Elderly/Mass Graves

When you hear the word orphan who do you think of? Most likely a young child abandoned by their own parents. But have you ever thought of an orphan that is 60, 69, 74, 79, and 89 years old? The average age expectancy in Haiti is 52 years old. So many of the elderly here have outlived their children and have no one to care for them. Can you imagine that? Living to see all your children die and the end up alone in a country that is the poorest in the world. Because they have trouble contributing to society, they become outcasts, left to struggle for their own survival. Many are not able to walk very far or have little strength to pump their own water, so their basic needs go unmet. We had the privilege to visit five orphan Haitian elderly who are apart of the Healing Haiti elder ministry. Many of us were surprised at our own emotional reactions to this experience. There were the most tears shed as a team today than any other day so far.
One of the elders we visited was named Dieufort. He welcomed us into his home that was made of a cement floor and a tin roof that leaks. The size of his home would be comparable to a 3/4 size bathroom. He was precious. He couldn't stop sharing how good God is and how we all need him in our lives. His faith inspired us all. We were able to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We took wet wipes and washed him down, put lotion on his feet, legs, and arms. And massaged his hands and feet. We prayed for him and Justin led us in worship. He love being prayed for and hearing the music.

Another elder we visited was Maria. She is 103 years old! And the sweetest spitfire you will ever meet! Her spirit, words, and love for God was so inspiring. When we gave her a peanut butter sandwich she wanted us to take pictures of her eating it because she loves seeing herself eating. It blesses her! Is that not the sweetest thing?! While most of us avoid pictures while we eat. She loves it because it reminds her that God has met her need to eat something today. Its so humbling. When we prayed for her, I cried the hardest I have since arriving. Can you imagine living as long as she has in Haiti, outliving all 14 of her children, in a storage shed that has a concrete floor, concrete block walls and tin roof covered with tarps that still leak when it rains? And then have overflowing JOY. As you have heard in past posts we do a "word of the day" at night describing something about our day. My word for today was "batteries" Many of the elders have talking bibles and ask for more batteries because they go through them so quickly. They are always listening to the bible. I thought about my own life and how I recharge my "batteries". I don't turn to God first every time I need recharging. I find other ways I think will re-charge me. It may work temporally but its a fast fading battery. To see her rely so much on God reminds me that when we start with God first He charges us with things that last. She is experiencing Jesus. Witnessing her faith has changed my life. I will never be the same. Maybe its just one of many reasons God has extended her life this long. God loves her heart and she makes it available for Him to live through it to others. I may have helped in a same way in her life today but her faith recharged me. That is a gift of grace and I am grateful.
-Kirsten

Today we visited Jude Jean Paul, a young man who is severely handicapped. We rubbed lotion on him, gave him a massage and sang songs for him. As I placed by hands on his back I felt his crooked, bony spine. I thought of the exact kind of moments when Jesus healed the lame and how amazing it would have been to witness. As I prayed over Jude Jean Paul I sensed The Lord say, "One day I will straighten out this back and he will walk with me." It was in this moment that the gospel became something more to me. The good news of Jesus, that he has redeemed the world and is continually making things new. It was a beautiful to know that the good news for Jude is one day, because of Christ, he will be raised to his feet and will be healed. It was a powerful moment, one I won't ever forget.
-Aaron