Haiti. Day 5-6.

I tried 3 times yesterday to do a blog update, but between no electricity and no internet, it just didn't work out. I am going to post fewer photos (I hope) with this post and hopefully it will be successful. Much of the last 2 days can be summed up in this photo:

Yesterday while it was raining we sorted and organized some of the supplies in the supply closet here. We divided the clothing and shoes between items to go to the orphans and caretakers in Torbeck and items to go to Pastor Jean Claude and other local pastors to distribute to those that they know are in need. One thing that we learned from Yelline and Leonie is that they are careful about the distribution because they want to make sure that it 1) goes to those that have the greatest need, and 2) they have the orphans turn in their clothes and shoes that are not usable or are too small so that they learn not to just toss those things that they are no longer using. There is a huge problem with garbage and waste in Haiti, and they are trying to teach the orphans not to just throw aside that which they no longer need.

Here are a couple of photos of distributing the items:

Julie and Adrianne were careful to see which items would fit particular children. Julie is with Cassandra in this photo, and Adrianne is with Lorianna, I believe.

This is Angeline. I took this photo because she always has this beautiful smile on her face, and I noticed that each time she received an item of clothing she had this same smile on her face as she put it behind her on the bed.

The imitation Crocs are great things to send down for the orphans because they are light to bring in suitcases, protect their feet from glass or metal on the ground, and don't stay wet. The children have to show that their shoes are broken or too small before they get a new pair.

 In the next photo, Samuel was hiding his shoes under the bed in hopes that he would get some new ones. It didn't work out the way he hoped. Again in 3 months he will have another opportunity, or if his shoes break before that time.

One observation that we made was that there was no clamoring among the children for items. They sat patiently and waited for something that might be for them, and in fact would see items and suggest a child that the item might fit, or something that a particular child might like to have. They were so giving and thankful for what they received, that it was very humbling for us.

After they had their items, some of the children tried everything on and others just went about the task of starting to care for their new things. Above, you see Matilda carefully folding her items and placing them in her suitcase. Because the children are in temporary housing, they keep their things in suitcases, tubs or baskets.

We soon went out on the porch and sang with the children until it was time to leave. We began singing with them some of the songs that Adrianne and Julie will use with them in VBS starting tomorrow morning.

Last night it was time for some fun away from the house! Ketura took us to

Ketura teaches salsa dancing in Indianapolis to earn some income while she is a student at Butler, so we decided to get a lesson from her! No, I still can't dance, even in Haiti, and even with private lessons...but it was fun for all of us!

No, Tom did not get wet in the rain. That is sweat. It was quite a workout!

Well, as you can see, the posting of pictures is going quite well, so I'm just going to finish up with a few more updates from today.

We had decided to attend church this morning in Carfour. (I took a photo of the sign at the church this morning...still don't know how to spell it...if you don't know the story, let me share quickly...3 years ago when we built the church, Joanna Eden was painting the church name on the front. She was just about finished when some men from the village were standing around looking concerned...they then told us that the village name wasn't spelled correctly. So, we asked how it was spelled, painted over what she had just finished and she did it again...then, almost finished, and a little larger group of men looking concerned again...same thing...in the end, the name had to painted over 3 or 4 times to be spelled differently, because they couldn't agree themselves!) So, every time I want to write it, I can't remember which way it goes, but I guess they are all correct to someone! :)

If you attend my home church, you know that my family struggles to get to church on time almost every Sunday. I guess being in a different country doesn't matter! The truck wouldn't start, then the tires were low...we ended up being late for the start of the service. There was a young man leading a song, and Leonie wanted to tell Pastor that we were there, so she went up to talk to him while we entered the church. Leonie chatted with him for a minute or two, and then took Tom aside and spoke with him. After Tom sat down by me, he said, "Guess what?" I looked appropriately inquisitive, and he said, "I'm preaching!" It was awesome! First Julie and Adrianne sang, "All I Need" by Bethany Dillon:

It was so beautiful! I have a video that I will share when I have more bandwidth. Beautiful!

Then Tom preached on the text Exodus 4:31, in which he spoke about how we worship God not out of compulsion, but because He is a God who is intimately concerned about us like He was the Children of Israel while they were enslaved in Egypt. Ketura translated in such a heartfelt manner. It was beautiful to listen to and to watch.

After church we came home and had lunch, and then while it rained, everyone rested for awhile. Resting on the Sabbath is taken a little more seriously here than in the U.S., and we also had no electricity for distraction.

A little later Adrianne had the idea that we should go to the beach. She rationalized that if we left in the rain, that by the time we got to the beach, the rain would have stopped. It poured buckets on our way there! But, as sure as I type these words, by the time we got to the beach, it had stopped and we went into water warmer than I have ever felt at a beach before! We had a great time because there were high winds and very big waves crashing over us! It was wonderful, and I'm so happy not only that she had the idea, but that we listened and went!

Thanks to my other awesome daughters for posting yesterday. Soon I will write more on this, but I have to tell you that after decades of prayer for my children, even before they were conceived, I am so thankful to God for the beautiful women they have become! Everyday I give thanks for each one of them, their individual gifts, their individual beauty, both inside and out. And, I continue to remember them in my prayers that God would guard their hearts and lead them in His ways. It is good to be a mommy to them....

Blessings my friends as you sleep tonight and begin your work week tomorrow. Please keep one of my dear friends in your prayers...we were made known of a situation this evening and were blessed to be able to place a phone call and pray with her. God knows her heart and her needs. Please just lift her and her family up, knowing that He knows and will provide. Thanks.

~kimberly