Haiti Day 8 Team Update!

When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:31 TNIV

We serve an Awesome God.

Today included a lot of finishes for us but we also studied John 19 as our daily devotional and the overall reminder was that as awful as the story of Jesus death on the cross was from an earthly standpoint, it is equally glorious from a Heavenly standpoint. His discipline to stick to the plan of redemtion, paved the way for all of us to know the peace that only comes from knowing His salvation.

The other finishes included:

• The Kubicki's departing so that they could attend a major business function in New York. We were blessed to  have Marty join the team at the last minute but it came with the price that they all had to leave today. Each trip has a key team member need to drop out at the last minute and an unexpected key person be added at the last minute and this was no exception.  Marty complimented Aahmees' leadership and spiritual strength wonderfully with his willingness to  jump in with skill, wisdom and artistic abilities. It also goes without saying that Aahmees' comforting presence, Biblical acumen and counseling has been invaluable just as Mercades' 13 year old excited smile and freindship building were inspiring.  They were also able to  devote a lot of time with the Manasseros and there promises to be a lot of fruit pending from that.
• The dental clinic saw the last patient at approximately 7:00pm tonight after a whirlwind day that started quickly at 8:00am this morining.  We were reminded that he was also the first patient that Dr. Slone treated on the trip in November 2010. He is Kenny, the Manasseros' adopted Haitian, 8 year old son. His courage in facing 4 cavity fillings and his stamina to wait his turn was a great testimony to the way that the children at MdL are being raised. Other fun examples occurred when child after child who had a lot of hard work done on them last year were still willing to lay down on the Walmart folding table for what they could logically expect was an equally gruelling trip to have their teeth cleaned or cavities filled. Yet  most have done such a good job in maintaining the deep cleanings that Chandra did last year that their cleanings were minimal and their cavities were often the ones that  were noted last year that the team could not treat due to time constraints then. I (Jim) happened to be in the clinic for most of the day today and was fortunate to witness such an experience of the growing trust that the children have. One 16 year old girl had a very tough time on the last trip and was quite frightened to the point of needing someone to hold her during her treatments. She had her teeth cleaned a couple of days ago with no drama and with big smiles. She did have two fillings that needed repairs though. This was a rare occurrance by the way. So when she came in today for this and the team explained to her that she was not even going to need a shot, she bravely got on the table and went through the  process despite a couple of silent tears. Afterward, she was so releived that she was able to convince one of her friends in a similar situation that it was no big deal and that she did not need to worry. Child after child left the room beaming with bright smiles and new found faith that they could trust the dental staff in taking care of them in a way that was safe and comfortable.
• Not only children received this kind of care this year. The first two patients this morning were teachers at the  MdL school and the last two hygiene patients were a 20 year old transition student and a worker in the homes. These were four of many patients from the community who received care that was frequently very intense and virtually unavailable to  them otherwise. 
• We also experienced the end of life for a goat and a pig today. There is an old abandoned truck on the dirt road between the guest house and the school and childrens' homes. The engine has been removed and the large metal grate bumper hangs precariously secured by some wire. Today we were able to see this bumper used to hang the livestock while they were being dressed out and then watch as the 2'x3' stand was emptied of their meat. This was a picture of a Haitian butcher shop. It's not as if we stayed and specifically watched it. It's just that it is the main path from the guest house to everywhere else we go. And in the usual Haiti style, we have to make multiple trips for what ever task that we are doing.
• The team members not involved in the dental clinic were also able to experience the second Ben's worship service for the community. They were amazed and blessed to have the Preacher's for Christ lead worship in a bebop style. All of  them came back clamoring for CD's and praising the preaching of 17 year old Junior. The group has been performing local concerts and their music is being played on the Haitian radio stations. For those of you who may not know, the group is comprised of some of the older boys from the home and Ariana Manassero. They have their second CD in process and the first is a big hit. Poor Israel is a leader of  the band. He was in the dental clinic today from noon until 3:45 and had two fillings and a cleaning. Yet he was able to perform and be a part of leading worship tonight.
• Keith and Bob spent most of the day finishing the project of repairing the benches in the large trucks. They look very impressive and the two of them were covered in sawdust and dirt despite Keith's improvised saw dust diverter sleeve made from a banana tree leaf. They had a great time bonding over the construction project.
• Moe finished the week with a much anticipated trip to the prosthetic clinic that her employer supports at a hospital here. John was able to join her and Fritz who drove them. It turned out to be at the hospital that is primarly staffed by MediServe (SP?). These are professionals that come in on Saturday for a week and replace the prior week's staff from all over America. We flew in with a lot of them. The administrator who gave them the tour is arranging for Frits's 2.5 year old neice to recieve an evaluation and treatment for some trauma that appears to be from the quake.

