Our First Full Day...

Our first full day in Haiti started at a bright and early 5:00 am to the singing rosters outside our windows. The wall outside Marie’s was being torn down as we all headed to the orphanage to hear the students sing their national anthem and watched the raising of the Haitian flag. They sang beautifully. It made me wonder why we stopped doing that in our own schools. The children there are so sweet and all seem so happy when they have so many reasons to be anything but. Its awe inspiring to witness and I am so glad to have been given the opportunity to meet these wonderful children. They are very inquisitive and the girls have taken quite interest in my hair. It makes me laugh as they pet my head.

Our mission for the day was to start on the extension of the church. After picking up some wood we were back at the orphanage and hammering away before we knew it. It’s amazing how much work can be done with so many helpful hands. We were able to finish most of the framework for the church and are making great progress. I didn’t understand most of the carpentry talk but I felt privileged to be able to help. Jim and his group are some of the warmest, caring people. At the end of the day we returned to Marie’s and the wall that was torn down this morning was almost completely rebuilt. The Haitians worked all day in temperatures well into the 90’s with little food or water. I thought of this as we were eating the meal cooked by Gina, which we are very fortunate to have. I am so very grateful for everything I’ve been provided. Thank you Marie!

This is definitely a humbling experience. It’s hard not to think just how well we have things in the US when you see how little the people have here. Their hearts are large and their needs are many. It will continue to amaze me how positive they are after everything they have been through. It will be hard to leave in a week knowing that there is so much more to do. I will definitely go home with a new perspective and be more appreciative of the many things I am lucky to have in my life. This experience will be something I hold in my heart for life. I look forward to what tomorrow brings.

Tina Miller