Our last day was spent in a neighboring community called Maliarette, just around the corner from our guest house. We were working with an organization called Youth Action for Haiti.  A school geared for teaching children about agriculture.  They have this amazing property full of rows and rows of crops….much like what our nursery’s look like at home, but with a much better backdrop.  

We spent the majority of our time filling small plastic bags that they would later use for planting new seeds. What seemed like a mundane tasked turned into a wonderful circle of people teaching each other English and Creole.  We laughed a lot especially as we all struggled to make the correct sounds to new words. Who would have thought a basic envelope of laminated picture cards would become such a hit for the young and old?

Two teenage boys, Evans and Rubinz were so fun and we became fast friends. I loved that they had such a desire to learn and we spent most of our time learning as many common words as we could. 

Paul was the Director of the property….My time with him will be one of my most cherished memories.  He is a true visionary!!  His hope is to teach the younger generation in addition to the local community the importance of agriculture and the value it can add to their economy.   He feels that with perseverance, kind hearts and faith that the future of Haiti has tremendous promise.  I believe he will be a catalyst to their change!!!  He was so grateful that we were willing to come to an “unstable” Haiti to help when we could be in the comfort of the USA…. I was so grateful to be influenced by a man with such dedication, faith and integrity.  I hope I get the opportunity to come back to Maliarette and see the impact Paul and his students are making! I will never forget him.

As our trip is winding down I can’t help but think of some special highlights! 

Most of which revolve around the special people I’ve encountered. Barry (picture below of him and his twin sisters) is a 20 year old orphan that I met at Matthew 28.  He spoke English and Creole and we spent the better part of an hour talking the day we were there. He has been at the orphanage for 6 years.  I was so impressed by the love he had for the other children as well as how polished he was and the desire he had to further his education (He wants to become an architect). What a wonderful role model he must be to the younger kids.

We had a unique situation take place.  Chris, along with another couple took 4 sick kids to the local clinic (I didn’t know this since I was at a ladies seminar).  The truck was bringing us home and we made a quick stop and there was Barry! He came running out to see me and we held hands.  He said, “Your husband has taken 4 kids to the clinic”!   We were both so excited since we knew these children really needed medical attention.  We chatted briefly and then it was time for us to go. I felt such an instant bond with this sweet young man and my heart totally melted to say goodbye as well as to see his genuine concern for his little buddies from the orphanage!  My prayer is that Barry will have the opportunity to go to college…for he is someone that WILL make a difference and has left and imprint on my heart!

The soil is so rich in Bohoc!

The area is so lush with green grasses, trees and shrubs of many textures and mountains reaching to the sky to meet the huge puffy white clouds. 

Bohoc is breathtaking!

The people are so genuine, kind- hearted, full of amazing faith and a true depiction of community…with smiles that make your whole day. There is no doubt in mind that the future for these people is promising and the hope for Haiti will keep on growing… for the soil is rich!

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9

Jan Woodruff