Transitions

Each time I come to Haiti, I experience a complex array of emotions.  From pure joy to deep sorrow, I pretty much cover them all when it comes to processing everything I experience here.  This year was no exception.

Upon arriving in Haiti, which I shared earlier in the week, I was struck with pleasant surprise at the progress that has been made from last year.  From driving through the city daily to travelling to the beach on Thursday, there has definitely been visible progress that is very encouraging.  But throughout the week, interacting with & observing the kids has reminded me of the complexities of this beautiful land that are very present.  

Last year I got to know a boy at the orphanage who was just genuinely sweet.  He has a wonderful demeanor, and just seems like a great kid.  I might have mentioned him in one of my posts last year because he also played guitar, so we spent a lot of time together just hanging out and playing guitar.  One memory from last year is him bringing up his guitar which was missing several strings, but he still played it as passionately as any regular guitar player.  Fortunately I had an extra pack of strings, so we spent a few minutes changing his guitar strings.  For the rest of the week I showed him a few chords, and we just bonded over the guitar.  Now, at the beginning of this week, I was on the soccer field with the kids when he came around the corner and motioned me over.  He then presented me with a beautiful piece of art that he painted...one side had the Haitian flag, the other had a mickey mouse picture with a to & from section painted on it.  I was taken aback by his kindness and the fact that he took the time to make this for me, and also very humbled.

We found out this year that, since he is 18, the time has come for him to leave the orphanage & head out into the world.  It deeply hurts my heart to think about this.  It is something that was inevitable and had to happen eventually, but it wasn't something that was at the forefront of my mind going into this week.  It's difficult to wrap my head around the fact that, if I am able to return next year, I will more than likely not see him again.  In fact, I may never see him again, and yesterday could have been my last ever interaction with him.  At this point, the only thing I can do is regularly lift him up to God, and trust that He has a greater plan for him.  I have grown in my ability to trust in God during my Christian walk, but this just seems different.  When it's me & my life, it's easier because I at least feel that I can consistently listen to what He is telling me & guiding me to do.  But when it's someone else's life, it's on a different level.  I will pray for him, and I will ask that God will be with him to encourage and protect him on the difficult road that lies ahead.  God knows this boy down to his soul, and has a plan for him.  Going back, I will pray that this plan is able to come to fruition and that he does not stray from the very real faith that he holds in Jesus.

I ask that you keep him and the other orphanage children in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks, months, and even years.  They are the future of Haiti, and I believe they have the ability to make this beautiful country into something amazing.

Also, thank you for all of your kind thoughts, prayers, and comments throughout the week.  I think I can speak for everyone and say that out time in Haiti was truly blessed, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve.

-Marie