Hi hi hi!
I’m Hayden Burdsal, and you are kinda stuck with me today.
Before I begin on how amazing everything is, I have some fun facts:
1. I get motion sick very easily. (You will understand how that severely affected me today)
2. This language barrier is one of the hardest things to overcome.
3. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN SUNBURNED… yet.
4. I’m the only college student who doesn’t go to Tech.
So today we made the “journey” out to Preskul, a small fishing village that is about a 30-minute boat ride away. Okay so back to that whole motion sickness thing, I threw up. 20 feet before we made it to shore. It was a grand ole time. But in the midst of feeling like I was going to die, I took a look up to see what we were heading into and all I saw was people gathered on the edge of the cliff waving at us with such joy. The joy was not only evident on by our entrance, but the smiles on their faces.
As we began to walk around the village, I did my best to approach people and begin intentional conversations. But let me tell you it is hard. We can’t directly communicate to these people, whom I so desperately desire to convey a certain topic, i.e. how loved they are. I am better understanding that my actions are more powerful than my words. When I speak, my words become the focus of my mind, instead of the people hearing them. Also God doesn’t use English, Creole, or any other language, to explain the mighty love He has for ALL of His children, he sent His only son to be murdered on the cross, so that we may be extended mercy. As I am writing this, it is finally setting in. I can’t allow the language barrier to get in the way of showing people the undeserved love that we ourselves have been shown.
Oh and if you don’t know me, I have red hair and fair skin. So the whole thing about me not getting sunburned is a VERY BIG accomplishment! But I’m doing construction tomorrow, so you can bet your best dollar I will be lathering up in sunscreen every 5 minutes. Also, yeah I’m not a Tech student, but I am a Lubbock Christian student, so that counts, right?
Alright I think that all. Goodnight from Haiti!
Oh yeah love you mom & dad!! Please keep commenting & tell everyone to do the same!
Much love,
Hayden
**
HEY Y’ALL!!!!!!
It’s me — Alyssa Bernier. Today I got to work in the clinic, so really call me the next Meredith Grey (Push one of epi, am-I-right?). But honestly, working in the clinic was such a fun and rewarding experience. I did multiple things there, but through all of them, knowing that I was going to help these beautiful Haitian people become well was so humbling and rewarding. We saw over 70 patients today, ages ranging from 9 month old babies to 50-60 year old people.
My small group was scheduled to do construction today, so while me and a couple of others served in the clinic, my group was picking up rocks and moving sand with the construction workers here in the Mole. Other groups took the boats to Preskul to do a VBS and to do hut-to-hut evangelism. In the afternoon, we had the VBS for the children and the teen conference here on campus.
Instead of participating in the teen conference, I was able to help one of the workers here with her special needs class. There were 3 kids there today, and it was INCREDIBLE to get to hang out with them. I was in my element and totally, 150%, felt the Lord while I was getting to love on these kids. One of the three, GiGi, was not a fan of me. But I was a fan of her. She hit me and pinched me (honestly she dug her nails in my skin and just ripped them off as hard as she could), but that made my heart overflow with joy.
I think that my favorite part of today was being able to see this little blind boy put his face on the guitar that Bullet was playing just because he couldn’t see what was going on, but he could feel it. These Haitian people have so much joy it radiates off of them and it warms my heart to see how much more I have than they do, but how much more pure joy they have than I do. I am in awe of how God has shown himself so far this week, and I can’t wait to see what He continues to do. He is wrecking my heart and transforming it, and although I am nervous for what is coming, I am so excited to see how He is going to use me with this in the future.
Thank you for all of your prayers and comments. Keep them coming, we really love it!!!!!
XOXO – Alyssa
PS. Mom, Dad, and Bub, I love you guys and miss you lots. Get ready for constant Haiti stories 😉
PPS. @Bear, Papa loves you so much ???
***
It was an incredible day of ministry!! They are working really hard… all day long. I’m so very impressed with their humbleness, faithfulness, flexibility, and willingness to serve. Satan can’t be happy with the seeds that are being scattered, watered, and taking root. Please pray for strength, boldness, health, and continued focus as the come to the middle of this life-changing journey!
