Just as shalom has 70 different translations in the NIV Bible, so can Haiti to each of us individually. Haiti is unfolding before us to mean so many different things. The deeper we look, the more beauty, need, complexity, and compassion there is. As its beauty unfolds, we are being taught, and are learning as a team. The Holy Spirit is moving in, around, and through us. We see events happening before our eyes that can only be explained by God's presence.
Our team continues to bond as we share and work together. We visited an orphanage called La Phare which housed about 20 children between the ages of a one year old baby to an 18 year old young man. From the moment we stepped into the courtyard where the children played, we were greeted with smiles, hugs, and open arms. Jesus teaches us to treat others as we would treat him. With this in and on our hearts as we strive to connect with each individual, we are immensely blessed from receiving the gifts the children and staff behold. Everyone immediately started working as a team using their spiritual gifts. Karen gave a massage and served the woman that ran the orphanage. Natalie helped with laundry. Jessica, Lori, and Todd played soccer with the teenage boys. Erika, Josette, Lisa, and Dianna played duck, duck, goose with the girls. Toni, Meghan, and Eliana played jump rope with the older girls. Tommy played the guitar and overall entertained all of us. Megan from SC drew pictures, played sidewalk chalk, and sang. The joy and laughter of the kids was infectious, but we all agree that we don't know who had more fun--the kids or the Bridge team. Team time explored Shalom and how just the discussion around it was a perfect fit for the day we experienced a peace and completeness as a team that some have admittedly not felt since their last trip to Haiti one year ago. We are thankful for our Lord and Saviour and the amazing day he laid out for us. As we write this our team is singing, "I am a child of God." We are all children of God. We cannot wait for tomorrow!
"May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, The Lord be exalted who delights in the shalom of his servant." Psalms 35:27.
By: Lori Kinder and Lisa Finn
