We and three men from the G.A.S., Groupe Action Scholaraire committee returned to Lataniers. Once again, it was a remarkable visit - once again, we were so happy to be there - once again, our hearts were broken and tears were shed - once again, we were blessed.
The day started early. One of us in our home was like the kid who could not sleep on Christmas morning. Just too excited. About 1/2 hour in advance of the alarm, Marty was up and att'm, leaving Larry puzzling through sleep fog as to why she had the flashlight on!
We met Wilnor, the G.A.S. head who had been our English and computer student in 2012, at 7:30ish (in Haiti, time is always "ish") at Anse-a-Galet's open market, loaded up the huge sacks of rice, beans and some oil to divide between the families, gathered the other "blans" (pronounced "blah(n)s" the name we white foreigners are called with great enthusiasm by the children) and three other committee members and we were on our way, with Mr. Claude our chauffeur.
Right off, we noted the difference that rainy season made in the road. From time to time, the truck proved an able boat as we forded seasonal streams and slipped and slid in the inches-deep mud. But, it was the lightening that was a concern - and the heavy black clouds which appeared ominous before us and to the north. And the five people riding in the back of the truck along with school supplies and food stuffs.
But, the Lord was gracious and we arrived safely and dry, after four hours on a non-road, all teeth secure, having been bounced and jerked every whichaway.
Along the way - a good look at flamingos! There were dozens of them!
Upon arrival in Lataniers, the school principal clanged the large piece of hanging metal which served as a bell, and here came the kids and their families! They knew what we had come for and were expecting us.
Our neighbor, Nancy, and two doctoral nursing students from Indiana Wesleyan University ran interference while we got the books and school supplies organized to distribute. The hand slap game is a universal favorite! and pantomiming of any kind - and laughing - and singing. These are such precious children! Not sure who had more fun!
How wonderful to watch! The church benches could have been a teacher supply store with the individual piles of books and supplies appropriate to the grades of the sponsored children growing, filled with potential for these twenty-five kids who would be on the dirt roads of the village of Lataniers, were it not for this opportunity to be in school.
Finally, each child was called by name to receive his or her books.
Meanwhile, the huge amounts of beans and rice and oil were divided by 25 and each sponsored student received a bag load for the family.
A little more playing ( I regret I don't have a video of Larry and about 12 older boys kicking a flattened plastic bottle around, playing "soccer"!), hand slapping, pantomiming our thoughts and love, hugging, talking about Jesus, walking a bit around the grounds of the village with kiddie shadows three deep - just didn't have enough hands!
- and then it was time to go.
As our truck moved slowly out of the village, we could see many homes flooded by the recent rains and many, many village paths throughout flooded as well. We were followed by the children - skipping along, still smiling and laughing, shouting their farewells and their thanks. Many had stickers brought by the nurses on their faces; those who didn't have whole stickers had the paper torn from around the stickers stuck proudly all over themselves! The scene is cemented in my mind.
Joy in the little things. Delighting in a hug.
We came to give and do for and to speak blessings -
we left being the ones having received the greater blessing.
