He sat on the floor barely moving or talking. A small square of carpet, no bigger than the size of an average kitchen table in America, was his playground. A few toys littered the carpet, and several of his more lively counterparts who shared this modest piece of real estate delighted in taking the toys he had chosen away from him.
I sat next to him for the better part of an hour when I first arrived at the Missionaries of Charity’s Home for the Sick and Dying Babies in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I stroked his leg a bit when he allowed it. At first he would swipe my hand away, unsure who this perfectly white stranger was taking up space on his corner of carpet. I urged him to eat when he was given half a banana from the Sisters at snack time. Mostly, we just sat beside each other as I fended off the young girl who was trying to steal his toys and get his goat. Kids will be kids, it seems – no matter how sick they are.
Even with her silent torment, he barely uttered a sound. Just a small move of his arm to try and get her to quit messing with his pop up farm toy. Illness and lethargy had robbed him of the energy to fight back.
Over time, I gained enough trust that he finally placed his small, dark, bony hand gently on mine.
Eventually, I had to get up and check on my other team members. There were also many, many, many more kids to hold, change, feed or comfort. Such is the way at the Home for Sick and Dying Children. You can never have enough hands, arms, laps or smiles to go around.
But despite my deficiency, every time I visit there, I recognize something rare to find in such vast quantities.
Goodness.
Missionaries of Charity is a Roman Catholic religious order established in 1950 by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, which consists of over 4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. They have many outposts in the country of Haiti. And I’ve visited this one in Delmas (near Port-au-Prince) 3 times.
photo credit: @livesayhaiti.blogspot.com
Each time, I am more amazed by the inherent goodness I find there. Not only do these Sisters take a vow of poverty, they tend to the sick, poor and dying with an unrivaled tenacity and commitment. Although they never ask for supplies or donations (they are not allowed as part of their oath), they are provided for in the most beautiful way.
God has met their needs through thousands of organizations, companies and volunteers from all over the world. Anything given is multiplied in the care and trust of the Sisters. I have helped in “the warehouse” to prepare boxes of formula, diapers and wipes for distribution throughout the island, and I have watched their tender care for these babies and their families, through food, medicine, clothing and love.
It’s a sight to behold. And I know my meager 2.5 hours barely makes a dent compared to the needs they face.
But I also know Goodness when I see it. And this place is filled with that fruit of the Holy Spirit, and I think it’s what Jesus meant when he said, “Love your Neighbor as yourself.”
I can only pray that it changes me, to show goodness to those around me every day, and to love my neighbor, no matter where I am in the world.
[reminder]What does goodness mean to you? How have you seen that Fruit of the Spirit manifested in your life?[/reminder]If you missed any of “The Fruit of Haiti” blog series, click on any of these links: Love/Joy/Peace, Patience, Kindness