Day 2 Wings of Hope

Today we went to Wings of Hope. We took a van and a tap tap. The tap tap was full of our donations as well bodies squished together.  It was an adventure traveling tight roads with steep cliffs. When we got to Wings it was amazing to see everyone find something to do with out being told.  Leeann, Ginny, Kit and Angie tackled helping with the laundry.  They wash everyday, thirty one blankets and outfits. If the line was too full the clothes were just laid on the ground to dry.  Hands were the ringers and rinsers. Dave, Nate and Kyle a and James helped teach an English class, which was amazing and had great reviews from the kids smiling faces. Dana and Madison passed out soccer balls. Pieter (wings of hope) and Susan kicked the soccer ball against the wall until Susan had to stop because she was worn out.  Dana saw two kids outside of Wings and gave them a soccer ball to play with. Their faces where incredible and they lit up with excitement and began to play on the dirt street. No words necessary, just a simple ball. Joel helped with a class playing Dominos and shoots and ladders. Steve led Joel on a wild tour of Wings of Hope. Cameron, Parker, Lydia and Mindy spent time feeding many who couldn't feed themselves. Durant and Bailey took the time to help out with physical therapy on two different residents of wings.  Jim and Mindy helped guide the kids on hand cranked scooters. John had the opportunity to practice his sign language with Vivian and helped get the pizza she wanted.  Pray for us tomorrow as we visit Mother Teresa's Children's Hospital and the Home for the Destitute and Dying.

Contributed by Ginny Mangum

Add to the Beauty

On the plane ride down I read a book about decision making, since that is where I am in life. The book talked about why decision making is hard for the modern American. One of those reasons was because we have come to expect too much out of life. It even talked about how:

''We have little longing left for our reward in the next life because we've come to expect such rewarding experiences in this life.''

I nodded and realized about how recently I've thought (selfishly) 'I'm not ready for Jesus to come back, I have a lot of life to enjoy'

And then we landed in Haiti. And I got it. I looked at their faces and know they are ready to receive the reward of the next life, for Jesus to come back, to be saved from the hardship of life that is engraved on their faces.

Yet even in the rubble of this earthquakes city, there is beauty - glimpses of the sweet relief Jesus promises: the colors of clothes hanging out to dry, the boy reading his Bible on his roof, the sounds of laughter from the other roofs. 

And the kites.

Kites are everywhere here, made out of trash found on the streets. The little boys fly them from their roof and it is precious to see them all jump up and down as the kites fly.

A Sara Groves song keeps playing in my head. I only know two lines, but they seem to fit so well right now:

"I want to add to the beauty.
To tell a better Story"

-Leeann Mangum

"First night"

This is Joel checking in for the first night on our mission trip and we are settled into beds in the hotel. We have an early wake up tomorrow with arrival at the airport at 4:15 am. So yes, I am going to bed in a couple minutes. I am looking forward to arriving in Port Au Prince and ministering alongside of the other 20 people for the next week. My only request is that you pray for us. Pray for safety, good health, and most of all a life changing experience for all of us. This will probably be the last time you hear from me directly, the other trip members will take over from here. Thank you ahead of time for your prayers. <><, Joel