On the way to Leogane…

Over five days, GO vision trip teams spend several hours on the bus, but the time is far from wasted.

On the way to Leogane today….

• A 16-year-old girl shared her realization that “almost every problem in her life was a result of her own selfishness.”

• We visited The GO Exchange manufacturing center in Sonapi (Port-Au-Prince), where 22 dedicated tailors, under the gifted eye of Paula Coles, are busy making Christmas presents that support Haitian families and children in need of family.
• We stopped to pick up the Haitian birth mom of a Shelterwood staffer; a reunion made possible by the beauty of adoption and the grace and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.
• Some enjoyed a standard, vision trip lunch of beef jerky and goldfish crackers, while others sang a Bob Marley tune or cat napped, restoring energy (maybe some pride) after yesterday’s soccer lesson.
• We viewed life outside the window, including everything from rugged open-air markets to the stunning connection of hills and coast; from a public demonstration chanting for peace in Citi Solei to the resolve of people working through today’s challenges.
• And we saw progress, albeit slow, from the reduction of tent cities to the widening of roads.

We saw a slice of life in Haiti; context that makes orphan care necessary and our time now with the children more meaningful.

It is a beautiful day in Haiti, and we are grateful….even for long bus rides.