Haiti day 5 by Brad Ingle

Hey guys, its Brad! What a great four days its been here in Haiti. God has shown through all the people here and its remarkable how nothing here would be possible without the love of our God. Its amazing! When our group first landed in the airport and then brought to where we are staying, I was scared because the whole time of the people. They would run up to you almost shouting just trying to ask you something that haha you cant understand. After these four days tho ive finally realized the reason for all the people yelling. Its because the people here live day to day, they are not shouting because they are trying to steal or attack you, they just want to make some money to have thier next meal. But even tho this hardship is here they still have crazy love for our lord. Its very inspiring, And it has taught me so much. I could write so many stories of how Gods love is shown here! Its crazy!

For now tho its time for bed these kids wear me slap out!

P.S. I love you mama :)

Haiti day 4 by Meredith McLeod

Day four in Haiti has officially come to a close. Which is nice because I don't know about the rest of the team, but i am t-i-r-e-d! Today began with some groans and reluctancy but soon everyone was on there feet and ready to go! After a delicious Haitian breakfast, the teams hit the road (the very pot-hole-filled, who-follows-laws-here, no-seatbelt road to be exact). One in bound to Loving Heart Orphanage, and another to Source De La Grace Church (also an orphanage but no one seems to call it that?) Each group went somewhere they hadn't been before. From what I hear, the Loving Heart team loved those children as much as we did! They can just bring a smile to your face in no time at all! My team, went to Source De La Grace. We started at the school, which was absolutely bonkers. Those kids are rambunctious, let me tell you! Jessica shared the story of Jesus inviting the children to come to him, and then we sang Jesus Loves Me and Father Abraham to them. They were complete rockstars and repeated them to us in Haitian Creol! THAT was cool! We attempted to play group keep-up, but with 70+ kids and a language barrier... Yeah, no. It seemed like a great idea in theory! So instead we had a giant mosh pit of kiddos armed with beach balls. When we were waiting for the school children to leave, we went into the room set aside for us and poured through our translator, PG's, artwork. Not to give any spoilers, but parents, you're in for a treat, that man has some skills! Finally, we went over to the orphanage and loved on the children for awhile. We played with jump ropes, blew bubbles, and colored for hours. But after everything we brought to them, they were happiest to just sit in our arms and have us hold them. They are so content, I absolutely love these kids. Leaving will be the hardest thing I can imagine... Anywho, we met back up at the Guest House and devoured dinner. We then had a wonderful devotional led by Jessica. She talked about loving your neighbor more than yourself, and putting others' needs in front of your own. The boys (and a couple brave girls) played another crazy game of four-square. All in all, a wonderful eventful day. Please keep us in your prayers,
we truly appreciate them! Love you all! -Meredith

Haiti day 3 by Abbie Jurica

I would say today was a successful day.  Luckily this morning our room was surprisingly chilly and we actually woke up cold...to a waking rooster.  My room thought we were late to breakfast and so we were all rushed getting ready.  There are no mirrors in our room, but I guess that is a blessing in disguise not havin to worry about what our hair looks like and all that girly stuff.  When we went down to breakfast there was a spread from eggs and avacado, to peanut butter toast and bananas.  The eggs were very yummy and we were told there is a speacial spice in them...I guess they aren't going to share their secret with us.  After breakfast we all prepared for the day, and thankfully the teams switched vehicles and my group did not have to all miserably cram into the one car that is only made to fit half of the capacity it was carrying. I do think the other team is lucky they got the same adventure we had yesterday.  On the way to the orphanage we stopped at the deli market.  When we pulled into the parking lot two men with baskets full of fried plantanins came up to the window and we bought some for all of our passengers to try.  The men also seemed very glad to be receiving business.  In the deli it appears a lot like our stores, just smaller, and the main difference I noticed was the security and men with sawed off rifles standing in the entry of the store.  Aftter we bought our sandwich supplies for the day we headed to the orphanage.  I am not entirely sure, but I am pretty sure that we got lost on the way there because we stopped and asked for directions twice.  We got there safely though, and immediately as the gate opens, we are greeted by gleaming smiles of happy children.  They were so glad that we returned and came back, and that joy that radiates from their little faces really warms your heart.  Today we had enough room and were able to transport all of the supplies we brought for the children.  When we opened the suitcase we were tackled for beachball, bubbles, coloring books, and nail polish.  It was all a huge hit, and I think they loved every bit of it.  Not only the stuff we brought them though; they were content simply by just sitting in your lap and holding your hand.  All the excitement of the children drew in the neighbor kids and even classmates who were walking the street.  The orphan children were quick to include them in all our fun and everyone loved every bit of it.  It is totally awesome the compassion the children have for others, and even though they have so little, they did not hesitate on sharing their goods with their friends.  Their hearts are huge, and that is a wonderful picture of God's love.  Departure from Loving Heart was hard.  The children all clung to us, not wanting us to leave, and some even tried to get in the van with us.  It was sad when they asked us if we were coming back, but we were able to tell them that our other team would be there for them tomorrow.  When we got back to the guest house everyone was exhuasted and I passed out.  I heard stories about how crazy the guys were playing four square (very competitively), putting lizzards on leashes, and breaking Nalgene bottles because John thought they were indestructible.  He no longer has his.  For dinner we had rice and beans, fish, cabbage, and coleslaw.  After dinner Hannah spoke and talked about faith.  Your faith is led by your actions, and  on this trip  each of us steps out as we proclaim our faith.  Tonight's sleep will be really different from last nights chilly one because the AC broke.  We are living like a Hatian!

