On our final full day we took New Life Rescue Center (125 people and children) to the beach to have some time away and to celebrate the 4th of July. All of New Life orphans really enjoy this trip each year and we shared the trip with teams from Georgia, Virginia and Texas. I was blessed to sit with James a five year old with the greatest smile and Pastor Jacque on the drive to and returning from the beach. James sang to me and fell asleep on the drive there and James slept while Jacque sang Creole worships songs on the return trip. One of the things I always share with others about our team trips to Haiti is that you receive more human contact in one week than you may even get in a year back in the states. There is usually always a baby to be held a toddler on your lap or a hug from a teen. When anyone holds Moses he loves to throw up his arms and yell hallelujah and then laugh. I finally had the chance to spend some time with Samson today. Samson has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheel chair, but has a spirit we all could only hope for in our lives. As I fed him his dinner I dropped some food on his shirt and he thought it was so funny he began to laugh. As I pushed Samson around New Life compound in his wheel chair (he loves the trip) I again realized that no matter how much we all give on this trip we receive far more love, laughs, hugs and blessings than we could ever imagine. The day finished with a time of dancing with the kids and we passed out glow sticks as a way to celebrate the 4th of July. We even got a fireworks show as they would turn out the lights and throw all to glow sticks in the air to create a wonderful show. We had a much larger team this year, but as in prior years the team came together and each member found their way to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Haiti. I was blessed to see my entire family experience Haiti this year. It was great as always to see my oldest hold the babies and youngest make new friends and my wife now understanding what I have over shared with her the past two years upon my return. It was another truly blessed week in Haiti and I pray that our entire team will return home knowing each member did their best to be a blessings to others, but remembering how we are blessed even more profoundly by our time in Haiti.
John
