I asked everyone from our Haiti Team to share a little about what they experienced while on our trip. I thought you would like to read all the different perspectives. Here's the first one - Enjoy!
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Guest Blogger - Rick Rivers
I
traveled with a group of ten people from Hickory Grove Baptist Church. The trip was in support of Apparent
Project. I would
encourage you to check out their website at apparentproject.org and learn more
about their efforts for poverty alleviation in Haiti. They are not perfect but I believe they are
making a big difference in many lives in Haiti.
We
were able to paint three homes in a local community called Clairvil. These are post-earthquake homes built by
Apparent Project. They are 10’ x 10’ one
room homes that are 2’ x 4’ frame with plywood walls and a metal roof. It would have been possible to just drop off
the paint and allow them to do the work themselves but had we not stayed in the
community and painted these houses we would have missed out on what I think was
the most vital part of the trip, relationship building with those living in the
community.
We
were also able to use the skills we use on a daily basis. I was able to install some locks to help with
some security issues. Others taught
basic first aid to the group leaders at Apparent Project. We worked on some newly acquired space that
will allow for expansion and will provide opportunity for employing more
people. We spent time watching and
learning from the artisans as they created beauty from recycled materials.
I
learned so much from those who had so little.
I now have a new perspective on what poverty is and a genuine
appreciation for what we have. It was a
blessing to be part of this and I hope to return in the future.
A
closing thought for you to ponder.
Poverty is not about material things but more about the relational
distance between those that have and those that don’t.
God
Bless!
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