Reflection: Emma Volk

            The week is coming to an end much more quickly than I expected. When I take the time to sit back and think about everything the team has done this week, I still have trouble believing that I am actually here serving both the Lord and these beautiful kids. I have been pushed so far out of my comfort zone down here, but I could not be more thankful the opportunity. These kids, every day, make me fall in love with them more and more.

            One moment that stood out to me this week was when we went to the IDADEE orphanage. I spent my time trying to get the little boy in the corner to play with the other kids and eventually pull a smile out of his lips. At one point, some people walked up the hill to the Joshua House which houses mission teams like us when they come to visit. It was still being built, but I was taken aback to see that the house (with its marble floors and leather couches) was nicer than the orphanage the kids were staying in down the hill. It seemed like the money put into that one house for people not in need could have built two EBAC orphanages.

            Peace and Joy was a whole other experience in itself. I still do not know how to process the conditions those kids are living in. The whole team was so happy to give them that day at the beach, but knowing that they hadn’t eaten again since then showed us the reality of their condition. Dropping off enough food for them for the next week gave both us and them a little hope that they won’t be suffering like this for much longer.

            EBAC is really making me feel at home. These children feel like my brothers and sisters. I was intimidated at first by the all the children I only had a week to get to know, but they make being with and loving them so easy. The closer we get to leaving and saying goodbye, the less I want to go. I wish I could explain the sensation of helping and hanging out with these kids, but to truly understand, you would just have to come down here and see for yourself. I am pouring my heart out to these children in hopes that I can do as much for them as they are doing for me. Thank you for your prayers during this trip.

Reflection: Meghan Poljak

            My journey this week has been life changing to say the least. Some of the first things that struck me upon arriving to Haiti was the overwhelming smells and the vivid views of the Haitian streets. There are really no words that can capture this amazing experience, but I am going to try and reflect on what I believe to be the most intense part of the week.
            When they told us that we were going to spend time with the kids at the Peace & Joy orphanage, I was nervous because they did not speak English, and we were only going to spend time with them for a few days. (It is different because we see the EBAC kids everyday.) My anxiousness soon disappeared as I stepped off the truck and Wilda came running over to me. We spent the whole day together, not speaking, just enjoying the activities that the older EBAC students planned and celebrating their birthday. It was crazy to see what excitement they had over something as little as ice cubes. The next day we returned to Peace & Joy to take the children swimming for the first time in their lives. I was so taken aback when Wilda recognized me after just one day together. The only time she let go of my hand was to eat the two meals that they received at the beach. At first all of the kids were scared of the water, especially after the salt water got into their eyes, but once they got their floaties on and jumped through the waves, there was no separating them from the ocean. I’ve never heard more giggles in my life than when we would twirl and lift the smaller kids over the oncoming waves. It was so hard saying goodbye that day; you have to think about all the other days when we won’t be there. Keep the children from Peace & Joy orphanage in your thoughts and prayers.

Reflection: Morgan Rubosky

Even though we have been in Haiti for six days, it is still unreal to me that we are here.  I had hoped but never actually thought that I would get to go on a mission trip here.  There is something about being here that will be hard to explain when I get back to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

On our way to EBAC last Saturday, I was expecting to have a hard time getting to know people because I am not the most outgoing person.  As we pulled into the orphanage, kids followed the taptap until it stopped because they were so excited that we were here.  That is when I really started getting nervous about talking to people.  As we got out of the truck, the EBAC kids were all over the returning Americans.  It was incredible to see how the relationships lasted since last year.

Not long after we put our luggage in the apartment, I started talking to a seventeen-year-old girl named Roselene.  She began by asking me my name and how old I am.  Throughout the past few days, she told me about her life here at EBAC and her life before she got here.  She started living here when she was four because her parents had too many children to care for.  From that point on, she was taken care of and fed by the orphanage. 

Coming into this week, I had no idea how the orphanage worked or who is really in charge.  I was surprised to hear that once the orphans turn a certain age, they become “parents” to the younger children.  Roselene once had someone taking care of her and once she turned thirteen, she started caring for herself and another child.  She does almost everything for him.  It blew my mind that this orphanage can run without Kathy and Alice having to do much at all.

So back to Roselene.  She is such a sweet person and I can relate to her so much because we are so close in age.  It has been great getting to know her and to be able to form a relationship with her.  I definitely plan on writing letters to Roselene so that I can keep up the communication with her and hopefully get to see her again next summer.

Reflection: Kevin Vinay

     Reality check: Monday the kids have a wonderful birthday party with cake, candles, games, and gifts. Tuesday the kids go to the beach and eat like kings and queens, play in the ocean, relax under coconut trees, and enjoy a day at the resort. Wednesday we visit Peace and Joy Orphanage again and the children are famished - no food in the storeroom and no water to drink.
     Yes, we brought these children joy for a short while (and I mean JOY!), but we quickly realized that if we're going to make a lasting impact there is still much to do. There are various teams of people in the States who are committed to making the lives of the kids at Peace and Joy holistically better in the years to come. However, that proves to be a very long and difficult process. So much of the help that we are trying to give is lost in translation - sometimes literally. But, we help.
     We do what we can now... buying a week's supply of rice, beans, corn, oil, and water to fill their storeroom until their regularly scheduled food arrives. We do what we can when we get home... working with the ESPWA Foundation and other teams who are devoted to adding hope to the orphans' peace and joy (espwa is creole for hope). Pray for these kids - they need it. Pray for those who are attempting to wisely and humbly serve these kids with the love of Jesus Christ - they need it just as much.
     "Organized Religion" doesn't always have the best reputation in the States. Funny: the book of James says that true religion is taking care of the orphans and widows, and living a life of obedience. And in Haiti, it is not always easy for us to be organized. It gives me great joy to be a part of such a tremendous "disorganized religion."