Reflection: Kylie Snodgrass

Haiti Day 2: So far Haiti has been a wonderful experience for me. It is so neat to see how other people live in another country, especially when it’s a third world country and are the poorest of the poor.

            At EBAC where we are staying there are so many kids of all different ages. Anywhere from two years old to twenty-five years old. I think it is so amazing to see how the older kids here take care of the younger ones and hang out with them all day. Each older orphan is assigned to a younger orphan to take care of to make sure they have cleans clothes and eat each day. It’s almost like it doesn’t even phase them that there is such an age difference between them. Also, the kids here do not have too many toys or video games to play with, but its awesome to see that they are fully entertained with a few marbles, beat up uno cards, or even a ripped jump rope. What’s wrong with American kids always needing the newest and finest technology? So that means…what’s wrong with me?

            It’s fun to connect with the girls my age at EBAC. It’s crazy how although our lives are very different they are somewhat alike. They listen to the same music as we do and rip on Justin Bieber and Nicki Minage just like we would. The thing that stuck out to me the most about them is they are beautiful singers. They started singing Christian songs that we sing almost every Sunday in church. We made them sing first and then they wanted a few of us to sing. They laughed at us because we were so bad- - which I don’t blame them, we are. To hear them sing the lyrics to Amazing Grace is so inspirational and moving. I cannot believe how strong these young girls are.

Today I got the privilege to venture a little out of the orphanage with a few others and visit Destin’s ministry. Destin’s ministry was created solely by himself. Destin grew up at EBAC and came to know Christ here, however when he became older he decided he wanted to take the word of God outside of EBAC’s walls and reach out to other children in a surrounding (and even more needier) village. He took his passion to a nearby village about a mile from EBAC. Here, you see huts made of metal, straw, and concrete, families with no toilets, and kids with minimal to no clothing. Every Sunday he and two women run Sunday school for the kids to share the gospel. The amazing thing about it is most of the children’s parents are not followers of Christ, so by Destin doing this it is the only way the kids can learn the about God. Although none of the kids spoke English it was very interesting to see kids outside of the orphanage. They were all very young and it was awesome to see them sing Sunday school songs in Creole and belt out the lyrics. We also gave them each a loli-pop. For some of them, this was the first time they every got to eat one. A few of them actually stuck the wrong side of the loli-pop in their mouth. We were also able to bless Destin with an envelope of money to support his continued ministry.

            Even though its only been two days I’m so glad I got this opportunity and cannot wait to see what God has in store for me as well as our team. All I know is its going to be amazing!! Keep praying for us and all the children of Haiti. They need it!