GraceVillageandEldersandBeachandFMSCandPizza

Howdy yall! Today started out with Grace Village. We split the group into 2, and did letter writing to their sponsors and playing outside. The playing consisted of kites (which the kids loved), jump rope, and fútbol (soccer). Most of the kids spoke English so it was fun speaking with them. We took 4 of the Grace Village kids (Shedley, Ronaldo, Richford, Esdras) out to Elder Visits. Elder visits consist of providing/bringing a meal and two drinks to each elder, washing and rubbing lotion on their hands and feet, singing to them, and praying for them. Our first visit was to a man named Olthane. He is missing digits on his hands and feet, yet maintains a springiness uncharacteristic to most of the elders we have visited. Diefort, the second elder on our list, seemed to enjoy having his hands and feet washed as well as having songs sung to him. Next on our list of elders was Vertilla. She was taking care of two grandchildren, one being special needs, because the father had left them. She had us pray for pain all over her body and that the children’s father would return to help raise his kids. Next, on the way home, we decided to stop at the beach. It was Dana’s first time at the beach. We looked for shells, watched baby pigs frolic, and a couple of us (Jacob and Eric) swam. The swimming was unplanned, yet occurred due to the challenge of a Haitian boy who wanted to see who could swim out farther. Unluckily, SOMEBODY (Martin), prevented the acceptance of the challenge (which by the way killed me because I’m competitive) by imposing strict boundaries on our ocean adventure. It was a bit strange when all the local Haitians saw us swimming in the water, but then again, it was strange for them to see a group of white Americans in their ocean. Our next stop after this salty excursion was the mass grave site where thousands of Haitians were buried after the earthquake. The government has erected a nice memorial to all the people buried there and an inscription reading “12 Janvier 2010 nou pap jamn bliyew,” which translates to January 12th, 2010 we will not forget you. Our translator, Valerie, gave an emotional account of what the earthquake was like to him. We were quite surprised to hear him tell this story and still say how great God was during that time. Since the earthquake happened around 4:30, more people were in spots where they were safer than they would be if the earthquake had been at any other time. It was amazing to see how someone who experienced something as horrible and traumatic as this catastrophe praises God so enthusiastically. Right outside the memorial is a poor community that has limited jobs, few opportunities, and not much food. We had brought along some packs of Feed My Starving Children food to hand out to these people. We handed out food to all the children first, and started giving out food to the adults. Then the adults started shoving each other so we had to leave without giving out all the packs. It was quite frustrating knowing how much these people need food, yet not being able to provide them this necessity that we consider basic in the US. We travelled home, and spent time showering and getting ready for Pizza Amour. Pizza Amour is a pizza restaurant owned by Americans, that employs Haitians. We ordered 6 pizzas, and cake for Valerie’s birthday. He has given conflicting answers to the question of how old he is turning (21, 55, 36, 28), we think he is turning 28. We ate all of our food. As the night crept in, we headed home. We had devotions, worship time, and reflecting time. T’was a brilliant day, and we are looking forward to our last day in Haiti. Orevwa! (goodbye)

-This is Eric and Brooklyn signing off!!