April 22, 2011 A Good Friday
Two more days have quickly flown by and I’m already counting on my fingers how many more days I have left, and trying not to begin whining about how I wish I could stay longer. I spent yesterday at Grace House of Hope with Marie and the girls. Fedner was my driver for the first time! He’s 22 years old and Marie’s only boy/man at the orphanage. His tasks are many. I have always had a huge soft spot in my heart for Fedner – so I enjoyed our time together in the car amongst all the traffic. Without stop lights, designated lanes or any semblance of order it’s amazing to me that there isn’t an accident every 30 feet. It’s nothing to have a motorcycle with four people on it (one probably caring a live chicken) cut in front of you and then cross over a sidewalk to an adjoining street. The action on the street is more than you can take in.
Marie and I had time to chat and catch up before I went down to see the girls. As I came driving up I could see little faces sticking up over the security wall. I was so excited to see each one. Even though I had just seen them in February – they all seemed taller! Being a bit partial to the younger ones – I just wanted to scoop every one of them up and hug them until they screamed. They had tables already set up with chairs for every one of them and were ready to get down to business, as they know I always bring a project of some sort. This time I brought them their OWN color book with a set of crayons. The older girls got activity books with word search and such – which will keep them occupied here and there for awhile. It was so quiet at first. Everyone was so focused. Then the “Look, Sister Patty!” started and I ran from one table to the next admiring and exclaiming on every stroke of the crayon. When they would smile with such pride my throat would tighten and I had to hide the dripping tears. I don’t think the girls realize the impact they have on my life. The oldest six girls are getting so mature and it’s very obvious they care about their appearance – as their hair was braided so beautiful and shiny lip gloss on each of their lips. They are getting that mid-teen look of “coolness.”
After marshmallow chocolate bunnies and Easter Egg bubble gum I lost their attention – but I just love to watch them interact and so wish I could understand Creole to know what they are buzzing about to each other in their precious voices. I wasn’t as sad leaving them, as Jim and I will be going back to see them next week - after he arrives here on Sunday.
I ended up going to bed at 8:00 p.m. last night. After being in the heat all day – this old body starts shutting down. Jim can attest that I hate getting up early. But every morning so far I am up 6:00 a.m. and enjoy sitting in the morning sun and breeze to do my devotions. I can hear people singing hymns from somewhere and the activity of the children here has already begun. It is truly serene.
There is another guest here named Tammy who arrived yesterday. She brought three filled 50 lb. bags of Easter goodies for the children. She had many friends and such donate so the menagerie of items and candy was unbelievable. The majority of the day was spent filling over 600 Easter eggs with candy and sorting. By late afternoon we had successfully made a personalized Easter treat bag for 97 children. The littlest ones are getting a cute little metal bucket filled to the top! The oldest 23 boys are getting a baseball hat filled with eggs, candy and fun stuff. The 16 oldest girls are getting a canvas bag with the same goodies – but with lip gloss and fingernail polish – of course! The remainder of the children have a cute Easter bag with such fun things…made me remember the fun when our children were younger. (Who wouldn’t like an edible bracelet and necklace, for old time sake?) So, after church on Sunday – the chaos will begin. They have never had anything like this before – so the Pastor will explain to them the tradition in the United States and the religious tie in. I can’t wait to see the excitement in their faces.
I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting under a little hut with about 15 of the kids doing puzzles and “word search.” They love doing that! Then I started writing out mathematical problems to solve and the requests were unanimous and even more children joined in for the challenge. It was something how they found solving math problems was such fun. I was very impressed with their arithmetic skills and rarely was there a wrong answer. Bubble gum and root beer barrels are always a good incentive for a job well done, of course. I started turning into a mosquito magnet – so was relieved that tonight is Friday night – and that means movie night. Math problems aren’t that much fun when you can huddle in front of the tv to watch a movie.
By today being Good Friday – they had special devotions and a special meal of fish at dinner. The Pastor for the children came to me and said that every day the oldest group of boys gather with him for prayer. I had seen them in the center of the soccer field – but assumed they were working on strategy. In reality that was where they were all praying. He told me that as they were praying they heard me say to one of the children, “You have a special person who is your sponsor!” He said the boys were so excited that they just started thanking God over and again that He is sending people to be their sponsors. It was very humbling to hear and learn what an encouragement that is to them. The Pastor lifted his hands to the sky and said their prayers are being answered. What a gift.
Lastly – You may or may not know that two of the dogs here had puppies to the tune of 17!! They had their pups two days apart so at five weeks old they have mastered the ability to cry all night. THEN – yesterday it was discovered that the female goat had a “kid.” So much for the goat has a “tumor” theory. Won’t be too much longer and this could be a “petting zoo.” Something tells me that raising the goats, chickens, rabbits, and tilapia for food isn’t going to happen….not the way they are coddled and loved.
Throughout the day when I recalled Christ’s death on the cross for each of our broken, sinful lives, I had waves of unworthiness. I will never grasp the depth of love He has for us, as well. The reason that originally brought me to Haiti eight years ago was because I wanted to “go and do” in His name, for His children. I never expected for a second that it would turn into being such a big part of my life. The problem is, the harder I try to bless others with His love --- the more He gives the blessings right back to me through these wonderful people of Haiti. Their love is the closest thing I have experienced of unconditional love. Try giving it away – you’ll see what I mean.
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