Hello from another great day in Haiti!! So sorry we didn’t get to post yesterday. The computer died as we were typing. Plans changed and we didn’t go to Preskul yesterday. Instead, we spent the morning painting and playing playdough with the two kids who live in the orphanage who are too young to go to school. When the preschoolers got back to the orphanage we blew up balloons for them to play with, which were a hit! They were entertained for hours and we had so, so much fun watching them hit them up in the air and chase them around!
In the afternoon, we did our first round of “Pouring Love Into” for some of the female employees on campus. We gave pedicures, back massages, painted market bags, and did a short devotional based on the scripture from Exodus that says “You, God, will fight for me. Help me only to be still”. At the end, we gave them each a treat bag with a dishtowel, bottle of spice, shampoo and nail polish. We agree that they felt loved and pampered.
Emily played volleyball (where she was made fun of ruthlessly J for her lack of skill) with the Castillo kids and some of the kids that live on campus, then played the cup game with the kids. She had a blast and LOVED hanging out with the Castillo’s and the Haitian teenagers! I watched them and learned that ALL teenagers interact the same regardless of nationality!
This morning, we worked at the clinic. We colored, blew bubbles and painted nails and Emily played pharmacy tech again. I got to hold ANOTHER sweet baby, who had the sweetest mom, dad and sisters. We finished up early at the clinic, so Emily and I headed to the orphanage. We REALLY wanted to give the kids some more individual attention so we brought them over to the cafeteria in groups of 6 to play Playdough, color and blow bubbles. It was so fun and we loved EVERY minute of it. I wish I could share with you how sweet the kids are but there aren’t words to tell you!
After lunch, we headed to the village and UP, UP, UP a mountain to see some families we met at clinic on Tuesday. While up there, we met some sweet kids and their mom, jumped rope with them, played clapping games with them and told them “Jesus loves you” in Creole. When we got back to campus, we bagged rice and beans to give as part of our “Pouring Love Into” activities. We were able to give them to the ladies that work in the kitchen today. Again, I wish I could put into words the looks of thanks and appreciation. We hugged and I told them “Merci, merci” over and over. Then we headed back to the orphanage for some more loving. We both agree, this is one of our very favorite things to do. Language doesn’t seem to be much of a barrier when you’re hugging, cuddling and playing with kids.
We’re getting ready to head to supper so I’ll close for now! Love to you all and Elizabeth, we miss you and can’t wait to tell you all about how God has worked this week!
Karen & Emily
——————————————————–Sorry that there are no pictures. Our internet is slower then slow, so we are unable to to post any pictures. Hopefully it will be back up tomorrow.
I imagine that you two are sleeping soundly at night as it sounds like you are busy, busy all day long. I can feel God’s hand in all your activities. It thrills me to know that the women who received the rice and beans will be able to feed all their family members. Went to family night at VBS tonight. Abby really enjoyed going this week, she was the only girl in her class, her teacher said she fit right in and participated in the activities. Think it helped that Tate was in her class. Brileigh kept saying “Abby, Abby”, and when she would see your (Karen) picture she would say, “KK, KK”. I am so happy that you two were able to make this trip, looking forward to all you will have to share with us. Elizabeth is missing both of you, I’m sure, but it’s been neat to see how mature she is becoming. I’m so proud of all three of you. Lots of love (not lol!!), MeMaw
I’m so glad that pampering the ladies was a success! I’m glad they enjoyed their pedis, back rubs, and craft!! That was also a great idea to play with the kids a few at a time, I’m sure they absolutely loved it! I’m glad that Emily didn’t fall on the mountain again! Like Memaw said, Abby LOVED VBS and she’s having a sleepover with me and she is STILL worshiping our God through the songs she learned this week! It’s bringing tears to my eyes watching her run around the house singing His praises. I got to talk to Mrs. Kathy at church tonight and she said Pierre is taking great care of y’all and that makes me so happy! I can’t wait to hear all your stories and see all the pictures. I love you both so much and cannot wait to see y’all!
Third time trying to post a comment on this one, hopefully it works this time! (Don’t want y’all to think I’m ignoring the blog cause I’m not at all! Ha!)
Anyways, I’m so happy that your activities with the ladies went well! I’m glad they loved the pampering and craft! I’m so glad to hear that Emily didn’t fall down the mountain this time! That’s such a great idea that y’all took the kids a few at a time to play with them, I’m sure they loved it! Mrs. Kathy told me last night at VBS that Pierre has been taking wonderful care of y’all and it makes me happy to hear that! Abby and I had a sleepover last night and she was still praising God through the songs she learned at VBS! She was singing and dancing all night long and it brought tears to my eyes to see her love for the Lord. We went to Starbucks today with Celie and as you can imagine, those two loved it! I miss y’all so much and I can’t wait to hear all the stories and see all the pictures! I love you all so much!
Love,
Elizabeth/Sissy