The fifth and final post from my time in Haiti (until our next project)!  The orphanage is broken up into a couple of different houses about a mile away from each other.  The house that we spent most of our time at was the baby house, or the main house.  On our final day, they had us go to the toddler house and hang out with some pretty cool kiddos for a couple hours.  Even though it’s called the toddler house, it is home to many kids from 2 1/2 to 15 years old.  Some staying as long as it takes for the rest of their family to find permanent and safe housing.  Many are in the adoption process and already assigned to forever families.  And still others are there because their original orphanage was damaged in the earthquake.  One thing was super clear to me as I was MOBBED from the moment they all came running out of the house… they all desperately want their person (Gray’s Anatomy reference).  Someone they could belong to and would belong to them.

Adoption is truly a remarkable thing.

This little one planted herself between my legs for the first 20 minutes, then laid in my lap for the next hour and a half.

Another lap dweller! I didn't think my lap was big enough for two kids simultaneously. They did.

As with every group we met during the week, leaving was absolutely the hardest part. Ideas are brewing... stay tuned.

My new friend Erin is a rockstar.  Originally from Nashville, she is now making her residence in the hills above Port-au-Prince serving just about every demographic in the valley below.  She is working with Thirst No More to coordinate need and relief efforts.  From finding orphanages filled with kids who need wheelchairs to providing tents and coordinating medical aid… she’s doing it all.  The need is so great — every day, she picks one and does her best to meet it.  I’m waiting for the dust to settle here a little bit, but we’re already talking about going back and serving along side.

Erin was the one who told our driver where to go for the city photos I posted yesterday, and yes, she even led him down this crazy riverbed to get to an otherwise inaccessible neighborhood.  These might be some of my favorite photos from the week.  The joy in spite of baking in 95 degree weather and living in a tin shack with a tarp roof…well, I was speechless.  Crystal’s word to describe the week was “resilience.”  This neighborhood was the epitome of that.  Garbage bag kites, cardboard store signs, and pigs sleeping where you wash your clothes.  It was all really surreal.  Hungry bellies and still, such a calm peace in their expressions.

Most of the photos are of the women, as our security detail waited in the car.  Just to take natural precautions, we avoided the areas where the men were hanging out.  Plus, I was generally mesmerized by the strength of the women who managed the home and kids and ran businesses at the same time.

Once again… our road… (color is funky on this first one as it was shot through a car windshield)

One of the sweetest surprises on our trip was being able to spend so much time with the orphans at God’s Littlest Angels.  We were initially told we would be sorting through containers and delivering supplies shipped from Colorado, but unfortunately, all the containers are still stuck in the Port.  So we learned how to be flexible!  While Jay and Nick did construction on the orphanage’s new property at the top of the mountain, the rest of us snuggled some pretty incredible kiddos!  I’m not authorized to identify each baby below by name but Jerrensia, Jude, Wislande, Michael, and Jerry definitely stole a few hearts within our group.  Some of the babies are in the orphanage to receive care until their families are stable {no longer living in tents}, others are there in intensive care for malnourishment.  Several came from another orphanage damaged in the earthquake, and of course, many are in limbo in the adoption process waiting for their forever families.

Every story is so incredibly unique…all involving a parent who made a heart wrenching decision.  Many parents still visit the babies on a regular basis, even the babies who are in the adoption process and will eventually be leaving the country.  Some parents stopped visiting after the earthquake… Can’t even imagine.  What is clear that there are certainly moments of joy with these kids and moments of sadness.  They have experienced the same trauma that has caused grown men to go running down the city street naked {kind of caught me off guard}; caused missionaries to return home and nurses to slit their wrists.  When we went through foster care training, they told us that even if the child came from an abusive and neglectful home he or she will be in a state of grief over the loss of their parents.  They know they’re not home…they’re in between.  And let’s be honest.  That can be a lonely place even when you’re surrounded by people with good intentions.

This little guy's dimpled smile made me melt EVERY time!

The little one on the left is 1 year old weighing in at just 8lbs. She received just enough for survival but not enough for growth. I always thought they were one in the same. The baby Candice is holding on the right is quite a bit larger at only a couple months old.

Marshall (right) was at home surrounded by all the kids. He's a proud daddy of four!

Love Sandy. She spent her first week in hospitals in PAP and her second week with the babies.

Another baby who is a year old (left) who was severely malnourished. The GLA nannies are doing a great job of starting to plump them up. The little guy on the right was born premature and is around 4lbs at 3 weeks old.

Sadly, the US has stopped allowing medical visas. As soon as they open the borders again, the hope is that GLA will be able to find a medical team that will fix her legs. This sweet girl had an opinion about everything and quite possibly one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. Our not so secret plan is to get a team of doctor's from the DeVos Children's Hospital on board and be her foster parents for her while she's here. Her parents still visit her at the orphanage... how incredible would it be for her to be able to run and play and be able to go home with her real mom and dad?!

Such a little caterpillar! Check out the transformation below! I'm pretty sure she wanted to keep Crystal (above and making her laugh below) and the feeling was clearly mutual.

This gentlemen is from Australia and just happens to be traveling the world. He found GLA online and decided to stay a few weeks to hold babies. Yes, he's giving this little one a pedicure!

The view from the balcony where the playroom is set up is extraordinary!

There were times we felt completely spoiled.

The view... if you follow the valley all the way to the horizon, you'll find Port-au-Prince and the bay. Only 15 miles but it seemed hundreds of miles away at that moment.

To follow the stories of these babies, you can read the blog of one of the nurses in the NICU…