a great day. But, my body is exhausted. EXHAUSTED.
Physically and emotionally. There’s just so much to take in and process, it’s
crazy overwhelming and I feel helpless at times but Christ is my strength and I
trust Him for help.
Physically and emotionally. There’s just so much to take in and process, it’s
crazy overwhelming and I feel helpless at times but Christ is my strength and I
trust Him for help.
We went to the market to buy goats. We got about 10
goats to give to the orphanage. The market was pretty interesting. People were
selling goats, sheep, chickens, food, basically whatever they could to make a
little money. We got to talk to one young guy. He was in his twenties and he
spoke pretty good English. We talked to him about Jesus. He told us he went to
church and he knew Jesus! He asked us the same questions and we answered and
told him why we had come to Haiti, etc.
goats to give to the orphanage. The market was pretty interesting. People were
selling goats, sheep, chickens, food, basically whatever they could to make a
little money. We got to talk to one young guy. He was in his twenties and he
spoke pretty good English. We talked to him about Jesus. He told us he went to
church and he knew Jesus! He asked us the same questions and we answered and
told him why we had come to Haiti, etc.
I just love how Christ is brought up in
casual conversation. How people over here talk about Him like the weather, they aren’t scared, nervous, or hesitant at what you may think of them, they just
bring Him up. I love that.
casual conversation. How people over here talk about Him like the weather, they aren’t scared, nervous, or hesitant at what you may think of them, they just
bring Him up. I love that.
Bible School day 2 was good with the local kids. It’s insane
how they want just something as simple as some pieces of construction paper.
They have nothing. Nothing. But they do have Christ and that is EVERYTHING.
how they want just something as simple as some pieces of construction paper.
They have nothing. Nothing. But they do have Christ and that is EVERYTHING.
Acts 1:8
“John himself was not the light; he simple was a
witness to tell about the light of Jesus.”
witness to tell about the light of Jesus.”
Christ has chosen to reflect His light through His followers
to an unbelieving world perhaps because unbelievers are not able to bear the
full blazing glory of His light firsthand. We are reflectors of Christ’ light
and our main goal should be to point others to the light – Jesus.
to an unbelieving world perhaps because unbelievers are not able to bear the
full blazing glory of His light firsthand. We are reflectors of Christ’ light
and our main goal should be to point others to the light – Jesus.
John 1:5
“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness
can never distinguish it.
can never distinguish it.
If you have this “Light” which is Jesus, PEOPLE WILL NOTICE.
God, You are so good. Thank You for Your Son Jesus. Thank
You for sending Him here to this messy world to save us messy people. You blow
my mind. Thank You Lord for rocking with me in every season of my life. Thank
you for bringing me to Haiti and thank You for saving me. You’re my perfect
Savior, my Love, the perfect Companion, my Best Friend, my Protector, my Guide,
my Safe Haven, my Rock, my Hero, my Angel, my Guardian, my Daddy, my
Everything. Thanks Jesus.
You for sending Him here to this messy world to save us messy people. You blow
my mind. Thank You Lord for rocking with me in every season of my life. Thank
you for bringing me to Haiti and thank You for saving me. You’re my perfect
Savior, my Love, the perfect Companion, my Best Friend, my Protector, my Guide,
my Safe Haven, my Rock, my Hero, my Angel, my Guardian, my Daddy, my
Everything. Thanks Jesus.
04/18/2013
Thursday
Today, I started out helping with the Moringa trees. We
pulled off leaves from the branches that were cut back. So, we plan on drying
the leaves and then you can grind them up into powder form so it can be
sprinkled onto beans, rice, etc. Moringa is an excellent source for nutrition and has lots of what our
bodies need (vitamins, minerals, etc). It’s sap helps heal wounds and the seed
oil can be used to purify water. Also, it fascinates me that these trees grow
in subtropical areas where malnutrition is prevalent.
pulled off leaves from the branches that were cut back. So, we plan on drying
the leaves and then you can grind them up into powder form so it can be
sprinkled onto beans, rice, etc. Moringa is an excellent source for nutrition and has lots of what our
bodies need (vitamins, minerals, etc). It’s sap helps heal wounds and the seed
oil can be used to purify water. Also, it fascinates me that these trees grow
in subtropical areas where malnutrition is prevalent.
