“I don’t want to go home!” Many feel this way after a rewarding week on a short-term mission trip. This was, however, the sentiment of several team members the first night at our team devotion time. Haiti has a way of capturing your heart and emotions from your very first experience. Working with 68 orphans for the week certainly strengthened these feelings. God entrusted Urbancrest missionary Matt Pritchard and the staff at Hands and Feet Project with nurturing, teaching, and training these precious children.
Our team members included:
- Jeff, Deanne & Sarah Clem
- Sharon Kenner
- Tyler McQuinn
- Julie & Emily Reutener
- Karen Stonecypher
- Chris & Michaela Woods
Thank you to everyone who donated Crocs and other supplies for the orphanage. We were able to take items that are not available in-country or would be cost prohibitive. We also brought Vacation Bible School supplies. The first day of VBS was for the children at Hands and Feet and the second day was for the boys and girls in the surrounding village. Many groups have done VBS for the children in the orphanage, but this was the first time a team had done one for the children outside the walls. We were able to send these children home with Kids Against Hunger food and a gospel tract to share with their families. One hundred children participated in VBS, and Tyler shared the gospel each day using the EvangeCube.
The nannies of Hands and Feet were very excited when we told them that we would love to treat them to a “Spa Day,” complete with manicures, pedicures and facials. We had baked cookies and made lemonade to serve them while we explained to them what a blessing they are to the children. We let them know how they are honoring Christ each time they serve these little ones. After our time of pampering, Chris led the ladies in a Bible study and prayer from Ephesians chapter one. The nannies left our time together knowing that we love them as our sisters in Christ and that Jesus loves them and sees them right where they are.
Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti, especially the orphans and those who care for them.
~ Jeff & Deanne Clem, Team Leaders
