A full day in His name

Long day at the Orphanage. Watched morning chores done by the boys and the girls. Both work on Saturday morning until noon. Boys work the garden, fish tanks, rabbits, chickens and girls started to learn how to grow things as well (usually a boys job). All are learning about renewable recources. We had few boys help us dig out 35 school desks and re-assemble legs, moved 35 too small desks out of the classrooms and put the new desks in. This was almost a full day work, without the boys help the two old guys could not get this done.
We had a young man (English speaking) helping out with the desks. He is 20 years old and has been here since he was 6 years old. He finished basic school and he is attending a professional school (job training school). He is studying an electronic/electrical school and has one more year. We showed him and few other boys how to use a pop rivet gun, they have never seen a pop rivet in their life.
The orphanage is sitting on 5 acres of land with many buildings on this property. All together about 120 kids call this place home, boys, girls with able bodies and handicapped children as well (requiring a constant assistance). A staff of 55 has their hands full all day long. All of the kids love to play outside, and that includes the handicapped children. In the evenings all meet under the Mango tree. Children come here from all over Haiti, but mostly from the mountain area where the needy once would parish without being taking in by New Life 4 Children. Here they receive nourishment, love and attention they need. God is truly at work here.

After lunch we worked with Jim on bunk bed assembly. Beds for older boys are so desperately needed. Some of older boys are quite tall, but they are sleeping on Haitian bunk beds, too narrow, too short and not high enough. We were able to assemble 2 double beds tonight, now the boys are able to stretch out on the bed and be comfortable. They are also able to sit up on the bottom bunk bed without hitting their head or neck. Boys were helping out with bunk bed assembly as well. What an exhausting and God fulfilling day. Hot, humid, tired and full of spirit, that’s God at work, if you have never experience this, come on over……it’s a great feeling. We are truly blessed to be able to experience Gods true love.

About the cholera epidemic, Jim touched on it yesterday. It is very real in Haiti, everyone at the orphanage worries about it and takes precautions. Everyone coming in through the gate is requiring to disinfect their hands, children going to outside schools are being driven by the staff (so they would not encounter infected people on tap-tap, staff is taking cipro (medication for infections), Jim and I are taking it as well. Staff is doing a very good job trying to make sure that the epidemic does not cross the entrance gate.