God Surrounds Us

Hi Everyone!...
   It has not been a good week for internet access but it has been a glorious week for our team members spiritual growth!!  We started off our trip sharing that we needed to focus on a sense of community; not only with our Haitian friends, but with the members on our team.  I can certainly say that God has been at work!

    I am sure our sponsors are anxious to hear about your precious children!  Because of the earthquake, school is just starting today, October 4th!     The delay was because they were not finished with the national exams.  I know it is related to the earthquake and needing to find places for the children to take their national exam.  This exam is for children who will be graduating from 6th grade and moving on to secondary school as well as secondary school students who I think (not totally sure) take it in ninth through 12th grade.  They just finished taking the national exams the Friday before we arrived.
    Pastor Dorlean and Pastor Degonzague did the best they could to have as many children and parents be at the schools for us on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Of course each day was not without its challenges!!
    Wednesday our team of 13 which is including four nurses and three translators went out to Laburyere on two hired tap-taps (taxi).  Our goal was to arrive at the school by 9:00, we arrived around 9:45.  Children and parents waited patiently for our arrival and greeted us with a warm welcome.  It then took almost an hour to scope out how we should set things up and to find out which children were there.  The very first child to come through was John-Clifford Aime.  His grandmama was with him to help provide what information she could to the nurses for the child wellness part of our program.  John-Clifford was the poster child of the day.  He had a beautiful smile and we learned that his mama died just the day before at the age of 24.  Pastor Dorlean said that their were complications during childbirth about a month ago.  Grandmama stuggles to walk, here legs sore but her spirit was uplifting.   I gave Grandmama a huge hug and told her mwen regete (I'm sorry).   To have such a loss only the day before and to show up for us told me of the importance they put in our program.  It really is a moment beyond words.
    We did a total intake that day of 28.  Our goal had been 37, but we did complete all that arrived.  We determined that the health intake takes about 15 minutes per child.  It was a full day, we finished around 2:30 and arrived back at the mission house around 4:00 for lunch.
     For many on our team this was their first introduction of working with our Haitian friends.  Needless to say, they were touched deeply.