Love this life

Love this life...funny to quote a message on a silver bracelet I bought at Kohl's on the stopover in Fort Lauderdale, but in just these past two days, I found myself looking at it often, reminding myself of all the true gifts in my life. Here, however, there have been moments where I catch myself with eyes watering when I really think about the stories of these amazing children, especially one of the girls, Ti-Fi (Tee-fee). 

    I can't go through this week and write these stories without talking about her. All the children here have a story, and Ti-Fi is no different--Karen told us last year that Ti-Fi was dropped off at the school in a uniform, and no one ever came to pick her up. Maybe that was someone's best option at the time, but to me, as a mother, it's unimaginable. She is a sweet, kind, funny, and determined girl of about 14. What was special to me about Ti-Fi was that, last year, on my first visit here, she was the first child to come to me when I got out of the van, giving me a big hug, and taking me by the hand to lead me around the yard! She melted my heart as she made me feel so welcome. I quickly realized she did not speak words, but she got her point across through utterances, body language, and sometimes stubborn determination. Yet her smile and her bright brown eyes needed no translation...

    But sweet Ti-Fi is now sick. Karen has had her to the hospital, and she has had medical attention as best as is available for a country like this. My heart is sad for her, and Beate and I have been trying to find the smile and personality that now seems lost inside. But I keep remembering that you have to have hope, as Karen always does, and when Karen took Beate and I to see her, as soon as we said hello, she sat up and reached out for us to hold our hands in hers...and her grip was so strong....As we sat beside her, the three of us squished together on her mattress, Ti-Fi in the middle, we talked and massaged her legs, and she looked at us with her big brown eyes that had the hint of her familiar smile. I was afraid to look at her or Beate, because my eyes began to fill. But also in that moment, I felt the strength that wasn't just in her grip...it was in HER. I saw that even more when we went to get her for the morning devotions--we held her under the arms, but we had a hard time keeping up as she was trying to run. She sat between me and Beate, holding the book of songs, alternating with holding our hands. And although I was overwhelmed, I realized that all I can do in the brief time I'm here are those simple things like say hello, hold her hand, or 'squish in' beside her like we did last night. And I think the 'squishing' is as good for the soul as the hugs!

     So although I still feel a bit of sadness and helplessness, I'm keeping as much hope in my heart as I can that she will get better soon. and it brings me back to the simple, yet important message on that little silver bracelet...love this life.... 🙏🏻 Hugs from Haiti...