"Eske ou renmen m?" - Do You Love Me?

Last week was easily one I will never forget!  Jenn and I were blessed to travel to Haiti to visit the orphanage.  The trip getting there was plagued with one travel issue after another.  We were supposed to fly out of DFW into MIA at 8:30am Monday morning, but did not leave DFW until 8:30pm.  I am thankful for God's protection and for the Doctor's blood pressure medicine. :)

 Tuesday arrived and we were finally able to touch down in Haiti.  I was immediately overwhelmed by the sights of destruction, trash, and heart-wrenching poverty.  As soon as we arrived at the compound, we quickly loaded back up and headed to the orphanage.  From the moment we stepped out of the van to the moment we closed the van door to leave, we had beautiful orphan arms wrapped around us.  For every child we were holding, there were ten others waiting their turn.  Honestly, I went on the trip with Worship Pastor thoughts of learning some of their songs or teaching them some of ours.  However, once we were there, all of those thoughts and plans faded away while a starvation for love surfaced.  Of course they need food, water and shelter, but the needed some one to love on them the most. 

All of the events and emotional moments can be summed up for me in one priceless question asked by Camello, one of the orphans my family and I have been praying for daily.  You see, Camello and I quickly developed a bond when we arrived.  I did my best to love on every child there, but Camello would never leave my side.  On the final evening, I was holding Camello knowing we were about to have to say goodbye.  Camello looked up at me and asked a Hatian question I had not heard, "Eske ou renmen m?"  He was asking, "Do you love me?"  I tried to hold it together, but there was not use.  I immediately began crying and mustered up a "mwen remen ou....I love you!"  I could see tears in Camello's eyes as he gave me a huge hug.  All the way home, I could not get that question out of my mind.  That is what all of the orphans are asking.  That is what the entire lost world is asking.  Yes, we need to assist with food, water and shelter, but at the root of it all they are asking one question..."Do you love me?"  What is our answer? 

You can see more photos on my facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/joshuajteague