This blog shares the experiences of our MH4H volunteers who have earned hours towards a mission trip to Haiti.
Written by Nykey Richter
As a first timer to Haiti, I personally knew very little about the country. I definitely did not know about the program called Thrive for 5. I was able to visit the MH4H campus while there were Haitian families there. The Thrive program was led by Woody and Heidi. They read gospel messages (as well as acted it out) to the families and even sang with them.
Thrive for 5 begins for the day
The part that really stood out to me the most was that the program even fed these families rice and water at lunch time, something not everyone in Pignon gets to experience – clean water and a nice lunch. I will never forget the faces of the children when I placed the bowl of rice by them, or the way they got excited when filling up a cup of water. Seeing it happen definitely warms your heart, knowing that these families, especially the children, are getting at least one meal a day.
One of the beautiful boys of Thrive for 5
Mother and Daughter Kids play with newly donated toys
On our way to Pignon from Port-Au-Prince I really was interested by everything outside of the windows. Eventually these interesting things were no longer behind the windows; they were right next to me. We were able to take a stroll through Pignon and see the beauty and brokenness of the city.
Shops on the side of the road are common The busy streets of Port-Au-Prince
We stopped into a rum-making factory. These men who worked in the factory did everything by hand. They made a job that is definitely super hard, look very simple, because they have done it everyday for a long time.
Making rum by hand is hard work The factory equipment has seen better days
After the quick stop into the rum factory we went closer to the river. In Pignon the river is a very social place; it is where people can bathe, people can clean their clothes, cows can drink, and pigs can roll around. Being able to see something like this in front of you, instead of on a screen or in writing, is incredible.
People use the river to wash their clothes and themselves
Pigs enjoying glorious mud!
When we were walking back to the road from the river, a man even offered us his baby. The baby had nothing on but a t-shirt. “Take, take!” is what the man kept repeating as he was holding his baby out for us. How truly sad that moment was, but I do not know the background to that story- the man might have thought it would be better for us to have his baby because he cannot provide for him, but who really knows. A walk through Pignon is nothing like I would have ever imagined, and I was glad I was able to experience it.
When coming to Haiti, I thought the only people I would be able to communicate with was my mission team. That is definitely not the case . I have met so many amazing Haitian people – some can speak English and some cannot. But that doesn’t stop them from being social with you.
Watching local Haitians make jewelry Explaining the process
The Haitian people are so respectful and gracious about everything. They all have each other’s back and that truly amazes me. Even though their culture is so broken, they all manage to be generous and kind. They have nothing and they still see the good in the world.
Sharon taking measurements of the MH4H sponsored 180 kids Andrea and Woody check off their list (Left to Right) Nykey, Andrea, Pastor Francois and his wife, Karmen and Sharon
One really great thing about the Haitians is that they seek God. They seek God just like I do. They know God just like I do. They love God just like I do. I am not saying that all Haitians are Christian, but a lot of the ones I have met are, and that is so touching. I am so excited to meet more Haitians, and get to know the ones that I have already met better. This trip has impacted me so much already; I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week will hold for us.
