Haiti - Day Six

Day six in Haiti was wet.

In the morning we went to a side street market to buy souvenirs. I couldn't find anything I wanted so Manno bought me a small Haitian flag. The van was unbearably hot today. Sweat glistened off our bodies like buttered bread.

We arrived at the orphanage hot and exhausted. We played with the kids again just like all the days before but there was a hint of sadness in every hug and hand clap game. It wasn't too long before word of our departure spread. The inside room was quickly littered with wailing bodies. Boys and girls alike sobbed. Those kids cried harder than I've ever seen kids cry. They weeped in piles on the floor and buried their faces in our shoulders. Angelina sat shaking in my lap as Yves sobbed silently into my leg. The sadness in the room was contagious and overwhelming. Tears ran down my face all afternoon. The goodbye was long and painful. I whispered "December" in Angelina's ear and kissed her cheek before getting into the van.

After the tears ran dry we headed to our favorite soda stand at the gas station. When we got back to the house it began to rain in heavy splats. With great joy and relief we climbed onto the roof to bask in the cool shower. Thunder crashed and lightning split the sky in violent flashes of electric purple. We clapped, danced and sang in the pouring rain. We rejoiced in the relief. The rain applauded as we took a bow. The perfect finale to a life changing week.

Ayiti - Mwen remen ou.