Trees continued...
We were priviledged to be a part of the whole procedure. First Jean Rony talked to the people about what the trees signified. He told them that we could give them each $100 but then when it was gone there would be no more - and what would they have learned. Instead Faith in Action was giving them 2 trees. If they took care of them then in a few years the trees would produce food their families and offer them a way to earn a small income by selling the extra fruit in the market. This would benefit them much more! Then FIAI's agriculturalist explained to them the best way to plant and care for the trees. He took them to a spot and planted one for them to see. It was very interesting. Their soil is not like ours. After the first 2 inches of dirt the rest is lime. Then the fun part began! We helped distribute the trees to the very grateful and excited people. It was our honor to be able to experience this. We will forever be changed after these mountain people let us into their lives even though only for a few hours. We saw the faces of God everywhere we looked!
After this, we were again both priviledged and blessed to watch the children receive the trees that they themselves had planted and cultivated at the FIAI Children's Nursery. Even though it was pouring rain, it did not take away from the sheer excitement on these kids faces when they were able to take their trees home to plant and take care of. What an awesome thing to do! This was a wonderful example of how we are called to help eachother become better people. The love that was shown to these people by caring for them enough to provide a means for them was overwhelming at times.
The more we learn about the work FIAI does within the villages of the Haitian people, the more awed we are. But in this difficult fiancial time we are, they are having to cut back on some programs. Their adult literacy program in this particular village among others had to cease but hopefully will soon be back up and running. They are reaching out to so many.
We finished up our day with an awesome group time, reflecting on all that we were a part of that day. So much giving tool place it was exhilerating!
God bless Faith in Action and God bless all of you!!
2 comments:
God blessed all the people you have touched this week by sending you all to them...through work, patience, prayer, teaching, playing, listening, and filling the air with a simple breath of bubbles you all have made a difference in their lives...they will remember and reminisce and smile as they do.
Have a good trip home. See you soon.
Love you, Aunt Dawn
Also, God bless those on the trip, may the voyage have deepened their relationship with the Lord.
Clarification - when Jean Rony said he could give them $100 or the trees, I'm sure he meant $100 Haitian, which is about $12US.
Also, it's not a difficult time staying afloat for FIAI, just we had to cut back somewhere and chose to focus on projects that brought financial gain for now. Literacy is extremely important, in the long run. we hope to start it up again either in September ir January.
Tom Braak
Post a Comment