Your Pain Has Changed Me

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it
I heard what I heard and I can't go back
I know what I know and I can't deny it

Something on the road

Cut me to the soul

Your pain has changed me

Your dream inspires

Your face a memory

Your hope a fire

Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of
And what I know of love

We've done what we've done and we can't erase it
We are what we are and it's more than enough
We have what we have but it's no substitution

I say what I say with no hesitation
I have what I have and I'm giving it up
I do what I do with deep conviction

Your pain has changed me

Your courage asks me what I am afraid of
And what I know of God.

"I Saw What I Saw"
by Sara Groves
                         

The Gift of God Orphanage

A place of beauty, pain, redemption, and faith.   

It is surrounded by tall, concrete walls topped with razor wire, and the entrance is a black, metal gate. 

The kids here are safe and off the streets. 

5 nannies wash laundry for 51 children in this
"laundry room".

All clothes are shared. 

Divided into boys' and girls' rooms,

the children sleep on bunks. 

Potable water is kept in giant barrels. 
Two metal cups are shared for drinks throughout the day.

Showers are taken behind a tarp,

and toilet time is a community experience.

Meals (usually rice and beans) are cooked in their
"Haitian kitchen".

The nannies prepare powdered milk in a large ten gallon bucket,
and then serve it in metal cups.

 We shed tears as we walked through the orphanage grounds, picturing the comfort of our lives back at home:

the individual bedrooms with plush bedding and bright colors, the playrooms, the loaded kitchens and laundry rooms, and the over stuffed pantries and refrigerators.  We have toys that go unplayed with and food that goes uneaten.  

Our hearts hurt for the kids.

Our hearts hurt for the way we have

lived in such abundance back at home.  

Despite the sparse conditions,

this orphanage is a place where children share, sing, make pottery, lead their own church services, and learn about the Lord.  

They learn the trade of bread making in the orphanage bakery. 

Bread is sold from a window in the "Bread of Life Bakery" and from a truck that drives through the city.   

The orphanage has endured an earthquake, two floods, a hurricane and regular unrest that frequently flares up in the streets of Port au Prince.  The children have stories of trauma, abuse and neglect. 

Still, this is a place of life. 

We'll never forget this place, and
we'll never live the same again.

YouTube Videos from the Orphanage

Faces.  Smiling, curious faces.  These are some of the little ones who await us in Haiti.  To see their faces makes it that much more real, that much more personal, that much more important to go and make them smile again. 

Many thanks to Brooke who found these videos taken by other mission groups at the Gift of God orphanage.