Water!

Water, something we rarely think about, yet is so valuable. Today we delivered free water to 4 areas, thanks to Healing Haiti. There other water trucks that deliver water but the people must purchase the water from other trucks. Our first delivery was to Cite Soleil, section 17. Our leader Laurene warned us, this is the rock bottom of poor, in the poorest country in the world. The people were anxious to fill their buckets to the brim; if we were under by 1 inch they would not leave.  They were very thankful. We filled buckets, moved buckets along, held the hose or played with the little kids too young to carry water. After the long line of buckets were all filled and carried away, we walked with the children out to the shoreline. The shoreline was more of a dump, toilet and burial ground. The kids walked easily over the shards of glass while tugging and pulling at us to hold them and give them some love.  

While their situation seemed so desperate, the kids would laugh and giggle with us, especially when they had a chance to get soaked from the hose.   They know nothing else and as a result, seemed very satisfied, at least at that moment in their day.

Later in the day we brought 19 boys from the tent city down the street to a soccer field.  They had a blast playing.  The Eden Prairie team lost to Soccer.com team. Team member Crystal, a loyal Eagan fan, felt uncomfortable playing for EP.  These boys of all ages played for about an hour with no real squabbles. We wonder how often they get to venture five miles from their home in a vehicle.  They are not on travel sports teams, don't go to the mall or restaurants and don't have cars.  Nevertheless, they too are pretty happy guys.

That's it for today. Enjoy the pictures
Lynn (blogging as Sam because it works better)