Highs and Lows

A recent team at the guesthouse met together to discuss the "highs and lows" of each day.  It is such a simple but profound concept - for teams, both short term and long term like us - to put to words the happenings every day here in Haiti.  Yesterday was one of extremes for me and I wanted to break our blog silence to share.  I woke up early and headed to our girls home to be there by 6:30am to take pictures as the girls headed off for their first day of school.  There was lots of energy, excitement and lots of what I'll call organized-chaos :)  It was so special to be there and my heart was bursting with love for the girls as they headed off for their day - gave me a small taste of what all you parents must feel and definitely my "high" of the day!!

Later on in the morning, the momma dog and puppy who showed up at our gate a couple of days ago reappeared.  She was curled up around her puppy while they slept in an act of love and protection from the other stray dogs.  The momma did not look good – her skin was stretched so thin you could see her ribs .  In the afternoon, when a guest returned with friends he asked about what they saw outside the gate … the momma dog was hit and killed by a vehicle and the little puppy was just standing over her.  One of the friends with our guest was a Haitian pastor dressed in his nice clothes, but this did not stop him from offering to move the dog off to the side of the road.  The vehicle hadn’t stopped.  In an instant this puppies’ life had changed.  So much of who I am cried out for justice in this situation and for Haiti.  I’ve tried reaching out to this little furry friend, but he won’t eat or drink.  I don’t know what his future holds, but do not think it will be a good one.  This hurts.  There is much that hurts in Haiti.  Daily I call on God to help me when I don’t understand.  I have confidence that God is here and that he has a plan for all things – I will rest in that promise.  Here is my little friend currently outside the gate.  This was yesterdays "low".