There are some things when going to another culture that seem so crazy and absurd. The one that we have had trouble with the most to understand is how some people here choose to deal with a special needs child. In the US we have programs and groups to help special needs children adapt to life with a disability, as well as family members, they are human as the rest of us, just different. Here with many families having multiple children, and food in short supply, special needs children are the last to get, if at all. The situation we encountered is pretty much just that. Rosemita, a beautiful 5 year old girl that is extremely malnourished and more than likely has cerebral palsy. She has not been given adequate attention, which caused bed sores.
We went again today to Marie’s home to check on Rosemita, and we were blown away what some love and food could do in two days. Today Rosemita was holding her head up on her own, smiling, and responded to tickling her neck and feet. (Pictures below from the first day and today.) We are fortunate to have a medical team staying in Pierre Payan that have agreed to check her out as well as a young man staying near Marie’s home. We spent a good portion of the morning at Marie’s home, Ryan and Thad spoke with her, I handed out harmonicas which was a hit with the children, while Hunter played and Bronson chased ducks. Poor ducks were tied to building, and he was successful numerous times, the Haitians loved it.
We took this opportunity to show God’s love to Marie and the people staying near her home. We purchased a tarp this afternoon to repair a home that has palm leaves as a roof and leaking. The home houses a woman seven months pregnant, her significant other, and at least one other child. We hope to do that in the next few days. Ryan and Thad spent a good portion of time talking to Marie about Jesus. She said she feels like she is more Christian than “Catholic” aka Catholic/Vodou. She knows God, but she doesn’t think she can have a personal relationship with God. She is thinking about joining us on Sunday for church. One of the boys near her will definitely be joining us on Sunday for church, he asked if could be baptized on Sunday. I do not know if the baptism will happen, because we want to be sure that he understands what being baptized means.
Pray for our trip to Pierre Payen, pray for the doctors who will evaluate these children, pray for the wisdom to make decisions sometimes hard, sometimes difficult, pray for Rosemita this precious girl who didn’t ask to be born, and pray for Marie as she continues her journey to salvation.
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