It aint easy being a parent to 100 kids. Heck its hard enough taking care of my dog! Maybe that is overstating my job, but at times that is what it feels like; parenting. We very literally go against the haitian culture. We teach our kids not to throw rocks when upset, to talk problems out, not to have sex before marriage, problem solving and so many other things. So at times, we very literally feel like parents as we see these kids and seemingly do more parenting than their own parents do.
People believe that because there is no internet or tv, that our kids are more innocent. They run around without pants and shoes, play with trash they find on the ground and believe every adult is worthy of trust. From the outside they seem innocent enough. Come to find out, we were wrong.
Lying, stealing, cheating, beating with rocks and sexual stuff happens here, seemingly to a much higher rate than in the states. To a shocking degree because parents here are desensitized and don’t understand, or don’t have a barometer of truth to measure behavior with. Lying is encouraged. Cheating is looked as getting ahead. Stealing is okay, as long as you don’t get caught. You are expected to defend yourself with rocks when someone upsets you. And you see your parents having sex in the same room as you since you were born, it is only expected that you would begin exploring your and other children’s bodies before you can even explain what you are doing.
We cannot take all the problems on our shoulders, that wouldn’t be healthy. We are not Jesus, we are not saviors. But it is hard when you love these kids so much to not want to do everything and anything possible to help. To change thing. Anything less seems just wrong. So we pray for guidance. We pray for strength and wisdom on when and where to spend our energy and breath.
Please be in prayer with us.
My journey 