God always provides for
His children. His amazing provision over His children blows me away. Lord, You
are so good.
His children. His amazing provision over His children blows me away. Lord, You
are so good.
We went to the beach for an hour tonight. I was blown away
at God’s gorgeous creation! How can people see all of this beauty and still not believe there is a God? I feel crazy blessed to be here and to soak in all
the beauty. You rock my whole world. Thank You for choosing me and loving me
and dying for me.
at God’s gorgeous creation! How can people see all of this beauty and still not believe there is a God? I feel crazy blessed to be here and to soak in all
the beauty. You rock my whole world. Thank You for choosing me and loving me
and dying for me.
Psalm 19:1
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship.”
04/19/2013
Friday
Our last day. We finished up lots of projects including the
40 benches that were being built for the tables in the cafeteria for the
orphanage. Also we worked on aquaponics and later on we headed back over to the
orphanage to give out shoes and say our goodbyes.
40 benches that were being built for the tables in the cafeteria for the
orphanage. Also we worked on aquaponics and later on we headed back over to the
orphanage to give out shoes and say our goodbyes.
We gave each orphan
his or her very own shoes and the house moms as well. It was very touching and
emotional watching this. The joy that came across their faces was priceless
when we put their shoes on their feet. They smiled and were so happy it was so
precious and stirred my heart! I just wanted to squeeze and hug every single
one of them! We finished up with the shoes and then we all went inside the
church. One of the Pastor’s over the orphanage prayed for us and the children
sang us several songs and then the children prayed over us as well.
his or her very own shoes and the house moms as well. It was very touching and
emotional watching this. The joy that came across their faces was priceless
when we put their shoes on their feet. They smiled and were so happy it was so
precious and stirred my heart! I just wanted to squeeze and hug every single
one of them! We finished up with the shoes and then we all went inside the
church. One of the Pastor’s over the orphanage prayed for us and the children
sang us several songs and then the children prayed over us as well.
My heart has never felt this way before. I felt so hurt
leaving all of these kids. They didn’t want us to go, they wouldn’t let go of
our hands, they clung to our pants and pulled at our shirts. It was insanely
hard to leave and my heart still aches at the thought.
leaving all of these kids. They didn’t want us to go, they wouldn’t let go of
our hands, they clung to our pants and pulled at our shirts. It was insanely
hard to leave and my heart still aches at the thought.
However, God is in full control
over each and every one of those children and I trust His provision. I pray for
the opportunity to return to Haiti and be just as touched and blessed. Whether I am in the comfort of my own home and doing my typical day to day routine, or out in a third world country with the poorest of the poor, I should be a blessing and touch lives no matter who I come in contact with. Wherever you are, whatever you do, if you have the light of Christ, you will make a difference and touch peoples lives. You don’t have to go to Haiti, Africa, or China, you can do this at your job, at a restaurant, at Target. The point is people need Christ and His love everywhere.
over each and every one of those children and I trust His provision. I pray for
the opportunity to return to Haiti and be just as touched and blessed. Whether I am in the comfort of my own home and doing my typical day to day routine, or out in a third world country with the poorest of the poor, I should be a blessing and touch lives no matter who I come in contact with. Wherever you are, whatever you do, if you have the light of Christ, you will make a difference and touch peoples lives. You don’t have to go to Haiti, Africa, or China, you can do this at your job, at a restaurant, at Target. The point is people need Christ and His love everywhere.
Make a difference.
Cayleigh says
so blessed by this! thank you for sharing! <3
Brittney says
You're welcome!!