We started
out the morning like every other, to a wonderful Haitian sunrise and a perfect
breakfast made by our Haitian friends and Jim at the griddle. After our Morning Prayer and itinerary
preparation, we got ready and packed up our necessities and headed out on our
daily journey.
After a
typical rough, bumpy, death defying cruise through normal Haitian traffic in
our Tap Tap, we arrived at our first destination, Dios orphanage for the special
needs children. As we pulled in, the
greeting smiles and happy faces, were an unexpected surprise. For kids that have such seemingly
insurmountable obstacles facing them, they were the happiest group we have met
yet. We were starting the day so tired,
but their enthusiasm immediately got our fires going. We handed out small maracas to them. After we decorated them with stickers we all sang
songs and played our instruments. After
that we grabbed some soccer balls and Frisbees and were horsing around the
yard. For “special needs”, they were
surprisingly good athletes. After we
finished playing, we ended our visit with a song from one of the children. I could not believe my ears when I heard the
powerful, angelic song come out of this shy girl’s mouth. It’s no exaggeration when I say she was
incredible.
-Mark
Our next
visit was the orphanage for the hearing impaired. This being my second time here in 18 months I
could not believe my eyes! What once was concrete crumbles is now a spacious
basketball court, playground, and even soccer field. I no longer tripped over
the ground under me. I could go from game to game, child to child with ease. They
are so proud, and it is so beautiful! We brought beads and string to make necklaces
and white boards to communicate with them. They are so intelligent, not only do
they sign but many know how to write in English! And in cursive! They expressed
their gratitude of us being there and how blessed they felt for us coming to
visit. As much as we moved them they moved me. I was appointed as goalie in a
very intense game of soccer. One of my teammates made a goal! He ran to me with
a huge smile and hugged me as we celebrated his big goal! He squeezed me and
the pride ran across his face. It was that squeeze I will never forget. I have
spent this week holding children, hugging them, caressing their faces as they
lay there heads on my chest and giving them that human touch that so many long
for, and there I was receiving it in return …10 fold. Its times like these that
change your heart in humanity. That we are all brothers and sisters and that sometimes
the people with so little, can leave the biggest print on your heart.
-Lyza
