We made it home...

[ April Mission Team ]

Well I'm back from Haiti and had a great nights sleep in my own bed. The HOT shower was fabulous too! I miss waking up and having breakfast with the team, but I don't miss the rooster calls all night long! Monday we had a great day at the resort. We drove 2 hours to the resort we went to last year and found out the pool was broken, so we decided to go to one a little further down the road. It was a great decision...the food was much better and I got to go snorkeling for the first time. It didn't have all the bright colors you see on TV in places like the Bahamas, but cool none the less!

I was kind of weary from the week, so I pulled up a lounge chair pool side and finished a great book called "Starving Jesus." I highly recommend it. Also tried to get a few scenic pics. I'm working on getting my pics posted so every one can get a glimpse of the great experience I had. I do get to enjoy a few days more of vacation then its back to work...but I'm feeling reenergized so bring it on!

Sheri N.

(Guest NVM Blogger)

Sunday, Sunday...

Sundays have to be one of my favorite days on my mission trips. I might not be able to understand the words, but you can definitely feel the passion. I always sit and look at those kids and wonder who might be the next Pastor Pierre or the next world changer. I just see all those faces, and think what great potential!

After the service I got to meet the parents of the little girl that my parents sponsor. How great is that. Then Kesnal, the little boy I sponsor, saw me sitting on one of the benches and plopped down next to me. I had another kid sitting on my lap, but as soon as he got up, Kesnal jumped up into my lap and didn't get up until it was time to go. I'll miss hanging out with those kids every day. But I will be back soon enough.

We then took a quick driving tour of Haiti for all those who hadn't seen downtown yet. It started raining and it was quite refreshing to say the least! Well tomorrow we head to the resort for a little down time. I always enjoy it, but wish we had time to do more clinics too. It never seems like enough...

Sheri N.

(Guest NVM Blogger)

All things Haitian...

Well the trip is winding down...just church tomorrow and the resort on Monday...and then back to the States we come. Hard to believe its time to head back already.

The last 24 hours has included a few Haitian first for me. Last night when we got home a few of the guys were killing goats for dinner...so of course us city Americans had to go watch. I missed when they slit the throat, but got to see the rest of it. The nurses were giving anatomy lessons on the internal organs! I think the high school kids liked it the most! And I bet in the next day or two we will eat the aforementioned goat for dinner!

Then today at the school I got to see my first tarantula...the kids came running in and said there was a HUGE spider outside. I was expecting this little spider but I have to admit they were right! It had to have been the size of my palm! I'll have pics later to prove it!

The garden got finished today and looked amazing. Now the kids just have to worry about keeping it watered. They also started setting up the ground for the foundation for the new preschool. It is amazing to see the progress that has developed since I was here in October. God is really allowing his work to be accomplished...and I'm excited he's let me have a little part in it!

Sheri N.
(Guest NVM Blogger)

Another day, but not just any clinic...

Well the community clinic was in full swing today. And the second patient that we saw was an 80 year old woman who was using a stick as a cane. We were able to get her fitted with a 4 prong cane to make her journey a little easier...it was awesome. She was so grateful and just kept saying "Merci, merci!" (thank you, thank you!) Got a few hugs out of that one. :) Had to be one of the highlights of my day.

Yesterday, one of the teens from the Crossing wasn't feeling well so we kept him home...he was back today, but then started feeling bad again so I got to start an IV on him! Gotta love those ER nurses! Thankfully he is on the mend now!

Today was also the first day I got to meet the two children I sponsor through Nehemiah Vision Ministries. It was fun to see the excitement in their eyes when I gave them their boxes! Kesnal is all boy, while Syliana is shy, but such a cute girl!

The guys were finishing up fencing the garden in today so the goats won't eat the kids newly planted treasures...we'll see how that goes! Can't wait to share all my new pics...

Sheri N.
(Guest NVM Blogger)

Chambrun and lots of little kids...

[ Sheri N. - October 2008 ]

Well it was back to the school for another clinic today. We finished up the kids from NCA and then started seeing the community. They mostly told people not to show up yet so the clinic wasn't crazy...YET! Tomorrow will be a whole new day!

[ Widley and Peterson - 2009]

It did give me a chance to hang out with the kids a little more. I don't think I went more than 5 minutes without one of the kids grabbing my hands or pulling on my arms...but I love it! Two of the boys (Widley and Davidson) from the Children's Home were my buddies today. I think my arms are warn out from pushing them on the tire swing!

I also got to watch the school kids planting seeds for the garden. The soccer field got done and was already put to good use. I would have to say the highlight for the kids today had to be PLAYDOH! They made things with it and a few even starting wearing it on their heads...kids!!

[ Chambrun, Haiti - 2009 ]

Then we took our tour of Chambrun which is the small town that quite a few of the school kids are from. It gives a small glimpse into how they live. It's one of those things you have to see to even imagine.

We actually finished a little early today so now we are all trying to get cleaned up and catch a little rest. Until later...

Sheri N.
(Guest NVM Blogger)

Ready for a new adventure...

Well the trip down was pretty uneventful! Pastor Pierre has the 2nd story almost finished and so the females without kids had the "privilege" of sleeping basically outdoors. Wasn't too bad either. I think people taking showers at 11pm and falling shower curtains were the worst part of the evening. And when I get home, I can't ever seem to remember why I don't take cold showers every morning! LOL! Actually its kinda refreshing as long as you are expecting it!

So we started seeing the school kids at the clinic today. It was so much fun seeing all the kids again and getting our pharmacy setup. Tomorrow we will finish seeing the school kids and start the community clinic if we have time.

The Construction guys started getting the soccer fields setup and I can't wait to get out there...I'll show those kids a thing or too! (Or at least give em a good laugh!) Later...

Sheri N.
(Guest NVM Blogger)

Second Mission Team Traveling to Haiti

From March 31 to April 7 there will be a Medical/Construction team in Chambrun, Haiti. The medical team will be providing another round of health check-ups for the students and staff of the Nehemiah Christian Academy; afterwords they will open up the clinic to the public.

The construction team has several projects to work on but the main focus will be to complete the new soccer field. We have also planned to start a very large garden of watermelons and fruit trees. The education team will help to train the students on how to take care of the garden.

Come back soon to see photos and other updates on this trip.