Giving Thanks.

There is nothing like a trip through Port au Prince, past earthquake ruins, tent camps, garbage strewn roads, and the slums of La Saline & Cite Soliel to prepare a heart for Thanksgiving. 

 That was our experience today. Rather than rising to thoughts of baking & roasting, whipping or basting, we rolled out of bed for a busy day out. It started with a trip to the airport to pick up our friend Pastor Jay & his wife, Princess, from Calvary Chapel – Sawgrass. They arrived to spend the holiday visiting their “girls”-  8 & 12 year old sisters,  that they are in the process of adopting.

We excitedly introduced them to the guest house, our temporary home, the ladies that help with our household chores and Joseph, our 19 year old caretaker for the property. Once their supplies were reorganized we all set out for Carrefour, about an hour drive away in traffic. Our destination was a small orphanage that Haiti’s Hope has helped support during the post-earthquake recovery. It is currently the home of 28 children ranging in age from 3 to nearly 14. Two of them are the Scutt’s daughters, Michaela (12) and Fortuna (8).  

We arrived to the scurry of excitement over receiving guests. Most of the kids were at school still, but we were welcomed warmly by the caretakers. As the arrival crowd dispersed, a little one remained, listless & sad-faced, sitting on a low cot in the gravel yard. Kevensly, is 3 years old. He is the most recent addition to the orphanage. When asked about his parents, the caregiver’s response was “they didn’t want him”. At such a young age, he is abandoned and left to their care. To make matters worse, Kevensly was taken for an initial physical and tested positive for HIV. The caregivers say that they haven’t told the other children yet, but are using precautions. However, they say that they cannot provide the care that he needs and will probably have to find another place for him to live. Sad as he appears already, he has no idea that another move, another loss, is looming in the near future. Another little girl, Cindy, has the same issue & the same fate awaiting her.

Out of the remaining twenty-six others only two have the hope of a forever family. This orphanage isn’t a “crèche”, a home preparing children for adoption, so all of the kids here will grow up & “age out” one day. Though they are being fed, educated and cared for, which is a true blessing in their lives, the hunger & sadness on their faces indelibly changes my worldview. As it should!

So, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for the opportunity to see with new eyes…to watch Michaelle & Fortuna’s faces light up as their parents arrived, to share my day with those who need love and treasuring more than anyone I know, and to snuggle up with a 3 year old facing loss and an uncertain future. I just can’t imagine anything that I will ever be more thankful for than our new Haitian lifestyle and all of the “reality checks”, lessons & blessings that it affords! -R

a cuddle with Kevensly

the gorgeous Scutt family