Preparing for La Romana --Ruth

I am becoming more excited than nervous about my first mission trip. The tipping point was finding the skirts and other clothes I needed at the Thrift Shop! Thank you, Deanna and Lucia, for letting me in yesterday. When I'm done with them, these clothes will be useful in the Dominican.

I am also humbled and happy that the ACC family has been so generous to all of us who are going. I want to share your generosity with the people we find in and around La Romana, and to keep in mind that this sharing is a two-way street. I know I have plenty to learn and experience, and I hope to bring some of that back to ACC to share.

And I am going to enjoy the sunshine, the people and the flowers!

Your Dirt is in My Hole

Today was the first full day of construction for us at the worksite in Haiti. And while construction was taking place, we were in charge or removing ruble that was once a building. This involved loading wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of ruble and taking it about 100 feet or so and dumping it in the street; where it is supposed to be cleaned up by the city at a later date.

We were working in and around existing classrooms and I can only imagine that the construction effort was a bit of a distraction. Especially as one class was being held under a tarp right next to the construction work. We did, however, get to see lots of little smiling faces in their uniforms which can lift your spirits when you think you have lifted the last pound of dirt you could.

After we had worked for the day, or rather when we had no more energy to work, we attended the "Easy English Club" meeting. This is a club held at the church to help the local high school and above members learn to Speak English. The leader of the group, 20 years old, was quite good and uses the scripture to help teach. Today's verse was John 14:6. It was the highlight of my day to participate in the club which was a little bit bible study, a little bit conversation, and a very funny role play scenario between two members.

And while they day was not all ups, they outweighed the downs and I think we accomplished quite a lot.

Sneakers and bottles and rubbles oh my!!

What a day! I was on the construction team today with the 3 guys of ACC and mark from ct. The haitians were VERY confused to see a woman doing manual labor.... I was very much in the spotlight. But we took lots of breaks and worked with Haitians and our translators. I'm happy to say I worked harder than at least one person there!

I wanted to share some thoughts from the worksite. It was very strange to be digging and moving rubble that has been there for a year. Under lots of gravel we'd find trash then we found sneakers then we found a cup! It was sad to think literally peoples lives were destroyed and never really fixed... It goes along with the fact that yesterday talking to the kids they all said "god saved me from the earthquake... God saved my mom from earthquake". Having been on mission trips before I have to say doing disaster relief is a whole different ballgame. Instead of just cleaning or playing with kids or sorting clothes you are literally picking peoples lives off the ground.

It's amazing that god has us here and is using us to the max. I am still worried that I will get sick or dehydrated... But continuing to trust that god has me here for a reason and won't leave my side.

One other note: they listen to American music here and I gained huge popularity by singing Justin Bieber and Rhiannon with the kids :)

Love Beth

Shantia - Day 2 Update

First time mission trips in a location are always a challenge. Figuring out who should have been in the communication loop and who didn't need to be. Which medications we could have used - whether to travel over an hour each way to an orphanage. Next time we will know better - and find new things to learn.

Today at the clinic was good and we will go back to the same place tomorrow.
This is a wonderful group - somehow they usually are.

We pray for all of you at home and are grateful for your support.
Shantia

Update from Shantia

Worship today was incredible! There was alot of singing and the sound was lovely. There were several messages and they were so right for this people and this time. The scripture for the main sermon was about Sarah and Hagar. The discussion was mostly about Hagar needing to trust in God even when faced with death - no home, no food, no water - a time of despair. His words of hope were inspiring. Everyone prays at once while the leader prays the loudest! More lovely singing... an altar call... very warm and welcoming people...a lovely pot luck dinner from the church ladies... then back to our comfortable rooms at Villa Ormiso to unpack our duffels of donations...
Shantia

Our Best To The Haiti Team

I just read the posts from our people in Haiti. I wish you my best for a safe and productive week.

Thanks to everybody who is following both of our groups and keeping us in you thoughts and prayers. If you would like to learn more about where the group headed for the Dominican Republic will be staying and the work we will be doing, go to http://laromana.org/ . You can learn about the Good Samaritan hospital, the bateys and the work our medical teams do there, and many other facts.

Thanks again to everybody who is supporting us in any way. I'll try to post again once we get to La Romana

Anne Marchant from first church sterling weighs in

Greetings all! My smeller must be better than david's because I was first struck by the beauty of the mountains and then by the smells then by the teeming streets blaring horns, drivers that make those in mass look tame and the piles of rubble, trash and dirty water clogging the streets. I am feeling very fortunate in all those we left at home and thrilled to be with kindred spirits - some newly met and much appreciated from Acton and Connecticut. Do ask these Acton and ct folks about the group memories they are bribing us not to share and which we will long and fondly remember. First construction and health teams head out tomorrow. Please keep us in your thoughts especially our construction team lavishly in the hot sun. Allez avec Bon dieu.

