Water-trucks in Cite Soleil (Day 3)

Today we spent the day delivering clean drinking water to the people of Cite Soleil. Cite Soleil is the number-one most poverty stricken place in the entire western hemisphere, which was evident in the conditions we encountered today. It was a powerful and perspective altering experience delivering clean water to the hordes of women and children lined up with their pails. With our (very) limited knowledge of Creole (the native language in Haiti) we were taught the phrase, "Jay-zee Romay-oo" which means, "Jesus loves you" and were able to tell the people to whom we delivered water. It was humbling to be representing Christ in this way. Here is a sentiment, on the experience, from one of our team members:

Think for a moment about water; we drink it, shower and bathe in it, use it to water our lawns, wash our dishes and brush our teeth.  Yet after today’s experience of bringing fresh drinking water to the most desolate parts of Haiti, I’m not sure any of us will be able to look at water the same way.

If you have traveled to or read about any third world country, you have an idea of what the average lifestyle there entails.  Millions of people crammed into the country’s cities, ever growing populations, widespread poverty, sub-par housing and roads that have more than their fair share of potholes. After delivering fresh drinking water to a few of the local neighborhoods, I think our team would agree that Haiti easily meets the criteria of a third world country.

There really isn’t any type of Haitian housing we saw that appears to be “typical;” people live in homes made from corrugated steel, tarps, sheets of plastic, tents, remnants of cinder block and more often than not, a combination of them all.  So as we drove into each neighborhood for our “water drops,” Haitian’s (mostly children and women) appeared out of nowhere, carrying five gallon buckets, plastic basins and steel pots.  It may have been then that I started to understand the precious and true life giving nature of water.

As soon as the truck’s hose was opened, our activity level picked up dramatically. Lines were formed (OK – it wasn’t really that organized), and suddenly, it seemed that to some degree we were doing more filling containers; we were blessed in helping each of them improve the quality of their lives, if just even only for the moment.  The best part of the experience was noticing that despite the living conditions described above, not one person appeared to be overly distraught over the condition of their lives.

To all who are praying and supporting us, we thank you!

-Jeff

After a day full of day of delivering water to the people of Cite Soleil, we ventured back to the guesthouse to pick up some of the neighborhood boys, and took them to a large compound of soccer fields to play soccer. The boys, with Maxim and Carter (two of the Haitian Healing Haiti workers - our guides) decided that it would be them verses us. To say that the beat us bad would be an understatement. These boys have limitless stamina and great skill in soccer! It was such a delight to run around with them and "let" (yeah right) them win. After soccer, we introduced them to ultimate frisbee - which none of them had ever played. They caught on very fast and we all had a lot of fun in the process. When the sun began to descend beyond the horizon, we made our way back to the tap-tap. As we drove back, the boys, who had as much joy and energy as ever, began to sing. They sang a couple worship songs in English and some in Creole. They sang loud and with a beautiful passion. While they were singing, it was as if everything else stopped. We were frozen in that place with those little boys singing about their Lord, and at that moment, there was nothing else happening on earth. It was a very special moment for all of us.

Another PHENOMENAL day in Haiti. We look foward for what the Lord has in store for tomorrow. Good night.