The ‘Mission of Hope’ base in Grand Guave, Haiti is home for
31 orphans, is a school, a community center and hosts medical clinics and
tri-weekly church services. Also it is the distribution center for homes
provided by Samaritan’s Purse and it gives out clothes to the needy that were
donated from The States. There is a lot going on here to say the least.
The orphans here are such a joy. Despite all of the terrible
things that have happened in their lives during the short time they have been
on the earth, they are still just kids. Snot nosed, laughing, screaming,
playing kids that are full of life. They have probably felt more reverberating
pain from the earthquake than one can even imagine, but it doesn’t show. They
are in a safe environment surrounded by an immense blanket of love and care.
Missionaries come and go from the ‘Mission of Hope’ base, from week to week,
month to month. One group always starts where the last group left off. I feel
so fortunate to be a part of these kid’s lives for a month.
I remember when I was a kid playing soccer every weekend
through the ‘Laramie Soccer Association’. I would meet up with all of my
friends at the park each of us with our tiny little shin guards and matching
reversible LSA jerseys. We would kick around a ball for a while and at the end
we would all eat orange slices and drink Capri-Sun. All of our parents would
make small talk on the sidelines while they cheered us on. It was great, I
loved every second of it. This past week here stirred up some nostalgic soccer
memories.
Last week we had a group from the Pennsylvania area stay
with us at the beach and work with us. They were all so great, just a real fun
bunch of people. They helped organize and put on a soccer match. The kids at
‘Mission of Hope’ orphanage played against kids from another nearby orphanage.
They played on a small field near the base and had uniforms, referees and all.
Before the game, all of the kid’s names were announced and everyone cheered at
the tops of their lungs. Their parents were not there to cheer them on, but the local
community and a group of Americans were shouting as loud as they could for
them. They absolutely loved every moment of it. It was like a flash back. I saw
myself. I saw how much fun they were having and it made me remember how much
fun I had playing back in the day. It
was a special moment.
‘Mission of Hope’ team lost 4-5 on a last minute goal, but
truly there were no losers. The kids from both orphanages got to play and
experience something every kid should get to experience. Living and dying on
every shot made on goal. Depending on who scored, either happiness and a gaudy
celebration or complete agony and sorrow would follow. These orphans all share
an unfortunate circumstance, but that is not holding them back from living life
to the fullest.
