Reservists Help with Haiti VBS

Two years after the earthquake in Haiti, Hope Force relief teams have moved from the disaster relief phase into long-term recovery efforts for the village of Sous Savanne. In a recent visit to Haiti, team leader Glenda Alexander learned that long-term recovery is about fulfilling physical needs, as well as creating relationships with the Haitian people.
Glenda and her team of 18 from Westgate Church in Atlanta, Georgia traveled to Haiti July 8-18 in order to help with the Houses of Hope project and hold Vacation Bible Schools for the local children. In seven days, the team completed three full VBS (Vacation Bible School) units and constructed two homes.

"Having been a teacher for many years, I felt such a desire to see these kids fully enjoy and be impacted by a full-blown VBS," Glenda said. "I loved introducing them to glue sticks and having loads of game time. This was my third trip to Haiti, and each time I go I feel a deeper and stronger connection to the people there."

According to Glenda, the team's VBS efforts required all-hands on deck as they sang songs, read stories, and completed crafts with the children. The Joy-themed VBS was centered on John 16:33 -- "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". When the activities finished, the team traced their hands with Sharpie onto t-shirts and wrote out the scripture in Creole and English for the children.

"We've had this vision for a VBS for over a year now, and it was great that we have finally achieved it," Hope Force President/CEO Jack Minton said. "Our hope is that the benefit to Sous Savanne will bubble over into the surrounding communities."

The team members from Westgate Church who helped make that vision a reality brought their own worship team for VBS. They taught all the songs in Creole and wrote them out for the local pastors so that worship could continue after the team returned home.

"We wanted to send worship throughout the village," Glenda said. "We could pull people into our times of worship, and they found it energizing. We overheard the kids singing the songs we had taught them even after VBS."

While the majority of the team was working on VBS, another smaller group of five completed two Houses of Hope homes during the deployment. Completion of the Houses of Hope project will result in building functional homes for 15 families in the Sous Savanne area. The Westgate team initially only intended to build one home, but they were able to finish two and dedicate both before leaving.

"Each and every time I go to Haiti, I just stare in disbelief because there are people living in some of the worst conditions I have ever seen -- it can be overwhelming," Glenda said. "But it's an incredible feeling knowing that you were able to get two families out of tents and into a home where they can actually lock the door at night."

For Glenda, one of the homes was special because the recipient is a cancer survivor who recognized Glenda from a deployment last December. While the practical relief of moving a family from a tent to a home is apparent, Glenda emphasized the importance of the bond created by getting to know the people.

"When the people begin to recognize you, you truly feel as though you are the Lord's hand extended in establishing friendship and relationships," Glenda said. "The words always come back to my wind, 'little is much when God is in it.' So with that I go and do what He has called me to do. I left Haiti believing we had made an eternal difference."