Kim and I are headed down on the 23rd to meet the three girls who are already at our orphanage, Jessica, Diane and the third, a 7 month old who we do not know her name yet but we are told will be at the orphanage this week. So the very exciting news is that we are heading down to spend some time with these girls and assuming all goes well, when we leave, the applications for 2 of them will be filed and the process will begin......so we proceed with guarded optimism. (our biggest concern is to hold off the temptation of submitting four applications!)
Conditions in Haiti this month have been awful. The rain simply does not stop. We were told the yard of the orphanage is flooded and the poor kids on the hill where Gladine lives are literally living in mud. The last team sent us some pictures and you can see the muddy ground beneath them and the tents in total disarray, yet the kids are out smiling and playing and as usual, accept whatever comes and really find whatever joy they can. (The joy in this case was s team that came and visited with them bubbles). BTW, It is the horrible living conditions which have convinced Gladine's dad she needs to get off the hill.
We know just a little about Jessica and Diane. Jessica lost both her parents in the earthquake and her uncle brought her to the orphanage. I think Diane lost at least one parent in the earthquake as well. They are not related but both were living in the same tent city. They are not adjusting to the orphanage very well as the 1 1/2 year olds are apparently a bit aggressive, feeling they need to fight to get what they want. A little too much slapping, hitting and pushing. Sue, the director, said the good news is they are happy to be held and are comfortable with being handled and in fact will take a "nap in a lap" without any problems, so that is good. But to think about the violence and chaos of the first year and a half of these two young lives is difficult to imagine.We have no information on the 7 month old.
Seeing the pictures from last week of the mud up on the hill makes you so desperately want to be there with them. We are looking forward to hanging out with all the kids, playing with them, holding them. When you realize the joy a bottle of bubbles can bring, you really feel compelled to get down there with your own brand of joy to distribute and give these kids a great afternoon or evening. Being with them redefines enjoying life's "simple pleasures". There are incredible lessons to be learned from them when witnessing how little it takes to bring a smile to a face or fill a hillside with children's laughter.....it is awesome, it makes you think about what it takes to help us become truly joyful. Anyway, we march on, Thanks again for all your prayers...one day, we will explain to our kids that they are the daughters of many praying, concerned "parents"!
Orphans walking through the mud
Enjoying the bubbles!
Fedeline is healthy and happy!
