Hope for Haiti

Today, was a full day at the orphanage. The Nannies and staff are amazing. The kids are well cared for and loved. We worked very hard today. This morning Mary Clair, Lisa and I helped bathe the toddlers. Mary spent the morning working with some of the Nannies. Brian, Ian and Ryan spent the entire day doing construction projects which included a trip to Eco Depot. Which was a very interesting trip because it was pouring and there is no drainage system. We spent time today helping with the laundry, which we were taught how to wash them by hand properly. I think the women wash their clothes by hand better than my washing machine at home does. We also helped in baby room holding babies and feeding them. A few our team members spent time with the school teachers during their school time. Mary, a play therapist, set up 3 stations today for the kids to play. She brought a number of items for the kids to play with including a baby doll, play-dough, bubbles, colors, etc... Mary, Mary Clair, and I each took a station. It was such an interesting and neat experience to watch the kids play with toys. I was so amazed how the children played and reacted to the situation. I had one girl who just sat there and wouldn't play. I had to put toys in her lap in order for her to play. Later in the afternoon, that same girl came back and was like a different child. She was very interactive and excited about the toys. 

The orphanage received a new baby girl today! She is about a month old, and very tiny.

If you asked me what stood out to me today I would say two things:

1. Noon time worship. Everyday at noon, the orphanage busts out in worship. I sat outside the baby room with tears as these women and men were teaching me how to worship. They were literally shouting the blood of Jesus over the kids and rooms. They were praying, dancing, shouting and singing praises to Jesus. They were raising their hands and giving Jesus all the glory. What an amazing power that was felt at that moment.

2. There was a Nanny in the toddler room, which is where I spent a majority of my time this morning, who asked me if I knew who Jesus was. She asked me if Jesus was my Savior and friend. I said yes! Then I realized that on every other trip I had been on, I was supposed to be the one asking that question, yet here in Haiti where 2 armed security guards were just feet away from me, and destruction is seen on every corner, she asked me if I knew who Jesus was.

So, there is Hope for Haiti. His name is Jesus. And Jesus is alive, active and present in this orphanage. This group of men and women are making a difference in the lives of 70 children who today and everyday that they are in the orphanage will be prayed over, and hear the name of Jesus. Even though we don't speak the same language, we serve the same Jesus. As we were doing laundry today two different languages were singing, "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus," to the same Lord, and we know He heard us both. This was a glimpse of Heaven.

Tomorrow we are headed off to look at the city. They are going to show us where some of the children come from, and look at the damage from the earthquake. As always, we will be taking security with us, but please pray for safety and protection. It is very hot here, so please pray for our health and strength.