A passage pulled from our morning devotional states: “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” The course of the day seemed to be summed up in that short passage. Today provided a day of much needed hope for the group as we explored the progressive steps Healing Haiti has taken to expand and enhance Grace Village. The day also provided some humbling experiences, as all days seem to do, with our elderly visits around Titanyan. Following that, we visited a school filled with inspirational children at the Shalom school.
Our visit to Grace Village restored in all of our hearts that in a dark world, a powerful light can shine through when done so with compassion and love. Funded by donations and prayers, the Grace Village has continued its expansion to create a beautiful, and breathtaking, learning environment for hundreds of children in Haiti. Sturdy concrete buildings contrast the desolate mountainside with brilliant colors. Classrooms range from kindergarten to 12th grade and brief moments of passing them provide you with bright, ebullient smiles of eager children. Casting waves and smiles at the passing missionaries may not have been in the teachers initial teaching plans, but they seem to send a few smiles our way as well. The village continues to impress with a lively playground, resourceful plant and fish system, as well as a medical clinic overlooking the mountainside. I never imagined in a world so overwhelmed with poverty I would experience such a beautiful view.
Departing the mountainside the team was filled with a sense of hope and pride in the opportunities Healing Haiti has provided, and continued to provide in a world with so much need. Something the teams intend to do during the week is visit the elderly of the Healing Haiti program. Blessed with the opportunity to do so today, the group showed as much love as we could through song, prayer, and heartfelt interaction. The response from the elders was deeply moving. They were very receptive and appreciative, often swaying with the music, smiling, and affectionately reaching out to team members. An elder woman greeted us at the gate and welcomed us in. While I was still busy, trying to figure out who the elder was, the lively woman greeted everyone with a lively spirit. When it dawned on me the elderly woman was also the “greeter” I was stunned. Fighting through muscle pain seemed to be irrelevant for this woman as she danced and sang along to the music. It never ceases to impress me the resilience these elder show with the lives they have been given. To think the life expectancy in Haiti is 52, the elders ranging from 22-103 prove over and over again that God is good. Another memorable visit came from the 22 year old boy who was graced into the elderly program because of his epilepsy. As the group sang Amazing Grace in the background, my heart broke for this boy and his loving mother. The tears seemed inevitable. There I was, facing a boy equivalent in age to me that lay almost motionless, body distorted with only his eyes shifting from one group member to another. I like to believe that was his way of giving us thanks, but he will never realize the thanks should have been blessed upon him. In those few short minutes with him, he was able to teach us an appreciation for life that can never be repaid. In all we were blessed to visit six elders, all teaching us in invaluable ways.
The last stop at the Shalom house was a perfect way to complete another enlightening day. The children and team enjoyed the creation of sock puppets accompanied with some french singing. All in all it was another amazing day in Haiti with more to come. The initial devotion came full circle this evening as we had time to reflect on our day in Haiti. The day was a great reminder that our great moments lead to great learning opportunities. However, the lessons learned in our trials and hardships teach us a great deal more. Whether it be babies or elders, healthy or ill, rich or poor, in our hometown or across the world, we are all equal and we all deserve a life that feels that way. And if, even for a brief moment, we can provide that feeling to others, I truly believe that is God’s highest wishes of us.
Blessings,
Bethany
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