What is up everybody, how is everyone doing? Me, I’m doing great this has been such an
awesome week I am so happy I have come back.
Today we split up and 9 went to a hospital for the sick and dying babies
and 4 of us went to Dare’s. I went to
Dare’s which is a home for disabled children, it was a lot like Gertrude’s in
the fact that the kids were disabled but you could tell that it was a newer
area by the fact that it was not as big and not as good of equipment, but the
kids were a lot happier and compliant and they were so eager to learn English
that I led a little session on the alphabet and taught them some words like,
Hope Football. Next we went to apparent
project and bought little goodies and smoothies, the smoothies were so good.
Afterwards 4 of us were supposed to go to the wounded
clinic, but there was no way for us to go so we four ended up helping babies
instead. That wasn’t my favorite thing
but I did get to play with little kids which I love to do so in the end I had
fun. This has been such a fun trip and I
have loved every minute I am so happy I came and yes I am safe and doing
fine. See you all soon later.
Tyler
Hello! What a wonderful day. I had the opportunity to go to
an orphanage for special needs children. Seeing kids smile, laugh and cuddle is
never a bad time. It was a newer orphanage so they did not have a lot of amenities
for the children but the workers were good with the kids and all of the
children were happy and content. After Dare’s we went to the Apparent Project
and got a tour of the grounds where everything is made. Then headed on down to
another orphanage to finish off the day. Tomorrow is another exciting day!
Madi
Today I am humbled by the gratefulness of strangers. I am
overwhelmed by the gratitude expressed for such a simple act. As I sat at the
Hospital for Sick and Dying Babies holding a 16-month old boy, a Haitian man quietly
walked up next to me and set his daughter down on the concrete floor by my feet.
He said no words, but was sure to make eye contact with me as he stepped back
to stand across the courtyard. He stood and watched us for about 10 minutes,
until I motioned asking if this was his daughter. He shook his head to signify,
“Yes.” A minute later I returned the baby I had been holding to another team
member and motioned to the man asking through rudimentary movements if it would
be ok for me to hold his daughter. He put his hands together in front of his
heart and shook his head again, “Yes!” I held his daughter for the remainder of
the parent visitor hours. In that time, the gentleman disappeared. However, I
noticed a female standing in the same location he had retired to. She waved and
smiled when I noticed her. I waved back and asked the same question of her
through the same gestures, “Is this your daughter?” She nodded and placed one
hand on her heart as if to say, “Yes. Thank You!” She stayed for a few moments,
then gather her other children and left. The small child I was holding clung to
my arms and eventually fell asleep there.
I set out to bless babies and their families today, but it
was quite the opposite. It was their gentle appreciation, that which transcended
oral expression, that pierced me…that pierced much deeper!
Jamie
