TG Laughter and Tears

Today we began the day by heading to the home for the sick and dying adults.  Much to our surprise, when we arrived we found out we would spend our time rubbing lotion and painting nails of the residents.  These people were extremely fragile, yet their hearts were huge.  From belting out worship songs with the Haitian workers while doing laundry to attempting to overcome the language barrier with the patients, all would agree that the experience was moving.  To be in the presence of people so overcome by disease and illness, it was amazing to make such strong connections with them.  We also learned that saying "adios" to Haitians means goodbye at the time of death, not the typical goodbye.  Sarah was devastated after she wished many people "adios."

It was nice to spend the afternoon back at Healing Haiti.  We all enjoyed tanning, napping, journaling, and laughing.  Soon we loaded up the tap-tap and headed to Gertrude's orphanage.

Gertrude's orphanage homes children with disabilities.  Children with disabilities are often looked upon as a burden in Haiti, and many are left for death.  We all came in with mixed emotions: fear, excitement, and hesitation.  The small play area we entered into was chaos!  Partially functioning, homemade wheelchairs flew all over like a race track, with other children as their drivers.  Each kid was totally different; some wanted to play a game of soccer while others wanted the touch of a person.  This experience was quite heavy, leaving a few in tears.  Seeing children deprived of the necessary attention was heartbreaking.

None the less, we ended the day together in laughter.  Thank you for all of your prayers, and know you all are in ours.

Love,
Katie and Bridget