Hello all...
I (Sarah O) am writing this update on the plan from PAP to Ft. Lauderdale – thankful for an amazing time in Haiti and sad to be leaving a place that is so deeply a part of my (and D’s) heart.
Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the earthquake and it was a day filled with grief and hope, loss and restoration. In the morning, we went over to the teen mom home (now called Harbor House) and spent a hour with the women, having an impromptu church service. We sang, clapped and read scripture. Then the women each stood and told the story of the earthquake and as they put it “what God has done for you since”. Hearing their stories of being trapped for days, bugs biting them, seeing the death and pain of others with them – all of that was desperately sad. But then,…they spoke of hope and what God had done in them since. They talked about Papi John and Mami Beth (the McHouls who run Heartline) and Dokte Jen (the Doctor who ran the Heartline Field Hospital) and they way they had been loved and held and cared for. Then, they worshiped more. It was an honor to be included in this moment of raw remembrance.
Last night we were a part of the worship and prayer time with the Heartline community where all the missionaries gathered. There were many tears, and a sense of all God has done in this past year. After the service together, we joined for a meal and were a part of conversations that reminded us why we are so blessed to be a part of this ministry.
We tried to say good-bye to the teen mom’s last night but they would have no part of that. Instead, they all work up early this morning, dressed and fed their babies and then jumped in the back of the truck to escort us to the airport. I have never had such a send-off, and it has never felt so much like leaving dear friends.
Thank you for caring about us, for supporting us in so many easy. Your love was felt by us and by a whole lot of Haitians!
We are grateful to be surrounded by people who have not forgotten Haiti.
Sarah O (and Sarah D)
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