Moments of Joy

Moments of JOY

October 14, 2015

Today was a day to open our hearts and hands to the helpless.  We started our day up before dawn and fed our souls with praise and worship, preparing ourselves for what the Lord had in store for another day in this beautiful country of Haiti.  Our first journey in the Tap, Tap, which is our main mode of transportation, brought us to a home for sick and dying babies.   Each morning, a line forms and is comprised of families waiting to get into the home and spend time with their children.  We could hear the young cries as we entered.  We waited to get directions on how to proceed.  There were so many babies, where do we begin? We held babies, fed babies, changed babies, played with babies along with many other tasks important to the upkeep of this amazing place.  It was always a joy to see each baby’s face light up upon seeing their mom enter the room for a visit.   The hardest part for all of us--our group, the babies, and their families, was when it was time for families to say good-bye for the day to their child.  I can’t even imagine what that it would be like to leave your sick child, not knowing what tomorrow may bring upon your next visit.

Back into the Tap, Tap we go.  After a long journey through the bumpy roads and intense traffic, we found ourselves dropping off new toys to a wonderful organization that will transport them 8 hours away to a newly formed school.   Imagine the delight on the children’s faces at Christmas having a brand new toy to bring them joy.   

Next we were going into new territory for Reiser Relief – a visit to the Missionaries of the Poor.  It was a journey down one of the dustiest roads yet, but as the gate opened and we pulled in, a young man motioned with his crooked arm where to go.  The excitement in his smile was unforgettable.  Nestled in one of the most beautiful areas we have seen yet, live some of the most disabled people you will ever meet.    There are about 90 residents, and only about 10 percent have family.  They were so happy to have visitors!  But each seemed to have a disability worse than the other.    How do we make a difference?  Then quick as a flash, our amazing Tap, Tap driver, Maxim, was crazily wheeling a young man in a wheelchair around the complex.  Just one look at his face and you could see the joy he felt in that moment.  Moments of joy continued to spread as we went on walks, played clapping games, and tried new hairstyles.   As our time came to a close, I kept asking myself is why?  Why do these people have to go through life like this?  But with clear conviction, one of the Brothers stated, “these people are like Christ and suffer as he did on the cross, as we are to be like the risen Christ on earth, and care for them as best we can. “

It was another amazing day in Haiti, with everyone we met taking a special place in our hearts!  Tomorrow off to Reiser Heights…

Kris Noel