Haiti day 2 by Bracey Dyer

Today was Wednesday June 5th, we all woke up around 7:15 then waited around
for about thirty minutes before eating breakfast. For breakfast they made us muffins, pineapple, bannanas, bread, ham, and cheese. After breakfast we all got ready and piled all twelve people in my group in nine person car. Then we head off to the orphan home. When we first got there all the orphans we all at school so we started to clean up the back yard to make it suitable for all of the kids to play safely in their yard. Before all the kids clothes were just laying out on rocks, trash all over the yard and tall weeds everywhere. First we started by moving rocks and placing them in a better way so that they could have a flat and neater way to dry they're clothes, then we started picking up trash and pulling weeds. As soon as i knew it the yard was already looking a whole lot better. By then it was noon and all the kids were getting back from school, right when they saw us they all got really excited and ran up to us with smiles on they're faces. Just seeing that put a smile on my face. We gave them candy, coloring books, crayons, markers, soccer balls and jump ropes, they were all very excited. Our translator Jonah told all of the kids to sing us songs and that was very cute. After playing with the kids for a while i got hungry and decided to eat one of the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that ther girls made for us the night before. Around two we had to leave. All Twelve of us squished into that car once again and drove back. When we got back everyone showered and rested in the air conditioning until it was time to get ready for church. Once five O'Clock came around we all got in the van and went to church. As soon as the vans doors opened at church i could hear the church band playing and the singing was beautiful. I wasnt really sure what they were saying since i do not speak the same language. About five minutes into church i started sweating because it was so hot, about ten minutes after that i looked down and realized my whole shirt was soaked in sweat, thank God just a little bit after that a man brought out some fans and then i was fine. When Josh walked up on stage i was suprised because i was not aware that he was going to be preaching tonight. I thought Josh did an awesome job and also thought it was really cool that he had the oppotunity to do that. Overall i thought the church service was really cool, one thing that was weird though was instead of greeting people like we do at the beginning of church they all turned to their neighbor and shook there hand goodbye and then left. Then we all came back to the house and caden did his devotional and talked out Jesus feeding the four thousand. Then we had a awesome dinner that consisted of chicken, rice, spicy slaw, and fried plantains. After dinner i took another shower because of how much i sweated at church. Then the pastors kid came up to me and asked me to play uno with him while i was in the middle of this blog. Now he is currently playing uno with Josh, John, and Liz.

Day one in Lesotho - Millie

Millie is currently visiting Lesotho a small country located inside the country of South Africa. Her long term goal is to serve full time in Lesotho. She is currently on a 3 week trip. Follow her on this Blog to learn more about how God is using her there and the Lesotho people. Below is an update letter from her....

