A Reunion of Hearts January 11, 2011

It was an emotional day and despite the tears shed I am happy to have spent the day with Marie's girls, along with Rene and Frenzy - great friends of the many who have come to Haiti and met them.  They picked me up this morning at New Life and I could see their smiles from across the yard.  It was like old times as we talked away (for sure I did!) to catch up on their life.  We stopped at the school of Rene's daughter, little Patty, my godchild, who came running in her little school uniform (she is three years old) with big white ribbons hanging from her braids - looking like the typical school girl in Haiti.  Rene says she asks when her "blanc mamma" is coming back nearly every day.  I expected her to be shy - but she ran to me and I scooped her up and she grabbed me around the neck, rested her little head on my shoulders and patted my back very softly --- THAT STARTED the flow of tears.  I had her eating candy before we made it down the first narrow, dirt road with huge holes every six feet.  We went and played back at Marie's house in the outside courtyard.  Patty's family rents a room from Marie. I brought her all the "trimmings" for dress up so in no time she was prancing around from  her plastic high heel shoes to clip on earrings.  With her sequin purse over her shoulder she strutted here and there as we all roared with laughter.  About 50 photos later and a quick video of her dancing we headed to the orphanage.  It was so wonderful to greet all the friends I have made thru the years as I walked down the dusty road. It is as if time has stood still as very little has changed.  The girls at the orphanage were happy to see me and we spent the first half hour sharing hugs, kisses, and I love you's.  There were front teeth missing on some - while others had new front teeth that have fully come in.  A craft with stickers I knew would be a hit - and that  it was.  They took me inside the new orphanage - as they hadn't moved in when I was there in Sept.  It looked pretty darn orderly!  I can't imagine keeping 27 girls organized.  We had a good time together with lots of singing, silly photos and I gave them one treat after another which wasn't refused!  As expected - it was difficult to leave - but another opportunity to love them some more will happen.  Before returning to New Life me and "the guys" stopped at our favorite little place that has A+ french fries - so we had more time together.  Life is very, very hard.

Once back at New Life I got to hear about everyone's day here, as well.  David, the young Dr. here and Miriam were able to get a large supply of  antibiotics last night at the hospital in addition to other medical supplies.  They went by helicopter to a make shift hospital with the helicopter packed to the max with supplies.  There they found two tents with patients lying on cots, bedframe bare springs, and a few on cardboard.  There is ONE doctor for 80,000 people in this town - many living far away.  He has NO vehicle or any way to get to them - so the people walk for hours to get to him.  David said he looked totally exhausted.  They don't even have a source of WATER at the clinic.  They do have a small generator to produce light - but little fuel - so have to limit its use.  Before they arrived the Dr. literally had several small bottles of medication and basically NO other supplies left.   Unless supplies are brought to him - he has NO way of replenishing or getting anything. He did have the help of a visiting physician, who was so glad to have all the IV therapy to administer.  The patients were there with either severe malnutrition or cholera.  The Dr. said about 150 have recently died because of no supplies.  What an amazing experience for David to have on his first trip to Haiti.  He said the country is so  beautiful with natural beauty as you fly over it from above - the Caribbean Sea is so blue - and the mountains - and then you land and can't believe the conditions of the people.  I sure wish I had been able to go with them.  Someday I hope to be part of a medical mission  in this area - which is where many of the children here have come from.

Tomorrow is my last full day and I can't even believe it!  I'm just getting warmed up!  (Literally, as well!)  I hope to spend time with the children here so I can learn more about them to share with people when I get home.  The needs are great at New Life --- they are very visionary and strive to give the chidlren the best opportunities they can provide so when they leave here they have a firm foundation, high moral and ethical standards, a good education and trade.  It will take a NEW generation to make a difference in Haiti.  Tomorrow is the horrid anniversary of the quake.  Many people have been fasting the past three days in the country and holding special church services to mourn those whose lives were lost - and to pray that SOMETHING will improve in their broken country where thousands remain homeless.  So much for the hope the world put in their heart last year that never came to be...I have concluded that their persevearance is received from the heavens.  So much for me to learn from them - their ways never cease to humble me and make me want to change to be more like them.
Please pray for there to be in unity tomorrow and not any violence from their degree of frustration.  Their patience surely exceeds mine.  I guess I need to quit asking - why is this happening - and start a plan of action!