Grace Covenant Mission Trip Journal

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Friday Update

What is so fascinating about chicken wire going on a church? We don't think Haitians have seen women doing it. We had quite an audience.

Working on entrance to church/orphanage.

Measure twice, cut once.

Some time for play...soccer is an anytime sport...even in a garbage area.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Team Is Together

From Pastor Michelle: Yeah...we are all together as one team, working on the church and orphanage in Jeremie!

Update from Pastor Michelle

The ladies joined the men in Jeremie this morning. We arrived safely but our bags will not arrive until tomorrow. That was an interesting twist.

Thursday afternoon, after a flat tire in the rain, our ladies team partnered with Pastor Brian McDonald, with Cross to the Light Ministry, in a tent city of well over 5000.

With his team of 14 young Haitian leaders enrolled in the school of ministry providing security, we distributed about 90 dresses; but the beautiful thing is, each girl's destiny was called forth in personal prayer. Then, with the crowd gathered, Pastor Brian shared the Gospel. What a glorious afternoon.

Psalm 41:1 says "Happy are those who think about the poor.". We are all so happy right now.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Update from Pastor Michelle

We just finished our Morning at King's Hospital (Methodist Hospital). Dr Morquette, who is a surgeon here and has a ministry headquartered in Gastonia, gave us a history of Haiti that was mesmorizing. (Photo of team)

When sharing prayer requests for the nation, Dr. Morquette admonished US churches and organizations to show Haitians how to have a thriving country again by helping them develop plans they can impliment. And, while supporting in this way, encourage people to put their faith in God not people.

My heart was smiling as we listened, because having watched Foursquare here over the last year, I see that is what our church at large is trying to do with all the sustainable projects being established at the churches. Still we need to pray for even more people to bring training for creative enterprises.

The hospital has an orphanage with 22 children, but they also feed 110 children each day. The dresses once again were a true blessing and we left many with Dr. Morquette and his wife to continue to distribute.

Posting from Men's Team

All the men chose to set up tents and sleep outside due to the heat. Little did we know we would be awaken with a storm in the middle of the night but we all survived the mangos falling overhead and rain.

Our first day was great we visited the orphanage and the kids blessed us with songs of welcome. Additionally, as we started our work we had several observers that have a high anticipation of the completion of building. Throughout the day Haitians gazed into windows in the heat to watch the Americans work. Can't wait to move the orphans into their new home. It will be 5-star facility. Praise God!

Day two - Before We Started Working

Posting from Ladies' Team

As we gathered Wednesday night to give thanks to the Lord for His guidance and grace, we asked ourselves this questions... What amazed us today?

Whether it was our simple skit about Jesus raising the little girl to life (Matt. 15) or the Bible Study at the new church, the Haitians "believed" what we said about the Lord. We watched the power of the Gospel captivate. Thank You Holy Spirit.

There is an indescribable power in something as simple as a dress, made in love and given in love.

The schools in the refuge camps and in the churches lacked electricity and supplies, but the children were so glad to be in school. An education is precious here.

The newly erected church in Tabarre is a symbol of hope, and a blessing to the community.

FYI - Not one woman screamed when the mouse ran through the dining hall

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Men Arrive in Jeremie

The men arrived safley in Jeremie.

Pillowcase Dresses

The ladies have been to 3 schools distributing dresses. Two of the schools are in refugee camps. The dresses release joy among the girls. They will be going to an orphanage and another refugee camp this afternoon.

Haiti Base Camp

The team had a great night of sleep after a time of freshly surrendering our hearts and hands to Jesus. Here' a little photo tour of the base camp in Port au Prince. The fellows head out for Jeremie in just a few minutes. It's going to be a good day "getting our serve on." 1Peter 4:10

Team's Lovely Accomodations at the Port-au-Prince Base Camp

Bedroom... Hait Base Camp Style

Base Camp Kitchen and Dining Room

Guys Getting Ready to Leave for Jeremie

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

June Haiti Missions Team On Thier Way

The team in Miami waiting on their flight to Port-au-Prince. They're excited to see what the Lord has in store for them today. Several people have asked them,"What is Servolution?" They have had lots of fun answering the question.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Heading Home

Wheels up in 5 mins. Leaving the beautiful people of Haiti to return to the wonderful people of USA. We return full of vision for the future partnerships in which God has opened the doors.

