Today we went to Grace Village. We traveled out of the city and out into the country to the mountains. Quickly the scenery changed to green and the view of the ocean was a vibrant blue. We pulled into a gated village and the sound of children was everywhere. Some of the kids live there (70+) and some are from town and only go to school there (roughly 350). They get an education and are fed one meal each day. There is time to play, socialize, receive an education and learn life skills. It is all about learning a life skill to sustain a life after the young adults return to their life in Titanyen. Interesting concept that the United States could learn from. Even though the mission gives to these kids, the students are learning a life skill. Grace Village recently took in 27 children to provide them with a safe, nurturing life.
Healing Haiti recently built a bakery where work skills will be taught. They are looking for partnerships to supply baked bread (e.g. hotels, grocery stores). Also part of the bakery is a pizza parlor to provide a restaurant type atmosphere. (There is restaurant within thirty miles.) Their vision is that this will not only serve as a bakery but a pizzeria to provide a community experience. Dave said it best “ I am in awe of all the order and God’s grace at work."
We then went to visit elders throughout the village. It was a maze of huts of varying materials. Their yards were outlined with cactus bushes that served as a fence and also a clothes line. We visited four elders, played music and sang, rubbed lotion on their arms and legs and massaged oil into their hair. Each was gracious and loving and thankful for our visit. We gave each food, water and a prayer. It was a very emotional time with the elders, little children would surround us and also sing and pray. It was a time to let the elders know they are not forgotten. As the words of Dave’s wisdom, "caring for the elderly displayed compassion, and their warmth felt appreciation and the blessing we felt.”
Our last stop for the day was the Memorial at the Mass Graves. On January 12, 2010 an earthquake rocked Port Au Prince that changed lives forever. Over three hundred thousand people lost their lives that day. Our tour guide Brunet told us his story that dreadful day. He lost family, friends and his fiancé. He said he was sure why he was saved but God must have needed him to serve. Hence his mission work with Healing Haiti. He said when the earthquake hit, he was on a tap tap (transportation like a taxi). He said it stopped because the buildings were crumbling. He got out and stood and said it was complete chaos. The first tremble was 45 seconds, then it hit again. He fell to the ground and looked up and saw the roads in a wave like formation. He said he knew he had to get up and move or would surely die. He said the shaking of the earth lasted for three months off and on. Brunet told us of all the bodies everywhere, people put sheets over them and due to the massive amount, the bodies were laid on the streets and the government picked them up. The bodies were driving out of the city to this area, which is now the site of the Mass Burial. Thinking back I don’t remember much about hearing of this tragedy, but today we learned all communication ceased. It would be weeks before Haiti became reconnected with the rest of the world. Six years later you can still see some of the devastation.
Dave’s wisdom of the Mass Burial, “The grieving for the lost Haitians, the sadness, and the compassion ruminated through the entire team."
I feel very blessed to have been apart of this Mission trip. I pray I am a better person when I go home.
Kristine Kirsch and Dave Hochstetler
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