March 15
Dearest Friends and Family:
Not only is today the Ides of March,but also Mary Ellen and Doug are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary.
Today was a good day for the whole team. Through the accommodations made by the Guest House staff, before we were scheduled to be at the Children's Orphanage we drove into the city to revisit the destruction of the Palace and the Cathedral. It doesn't become any easier to see the landmarks of the Port Au Prince diminished into rubble and/or the plethora tilted and caved in roofs, etc. And, to see the rows of rows of tents where people are now living makes the scene even worse.
There were 36 children ranging in ages 14 to a little over one year of age anxiously awaiting our visit. We did not disappoint them when we arrived wearing crazy and brightly colored sunglasses that Steve had for us. All of them were so caring of each other and appreciative of any little thing we gave or did for them. Zac entertained mostly boys in the making of airplanes with straws, two or three strips of construction paper made into a ring weighed down with paper clips. Myrna enticed the older girls with the making of jewelry by stringing colorful beads, and Steve worked with the primary students making stained glass windows. While Kent played basketball with the middle school boys, Mary Ellen attracted 6-8 boys and girls as they placed foam stickers on large shaped hands, flowers, and stars. Interestingly, they selected the alphabet letters first and wrote out their names with the stickers. Throughout each activity the kids showed good manners and complimented one another with a finished product. To conclude our visit, Steve became the pied piper and blew a tune into a flute leading the kids out onto the playground. There is would pull a variety of items from a backpack including soccer (football) balls, bubbles, balloons, super bouncing balls, and even a blow-up bat and baseball. The experience for we team members will be a lasting photograph of children who, amidst their lack of parents and needs, found pleasure in simple activities.
The afternoon was spent driving up into the mountains, having lunch at the Baptist Missionary Cafe, and progressing upwards on the road to Kenscoff.. From Lookout Mountain we were able to see firsthand a ribbon of tent camps throughout Petionville and Port Au Prince. Friends, it is incredible to see damaged homes covered with blue tarps and oh so many tents provided by US-AID, Samaritan's Purse, foreign countries, Rotary Shelter Box, etc.realizing the mass displacement and fragmented homes and families. Several of the team wondered aloud if the rebuilding/reconstruction of Haiti isn't insurmountable! Upon our return to the guest house two more teams arrived from Virginia and Delaware bringing hope not only to the Haitians but to us doubting volunteers. We find it heartwarming to have so many college students coming to work and foregoing their spring break.
Recklessness in Faith was the theme of our devotions led by Myrna and related well to the mantra of the day..."can this country be pieced back together?" Indeed it will take the efforts and participation of many volunteers and leadership by the new governmental officials being elected on Sunday. Pray for Haiti and for all who will take the leap of faith and risk traveling to this beautiful country to lend a hand.
La Pe avak ou
May God Bless You!
Mary Ellen
