While we were in Haiti, the children had an immense impact on me. I had the opportunity to hug, cuddle, and play with hundreds of precious Haitian children. There was hardly a moment during our trip when I wasn’t carrying a child in my arms, or holding onto their dusty little hands as they walked beside me on one of our mountain hikes. Most of the children didn’t have any shoes, and would occasionally cut their feet on the stones and glass on the path. They wore the same clothes throughout the week, and only ate one meal of rice and beans per day, given to them at the missionary compound.
But what truly crushed my heart, was a little girl whom I will call “Valencia.” When I first met her, I was told that her nickname was Sassy. And sassy she was! She was an incredibly tough little girl. Over the week, she became very attached to our team members, picking up lots of English phrases and staying at our side constantly. Leaving her behind was one of the hardest things I have done in my entire life. She began to cry, and the other children started teasing her because she’s normally so tough. Someone put her up on the bus to say a final goodbye. My heart nearly broke in two.
But it wasn’t until later that I learned her whole story. Valencia’s mother is no longer a part of her life. She either died or abandoned the family. Her father—who practices Vodou, a form of witchcraft—did not feel that he could care for her after that. He gave her to an older woman to care for her. This woman can’t keep up with her, and so Valencia fends for herself most days. She is 8 or 9 years old, and still in the 1st grade because no one at home helps her with her school work. She is emotionally, spiritually, and often physically living the life of an orphan.
Valencia is one of dozens of children on La Montagne who live without their parents actively involved in their lives. Living this way, there isn’t much hope for a better future. Girls are often sold as restaveks (child slaves) and as such are sometimes physically abused. Most children rarely receive a basic education. They are virtually doomed to repeat the poverty cycle that their parents are living out. Many of them live without the hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
When I came home from our trip, I was miserable. God had burdened me to see an orphanage built on La Montagne, but I was afraid. He gave me the courage to finally call the missionary and ask what would be required to build an orphanage in the little village of Bello. The past month has thus been full to the brim with starting this process and discussing logistics with dozens of people. I have never been so excited or filled with purpose as I am now! I truly believe that serving the children of Haiti in this capacity is what God created me to do. It will require many sacrifices on my part over the next year or two as this project gets off the ground, but I am more than willing to make them. God loves each and every one of these precious children and I want them all to know that He died so they could live!
My vision for the project is to build an orphanage large enough to house 20-25 children. I desire for the orphans living there to have shelter, to be clothed, fed, educated, loved, and to grow up with a true identity in Christ. I want them to grow into adults who will bring permanent change to La Montagne.
To learn more about the project, and read updates on the progress being made, visit our website at www.hope-hill.blogspot.com. I am very excited to see what God accomplishes in Haiti! Beni swa Letènèl!
~Bianca