Tom's Haiti Blog
2/27/10
Arrival into Haiti...Gentlemen, Start Your Mission
By giving to Food for the Poor, you will be supporting missions like the one you will see in the video-The Village of Hope.
The Damage
An other movie about the The mision in Haiti
Little Children of Jesus
This is another mission that is supported by Food for the Poor. The children luckily did not suffer much from the earthquake, other than cracks in the walls which will need repair. Food for the Poor had recently built this facility you see in the video. These structures have a much better construction integrity than the overcrowded old location the children were in. Little Children of Jesus Orphanage takes in children who have been abandoned and forgotten, mostly for being handicapped, physically or mentally.
Here I am to Worship
When all is lost, when things seem hopeless, the beautiful people of Haiti sing praises to God for being alive. We are two countries separated by distance, culture, and economics; yet we are one in the Spirit. Consider giving of your time, treasure, or talents to our brothers and sisters in Haiti as they rebuild. If not through, Food for the Poor, than another. I was a cynic, 'does money actually reach the people?' was the question I would ponder. Today, I pray your cynical side be buried forever with mine, and that the Holy Spirit stir your heart to action, you are the mighty one, capable of all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Friends around the country & co-worker's throughout Volunteers of America,
God's peace to you,
Chaplain Tom Hafer
2/23/10
We are heading back into the states, all is well for us. Like the end of a suspenseful movie when the credits roll, we get out of our seats-walk to the parking lot-into our cars-and back home, possibly discussing the movie's impact with loved ones. The difference is obvious, it is not a movie. The stars are not acting. The people of Haiti are bound, their only crime is demographics; the misfortune of being born into the current situation.
The one thing you have heard over and over from me is the impressions the spiritual folks of Haiti have left us all. Whatever they lack in possession, is gained in faith.
In the middle of the night last night we had an another small earthquake, a 4.7 on the scale. It was enough to wake us up out of bed as the earth seemed to try to shake us from its surface, like a horse's skin does to a fly. Insignificant, that is what we felt, insignificant. As the people of Haiti start to recover from fallen family members, start to get food to eat, they are constantly reminded of the devastation by the continued threat of another earthquake. I did not understand that, until now. Many of you on the west coast know what I am talking about.
But with the struggles that compound for our friends of Haiti, they have never given up hope. The tears of pain turn to joy when they see the aid showing up from around the world. From the U.S. Soldiers who kept the streets safe, the Canadian Army who moved the aid to the people, the great folks from UNICEF, from the Baptist Convention survey team I just finished talking to in the airport, the Catholics, the Methodists, the American Hospitals, the international hospital workers, the student doctor-Allison in the seat next to me on the plane-who spent 10 days in a tent with her team while seeing 7000 patients from sun up to sun down; from World Vision, to the other Religious relief organizations and of course Volunteers of America; Haiti knows they do not stand alone. The earthquake has been heard around the world, and we have miles to go before we sleep...miles to go before we sleep...we will not forget! I wish all of you can go and hold Jesus for yourself at the orphanage.
God's peace,
Thanks for listening,
Chaplain Tom Hafer
Gulf Coast Village, Cape Coral, Fl
Volunteers of America
Click here to see the other photo's of this day in Haiti
2/22/10
Greetings Friends of Haiti
We have felt your presence with us, thank you. We were not only 11, but a multitude. Through the days we were here, so much had happened. It was the first day needed to digest the devastation. Friday morning, we picked up our first sledge hammer, and carried our first felled mason block to start the clean-up. All the debris, all the pain that the earthquake left at the Hope House in Haiti seemed as useful as running in quicksand or trying to bail out a sinking ship with a teaspoon. All felt like, whatever we did, there would never be enough hours and energy to bring back what was lost; we were numb.
As the hours went on the first day, light started to shine in the darkness-and before long the collapse roof came down and the new roof went up. The strewn blocks started to become a wall, the outer-buildings were reorganized, the ceiling tiles were put back into place, the lights were changed, the showers fixed, the closets restocked, and the equipment needed for the school and the daycare were up and running again. What else can be said. When all seems lifeless, a flower blossoms. God showed up, we are humbled by what we could do through Christ who strengthened us...but that is so not the story...
Please take a moment to hear about Haiti. Not the Haiti that lay in ruins on its surface of what can be seen, but the Haiti beneath the news. The Haiti that stays below the radar and is housed in the hearts of these resilient people. The strength of the Haitian people, starts in faith. Like the woman who was bleeding for years before she touched the cloak of Jesus, Haitian faith is one of reckless abandon, child-like but far from child-ish. The eleven of us have learned much more in our short mission about what trust really means, what community means, and what church a church is at its core. Like the first Christian community in Acts that grew through the goodwill of the whole community praying together and sharing the good news together, Haitian resilience and strength is found in the Spirit of her people. Earthquakes, famine, corruption, exploitation; would seem to eventually end the will of a people. But, what you find is the opposite. When their is no where else to turn, you turn to God. For those who have ears to hear, they are more than okay. Poverty and homeless exists, but spirits are never broken. Today we visited the daycare where severely mentally and physically handicapped, abandoned children, are cared for by a staff of Haitian people who make less than a day than most of us spend on a couple cups of coffee at Starbucks. Ironically the daycare which is part of the community of places we helped with, is calledLittle children of Jesus.
