The trip out with 20 Canadian kids

One thing that really struck us as we drove through Port-au-Prince, was the erratic damage caused by the earthquake. I think we will never truly understand how one building could be pulverized into tiny pieces,where only your imagination or a previous photo can provide evidence of what it once was; while a building next to it continues to stand, still with structural integrity, displaying only a few surface cracks in it. I will never understand why one country can have so much trouble. September of 2008 saw 4 hurricanes target Haiti on their way to final destinations, completely wiping out over 80% of Haiti's crops and flooding or destroying homes. it seemed like they were just "getting back on their feet".

This is a resilient people, in a tough, brutal place, in a culture that is so hard for us to understand. While we would wallow in grief, they get back up and put one foot in front of the other, pressing on, hoping for a better life, or at least a better life for their children. We'll never truly understand how hard it is to just go on. North America struggles with depression, Haiti truly doesn't have time for that. they need to go on- to find a job, to find supper, to rebuild their homes, to replant their crops.

There are two types of orphans in the world today- orphans due to the death of their parents and/or caretakers, and orphans of poverty. It is time for everyone to deal with this in their own way. It is not time to judge a family for giving up their child for adoption, when he or she is malnourished and will die if no proper care is given. It is time to react.

Some may want to adopt. Some orphans are physically intact, probably poverty orphans. There will be many orphans in Haiti in the near future that will be missing a hand, a foot, arm , or leg. For some, you may be called to adopt one. For some, you may want to sponsor a child through Compassion Canada or World Vision. (If you want to sponsor one through Comp, talk to Garn. I'll hook you up) For some of you , you may want to take a short training course with the Red Cross, available in any major centers- then you to can go next time. some will be called to give, and give till it hurts. But we are all called to do something.....i can't tell you what that "something" is, it has to be more personal than that, but tragedy for others has to be a reminder for us to share- to share our security, our wealth, and God's unfailing love.