Day 3-4 March, 2014

I woke up this morning and looked at my clock and phone and noticed the time changed on my phone.  I began to scramble to get ready for the day and realized that Haiti observes daylight savings time as well.  I was excited about going to Sunday school and worship with Wisbens today and look forward to the day he comes home and we can all worship as a family. 

There was a translator to assist today and the message was great!  When service was over Miriam the director of New Life spoke to the kids about mission and our mission in Haiti.  This afternoon we will travel to a Tent City in Cite Soleil to feed people who are hungry and need clothes.  The mission will be to go to each tent and ask the kids to come to a central location and watch the story of Jesus in Kreyole.  We will take food, water, clothes, and popcorn for the kids to enjoy during the movie.  

After church I spoke with Wisbens about going with me on the trip and he adamantly said no.  I talked with him about his reasoning and I could tell that he was scared.  Wisbens is from Cite Soleil and because it is the most dangerous city in the Western Hemisphere had apprehensions about going. There were other reasons behind his feelings and I talked with him and reassured him that he would come back with me.  I spoke with a few other kids and they talked about the dangers of Cite Soleil and did not want to go.  I struggled with making him go because I wanted him to see what service and missions was about.  After more thought and conversation with Jen I decided to let him make the decision because I did not want to force any unnecessary trauma on him.  

I spent time this afternoon preparing for my trip mentally and physically.  We had an early dinner and loaded the bus for Cite Soleil.  As we made our way through the city I began to prepare myself for what I might see, smell and feel.  We drove through the streets of Cite Soleil and the smell of smoke, trash and sewage was strong.  The bus came to a halt and we turned through a gate that opened up to a large field with a run down warehouse.  There were tents as far as I could see on one side and the other side was piles of trash.  We were met by leaders of the community who walked us throughout the city to meet the people who live there and invite them to watch a movie at the school.  I asked how leaders were elected in a tent city and was told they are either voted in or it is a dictatorship and there is no choice. 

I was met immediately by a girl who grabbed my hand and walked with me as we visited.  She was constantly rubbing the hair on my arm and head because she was not used to the feel.  She did not speak any English and we were able to communicate with our hands.  We walked for about 15 minutes and she got my attention and pointed to her belly and rubbed it because she was hungry and pointed to her mouth because she was thirsty.  I did my best not to get emotional and began to pray for her.  I picked her up and held her for the rest of the walk and she played with my hair the entire time.   I did not personally take any food because it could have been dangerous to bring out of my bag for fear of being overwhelmed by kids.  I also did not want to run out and have 50 hands held out and not be able to fill them.  New Life did take snacks for the kids to eat during the movie and clothes for the kids who did not have any.

We met in a school house to watch the Jesus movie in Kreyole and were able to squeeze around 150 kids and adults in a small room.  Walking through the city was eye opening for me and the life that I live daily.  Most everyone that lives there goes to bed hungry every day and uses what trash they can to make items to sell and support their family.  

When I returned back to New Life the reality of my life in America set in and again felt blessed for what I have been given.  The amazing part about this is that some of the Haitians feel blessed to be where they are as well.  It can always be worse!

After taking time to gather my thoughts and emotions on the afternoon I was able to go to sleep.

Day 4

I woke up early this morning to see Wisbens before he went to school and to encourage him to have a good day and learn.  I talked with him about respect for his teachers and school staff and let him know that I will be checking in on him.  He smiled hugged me and began the walk to school.

I spoke with Wilna to confirm our trip into the city tomorrow.   She will pick us up at 6:30 in the morning and we will make the journey to the U.S. Embassy for my interview.  My appointment is at 7:30 and that means I will be in line with 100s of other people who have an appointment at that time as well.  I have been told to expect to wait at least 3-4 hours and encouraged not to bring water and food.  When we leave the appointment we will drive to Petionville to meet with our attorney and see what the next steps are on the Haitian side of our adoption.  Our last scheduled stop will be to go to court and meet with the Justice of the Peace so I can appear as one of Wisbens adoptive parents.  It should be a busy day and I hope to get a lot accomplished.

I finished preparing my documentation for tomorrow and Wisbens dad came to visit.  We talked through a translator and caught up on what is going on with his life.  He stated that he is sick and showed me his hands and feet.  I am not sure what is going on and recommended that he see a doctor.  He informed me that he is unable to buy medicine or see a doctor because he does not have any money.  I gained more history on William and Wisbens mom and was able to get more insight on Wisbens life before coming to New Life.  I prayed with him before he left and hugged him and told him that I loved him and will talk to him soon.

I had lunch and waited for Wisbens to come home from school.  When he arrived home I met him by the mango tree and gave him a new toothbrush and toothpaste.  I then gave him a pair of shorts and matching shirt as well as a new shirt for church.  He has been asking for a watch and we bought him one this trip and he absolutely loved it.  He asked for chocolate and we brought chocolate bars and peanut butter cups.  I spread them out over the last few days and took him the last few tonight.  He immediately took them and broke them into pieces and shared them with the other kids.  I am proud of his ability to share and ensure the other kids receive what he does.

We will leave in the morning at for a busy day and ask that you pray for our safety and that our meetings will go smoothly with no issues.