Wa Da Wa: The Reminder of Haiti on Our Tree

I need the reminder that these ornaments are.

Just a few short months ago, we were in Haiti with the orphans who made these.  We played with them, taught them, and held their hands.  We were crushed by their stories and challenged by their joy.  We walked through their bedrooms and cried for all that was missing.  We sewed hearts with them and told them that they were loved. 

Now, they have made ornaments to be sold at our church's
"Hope Market".  These blurry photos arrived in our inbox as they were being made.

We were changed in Haiti, so I promised that I wouldn't forget.  But I do.  More each day. 

Today I can't touch their skin, hear their voices, look into their eyes, see miles of tents, or hear another story of loss, so I tend to forget.  I get comfy in this world and move back to the middle.  More each day. 

This morning, as I walked by our handmade "Wa Da Wa" (King of Kings)ornament,  I remembered.

The tears came as I remembered that I haven't prayed for them.  I've been busy.  We've been doing crafts with our girls, reading Bible stories and hanging Jesse Tree ornaments, wrapping gifts, giggling over the movement of an elf, addressing cards and watching Christmas shows.  I've even spent lots of time tagging and hanging THEIR ornaments for sale at church, but I have hardly thought about them or prayed for them.  I've been busy.   

But today, I really saw their ornament, and my heart melted. They have no father who sits them on their lap to read the nativity story.  No daddy to DVR Charlie Brown Christmas.  No bedtime tuck-ins or after bath fuzzy towel time.  No mother to cut out Christmas trees with or snuggle under a blanket reading Christmas books.  No glowing fireplace, scented candles or holiday music playing.

They won't sip cocoa and drive around looking at Christmas lights.  They won't bake sugar cookies or sit on Santa's lap.  They won't wear new red and green clothes and sit down to multiple feasts.  They won't watch The Polar Express or open stacks of presents from grandparents.

I need the reminder. 

I need to be less busy. 

I need to pray for them. 

I need to refocus on the love that came down at Christmas. 
On the Wa Da Wa.

I need to not buy the additional package of red balls for my tree.

I need to know that my children have ENOUGH ALREADY without more stuff or without "must do" Christmas experiences.

I need to acknowledge that the cost of my live tree could pay for a couple months of child sponsorship.

I need to eliminate a few things from our must do and must buy list.

I need to remember and pray.  More each day. 

I need to dig a bit deeper to find ways to fight for them.  More each day.

I need to remember.  More each day.