Four Sermons, Five Songs, and a Prayer

Ok, maybe it wasn't five sermons, but for those of you who have never attended a church service in this part of the world it is a bit different than what you get on a Sunday morning in New England. It was, however, a wonderful service, full of joy, music, and praise.

This is our first full day in Haiti and there is still so much ahead. The travel to Haiti went extremely well with little to no issues. They opened a few of our bags at customs but with 24 bags they were not about to go through them all. The baggage men waiting outside the airport were a bit aggressive, but a "no, mesi"'and most backed away.

The smells of Haiti hit me much stronger this trip. I don't remember the smells from last year, perhaps because I was so busy taking in the visuals. This year the smells will definitely be a top memory.

After church this morning (9am to about noon) we were able to look at the school construction site where we will be working this week. They have started a little of the work and there is a big pile of rock and dirt out front which we will have to move to the back where construction will take place. Rumor has it that we are meant to crush the rock for concrete.


After church we were treated to a great lunch by the women of church including Shrimp and rice, goat, and veg; followed by a beautiful cake. And while we were waiting for lunch, Beth made some friends.

This afternoon we are doing some sorting of medical supplies for the clinic and cloths. It will be a slow afternoon, which will give us more time to get in the feel of Haiti.

And a bit of a happy surprise at where we are staying. There was a wedding near by yesterday and the newlyweds came into the compound in their finest.

Excited to go

This is my first time to "blog", so here goes! Last Sunday, after church, so many members came to wish me a safe trip, offer their support and prayers, and express their surprise that I was going.
Thanks to all of you. I have had it in the back of my mind for many years that this is something I would love to do. The opportunity has finally arrived, Holy Spirit tells me. Keep me in your prayers. I will try to be a faithful blogger for you.
Blessings, Deanna  Downs

Where are we???

It's been a very overwhelming day. We successfully got thru the airport thanks to many people crowding around us and walking us thru. Just as I thought things were better than expected, we drove thru town to our retreat center. I had to cry after the drive because it is a completely different world. And I still have doubts... Can I actually survive this week? Luckily we are all supporting each other and will continue to ask gods blessing over us and our work.

The retreat center also feels like another world. Gated breezier and welcoming we have showers water food. So I'll be taking it day by day.

Thanks for the love and support from afar.

Beth

Packed and Ready

It is just after 11pm and that means not much sleep tonight as P is coming to pick me up at 3:30 am for the trip to the airport and then on to PaP, Haiti. Lots swimming around in my mind and even though I am tired I suspect sleep won't come easy tonight.

Tonight I am anxious, apprehensive, and already miss my family. As I am going to be gone for about 14 days this is longer than I have been away from my family in quite a while. I still believe that this is what I am meant to be doing, but it doesn't mean everything about it is easy.

I am also quite thankful tonight. I am incredibly grateful to all those who help with the financial burden of this trip and I am especially thankful to my family for supporting me in this effort.

I pray tonight for the trip and that all goes well, that we provide service to others, and that we return safely to our friends and family. I pray for the families that stay behind and support the mission team, may the home front not present any obstacles that challenge their mental and physical limits as they have to take on more responsibilities than normal.

PAY IT FORWARD

My son, Rory, and I had a discussion a while back about how professional athletes take financial advantage of their gifts of talent from God. He reminded me that I, too, do the same thing when I get a paycheck. This was pretty humbling.

I am so thankful that God has given me the gift of healing that I can use, least of which to provide a source of income, but most of all help others.

Can you imagine having access to health care only once a year, if missionaries choose your village? No immunizations for your children?

This has altered my attitude on what really is significant in life.

I will go to the Dominican Republic with the other missionaries, and use my God given talents to provide care to the underprivileged who live there, love their children and want the best for them as much as anyone else in the world.

I will go forth and pay it forward, not only by using my gifts, but using your gifts of donations and prayers as well.

Preparations

I want to add my "Thanks" to everyone supporting us on this mission trip. In a sense, we get the "glory" and the benefit of the first-hand experience, but it is everyone supporting us that makes it all possible. I hope this blog can help convey some of that experience and connection from Haiti and the DR to everyone "back home", who cannot be there with us.

I'm one of the returnees to Haiti, but even still, I feel nearly as nervous about the trip this year as I did last year. I know something about what to expect in terms of how it will look and smell and feel, but I have even more questions about the current situation there: what has happened in the past year, what is the best role for us as Americans to help, what expectations to have for them as well as for us.