God bless you all for providing muTch through the LORD who provides it all.


Ivans leading muTch worship





Prayer time at muTch





Estaline showing off her pretty smile after crying through the entire procedure. She would smile on cue to show it for two days.



 



Eating with dental tools when we forgot to bring them forks




No- we're not doing crafts. These were the muTch ID cards. The project took all week but it was a success!




Aahmees and Farah one on one time.




Susette explaining the ID card/ picture frame gift and table number process




Buds Frankie and Mercades cleaning up at muTch




Keith and Bob made new benches for the buses.




High flying acrobatics at the Ben's




Daphne napping through David's birthday party.




MARCHEROLD'S hair cut




The playground that we built on the first trip in 2007 being used.




Mr. Ivan's receiving his first fillings. Dana assisting him instead of Chandra while Moe was at the hospital tour.



Some of the ID cards for the muTch program leaders (ages 12-16 or so and all from the community)

Haiti Day 7 Team Update!

"After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with His disciples and entered a grove of olive trees.  Judas, the betrayer, knew this place because Jesus had often gone there with His disciples..." John CH 18

The Team rose to the sun shining through every window, and a breeze that was a gentle nudge to get out of bed (some faster than others). We knew today would be a busy day, but we forgot "this is Haiti..." After prayer, and a quick meeting the team was off to many tasks....Part of the team worked on finally finishing up the photo Id's of the kids for the MUTCH feeding program (never knew matching names to cute little faces would be so time consuming). The dental Team, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, had another successful day! They did 3 extractions, 40 cleanings, 20 people seen, 17 fillings, and a surgery on the older guard at the school, that saved him from future deadly infections! Divine timing! Not only did the Dental Team work vigorously in the clinic, but they also came, and served at the feeding program. This was their first time being able to be a part of the MUTCH program for the dental team, and they were a blessing to those children today! Some were serving water and food, while others were spoon feeding limp and weak children who could not feed themselves...The dental team met the hearts behind the children they had seen on the table, but now their hearts had been broken not only for their teeth, but their little lives...The Lord allowed for a special treat today for 40 boys and girls from the orphanage. Their school principal allowed 2 team members to teach them Karate in lieu of P.E for an hour today. The kids were more focused, and well behaved than any class of children we had ever seen in the States...they were full of energy and smiles as they learned every posture! The kids were released early from school today, so a few of the team members were able to spend one on one time with the some of the teenage girls from the orphanage, and the blessing flowed back and forth, but the Missionaries were the ones whose hearts were fullest! We, as a team were ministered to today by Mr. Ivens. He is the school principal who not only runs the school, but has adopted 9 kids that he cares for. These kids have such reverence for him that we all prayed that we would be able to impact the children in our lives to not fear us, but respect us this way! There was a birthday celebration tonight for one of the staff members (David)  that runs the "Transitional home". We gathered around in a circle, he was placed in the middle, and some of the kids from the orphanage affirmed him, we prayed over him, and celebrated with homemade cupcakes, and cake! After the birthday celebration we hung in the bin area with the kids, and watched them perform what looked like to us near suicide, as they skateboarded, did flips off walls, and ran around with no shoes, and socks on...without a single injury! We came back to the guest house to close or evening in John Ch 18. The Holy Spirit fell heavy on us tonight, and there are many testimonies to share when we return...We ended in prayer, song, and tears...

"Pilate said, "So you are a King?" Jesus responded. "You say I am a King. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the Truth. All who love the truth recognise that what I say is true". What is truth? Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them "He is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. "Would you like me to release the "King of the Jews". But they shouted back."No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!"(Barabbas was a revolutionary...)

Praise the Lord! What the World thought would bring political salvation had nothing to do with politics, but the Spiritual Salvation to All who believe!

