April 8th Update from Mike Young

Everyone has a story and they all tug at your heart in a very real and personal way...

Moses is now about 4 years old. He was brought to Love A Child when he was a small boy, extremely malnourished and left to die in the bottom of an outhouse. A passerby heard some noise and looked into the outhouse and saw Moses lying down in the mess. Bobby & Sherry from LAC took him in and they believe he is destined to lead his country - like another small boy, many years ago who was rescued from the water and chosen to be a leader. Moses is now a healthy, energetic boy full of life and already showing signs of leadership at such a young age. When he plays his bongos or sings his worship songs, he dances and sings his heart out. When he plays, he plays with all of his heart and others follow. He is already smart beyond his years.

And then there is Lee. Lee is one of our volunteers who has been on several KIDS trips. This time he brought 4 of his grandchildren with him. Through tears he shared how proud he is of his family and how much it has meant to him to see them get involved in this trip. Last night during our evening devotions with the children at LAC, Lee and his grandkids had their arms full holding the kids and showing them how special they are to us and to our Father. I think Lee's heart almost burst several times as he looked at Leslie, Jeff, Karlee and Heather sharing some of the love that they have received from Lee so many times before. What a legacy!

There are many volunteers who, for the first time, are experiencing and processing all that God is doing in and through them. And we have our veteran volunteers coming alongside the others, encouraging each other. Each one of these people sacrificed in some way to be here, and each one has their own story. I hope you get hear some of them someday.

There are also many people here who we don't know their names - victims of the earthquake that came to help us build the playgrounds. Amputees, some in casts, others in external fixators that help hold shattered bones in place while their bodies heal. What have they endured? And yet they come trying to help...clean out holes, pick up rocks, anything they can because they are so excited about this gift we've brought here to bless them.

We won't forget the many children who have entered our lives for this short time. Each of them has their own personal story. How many of them, only a short time ago, had brothers or sisters, or a mother or father? How much pain have these dear little ones already suffered?...and yet we see them smiling. Oh, if only you were here to see their smiles! They have so little and yet they have so much. They have Bobby & Sherry and the staff here who look after them and love them as their own. Many of the staff grew up in this very orphanage and understand what they are going through. They have each other and they have a loving, Heavenly Father who they learn about daily by those who care for them.

And now they will have a big, beautiful playground to run, play and laugh on. Thank you for helping us make this possible!

For the great team in Haiti...

Mike Young
Kids Around The World

Be sure to check out our website to see all the pictures from the trip!