Last year, the scale of the problems facing the people of Haiti was simply overwhelming. It was easy to be overcome by despair by the time we left the country after just one week. This year, I anticipate will be the same, but I hope we can focus and direct our work so that we can realize a glimmer of hope that is sustained and can grow even after we leave Haiti. If we can begin to lay a foundation of communication and mutual support between a Haitian community and our community, we can watch that hope develop and grow. I don't know where this mission effort will lead us, but I'm excited (and anxious) about the potential for some amazing growth and development in Haiti and here at home as a result.

Missionaries Commissioned

Today's commissioning service was such a great way to connect the congregation with our upcoming trips. Thanks so much to everyone involved. Several people talked to me afterward with good things to say about how it raised awareness and strengthened the participation by the congregation.

Thanks, especially to David, for stepping out of his comfort zone and sharing with us his heartfelt testimony. His sentiments about how God prepares us for these experiences, about how we must respond when he calls and about how we are changed in the process were inspirational and moving. I think the church is hungry for personal witness and David's thoughts captivated many church members.

Thanks, too, to the missionaries for standing up in front of everyone and for accepting the commission of the church. I know that many would rather not be in the limelight, but it's important for the congregation to know who is representing them and it will likely provide opportunities for talking about the trip after it is over. Thank you, as well, to Andy for the closing prayer.

For the record, here is the litany we used today:

Leader: Missionaries, do you believe that you have been led by the Holy Spirit to engage in this work, do you agree to hold Jesus Christ as your example and guide and do you make it your purpose to spread God’s love to those you serve?

Response of the Teams: I do, with the help of God.

Leader: In the name of Acton Congregational Church, I commend each of you to this work and pledge to you our prayers, encouragement, and support. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you, that in this and in all things you may do God's will in the service of Jesus Christ.

Leader: Dearly beloved, I commend to you these persons whom we this day have commissioned to be God's servants as a part of the continual sharing of Christ's great commission on Earth.

Response of God's People: We rejoice to recognize you as missionaries from our church, and we thank God that you have dedicated your service to this mission. May the blessings of God go with you and keep you safe throughout your journey. May God’s grace go with you.

Thank You from Cole

Thank you congregation for supporting this mission. I am so excited to be returning to the Dominican Republic for my second year. As an 18-year old this is a major experience that rocks my world and opens my eyes to the diversity of cultures. Thank you again,
Cole

Is it really only 9 days?!

A little bit of honesty... I'm struggling a lot with the idea of going to Haiti. I keep reading and hearing stories about all of the bad things that can happen while traveling there... and I'm doubting my ability to go and serve for the week. I'm really scared that I'm going to get sick, or have something horrible happen while there, or just be completely emotionally overwhelmed.

So what is convincing me to go you ask? There are 3 things...
1) I have never been on an international mission trip nor have I been to a third world country. My parents pulled me from the Mexico SHYF mission trip many years back (yes I'm still bitter). I want this opportunity to challenge myself in a way I've yet to do. This semester I have been learning about global poverty so I'm excited to go see it first hand and really see the sufferings of our brothers and sisters.

2) I firmly believe God wants me to go on this trip. I wanted to go to Haiti beginning in the fall... and thought I couldn't find an opportunity to go over spring break. Then the January trip got pushed to March over my spring break. So I am fully confident that God wants me on this trip and is therefore already putting into motion things for me to experience and learn.

3) I LOVE KIDS!!!!! I'm really excited to go and see the children of Haiti. Shantia has said I will most likely be helping with the kids that come to the medical clinic with their parents. We have ordered some kids toys for them to play with- so I'm excited to bring that all to them and see the life they live and how much I have to be thankful for.

I feel like this whole week I will be teaching nothing and learning everything. But that's good- God's challenges to us make us stronger and our relationship with Him deeper. I continue to pray that God would silence the voices of fear in me and around me, and that I would trust that He knows what's best for me and each of us on this trip.

Est-que ou comprends?
Mwen pas comprends Creole!

Tom G's (chieftaing) trip to Haiti

I'm going to Haiti with 12 others, including my daughter Beth.

Currently I'm starting to pack, get my lists together, buying a few things online ahead of time.

I've e-mail my family asking for donations of money which I will use to buy school supplies which the community school we'll be working on needs. In Haiti, parents must buy school supplies for their kids, and many cannot afford to do so. So we'll be using a big portion of our suitcases to carry the school supplies. I'm also putting a box in our break room at work (ExaGrid Systems) to collect school supplies. One thing I plan to buy is a whole bunch of $4 calculators from Staples, figuring that's one item that must be hard to find or is expensive in Haiti.

The web sites with more info about the places we'll be in Haiti are:
www.eglisebaptisteconcorde.com
www.onemissionsociety.org - which mentions the OMS "villa ormiso" where we're living

The first web site is in Haitian creole - mostly French, but with differences. My daughter can read it, but I can't. She likes showing me up like that :-)

Blessings,
Tom

Ticketed

Sitting at Fitchburg State waiting for W to finish with scout merit badge camp for the day and think ing a lot about the mission trip today.

