Ministry Days

We have had 4 great days of ministry in Haiti!  

Tuesday we visited a home for sick and dying children, an orphanage specializing in caring for children with physical and mental disabilities and another orphanage where the boys are very good at push ups (although no one beat our very own Peter Hasselquist).

Wednesday we brought water to 3 different neighborhoods in Citi Solei and spent the entire day loving children & adults as well as getting incredibly sore arms from lifting buckets and children!

Thursday we brought hot meals to 4 of the elders in Healing Haiti's elder care program.  It was a humbling and honoring experience for all of us.  It was very hot as well with temperatures reaching into the 100's at the height of the day.  We were able to hear the personal stories of our Haitian translators as they recounted what they were doing when the earthquake of January 2010 hit Haiti.  

Today we visited the him a home for sick and dying adults.  The nuns that run this amazing and incredibly peaceful place are living angels.  Some of us weren't so sure how we would feel about rubbing lotion on complete strangers, only to come to the realization that there were no strangers there.  They all are our brothers and sisters and the experience was unforgettable.  Especially for Rob, who had a sharp, dirty bone pierce through his croc to leave a huge gash in the bottom of his foot.  What a "God thing" that we have two nurses on our team and they knew just what to do!

We are celebrating the privilege of worshipping, praying, laughing and Resting in Him as we love and serve the people of Haiti!

-Annette

Day 4 Word of the Day

1. Chrissie // Honor
2. Angie // Grandpa
3. Brenda //Whithslene
4. Peter // Moved
5. Emily // Accomplished
6. Lea // Receive
7. MaryJo // Survivors
8. Susan // Intense
9. Rick // Encouraged
10. Mary // Privileged
11. Joe // Questions
12. Bryan // Translators
13. Annette // OhMy
14. Rob // 
15. Kerry // Hope
16. Grace // Meme

Day 3 Word of the Day

1. Chrissie // Buckets
2. Grace // "Hey You"
3. Susan // Ganelle
4. MaryJo // Question
5. Rob // Utter-chaos
6. Emily // Hope
7. Angie // Grateful
8. Kerry // Garbage
9. Rick // Trash
10. Lea // Abundant
11. Peter // Comfortable
12. Brenda // Joyous
13. Joe // Underware
14. Mary // Restoring
15. Anet // Tylenol
16. Bryan // Be

Haiti Sunrise

Hello Woodridge family Angie here from Haiti :)  Today we were so blessed to send half of our group to Gertrude's Orphanage and the other half to Home for sick and dying babies. Our experiences, although miles apart geographically, both held the commonality of thinking we could help bring smiles to their faces when in fact we all were the ones whose lives are forever touched.

Loving worship in the name of Jesus came today in the form of things like, a pick up soccer game, color crayon pictures on the sidewalk, a group of little girls getting their finger nails polished possibly for the first time ever, and rubbing lotion on the skin of disabled children.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14

As Day 2 comes to a close we are all very grateful knowing we are being lifted up in prayer by everyone back home. We take rest in knowing the Lords hand protects us each night….. as does our guard dog Bacon. :)

Day 2 WORD OF THE DAY

Emily // Joy
Bryan // Growth
Kerry // Transition
Angie // Smile
Rick // Surprised
Mary // Arms
Mary Jo // Rejection
Annette // Discover
Grace // Tested
Rob // Held
Peter // Thankful
Susan // Happy
Chrissie // Reunited
Joe // Diapers
Brenda // Still
Lea // Simple

WE HAVE ARRIVED!

After a bumpy entry into Port-Au-Prince the team has arrived in Haiti! Each night we gather to reflect on our day and spend time in worship and prayer. As a part of our reflection time we share our "Word of the Day". Here are our Words from our 1st day.

DAY 1 

MaryJo // Blessed

Angie // Senses

Rob // Still

Mary // Familiar

Bryan // Friends

Brenda // Relieved

Peter // Anticipation

Susan // Peace

Lea // Hello

Grace // Appalled 

Kerry // View

Emily // Home

Joe // Cosmopolitan 

Rick // Comfortable

Chrissie // Excited

Annette // Reminded

Woodridge Church Haiti Trip Flight Itinerary

American Airlines 1287 Jan 12
DEPART MSP 5:30AM
ARRIVE MIA  10:15AM

American Airlines 1665 Jan 12
DEPART MIA 12:35PM 
ARRIVE PAP 2:40PM

American Airlines 1665 Jan 19
DEPART PAP 3:50PM 
ARRIVE MIA 6:01PM

American Airlines 1689 Jan 19
DEPART MIA 8:15PM
ARRIVE MSP  11:15PM

GETTING READY TO GO

Be praying for our team as we get ready to leave early (4AM) Monday morning!