Day 6--2nd Water Truck Day "Hey You!"

Today was the second and final water truck day in Cite Soleil. We went to three different areas to deliver water. At each stop we scooted buckets, aimed hoses, carried buckets, and held children. You can probably guess which one was our favorite! If you've always wondered what it feels like to be a celebrity, come to Haiti and serve on water truck day. As our tap tap rolls into the neighborhood, all the children chant, "Hey you! Hey you!" (because of the UN presence after the earthquake...the U stuck...) As soon as our wonderful and gracious translators/drivers unlock and open the tap tap door, little hands are reaching out to you to be picked up. You are greeted with smiles everywhere you turn. The women and children are so grateful for the help. Their hearts are so open and welcome. It's really surprising to me and makes me think... What if I greeted everyone with an open heart, a warm smile, and an open hand? What would that look like and how would that change the world? What if we cherished each other's gifts for what they are? What if we were excited and genuine in receiving everyday gifts from one another? I don't have those answers, but I know the One who does. Tonight is my last night in Haiti (the rest of the team leaves on Monday). God has taught me so much about myself, His creation, and His people. My prayer for us all: God, open our hearts to you. Give us the courage to walk in obedience. Love, Leanne

Day 5--A piece of my heart in Haiti

Today is the day I left a piece of my heart in Haiti. Began the day before dawn praising God at "tent" church. As the sun cam up blood my heart to God, "The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning. Time to sing Your song again. Whatever May and pass whatever lies before me ... .Let me be singing When the evening comes. "Little did I Know That Would this be truly my prayer today. Little did I know today That Would Be That I left the day a piece of my heart in Haiti. General Hospital was our stop today. My first act of service was to deliver toys stuffed with three others to a room with four orphans. The first babe I saw stopped me in my tracks. Was this one why I was here. This little tiny skeleton with skin stretched over. Sores front and back, Some nurses Could not cover the goal with a piece of cloth As They HAD no bandages. I tucked a small stuffed kitten under her hand, though She Could not hold it. I gazed into her eyes, though she Could not focus on me. Abandoned and Brought to the hospital by social workers, She Had been here five months. I Could not imagine what she must have Looked like Then. I did not want to. So I blood. Jesus loves me. And I Told her Jezi Reme Or. Jesus loves you. Over and over and over. Only When forced to leave and visit the rest of the hospital did I leave her side. So, hugs and encouragement from my fellow team members and off to the next ward. Passing out gift bags filled with diapers and personal hygiene items. Cuddling babies, smiling and praying for mamas. Then Reviews another baby captured my heart. She Was the third baby for me to hold in this ward. The "mama" our translator Told That Was abandoned this child and She Had Volunteered to care for her while she was here with her own child. Praise God For That mama's heart! But, I found, HOWEVER, That I Could not give her up That Easily When Time to go. I handed her off to our team leader and Walked Away Because I Could not bear to let her go. So, what is the purpose of this? Why witness thesis babies Suffering When I can do nothing? Why About did God bring me all the way to Haiti to break my heart over and dying abandoned babies? Goal I have done something. I have come here, and has-been little tiny hand of God's big picture. I have touched lives in ways I will never know this side of heaven. I have left a smile, a touch, a cuddle, a prayer, a song and a seed planted for the love of Jesus. That what Jesus says we do to "the least of These" we do to Him. That is my prayer I will continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus, Wherever He calls me and That You Will join me so That We May journey together Becoming a share of God's big picture.

Day 3--It is better to give, than to receive

Today we visited the Home for the Sick and Dying and an orphanage with approximately 35 children. Two very different places yet both spoke the same thing to me. First, I’ll give you some details. At the Home for the Sick and Dying, women served women and men served men. Each room had approximately 15 beds and the woman’s ward was about 75% full. We came with baby lotion and fingernail polish. It doesn’t sound like much - but God doesn’t require much (you’ll learn that when you come down here!) We donned gloves and lotioned bodies and painted nails of women looking for rest and comfort. Our translator played the guitar, we sang and prayed (silently) over the women and each other. Tears were shared, hands were held, and laughter heard – all for the Glory of God. The second part of the day was spent with beautiful loving children. Lots of laughter and smiles were shared by all. We played soccer, jumped rope, gave piggy back rides and made sidewalk art. Two very different places with very different atmospheres –yet both spoke new meaning to a truth I’ve believed my whole life. It is better to give than to receive. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of this concept prior to coming to Haiti. It’s always been pretty easy for me to give from my pockets, from my hands, from my home, from my lips. Not so easy from the heart. This is what God has taught me in Haiti. It is better to give your heart than to receive - period. I’m not talking about giving with your heart or from your heart and not because of your heart. To give is better than to receive if you actually give away pieces of your heart. I think when we give a piece of our heart away, God’s limitless love fills it up again and it grows and yearns to be broken to pieces over and over. My prayer for us all – God, show us what it means to give our hearts away - to you and each other. With Love, Leanne