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Ministry Trip to our Sister Church in Haiti, January 20-27, 2012

Haiti team members: Front row--Ginette Leinbach, Caroline Marhin, Deb Anderson, Tim Anderson

                                   Back row--Jim Messer, RaeAnn Stuart, Sue Ryl, Ken Ryl, Dave Wardle, Jim Farina, and Mark Walsh; not pictured Shealyn Clark

The following are excerpts from Jim Farina's journal kept during the Haiti trip:

January 25

We are preparing to leave Astruc today for RMI's Retreat Center near Zanglais. I roomed with the five other men on our team and throughout the week I noticed shirts, pants, shoes and shocks were discarded in the corner of our room. It has grown into a colorful pile. Thanks to a former team member, Dave Truelson, a tradition was established and team memebers are encouraged  to bring only articles of clothing you are willing to leave behind. This pile of discarded clothes is affectionately called the, "Dave Truelson Pile".  We know that whatever is left behind will be washed and used by our Haitian brothers and sisters. The women practice a similar routine but not with as much flair. They are careful to fold and organize the clothes into neat piles.

Throughout the week, Shealy and Caroline,  guided by the experience of RaeAnn, Sue, Ginette and Deb, lead a children's program. The morning of our departure the children sang songs and were lead in the "Chicken Dance" by Shealyn and Caroline. Everyone participated in making ridiculous hand motions, and tail shaking. More messages and farewell speeches were given, followed by the distribution of gifts of candy, toys, stickers and other goodies for the children. The school was give books, a globe in French, and many school supplies. Earlier in the week a computer was give to Pastor Guillaume and Dave announced the church would be receiving New Testament Bibles in French. After exchanging hugs, kisses and the sheding of tears we loaded the trucks for our trip to the Retreat Center. There we will debrief and get some much needed R&R before heading home.

RMI's Retreat Center is located high on ocean front property and has airy guest rooms with wrap around terraces. We were overwhelmed with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, and mountain vistas. It was easy to forget we were in the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

January 24

I awake to hear Perguens singing familiar Christian hymns in French Creole. Perguens is our translator for the week and has a unique, charismatic charm. He leads the team in songs and devotions and then we are off to work on our projects. The replacement panels delivered from Port-au-Prince are installed. The unit charged quickly and all systems were GO--project successful. The water filtration fittings that were redone yesterday have been allowed to bind overnight to insure a tight seal. Electrical repairs were needed in the church and that is Ken's job for the day.

A de-worming clinic was held in the church in Clairie, a short, scenic drive from Astruc. We were able to treat 240 children and adults. When we arrived back in Astruc, 30 women were treated to afternoon tea and enjoyed Kool-Aid, cookies, cake and candy. This is always a highlight for the women who delight in an opportunity to wear their best dresses, and colorful hats. There is music, scripture reading and dancing. They love to dance to the Hokey Pokey.

In the evening there is a farewell service for our team. Paster Guillaume and others express their love and appreciation for each of us. They told of what it has meant to the community, not only this trip and the projects accomplished but also the  many projects over the nearly 30 years of our sister church relationship. We are all touched by their gratitude. I began to understand why many of our team members have returned year after year. The love and relationships that have been established cannot be forgotten. We give the Lord our heartfelt thanks and praise for our week.

January 23

The generator groans to live at 4:30 a.m., as do a faithful and hard working team of Haitian women. These women are such a blessing to our team keeping us well fed and seeing to our comfort throughout the week. We gather in the dining room to start our day with songs, devotions, prayer and breakfast for the busy day ahead. The women on our team: Sue, RaeAnn, Deb, Ginette, Caroline and Shealyn go to the church in Morrisseau for a class on de-worming for a group of leaders from the churches in Morrisseau and Clairie. They will conduct a clinic in the afternoon to administer the de-worming treatment. They estimate 200 children and a few adults were treated.

