Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, “Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me”
We began our day with a short walk to the Artisan shops
where Haitians were selling their art for us to purchase. We were serving them
by buying their goods to make a living for their families. So many beautiful things
to buy, and me not realizing each artisan was in competition with each other
until the end, my heart was torn, and I bought too much to support as many as I
was able. We all returned with some goods along with soaking wet shirts from
the humidity and beautiful sunshine.
Before boarding the tap tap, we prayed outside with Smith,
our coordinator, and what a gift to hear his heart! I continue to be amazed at
those who have given their lives for Christ, and trust Him completely to serve
them with their whole lives.
Then, we loaded the tap tap for the orphanage Lalue’s. The
drive was one of the longest through the city with many turns and bumps, and a
couple of times kids climbed up on the back of our tap tap while driving. Coach
Steve, our very humorous parent, challenged Tamara, our leader, with one of the
many rules, not to feed a boy requesting food hanging on the back of our tap
tap, as Steve pointed with an accusing smile, to the Mathew 25:40 to serve the
least of these painted on the front of the bus. All in good fun, I am grateful
for all of the different perspectives, humor, and gifts we each bring in God’s
family especially to Tamara for her faithfulness to lead us all so well. Her
heart for the Haitian people is such a gift to witness.
We arrived at Lalue Orphanage. We walked in to about 30 kids
standing in front of us, and one boy lead them all in a song to welcome us. My heart
was overflowing with love for them, but also
great sadness knowing they have no families to love them. We then played with them,
loved on them, attempted to communicate with them. Each of us pushing out of
comfort zone while settling into the way God gifted each of us. My goal was to
hug and tell them they are loved and Jesus loves them. Their smiles were a constant
reminder the Holy Spirit was present, and Jesus is flowing through them. One
little girl made a heart with her hands to me understanding I told her Jesus
loved her. Witnessing the boys interact with these kids was amazing! The way
they jumped right in immediately holding a hand, putting them on their backs or
shoulders, playing soccer, jumping rope was truly a gift to these children. Joe
had a boy on his shoulder almost the entire time while the boy wore Joe’s EP baseball
cap. Michael had a little girl on his back while jumping rope as they both were
laughing. Noah never left the side of a little girl while she made jewelry and
played Bingo. Isaac H. was the Bingo caller. Michael played so joyfully with
the children. Isaac A. gave one on one attention to the kids playing bingo as
well as Noah and Danny. We made bracelets
and played Faith Bingo with them, and they loved it. The goodbyes were
difficult for me, but trusting God fruit was planted and He loves these
children more than I can imagine.
Next up we traveled to Papillon Enterprise where parents are
able to be employed while their kids are in daycare. The organization started
to help employ parents and help the economy, by allowing parents to keep their
children with a steady income provide by Papillon. They create things from bracelets,
to metal signs, to pottery, and more. Some of the jewelry is made from cereal
boxes, then hardened and polished. In addition, there is a quality restaurant,
overlooking the mountains. We shopped in the store to support their initiative,
and we also ate at the restaurant enjoying the breeze and beautiful view along with
French fries and delicious smoothies.
Our last stop today was Home for Sick and Dying Babies. A
nun greeted us at the gate to let us know we could feed the babies and then
bring them to a special church service to honor Mother Theresa.
These nuns exuded such love and kindness on their faces.
What an immense blessing they are to be in Haiti for these children. We walked
into room filled with rows of cribs and babies, and we were each given a baby
to hold and feed. The boys each jumped in again while being pushed out of their
comfort zone for the majority of them, feeding, and caring for them. After
feeding we held the babies in the church service. What an incredible gift to
love on these babies. My child kept putting her arm around my neck as I prayed silently
over her for healing and God’s protection.
Another excruciating tough good bye for many of us to put
our children back into their cribs as some of them cried. Again, I am so
grateful for the privilege and opportunity God has allowed us all to be the
hands and feet of Jesus to them for a short while. Again, I trust God will
protect these children, and reminded He created them and loves them more than I
can imagine. However, my heart is forever changed, and I will continue to
wrestle with what more I can do to make a difference to help these babies and
continue to pray for them and this ministry.
We ended the evening with a swim at the pool. I’m so
grateful for Steve for his incredible connection with the boys as he rallied
them all into the pool when they were losing steam. Isaac H. had a quite a shock
literally as he touched the ice cream freezer, and he felt an electric shock
through his arm. Praising God for His protection of Isaac, and also praying, um
well for a better choice of words when something physically painful happens to him
in the future. 😊 However, also thankful for God’s grace
toward him as he grows in his relationship with Christ.
At our evening devotional time we shared how we saw Jesus in
each other today, a recap:
Steve: Just before we had to leave the Sick and Dying, he remained
as long as possible to touch and talk to as many babies as he could. I, personally,
see Jesus in Him in the way he relates with each boy encouraging them and his gift
of great humor.
Brenda: Her patient demeanor with all of the children, and
teaching the kids math problems at the orphanage. Truly, bringing out the way
God has gifted her.
Isaac A.: The patient way he played Bingo with the children
at the Orphanage and his calm, caring demeanor with the children and the
babies. He patiently fed a child who took longer to eat.
Tamara: Her caring heart exudes with each Haitian child she
comes in contact with – hugs, smiles, and being present and the tears after
leaving the Home for Sick and Dying Babies. She has a leadership gift that she
has allowed God to use her in this incredible ministry.
Isaac H.: When he found a boy alone when we were getting
ready to leave the orphanage to have his picture taken with him. The boys face
lit up to be acknowledged. Also, the way he tried to jump rope with a girl on
his back to make her laugh albeit she was very heavy for him to hold.
Michael: The joy on his face and the smiles he brings to the
children with his playful demeanor. He truly has a gift with kids.
Noah: His calm, patient demeanor and the way he remained
with one of the littlest girls at the orphanage playing bingo with his arm
around her.
Danny: The way he patiently played with the children at the
orphanage and his heartfelt prayer over them today.
Joe: He held 2 babies in church forgoing his own comfort as
sweat poured down all of our faces, but his patient, caring way of tending to
them.
What an incredible gift to serve the Least of these today
with our only agenda to be the hands and feet of Jesus! To witness all of us
out of our comfort zone with our willingness to serve was a joy and an image I will
hold in my heart.
Thank you, all back home, for your continued prayers; we are
all doing great! Love you all!
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