On day two of our summer trip to Haiti, we gathered on the patio of Chanje Lakay with pounds of rice, beans, spaghetti and oil. All the kids joined us and we created an assembly line to fill 230 meal kits, each containing enough food for 10 meals.
Kids at Chanje Lakay helping to prepare food for an outreach.
The plan had been to partner with a local church. Their pastor had already identified 200 families in his congregation in need of support and we were going to distribute food to them on the church campus. However, there was a miscommunication, and the church thought we were going to come a week later. No one was going to be at the church to receive food. It was time to flex.
We loaded the tap-tap (large Isuzu truck) with food and kids and drove to a village 20 minutes outside of town. Dr. L and Ms. M had already identified this village as one with severe need. In a country where more than half the population is starving, it can be difficult to decide who receives what limited resources exist. But the Haitian staff felt strongly that this was the village God was calling us to.
When we pulled up, curiosity drew people out of their homes. It seems they figured out pretty quickly that we were there to share food. But there was no chaotic shoving or aggression born from desperation. There was joy, gratitude, and camaraderie. When Dave and Dr. L preached the Gospel message, people seemed genuinely interested. More than 10 raised their hands indicating they had accepted Christ that day. Many seemed to already love the Lord, and this day was an answer to long repeated prayers.
Now, here comes the coolest part. After each family or individual got a meal kit, they were given the opportunity to receive prayer from someone on the Chanje team. Leading the prayer teams were the kids from Chanje Lakay. These young men and women prayed with boldness and compassion. They prayed over those who were blind, sick, grief stricken, and worn out. They prayed over young kids and mothers, grandparents and teens. They prayed for everyone without hesitation.
Kids of Lakay living out what they’ve been taught about service and prayer.
It was incredible to see these teens and young adults, all of whom have lived at Chanje Lakay since they were young children, step out in faith and put into practice the biblical principles they’ve been taught. It was incredible to see these young Haitians, all of whom have suffered unspeakable trauma and pain, reach out to their neighbors and offer love, comfort and hope. It was incredible to see a generation refuse to be defined by what has happened to them, but instead be defined by their Creator, driven by the purpose He has given them.
Not only did the kids participate in this outreach, but the following week they went to that local church where we had originally planned the first outreach. They once again passed out food and prayed for people with the Haitian staff and leadership team. We are so proud of them.
Haitians are the heroes. Chanje Movement is built on that belief. During this trip we saw firsthand what kind of Heroes God is raising up Chanje Lakay. And we are beyond excited for their future.
