Monday, October 24, 2016
Today began a day of two
missions. The first was a challenging
one that just the name alone made some of us think twice. But off we went to a home run by Sisters of
Mercy (Mother Theresa’s order) called The Home for Sick and Dying Babies. We agreed not to take photos at this place,
so we have none to share. But we can
still tell the story.
We arrived and we graciously welcomed into a quiet
atmosphere of a hospital for young children and babies. It was parent visitation for children who had
parents, and whose parents could come and visit. The group split between two areas – a more
intensive care area for babies, and a playground and hospital ward area for
toddlers. As we held and played with the
children, we had the opportunity to speak with visiting parents who faced quite
a variety of difficulties.
One man wanted me to take his baby girl – whose mother had
died 15 days before – he was running out of food, and had another child at home
with few relatives to help him out. I
spoke with him for quite some time, and prayed with him. The baby would receive good care at this
hospital, and he would receive a weekly food supplement and follow-up. It was certainly not the ideal situation, but
it is better to help families stay together and keep their children by
developing programs which can create jobs and independence. This is what Healing Haiti is trying to do,
and they are having great success – little by little.
Right before we went inside to help feed the children in
their cribs, Sue S. came to us in tears – she told us, “My baby just
died.” It was a shocking and surreal
thing to hear, and it took me a moment to realize that what she was saying had
truly happened. It was a 2-year-old girl
from way up north in Cap Hatien, who had been sick and undernourished all her
life – and she looked to be about 7 months old.
She had been brought to the hospital by relatives less than a week
before, but not soon enough for them to save her. Sue knew, and we all knew that, in spite of
the tragedy of it all – this baby girl had been sent an angel of love and mercy
named Sue, who said yes to this mission and was in the right spot at the right
time. This little girl was being held in
loving arms during the last moments of her life, to be received on the other
side into the spiritual arms of God. She
was blessed with genuine love in her last minutes on earth. Thanks be to God. It was a difficult time, but we also realized
the blessing that had occurred.
Our time ended at this site with the joy of feeding the
20-25 children in this ward, and we were ready to move on to our next stop.
Mike
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Mike
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In the afternoon we went to Dare's Orphanage, which is a home for children with physical disabilities. When we pulled up to the gate it was opened by Franzy, a jolly, blind gentleman who shook everyone's hand, gave us a hug, introduced himself and asked each of us our names. Franzy is one of those rare, unique people who radiates God's love in all he does.
As Franzy escorted us into the house the first thing we noticed was how large and beautiful the home was. The small staff was still cleaning up from lunch so we sat on some benches along the wall as we waited. Sam, one of the short-term missionaries from Healing Haiti, has joined us today and brought his guitar. Before we knew it, a young boy stood gently strumming the guitar as Sam held it on his lap. As the child began to sing we were struck by his beautiful voice.
We have brought with us several other instruments which Franzy quickly got out. As they were distributed to the children and adults, Franzy took a small hand drum and stick and began to keep a beat, joining in the child singing in a loud, happy voice. Soon, everyone was singing song after song of praise and worship.
From the moment we walked in, as in all places we go, the children flock to us asking to be picked up, held and played with. There are more kids than there are of us so we always make an effort to try and spend some time with each of them. Some lie on the floor, their disabilities not allowing them to be mobile. Some of us carry a few of them outside where we put them in wheelchairs and push them around the courtyard. Others blow bubbles and the kids laugh as the try to catch them. Brenda made balloon animals and such that they immensely enjoyed.
Our interpreter is holding a boy who I can tell he has a relationship with. When I ask, he introduces me to Benson. Benson is three years old and as I pick him up I hold in a grunt as he is solid as a rock. I am told that Benson started his life at The Home for Sick and Dying Babies. The very home we visited this morning. Benson is an orphan and was so small when he was born that he was sent to The Home in hopes that his life could be saved. Tears filled my eyes as I realized the little (ok, not so little) miracle I was holding in my arms. Thrilled to have such a happy story come from a place where we endured such emotion this morning, I took Benson to introduce him and tell his story to every member of our team.
As our time at Dare's comes to an end we are sad to leave the children, but are ready to relax as well. It's been a long day physically and emotionally. As we trudge up the stairs to our home away from home tears begin to flow again for many. The tears are a mixture of joy and sorrow, fatigue and adrenaline all at the same time. This evening we stay close with each other, somehow needing to be near our new friends and adopted family. Devotions are long tonight as we have a lot to share and discuss with each other. We go to bed looking forward to a new day.
Linda
As Franzy escorted us into the house the first thing we noticed was how large and beautiful the home was. The small staff was still cleaning up from lunch so we sat on some benches along the wall as we waited. Sam, one of the short-term missionaries from Healing Haiti, has joined us today and brought his guitar. Before we knew it, a young boy stood gently strumming the guitar as Sam held it on his lap. As the child began to sing we were struck by his beautiful voice.
We have brought with us several other instruments which Franzy quickly got out. As they were distributed to the children and adults, Franzy took a small hand drum and stick and began to keep a beat, joining in the child singing in a loud, happy voice. Soon, everyone was singing song after song of praise and worship.
From the moment we walked in, as in all places we go, the children flock to us asking to be picked up, held and played with. There are more kids than there are of us so we always make an effort to try and spend some time with each of them. Some lie on the floor, their disabilities not allowing them to be mobile. Some of us carry a few of them outside where we put them in wheelchairs and push them around the courtyard. Others blow bubbles and the kids laugh as the try to catch them. Brenda made balloon animals and such that they immensely enjoyed.
Our interpreter is holding a boy who I can tell he has a relationship with. When I ask, he introduces me to Benson. Benson is three years old and as I pick him up I hold in a grunt as he is solid as a rock. I am told that Benson started his life at The Home for Sick and Dying Babies. The very home we visited this morning. Benson is an orphan and was so small when he was born that he was sent to The Home in hopes that his life could be saved. Tears filled my eyes as I realized the little (ok, not so little) miracle I was holding in my arms. Thrilled to have such a happy story come from a place where we endured such emotion this morning, I took Benson to introduce him and tell his story to every member of our team.
As our time at Dare's comes to an end we are sad to leave the children, but are ready to relax as well. It's been a long day physically and emotionally. As we trudge up the stairs to our home away from home tears begin to flow again for many. The tears are a mixture of joy and sorrow, fatigue and adrenaline all at the same time. This evening we stay close with each other, somehow needing to be near our new friends and adopted family. Devotions are long tonight as we have a lot to share and discuss with each other. We go to bed looking forward to a new day.
Linda
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