On Our Way Home – A little lighter with part of our hearts left in Haiti

Nothing new about our wake up – the usual environmental sounds, the heat, the lack of power, the bright positive outlooks and attitudes and the amazing instant coffee in a bag – and don’t forget six women patiently and lovingly waiting in line for the door less ladies room and the bucket shower! All that said, we gathered together at 7:30 and tried to figure out how “Haitian Style” – we could finish all the items on “our list”. Praises for Patty’s pancakes and bacon – I think we ate more at one meal than most Haitians have in one week – wondering if we could do with less. We were very excited to be going to COEHNA today, a second orphanage that we have begun to support. So we gathered activities and headed out for another eye awaking journey. We were met by 32 boys and girls in their school uniforms. We found out as the day progressed, they are still sleeping on the ground in a tent by night out of fear for another earthquake. We found these children very polite, kind and caring toward one another. They definitely watch out for one another. Handed out sponsor gifts and for those that did not have one we had brought something for everyone else. The kids loved the kites, balls and balsa wood planes. It was the highlight of the afternoon to see a kite flying in the beautiful Haitian sun. We toured the orphanage and found it very clean and absolutely nothing other than the bare essentials. We were please to see that the Pastor and his wife have been teaching the older boys and girls to make sandals, bracelets and wall hangings out of rope and beads as a trade. We left there pleased that we had gone wanting to spend more time and wondering how we can do more in the future. Then it was out to the artisan metal works that we tried to get to yesterday. As we pulled into the neighborhood filled with metal work shops in the front of people’s living quarters we weren’t quite prepared to be their only customers. The level of intricacy of their work is amazing. And of course, all of this gets done with very little tools and no power. Being the generous hearts that we are we felt compelled to leave some money behind to help the Haitian economy. Definitely a place not to miss! Then it was off to the now famous bakery with air conditioning for cokes and fries. Back to Marie’s then for the dreaded final time with the girls. Most women felt that this part of the visit was not described in the travel brochure accurately! The girls were given hand sown dresses that were donated by a loving supporter and each dress said “I love you” stitched on it. We celebrated with the “pink” cake we had purchased the prior day and got all the girls in line for a beautiful picture. They watched and sang worship songs with the DVD’s that we had purchased for them and then it was time for our last goodbyes. We all lined up and each girl passed by to get a big hug, kiss and a blessing of “I Love You” with a few tears in between. We continue to be encouraged by the progress we have seen in the orphanage rebuild. We are excited to see how God is restoring what has attempted to be destroyed. The Haitian people’s perseverance; a blessing and an example of faith to us. We have been taught this week to find joy in the smallest of luxuries like, instant coffee, no power and water for bucket showers. We long to get home to our friends and family but painfully part of our hearts are left here in Haiti! Thank you for continuing to be God’s hands.
The Team