Thursday, February 7, 2013

Posted by Scott Olson
Thoughtful Thursday-
This third day of missionary work found us experiencing a wide range of emotions and processing the thoughts that went with them.
We began with a visit to Grace Village. This is the location of the bright and colorful orphanage that my 5th graders had the opportunity to see on a video that showed the reaction of the Haitian children when they first moved into the facility. It was a treat to see the place in person. There is an amazing future envisioned for Grace Village that includes hydroponic farming, a fish hatchery, and additional space for expansion.
Today's journey also brought us into the homes of some elderly Haitians that Healing Haiti has identified to assist due to their fragile health and lack of family members to care for them.Visiting with these people in their one room, dirt floored dwellings and trying to provide a small amount of solace through sandwiches, applesauce, water, lotion filled hands, the singing of songs, and prayer was tremendously moving to say the least.
We stopped off at two other schools to tour their facilities and visit with some of their students. At one of these, we managed to do a masterful job of creating a mild frenzy among the first and second graders. Knowing how challenging it can be to re-focus students' attention on the lesson being taught, I of course had nothing to do with such distracting behavior. Ha ha ha "Ay you" (story to follow upon my return home)
Before returning to the guest house, our driver/interpreter/all-around-great guy Junior decided to bring us for a brief stop to the mass burial site of an estimated 300,000 victims of the January 2010 earthquake. Sensing the spirits of all these souls stirred a deep feeling of reverence in me. My thoughts turned to the realization that our time to make some kind of lasting impression is so limited. Though we at times might feel small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, we must push past that and move forward with the confidence that we do in deed each possess some special gift. Your sharing of it could have a much more meaningful impact than you have any idea of really knowing.
Goodness, these deep thoughts might be rambling on. I better head to bed. We have a 5:30 a.m. wake-up tomorrow to jump start another adventuresome day.
Sorry, the lateness of the hour leaves no time for photos tonight.

Scott, Dad, Mr. Olson

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