Monday Morning Rush

"Let the little children come to me" said Jesus. This was so evident today in Haiti. We began our day hurrying to Village of Hope school to participate in the graduation cermemonies for the kindergarteners of the school. It was such a priviledge and a blessing to be involved. Who could have predicted that the earthquake would close the schools in the spring causing a shift in the year end festivities to August 2? And that our trip just happened to occur at the same time?

The chapel at Village of Hope school was full of kindergarten families and an air of excitement filled the place. The three classes of students graduating from Kindergarten 1 and 2 to the primary grades marched in swaying to the music. They filled the next two hours with priceless songs, skits and dancing. Aside from being just plain adorable, their level of language ability was very impressive, in French, Creol and English.

After the recital, we helped Debbie serve a snack of crackers, juice and Dum Dum suckers (the universal treat) to all the kindergarteners.

At this time, Bob the Builder was able to connect with the student he and Amy sponsor through the Lazarus Project. It was such a special moment to watch the introduction of the two, with Debbie interpreting the conversation. All of us here at Our Savior have pictures of the children that we sponsor but, meeting the child face to face is a blessing beyond words.

We then loaded onto the truck and headed for Little Children of Jesus, the special needs orphanage close to Hope House. Again, we had the priviledge and blessing to visit and participate in the lunch time activities. Some assisted in the feeding while others entertained with puppets and beach balls. Seeing the faces of children who were once abandoned in the trash, who now smile in their new facilities was an absolute joy.

Our final leg of this very exciting, very hot, journey led us to Marie Majors' orphanage for homeless, street girls. We delivered school supplies and played with the girls. Some of us became human jungle gyms and others human Barbies. Katie, Abby, and Judy all left with beautiful hairdos and swollen scalps.

It was a day of loving and learning and serving, and as our evening devotions reiterated, we love God by loving our neighbor, and we can love our neighbor only as we love God. Amen!