Love A Lot

It can be difficult to process the emotions brought on by a first trip to Haiti.  At times life at the orphanage seems unfair, rough and difficult.  At other times it seems full of life, love and spirituality.  During the ups and downs of a week I try to keep things in perspective.  The kids are happy and healthy.  They know God loves them and we are fortunate enough to bring some of that love down about 18 times a year.  The course of their lives have been altered by coming into the orphanage.  They no longer dig through trash for food but share hot meals with their friends daily.  Orphanage life is not ideal, it’s hard to come face to face with their reality.  But thank God we can pray over them and encourage them as they grow and emerge into adulthood.  Today’s blog post (below) was written by Rhonda Bruce.  This is her first trip, I have loved listening to her stories this week and experiencing a first trip to Haiti through her eyes.

-Erica

This trip to Haiti is my first mission trip.  I can say that it has been unbelievable.  I have been overcome with emotion several times.
Yesterday, one of the boys in my group was coloring a picture.  He was taking his time and really doing a great job.  Another boy ran up and tore up his picture.  I felt so bad for him.  Later I was able to get another coloring sheet to him and he colored another picture. When he finished he gave the picture to me.  I can’t wait to frame it.  It breaks my heart that these children are so smart and have talents but don’t have the opportunities my children have in the U.S.

Today I helped put supplies in the clinic.  Two of the boys were helping us take supplies out of the bags.  I asked one of them what they wanted to be and he told me that he wanted to be a doctor.  It just broke my heart to think that he may not have the opportunity to be a doctor and as I thought about it I cried.  Who would have thought that you would cry while putting away medical supplies!  I just have to believe that God has a plan for their life just like he does ours.  We need to pray that they will be able to live their dreams.
-Rhonda Bruce