I've managed to spend some quality time with Dianne since she returned from Haiti and boy, am I inspired to do more this year (stay tuned to see how I will need your help)!
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:35-40
If you remember my Won't you please help? (original post) asking for your help to raise money to buy rice for her mission trip to Haiti in Dec, then my last post called RICE FOR HAITI, advising that we raised $500, enough to buy almost 12 sacks of rice to supply over 4000 meals to hungry children. THANK YOU again if I haven't already told you to those of you who donated.
Dianne and friend, Bernice with the van packed and ready (note: the luggage is for only 3 people)!
As they got off the airplane and drove to the compound, Dianne's initial impressions of Haiti.
Can you imagine living in this?
or
Buying your fresh produce from the ground under the skortching heat all day?
or
How about living here?
The warehouse at the compound where Dianne stayed.
These are the sacs of rice, so imagine that 'almost' 12 of these are thanks to YOU!
Dianne filling individual bags for families in the community.
Time for some fun and love on the kiddies!
Go Dianne, GO!!
Part of the donations that were sent with this group of people....
Check out all of the shoes.
When first looking at Dianne's photos, this photo touched me to the CORE.
Notice that although they are the same shoe, they are actually 2 very different sizes.
The proud parents of this little girl, even tried to dress her up a little by sewing lace on her socks (that is now falling off her left foot).
And now, she is being sized for a nice new (2nd hand pair of shoes) -
all part of the donations brought by generous people.
Dianne got to meet her sponser daughter - Wenderline.
Check out her BEAUTIFUL eyes....
The sponsor children call their sponsors their 'White Mommas'
Wenderline's appreciative mother, Dianne and Wenderline.
As a Christmas present, Dianne bought Wenderline a bike for about $60 (I think).
Apparently this is like a luxury for the kids so they can get to and from school.
School is a VERY, very long walk for them, so having wheels like this helps them out a great deal.
And Dianne's sister sent money to buy some goats for a family or 2.
They bargaines and got two pregnant goats for around $120 USD.
One goat went to Wenderline's family and will provide the family
with milk and meat later on.
The second goat went to a VERY deserving family of 8 or 9.
Single mom trying to support 7 or 8 children.
To her, this goat was like us receiving a MILLION dollars.
She kept saying 'praise the Lord'.
This is 2 of her children.
This is the house (the WHOLE house) that this family of 8 or 9 lives in.
This photo SPOKE to me as well.
This man is a teacher at the school.
Here, he is reading his bible.
He got "HERE" by being sponsored by a host family,
just like how Dianne sponsor's Wenderline.
He was inspired and dreamed to do more by his sponsor family.
And he did, now he educates the minds and inspires all his school children!
This was where Dianne slept - definitely not a vacation.
THIS, was one of Dianne's roommates.
He stayed to himself.
These are the washroom facilities where she stayed.
She told me that she didn't once take off her flip-flops,
even in the shower!
Here's her shower - NO hot water and a tap that
you have to turn on with a pair of plyers!
The boys watching the group leave the compound at the end of their trip.
I am in 'awwwwe' and am SO inspired to do more. So much so that I am booked to go in December with Dianne, Roland & Bernice, praying things turn out so I can go. I am really excited and have several ideas on how to help this year!
Pray that nothing will stand in the way of next year's trip.
I'm working on a video montage, so stay tuned for this.
