Hey y’all it’s Tyann! We had a very long but GREAT day today We all got up at 5am and took boats to Kapafu. After a 45-minute boat ride, we painted nails, prayed, talked to people, did a VBS, and also had coloring competition with them. We took three boats to Kapafu and on the way back, I ended up on the fast boat and we quickly left everyone else in the dust and beat them all back (haha suckers).
After lunch with did our last VBS with the kids of the Mole. I was in the group that did crafts and today we colored pages with rainbows on it. It was so cute to see how creative these kids are and how excited they get to color. It was sad it was our last day of VBS with them, but we had a great three days of loving and sharing Jesus with them.
After VBS some of us did swimming lessons, some painted the orphans’ bedrooms, and the rest of us went to the beach. We are finishing up our night by finishing up the movie ‘Sing’ that we didn’t get to finish the other night due to a power outage that took over the block… Also Al is awesome (he told me to say that lol).
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Erika here! It was a bright and early morning here at the Mole. Alarm clocks set for 5am brought our tired, sleeping eyes to barely awake. As each of us gathered up the courage to get ready for the day, we all piled into the boats to head to the joy-filled and well-loved Kapafu.
Having this be my second time to visit this beloved village, it was refreshing to be reunited and see all the kind and loving friends we have made in the past. It brought back a memory of when I realized my first time to Haiti, we aren’t just blessed to live the lives we live in the states, but ultimately live a life abiding and walking with our Father in abundance daily.
When we all finally piled out of the boat from about a 45 minute ride, we all split our separate ways to introduce ourselves. We danced. We laughed. We blew bubbles. We played. We colored. We prayed. We taught a lesson out of the Bible. And then laughed some more. Unfortunately, our time was cut short due to a local funeral, but the time that we had was more than we could’ve asked for.
One of my favorite parts about Haiti is you can give and serve in Haiti, but Haiti really always ends up giving and serving you even more. We made our way back to campus (some more quickly than others LOL #SlowBoatProbs) and had the remaining hour until lunch to play and love on the sweet and sassy kiddos here on campus.
Before we knew it, lunch time came and went. Third times a charm. We gathered all our supplies for our last afternoon VBS at The Mole campus. The rounds of rec, crafts, skits, bible lessons, and singing songs started up once again on its per-usual hour and a half. We then said our goodbyes and took a deep breath.
We had finally hit the evening downhill stretch that we were all low-key waiting for. Five went to go teach afternoon swim lessons. 5 others went to go help and finish paint a room we all have been working on on campus for the kiddos! And for me, I took me, my two sweet friends Maddie and Tyann, and my very swollen feet to the beach. For over two hours. It was beyond amazing. After our self-care session, we washed up for supper.
Nothing like a home-cooked chicken dinner. We then got to go break up into our small groups where we get to discuss what all went on and what we experienced that day, in a smaller setting. Being a leader for the trip, it’s been beyond a blessing to talk through each person’s daily experience here and hear their hearts. It blows me away of how much we truly learn from each other and even more so how amazing and refreshing it is to see a lightbulb go on in someone’s heart.
Since arriving in Haiti, a thought of what the difference is between selfishness and selflessness and how there can be such fine line to what falls under what category has hit my heart pretty hard. Praying through areas of my life where I need to redirect my purpose and where I could improve even more to advance His good, good kingdom here on earth.
As we each wrap up our night, I send out a huge thank you for all of y’all that have and are supporting us through this journey and trip. We get to hear y’alls comments each night and can’t tell you how much it means to hear from each one of y’all.
XOXO, E
P.S. To mom, Dad, T, K, and Chris: miss y’all so, so much. Can’t wait to hug y’alls necks
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Please feel free to leave comments! Comments will be read each night at dinner!
Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.
I think this scripture covers all the things I’ve been praying over ya’lls journey. Keep up the God work.
Love to all, and proud of you Ty.
Hi all! This is Brad’s sis – I have loved looking at the updates and photos the past 4 days. God is doing wonderful things through y’all and you can see His light in those kiddos faces.
Brad – I’m so proud of you and have been praying for ya bud! That doggo from the first day was precious!
Mom and dad say hi! They like the pics and proud of God’s work you are doing! We can’t wait to hear all about it, see your pics, and find out all the cool birds you’ve seen.
Wow! What amazing things ya’ll are doing there. It was so great to read how much you have all done. So thankful VBS went well…sounds like so much fun. Tyann and Erika…enjoyed how you shared your hearts about your journey in Haiti. Erika thank you for helping Al and Brad lead the team..that’s a tough job keeping those two in line…you keep leading well my friend. Tyann…Al is awesome and we all know that…is he wearing his hat? Lol. I dont know who is taking pictures but that are fantastic. Day fours pictures are the best I think I have ever seen from Haiti. The pictures truly show the love and fun of Christ being shown to the Haitain people. Continued prayers for you all as you continue your Kingdom work in Haiti. I love you all and proud of you.
Penny
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Howdy!! Y’all are rockin’ it in Haiti! Sharing God and making precious memories! So proud of you all! Can’t wait to hear all about your adventure. God’s love and grace always endures. The painting is looking awesome! I love the bright colors just like the bright shinny faces of the children. Praying you are blessed with strength and endurance as I know your bodies are wearing from the long days. Y’all keep rockin it! 💜 you mucho Ty!