While W was at camp I spent the morning running around to various stores attempting to discover the best way to provide power to my iPhone while in Haiti. We have been told that power will be iffy while in Haiti and I can't remember from last year if that was the case or not. I do remember the fans going off in the dorms at about 11pm when the batteries for the facility ran dry and it was to late to run the generator which can be noisy.

Power is more important to me this year because I plan to take more video and want to be able to update friends and family back home via Facebook. And yes, we have been told that we will have access to wifi, but I am not sure if that is via wifi at the dorm or via a cafe. In either case power will be important.

I continue to find that I miss Haiti and I suppose that sounds strange, but it is how I have felt since leaving it last year. Looking forward is the wrong way to express how I feel; perhaps returning to where I am meant to be to take the next small step to complete a job and help a people that will take many years.

Location:Highland Ave,Fitchburg,United States

Thank You to Donors

If you are reading this, chances are you've donated to one or both of the ACC mission trips. If so, thank you so much. You have made my job as treasurer one of thanksgiving, for we have truly been blessed. Especially in the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of activity - I'm happy to report that we have exceeded our goals and expectations. Gifts from individual church members, combined with support for the group's fundraising efforts, have reduced the travel costs to La Romana, Dominican Republic by $250 per missionary. And on Monday, the Mission and Outreach Committee voted to give $5,000 in combined support for both mission trips. Hallelujah! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Not only does this ease the financial burden on those traveling, but it also allows more medicine and supplies to be taken to those in need. Thank you so much to the committee and to our donors.

As we move forward to the trips and through the mission activities onsite, look to this blog for posts from each of the missionaries. We want you, our donors, to see what you have made possible, to know the stories of the lives you've touched and to hear us witness to the 'God moments' that are there for those with eyes to see. With His help and your support, we will be in the right place at the right time, with the right supplies. We have no way of knowing the things that are in store for us, but just as you have had faith in us, we have faith that these trips will be life changing, both for us and for the people we serve. We seek to be God's hands and feet, the body of Christ, filled with hope and the Holy Spirit. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your help in fulfilling this dream.

Saturday, busy Saturday

This past Saturday was a busy day for the mission team and it was all over shadowed by the threat of ice. Thankfully, for the most part, the ice held off and all activities were able to go forward as planned.

Packing in Sterling

The day started off with both the Haiti and Dominican Republic mission team members meeting at the First Church in Sterling for packing day. This is the day when all the medication, medical supplies, cloths, and toys are spread out in the the activity hall to be packed in large duffle bags that the mission team will bring along as checked baggage. Each bag can hold up to 50lbs of supplies and with 51 people signed up for the Dominican Republic trip that adds up to a lot of supplies.

There were not quite as many supplies for the Haiti trip. As it looks right now each person will have only one duffle and I know one of duffles I packed for the Haiti group was not filled to weight capacity. This was a bit disappointing, but hopefully more supplies will be donated before the trip and we can get to the two duffle per person limit.

Enjoying the Fundraiser

Packing lasted from about 8 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. and can take a lot out of a person, but this was only part of the mission team activities for the day. After packing and a team meeting I left the First Church in Sterling for a quick stop at home (I had to clear some snow off the roof) and then I headed for the Haiti fundraiser at the Concord Elks Club. This fundraiser was championed by Ken and he did a great job. By the time I got there the place was pretty much set up: the raffle prizes were out, the tables were set up, and the music was ready to go. I helped set up a few things and then was handed my "outfit" for the night: a hat, badge, gun, and handcuffs.

Caught in the Act

I was meant to play sherif for the party. One of the fund raising activities that Ken had planned was a "prison". Anyone could have another person arrested for a small fee. For an additional small few the person could be released. But first, it was my job to arrest the person, take them to the prison, get them dressed in stripes, and take their picture. This turned out to be pretty fun for the guests and I had a good time as well.

The fundraiser went great and included authentic Haitian food, great music, dance lessons, and brilliant raffle prizes. The evening ended with the picking of the prize winners and the announcement of the total collected for the evening. It was a great way to end a very long day even if I didn't win a raffle prize. Many thanks for Ken to putting the evening together.

Fundraiser rocked

The "Do Something Concrete for Haiti" fund raiser in Concord last night was a lot of fun and really well done. Congratulations to Ken and Dave and all those who helped organize this. They announced that the rough estimate of funds raised was $3K - a significant amount for the community school!

Ken put a large poster on the wall on which folks could write messages and greetings - we'll be taking it to Haiti - what a cool idea!