Something New for the Old

Widows and Orphans is a phrase found often in the Bible. Full of life’s wisdom, our elders deserve our respect. Full of promise, orphans require parenting. Both need the care and love of family. Both are close to the heart of God.

In a day full of blessing, I won’t forget my first meeting with some of Haiti’s most beautiful octogenarians yesterday. Their eyes danced with story. Their smiles were both beautiful and evidence that life is difficult here. Many live within bodies broken by decades of hard work, except for one gentleman who shamed our group of three men with his six pack. I’d leave my shirt open as well if my abs looked like that!

God willing, over time, I hope to learn from their experiences and listen to their adventures. I’m interested to see what may come from their interaction with the church and the children.

For now, I celebrate the fact that they have an engaged caregiver to cook their meals and help with activities of daily living. I smile when I think about their homes, their beds, and the simplicity of a bench on which to sit, a tree for shade, and friends to enjoy the day.

There is something new for the old in Leogane, and it is good. Praise be to God!