Haiti Revisited

This is my second trip. My first was in June of this year. Yes, I fell in love with this country and its beautiful people. When I landed almost a week ago I could not stop smiling as we drove to the guest house. It felt like a homecoming. The sights, the sounds and even the smells were familiar and welcoming. The plight of Haiti's people is one that has etched my heart deeply. The depth of poverty here is unfathomable. And yet joy can be found in the eyes and smiles of children as well as adults. Delivering water to the homes in desperate need in Citi Soleil helps with my feelings of frustration of not being able to do anything. For some, this water represents life, hope and encouragement. Junior, our driver, thanked me for coming and doing this for his people. He assured me that we are helping meet a great need and that the people very much appreciate it.

The children's Home for the Sick and Dying is the hardest place to go to and the hardest place to leave. I have met and held so many precious little ones. They become part of me. I pray that the time I have spent loving on them with tender touch, loving songs, and gentle smiles pours into their souls and anchors their hope.

This trip I seem to have several encounters with teenagers. Historically, it has been the little children that steal my heart. This time was no different, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the intelligence, grace, politeness, dreams, passion, poise, character and hope in the teens I talked to. It gives me a new found hope in Haiti's future.

Visiting Yvon's and Guilliame's Orphanages is such a treat. The children are so polite and take care of each other. This time I assisted Dr. Sem by helping out with the medications needed. This gave me a new perspective I hadn't considered. Of course, food, water, shelter and schooling are very important for these kids. But if they are sick and miserable it defeats the point. It felt good to be helping these children become healthier.We also had a team of dentists. What a blessing. They extracted absessed teeth that had been causing horrible pain in people. I will never complain when I go to the dentist ever again!!! I am so excited for the kids to move to Grace Village. It is so beautiful and peaceful. It will be an oasis in a desert for them.

I love everything Healing Haiti is doing here and am so happy to be a part of it. We can't save the world but today we can make a difference in the life of a few individuals. That is where it starts. God also uses the people of Haiti to help me empty myself out so that He can pour Himself in. I feel truly blessed.

By Laura