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Day 3-5 Casale Haiti with eMi

The last two days have been mostly about benchmarking, meeting, and designing. After a three-hour kick-off meeting on Monday, we had another one last night, and just finished another one this afternoon. We are receiving a lot of feedback on our design from the ministry, which is encouraging. Back to the drawing board tomorrow!

Bob, our trip leader, told stories and did tricks at kids’ Bible school yesterday afternoon. At the end, we each had the chance to pray for one of the kids there. It was special for me, and the smile on this little boy’s face told me it was also special for him. Each time when we walked by the rescue centre, kids would line up at doorway for a little attention, a high five, or a hug. Most of these kids either have parents who couldn’t afford to raise them, or are “disposed” by their parents. A staff was holding a 5-year old who was still wearing 12 months clothes. The resuce centre take care of them, provide for them, and are doing all they can for these kids. Still, there are other needs beyond physical needs which the staff cannot provide. They need someone to hold them, to love them, and to tell them how special they are.

Every Tues, Wed, and Thurs are clinic days. They serve 350-400 each day. About 15 people, mostly women with their kids, came and lined up at the gate on Monday night to ensure a spot. While the clinic opens at 6:30am, a staff would go out and hand out numbers too all the people in line at 6:15. We heard that some would sell their tickets as a source of income. “These people did not choose to be born here,” Zach, the ministry director told us to keep that in mind on the day we arrived. That keeps my attitude in check in the past couple of days. That could have been me, instead of them. I can’t tell you how much I miss not being sticky from sweat, staying away from being wet and muddy, and get back to civilization. I am so thankful that I have a choice, but these people don’t. I have all the reasons in the world to be responsible for helping them to better their lives.

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