Our prayers were for Haiti, and all of you tonight..
God Bless you!
Your Brothers & Sisters In Christ!
Haiti Team -AKA-Aahmes Kubicki

Haiti Day 6 Team Update

"After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father the hour has come. Glorify your Son so He can give Glory back to you" John Ch 17 vs 1

The Team was blessed to wake up to oatmeal this morning, and the Haitians know how to make even something as simple as oatmeal taste out of this world!

After morning time with the Lord, the team was off serving Him in different directions.. There is a saying here in Haiti, that any plan we make is subject to "this is Haiti". The Spiirit led some team members  to see the places the team from the 2010 earthquake had been when it hit... there is still some rubble on the ground around the corner from the girls home, two years later. however, there has been a great deal of repair work done, and compared to our last trip here 14 months ago, the streets are buzzing with activity again.
Other team members were serving today by making benches for the truck they pick up missionaries in that come to Haiti to serve, and there was prayer over every bench made..The Spirit sent others to serve at the girls home where they were able to visit, laugh, and play with the girls. From there they went to the staff home to organise, put away clothes, shoes, and needs that will help keep the boys and girls provided for. Some of the Team had the privilege of meeting Brian Perry and Daniel from "Children of the Nations". These were the people that put together the "Meal Marathon" Food Packaging Event several months ago. That food will soon be reaching the needy here, and it was encouraging to know that hungry mouths will be fed.
 The dental team did 14 regular cleanings, 2 deep cleanings, 13 fillings, 3 extractions, 1 pulpotmy, and one open and med! Because the dental team has been obedient to come back to the children from the orphanage there is a bond, trust, and they are able to get the kids in and out much quicker than last year. "Praise the Lord!". There are many daily needs here as there are back home, simple but equally important task like folding, and putting away laundry, as the team did today. Haiti moves at it's own pace, and so do their computers :) So finally 3 days later... the 150 name tags for the kids from the MUTCH program are almost ready for the tagging for tomorrow's feeding program "Thank You Jezi!" While the Lord was accomplishing much  today, He even made time for some fellowship, which lead to a "Revelation" for a missionary who had a childhood fear that was finally brought to her recollection of where the fear came from...Our 2 missionaries that are teachers went into town today, and picked up supplies, they bought surprise treats for the team, and on there way back were blessed with a conversation with a young Haitian girl who works to save her money to buy kids who go without treats! Can these children get any more precious, Lord, really? The Lord's desire to see His church at MVCC look like heaven is happening across the waters..Today team members gave the boys here in Haiti a book with personnel notes from our MVCC kids of blessings to each individual boy at the orphanage, and the boys were glued to the book, and had huge smiles! It was a blessing to see these precious Haitian boys be blessed by their American young sisters, and brothers In Christ! Our days are full here, and the stories to the Glory of God are endless...
After a full day we came back to the guest house and had a Haitian meal, and sang Happy Birthday to our young missionary Mercadez  who turned 13 in Haiti today!
We were blessed by one of the staff members tonight who led us in worship, and the Spirit took up residence in this house tonight! We worshiped, and read CH17 of John aloud, shared how it ministered to each of us, and the highlights of our day...We ended the night with the Spirit of Joy! Praising the Name of Jesus because in John CH 17 vs 20 "I am praying NOT ONLY for these disciples but also for ALL who will EVER BELIEVE in me throughout their message" The Joy in knowing that Jesus Christ prays for each of us individually brought this team to it's knees... and our prayer is that each of you will be blessed to know the same!

A lesson we learned tonight from a beautiful Haitian child of God... she said " I don't like old people! and the team member asked, "why?", and she replied "because they have to work so hard, and it hurts my heart..."

Prayers & Love from above!
Your Brothers & Sisters In Christ!
Haiti Team - AKA Aahmes Kubicki

Day 5 from Haiti

"I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen , you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a little while longer..." John 16:1-4

Day 5 in Haiti.....

Praise the Lord for waking up His team to a beautiful sunrise (that some rose early enough to see :), roosters crowing, dogs barking, and beautiful Haitian children laughing on their way to school... The team had a very productive day today. After morning devotions (done privately) we gathered for prayer before breakfast, asked the Lord's Will for the day, and followed His Lead.

