DAY 3

Today we started out by walking over to the school and watching the opening ceremonies.  Every morning at 8:00 all of the children from the school raise the flag and quote Psalm 92 together in unison.  Even though most of the team has been here before, Chris is the only one who has actually seen the opening ceremonies.  While we couldn't understand much of what they were saying, it was still a neat experience to see all of those children lined up and saying together:

"It is good to praise the Lord
    and make music to your name, O Most High,
2 proclaiming your love in the morning 
     and your faithfulness at night,
3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
     and the melody of the harp.
4 For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
     I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
5 How great are your works, Lord,
     how profound your thoughts!
6 Senseless people do not know,
     fools do not understand,
7 though the wicked spring up like grass
     and all evildoers flourish
8 But you, Lord, are forever exalted.  
9 For surely your enemies, Lord,
     surely your enemies will perish;
     all evildoers will be scattered.
10 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
       fine oils have been poured on me.
11 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
       my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
        they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
       they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
       they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright;
       he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.'"

Norma & Katie visiting with the children before school.

Since the children have been in school all day, this was the first real interaction that we have had with many of the school-aged children, and as brief as it was, everyone was very excited to be able to spend a few minutes with them before they headed off to school and we headed off to finish packing the remaining gifts.

Tammy, Vickie & Katie helping with the bags.

While packing today, we entertained ourselves by singing several worship and Christmas songs as we worked.  Sue has a beautiful voice and led us in song after song, which made the morning fly by as we worked until almost lunchtime before we ran out of toys and had to stop.

After lunch our group split with some of us going to the girls' home to hang out with the girls there and some going on a road trip to another orphanage called the Sunshine Home.  One of the ladies from the Miami team works closely with the Sunshine Home, and while she was passing out presents for the children from their sponsors, the rest of us were able to hang out with the children that were waiting for their turn.

Sue & Vickie with the girls.

Erin

Norma with her arms full of boys.

While at the girls' home, Muriel was able to catch up with the little girl that she sponsors and Katie and Tammy were thrilled to be able to catch up with several of the girls that have stolen their hearts on previous trips.  All in all, it has been a very good day, and now we are all ready to let the parties begin tomorrow!

Muriel with the girl she sponsors.

Tammy with her friends.

Katie with her friends.

Also, Madame Jeune is doing much better and has been released from the hospital.  The girls are all excited because "Mommy's back."  Thank you all for your prayers.

THE HAITI TEAM