We awoke today to a very beautiful day. We had a breakfast of boiled eggs, muffins and fruit. After we ate, we went to a creole Baptist church. While we could not understand a lot of what was said, the intensity of the love of God was very evident. We introduced ourselves and, a little while later in the service, we were surprised by the men’s choir who sang a song for us in English. After the service, we had a brief fellowship with the congregation and then back to the Haiti Outreach Guest House for lunch.
Lunch was chicken legs, rice and peas and we were treated to Cokes. John told us all to oil up with suntan lotion as this afternoon we would be playing with orphans in a field and it would be sunny and hot. To our surprise, our 410 Bridge leaders had made arrangements for us to spend time at a different orphanage that was shaded and had gazebos with benches.
After we exchanged greetings, ours in English and theirs in Creole, we introduced ourselves by name and the pastor in charge of the orphanage had all the kids tell us their names. There are about 70 kids at this orphanage, 30 of which who had been orphaned from the earthquake. We then broke out our “toys” and engaged the kids. Brian, Phil, Maurice, Matt and Dave played soccer. Jim P., Char, Anna and Lisa played with beach balls and Frisbees while Jim S went round and round getting pictures of all of us and also many of the kids who all wanted to see there picture.
We then moved on to face painting and making pipe cleaner/bead bracelets. The kids all loved both activities. The bracelets were very popular and several of the kids wanted two bracelets and would try to hide the first one to get more. We then ended our visit to the orphanage with a song fest led by John and Tara (our 410 Bridge leader).
We then traveled back to the guest house with a brief side tour of Pignon. We had a supper of soup, homemade potato chips, crackers and cheese which was very good.
Tonight, Maurice led our devotional and told us how he came to walk with Jesus and how he felt that mission work was his calling. We had a very positive feeling about our day and everyone had a highlight to point out. We then discussed what we anticipate for tomorrow at the clinic and divided up our Monday work force between clinicians and painters and Tuesday we will flip assignments, but we all stay flexible for whatever may come.
God bless you from Haiti!
Jim Pomeroy
