Day 3: Oprhanages and Elders

Hello,

Beautiful. Progress. Inspired. Devotion. Grateful. Blessed. Exhausted.

These are the words our team just used in our debrief to describe today.  We traveled around visiting some incredible ministries to orphans, and then to see some elders that Healing Haiti cares for.

Our first stop was Juno's Orphanage and School, where we dropped off some of the donations that you, our friends, gave: sheets, school supplies, and medicine. The kids were incredibly sweet and welcoming. There orphans took us around the property with Juno, the owner and caretaker. It was wonderful to see the great care they get, and the children were extremely proud to show us their rooms and classrooms. They sang to us before we left, and we'll try to get the video loaded that we took.

Before we went to the next orphanage, we stopped by the memorial and mass grave site from the 2010 earthquake, where there are over 200,000 people buried. It is a peaceful place overlooking the ocean and surrounded by the mountains out away from the city. Our fantastic translator/guard/driver, Brunet, shared his own story of living through the earthquake and what it has been like to watch his country face such devastation.

Our next stop was Jean Garry's/Isaiah's, which is a school and orphanage run by two brothers who share the same names as the school. We dropped off more of the donations that some of you contributed - thank you! They are going to some wonderful kids who really need them! The school is just down the hill from Grace Village, and it was wonderful to see the ministry and investment of Grace Village extended far beyond the Grace Village walls. School was in full session, and the kids had us laughing with a chorus of "Hey You!" as we walked by on the tour.

We then headed to Grace Village, the orphanage and school that Healing Haiti built about two years ago, but has continued to expand ever since.  After seeing such difficult living conditions and after seeing so many kids not in school in the places we visit, it was so hopeful seeing such a beautiful, joyful, and well supplied place for these kids. Over 300 kids from the surrounding community go to school there as well. We saw the aquaponics, which is the fish farms that supply nutrients to the garden, all to help sustain and feed the orphanage and the surround community.

Before leaving the village of Titanyen, we had the opportunity to visit six elderly people who are sponsored by Healing Haiti. We delivered food, sang with them, and prayed for them.

Finally, we wrapped up the day with a visit to the metal art market.

It was a fantastic and heartwarming day. We are so grateful for the people who serve and love these children every day with their whole hearts. What a privilege it was to visit all these wonderful places.

Thank you for your support and prayers!

The team

(pictures will be posted shortly!)