The men have scheduled work on the filtration sysem and solar panel. The water filtration project is a continuation of the work started last year. The water is pumped from an existing cistern, through a chlorinator and into a 300 gallon holding tank. Ken Ryl and Jim Messer supervise the work needed to repair a leak in the connecting PVC pipes.  Two solar panels were broken during transport and needed to be remove from their frames. The intact panels are placed and anchored in the most ideal location on Pastor Guillaume's roof. Tim and Mark put in place the batteries, control panel and switch unit needed for the solar planel. Late in the afternoon, Dan Shoemaker, RMI President arrives with replacement solar panels, an answer to prayer and a cause for much rejoicing at dinner.

January 22

We are roused on Sunday morning by the cry of roosters and barking of dogs. After breakfast and devotions we dressed for church services. The service is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. but according to Haitian time,, this means whenever they feel ready to start. Music is a big part of their worship service and the louder, the better. Each team member stood up to give a personal greeting from The Orchard. We also told about ourselves, interests, family, occupation and favorite Bible verse. We were to think of something unique so the Haitians would be able to identify each of us. I sported a bow tie, hoping to be known as, "bow tie man".

Church was followed by lunch. Knowing there would be an evangelistic, outdoor service in the evening, we spent the afternonn playing with the children and getting better acquainted with our Astruc brothers and sisters.  We also planned the work projects for the week: solar panel system, water purification system and de-worming education and clinic sessions.

Pastor Guillaume, Dave Wardle, Jim Messer, the deacons from our sister church and a translator meet to discuss ways to build a stronger relationship with The Orchard and access future needs of the village. They expressed a deep appreciation for all The Orchard has accomplished for their community.

January 21

Saturday afternoon our team, along with the Thompspm family, staff rom RMI departed the guest house. Five trucks were loaded with 1,200 pounds of supplies and a solar panel unit. After a slow, bumpy but very scenic drive up the mountainous gravel road we were welcomed by a lively formation of grade school children. They were lead by one of the teachers shouting out commands in military fashion as the children chanted their well rehearsed Creole welcome. We were escorted through the village gates to where the pastor, deacons, staff and many villagers had assembled for another welcome. Following prayer for our team and a message from Pastor Guillaume we exchanged hugs and kisses with our Haitian hosts for the week. These Haitian brothers and sisters give us the best of everything that have to offer, from their beds to providing a team of women who labor almost nonstop to serve, cook and make us as comfortable as possible for the week.

Friday, January 20

Our team of 12 arrived in Port-au-Prince about 9:30 a.m. Thankfully, all 21 storage containers of supplies, a guitar, amplifier ans some other odd piece arrived intact. After some confusing exchanges with a small army of aggresive baggage porters, who claimed affiliation with RMI, we slowly make our way to the welcome, smiling faces of Rob Thompson, RMI's overseer of Haitia operations. With Robb was Perguens, team leader in training and our translator for the week. It took  five hours to navigate our fully loaded vehicle out of Port-au-Prince and across the southern peninsula to RMI's guest house. We had a wonderful dinner with the Thompson family and some of the Haiti staff. We are anxious to travel the two hours up the mountain to Astruc tomorrow. We feel charged-up and know that the Lord has some amazing things in store for us and our brother and sisters in Astruc this week.

 Thursday, January 19, 1012

The team met at the Arlington campus to finish packing bins and load the church van before heading to the airport and their trip to Miami. After a 12 hour lay over they fly to Port-au-Prince and will be met by staff from RMI who drive the team and supplies to our sister church in Asturic.

Pictured left to right: Shealyn Clark, Ginette Leinbach (affectionately called MaMa by the Haitian children), Deb Anderson and Carolin Marhin. They are the medical team overseeing the deworming program.

Comments:

Angela Roberts said:

May God bless and keep you all as you fulfill your mission.  And, I pray for more people like you!!!

joy said:

Safe travels and warmest wishes to the entire team. Jim Farina, we are all thinking of you and sending you our best thoughts.

Wilmar Gamez said:

May the hard work you are doing impact positively those in need and inspire others to do the same. Thanks for being a channel of light! A hug for Yim and my prayers for the team and Haiti.

Si Mon said:

Jim, are you there… may the will of God work through you and your team to complete the mission.  God Bless!