Hello friends and family,

Well, today was day 2 of full Haiti activities and we all seem to be tired again, but for different reasons. Yesterday was the physical stress of the water truck but today had the mental and emotional day of visiting those who are not well. This morning was a trip to the Hospital for Sick and Dying Children. We exited the busy, chaotic streets of Port-au-Prince and entered a newly remodeled, clean, orderly facility that is run by several amazing Sisters who have devoted their lives to serve God through helping sick children in Haiti! This was an opportunity for each of us to hold babies and play with toddlers all of whom suffer from a variety of illnesses. Some could only lie in their cribs due to IV’s and malnutrition, while others were able to run into our arms – but all were needy for basic touch.

In the afternoon, our team split up some to cover two separate locations. A small group of us went to a wound clinic where they had the experience of cleaning and re-bandaging severe cuts of adults. The rest of the team journeyed to Guertrude’s Orphanage for special needs children. Most of these kids are physically or mentally handicapped, which in Haiti were it is hard to survive if you are born healthy, is a death sentence for those who are not. However, this wonderful women began bringing these unwanted kids into her home and it has now grown to over 40 precious souls living in a safe, loving environment.

I mentioned in our group meeting tonight that I feel as though I witnessed a small light in the midst of darkness today. As dark as the statistics and appearance of Haiti seems to be on the outside, there is within this place pockets of light shining the hope of life. Each of the two places I visited today are in the midst of new construction and are run by amazing people. It is inspiring to see firsthand the devotion of those who truly live out the calling to love your neighbor.

-Tony Sommars