This little girl received one of the precious dolls made by ladies at GCC.

Pastor Ballande receiving the much needed new
underwear at the Children of Promise orphanage.
Thank you GCC Youth...you made this gift possible.

Distributing supplies to orphans, given by NEXTGEN students at GCC.
They all say "merci."

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Recap of Our 3rd Day

We were with the 55 children at the Foursquare orphanage
in the coastal town of Jeremie today. The children sleep on sheets
on concrete floors, have very little food and their clothing is
worn thin like paper. Yet, when they sing, joy fills the air.

Stickers bring smiles no matter where children live.

Pastor Farrell and Pastor Cassamejor. The wall behind them
is woven branches and those make-up the walls of the church.

This is church that will get rebuilt on new land.
150 are already attending.

Site for new church and orphanage in Jeremie.

Taking a break and enjoying a little sightseeing

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Beginning 3rd Day in Haiti

Preparing to leave for Jeremie...should be an adventure.
We're on Haitian time today.
As of 9:30am, our 8 am flight hasn't left yet.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Pictures from Today

The Foursquare church in Les Cayes
-about four and a half hours from Port au Prince

Schoolcholdren meeting in the Les Cayes church.
A Grace Covenant team made these desk sets last year.

Pastor Michelle and another Michelle in
her school uniform - a precious little one.

Pastor Farrell, farming wherever he goes

First Day in Haiti

What a difference 5 months makes. Arriving here was much more orderly than In July. As we drove to the base camp, the first thing a returning visitor notices is how clean the streets are. Mounds of garbage are gone. Some of the international government agencies are putting Haitian to work cleaning. The results are impressive, for the streets look more orderly which breeds a sense of confidence.

Dinner at the base house: food - Haitian bean dishes. A team of 15 from the Beaverton OR Foursquare church are here to put a water well in at the church. This fresh water will be made available to the community. What a blessing!! Makes for a full base camp, think all but 2 bunks are full. Shower is cold, but toilets are working.

Leave in the morning for Les Cayes. There are 2 new churches to visit there. 4-5 hour drive so we depart at 5:30 am to assure we get back by dark.
Word is that where we are going tomorrow is like going back 100 years in time.

Should be interesting.

Stay tuned.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Haiti Winter 2011 Vision Trip - Flight Information

Outbound Flight - January 17

American Airlines Flight 3634

Depart CHARLOTTE at 9:40 AM. Arrive in MIAMI at 11:55 AM.

American Airlines Flight 803

Depart MIAMI at 2:15 PM. Arrive in PORT AU PRINCE at 4:15 PM.

Return Flight - January 21

American Airlines Flight 816

Depart PORT AU PRINCE at 10:50 AM. Arrive in MIAMI at 1:00 PM.

American Airlines Flight 3673

Depart MIAMI at 4:45 PM. Arrive in CHARLOTTE at 6:50 PM.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

2nd Day in Linefork, KY

The team has completed another day of work at the Sonshine Center. It was really another blessed day. They accomplished a lot that Ms. Mary had on her list for them to do. They finished mowing all the grass, cut trees, mulched all the flower beds, winterized the pool, washed her vehicles, serviced the lawn mowers and finished lots of other small projects she wanted them to do. They had a huge taco dinner on Friday night. But their most important job this weekend was loving and fellowship with Ms. Mary and the children. It is awesome just to be able to be part of their lives. The team members have been very blessed to be part of this trip and blessed to know how it has touched the lives of the teams that come here to serve.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Team Arrives in Linefork

The team arrived in Linefork around noon yesterday. They hit the ground running. They started on lawn maintenance, weed-eating, cutting trees and brush, and mulching. The team also cleaned the church from top to bottom. It was a great experience for all involved. They had a great time working together. The team is sure they will have another blessed day today.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Haiti team Update - Friday

The tour of duty for Gideon's Army is coming to an end. We are sitting in the air conditioned comfort of the American Airlines departure lounge in Port au Prince.

