The sounds of children giggling or crying fill the house. Outside the roosters that live next door crow and cars driving by honk. They serve as my wake up call. Every morning, these once strange noises now feel comfortable, familiar. Another day in my temporary home. As I lay in bed and feel the breeze blow through the window I cannot help but thank God that I have another day here. Another day to love on the sweet children I hear. Another day full of songs, laughter and play.
Most days follow a similar pattern. I wake up to a breakfast that tends to consist of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a cup of black coffee. I get ready for the day and spend some much needed time with Jesus. Then comes my favorite part of everyday. As I descend the stairs the sounds of the children grow louder, each step taking me closer to my sweet new friends. I turn the corner and ten sweet faces turn to greet me. Ten beautiful smiles, ten tiny voices trying to say “Bah-kah.” I spend most of my day playing with these babes, all of them between six months and two-years-old. Halfway through the day the preschoolers come home. Eight more smiles, eight more hellos, eight more sweet friends to play with.
As my friends lay down for there nap I rest with my teammates or spend more time with the Lord. Some days I am able to help with laundry, cleaning or help cook lunch (usually some type of rice & beans). I LOVE helping in the kitchen or trying to talk the mamas into having dance parties with me. Some afternoons I sit outside with our security man or motos drivers and enjoy the warm sunshine. When the children wake up I get to help feed the babies lunch, then the preschoolers eat. After lunch my teammates and I spilt the preschoolers in two. Half of them go do art while the other half have music. After both groups finish both activities we all go play outside together. Let me tell you, there is almost nothing cuter than seeing eight Haitian children doing the chicken dance!
As we play the older children arrive home. The rest of the night consist of play; volleyball, basketball, soccer, tag or/and Spider-Man. I leave the children for dinner and team time. Most nights after team time I am able to sneak away to go read bedtime stories to three of the older boys or pray with them. A few nights we have had time to play chess (of all things these boys- who are 6, 9 and 11- love chess). Those boys, they have completely stolen my heart. I love all of the children but I share a special bond with these boys. Hearing them call me, “Bah-kah, Bah-kah” floods me with pure joy.
There have been days when my teammates and I have been able to break away from our norm. We have gone on walks to the river or walked to the soccer field. One particularly fun night we were able to drive to a basketball court and play in the pouring rain. That night we came home to Jack Johnson, banana pancakes and JUICE, PRAISE!!! There is an adorable café we are able to walk to to get Wi-Fi and send our hellos back home. Yesterday, we were able to ride motos to the market. As we walked to crowed streets full of many interesting sights and smells there was no denying that we were here. We are in Haiti, we are on the World Race, we are doing the thing.
The days here feel long, but the weeks are passing quickly. I find myself already anxious about leaving what is my new normal for my next temporary home. I love these people, this place. There is so much beauty here. There is joy here that surpasses anything I have ever known. However, there is a darkness here. Haiti feels so spiritually heavy. The only way I can think to describe it is that being here is like looking at the sky on a cloudy day. When the clouds cover the sky and make it look dark, but yet even in the darkness, beautiful rays of sunshine are able to break through the clouds. There is a darkness here, but it will not overcome the light. No, the light will always win! Even in the darkness, the Lord is here. He is moving, working, changing. He is bringing light, joy and peace. I feel humbled to be able to be apart of what he is doing on this breathtakingly beautiful island.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for supporting and encouraging me. Please be praying for the people of Haiti, for the children at Grace House and for my team. A quick reminder, I am still a little over $4,000 away from being fully funded. If you feel called to give you can do so by going to my blog and clicking where it says “Donate.” Thank you so much for your prayers. I feel them, all the way here in Haiti!
All my love,
Bekah
