I don't even know how to begin to describe the last four weeks I've spent here at MOH.  It's hard to believe that one month ago today I was waking up in Haiti for the first time!  Sometimes it all feels like a dream.  I feel blessed beyond words to be working on staff with the Hope House kids!  The last few weeks have been some of the most challenging yet most rewarding weeks of my life.  Having never visited Haiti before moving here, I definitely experienced some culture shock and frustration with the language barrier upon my arrival.  However, it's been a blessing to see the ways that God gives me joy, strength, and favor in overcoming these struggles!  I'm starting to understand alot more Creole, and it's been awesome!

One of the biggest things God has been teaching me over the last four weeks is how to show love.  It's one thing to speak love, but another to show it.  God has been challenging me to invest love in these beautiful children.  I get to love them through laughter, hugs, smiles, and tears!  This last week has been full of laughter and smiles.  The kids were off school for the week and we've been having some special activities!  Today was the best day I've had with the kids since I've been here.  We spent a good part of the day at the beach!  It was a blessing for me to spend hours in the water with the kids laughing, splashing and having a great time!

I'm really looking forward to being part of what God has in store for the kids and for Mission of Hope in the next few months.  I came here feeling called to be a light for the Lord in Haiti.  God is teaching me that WE are the light...all of us!  Whether you are reading this in North America or Haiti, we are ALL the light.  So many people here are showing light to me and I'm humbled and blessed.  Go out and be a Light, wherever you are, whoever you're with... be the light!

My first two weeks at Mission of Hope will be a time of my life that I never forget.  I didn't know that much about Mission of Hope, so seeing the different ministries such as the Prosthetic Lab, 3 Cords, the School and the Orphanage have been really neat.  As soon as I stepped into the villages I fell in love with the people there - especially the kids.  There is a sense of community here that has been forgotten in the United States and other parts of the world.  The kids flock to you here.  It is wonderful!  Without a doubt the best times have been playing games, laughing, and hugging the kids.

One of the most memorable moments was praying for a woman who used to be heavily involved in voodoo.  We introduced ourselves and asked if she was a Christian, and she emphatically said yes and wanted to bring out her Bible to show us.  She has the sweetest spirit.  And when we asked how we could pray for her, she explained through the interpreter that she wanted us to pray for the salvation of her husband... who is a voodoo priest.  These weeks have been a time of growth and adjustment in learning what life at Mission of Hope is like.  I know that God has called me here and I continue to prepare myself for what He has in store.

-Avalon Marut

I have been interning at Mission of Hope for 3 weeks.  There already have been countless memories made, but one of my favorite roles I get to do here is taking team members to meet their sponsor child.  Every time I have brought a person or family down to meet their student, it has been a unique experience that almost always brings me to tears of joy.  I think my absolute favorite aspect of child sponsorship is that the child is literally chosen.  So many of these children are not 'wanted', they were not 'planned', and in a lot of ways are seen as just another Haitian child.  However, when a child is sponsored, someone is caring for them personally, desiring to financially and prayerfully support them in receiving a Christ-centered education and to have food daily.

Today, I got to meet my sponsor child Hedson.  Hedson is 15 years old and in 8th grade.  I have been looking at his picture for about a week now, and today decided to officially sponsor and meet him.  When Hedson walked into the room initially, he was very timid.  Without a translator I could only ask basic questions, but you could tell that he enjoyed just being there.  Eventually we got a translator and I asked him about his life more and what he needed.  He responded that he wanted a Game Boy.  I love that response, because he is just a regular kid who has the same wants as kids in America, Canada, and all over the world.  He wants a toy, and still without knowing much about his life, it is encouraging to me that he can ask for a toy.  I know very little about his home life other than that his father is a driver, his mother is a vendor, and he has two sisters and a brother.  But I do know that every day he comes to school he gets a meal, he gets an education, he gets to learn English, he gets to learn about Jesus.

-Kelci Haydocy

This past week, a girl named Sarah from a short-term mission trip group shared her experience at a Haitian church service here at the Mission of Hope Campus.

As she entered church that night, Sarah sat next to an elderly Haitian woman.  As the pastor began to preach, the Haitian woman leaned over and motioned to see if she could borrow a pen.  With great enthusiasm and willingness, Sarah lent the woman an extra writing utensil from her purse.  The Haitian woman beamed with gratitude, and began to write the scriptures that the pastor recited.

At the end of the church service, the Haitian woman returned the pen, and it was clear that she wanted to pay Sarah for her apparent sacrifice.  In awe of her humility, Sarah politely turned down any payment, but the woman insisted.  Before Sarah could protest further, the Haitian woman took off several bracelets from her wrist, slid them on to Sarah’s, and lovingly said goodbye.

Haiti has a way of surprising North Americans when they come down here (including myself).

I think everyone who comes down here expects to make a huge impact on the Haitian people.  Yet, as North Americans come and go from MOH, they generally find the opposite to be true.  That is, North Americans are the ones who leave changed.

