It seemed as though everyone woke up this morning feeling pretty refreshed, even though we didn’t get a ton of sleep last night! Today was the first time for me and many others on this team to be here in Haiti and also to see the orphanage. The roads here are…bumpy. Sometimes they’re non existent. In fact, in both going to the place that we’re staying in Les Cayes and to the orphanage, you turn onto roads that look like either you’re going into a ditch, river, or other dangerous trench. Since being in Haiti, I have discovered that 1. Haitians are loud, and 2.They are the best drivers bar none. I thought we were going to die….well not really, but God is faithful in keeping us safe and getting us everywhere we need to be. I’ll just leave that ride up to your imagination, and yes, you who have been to Haiti before know EXACTLY what I’m talking about!
The Haiti team boiled with anticipation as we arrived at the orphanage. As we walked in, the kids were still in school and were all looking out the windows as we waved excitedly to them. We kept busy in the morning, the guys all scoped out the latrine in preparation for the new roof, while the ladies helped wash laundry then proceeded to hang the clothes to dry over cactus and other assorted bushes.
The kids got a break and we got to hug A LOT OF THEM!! Unfortunately their break was really short so we had to wait another couple of hours to see them again. We did have some time to scope out the area and get to visit with the mommas a little. We plan to spend much more time with them this week. It’d be great if you all could be praying that they would open up to us and see our love and care for them as well!
FINALLY the kids got out of school (I seriously could hardly stand it). We spent the afternoon playing, jumping rope, with lots of hair braiding (with the ladies), some games of dominos, duck duck goose, and “down by the banks” (the group laughed on the last word every time “POW”).
We also had a time of VBS. We taught them about Palm Sunday, which involved some acting out of parts within our group…We decided Travis would be Jesus, and yes, Scott was the donkey. After Travis took a piggy back ride over the palm branches that the kids made (they LOVED coloring them and putting on stickers…even on their faces), the kids got to ride on the backs of the team members, too, while the rest of the kids shouted “Hosanna!”. It. Was. Awesome.
After VBS, we took the kids inside the church and watched the Haiti video and the personal messages from the previous Haiti team. The kids LOVED it! They all got excited at different parts throughout the videos, and I could tell the girls I was sitting by got excited when they heard their name on the personal message video. They all remembered the team members’ names! After the video, the kids all got their daily vitamin, a snack, and we all went out and played for the rest of our time there. The kids are way more active than what Scott and other team members have seen in the past! It’s a great thing! Also, even the mommas enjoyed the snack (they call snacks “bon-bon”).
As we were leaving, the kids kept asking if we’d be back “demen”, which means tomorrow! So before we left, Samuel (our wonderful translator friend) told us how to say “See you tomorrow!” I can’t wait.
Everyone at Pastor Louis’ house has been wonderful and feeding us amazing food. We’re so thankful for everyone’s prayers…we can feel God’s presence here and we’re all excited to see what He’ll be doing for the rest of the week. It’s an amazing feeling knowing so many people are praying for us while we’re here. The kids are understanding God’s love through our commitment to them as we continually return.
I feel so blessed to be a part of this.
All the best,
Aubrey and Jewel
