2 John 5-6 “Not a new command
One we have heard from the beginning
LOVE one another!
LOVE- walk in obedience to his commands”
4/28/11
Arrival in Haiti was chaos, Immigration and customs was busy and hot. Trying to collect 13 people and 1200 lb of supplies is a daunting task! We all loaded up in a van and set out for the OTV. The poverty did not surprise me I had seen it in Brasil. But the extent shocked me! It was never ending, the rubble, the trash, nothing is ever complete. We passed tent cities and wild pigs rooting through trash, people sitting on the side of the road selling junk. The traffic is amazing there appears to be no traffic laws and if there is no one obeys them. Within minutes of starting our trip a storm blows in bringing pounding rain and gusting winds. People are running for cover and the water on the roads rises quickly. Where will all these people go?
4/29/11
I am very excited to start this adventure I am just praying that God will keep me open and aware of what’s going on around me. I have fears about wanting to be physically busy on this mission trip and how when I heard about the plan to just play with the orphans I was disappointed. Our trip leader explained GO model and plan for partnering with the Haitians and not “fixing” and “throwing money” at the problem. He talked about just loving on the children. I’m nervous I tend to be such a physically busy, task oriented person.
Our 1st orphanage to visit is in Leagone which is near some of the worst earthquake damage. The 2 hour ride gave us plenty of time to take in the devastation. It was amazing to see the stacks of garbage piled up in the streets and rivers. There seems to be no governmental infrastructure to provide for the basic things we as Americans take for granted; garbage disposal, road maintenance and building codes.
Our first experience at the orphanage was shocking. The orphanage was small and cramped the children were meeting for school under a tent so we went for a tour. The girls and boys rooms were cramped with bunk beds stacked 3 high very close together. There is no privacy for the children or the mommas. They are in the process of building two new bunkhouses. They are also building bathrooms, but for now us girls had to aim into a gas can- that takes a lot of concentration! The kitchen was a 3 walled shack. I saw 3 girls sitting under the trees washing clothes in a barrel. I tried to talk to one of the girls but she would not respond to me.
Finally, school was finished and they introduced us to the kids. As soon as we sat down with the kids the wanted to touch you, hug you, hold your hands and sit on your lap. They want your camera and sunglass and ask for “photo”, “photo” repeatedly! They are all big hams and love taking pictures and getting their pictures taken. Michael was a little stiff for the 1st 10 minutes then he got into and just played with the kids. We did a craft that Joy brought and the kids loved it they could scratch their names and messages into the cross. Some of them had beautiful handwriting in cursive and almost all of them wrote Jesus loves me in Creole or English. At one point I looked over and saw that this little girl had attached herself to Steve and she would not let go! The love and compassion between them was visible it took my breath away. It was hard to leave after only had about 2 hours with the kids.
On the bus ride home it was hard to understand with my heart why we are not building better buildings more convinces- Americanizing the orphanage. Kevin explained the Go Model of cultural relevance. If the orphanages are that much better it creates 2 big problems. First, parents want the best for their children and they would be more likely to drop their children off if they knew their life would be so much better. The goal is to keep families together. Second, how will a child cope with life if he is bought up to expect a certain standard of living for x amount of years then once he leaves the orphanage he would have to live in the surrounding community in the same environment as his neighbors. GO attempts to make the orphanage similar to the surrounding area to prevent these problems.
After we returned to the OTV we got to meet the orphans at the village. This was amazing, we were all over our initial uncertainty and jumped right in playing with the kids. One girl Dolly grabbed onto me and tried to show me how to play this rock game kind of like jacks but I sucked! Next this little boy Santos (who would come to be my little man) grabbed onto me and just wanted to hold hands sit on my lap or touch me. He really did not want to do anything else. I was so worried starting out this trip wanting to busy with my hands- I never thought of how much more important it was to be present with my heart!
We had a bead ceremony this evening and I received a green compassion bead and I gave a green compassion bead to Steve for the connection I saw between him and that little girl- He was truly broken. I feel like I am getting to see Gods love played out in the people around me and it is breathtaking.
4/30/2011
After b-fast we headed over to play with the kids, we took sidewalk chalk, craft stuff, beads and fingernail polish. A little girl named Annelee braided my hair. She and Santos stayed close all the time while we were playing. I love watching the kids and the different hierarchy’s and how the protect care for and love each other. They all have sense of community very few if any are out for themselves.
Later in the afternoon we went to the orphanage that CATB supports. On the bus ride over my heart flipped I had this change in my body, mind, spirit and heart I no longer pitted the people but fell in love with them, their smiles, their love, their spirit and joy. They have nothing, but they seem to get Christian community. I want to be part of their community and life. I don’t know what that means or looks like for my life but I am praying that I will have discernment of Gods plan and that I will not be afraid to chase it.
When we first arrived I saw this little boy who looked to be about 2 naked and smiling in front of the group of kids. When I got off of the bus he walked up to me and put his arms up as soon as I picked him up we melted into each other. His name was Abner he had impetigo on his face and it sounds like he barely made it after the earthquake. He was singing halleluiah with his little lips puckered up as I rocked him and hummed. As we met the pastor and took a tour of the village Abner fell asleep on my chest mouth slack and open safe and cuddled into my chest. Susie had a little girl curled up in her arms fast asleep as well. Everyone seemed to have a very special bonding moment with the children at this village. The children sang for us which was the most amazing praise and worship I have ever heard in those little voices. They had so much joy and energy singing songs of praise. It was so hard to put Abner down at the end of our time. Michael was worried I was going to take him home. I assured him there was not an exchange program but I thought it was a good idea!!!
The next orphanage was within walking distance of the OTV it was neat to be on the street walking vs being in the car with windows between us and the community. I really don’t know what to think there is so much poverty, garbage and unfinished building but I see possibility. Once we arrived at the orphanage the children sang and we had a jump rope competition. I sat with a couple of the mammas and we talked as much as we could with our limited language. I have so much respect for these women who love and care for 12 children at a time. There was not a lot of room to play at this orphanage so we took a group of kids with us back to the OTV. There we played with all the kids and the older boys came out to challenge us to a soccer game. Of course, they kicked our butts and they were playing in crocs!
5/1/11
Today we drove into Port au Prince to attend worship services. I was blown away by the worship service it made me feel I was in a “thin place” so close to God. Their voices were so beautiful and their passion for worship shook the building. These people have no time constraints on worship, they are truly worshiping and learning. It was refreshing to see a different type of church service. The community treated us as part of the family. The woman behind me noticed how hot I was and that I was pulling my hair off of my neck and she gave me a hair tie. After church we drove through downtown Port au Prince to see some of the ruble from the earthquake. Next we headed to the coast to a mass grave site for some of the over 250,000 Haitians that died in the earth quake. It was surreal to see all the crosses and the site was beautiful overlooking the coast.
Thoughts after the trip:
It’s hard to describe to others the experience and most of the time their eyes glaze over once I start trying so I end up with the simple it was amazing and life changing “The End”. It doesn’t do it justice and is frustrating. I originally wanted to do a mission that would have me be busy working or doing something medical. My heart was changed and I got the "pure things" LOVE and caring for orphans. Gods repeating in my ear: " busy with your heart not busy with your hands Sarah". I totally get it but the people around me don't. I get that look of confusion and statement like "all you did was play with the kids", "you didn't build anything or use your medical skills?".
I don't know what God has planned but I am moving forward with planning a trip again in November.
