Scott/Wayne EBC Team: The Forgotten

In Haiti, the average mortality rate is an incredible 52 years of age. Unfortunately, for those who outlive their children and have no one to care for them, life can be very lonely and difficult. They are often times “forgotten” by their community. Today, we had the opportunity to visit four of the elderly who are supported by Healing Haiti’s Elder Care program…and remind them that they are truly cared-for and far from being “forgotten.”

Our first stop was to the home (concrete room with a tin roof) of a 91-year old, who absolutely loves visits from the Healing Haiti teams. Although she is almost too weak to walk and struggles with dementia, the pure joy and happiness on her face as we washed her calloused feet and massaged her frail limbs with lotion would have melted your heart.  She just closed her eyes and smiled as our team poured out compassion, prayer, love, and lots of tears toward this amazing woman.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon visiting an elderly gentleman (63 years old), who is still recovering from a hip replacement surgery, and two incredible sisters (63 and 65 years old) full of energy and life who considered our visit a “gift from God.”

Although our visit and time spent today was meaningful and impactful, the elderly were the true “gift from God.” God has been challenging us this entire trip to stretch ourselves and expand our love and compassion to those who need it most. Today, we made sure that these amazing individuals understood how much they were loved, and how they were most certainly not “forgotten.”

Wayne

Matthew 25:35-40

 “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”

Then these righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?”

And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”