Wow. Today was incredible. We started our day by splitting
the team in half and going to Dare’s (a special needs orphanage) and Home for
Sick and Dying Babies. Dare’s was absolutely incredible. The kids had so much
love, joy and JESUS in their bodies! They radiated so much hope, laughter and
kisses. We were so loved there. It’s so interesting how much pure joy and
happiness these kids have, all the while they are struggling so much, yet they
have no idea. Their pure bodies and love for the Lord is incredible. We started
singing and dancing to a song half in Creole and half in English about loving
the Lord and the kids knocked it out of the park! All of the kids that were
able to produce sounds were singing or humming or laughing out loud, everyone
was clapping and kids were jumping around. Those few moments during that song
were absolutely priceless. We all serve the same amazing God and that did not
go unnoticed today at Dare’s. Of course it is heartbreaking to see the conditions
in which they live, but they are ultimately so much happier than us. To have
the Lord fill their heart and souls at such a young age is so inspiring and
truly changed my life. These kids have stolen my heart here in Haiti and I
wouldn’t have it any other way.
<3 Maggie Hunt
In 1993, I made my first visit to Haiti with a team of 9
women from Church of the Open Door. Because of a gas shortage in Haiti, we did
all of our mission activities in Port-au-Prince. The place where we spent many
of our days was the Hospital for Sick and Dying Babies. We would go from room
to room and hold babies and toddlers and love on them, feed them, sing to them,
and change their diapers. Little did I know that 23 years later, I would be
returning to the same place. The building is not the same, as the hospital was
destroyed in the earthquake of 2010. There is now a school, an orphanage, and
the hospital, which has been renamed the Home for Sick and Dying Babies. The
new hospital (home) is filled with light; there is a wonderful playground area,
and several places to walk outside in the sunshine with the babies. Today was
visiting day for the parents. They are able to come in for an hour or two
before mealtime to hold or play with their children. There were also 2 other
missionary teams serving with us. It was a joy to be back there, and see that
although there are still many sick and dying babies (the mortality rate for
children under 5 is close to 50%), there is so much hope. The staff is caring
and attentive and there are plenty of volunteer staff as well, at least during
the week. Everyone needs to be able to give love, as well as receive it. There
is nothing like seeing a smile or laughter on a child’s face, especially when
they are sick. This day was truly a gift…
<3 Linda Kleven
I had the most amazing experience at the Women’s Teen
Challenge here in Haiti. The feeling when I walked through that door made me
remember how much Teen Challenge helped me change my life. Filled with excitement
for the women and the joy I have in my heart for them. After the tour we were
able to sit with the women and right when we walked in the room there was an
instant connection with them. Some shared their testimonies and I shared mine
and Robin shared also. How similar they were! Same situations, same God and
same results. The love we shared with each other before we left was mind
blowing. God bless!
<3 Nicole Rasmussen
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