The Wilkerson Family had the privilege of spending Christmas week at the LOVE Takes Root Haiti project at La Concorde Orphanage. This Christmas Journey was an amazing experience. Not only did sixteen of our family land in the same place,the same week, but then we were able to share with our extended Haitian family the birth of Jesus. A little different from the commercial bombardment of our US departure. The first day in Haiti was spent meeting and greeting along with all the update with new facility. The joy of hugs and hellos. The second day was setting up all the gift bags for each child to receive something on Christmas and planning and setting up a Christmas party at La Concorde. This sounds like it would be simple BUT I thought organizing and making Christmas equal for 9 children took a lot of energy try 50 children! With the help through the heat of the day we came through. Then it was the day of the party. We showered, did hair and dressed each child in a new sweat suit donated by Ron and Nancy Quincy. Wow they looked great! A stage was built, chairs rented and many children from the neighborhood were invited. The children preformed wonderful songs including Jingle Bells. The excitement was in the air. Each child was called by name to receive a bag of new dress, soccer shirt, soccer ball, soccer shoes, legos, a blanket and candy. Thanks to the Rubino family, the Howe family and all the sponsors. Also a thank you to Janis Strickland for a donation along with the sponsors for a feast! We had a long table of chicken, prickly, lasagne, and cake! The dining hall was chaos with gift bags everywhere. Each child opened their sponsors cards, which most of them were signing cards, please imagine. They love the sponsor letters and pictures. The visiting children also received a gift of pen, crayons and candy. The music continued the candy was all gone and the night had become dark. A huge surprise was when the Bastiens called for Rick and Barb, they had a very large wrapped gift. We opened it confused and it was a hand drawing of us at our daughters wedding. Yes they went on facebook and found a photo to have a Haitian paint for us. Overwhelmed would explain the moment. The joy on their faces of giving a grand gift was truly the best Christmas present ever. Upon taking a dark tap tap ride home, we all fell into a hot sticky bed and quickly fell asleep. It was a Holy day filled with peace,love and joy!
