Mission of Tears / Emmanuel Team: Dave, Vivienne, Briar, Barbara, Ashley and Donna
January 15, 2019
Left church in Bloomfield at 3 pm after prayer to travel to Montreal.
January 16, 2019
Early morning shuttle bus to the Montreal airport. Air Transat FLIGHT# TS664 16-JAN-2019 leaving at 9:00 arrival: 13:30 successful arrival in Port au Prince and meeting our FEJ Hosts. Travel 1 hour packed in LandCruiser to FEJ LaMardelle school. All 9 luggage bags retrieved!
January 17, 2019
Today we connected with the school children that many members of Emmanuel sponsor. The sponsorship includes both education and medical care for the children. Ashley/Vivienne interviewed the sponsored children as well as 5 others in need of sponsors. Dave and Spencer shared a story bible story, Donna/Barb/Briar did crafts and songs with the children at FEJ school. Each class from pre-school to grade 6 came through our mini-VBS in 30minute timeslots. It was unbelievably beautiful but busy. In all we shared the gospel message "Jesus, God's Christmas Gift to you", crafts and song with 362 children at the school.
January 18, 2019
Tavelled from La Mardelle back through Port au Prince to the orphanage in the mountains. On the way we stopped at a store and purchased supplies for the orphanage – baby formula, etc.- wonderful to be able to purchase locally. Long exhausing travel day up 7000 ft into the mountains. Cold up here!
January 19, 2019
Today was a day of discovery at the orphanage, about a 10 minute walk from our accommodations to the orphanage. First we connected with the orphanage staff, about 32 people, most of which travel a long way to work at the orphanage each day and were in need of encouragement. (1 Pediatrician, 1 Coordinator, 4 nurses, 11 nannies, 1 teacher, 2 cooks, 2 security, 2 babysitters, 4 laundry staff, 1 Gardner and 2 housewives). We did connection activities, bible story, friendship bracelets, sharing time, testimonies. It really built a lot of trust, the staff was overwhelmed we spent time with them instead of only the children.
January 20, 2019
On the move again today attending church about 30min away from the orphanage, it was a great service, Ashley and Donna gave their testimonies, Spencer preached. Then we went to explore a church plant that Mission of Tears would like to do in the mountain village of Gorde with Spencer as the lead pastor. About 100 people came and we had a short service with them. Dave shared the gospel message, a worship team came from Spencer home church and we sang some songs. We gave out bubbles to the kids and has purchase enough cookies for everyone.
January 21, 2019
Working in the orphanage today, getting to know the children, assisting with therapies and praying with the children. There are 42 children, 15 girls and 27 boys. Ten of the children have HIV, 1 has hydrocephalus and 6 have mobility impairments. Overwhelming to hold the children who fight over the attention they are so desperate for love.
January 22, 2019
Today we are again working at the orphanage with growing familiarity shown by the smiles in the staff and children's faces as walk around. We distributed the many clothes and shoes that we have brought with us and trust that these gifts will serve God’s purpose in encouraging others. They are all so thankful for what we have brought. Hard to say goodbye. Today was a special day as Gina's(FEJ Executive Director) first return to Haiti and the orphanage since her husband Lucien's death in August. She calls them all her children, her love for this orphanage is easy to see.
January 23, 2019
Travelling from the orphanage to Port au Prince airport, snow storm in Montreal caused the plane be two hours delayed arriving, late night. Dave and Donna drove straight home arriving safely back at 3am. The others stayed in hotel overnight and then on to Bloomfield safely the next day.