Playing in the Mango Tree (Naider)

The guest house where we stayed (New Life Children's Home) had a big, GORGEOUS, mango tree in the yard with little wooden benches all around the perimeter.  It was a lovely gathering place for different activities and for just relaxing.  I met my Naider (pronounced to me as "NY-day", that spelling is my best guess of the actual spelling) under the tree.  Naider is about 10 years old and newly orphaned from the quake.  He had some serious injuries and Medishare was taking care of him and brought him to the place we were staying.  He lived in the church and his future is unknown.  There is an orphanage on the property but not sure if he's going to be accepted to stay there or not.  Anyway, I fell in love with Naider right away.  It didn't hurt that shortly after meeting him, I left for a second and upon my return I said, "Bonjou, timoun mwen." (Hello my child) and with out skipping a beat he responded, "Bonjou, mama mwen." (Hello my mama).  When I showed him some photos of my children at home, he reminded me that HE was also my child.

Whenever he saw me, he'd give me hugs and he often sat on my lap or just next to me.  He spent time with all of the volunteers and loved them all, but I felt a special connection to him.

I might apologize for all of the photos but I don't think I will.  How can you not love them?  How can you not love Naider's huge smile when he is able to play and let the heavy burdens he carries fall from his shoulders for a little while?

I noticed that some of the mangoes were reserved until ripe.

Stevenson was another orphaned boy.  I never got his story.  He loves posing for the camera.  Sometimes he and Naider were friends.  Sometimes not so much.

Naider wanted to see the photos and seemed unhappy that one of his eyes looks smaller than the other (it is quite puffy--I don't know if it is a lingering injury from the quake or if it has always been that way or what).  He then tried to make his eye bigger.  It made me sad.  In my terrible kreyol I tried my best to tell him I thought he was handsome just the way he was.

Naider was very impressed with my mad play-doh skills and the accessories I made for him.

The night before we left, Naider held my hand as we walked over to the orphanage for their nightly devotional.  He sat next to me with my left arm around him (while little Jeremy fell asleep on my lap with my right arm).  He didn't know the songs like the other orphans but he tried and when it was time to pray, he bowed his head and pushed his fingers deep into his eyes as if really concentrating.

The next morning we had to leave at 6:30am to get to the airport.  Naider was there as we loaded our bags into the truck.  I tried to give him a hug but he pulled away.  My kreyol had improved a bit through the week so I asked him to give me a hug.  He shook his head no.  I asked him why not.  He wouldn't talk and kept his head down.  I tried to get him to look at me but he wouldn't.  I asked, "Are you sad?"  He nodded his head vigorously.  I told him that I was sorry and I tried to hug him again but he still wouldn't respond.  I had not cried once the entire trip but suddenly my eyes welled with tears.  I held him tight and kissed him.  "I'm sad too,"  I said.  "I love you, Naider."

Then I got in the truck and as we drove off, the wave of emotion flooded over me and I couldn't breathe well, I was crying so hard.  I was crying for Naider because of what he'd been through and for his future and because I didn't know if I'd ever see him again.  Then I cried for all of the children I had hugged and kissed and loved that week.

Pascary (Harry's two kids had come with him to take us to the airport so he could then be dropped off at school) climbed up into the front seat, onto my lap, and set his head on my chest and hugged me as we drove along..  I kissed his head as my tears slowly stopped.  I took some deep breaths and recommitted to be strong and to do whatever it is the Lord will allow me to do for Him for His children in Haiti.