Today we had many blessed encounters as we made around Haiti. Our first stop was the Elder's School near Cite Soleil. It is a private school in which over 700 children attend. An unbelievable large number of students crammed into a small building with only about 10 classrooms. In Haiti, all schools cost money to attend. With the help of Healing Haiti over 1,000 children are able to attend school (Healing Haiti Sponsors 3 schools).
After seeing the school, we made our way to the mass graves where dead bodies from the January 12, 2010 Earthquake were thrown into a large pile on the mountain. Over 300,000 people died.. even more injured and left homeless. The memorial area is beautifully set up. Walking through the grave filled with hundreds of black crosses, one can not possibly understand what kind of turmoil and devastation this caused a country that already faces so much Hardship. One can not help but wonder why the Haitian people love God so much. How can they not think that God hates them, resents them, or is punishing them? They live day after day trying to find enough to survive.. life is already so hard here and the people work so hard to get by. Adding natural disasters on top of it... How can they still lift their hands in prayer? How can they still turn to God and say " We love you Lord." There is a lot to be learned from these people.
On our way to visit Grace Village, we drove passed a scene in the middle of the road. The UN set up cones and were controlling traffic. It was an unusual set up in the middle of the Haitian freeway. I looked ahead to see what was all the commotion. I saw a small figure laying on the side of the road and as our taptap drove closer to the scene, the object became more clear. It was a man. He was laying dead on the middle of the road with his arms stretched out to the sides, his legs nearly out of their sockets, and his head completely damaged. It was an awful sight to have witnessed. As our taptap fled past the scene, we all shouted "Oh my God." and the car became completely silenced with prayers, tears and shock. To think what that man's family's reaction will be when he does not come home today... I ask God to bless that man, his family and his friends.
Following our visit to Grace Village, we met Mary Alice. A middle aged, Haitian woman that lives on the mountain near Grace Village. As we moved toward her little yellow house (thanks to my aunt and those at Kellar Williams), we could hear shouts of praise and worship. We were arriving during prayer and were instantly welcomed into the home. Mary Alice was hosting an open prayer for people in the area and they all began to pray for us, for Healing Haiti, and all those that come to serve their people. I could feel the power, the energy, and the Holy Spirit moving throughout the room. It was an overpowering feeling. My eyes began to fill with tears as I realized how much strength and love for Christ this lady has. Mary Alice is a woman of great strength. Recently, she lost her husband and family. She moved towards the mountain to be closer to God and her family in heaven after she had received a calling from God. Simply just being with Mary Alice, you can feel God's presence. It is amazing. After she prayed over us and we greeted those around us, I hugged her tight. I held her for several moments and then kissed her cheek. She had moved me and touched me deeply today.
Following our visit with Mary Alice, we went to visit another Haitian with great faith. We met one of the elderly woman sponsored by Healing Haiti. Typically, people don't live passed the age of 50 in Haiti, so Healing Haiti sponsors several of the oldest people still living. She was such a sweet, old lady with a tiny voice. She was so fragile and delicate, yet so strong and bold. It was such a pleasure and grace to meet her.
We also go to spend several hours with Yvon's orphanage. It was such a pleasure to be able to engage with the kids in crafts. I took on the role as face-painter and made the children into tigers, and painted glasses, butterflies, and hearts on some of them. Even the boys wanted hearts and butterflies--they didn't care! They all were so excited to get anything painted on. Some of the kids would squirm or giggle as the paint brush stroked across their face. It was cute!! Before we parted for the day, the Fanfan led the kids in a music melody of English Christian music. I love these kids so much-- their love and energy for God is unbelievable. Their love for each other and the guests at their home is always so prominent.
There is something to be learned from these people.
More photos from our trip:
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