What did we learn...you can see Jesus in a handicapped child. Today I held Jesus. And knowing that, as the Haitian people do, there is nothing you won't do to make life better for the least of these.
Peace to all of you...Never forget.
Chaplain Tom
Click here to see the other photo's of this day in Haiti
2/21/10
What is the gift from Haiti? Today I experienced an open air church full of kids. They prayed for two things: thanksgiving- that they survived the earthquake and they prayed that their new 11 friends from the states remain safe and happy and prayed for our safety...I will say it again...these beautiful children who lived well below the poverty line and have just experienced loss of family and friends...prayed for us!
The gift of Haiti is not that we are the ones who made a difference. It is their stories that will come home to the states and will continue to feed all of us around our home, churches and communities living with complete trust in God. We will never forget. We all need Haiti as much as they need us.
No matter the situation-God is good, all the time.
Chaplain Tom
Click here to see the other photo's of this day in Haiti
2/20/10
This is a little reflection I journaled after the day's tasks: (after reading John 21:15-19)
Jesus said come-We Came with great excitement.
Jesus said, if you love me, feed my sheep; we respond 'of course we love you lord,
but first we must organize.'
Jesus said, if you love me, feed my sheep; we respond 'of course we love you lord,
but first we must keep organized to keep order.
Jesus said, if you love me, feed my sheep; we respond 'of course we love you lord,
but first we must build houses in your honor to so we can organize, so we can keep order in the house that we built for you.
Jesus said, if you love me, feed my sheep; we respond, in order to keep order, organize your house, we must keep out those who do not understand our order.
Jesus said, if you love me, feed my sheep...we could not hear His voice, there was too much chatter.
Today, I heard Jesus voice. It was in the hope of the people of Haiti. Today, I heard songs of praise behind the rubble. I gave away a soccer ball that cost $10, and was a hero for a day.
Peace to all, Never forget.
Chaplain Tom
Click here to see the other photo's of this day in Haiti
2/19/10
There are no words. I am sorry. But even with all the devastation, the fine people of Haiti experienced, they continue to teach lessons in Faith, Hope and Love. We are our brother's keeper; for those who have been given much, much is required. Never forget. Until tomorrow, Peace be with you.
Chaplain Tom
2/18/10
Friends of Haiti!
We will be leaving for the airport at 5 a.m. on Friday morning, now we are packing boxes getting ready to store 1200 pounds of tarps, rope, clothes, medical supplies, etc. in the cargo of the first commercial airlines that is landing in Port-au-Prince since the earthquake.
This is a simple picture taken after the devestation; in addition to so many lives lost, the majority of small businesses were completely wiped out, making it an impossible situation at the moment until things can get back to normal, or near normal again...our mission these next 5 days will be repairs to walls of the school-Village of Hope, and the mission compound-Hope House. We will keep you posted after our arrival. Peace to you this day, let us all remember our blessings.
Chaplain Tom
2/15/10
Welcome Friends. If all goes well, myself and 10 other men from various churches from the Tampa Bay area will be heading to Port-au-Prince, Haiti this Friday, February 19th, 2010. Please join me each day as I do my best to get news, pictures, and video on this blog site you are now on. Thanks to all my coworkers at Volunteers of America who have made the rescue, and now rebuilding of Haiti, a priority for the thousands orphaned and homeless. Please continue your support by giving to the mission organization you choose. Might I suggest Food for the Poor. They have been a social ministry organization that have been involved in Haiti for decades and have 97% charitable commitment ratio. They are very successful at bringing the resources directly to the people, although their infrastructure in Haiti has suffered a great loss during the earthquake. (www.FoodForThePoor.org)
Let us not look for God in the earthquake, but instead, find God in the merciful recovery efforts of all of His people Worldwide. Like Elijah, who looked for God in the great hurricane, the fire, and, yes, even the earthquake, he too, did not find God there. But, Elijah found God in the still small voice that followed the disasters. Like Elijah, Find God's voice in the still small voice of God's collective people, following the disaster. Stay tuned.
God's peace,
Chaplain Tom Hafer
Gulf Coast Village, Cape Coral, Fl.
Volunteers of America (VOA.org *)
* Volunteers of America is an Interdenominational church with a distinctive ministry of service for more than 113 years. With over 16,000 employees, and 70,000 volunteers nationwide, we reach more than 2 million people in over 400 communities. Our work touches the mind, body, heart — and ultimately the spirit — of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.