The Haitian Nation (Walgina)

Perhaps my favorite part of our trip to Port-Au-Prince Haiti was watching Kristi love on a girl named Walgina.

The bond that Kristi and Walgina developed began at the church where our team put on a Vacation Bible School throughout the week.  The first day of VBS, Walgina was dropped off at the church and timidly stood at the entrance of the church, unsure what to make of it all.  Kristi noticed her hesitation to join the group, so she took her by the hand and brought her into the church.  From that point on, Walgina always sought Kristi out.

Each and every day, Walgina would come to the church and look for Kristi.  When we would walk down the street, Walgina would peek her face out of her home and smile when she saw her.  I can remember one instance when Walgina was literally crawling over people in order to get to Kristi's lap during one of the revival services at the church .  Here we have no way of communicating with this child except through our facial expressions, hugs, and laughter, and yet she felt comfortable enough with Kristi to fall asleep on her lap multiple times during the week.

 

Sometimes ministry can feel overwhelming.  In the country of Haiti, there are an estimated 10 million people.  No one knows for sure because the resources are not there to have any kind of census.  Their unemployment rate is over 40%.  The average Haitian generates $1,200 a year.  The percentage of people living under 2 dollars a day is 78%.  It is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.  In 2009, Haiti was ranked the tenth most corrupt country in the world.  There are an estimated 3.5 million children under the age of 14.  Overwhelmed yet?  I know I was. 

And yet in our state of being overwhelmed, God provided ONE child for us to consistently love during the week.  ONE child to fall asleep in Kristi's arms.  ONE child who actually loved back on us.  ONE child who made us feel loved on by our heavenly father.

It is a unique experience to love someone without the possibility of communicating through words.  Our final interaction with Walgina was the afternoon before we left Haiti.  The previous time Kristi had seen Walgina was passing her off to her mom while she was asleep, so we were hopeful to see her one last time as our group took a walk past the church.  Walgina was not out playing in the street, but as we walked away Kristi looked back one more time and saw Walgina poke her head out from behind the tarp that made up the front of her home.  As Kristi waved one final time and blew a kiss goodbye wishing she had the words to tell Walgina she loved her, Walgina stood at her home smiling and nodding, as if to say she understood.  It was a moment that we will remember for a long time.

We believe that God brought Walgina into our lives both for us and for her.  We will continue to pray for her in the years to come.  

When statistics, ministry, and life overwhelm us, let's find our joy in loving the people who God places right in front of us.