What’s It Like Living In An Orphanage?

I have loved reading your comments this week and especially love receiving your questions. We are newbie missionaries and overwhelmed with the truth that God uses the people you would least expect to serve and love big on the mission field. I’m sure many of our friends from our hometown think … what was God thinking sending THIS crazy family to live in Haiti, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia? We are humbled and thankful we were willing to say yes and live this incredible God-adventure.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…
—Ephesians 3:20

Sarah asked: What is it like living in an orphanage? Well, it’s a lot like living with your entire extended family in one house for the Christmas holidays. Kids (40 in all) wake up very early and are running all over the house and yard, playing like crazy before school starts. We have two dorms, one for the girls and one for the boys to live. They have bunkbeds, (like we do) bathrooms with showers, and eat their meals in a new, beautiful dining room. We get to interact with the kids all day long and enjoy doing out-of-the-box things with them like, bible study, exercise sessions, playing, encouraging them when they study on the front porch, and 4-wheeler dates for soda. Living in an orphanage is busy from the time we get up, until bedtime. There are chores, and home visits, and projects, and weekly clinic for the community of Pignon and surrounding areas. Some families walk over 20 miles to bring their children to mother’s milk day. I love watching Roger work out with the boys … I don’t think they do that here in Haiti, so when he invites them to join him (literally hanging in the tree) they are thrilled. He did sprint work today, and had 10 boys racing him in the soccer field. He beat them every time and I had to laugh, only my hubby would show off his wheels and not let the older boys win! He was definitely re-living his high school days in track. He’s having an incredible time with his Man Up teens studying the Bible and teaching what it means to live a life of courage, faith, and prayer. As I’m writing this in the main house, I can hear the mongoose chasing after the critters in the attic. Ha! Welcome to my new life! Our little cement haven is mouse-free (whew!!)

I love the fact that the large rooster, who is king of the hens, crows all night long .. I just thought they did that to wake up the sleepy heads in the morning. It’s not a true fact. Some nights we hear voodoo drums and chanting off in the distant. I have to admit, that’s a creepy sound to hear, but it gives us another opportunity to pray for the community and witch doctors to accept Jesus as their Savior.

There are daily discipline issues in the orphanage, just like every family deals with, but times that by 40. The ages living here are from 6 months through 20 years old. I’m so impressed how Bill and Jennifer lovingly and respectfully and honorably deal with every new situation with grace and love and courage.

We have lived here almost 3 weeks, and every day has been a new adventure. We are so excited to have our son, Michael join us next week for college winter break. If you have any specific questions, please leave a comment. Thank you for investing in our family, as we are your hands and feet in Haiti.

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
—Psalm 27:4