Giving Hope part 2

So I was still left wondering WHY was I sent to this country.  Away from my children.  Away from my husband.  Away from my job.  Away from reality as I knew it...

I spent the week loving on gorgeous babies and playing with some awesome school age boys and girls.

I fed babies bottles, I changed diapers, I rocked, held, and loved on God's children.  I talked to them.  I looked them in the eyes.  I sang.  I played peek a boo.  I sang "This little piggy."  I was a mother to the parentless-if only for a moment.

With the older kids, I we went swimming in the ocean.  We sang worship songs.  We practiced English and worked on school work.  I played cars and did hair.  They are just normal kids-making the best of the situation they are in.  Happy.  Joyful.  Content.

However, it was not all peachy.  I saw the lack-Lack of toys, Lack of activity, Lack of playfulness.  This was especially evident when I spent time at the toddler house.

On the last evening of my trip, Heather offered to take me to dinner at her apartment.  As we were feasting on hot dogs and fries along with Fruit Champagne (the best soda in the world!), she asked about my experience.  I was very aware at this moment that she was wondering why I was there too.  I hadn't really done anything during my week to really make a difference.  I was not planning to adopt.  I didn't have an outside agenda.

As we spoke, I openly and honestly shared what I felt: these kids needed more than food and a safe place to sleep.  You see, Heather hadn't started this creche too long ago.  She had no educational training.  She had no outside funding.  She just wanted to make a difference in the lives of a precious few.  I told her that I saw most of her time and effort was focused on the babies and the school aged, but I felt the toddlers were being somewhat overlooked.  Yes, they had amazing nannies and healthy food, but they were lacking interaction and play.

She began to ask questions about how she could fix this.  She was willing to accept any advice or help I could give.  
"Heather, did you know I have my degree in Early Childhood Education?"
"No"
"There is so much you could do for these kids with even just a few materials.  You could create play centers.  They could have a schedule.  They could greatly benefit from simple toys like Legos, building blocks, dress up clothes, play kitchen stuff, toy brooms.  Anything at all."
We continued to talk for probably an hour while she hung on my every word.  It was so exciting!
Finally she cut me off mid-sentence, "Will you do it?  Will you come back and do it for me?"
Suddenly it was clear.  I was here to help change orphan care in Haiti even if it was at this one single creche.  God did have a plan for sending me here.  These children will soon have toys, structure, and learning because I was willing to come and open myself to His plan.
"Yes."

So, why Haiti?

I don't know why God chose to send ME to Haiti, but He did.  He has a plan for these children and I am honored to be a part of it.

I did return to Haiti just this past September with a small team and 400 pounds of toys.
That's a different story for a different day.

I am so glad when I listened to that one word: "GO".  My life will be forever changed.