Today was our team's first full day to serve the people of Haiti. After a delicious breakfast, we loaded onto the "tap-tap" and ventured out to meet the water truck at the filling station, and then into Cite Soleil. Our first stop didn't have many people because it rained quite a bit last night, but there we walked out to the ocean with the children. The view from there is quite shocking, everywhere you look there is a sea of trash, stagnant diseased water, broken glass, and tin roofed shacks. The sight and smells paint a picture of despair and hopelessness, but the children's singing and dancing showed us that there is still joy and hope amidst the devastation.
We went to an additional three water stops, other neighborhoods needed water in spite of the rain. The team all took turns running the water hose (a very heavy and difficult job), hauling buckets, and holding or playing with kids. By the time we headed in for the day we were all very dirty and a little exhausted!
Once we came back to the guesthouse we decided to load up some neighborhood kids, soccer balls, and take them down to the soccer fields for a game. Most days these boys have to play in the rocky alleyways near their tent cities. Seeing them put on real jerseys (thanks Eden Prairie), shoes, and just run was quite a sight to behold. Several of our team members also got in on the action but only Lindsay survived to the very end. The ride home was the highlight of our day. All these boys were so happy and there was a lot of joy in the air. They entertained us with some great worship songs, as well as a little Justin Bieber, and some silly ones they had made up... no one could stop smiling!
The common theme today seemed to be that God showed himself through each child we met. Despite their difficult circumstances, they still managed to laugh, care for each other, and play. God is in this place, He loves Haiti.
We will load some pictures in a couple hours.
Carissa and Lindsay
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