Chop! Chop! On the TapTap!

Word(s) of The Day
- brought to you by ... Team Healing Haiti 2.18.14 :)

Surreal - There is a big difference between seeing commercials about sponsoring children on TV and actually being here. There is really no way to explain properly what or how big this difference is. Unless you are here with these kids, looking into their malnourished yellow tinted eyes and yet the huge smiles spread across their faces when you give them a hug or pick them up or even just a simple fist bump or letting them hold your hand and walk with you, you will never know exactly how alive they are and how big the presence of God is here.
Overwhelming - Water truck day. For those who've been here .. 'nuff said? It's difficult to put into words the things we experienced today. Massive amounts of pure love and joy in the eyes of babies and children clinging to us. Organized chaos in the lines that were formed and buckets collected. Smiles all over.
Grateful - I held a little boy whose feet were severely calloused from living barefoot in the gravel. He couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 years old. He had a big impact on me today as did all of the kids I held.  I kept comparing them to my son and realizing how much we have in our lives. I'm grateful for being able to bring God's love to these kids.   
Wow - Stepped off the TapTap and immediately picked up a little boy wearing only a ratty shirt and seeming a little sick.  He rested his head on my shoulder and we walked among piles of garbage, and it struck me that this is likely where this little boy will grow up.  And in the midst of this extreme poverty,  I realize that God knows this little boy.  He knows every hair on his head, every breath he has taken.  And it's amazing. 
Precious - From the littlest of children to the sweet little old lady, I could just feel Jesus looking down and calling them His precious children. 
I - Today there was a little girl that, though wanting to be held and given love, wouldn't speak. We were informed by her mother that she doesn't really talk, but then she began singing what sounded like 'I, I, I'. It is amazing how something as simple as that can remind us that what we're doing here isn't about us at all.
Love - As we saw today love is a universal language. It's amazing how human touch, a feeling of love can forever change a life. The children that surrounded us today wanted nothing more than to be held and played with. Even just the opportunity to cling to a couple spare fingers seemed to make them happy.
Responsibility - Seeing everything today reminded me of the responsibility we each have to serve the least of these. After this trip, no one who came can claim ignorance to the needs that are out there.  We have a responsibility to set our needs aside and serve others wherever we are.  The outcome isn't in our hands, but it is our responsibility to take action and start with sharing the message.
Hope - In the midst of this desolation and despair, I saw hope for the people of Haiti.  Hope for what God is doing here and will continue to do in the future. 
Eye-Opening - You think you know what 'poor' is when you go into the inner city, or you get down on yourself because you had a bad day at work, and then you see what people here live with/without everyday and always with such joy and love and smiles on their faces.
Blessed - We've come so far and are blessed to serve those who once were enslaved (check out the movie Amazing Grace).
Fun & Love - It was fun to see everyone experiencing today in their own ways.
Puzzle - One thing I noticed about today was how easily the team found its place. Sure, we were brought where we were needed and told what needed to be accomplished, but the seamless way we seemed to slip together was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Whether it was giving love to the kids that surrounded us or helping to dispense the water the people were lining up for, we all had our place. We had every piece of our puzzle.
Unbelievable - When people ask me how my trip to Haiti was, I'm going to say it was unbelievable. Famine, depression, poverty, destruction, garbage.  You can't use words or pictures to come close to describing it.  Yet among all of that, it's unbelievable the love, joy, and pure excitement that they have for such a simple act of kindness as delivering water. 
Enlightened - To survive one day and make it to the next what do you need. No, not your car or your cell phone. Not your heated home or hair-dryer. I mean, what do you NEED? How about clean water, something to put in your stomach, some form of shelter? The people here are lucky to meet their needs and make it to the next day.
Amazed - I'm always amazed at how the people of Haiti worship with pure joy. They have so little and rely on God for so much. Perhaps it is that reliance that produces such joy.
Perspective - I will probably never look at another line that I have to stand in the same way after today.  They waited so long to get water.  I used to get frustrated standing in line for a Black Friday deal.