Every morning...
Alex and biological mom, "Mimose".
I got on an over-night flight and arrived in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti on Aug. 13th. I grabbed my carry-on (which was a back-pack with all my clothes, my computer case and books) and stepped off the plane. Not knowing exactly where to go, I followed the flow of traffic toward the building across the runway. In front of me was a very exhausted woman; she was losing grip of her son and all her bags were hanging to the ground! She looked as if she couldn't take another step... I asked if she needed any help, and she quickly dropped her very lethargic baby into my arms. There I was walking with my over-sized back pack, computer case, books and ..... new baby boy! I was so happy that God was using me to bless this poor woman and child as soon as I stepped off the jet, that I couldn't stop smiling... I did my immigration one-handed, with a baby on my hip and then I said goodbye!After I met up with Justin... we hugged, and gathered all four 50 lb. bags of supplies and food that came from my church and family!!! We walked to the pick-up area and there was a huge commotion outside. Security guards were everywhere, and hundreds of people were looking in, screaming, and putting their arms through the gates. Lucian, Barbara's driver, was holding up a sign with my name on it! He called Barbara and she said to me, "Load up your luggage and get in the the truck!" The ride to the village was very quiet, Justin and I hardly said a word.... I think we were both in shock and thinking, "Yes, this is definitely thee poorest country in the whole hemisphere!" There were a lot of people everywhere. I saw a boy crawling out of a culvert, it looked as if he lived there. Beggars tapped on our window, and the dogs looked like walking skeletons. It was so overwhelming to take in, I was literally speechless for the first time in my life.
Barbara said, "Lacey, listen carefully. Your main job is to treat and care for Marie Grace! She is YOUR baby while you're here. Gracie's Mom died, and she became very sick. She is now being treated for scabies and TB. We don't know for sure if the diagnosis is legit, but she has to be treated for TB just because she was at the hospital. I want you to feed her EVERY TEN MINUTES!!!" She asked me how long I decided to stay and I was honestly re-thinking as the words were coming out of my mouth. I said, " I...i... was thinking...three months!" She threw her hands up in the air and giggled, " YES! I can leave today then! I have to deliver two babies to the states and I'll be gone five days!" I quickly said a prayer, "Dear Lord help me make it through this! I know you called me here for a reason and I'm willing to stay as long as you want me to stay!! BUT, if you want to send me home early .......I'm totally down with that too! " :)
I walked into the house where I would be staying, and I met Marie Grace for the first time! Her tiny little body was lying motionless on the floor next to the bed which I would be sleeping. I had to check her pulse because I couldn't tell if she was breathing. I asked Barbara if I could wake her to see if she would eat, but I really just wanted to hold her! Barbara said, " NO... are you a Christian!?!?!" I said "YES!!!"....wondering why....and she said, "Well, don't you know the 11th commandment??? Thou shalt not wake a sleeping baby!!!" At this point I knew I was staying! My purpose for coming here was not to satisfy or gain any personal benefits or experiences, but merely to give! I realized at that moment, if I didn't do anything else in Haiti but care for this baby, my time would be well spent and of good value- through God's eyes!
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" ~Romans 8:35