Haitians talk about their friends and family that died in the earthquake, and in the same breath acknowledge God's goodness and provision in their lives.  The Haitian peoples' faith and trust in Jesus is profound and thought provoking.  How could a people who have endured such difficulty have such joy and generosity?

Their peace comes not from financial security or a steady set of circumstances, but from an unshakable promise from God:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11.

Though suffering is a guarantee in this life, we can trust in God’s plan to fix the brokenness of this world.  He is bringing light and restoration to the dark places of the earth as well as the dark places of our hearts.  His plan can be fully trusted, knowing that if we place our faith in Him, all things work together for our good and His glory.  The Haitian woman knew God's plan for her included things far better than a few bracelets, and was therefore free to give what she had away.

I am spending the next 13 weeks hoping to be a part of God's transformation of Haiti.  I am beginning to suspect, however, that much of the transformation is going to happen to me.

-Jimmy Driver

I could go on and on about all the beautiful things I get to experience day in and day out here at Mission of Hope.  But to me, apart from seeing someone come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, there is nothing better than seeing a life transformed.  Whether it’s a new orphan that arrives at our doorstep, a family that has been living in a tent since the earthquake receiving a home in Leveque, or maybe a child in our school eating in the cafeteria - the only meal they will receive for the day - life transformation is truly a sight to behold.  But beyond the life transformation of Haitians, the “icing on the cake,”  for lack of a better term, is sitting with a North American team at the end of the day and hearing stories of how God is transforming their lives!!

Some team members arrive somewhat nervous because they’ve heard all the reasons why going to Haiti is unwise or maybe a foolish decision, while some team members arrive and their eyes are bright with excitement and anticipation of what the week may entail. But ALL team members leave with eyes even brighter of the hope they have not only for Haiti, but for themselves!  The year is just getting underway and I cannot wait to continue to see not only life transformation for every man, woman and child in Haiti, but also every man, woman and child that steps foot into this country!

Valentine's Day at 3 Cords is quite possibly my favorite day of the year. This year, we had our second annual Valentines Day dance party, and it was a blast! There are so many parts of the day that were beautiful and redemptive, and well, just fun. We started the day out with the ladies opening little gift bags and chocolate hearts. I think their absolute favorite part was looking through the pictures of themselves that were in their gift bags; you could tell that they all felt so beautiful in them! Then we all drank delicious homemade Haitian juice and enjoyed some cupcakes.

The best part? The dance party that ensued right after! All of the ladies were having so much fun dancing, which was actually quite incredible seeing as they were dancing on prosthetic legs! Everyone would continually break out in laughter as we took turns pushing a new lady into the middle of our dance circle. Some were so shy but so precious, and others just couldn’t get enough of it!

What a picture of redemption. It was my joy to know each of these women as they were first being fit for a prosthetic leg, and I clearly remember the blanket of sadness that seemed to cover their hearts. They were so burdened that life would never be the same, and that they would never find jobs or joy again. God has completely provided for each of these women, and I truly think that they would all agree that life now is even BETTER than before the earthquake. I wish you could see the joy amongst these women each day at work, not just on days of celebration like Valentines Day, but on the normal work days as well. I am back in Haiti for two weeks working with 3 Cords, and more than anything on this trip I am struck at the beauty of the community that God has provided for each of these women. They are all so happy to work at 3 Cords because it means being with their best friends all day! What a joy and an honor to witness. Please continue to pray that God would pour out His blessings on these beautiful women!

This past Sunday was the launch of our church in Leveque. It is exciting to have a church for both the current residents and the new deaf community to worship together. It was a beautiful sight to see; however, when we arrived at the pavilion last Sunday morning, there was nothing inside. I was a little concerned, but remembered how “Haiti Time” works. My mom and dad were with us and my mom asked, “Where will everyone sit?”

Within a few minutes we saw men carrying wooden benches our direction. Before we knew it, there was enough seating for everyone. As people started to enter the church, you could hear many greet each other with a “Bonjou” and at the same time, see others greeting with the sign for “good morning.” (I learned sign language in Elementary School many, many years ago, and I love how a few simple words are coming back!) I was able to introduce myself to a few people and even learned how to sign “Madam Ruben."

Pastor Patrice brought his guitar and began singing worship songs. Right by his side was a Creole to American Sign Language interpreter, Franklin. I looked over and the whole front row was following along, signing the words, and praising God in their own way. I didn’t want to stare, but it was incredibly beautiful. I started thinking about how God hears our heart, not just the words that come from our mouth. Anyone can sing the words and recite a prayer, but if we don’t mean it with our heart, it means nothing. In the book of Matthew, Jesus was asked what the most important commandment is. He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” It doesn’t say we must love the Lord by singing the best, preaching the loudest, or praying the longest…it says to love with all your heart.

After praise and worship, Pastor Patrice shared a great word from God. Again, right by his side, Franklin was interpreting it to ASL. It is such an honor, and I feel so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in Haiti!