Turn at the broken down truck

Our day began with a lovely Mass surrounded by reverent nuns who dedicate their lives to Christ and service.  It a peaceful start to an adventurous day.

We spent our morning serving sick and dying babies who have loving parents unable to care for them.  I held a little one for a long long time who was sad when her mother had to leave...her mother looked heartbroken too.  It is hard to imagine the desperation parents must feel when they are unable to feed or provide medical care to these precious children.

After lunch we set off to find an orphanage that 'wasn't too far away.'   Imagine finding your way through narrow rutted streets where there are no street signs, no Google maps, no GPS and no rhyme or reason.  At one point we were instructed  to 'turn at the broken down truck.'  Now our challenge became:  WHICH broken down truck were we to turn by?  What ensued was a mad cap adventure involving a non-functioning cell phone, asking many many Haitians for directions, getting in and our of the truck a half dozen times and making even more u-turns.  We finally did find our destination only by the determination and good humor of our patient driver with a sprinkle of divine intervention.

The orphanage, home to 18 children, is managed by an American couple who felt called to serve after the devastating earthquake in 2010.  That call eventually led them to sell all of their possessions in the U.S., depend totally on God to provide, and start a ministry in Haiti.  Some of the children are disabled and all are 'adoptable' (meaning they are true orphans with no living parents).  One boy was 2 1/2 years old and had suffered from both Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and malnutrition.  His growth was severely stunted and his gentle demeanor stole our hearts.

We also visited a ministry called Apparent Project, a 'work initiative designed to enable parents to take care of their children and help in the prevention of child relinquishment and abandonment.'  Child relinquishment is a term I hear rarely if ever in the U.S. and is an issue sadly faced by many Haitian parents.  When poverty prevents proper care of their children, parents choose between watching their child starve or giving their child to an orphanage or even servitude to another family.

Back to turning at the broken truck.  It is my metaphor today for all that is so difficult in Haiti.  Driving from point a to point b.  Finding employment.  Providing for your family.  Finding shelter and adequate medical care.   My prayer tonight is for guidance and courage.

Peace,

Joyce