The activities of the day are very slow and generally relaxed, but yet everyday seems to fly by! I can’t believe a week has passed since my last blog. For those of you who look forward to hearing about the happenings in Haiti I apologize. I know what it’s like to be at home and anxiously await a word or two.
The children are in school from very early in the morning until mid-afternoon. This doesn’t give me much time to be with them. If anything – that is what I am really missing on this visit. When they get home they each have chores and then eat their big meal for the day. By the time they finish, we eat, and then it’s dark out which makes it harder to play and do things – as homework comes to play and nightly devotions at 7:00 p.m. (In fact, I can hear their voices singing worship songs all the way in my room as I write this!) Lights out for them at 8:30 p.m., and I’m usually not too far behind them.
The weather continues to be beautiful – which is a wonderful thing! I’m never quite sure why I continue to live in a cold weather area when I much prefer to sweat than shiver. But, I’m still a baby and heat up my bath water in a little warming pot and wash from a bucket instead of a cold shower.
Renee left New Life yesterday after being here nearly three weeks. I have a room to myself now and miss our evening chats as we both re-hash the day. As long as there aren’t any lizards who come to visit – I’m fine alone.
Renee blogged about all the abandoned babies we went to see at General Hospital last Friday. It was quite the experience and scene. The General Hospital is swarmed with people trying to get medical care and then the majority of the pediatric patients are in these little buildings about the size of a one stall garage - one bed after another - with parents/visitors – medical personnel and a few floor fans. It’s really more than you can bear. Especially when you see little babies laying there with no known relatives and no one to hold them and give them the love they so need. What becomes of all these children?
Yesterday I set up a “store” in the church. I had bought something new for each child, in addition to donated new clothes. I laid them across the pews by size and sex and was so excited for the kids to get home from school. I intended to have them come five at a time, so they could really have the chance to look through the selection in their size and have the joy of picking, instead of just being given something – whether they like it or not. I also printed out a photo of each child I took on my last visit and had them all on display for their taking. And naturally I had a big bag of candy with instructions that they could have TWO pieces!
About the first 20 minutes went well. I picked five on the older boys and they were really excited to try on new dress shirts for church. I was so pleased that THEY were having fun, too! The game plan was for them to go and select another child to come in THEIR place when they were finished. Translation obviously isn’t always accurate – as before I knew it – there had to be 35-50 children all running around “shopping!” I had 10 year old girls wearing size 2Toddler dresses as a shirt – and little boys hoping that size 29 waist for men would fit them. I think I was probably the only one frazzled, as most looked like they were having a great time. Somehow it worked that everyone got something new – so mission accomplished!
On Monday night we were able to get together with Frentzy, Rene’, Fedner and their families for our “family dinner.” That is what we have come to call it, as we feel we really are family after almost five years of knowing each other. I just can’t say enough about their love, integrity and appreciation. We have many laughs and it’s always a joy to be with Patty, my little God child. She calls me her “mother-in-law” which I think is hilarious – I quite choose that over Grannie! Her new baby sister “Jodi” is so sweet.
Some of you may remember that Frentzy and his wife Koline lost their baby boy during child birth back in September. It was SO devastating – as you would imagine. Frentzy made an announcement during dinner that they are going to have a baby! I am SO excited for them.
Today I began my efforts to have the children make a Valentine for their sponsor. Well – I only had time for six children out of 106 – so I might have to revise my desires and thinking. They really enjoy doing any kind of activity. I noticed today they were going especially slow and claiming they needed to start over – all the while trying to make their special time last longer.
I’m sure you can imagine what happens when one child gets sick here….it runs through the entire “household.” The small room designated as the “clinic” always has action. Today I enjoyed going to the clinic and giving the children something special to do while they were recovering. Rosena – the little girl I have written about before – was in the clinic the past few days because of a respiratory condition. She continues to crack me up with her little bossy ways. Someone brought a box of children sunglasses –so everyone in the clinic had on their “shades.” Rosena insisted on wearing hers upside down. There are two new boys who have arrived since I was here in October – one of them is VERY frail but today I saw him smile for the first time – shades and all.
Please continue to pray for this ministry. There are daily challenges for the care givers on up. Nothing is simple in Haiti – despite the slowww pace. The simplest things seem to take forever to accomplish. While I know the children here are cared for much better than most places in the country, I still wish I could take each one of them alone for the day and give them 100% of my attention to assure them that they are special and created uniquely by God and are loved beyond their imagination. Most only know life as it is at New Life. They have no idea what it would be like to be a family of four – or whatever.
Most important I am asking for prayer for there to be a future for these children whereby they can survive once they leave New Life. When you see their skills, knowledge, and hear about their future dreams my chest aches with anguish. BUT – our God is a mighty God capable of all things. I am actually feeling a bit downcast this trip and have to keep reminding myself that giving away God’s love IS important and fruitful – even in a country where hope is hard to find.
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