Accountability? What is that here? Children's House report is the focus in the morning, many e-mails going out to pull info together, I think our donations will go directly to individual children and not to the organization this year. I am not confident that the administration of the Children's House will be good stewards of a donation. God will clear this decision by Friday, I am sure of this.
I was accompanied to the "people's market" across the street today with a man who blessed me with his patience and kindness. He said" if I came to your country I would be lost too, you would show me around your home, this I do for you." He asks women on the street selling their food and goods (called squatters)if I can take pictures of their goods to teach others about Haiti.Every women requested that I do not take a picture of them, only their food. Here they are sitting under noon day sun of 100 degrees, sitting in garbage, tattered clothing and sweating to death.It is hard to look in their eyes and understand their day. It starts about 2:00a.m. with a long, very long ride in the back of big truck with 100's of other women, to the city. They unload their products and set up for day light selling to begin. They sell late into the night, then load up again for another ride back to their home.making only a few dollars. Their endurance, strength and beauty amaze me as I look at their hands and faces. Women just like you and me, but born into Haiti life. Why was I born to live in TC, air conditioned office, too much food, hot showers and comfortable clothing.
The street is the easiest place to sell, but then I go to the government land, down the alley, darkened by tents and metal roof covering. The ground in muddy, slimy and covered with layers of refuge. It is almost steamy under their. It smells and it is full of flies and hundreds of women sitting under a tattered tent or umbrella, selling bananas, veggies, chicken, hot dogs, rice, beans on and on. No refrigeration for the small baggies of mayo or raw meat. It was like walking in hell. I tried to focus on the beauty of their produce or how they arranged it, tough for me to do. They were so proud of their merchandise when I asked to take pictures, they would fix it up to prepare for the picture. Then asked to see it, and smile.
I visited a home for the aged women today. The home was simple, but cleaner than our ECF in USA. The ladies were all in bed, but awake.About 10 of them. They were beautiful . I was overwhelmed by this opportunity to serve the other end of the age spectrum. I immediately gave them kisses on their cheeks and held their hands. Some were awake and aware, others were too aged to know we were there. This just caused my eyes to stay wet the entire visit. One women requested to sing us a song, her voice was like an angel. I did not understand her words, but her spirit was clearly communicating her appreciation of us visiting. Another women was blind and had lost all 9 of her children to varies diseases. She was so angry with God, all I could do was hold her hands and pray for her. She was distraught, but at the same time gently touched my face with her withered hands and thanked me for coming . Love is painful but oh so rewarding.
Children singing songs of joy and dancing. Children jumping up and down with total excitement and amazement of cameras with their pictures. Playing hand games with kids and tickling them, thru the sludge of water and garbage. They have little clothing on, but their smiles, squeals of delight and kisses make everything else seem irrelevant. God knew only this would fill my soul with love today. My day of rest from the Lord, filled with blessings and love that changes one forever..
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