The Mountian Top

A temple for the Lord. 20 people sit piled on top of building supplies in the back of a dump truck tumbling toward Terre Noir. We didn't have the donkey's we thought we'd have to assist in moving the supplies from the drop point to the top, so we became the donkeys and carried the supplies to the top. Not a small tasks for a soft "blanc," not used to the Haitian way. From there we dug 1 foot holes in the rocky earth, we sang, nailed and up the church went. While the men were working on the building, Pastor took a group of us down the other side of the mountain to visit the families. We walked down in and though the huts and met with several families. We sang and prayed with them. We were very graciously welcomed into each home. One's heart can not not be moved after sitting in the dirt praying over a child whose last meal is a such a distant memory, he can not decide exactly when it was.
We came to the home of a large family, two huts spilled forth many generations. Pastor touches the head of a 70 year old man, who had just been sitting in the dirt, what might his eyes seen in his time? The probability of making it past the age of 5 is stacked very high. So to see 70 years, in no uncertain terms, means we're standing with an incredible man. They asked we pray for them, and carry them with us in our prayers when we return to the states. Pastor's heart begins to be exposed as he speaks of his dream including a school for the children in this remote area. Our prayers mingle into a language completely their own.
As the sun begins to set and we know our journey back to the orphanage must begin. As we approach the far side of the mountain we see that the church has taken shape, it is complete. We now are very literately leaving the space better than when we came. What a blessing!

This brings us to this day, we had a variety of projects going on today. Some went to the church to work with a New Mommy group. The language of love and motherhood is universally transcendent, but must be taught so that it can be learned and used, creating in it's own right a pattern of life. The desire to give a child milk is so great, women resort to things that look like milk. Baking soda and water. Lois teaches the gift God has given women in the ability to care for a small child without such means; the way we're created is uniquely perfect for their new child.
Also, another group took sponsor gifts over to the school. The men busied themselves with a ceiling for the missionary quarters, cabinets, repairing furniture and any other thing they could find to do. Finally, there is always plenty of kids wanting hugs and to simply be loved on.
After lunch we started off on our trek to worship at the mountain. It was a long hot walk full of laughing, teaching of languages & loving on one another. Never did a long drink of lukewarm water taste so good, as atop Terre Noir! We gathered and had church. Pausing here because I am certain I will have no way to truly capture this awe striking experience. It is an incredible thing to have a group that large clapping, singing in praise to the Lord; add the vantage of being on a mountain looking out toward the ocean and your soul can not help but recognize the greatness that is our Father. What a wonderful blessing to all be gathered as a family of the Lord.
There are more projects and many more things in store for our week. There is two more New Mommy classes set in the schedule; Church on Sunday; the beach with the children which is always an experience; Family Night; and plenty of playing!

Haiti is an experience that can only truly be captured by seeing it for oneself.