Day 1
We traveled to a village so far outside of the main road that it required an army bus to get there! A few bumps, a few branches, and a few puddles of water later we arrived at the orphanage. What we weren't prepared to see were children with only t-shirts, no shorts or underwear. Children who hadn't eaten in days. Children who had no toys. So we brought the toys to them. We had a "floating carnival" which consisted of several games such as ringtoss, pin the tail on the monkey, tic-tac-toe, bucket toss, golf, soccer, throwing the ball into the hole (in which a daring soul would put their face in the hole as a target, often times getting more excitement than they bargained for). We had also brought bubbles, and so I attained a small group of kids who loved blowing and catching the bubbles. One little tiny boy imparticular was having such a great time, laughing and giggling, blowing bubbles, catching them, smiling so big! But as soon as I ran out and the bubbles were no more, he went and sat down by himself. I went over to him and began a clapping game, trying to get another smile on his face-but it did not budge. His whole demeanor had changed. He was back to reality. He remembered how hungry he was as he put a tiny plastic wrapper in his mouth that was sitting in the dirt for who knows how long. And it just made me realize how important something as small as blowing bubbles is for these kids. He got lost in a world of happiness for just a moment in time. He was a kid with no worries....
The last part of the day we went to what is called Miracle Village. After the earthquake, the land that Miracle Village now sits on was then a tent city. Joyce Meyer saw the need and transformed it into Miracle Village-an area that houses 400 families. The homes are beautiful, all different colors and all containing beautiful landscaping. Victory Compassion (our contact organization) goes their often to do a Kids Camp. They take a truck all throughout the streets of the "village" and pick up about three truck loads full of kids to take to the church. That day we did just that, and at the church we put on a service which included worship, games, a bible story, a puppet show, and a prayer to action. The kids were so attentive and beautiful. My favorite part was the sweet little boy who was loving the puppet show so much, and while he was giggling and listening to the message, he had his arm around his friend next to him. I love the camaraderie and relationship formed between the Haitians.
Day 2
Part I. CAD.
The C.A.D., an orphanage of 96 children, all with a past of abuse and/or trafficking. We went there on a Sunday morning, and our team was responsible for the service. Going in to this place was different than any other orphanage, faces were solemn and cold. We came in with excitement, high-fives, and smiles, and as they did interact with us, they did so with no emotion attached. We could tell these children encountered things no child should have to encounter. We were told no lap sitting here due to the pasts of these children, so we squeezed between them, spread out in a tiny room packed with kids. I found myself next to Mary Angeline, and within 5 minutes my hand was in hers and it did not leave hers at all that day until we left. These kids worshiped God with everything and were so attentive to the bible story and sermon that our Go team arranged. Through the story of Joseph and through a strong sermon brought by a Go member who shared his story of being bullyed as a kid, the message of hope was delivered and the message that God has a good life for you no matter your past and the hurt that you've gone through. Kids were sobbing. Walls were breaking, and God was being lifted high. I'll never forget it. And then the kids were given time for testimonies, and we were told that this was the most testimonies ever shared by the kids at C.A.D. Our hearts broke as an 8 year-old told us through tears that she saw her home fall on her mother from the 2010 earthquake and that the blood splattered on her face. That a young girl was beaten by her aunt that she was forced to live with after the earthquake killed her parents. And what is so humbling is that every testimony began with "I am thankful to God for putting me in the orphanage because..."
We finished the day by piling in the army truck again and going to a small village to give away bags of food. On our way there we saw first hand the effects of Lake Azlieu. This is a huge lake in eastern Haiti that has been rising for years. In this time, it has taken many homes and villages along with it. We were told that the 2010 earthquake only released 5% of the lakes pressure, and it will continue to rise. A ways off of it's shoreline is the small village in which Victory Compassion regularly visits. The children here were beautiful and full of life, all with smiles and a playful spirit. It was very apparent that this village reaped fruits from their faith in the Lord. They had just built a new church and Haitians from this village often have received these bags of food from Victory Compassion.
Day 3
We went to this orphanage, and although there are only around 30 orphans, the whole community came and there were 300 kids! So we split our team of into three groups, giving about 10 of us 100 kids each! We had carnival games for them, we played games such as limbo, hot potato, and dance freeze tag, and then had a bible lesson for them. It was INCREDIBLE. And as I've said before, you could tell so vividly which kids were from the orphanage because you could see from the radiance on their face the love that is poured into them. They smiled, they helped, they trusted. One of the orphans wanted to be held at all times-and he was not little! But it's so hard to say no, so you'd pick him up and he'd wrap his arms around you so tight that nothing could separate him from you. During carnival games, I was responsible for ring toss, and it was the sweetest thing because both him and another sweet little orphan boy helped me. Anytime someone would miss he would put the ring on and then when they had thrown them all, he would (very slowly) take the rings off, straighten them, and then hand them to me. It was sooo sweet!!
Day 4
I'd like to say a special thanks to the Victory team. Chris, Cassandra, Shea, and Mary, and to our translators Steven, Wiglaire, James, Florentine, Max, and Daniel. They made this trip what it was and had such beautiful hearts. I'd also like to thank anyone who donated anything from money to crafts to clothing. And a big thanks to all the prayers. Those made the difference. As I like to say, another trip abroad means I another chance to meet some more of the extended family, and I love them more than words!
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| From right to left, Max, Ben, James, me, Wiglaire, and Florentine. |
