We are all home in the land of creature comforts. What a blessing they are, indeed. However, what we miss already is the reality check of Haiti, the awareness of the things that really matter.

We have truly seen a lot. The green and fertile valleys promise hope, which will be fulfilled in honest labor, tending of crops, and harvest. The work of dedicated teachers in Cite Soleil concentrates on seeing a hopeful future for the students. A nearly miraculous home-grown business, Pure Water for Haiti, which provides safe, affordable drinking water for the people, as well as jobs and even careers, expresses confidence and affirmation for the future of Haitians. Such a day we’ve had !

Hi Everyone! My name is Leisl Stoufer and I am the Children’s, Family and Youth Director at California Heights U.M.C. in Long Beach, CA. This is my first trip to Haiti and it has been an amazing experience so far! Today we had a wild trip on a little prop job, puddle jumper from Port-au-Prince up to the northern coast of the island where we landed in Cape Hatien.

The spirit of giving that Rylan embodies is almost unheard of–someone who willingly shares all that he has with people in need, asking only for his empty container in return. It’s stories like this that are both humbling and encouraging to me, and I hope to you as well. As Rylan’s mom, Luciene, put it, “If a four year old can give everything, it’s a lesson to all of us.”