Mackenzie's Story

As we reflect on our time in Haiti, we do not want to just focus on the weather or the food or some other obvious part of our journey.  We want to tell God's story, what He revealed to us and what we believe He wants us to share with you.  I will post my story tomorrow.  Today I thought you might want to hear Mack's story…

Before I went to Haiti, I knew I would like playing with the kids, but I didn't know how much I would love them.  The children in Haiti are poor because they don't have a lot of things but they are kind and happy.

I went to Haiti for six days.  The first day we got there I liked playing with the kids in the soccer field at New Life.  They like to play frisbee and they know how to play "Little Sally Walker."  The kids at New Life Children's Home are kids just like me.

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On Sunday, we went to church in the morning and at night.  We went to the church in Bigarade on Sunday morning.  It was cool because we got to dance.  They like to sing their songs to Jesus over and over.  I think they really love Jesus.  Sunday night we went to Thomas' church.  It was longer but I met some friends to play with.  We played "Double Double This This" and we picked up some rocks off the ground under our seat and played a game hiding them in our hands and picking which one.  It didn't matter to me that they didn't speak English.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we went to the school.  All the kids in the school are in one big room.  They have to try hard to listen to their teacher good.  When we were at the school, we did some devotions, some crafts and some games.  

My favorite thing we did in the school was feed the kids and the teachers beans and rice for lunch.  The kids in Bigarade don't get to eat lunch so when we fed them it was special.

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In the afternoon we visited people in the village.  I met some of Bob's friends in Haiti.  We went to two girls' houses, Sondra & Mondune's.  We prayed for Sondra's family at her house because her dad just died.  We prayed her mom could raise Sondra and her brothers and sisters by herself.

We also visited the man who gave my mom and Nanna coconuts last year.  He was very nice.  He told my Momma he was glad she had not forgot him.

We also visited a man who believed in the devil.  There are a lot of people in Haiti like that because of the voodoo. 

The last day at the school it was very sad because we had to leave.  Some of the kids cried, and I cried a little bit too because I had to leave them.  They sang songs and prayed for us.  It made me feel special and loved. There was one little boy that really liked me.  He wouldn't let go of me, and he cried when our tap tap was driving off.

Kids in Haiti like soccer so our last night at New Life we gave them four balls that Mrs. Allisen brought.  The balls were special because they had Bible verses in their language on them.  All the kids had a big smile across their face.

Thursday before we left Thomas, the principal at the school, came to New Life to tell us bye and he brought us some mango and sugar cane.  It was very nice of him.  We ate the sugar cane and the mango.  I think Thomas is a very nice guy because he spent his own money on mango and sugar cane for us.  I think he is a good principal because the kids all think he is a good role model.

I am glad I went to Haiti because I got to see all the sights and all the people.  I learned this week to be patient because sometimes not everyone is just like you.  They might need some time and some help to do things like crafts and games.  I also learned that even though I couldn't talk the same language as the kids, we still made a difference to them.  I could tell it in their faces.

I want to go back to Haiti to see all the kids again.  I want to write another book too to get more money for them so the kids can keep going to school.  I am glad God let me go to Haiti.

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