I know that I have long neglected you here in blog-ville. I promised many blog posts about my Haiti adventures, and I have yet to deliver. Well, it's time to share some of my experiences and thoughts.
I'm sure all of you know that I spent the majority of my days in orphanages working with beautiful Haitian babies. In total our NGO had a consistent presence in four orphanages. We would travel to most of them two or three times a week. I loved every single child dearly. I love them. I miss them. My experience with them is something that I will never be able to truly put into words; it involves emotions that run too deep.
While I loved every child, there were some that I gained a particularly special bond with. Keslan, is a beautiful little girl that I would give anything to bring home today along with her twin brother. I don't know why but we connected.
On the last day at the New Voice House of Life orphanage where Keslan lives, we played a game. I would hold her in my arms and hug her really tight while saying, "squeeze her, squeeze her, squeeze her." She would laugh the most beautiful laugh and squeeze me back as tight as she could. Her whole body would tighten as she put all her energy into hugging me back. I can still feel her little arms around my neck. I don't think I will ever forget how it felt.
Heavenly Father has so many beautiful children on this earth. I can't even begin to imagine the love that he has for the beautiful children in Haiti, and for all of us. It makes me cry to think how sad he must be when they cry because they are hungry or feel neglected--feelings which are all too much a daily reality for the children that I met while in Haiti. Pray for them. They need our love even from a distance.
Beautiful, hun. I'm so glad to got to experience so much love :)
ReplyDeleteSO PRECIOUS!!! And though she is ever so tiny, you still made a difference that will remain in her little heart forever, just like she will remain in yours :)
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxo
What can you say about a heart connection?
ReplyDeleteChildren are the most willing recipients of love and affection. That simple fact makes every orphan a tragedy. Squeeze them, squeeze them, squeeze them all.
I hope you have the chance to go back Alissa and to reconnect with your babies. You have had a glimpse into a mother's heart; you will never be the same.