The heart was created to keep the body alive. This muscle pumps life-essential blood throughout the body; if it stops, you can no longer live the way you did before. Sure, you can survive if it stops for only a moment. But you will never be the same.
Just as though my heart had stopped this morning, I will never be the same.
Valentine’s Day was spent mostly at the orphanage. We had an early breakfast and headed over mid-morning. But when lunch was served, the kitchen did not know that we were there. Gracie, Clover, Vika (the orphanage intern) and I spent the day doing crafts with the kids and Gary spent that time working in the roof garden.
Around 4pm, I went to the roof complaining that we were hungry and needed to go home. So, we did. And we spent Valentine’s evening together as a family.
This morning, we learned that a precious friend here in Haiti has not had a meal in 2 days.
My heart. It will never be the same.
The guilt of whining over missing ONE meal. The injustice of this sweet friend, who works hard and loves big, not having a meal for TWO days. I can’t even. There are no words to describe how much this hurts.
But this also gives me renewed strength to work hard, love bigger, and suck it up during the challenges to make a difference. This friend is the reason we do what we do.
There is now a mark on my heart as a reminder of the day it stopped to mourn hunger, poverty, and injustice.
