Welcome to the Healing Haiti + Eagle Brook Mission Blog. We invite you to follow mission team members as they experience what God is doing both through them and in them while in the mission field of Haiti.


'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Tears





A friend once said "The best days have both laughter and tears." Today has been one of THOSE best days!

We started our day with a few hours at a home for sick and dying children.  Some of the children are ill and being treated while others are orphans waiting for adoption. One of the sisters explained to me that many of the ill are suffering from various stages of malnutrition, while others have respiratory infections or TB. The nurse in me really appreciated getting to see the list of medications they treat the kids with as well as a look at the nutritional supplements provided by UNICEF. Some of these children had parents visiting, but others were just waiting to be held and played with. The young boy I was holding finally started to giggle as he was playing with one of the balloons we'd brought with. What a precious sound!!

After a short break for lunch we all piled back into the pickup to travel to Gertrude's Orphanage where many of the children are handicapped or have special needs. Many of the kids recognized Tom and Shelley and greeted them with cheers and big hugs. I worked my way to the back bedroom and sat down next a young boy who is blind. As I said "Bonsoir" and touched him on the arm his face just lit up with a grin from ear to ear. His name is Joseph. Wishing I spoke more Creole, I just held his hand. His precious response was to kiss my hand. This sweet act of gratitude brought tears to my eyes. Kris was handing out pieces of gum to the kids and as Joseph started to chew his gum, he clapped in celebration. Joseph's joy is truly contagious!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon back at the home for sick and dying children and continued to love on the kids. We each had "our kids" that we connected with. One of mine was Frederick. I'd first seen him as we were leaving in the morning and the sparkle in his eye caught my attention. Later when we returned he was sitting on his own looking rather dejected. I picked him up and he tucked his head under my chin and snuggled for the next half hour! Hearing him giggle as we played with balloons is a sound I'll never forget!!

Just as we were leaving a mother and her teenage daughter arrived. One of the sisters called over one of the young boys. The mother had tears running down her cheeks. Another of the sisters explained to me that this was the adoptive family that had come to meet this precious child. Perhaps God will let me be that mother some day...

We've been blessed with a great group and a lot of laughter between us, but this day has had many moments where we have each been moved to tears. Thanks God, for a BEST day!!!

2 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good day :] I bet the kids really like having you all there to play with them and make them laugh, that really must be nice. Its awesome to see pictures of it too! Keep em coming!

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  2. Balloons, so simple, so inexpensive, yet bringing laughter to a young child in a far off country. :)

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