Haiti Marathon Story 2011

Monday, January 11, 2010

Mission Accomplished!

Well, I am not sure where to begin in explaining this recent trip to Haiti. I can honestly say it was the most exhausting, fulfilling, patience testing, faith building and perfect trip ever. Starting with our first flight from Chicago being cancelled, the floodgates to the unexpected were opened wide as we began a challenging pursuit of servant hood. With 2 team members landing in Puerto Plata, and 4 team members being re-routed to Santiago, not to mentioned 7 out of 8 suitcases lost, we were suddenly forced to make the ultimate decision to get a good night sleep, pay $57 for 4 toothbrushes, a razor and a comb, and make the 3 hour trek to Haiti with very little food, clothing to share, and 2 sleeping bags between 6 women.
Having lost one full day to travel mishaps, and making the border crossing with minutes to spare, we spent the evening loving on the children of the orphanage and preparing to accomplish all three projects in the following 24 hours. Our disposable camera project involved distributing 100 cameras to the students of the school and challenging them to photograph where they see hope, beauty, and need for change in their country. Thankfully our cameras traveled as carry on but our only work day fell upon a school holiday, Argh!!! With the amazing instruction of Jackie, Meghan and Gloria the orphans, and school staff quickly accepted the task and headed out in full force shooting photos throughout the mud filled streets of Ouanaminthe.
The art project was completed as well! Although we were not able to use art work from hundreds of students in the school due to the holiday, the children at the orphanage were more than thrilled to participate. Their drawings will be made into tote bags, t-shirts, stationery, and much more as a way to raise money for their new school. Meredith had also came up with an excellent idea to have the children decorate their own t-shirts which topped the scale on fun! Thanks Kristi and Meredith for making this happen!
Our final project was the music CD. With Gloria's expertise in this area, we were able to obtain singing from the adult and children choirs as well as from the orphanage. The MP3's or CD's will be available for purchase as a fundraiser using their God given talents.
Mission Accomplished!
Of course our luggage arrived the evening before departure allowing us to deliver the generous donations given by friends, family and supporters around the country. We were also able to fix the pastors car and purchase a months supply of food for the orphanage.
In spite of being uncomfortable and a bit smelly, our team was able to share our resources, our faith, and our hope for the goals accomplished.
Thank you everyone!
Everyone is back home and safe in spite of more airline cancellations leaving most of our team in Miami for a couple of days, of course right?
Welcome to the mission field my friends!

1 comment:

Beth's Portraits - Photo & Sketch said...

Martha thinking of you are you okay???