Wow! This week has been awesome. So much fun and such a blessing. Today was our day of rest. We didn't work on any houses. I guess the Haitians typically don't work on the weekends and so they honor that. Surprisingly it seemed to be one of the longest and hottest days of the week. Nana (the cook) braided my hair today. Not such a good look for me.
I can't believe I'm even sharing these photos! I look like Sean Paul! haha
Ah! I still can't believe I did this!!
Before I left I kept saying "Ah I hope they don't all want to braid my hair" which of course everyday they ask if they can braid your hair just because its so different than what they're used to! And by today, I gave in! It was fun, I'm glad I did it, but I'm excited to be at the Vet Training Clinic tomorrow so I can get them OUT!
Baby Wenchi was in my arms for way over 4 hours. His cousins look after him and they were braiding hair today so they didn't go home for a really long time. Wenchi took the longest nap ever and didn't have anything to eat or drink all day. It just breaks my heart. I know they must be used to it but I just don't get it. I asked Art (the man who was in charge of the project) if that was normal for a little baby to go that long without food or water and he said yes. I know they do things differently and their bodies are different but its still hard for me to see that and we aren't allowed to give them anything ourselves because it would just cause a bunch of problems. I love that Wenchi feels so safe and content in my arms. It didn't matter how hot his body heat was making me or how tired my arms got, it doesn't get much better than that.
Baby Wenchi was in my arms for way over 4 hours. His cousins look after him and they were braiding hair today so they didn't go home for a really long time. Wenchi took the longest nap ever and didn't have anything to eat or drink all day. It just breaks my heart. I know they must be used to it but I just don't get it. I asked Art (the man who was in charge of the project) if that was normal for a little baby to go that long without food or water and he said yes. I know they do things differently and their bodies are different but its still hard for me to see that and we aren't allowed to give them anything ourselves because it would just cause a bunch of problems. I love that Wenchi feels so safe and content in my arms. It didn't matter how hot his body heat was making me or how tired my arms got, it doesn't get much better than that.
Ugh, I seriously cringe when I see any of these pictures! That hair! haha
The workers from Calabass (That's a village up in the mountains but they are a bit more developed I'm guessing because Julio - who I love by the way - has internet and asked if he could be my Facebook friend! Whaaat he knows what Facebook is?) are leaving to go home today! They will be back Monday but we will already be gone! :( They are all so nice, I'm sad to see them go! On the upside, Nana is part of that group so I can start to take my braids out!
Me, Wenchi, & Julio - He thought my braids were "beautiful" by the way! haha
Like I said, Wenchi's cousins were braiding the little one's hair today. Jesiluh is one of them. It's amazing to me how the little kids just sit there and get their hair braided. Without complaining, without whining. I loved getting to see Wenchi's fro! haha So cute!
There is a little boy named Schoobie who is always smiling and always so happy. He was getting his braids taken out and it must have started to hurt him because tears began to roll down his cheek. It broke my heart to see. He didn't cry out loud, he didn't complain that it was hurting, he just sat there and let Jesiluh finish.
I was out talking to a group of teenage boys. One of them had asked if he could "give me baby" earlier in the week. Let me just say that he didn't already have a baby he wanted to give me, but he wanted to give me my own baby. From him. Weirdest pick up line I've heard so far. I was asking them if they were going to church in the morning. My boyfriend said that he would go for me. When I started to ask the others if they were coming too he said, "No! Just me!" haha I thought that was funny!
The whole group in front of the Prosper Eglise de Dieu (Prosper Church of God)
I hate that we are leaving the village tomorrow. Not everyone has a house and I just feel like I haven't done enough for these amazing people. Tonight our devotions were really awesome. It was about not letting our circumstances affect our joy. The Haitian people are so good about that and it's a lesson I'm hoping I take back home with me. Too many times I let little things that are happening around me affect the joy that I have. When I'm angry, you know it. When I'm annoyed, you know it. I need to not let my circumstances affect the joy that I have! We also got to sing for the first time since we've been here and the Haitians came in the church and began singing with us. It was amazing. I'm really looking forward to the church service in the morning! It will be cool, I can say I've been to a Haitian church! :)
Our church group in front of one of the finished houses!
God, thank you so much for our day of rest. I think many in the group needed it. Thank you for the time I've had with Wenchi and just be with him after I leave and help him to grow big and strong physically and in you Lord. Open my eyes to the messages you have for me and please change my feelings towards prayer. I know it must be powerful for so many people to pray the way they do. I just always struggle with believing its going to make a difference. Be with me tomorrow as we leave the people of Prosper and help me to be strong! Thank you for keeping us safe. Amen.
Haiti: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8
oh steph.. i'm so glad you shared these! amazing! i love how it sounds like the Lord worked in you! i agree w/ the prayer thing, Lord also help me.. we do take it for granted that we can communicate w/ the Lord! wow.. makes me wish i would've hopped in your suitcase and came over.. since they made it! :) so glad the Lord led you on a safe adventure! I agree w/ the circumstance thing.. what an awesome lesson! things again for sharring! God Bless you and those whos hearts you touched, may they realize your joy comes from the Lord! Also, Lord please b w/ all those Steph didn't get to touch, we all know they need you! Let us learn also from their willingness and awesome attitudes. We love you Lord! Amen!
ReplyDeletethat things again for sharring, was supposed to be thanks again for sharring! lol:)
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