yesterday was tiring, but it ended with the best birthday surprise i could have ever imagined. we began the day by taking a trip to the baptist haiti mission. it seems to be a tourist attraction. the sights were beautiful on top of the mountain, but the ride there was a bit grueling. after doing a little bargain shopping, we went over to a lookout point called Boutylier at the top of the mountain that gave us a beautiful view of puerto prince, the ocean and the mountains.
we got back to the orphanage around 5:45, all a bit tired from the day of travel. dinner was amazing as usual, and as soon as we were done the kids started to assemble. i thought they were going to sing some worship songs for us, but instead they started singing happy birthday to me. it was amazing. jen and karen had organized it. then i was given a book of haitian proverbs that i had looked at when we were at the baptist haiti mission. doug had bought it for me because i said i thought it cost too much! everyone from the team signed it and jen got a bunch of the kids to sign their names as well. like i said, best birthday ever!
this morning, we went to church and i was given the incredible honor of preaching. it was a humbling and awe-inspiring experience. the people were filled with love for God and each other and they were incredibly warm in their reception of all of us.
this afternoon we took a trip to la saline (in port au prince) to feed about 150 children in the neighborhood. it is apparently the poorest area in the city. we witnessed a large section where mud pies (literal mud pies) were being made, and then walked into a tent where 6 children slept. we were informed by pastor rigaud that it often floods about 3 feet high in the tent when there is rain! we then proceeded to serve the chicken and rice that had been cooked in the village. before serving the food, the pastor of the little village church led the children in prayer and then sang "count your blessings." hearing that familiar song was particularly moving for me. i will never sing it again with the same feeling.
i'm glad we were able to go to la saline because it seems, as pastor rigaud has told us, to have been forgotten by many. this is one place that i will be sure to spread the word about when i get back to the states. these people are lucky if they eat one full meal a day!
all in all, these past two days have been some of the most moving and impactful in all of my life. God is doing incredible things here in haiti and i am honored to be a part of this team of friends who love God and people as they love themselves.
-dave-
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