Au Revoir, Zami Mwen

This is it.  

My last blog for this trip.  

I started planning for this trip back in 2011.

I saved, I prayed, I planned.

Now, it's over.

I don't even know where to begin in processing all that this trip has entailed; I've no doubt that I will be processing the impact of this trip on me for months (years?) to come.  I won't try to encapsulate all of it (any of it?) at this time.

What I can share with you is how God continues to work right up to the moment I leave.

Chedner's kids

I met a woman named Elizabeth Landers about five weeks ago at horse therapy.  She and her friend Humena took an interest in the kids, and lots of video was made.  The two of them came to visit last Wednesday at the orphanage after horse therapy, and we talked about what needs the orphanage has.  Elizabeth mentioned that she had a friend who might be able to help us clear the land for the school, and we made plans to meet Monday morning at the land.

Chedner's kids again

They were having a hard time finding the land, so Gertrude and I walked up a ways to meet them (we were already sweaty since we had walked to the land from the Rebo Cafe, about 15 minutes).  I didn't know what kind of car to look for, so imagine my surprise when two black cars with tinted windows pulled up.  Both of them had flashing red and blue lights on indicating that they were government cars. Out steps Elizabeth and her friend Thierry.  Out of the other car step two armed security guards.  Turns out her "friend" is in the Martelly government--I think as an adviser to the President.  Sure wish I'd known that!  I would have worn something besides a T-shirt and shorts.

It seems as if Elizabeth will be able to find us a bulldozer that we can use to tear down the remaining parts of the crumbled guesthouse and she may be able to help Gertrude find access to more rice/beans/cornmeal for the kids to eat.  Who'd a thunk that horse therapy would lead to connections in the Haitian government.  Go God.

Then the group that is here now has given me some contacts about adopting the kids here.  Three families are seriously interested in Leo, Kendina, and my Alicia (yes, I'm still a bit jealous of her being adopted!).  My feelings aside, God is working in these kids lives through everyone He brings to Gertrude's.  Go God.

This morning was my last day of swim therapy, and a young woman was relaxing by the pool when Alain, Christine, and I arrived.  We talked for a few minutes, and it turns out we have a couple of things in common: we've both been here since January, we've both been working in orphanages with special-needs kids, and we both want to come back to continue are work.  The difference is that she wants to come back to work in PAP instead of Gonaives.  She actually helped with Alain this morning, so both kids had a good hour in the water.  She is interested in coming back to work with the kids at Gertrude's (Rachael has training in working with special-needs kids, so she'd be a step ahead of me).  Go God.

I handed off the music skyping to Gabriel this morning; he will be taking over in the fall when school starts up again.  Horse therapy is in the hands of Alix who comes on June 1.  Water therapy is now under the control of Healing Haiti.  I love these programs, and I want to still be a part of them.  But, if they are to succeed, I know that they have to be able to function whether I'm here or not.  I know that in my head, but my heart is struggling with letting them go into the hands of others.  It's arrogant to think that I have to be the one to run them, but that's how I'm feeling right now.  I have to get over that!

I went over to Chedner's orphanage today because Rosie said the kids had something for me.  They are the best.  They had a song prepared for me, and then the oldest spoke and said "thank you" for all that I had done.  Just about broke my heart.  I promised that I would come back and that I would bring friends with me (that means YOU!)  

Someone--I honestly don't know who--put up a bunch of signs around the building today saying good-bye to me.  Sweet.  The teachers had a gift for me.  It's too much.  Everyone here has already given me so much;  I don't need the tangible gifts at all.  But, they will serve as daily reminders of my time in Haiti and will remind me that I must return.

I need to take the time to figure out what this trip has meant for me; that will take time.  As answers come to me, I will find ways to share them.  I may send out e-mails, I may post on my Facebook page, or I may write more blogs.  Until then, thank you for reading, following along, and walking with me on this journey.  Your support has meant the world to me.