Day 8 – Our Final Day & Children Everywhere!

By Adam Sarbin March 15th, 2014

So it turns out that we were up a bit later than expected last night and when my head hit the pillow I thought for certain I would be out in seconds. Unfortunately I could not turn off my mind, thinking about‎ the days behind us, the day ahead in Leogane and our coming return to the States. I did finally drift off, but the alarm rang too early for all of us.

Bleary-eyed, we trooped down for a delicious breakfast as usual and loaded up for one last voyage. We headed through the streets of Port au Prince, then Carrefour, then a short distance of more rural travel until we hit the outskirts of Leogane where we turned off the road and headed to the orphanage that was our destination for the day. As we rounded a curve in the gravel road a developed compound rose out of the cane fields. The wall was painted with Disney characters and the name, Foundation Eben-Ezer…clearly we had arrived. After a few honks of the horn, the gate opened to an open field and several buildings painted in bright colors as well as a few ongoing construction projects. Once parked, we began unloading and suddenly there were children pouring out of the buildings and latching on to all the members of our team. They proudly led us on a tour of their home before we began our clinic.

After a gathering of all and songs of greeting from the children, we proceeded to the clinic. We examined all 103 children. We provided vitamins for all, some additional meds for minor ailments but most ‎were quite healthy. Clinic went very smoothly and as we finished Pastor Claude arrived and again proudly gave us a tour of his facility. We even got to tour his rapidly progressing construction project…a large guest house/restaurant/conference center. He truly has the big picture and the long view in mind to create an ongoing revenue stream to support the services for this orphanage and school. We were very impressed!

The kids all gathered as we pulled out of the gated compound, shouting and waving as we passed‎ by…and moreso plucking at our emotions. I feel it is quite likely we will see these children again…they have most certainly captured our hearts, and in just the few hours we were there.

We made our way through the deceivingly large neighboring village and eventually found the beach, where we searched for and found shells and sea glass. The cool breeze and clear blue waters were a great way to finish our journey and a great backdrop for group pictures. Surprisingly…or rather not, this is the first time our team has visited the beach in 5 trips to Haiti‎. We have always just been focused on the work….this is just the first time our work has taken us anywhere near the shore.

Once properly roasted on the beach‎ and all beach stones combed for treasures, we loaded the van and headed for home, in hopes the traffic had not worsened. Surprisingly, the trip only took a little over 1 hour and the team quickly unloaded, ran the vendor gauntlet yet again and then headed directly for the roof to enjoy the cool breezes while we awaited the dinner bell. Some even managed to get a shower in before dinner.

The bell rang promptly at 6 and we all descended from the roof. Our special guests this evening were Josi, Ruth and handsome son Borchely, now 3 and a half years old and cuter than ever. Dinner was fine again and we all cleaned our plates. Then came the toughest part of the evening once again….same story year after year. I had to say farewell to Josi and his lovely family. As I watch them depart for home, I am already trying to figure out when we will return next. Their presence here is like my own personal tractor beam.

After a moment to collect myself, I headed back to the roof to spend the last night in our own little piece of paradise with my fast friends, some old and some new. Every year I find myself hoping these will all be lifelong friendships….these are some of the finest people I know.

As I sign off for the night we are enjoying the nice cool breeze on the roof as the card games get more and more rowdy. Tomorrow we run the airport challenge and head for home, anxious to see and embrace our loved ones‎. Wish us luck as we depart this tiny country, with hopes of leaving it better than we found it, even if just a little.

I will write again tomorrow from the Miami airport when we have cleared customs and are awaiting our traditional airport meal‎.

Love to All,

Adam