Texas Tech 2019 – Days 6 & 7…

Hey it’s me Austin from Texas Tech coming to you from Haiti.

Yesterday was the lock-in with the youth group, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired but so entertained in one day. Trey & I were in charge of rec, and we expected the youth to engage more in the advanced games. This was not the case.

We started playing hot potato with them, which quickly turned into dance hot potato where instead of a ball they would just dance. They referred to me as a DJ and I think my street cred doubled because of it.

We also played duck-duck-goose where every single person took it to the next level. There was blood, sweat and tears shed and it was the most fun I have ever had playing a simple game.

The biggest thing I have learned in Haiti is that they don’t care how childish a game is or how tired they are. The love and passion they poured out in soccer made me feel like my legs were noodles, but they would always have their hand outstretched to help us up.

This afternoon we split into groups – some did beads with the kids, some did a trip to Calvaire and some did games/rested. Tonight we also had a movie night with our orphanage kids (Shrek).

The people of Haiti have been nothing but generous and loving, except when they were braiding my hair. That hurt more than my tattoo. I can’t wait to be home but also never want to leave. We will see y’all soon!

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Hey ya’ll! It’s Kaitlyn from the Texas Tech team in The Mole.

Yesterday from 6pm-6am this morning we had our youth lock-in for the kids in town. (Team Blue for the win!!).

We had 60 kids from ages 12-22. We played games like hot potato & soccer (we were utterly destroyed by the Haitians).

We also played frisbee, freeze-dance, intense duck-duck goose, and so on. In-between games and snacks and Black Panther. (I definitely took a nap during the entire movie, so as Austin would say… “Wakanda Sometimes.”) We also had four lessons taught by different people each time!

At 6am we were supposed to take the kids to the beach but at that point, nearly everyone had slept through the fourth lesson, so we sent them off with a breakfast made up of PB & J sandwiches.

It was definitely a long night, but it was a good one. My group was amazing. They would ask so many good questions about God and faith during small group. I remember one asking “Does praying and reading your bible every day make you a good Christian?” Of course, we answered yes, but he quickly rebutted with “false, some people pray without their faith.” That simple statement really hit home for me.

Oh and we found a crab in our dorm that was bigger than my hand. It really didn’t like me when I chased it out with a metal pole. Don’t ask me how it got there, I’ve been asking the same question.

As for today, we all mostly slept until around 10ish(am). Sad news, the power throughout the entire city went out at around 6am and it’s not back on and it’s 9pm as I write this.

Nevertheless, it didn’t stop us from having a wonderful day. Me and a group of people went up into a town called Calvaire to pray over any patients and staff in the hospital. There were no occupants at the moment when we arrived, so we all individually prayed (at once) over the hospital for future incoming patients and staff.

After that, Brad, Jared, Bree, & Mary got into at least an hour-long talk with an eighteen-year-old Haitian who had lots of questions about what it means to be a good Christian and if he’s ready or not.

After a LOT of discussion and scripture, we got through to him. Hopefully, we get to see him at church tomorrow morning.  He asked a lot of good questions. We prayed over him before we left.

I also got half of my head done in cornrows: it looks super cool (I did Texas Tech colors) but it hurt so much during the process. My goal is to make it home with my braids. Sorry for the long entry, I love to write. See y’all in three days!

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