We Love Haiti

So today was our first “official” day of work and it was such a great experience. Our team was on village ministry, which basically means that we travel to the village that we’ll be in for the whole week and spend time with the people there; talking to them, praying for them, and building relationships. Our team’s focus village is Titanyen, which in Creole means “little nothing”. For the morning, we walked around with our translators and visited some people in their homes. One lady invited us into her home and we prayed over her, and another put us to work carrying water buckets from the well. It’s so special how kids in the village will run up to you and grab your hand and start babbling to you in Creole. I love the kids here. We also visited a tiny school that a woman runs out of her own home. The kids were so excited to see us and sing songs for us. When we were leaving, one of the littlest kids kept saying, “Come every day, come every day!” That was a sweet moment.

In the afternoon, we visited Madame Jackson’s, an orphanage in Titanyen. We had such an amazing time singing songs and playing games with the kids. Our translators got them so pumped up and they were jumping around everywhere with huge smiles on their faces. One of my favourite moments of the day was when we sang “Mighty to Save” in English while the Haitians sang it in Creole. I love how music can bring people together, even when they don’t understand a word of what the other is saying. Afterwards, we took along some village boys and those with athletic talent played soccer with them while people like me watched. 

One of the biggest challenges on the trip is the language barrier. It’s a blessing to be praying for people and spending time with the kids, but it’s difficult when you want to have a conversation or ask more questions. 

Anyways, Haiti is wonderful. I’m in love with it already and I don’t want to leave. The weather is perfect (hope you’re all enjoying Canadian winter) and the food is great. 

Hi to my family, I miss you guys! See you on the 16^th.

-Lydia Vermeer

P.S. Shoutout to my girl Rebecca Powell on her birthday today! :) Miss you.