Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Least of These

 
Our group split forces this morning; 10 of us went to the Home for Sick and Dying Children, and the other 8 did water therapy in the pool with several disabled children from a local orphanage.  I knew going in that it would be difficult to see all the sick babies laying in row after row of lined up cribs.  The home serves as a combination hospital, orphanage and school, and the work done there is truly amazing.  When we arrived, some of the children had parents that were visiting and holding their children.  Many did not.  We picked up and comforted the children the best we could.  They all looked at us with beautiful eyes and reached their arms up so trustingly.  As an adoptive mother myself, seeing the children without families was heartbreaking.  When it came time for the parents to leave, because visiting hours were over, the crying was overwhelming.  All I could think was that these are all God's children - He knows them all, and loves them all. 


 


The other 8 members of our group, including Connor, picked up 5 disabled children from Gertrude's orphanage and took them to a local hotel, which had a pool, for water therapy. Here are Connor's observations: I think we were all apprehensive about how the disabled kids and us would interact given the language barrier and their disabilities, but we soon realized that all of the kids were very happy to get the chance to leave the orphanage and go swimming. They had huge smiles on their faces the whole time! We worked on moving their arms and legs under the water, taught them how to kick in the water, worked on them standing up while under the water, and also just played with them. It was so fun to see how happy they were to be able to cool off in the pool and how good it must have make their tight muscles feel. We discovered that these were some of the sweetest, nicest kids we had met in Haiti, and it was great to do something for them that made them smile.

Early afternoon we had the chance to visit the Apparent Project, a local artisan company started by an American adoptive mom.  She came to Haiti originally to adopt 2 children, and ended up moving back to Haiti to start this company as a way to allow Haitians an opportunity to earn a living in the hopes that they can support themselves and their children without having to give their children up.  She now employs over 300 Haitians and they make the most beautiful artisan goods.  It was so inspiring to hear her story and be reminded again that one person truly CAN make a difference in this world!  We were happy to do a little shopping to support this worthwhile cause, and was yet another emotional reminder of how amazing the adoption community can be. 

Later in the afternoon, we had the opportunity as a group to go back to Gertrude's Orphanage and spend some more time with the children there.  Throughout our various stops, we all fell a little more in love with the Haitian children.  All of us had the supreme privilege today to serve the least of these, just as Jesus commanded in Matthew 25:40 - "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these you did for me."  We continue to be awed by the amazing experiences we are having on this trip and with this group.  God and Haiti are truly doing powerful things to our hearts!


Angie and Connor Ott

3 comments:

  1. First of HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Angie! I know that you are truly enjoying this day and it will be a birthday you never forget!! Thank you for the beautiful update from today's activities. Connor, I loved all of your observations, what a blessing you were to those kiddos today :)! It is so inspiring to know that there are many youth on this trip and I'm so proud of all of you!! Angie, you more than anyone can relate to all that you witnessed today as an adoptive mom. God definitely had special plans for you on your birthday!!! Prayers continue and thank you for keeping us updated! Love and blessings, Joelle

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  2. WOW how amazing! What a wonderful group to serve the people of haiti and also to receive from them as well. You are all amazing! Prayers to each of you!

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  3. I am catching up on your amazing trip! What a blessing it must have been to experience this with Conner.. I know that feeling of being in that baby room.. And, eventually leaving too. I know your heart is forever changed for the bigger!!! Happy Belated Birthday! Love, Diana

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