Our last day in Port Au Prince

Today was our last day in Port Au Prince.  We began the day as usual, preparing for clinic and loading on the bus and taking a two hour bus ride to an orphanage just outside the city central.  On the way we were able to pass through the downtown part of Port Au Prince that was the hardest hit.  The people lined the streets and were going through their day in the only normalcy that they know. Buying and selling whatever they could.  As we passed through the town we saw the President's palace and saw first hand what you have all seen on TV.  It was massive destruction and I cannot begin to explain adequately in words.

After a two hour drive we arrived at the Baptist church that was also home to about 75 orphans.  They were expecting us and lined up to see the doctor.  There were many children who came through without an adult and it was hard to imagine that these children were going to have to face life without the benefit of a loving parent.  I can see why you would want to take one of them home with you.  They are beautiful children whose smiles could melt even the hardest of hearts.

We have had wonderful interpreters all week and the hardest part of this week is leaving them behind, but they are loving and kind and the next team will be loved by them just as much as groups that have gone before us.

It was an emotional day for us as we said good-bye to them and had them pose for one final picture.  There is so much sorrow yet they have found a way to smile. All of them have suffered great loss. Family, friends, possessions all gone.  It is the love of Christ that gets them through their days.

We have grown to love them all so very much.  Hard to imagine loving these people in just 3 shorts days but God has knit our hearts together through His Son.

Tomorrow we have a long drive to Santo Domingo where we will stay the night.