Ty and Erika, so dang proud of y’all! Ty, I’m glad you finally got on the fast boat and weren’t having to scoop water out of it 😉 (And yeah, Al is awesome, too)
Love reading all of your posts and seeing the pictures. Also, Ty, I really need you back because I have so much to tell you.
Quen, I am so glad you were able to go and got to spend a week with some of my favorite people. The Lord is shining so bright though you and I can’t wait to hear about it. You are such a light not only in Haiti, but back home too.
Sending the team extra love and prayers as you finish out the week. Y’all are doing great work and I know you might start to feel tired and exhausted, but the Lord will give you the strength you need for the rest of the trip.
Much love,
Abby
P.S. Hayden and Brad, y’all rock
It’s an amazing to see the work of Gods hands as it flows through all of you and shares it amongst all his children. I’m proud of everyone there! The impact you are making on these lives is nothing short of amazing. Keep your hearts, minds, and spirits open the Lord. When the day is long and the body is tired, reflect in the thoughts and prayers that your efforts continue to lay a physical and spiritual foundation for the sustained love for one another. You all continue to amaze us! We have no doubt about the possibilities and accomplishments you are yet to attain.
Sending all our love to you Quen!
Erika, so glad to how you are doing and the fam misses you so much! Love how you got to be involved for a third year and have the opportunity to help lead others through the experience. The chance to spend time helping others is enormous and always surprises me how it actually helps our own souls. As many conflicts and issues occur across the world, it is always a great reminder that humans are humans and we are all children of God. No matter what race, nationality, gender, religion… we are all equal and the same.
Can’t wait till you get home to share your experiences and pray all have safe travels coming home.
Love,
Dad
PS: Being on the “slow boat” sounds like a blessing in disguise… more time to enjoy the beauty of the area:)
Hey ty!! And tech team!!!!
I’m glad to here that y’all didn’t all most sink this time haha and TY you all way have to be so competitive😂😂 miss you!! But I’m glad y’all are all doing well god bless y’all and y’all are in my prayers! KEEP up the GOOD work guy and gals!!!!!!!
Mom and Dad,
Loved seeing the pictures today. Have been praying for you this week. Hope the trip is going well. Taft, TK and Tenley are anxious for you to get back! Love you!!
Hey Team! Brady or Randy here! It’s good to hear that VBS and other activities are going well! Tyann, since Al told you to tell the general audience of this blog that he is awesome, can you tell him if he has led his “Hokey Pokey” game yet haha. That’s what it’s all about.
To Tyann and Erika, I can see how God is doing awesome things through this trip in ya’ll and in the team. Ya’ll are awesome!
To my brother Brad Shine, or B- Shine, you are an artist. I’m thinking Michaelangelo from my general impression of the pictures, maybe Picasso lol. The brushstrokes and composition of every wall are magnificent! Also, Brad, I found in 2 out of the 7 images, which you were in the frame, that you were smiling. So statistically speaking, roughly 29% of the time. So I want to tell you a dad joke. “Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere!” I am laughing now, so I know you are too! Love you, brother!
I remember that this time of the mission trip was when we as a team would start to get tired, so I would encourage yall to keep pressing into the Spirit and what he is calling every individual of the team to do. Don’t be afraid of where he is calling you!
Love yall, know I am praying for yall and that Jesus is working in every one of you for his kingdom.
Quen, i’m so happy to see that you’re doing great and doing something amazing ❤️ we miss you very much and hope you’re having tons of fun!! tell us all about it when you get home ☺️ miss you and love you!!
– isabelle
It’s great to see you putting all your skills to great use Hayden!!
England beat Norway 3-0 today & play winner of US vs France (they play Friday) on Tuesday the 2nd.
Keep up the great work!!
God bless!!
I love you,
Dad
Hey Team! Glad y’all are learning about giving is better than receiving!!the kids look so happy to have y’all around! Prayers for all!
Hey, team!!!
Looks like you are having a great time sharing God’s love! Keep up the hard work!
Trey – Reggie and Remy say hello!
❤️❤️❤️
Hello Team!!
I love hearing about your day!! I’m sure many of you are tired and feeling run down!! My prayer tonight is for a good night’s sleep to recharge you to your last few days!! The joy of the Lord is your strength!!
Great job on the colorful painting in the orphanage!! I know they will enjoy that for years to come!! The smiles on their faces tell how much they appreciate your hard work!!
Caleb, I hope the mosquitoes are staying away from you!!
Kayti, I hope your back isn’t hurting too bad!!
Lots of love,
Mom
Thank you for the pictures and updates. It is great to see and hear about all the many ways God is using all of you. So proud of this group for being the hands and feet of Jesus.
1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” We will continue to pray for strength, rest and that you see all the beauty God has created around you.
Austin, we can’t wait to see you and hear all about your trip.
Love, Mom and Dad
Landon, my heart swelled when I saw you in your element using your God given gifts of compassion and sports and outdoors to serve HIM and the people of Haiti. Your Eagle Scout is showing!! can’t wait for you to get home and share with us your adventures!!