My last blog of the summer :(

My summer in Haiti is drawing to an end and I am sad to be leaving my new deaf family but I am grateful for the experience and opportunity I had with the community this summer! Through this summer God has shown me that the world does not revolve around me. I feel like I have had gotten so used to thinking about myself that I forgot what it felt like to focus on others. God has also shown me that He actually knows what He is doing. I might think that I know it all, but I don't. He is in control and knows exactly what I need. One thing that I have really noticed about this culture is how close Haitians are to other Haitians. They are all family and take care of each other. I hope to continue being intentional with my relationships when I return home. God has placed many people in your life for a reason and it is important for us as Christians to love one another.

Here are some short comments about my final days in Haiti...

Tuesday:

We were able to make a visit to the New Life Children's Home in Port-au-Prince where I had stayed on a previous trip. We went there to visit two boys that are deaf and have no language. They were both abandoned and no one had taught them sign language. Pastor William S. was able to come with us and it was so great to see him interacting with the kids and he was a great teacher!

 Flash cards and then the sign with the kids.

Coloring time with Pastor William S. and Geurlen.

Wednesday:

In the morning, I was able to sleep in :]. We arrived at Leveque around lunch time and Mrs. Berthide cooked us another fabulous meal.

In the afternoon, we just had some down time to chat with all the deafies that were around.

Thursday:

Before going out to Leveque for the afternoon, Kyle, Kent (Kyle's Brother), Mrs. Kathryn and myself all enjoyed a delicious meal from one of Kyle's favorite restaurants, Yoltis. Today we walked around the community and walked over to the site where some new homes are being built. There were a total of 5 deaf workers and 1 hard-of-hearing worker. One of the hard workers included Matala (Mama Haiti), who carried water back and forth to the workers to mix the cement.

 

Friday:
Today has been a sad day because it was my last day with my deaf family in Leveque. We had the morning to chat and then I had to say my goodbyes. I told my deaf family to not shed any tears for me because they should know that I would return. They all told me that they would pray for my protection tomorrow. Mackenson and Pastor William S. both thanked me for coming and living in Haiti for 10 weeks and they said that they know that I have a heart for the deaf in Haiti. I was able to end my day at Wahoo Bay Beach and reflect on everything that God has done this summer in my life and in Haiti.