Finally there is a breeze. I'm sitting on the front porch of the orphanage, listening to the breeze rustle the palm leaves. Inside, a nanny continuously rings a little bell, distracting children. Our first team arrived this morning, and had boxes held in customs. Brand new shoes, held until we could prove they are for orphanage, and not going to be resold. Pierre spent the morning attempting to get them out, but was unsuccessful. We were told to come back on Monday.


The team has 2 disticnct parts. The first is a group that comes every year to serve the children and staff. They come to do outreach, do work at the orphanage, love the children. The second part of the team is a group of disaster responders. They are going to work on rebuilding the security wall, and I have no doubt that they will be successful. They are motivated and driven, and will do a great job. It was fun to watch both groups interact with the children today. The children LOVE the attention!

After both teams had returned to the hotel, I was working on files in the office, when someone came in and introduced themselves as Pierre, and said they wanted to leave some donations for us. I went into the hallway to find a group of about 10 paramedics, nurses, and a doctor. They had come to give us formula, soccer balls, and other assorted items. I was so shocked, and surprised that people would just stop in and bless us in such abundance! They pumped up the soccer balls and helped get the supplies on shelves. They are in Haiti for ten days to do a medical clinic near the US embassy. What a beautiful way to spend a Saturday. I am blessed greatly today to see how many people are coming together to care for their Haitian brothers and sisters. I pray for leadership for this country, for the people here to desire more for their lives, and for giving generous hearts to continue caring for them until those changes happen.
 
I wrote this about an hour ago.  Since then, I have discovered that ants found my chocolate stash, and have invaded my tent to get to it.  This time they brought their flying cousins, and all of them bite.  Not only am I sad about no chocolate at all now, but I have ant bites from trying to fight them off.  I will rejoice in every circumstance, so I will rejoice that the tent will cover my head tonight, and that the ants will all soon be dead.