Compassion that Cures

In Haiti just as in England, Spain, Italy, or India – there are unhappy people everywhere. Not only because they don’t have any bread to eat. No, they hunger for love, understanding, and companionship. They suffer from loneliness, the feeling of being unwanted and rejected, a poverty of the soul. These are the things that can be far worse than being hungry or not having enough material goods…
Sometimes we see how joy return to the lives of the most destitute when they realize that many among us are concerned about them and show them our love. Even their health improves if they are sick. After all, was it not Christ himself who said, every time you did it to the least of my brethren, you did it to me? You are not to be indifferent to the suffering of others, but it is meant to affect you deeply.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I’m trusting that Mother Teresa’s words, along with the photos and their descriptions below, say all that needs to be said:-)

Mark is handing out Christmas “bonuses” to the hard-working teachers at the school on behalf of Loving Haiti. I tried to thank them in French but I got all choked up and Pastor Francois had to finish for me!

These two pictures are of a few of our beloved older kids helping to sort flip-flops for some of the girls and soccer clothing (thanks FRHS!) for the boys, and then organizing the cards that Kids Who Care made for each of the 55 children.

 

This next picture doesn’t do justice to the joy of the boys as they came running down the hill from the Children’s Home in their “new” soccer gear – they are a team now! They were giddy, but the need to look tough for the camera won out as I snapped the photo.

 

Pastor Francois is with the first group of children who received their decorated Christmas envelopes from Kids Who Care – m&m’s, a photo of the KWC girls in their Loving Haiti t-shirts, and $10 as a gift from generous donors. Pastor is telling them about the gift and how they must conduct themselves as they go to market to spend their money.

 

The last two photos show Mark with his helpers, taking measurements for the Wall project and for Pastor’s house project. Pastor Francois calls Mark his “engineer” and is always so delighted to have him here to help move these projects along. Mark’s work is invaluable in estimating costs and working with the Haitians to bring projects to completion.

 

Thank you, LH supporters – we DO see joy in the lives of these children and adults in Pignon as they see the concern and love that we all have for them.