St. John's Mission Trip to Haiti: Center for the Infants of Jesus (aka Little Children of Jesus)

Today's mission started with a visit to Center for the Infants of Jesus (formerly known as Little Children of Jesus). This has been a highlight for St. John's servant teams for 10 years, but is also one of the more spiritually, mentally, and emotionally demanding of all the activities we do. As the first director told us ten years ago, their bodies might be broken but their spirits are not. The orphanage, run by the monks of Missionaries of the Poor, care for residents ages 5 to over 40, all with different levels of mental and physical disabilities. We spent about four hours there today which included communicating and touching those who are immobile, as well as playing balloon games and wheelchair races with those who are mobile. Stimulation is good for them and for us. Some of the team also spent time feeding those who could not feed themselves. Jim Haugan had a power struggle with a stubborn, smart five-year-old who wanted to change locations after every few bites (he lost)! The five of us who visited Haiti ten years ago are amazed at how much the physical location of the orphanage has improved their life as well as how great the level of care is that these residents receive. It's exponential - as it should be! The monks, in addition to improving the living conditions for the kids, have also set up a housing arrangement for visiting teams to come and work with the kids, as well as planting gardens, raising livestock, a water purification system, and so on. It's quite impressive! We all continue to pray for these kids and those who care for them, as well as those who donate their time, talents, and treasures.

We returned to Hope House for a leftovers lunch - very American! Then we headed to the metal works where we all joyfully put money in the Haitian economy. It's always an experience to see these artisans at work.

Following the metal works, we came back to Hope House and worked on another task that we all enjoy doing - preparing meds for mobile med teams. We packed heart medicine, penicillin, antacids, and motrin. Our dinner was a delicious Haitian stew of beef and potatoes. Now we are getting ready for devotions and then we'll make the sandwiches for tomorrow's VBS. More to come tomorrow!