|
DeLynn's Personal Journey to Haiti
My experience in Haiti was definitely life changing which is what I expected but…….
I really didn’t know what that meant until now.
DeLynn Boyd-Hale
EspreeNet News Service
|
 |
THE ORPHANAGE: So it begins.
A quick block and a half down an alley we are greeted with another compound
structure. After several honks the steel door slowly opens. The children erupt in
screams. Our hearts melt and we just look at each other because no words are
appropriate. The children sit obediently until our vehicle parks and then they rush to it
in anticipation of our exit. What a rush of emotions. Tears are near but we hold them
back. As we exit children are grabbing us, holding us, hugging us and we have entered
a state of mind, body and spirit that we have never experienced before. Without words
we just look at each other and know God’s love and we bask in His glory
Carol and I - both African-American - had a bit of a different experience. The children
are clearly more attracted to the other members of our group. We are still embraced
but we notice the kids are not as drawn or clingy to us. We figured out they thought we
were Haitian. That impression quickly melted away as we hugged and held them– and
then they just knew. We set up our stations - arts & crafts, sports and medical. The
kids rotated through each station - playing, making things and get basic medical check
ups by the nurses. Everyone wore name tags which helped us start to communicate.
The language barrier was tough but smiles and hugs transcended all. We helped them
make necklaces, visors, pictures and more. They had such fun and we had such an
experience. I think we were all a little apprehensive about what they were thinking,
what they were comfortable with, what we could do, how we were feeling, etc. It was
an ice breaking day. By the time we were to leave for dinner we didn't want to say
goodbye. These kids were so amazing. They had so little but love, food, shelter and
their belief in God is what sustained them. Each day we came and got more
comfortable with the kids and they with us. They loved wearing our sunglasses. They
loved having their picture taken. They loved the simple things – sitting next to us,
holding our hand, hugging us, playing games with us – just simple things. They just
wanted love and we were glad to give it. Our hearts poured out everything we had. At
least half of us were over 35 and the kids had us reverting back to our childhood. We
jumped rope with them. We played patty cake. We blew bubbles. We played duckduck-
goose. We played basketball. We ran, we jumped and played. We sang, they
sang to us in Haitian and in English. What fond memories we have of our short time
with the children.
On Sunday we had Church at the orphanage. We participated in their service. The
children conducted most of the service themselves. And again, although we didn't
know the language we could absolutely feel their devotion and commitment to God.
They worshipped him with such innocence and purity. They sang songs in English and
in their native language. 12 year old Kemsleyex gave the sermon. The passion in his
sermon was so powerful. He was such an encouragement to the other children and to
us. What beautiful souls these children have. They seem happy even through all the
trials and tribulations they have experienced, the Earthquake, two floods, illness, loss -
wow, what resilience. Through it all God has truly blessed them. They are blessed that
every day they have Smith and Katia to stand in the gap of Mom and Dad. They have
house nannies that take care of them, they are getting an education and their basic
necessities met. There are even plans to help those children that "age-out" to have a
skill and a place to live. And now they have more people in the United States that have
unconditional LOVE for them and we are spreading the word in hopes to encourage
others to help these children in whatever way your heart directs you.
During the time back at the guesthouse we learned some of the
trials, tribulations and atrocities the children have endured. Some
of the children can't even share their stories. Other events are so
horrible that I just couldn’t fathom it – like one girl witnessed her
Father’s beheading. Another young child lost his parents to the
earthquake. He was taken in by a family that eventually got a Visa
to the US. They couldn't take him so they just left him. These are
just two of stories.
We took a tour of the Gift of God orphanage. The children sleep
on wood bunk beds with thin mattresses. Boys on the right side of
the compound and the girls on the left. One bathroom with 3 toilets
and showers on each side. There is one door on either side of the
bedroom leading to the common area. A clothes line. A storage
area. An outside cooking area. A bakery where some of the older
children learn to bake bread that is sold at a bakery just outside the
walls of the orphanage to raise money. The girls are learning to
sew. These are all skills they can use to support themselves once
they leave.
We also visited a building site less than a block away from our
guest quarters where a new orphanage will be built called the Gift
of Hope Orphanage. This orphanage will house children that are
adoptable, some with special needs. During my next trip to Haiti in
February I will be going back to participate on the building crew of
this orphanage. I will also get a chance to be with the children of
the Gift of God orphanage again. I am so blessed to be a part of
something so much bigger than myself. A project in direct line of
what God wants of us.
What Dan, Katia and Smith do for these children is just so
amazing. They are proof of what can be done with so little.
I definitely left a piece of my heart with the orphans. If I could
bring them home, I would.
Read more of this trip report
MY PERSPECTIVE - OUR RESIDENCE - AWAKENING & CHANGE
Now What?
Comment & Contribute
If you would like to tell us more facts about this story, please click here to send the editors of SoulofSyracuse a separate email with the information you have.
Email your comments about this story to: Comments @ SoulOfSyracuse.com
Copyright ©2012 EspreeNet News Service All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Email your stories:
Comments@SoulOfSyracuse.com
|
|
In 1791, the slave population revolted--led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, Jean Jacques Dessalines, and Henri Christophe--and gained control of the northern part of the French colony, waging a war of attrition against the French. By January 1804, local forces defeated an army sent by Napoleon Bonaparte, established independence from France, and renamed the area Haiti. The impending defeat of the French in Haiti is widely credited with contributing to Napoleon's decision to sell the Louisiana territory to the United States in 1803. Haiti is the world's oldest black republic and the second-oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere, after the United States.
Full name: Republic of Haiti
Population: 9,719,932 (2011 est)
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Major language:
French/Haitian Creole
Independence Declared: Jan 1, 1804
Internet domain: .ht
Currency
Gourde (UN)
Calling code:
509
Drives on the:
right side
Religion:
(2003)Roman Catholic 55%, Protestant 28%
Geography:
Haiti is on the western part of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Greater Antilles. Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean behind Cuba and the Dominican Republic (the latter shares a 360-kilometre (224 mi) border with Haiti). Haiti at its closest point is only about 45 nautical miles (83 km; 52 mi) away from Cuba and has the second longest coastline (1,771 km/1,100 mi) in the Greater Antilles, Cuba having the longest. The country lies mostly between latitudes 18° and 20°N (Tortuga island lies just north of 20°), and longitudes 71° and 75°W.
|
|
