Journal Entry – Sunday July 31, 2011
I’m trying to remember waking up this morning – it seems like at least 3 days ago.
Daylight coming at 4:30am is a bit interesting. I walked up onto the deck, and the first thing that struck me was the beauty of the landscape; and then…you get the contrast.
There was only one word I could think of to describe it: Squalor.
It’s not a word we commonly use in our American vocabulary, but it’s the only word I could think of that even comes close to describing the conditions these people live in every day.
Driving back and forth from church you get a real good take on life in Haiti. It’s unimaginable, thinking about all these millions of people living with this as their everyday reality.
The church building was destroyed in the earthquake, killing several dozen people who were meeting inside at the time. Originally a 4-story structure, only the 1st floor has been partially rebuilt. What has been rebuilt thus far is more like a cave than a structure.
Church was an event. Love listening to the singing. Got goose bumps listening to the three songs I recognized, sung in Creole by several hundred Haitians: I Surrender All, Amazing Grace, and How Great Thou Art.
There were four men baptized today. There was one man that my attention was particularly drawn to – he was the first to the front when the invitation began, and you could see the pain and the tears in his eyes.
(One thing I’ve decided is that I’ve GOT to learn Creole so I can really connect with these people the way I want to.)
The orphanage was, of course, inexpressible. 70 children with so much longing to be loved.
By the time we had to leave I had two of the most precious little girls, maybe age 3 or 4, who just wanted me to carry them both around in my arms wherever I was going.
I managed to bond with the boys through Frisbee, and then had several who wanted to sit on my lap.
Then there was the Haitian girl – teenager – with the angelic voice, who just wanted to sing with us.
The best part, I must admit, was watching Bethany buried under about nine little girls who were entranced with her long, straight hair.
And, of course, Bethany dancing with the little girls.
I am so unbelievably grateful for what we’ve been able to share in, in even the first 24 hours of this trip.
