Gran Moun

Gran Moun means "old person" in Creole.  Sounds a bit more sophisticated doesn't it?  I had the amazing opportunity to spend time with the Gran Moun in Haiti.  Once a day the mission would provide a meal for the Gran Moun.  They would make their way to the mission on foot, up a huge hill (the hill of death), in very hot weather.  They would start their time with praise and worship and prayer.  I have never heard anything so beautiful as the singing of haitians!  They were so thankful for this one meal.  It broke my heart watching them.  They would take a couple bites and then pack the rest up in a container that they brought and take it with them.  Most likely to take back and feed whatever children were living with them.  This was not a huge meal, reminded me of a burrito bowl from chipotle.....minus the meat, sour cream and cheese!  Everyday I had tears running down my face as I helped feed these wonderful people.  One day, one of them even offered me their food, because they thought I was crying because I was hungry!  They have nothing and yet they still try to give it away.  I saw Jesus everyday when I spent time with them.  

I also was able to help with the community feeding.  We would pack up these meals and deliver them to homes in the community, to people who could not make it to the mission due to ailments. It was a great time to get out in the community and really see the needs of people.  We would walk through the market where people were trying to sell different foods.  Everything was covered in flies and dirty, but it's the only way these people could make a living.  As we walked through the streets it wasn't long until we had a small entourage of little kids with us!  Haitian parents tell their children to make friends with americans in hopes that we will give them money or food.  The mission has rules against this to protect its missionaries so I just tried to let these kids know that I love them and prayed for them as we walked.  

Everything about Haiti was so unfair.  Everywhere we looked we saw things that were not right!  When I first got there I didn't think I would be able to do it, and even asked Ben to get me out of there.  As the days went on, I realized that we were there for a reason and even though we couldn't help everyone, God had put us there as a piece of his puzzle!  We will continue to pray for and serve the Haitian people, because we feel that is what the Lord is calling us to do.  It may seem small, but we know that every relationship with Christ starts as a seed, waiting to be watered and nurtured.  We are happy to be part of the planting and watering, and hope to see the fruits of our labor in heaven!