Hebrews 11:1: A new home

Thursday last week we went up to Mount Kabrit. We drove up a steep rode and came upon a little village of people living on the hillside over looking Port - au - Prince. When we pulled up in the car little faces popped out all around us. Then little feet ran down to greet us. Little dirty bodies, some not clothed welcomed us with smiles. As we got out of the car many people gathered around to watch us as we unloaded chicken, rice, and a vegetable sauce. The meal we had brought up to serve them. We carried it down to a flat area where we could serve them and they could all be seated comfortable on the ground. As the kids gathered around Zach and Sarah shared about Jesus's love and amazing grace, then we all prayed, led the kids in a song, and blessed the food. Then all the children lined up to receive a plate of hot food (who knows when they had their last meal). As we handed each child a plate and a cup of juice they would sit down on the the ground to eat and enjoy the meal. Then we finished handing out the food and visiting with the people. As they finished we gathered up all of our stuff and heading back up to the car.

When we got to the car a lady that Sarah knew approached her and said that she knew of a family that needed help. Sarah said that she was not sure if she could help or not. The lady continued to tell Sarah about 3 kids. Their dad had died. They lived under a tent/tarp structure that leaked when it rain. And so on...

As she talked she called the children and they came walking up. At that instant they stole all of our hearts. Their dirty little feet. They ripped clothes. Their swollen bellies. Their empty eyes. Their sweet & adorable faces. Them. There was something about them. I sensed a longing in them.

Sarah told her husband Yves what was going on and they said they would go and talk to the mom and get more details on the situation. We made our way up a small path with many little children following us and holding our hands. When we got to the "home" of the kids we went inside to talk to the mom. She was very sweet. But the place they were living in was in pretty bad condition. It had rained a day or so ago and the one bed where they all slept was still wet. The tent was a one room home (probably the size of my closet). It broke my heart and breaks my heart to think about all of that. As we stood there talking to the mom she stayed so calm. Knowing that we were the opportunity for her kids to have a "better" shot at life. We walked out of the tent and made our way up more on the hillside. Sarah and Yves talked about the kids as the rest of us played with some of the other kids in the area.

Sarah then said we would take the 3 kids. She told them all to go change, the little girl came back and looked up to Sarah and said "these are the only clothes I have". It broke my heart. She was wearing a torn and tattered dress that was falling off of her. We then made our way down to the car with the kids. The mom said goodbye and she cried as she watched us walk away. We loaded everyone in the car and left.

The kids had never been in a car, took a shower or used a toilet. And those are just a few of the new things they experienced for the first time.

We brought the kids home to their "new" home. All the other kids greeted them and welcomed them in. We then took the girls and washed them (dirty just poured off), did their hair and gave them new clothes. The little boy got washed and dressed in new clothes. It was amazing to be part of that experience.

As I think though I wonder what that mom felt. I know she was so thankful that her children could be taken better care of. But they are still her babies. She still loves them. She still would give up her own life for them. Yet she gave them up for their better good. She now lives in that tent by her self. I can't imagine what she felt that first night. She is probably beyond thankful and has amazing appreciation knowing that they will now have a safe, dry, clean, healthy environment to live in. Where they will receive love, hope, 3 meals a day, hygiene and family. But I just pray that God will draw her close in this time. That He will fill that hole with His divine love and care.

Now back to the kids. They have all adjusted very well and we can already see improvement in their health and well being. They are all smiles and hugs when we come to visit. Today they will start school. And the opportunities for them are endless.

I want to give a shout out to Sarah. It was amazing to watch her through this whole experience. Keep in mind that she is only 26. What she is doing here in Haiti is amazing. As we talked with the mom and looked into the situation, I could hear Sarah praying, asking for guidance. She has such great faith. The faith she has to bring in 3 more children. She is now providing a home for 17 children. And they are taken so well care of. So anyways I just wanted to thank you Sarah for what you are doing. Well done. I know God is so very proud of you. You are setting such a great example for me and so many others.

I would like you all to pray for this new family. For the kids. For the mom. That God will work in their hearts. That they will all adjust well. That they will all follow in God's footsteps. That we will provide what they need in this time. Also that God will guide Living Water Haiti Ministries.

I have posted some photos below and I will write captions. Thanks for reading and God bless you all! Thanks for your prayers! Love you all.

Little kids gathering around for the food distribution.

Many happy little children enjoying their hot meal!

Sarah blessing one of many with food to fill their hungry bellies. ♥

I home on the mountain side that LWHM had rescued children from in the past.

God's love in action.

When we found Belanda (the middle child of the 3 we took in) I am going to sponsor her monthly. She is my baby! She stole my heart before we even knew that we were taking her home. She is so precious. Love her to the moon and back.