It wasn't just devastation we saw today, but also hope! We saw three more places today where we met heros who are giving their lives to those who are suffering and making a real difference. Yesterday and today, we were invited to join in on their great service and see God at work restoring and providing for His people one by one.
This morning we went to the Children's Home for the Sick and Dying. As we arrived, we saw families lined up by the door with their children, hoping to have them admitted. We were led to two nursery rooms, which had about 30 beds in each of them. Our hearts broke as we walked in and could hear the sick babies crying, and then, walking in the rooms, seeing so many hospitalized babies and infants. It was incredible to watch the team go immediately to the babies, sometimes holding two at a time if we could. The children are having such a hard time being away from their parents (if they have parents), and there are far more children than nannies and nurses, so they really want teams to come in and hold, love, and feed the babies. And boy, did those kids love to be held! It was so hard to put any of them back down into their cribs. It's a beautiful place, serving children who are so helpless and need the care so badly. We saw hope and healing first hand for the most vulnerable of all people. Pray with us for their recoveries! The staff there work tirelessly taking care of these precious babies. (Note: due to the hospital requirements, we have no photos of this visit.)
While on a short visit back to the neighborhood where we are staying, we visited 3Seams, a ministry that is employing Haitian women who need jobs to support their families. We were able to purchase their hand-made purses and hair bands. Their children can be fed and go to school because their moms have been given a job opportunity!
In the afternoon, we went to an Adult Home for the Sick and Dying. There were also several rooms filled with about 40 adults each - all who were very sick. Some had cancer, AIDS, and other diseases. We sat with them, laughed with them, helped them to get lotion on their dry skin, and prayed with them. We saw many children too - orphans - who called this sweet place their home. They ran around and flashed smiles, gave hugs, and joined us in the visits to the sick adults. As we were leaving, the nurses told us that they are getting ready for Christmas, when they will have 800 children on site for a big production, a huge meal, and a toy for each one. If only we could see that beautiful event!
A few of the team members (Maria, Katie M, Jess, and Kari) went to a Wound Clinic while the rest of the team was at the Adult Home. As they arrived, they saw people lined up sitting along a wall in a long corridor. One by one, they would be admitted, their wound would be cleaned, and they were given their needed medication. The clinic serves hundreds every day. Our team members were so impressed by the respect, patience, and joy that each of the wounded people had. In spite of the severity of the pain from their terrible leg wounds, they cared about the others who were in line. It was a privilege to help clean and repackage the wounds because of the incredible people we met, and the resilience we saw in such pain.
As we do every night, we ended the night talking about the day, each picking a theme word to describe our day's experience. Today was a day of tears, joy, pain, reality, and hugs.
We miss you, our loved ones, and we are so grateful for your support, prayers, and love!
The team
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