After years of planning and dreaming ,and now after almost two days of travel - I'm here in Lesotho, Africa. It is nine twenty nine pm here (eight hours ahead of San Antonio). I got in About an hour ago, took a  shower, brushed my teeth and then settled in to write and let everyone know that I made it okay. It was 28 hours of travel to Joberg, South Africa, and then another 4 1/4 hours drive to Lesotho.  The AIM missionary that I will stay with this 3 weeks, and who I will partner with in ministry, picked me up, which was such a blessing.  Her name is Jo Fernandez. We did not leave Joberg right away.  I got into Joberg around. 7 am. There were a few errands to run and a friends to see before we headed out. I met several other missionaries from other organizations. They were delightful.Saw beautiful trees and bushes there in Joberg in the residential areas and around town. Was impressed as we drove into the countryside that it is not that much unlike that flat planes, and rolling hills of south and central TX. Did see an ostrich farm or reserve or something, but otherwise mostly cows or goats. Jo says that most of the animals  of any kind are in farms or reserves in South Africa; very little left in the wild.

Saw Maseru, Lesotho in the dark. It is larger than I realized, spread out over a bowl inside a ring of hills.It was this bowl of lights in the dark. Can't wait to see it in daylight .It was cool and plesant down in Joberg during the day, but got cold this evening here in Maseru. Has already been snowing in the mountains.This is their winter. 

Well starting to really feel that jet lag. 

God bless each and every one of you, Millie

Let the Adventure Begin! - by Liz

It was an early morning that started at 2:00am. Yes you read that correctly! We have a 545am flight and therefore had to be at the airport at 3:45:). I felt mixed emotions as we crossed over the ocean and Haiti was in sight for the first time. As we began to land the beautiful country was right outside our window. I had this weird urgency to just want to jump out and walk and touch the ground that is so dear to these people. Heartache was my immediate feeling, followed by beauty and hope. While I looked around and saw so much devastation, I also saw hope. And people who were picking themselves up out of the rubble, literally, and pressing on. The faith and determination these people have is humbling. To experience so much devastation, yet still choose to stay. Some because this is their only choice, and some because this will always be home. We walked into a busy airport in Port au Prince. The one thing I had asked our prayer people specifically for was an easy time during baggage claim. Because of the economy everyone is trying to make a buck, so men with fake badges will swarm you and try to "help" and take your luggage, for a small price of course. Angela our team leader was fierce, constantly say "no merci" until they finally gave up and went away. It took us awhile to collect all 24+ pieces of our luggage, but thankfully it was all there and nobody's was missing. As we began to drive, it began to feel a lot like Uganda. All of us girls piled into a van and off we went. The boys rode in the tap taps along with all our luggage. Sue, no red dirt! But instead I was shocked to see pavement and sidewalks, something unfamiliar in Uganda. But the crazy driving is just the same! Sweet faces crowded the streets as women, children, and men all went about their business. We got to the place where all the people who lost homes in the earthquake built their temporary homes. I think they're called tent cities. But they are basically one roomed small metal buildings all crammed into this little area. It's heartbreaking as devastating all at the same time. This is literally all these people have left. After seeing what the majority of the people live in here, it was hard to pull up to our lovely guesthouse. It is very nice. I'm grateful for running water and a bed to sleep in. Can I say it is hot, like I haven't stopped sweating since I got here. But I'm honored and grateful to sweat along with the beautiful Haitians who live here. If they can do it, so can I! Though I think they have an unfair advantage, they are probably immune to the climate. Our team is all well, and we are excited to be out and about tomorrow. Can't wait to see our students give their hearts away to a country who has lost so much. Tonight we rest, for tomorrow we hit the ground running! Much love to you all and thank you for all the prayers 

Thank you for following our blog during our trip. We got home Monday night, greeted by our family and friends, after a long day of almost missing our connections, and lots of running through airports, and lots of sweating before we left PAP (really, lots!).

The entire team (in unity, exactly as we prayed) feels that the Lord has put Loving Heart orphanage on our hearts to partner with in the long-term, and possibly to build a relationship with Well-being, too, but not necessarily providing finances.

G-d was so faithful to keep us safe and to bring joy and unity to our team, to provide us with a comfortable, cool place to stay, and to partner us with drivers and translators who are awesome men of G-d.

We had so many great experiences, and His hand was evident everywhere we went, all the time. What an amazing blessing!