Sunday In Haiti

It was a good day.

The day began at church, it was a short service and only lasted 2.5 hours. It is inspiring to participate in their worship service. It was a service of hellos and goodbyes. Our group was welcomed by the community, but the community was also saying good bye to some people that will be missed.

Deliris, a missionary from Porto Rico, who has been serving in Haiti since shortly after the earthquake. Her first night in Haiti was spent in the church sanctuary as when she arrived there was no other place to sleep because of the damage. She has been providing physical therapy to children with physical disabilities. She will be missed. She is, however, not leaving empty handed, as while here she met and married her Haitian husband Mois. I have seen and worked with Deliris almost every time I have been to Haiti, Haiti won't be the same without her.

Also saying goodbye is Lorianna. She is a 22 year old Swiss-French student and has been in Haiti doing research for her masters thesis about kids in orphanages and how best to meet their needs. She has been in Haiti for about two months and has had quite an influence on the kids and their care.

She is staying at the orphanage while in Haiti so I suspect her days are quite full of activity, but it is clear the kids are quite taken with her.





Lastly, is [young] Jonathan, a 22 your old from Virginia. He has been to Haiti a couple of times and has been in country on this last trip since January. He is teaching the kids English as well as teaching them to type. He will be one of those using the laptops we brought down to help in his work until he leaves later this month.

After he returns home, Jonathan will be starting officer training as part of the marine corps reserve. A very impressive resume for 22 years.




I am deeply honored to have met each of these individuals, if some only for a brief while. They are amazing people.

In the evening today we walk down to the orphanage to spend some time with the kids. Sidewalk chalk, crayons, flying disks, books, and balls all were brought in to action. [old] Jonathan even found a stick and started some batting practices.

I was able to see old friends like Edna and Christina and Jenna (a first time traveler to Haiti) made some new friends.



A good day indeed.