He led the team to serve all over today... some of the team over to the boys home (bins area) to help make the food for the feeding program, where they made enough food to feed 150 kids (including the school lunch). Another team member spent time at the girls home where she was able to read to the girls, and help them get ready for the day. Others were serving by finishing up the ID photo cards/crafts for the kids. Still others were organizing supplies, shoes, and needs for the girls home. The dental team served the Lord today by doing 9 cleanings, 20 fillings, 2 deep cleanings, and a total of 11 patients...The feeding program went smoothly today with the help of the Holy Spirit, with the team, and our 2 teachers keeping the little one's busy with crafts. The Lord wound down our evening with worship led by the girls and boys from the orphanage! This is an indescribable exsperience...but I will try...They asked us all to stand and began with "God of this city"...with prayer in between, every song lead by the Spirit thereafter. There was a little boy up against the wall with his hands held up to the sky, singing from his soul! We were all brought to tears,and minstered to by the Spirit through teenagers. Thank you Jesus! We walked back to our guest home through the darkness, but covered in Light. When we got back tonight, we sat down in our circle, opened in prayer, and read aloud John 16. Though today was blessed, there were some trials today. Seeing hunger in childrens' eyes, and anger in some of their faces is hard to bare. But because the Word of the Lord is divinley timed, He left us with a Promise this evening.

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in ME. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. BUT take heart because I have OVERCOME the world!" John CH 16: 33

The Team is asking the Holy Spirit to be with each of you all this week, and to meet you in every trial... with the Peace of knowing He already has the VICTORY!!

Please keep us in prayer for covering of health, strength, and our focus to be on serving God!

Love from the Team!

Your Brothers and Sisters In Christ!

AKA- Aahmes Kubicki

Compilation of pictures from 3 cameras. Some of the pictures are from earlier this week. Captions are by Jim



Worn out at 11:30 PM



"I'm so pretty, I'm so pretty..." or anything for a shot.



Dog pile at the muTch program





Pretty sisters - Chandra, Cindy, Moe



Chandra and Dana hard at it



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Dr Chuck, assistant Moe and patient Stephan



Early morning from the roof



Chandra & Cendy - Neither would let go.



Which one is from Orange County?



Sunrise



Cindy's Cloe the wonder dog practicing for the dog food commercial



Grandpa Bob and Grandma Jeane



Darcy's buddy from Monday reunited on Wednesday.



Haiti Team day 4

"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more..." We just closed our day with our evening devotion of John Ch 15. After a day filled with laughter, fellowship with our sisters and brothers in Haiti, and each other... we walked over rocks, dirt, and trash to the the new "Transition Home".  There, the older kids from the Home learn to "Transition" into self sustaining adult life, by teaching them vocational skills they can use in real life here, and make a living at it. Carpentry, sewing, business, printing, computer, language...the list goes on. Just another example of the larger plan God is implementing through the Manaserro's and their dedicated family and staff.

Amazing... three years ago a home surrounded by destruction; today is up, and running!  The transition home is a place for the boys and girls from the orphanage to learn how to earn money. There was time today for the teachers from our team to go over to the girls home and the boys home, and help tutor them with their studies! After registering 110 beautiful Haitian babies for the "MUTCH" feeding program yesterday, we spent 6 hours reconfiguring photos so that we can tomorrow put the photo ID's on the children tomorrow at the feeding program. The dental team started with an extraction first thing this morning, and from there, treated another 7 patients. "All Glory to God!"  The Theme of this trip is "Obedience" and as the Spirit has lead His team these 4 days, He has loved each of us by pruning at the branches of greed, selfishness, unforgivness, and is teaching us daily how to "Love one another the same as He has Loved us". Not only have we fallen in Love with the children of Haiti, but the people of Haiti, who greet us with smiles as we walk down the streets. we also love the Saints who have chosen to live here to serve in Ministry full time, and our Love for God runneth over... Our prayers are with each of you back home, that you would see how blessed we are, praise Him through every circumstance, and "Love one another as He has loved us". As one of our brothers reminded us tonight, let us not become stagnant water  in our walks with God, but  but water that flows like a waterfall with unending beauty where ever we are serving God.
 The Team sends their love to every Brother & Sister in Christ, our Family, and Friends! Continue to pray for us, God is hearing, pruning, answeing, providing, and protecting us!
The Haiti Team -AKA Aahmes Kubicki
God Bless!