Haiti Update #6

Frank too a selfie with our group at Wahoo Bay!

Morning Devotional

This morning Rob, the head of the sponsorship program, taught our devotions. Rob and his family have lived down here for a year and will be heading back to Canada in August. They are praying for someone who is willing and qualified to take over the sponsorship program.

We looked at Numbers 13 and how the 12 spies reported on the land. 10 said the land was beautiful but were afraid and said it could not be done. 2, Joshua and Caleb, were confident in the power of the Lord to overcome. We each shared the thoughts we had from the passage. Rob talked about the two choices we face, fear or faith.

This was the passage that gave him the encouragement he needed to bring his family to Haiti. There were many fearful questions and ideas about bringing his family here, but he had faith that God was bigger then the fears. What a great opportunity it was for us to be challenged by Rob and his family’s faith!

Orphanage Number 2

Abby holding a sleeping child and a little boy

Today we had the joy of visiting another orphanage. This was a completely different type of orphanage then we went to the other day. This orphanage is one of two orphanages that a pastor operates. He oversees the one we were at today, and then another that is an hour past the village church we visited.

My little buddy and me hanging out by the soccer field

This orphanage was well staffed with several caring adults. The kids all looked healthy and had better sleeping arrangements. The property was bigger and spacious. Kids have voluntarily showed up asking if they could stay. The pastor told them that he had no more beds for them in the house, but they had no where else to go for security and safety. So he set up a couple of tent buildings. No one is forced to stay in the tents, but several of the older orphans volunteered so that they younger could have a bed.

Kayla helping the kids get ready for the lesson

One amazing thing we witnessed today was noon time prayers. The children all gathered in the corridor for prayers. A few of the older orphans led in Bible reading and prayers. They sang praise songs and hymns. Oh if you could’ve heard their voices. Especially when they sang “Wonderful Merciful Savior”! Hearing them praise Jesus in another language is awesome. Lance said it was the highlight of his trip to hear the orphans singing a song that he knew, knowing they are worshiping the same God he does!

Orphans gathering for prayer time at noon

We once again were able to do the Gospel Beads followed by the Wordless Book. Today Lance shared the lesson and Sequoia helped out, while Kalipso translated. There were 56 orphans we got to share the Gospel with! Then we did face painting, coloring and soccer!

Lance and Sequoia with Kalipso

We took the dresses our ladies made for the little girls to this orphanage. Because we didn’t have sizes for the older girls, the director asked that we leave some for the little girls and they would pass them out more discretely. She was very thankful to receive them! I wish we could see the little girls faces when they got them. But hopefully we can get some pictures of the little girls getting these dresses.

The girls handing off the dresses our church ladies made!!

We didn’t stay very long, and I didn’t have time to connect deeply with any of the orphans. But I got to sit next to this beautiful little angel for a few minutes. She had a sadness in her eyes, but a bright little smile. I just wanted to pick her up and give her the biggest hug. While sitting there she grabbed my hand and turned it so my Gospel Beads were facing up. Then she put her little arm on mine so our beads were together and just kept pointing back and forth. It was the cutest thing ever. I did give her a big hug before we left, I wish we could have brought her with us.

The Ocean

There was a rumor going on this week about a possible trip to the ocean. It certainly wasn’t part of my original plan, but after talking to Frank, it sounded like a good idea. So this afternoon we headed down to the beach. What a great time we had!

I can’t describe the beauty we saw, so I’ll just post a picture!

Wahoo Bay

We had such a great time. We got to kayak, eat grilled crab and jump on the inflatable trampoline in the ocean.  Frank took turns taking us out in boat to the reef and we all got to try snorkeling! It was my first time ever to snorkel! What a beautiful ocean, to see God’s creation in a different way!

My nieces and me!

This week we have seen a lot of ugly, stinky, dusty and heart breaking parts of the Haiti experience. But today we got to see some of the beauty of Haiti. God gave me a thought as I was thinking about the beauty of the Haiti coastline. Here we see geographic beauty, but all week long we have seen beauty in the Haitian people! The Haitians are a creative people. Artisans and craftsman abound. They are hard working, when there are actually jobs for them to do. They are a strong people and resilient.  Walking through the market and seeing their artwork and crafts, you see their skill and capability. They always want you to buy, but they are happy to let you see their work for they take pride in their craftsmanship.

Yes there is many crazy things going on here in Haiti, but when you consider this beautiful people, you see the Image of God. And that is the picture of Haiti I will carry with me.

Prayer Requests

Tomorrow is our last day, pray for us that we will finish strong. We all miss home, but it is hard to leave.

Pray for our morning. We don’t know exactly what we are doing, but that of the various choices we will honor God.

Pray for our travel home.

Pray for the orphans we encountered today! That they truly believe the hope of the Gospel and that God is the Father to the fatherless.