Bon Voyage. Before starting my journey home, I heard this phrase a lot today as I walked around the orphanage saying my good-byes starting at 6:30 this morning. I also heard Vini ankò vit, which means, Come back again quickly. There are 61 kids at the orphanage, and I got at least 100 hugs, smiles, and “I’ll miss you’s”. Even the littlest one, Biverly, told Madam Margrie, her nanny, that she wanted to say bye-bye to Ita. (She doesn’t talk that much yet, so all the nannies were pretty astonished to hear her say all that). Yea, Ita (ee-ta), it’s my nickname and nicknames stick in Haiti, so I will be called that forever and I love it!
But my favorite good-bye was when I was given a handmade purse from a young boy—a kid whom I have been earnestly dedicated (with only God’s great patience) to consistently and intently pouring Jesus’ love into his life. Mind you, he didn’t personally give it to me, but a friend of his brought it to me—but yes, Jhonny the troublesome, 11 year old you have heard me talk about on couple different occasions, reached out to me in the way he knew how, gave to me something he personally made, to tell me he loves me and is going to be missing me while I am away. My heart literally felt like it was melting inside my body and tears are coming to my eyes as I am writing this beautiful story. I love these children—God’s beautiful creation, even in the little gestures that have HUGE meanings.
I also truly enjoyed being able to explain to two of the little boys that I would be returning to Haiti very soon. I told them in the Creole I have learned, that they will be missing me for just one month, and then I’ll be back in Haiti. I haven’t ever seen my little friend Wenchy smiling at a “good-bye” before. I am so excited to officially call myself an administrator of the Cap Haitien Children’s Home. I’m leaving now to go and visit my biological family and wonderful friends, but soon I’ll return to my newfound family and God-willing be with them for at least 2 years as their mother, sister, leader and friend.
It warms my heart, to not cry or not have too many tears at our good-bye, because I’m returning to my family soon. These people in Haiti are now my family, and they will be my family forever.
M’ap vini ankò vit Ayiti—I’m coming back soon Haiti.
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