So Hard to Leave Haiti

 SO HARD TO LEAVE HAITI.......

Being that this is our last night together in Haiti, we spent time reflecting on all of the moving experiences we shared this past week.   This team has become as close as a family, sharing many laughs, tears, and tender moments.    Starting out on Tues. at Cite Soleil, that was the beginning of breaking our hearts for these beautiful people of Haiti.   To see the desperation in them for something so basic as fresh water and then to have the children loving all over us at the same time, just wanting to be kids, was humbling and very heartwarming for all of us.   The living conditions in Cite Soleil left us lacking for words...the human misery was overwhelming.  We felt so blessed to be able to provide them with water and lots of love.
Later in the day, we took 18 neighborhood boys to a local soccer field to show off their skills and have some fun just being kids.   They definitely have the skills...it was heartwarming to see them so proudly wearing their "Eden Prairie" soccer jerseys and then the best part...their tender voices singing "God is so Good" all the way home in the "Tap Tap".

Wednesday was our visit to the home for the sick and dying babies.   Each of us had our hearts led to one of the babies, holding them and feeding them....we all felt very honored to be allowed by the nuns to love on their babies.    They do an amazing job caring for these children.    In the afternoon we visited "Haiti Teen Challenge", a home for young men who are struggling with addiction.     Our team member, Craig, shared his testimony with the group there...we were all moved by this and very proud of him.

Thursday and Friday were spent making visits to Grace Village, Isaiah's, and Gertrude's orphanages.
The children are all so precious, wanting to play with us and grab all the love and attention we are able to provide.   It's hard to leave them but we all felt blessed and filled with their love when we drove away.   We also enjoyed working with the elders at Grace Village, helping them with crafts they can make and sell at the guest house gift shop.

Saturday we took 40 of the children from Grace Village to the beach for tons of fun!   It's hard to say who had more fun, the team or the children.    They are all such great kids, polite and so caring with one another.


We had the opportunity twice to experience Haitian worship with Pastor Wesley and Pastor Gary, both very dynamic speakers and just beautiful men.   Their love of God is contagious and their love for their congregation at Grace Church is very moving.   Haitian people look out for each other and care for each other very much.  

After church today, we went up to the top of the mountain to do some shopping and take in the breathtaking views of this beautiful country.   The contrast between the beauty of Haiti and the miserable poverty are difficult to put into words.  

Tomorrow morning we will be leaving these beautiful people with heavy hearts.   There is still so much need here and these people deserve to at least have their basic needs met.    Our team of drivers/translators are the most enjoyable young men who made sure we were safe, providing day long entertainment on the Tap Tap with their singing, playfulness, and just plain sweetness.   We fell in love with all of them...they are truly thoughtful and caring and made this trip a pleasure for us

Please pray for these Haitian people...their daily struggle to just try to survive is heartbreaking.     They have nothing, but in terms of their faith, they have everything.

We have observed them to be a very humble, patient, and God-loving people.   I definitely have a place in my heart for Haiti and look forward to a return trip.

Ke Bondye Beni'ou,

Jeanne Lai