With a short day before us, we divided the team this morning - 4 to an orphanage to attempt to restore power and possibly repair a well pump and 2 to procure and prepare material for a water collection project for Pastor Rosenelle's home. We were successful in all but the well pump repair. As you might be able to tell, two simple commodities that we easily take for granted, water and electricity, are not so simple to come by here. In fact, base camp had been on a 21 day "street power" fast until last night. Generator and battery only.

We are clean but tired, joking but pensive, ready to see our families, yet missing our new families. We have become bonded in a friendship that will last a lifetime by way of an experience that has been priceless. We are the ones most blessed by this experience.

See ya at home.

Team Haiti

Haiti Team Update-Thursday

Thursday was action packed in a different way. We were a "mobile" unit yesterday. We took a road trip to two orphanages and a pastor's home. The first stop was an orphanage where the first Haiti mission team painted and constructed bunk beds last June/July. There are now 9 beautiful boys and girls there. They all just wanted to play with us, hold our hands (and glasses and cameras!) and be hugged. They needed a loving touch. It was easy to provide it. Next we went to the pastor's home on which the last Haiti team built a roof. We are putting together and plan to improve his water collection system. Afterwards, we sampled some local cuisine (Yes!) as we drove a short (about 7 miles) trip that took over 2 hours. And you think Charlotte traffic is bad. :). We ended up at another orphanage with about 120 kids. We arrived at their dinner time. We saw God's presence as the each folded their hands to pray before they ate. It is impossible to describe the conditions they live in. Poverty beyond imagination. But, they too just wanted a loving touch. We did a little repair work with many helpers. We played soccer, pushed them in swings, practiced our Creole and simply loved on them. We already miss seeing them again.

We even crammed in some sightseeing and shopping. Go figure. We are all doing well. Tired but content. Not ready to leave, but ready to come home.

Have a blessed day!
Team Haiti

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Haiti Team Update-Wednesday

Greetings from Haiti. We had an incredible day today. Along with our Haitian partners, we completed 13 church pew/school desks and 5 chalk boards. I promise we actually worked, but it was hard because our friends wanted to do it themselves! They are embracing the process. The photo is the "fruit of our labor".

The team is awesome. We are all well. Tired, but well. Thank all of you for the letters of support and encouragement. "Mail call" is one of our favorite parts of the day.

God has big plans for us tomorrow!

Have a blessed day.
Team Haiti

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Update from Tuesday

We hit the rack early last night with varying degrees of success, yet everyone woke ready to get after it. We had an awesome day today! WE are not here to produce things, to build things. We are here to create a process so that the Haitians can produce/build things. We worked side by side with Stevens, Robinson, Pierre and 3 others. We showed them how to build a church pew/school desk. They are learning the process. It was an incredible experience. We are back at it again tomorrow with our new Haitian brothers. I'll send pictures of the process and the product!

Your prayers are being answered.
Hot, tired, happy.
May God bless you.
Greg Wylie

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Haiti Team Has Arrived Safely

The Haiti team arrived safely in Port-au-Prince earlier today. God blessed them with seamless logistics.

An update from team leader, Greg Wylie:

We have had a blessed day today. We had flawless travel from Charlotte to Port au Prince. All of our supplies and luggage arrived with us as well. We made it to base camp to be greeted by a delicious lunch. Afterwards we did a walking tour of the "neighborhood". Scenes that are hard to process, yet as we walked we made dozens of new friends as young boys began to follows along. We "talked" with them, holding their hands or our arms around them. We were the blessed ones.

Pray for our assignment, our families, each team member and this country.

Haiti October Missions Trip Flight Information

Outbound Flight - October 4
American Airlines Flight 3632
Depart CHARLOTTE at 5:50am. Arrive in MIAMI at 7:50am.
American Airlines Flight 1291
Depart MIAMI at 9:45am. Arrive in PORT AU PRINCE at 10:50am.

Return Flight - October 8
American Airlines Flight 1908
Depart PORT AU PRINCE at 4:25pam. Arrive in MIAMI at 7:30pm.
American Airlines Flight 3639
Depart MIAMI at 9:45pm. Arrive in CHARLOTTE at 11:50pm.

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