I cannot even begin to describe how much joy there is here at this home in Haiti. Each and everyday I am greeted by the sounds of young voices singing, praising, and just living life as happy children. These children here are beautiful, they are loving, and they are respectful beyond belief.
At first glance, you would never believe that one of the 13 year old girls here was raised under voodoo influence and was forced to drink human blood during rituals from the time she was 7.
At first glance, you would never believe that one of the 11 year old girls here was recently raped while living in a tent community and was subjected to humiliation as all the people around her refused to take care of her.
At first glance, you would never believe that one of the 9 year old girls here was raised as a child slave and wears scars that outwardly show years of abuse. She ran away not solely because of the abuse but because she desired so badly to live somewhere where she would be allowed to go to school.
At first glance, you would never believe that one of the beautiful babies here was found laying in a dumpster with rats eating at her skin all while simply trying to survive.
I am continually amazed at the resilience of children… at their ability to forgive and to adapt. These children are able to handle things in life that would devastate most adults and not only make it through, but also be completely joyful in the process.
Each child here has a story, one of devastation but also one of victory. Each of these beautiful children were handed circumstances that were not in their favor, and yet they survived, they overcame, and they remain joyful, loving, and thankful in spite of what they have been through. There is no doubt in my mind that we could all learn a thing or two from these wonderful kiddos!
