Sunday

Today was supposed to be a day of rest... Plan was to go to morning church at the project site we were at yesterday and visit the orphanage after. Turns out we have a new Mission of Mercy project at the orphanage across the street. I didn't realize we would be helping start the foundations of building an orphanage and managing it. To be honest, I was excited for a day of rest, but as I heard more about the vision and plans for this orphanage, I wanted to be put to work. A few of us decided to go to church and meet up for work later. We sat in the back pews and watched as the different Sunday school groups read their passages and danced and sang songs. The kids were all very well behaved and engaged. I'm not sure they understood what they were reading, but the desire was there. My translator Rick sat beside me and explained what was going on. As we were singing and praising, I was thanking God for this opportunity to share in His glory with these people, who speak a different language but love the same God. What an amazing God! He is present everywhere. I watched the Haitians raising their hands to God with a thankful heart and wondered if I could ever be that thankful. I wondered how they could see His glory in such a desolate place. And then it hit me...I have little faith. These people have a big faith! They see the big picture-there is a God that loves them and cares for them despite their circumstances. Despite whether they got a meal today, despite whether they have clothing or shoes, despite sickness and poverty, despite a corrupt nation...

The orphanage had a lot of work. There is so much to say about this. I don't really have time now, but I will briefly describe what i saw. There are about 50 orphans living in broken down cement rooms, all being cared for by ONE woman. She makes the meals, does the laundry...We helped with daily tasks-laundry, dishes, cleaning, organizing the buckets of food and food preparation area. We went to the market and bought them rice, beans, oil, vegetables, containers, clothing and shoes. We educated the caretaker on sanitation, nutrition and managing the needs of the kids. The construction part included tearing down a wall and shoveling excess gravel out, in order to lay cement tomorrow. We hired 4 guys to help w the manual labor and our contractor Lon managed them. But we all joined in w the work. We all had a task, and when we were in between tasks, we were playing with the kids. They really took to us today!! They jumped in and were helping out and wanted to learn. Really they just wanted to be with us. God was so BIG today! My love tank was full just seeing the passion and devotion in serving the Lord with a joyful heart. Our translators did not have to work today, but they showed up to the work site with joyful hearts, ready to serve. They are such a blessing. So even though it was a long day, I saw God's hand in every project and every task. I am thankful to be used. Tomorrow back to clinic projects, and work more at the orphanage with whatever time left. Please pray for rest, health, safety, and the ability to everything we need to get done done.