Meet Marc-Elie, the kid with a big heart and ADD. okay, so I can’t technically diagnose anybody with attention deficit disorder but if I could, Marc-Elie would be the first. Let’s just say, not much holds his attention for very long except for maybe soccer or the dogs. He didn’t last long in English class, but that didn’t stop his desire to hang out with the English speaking “blancs”.
Marc-Elie is unique. His eyes show a lot of expression. He loves soccer and he is always a part of the action around the orphanage yard. There were so many times we would go to play a game of basketball and he would be there, eager to play (although he’s not the best). I can’t tell you how many times I would see him and you could just tell he was up to something. His job is to take care of the guard dogs at the orphanage, and he does a great job. Although, some of his tactics are different than ours, but let’s face it, Haitians treat animals differently than we do.
Marc-Elie is also known as tet chech. Basically it means that he has short hair. I will never understand the nicknames in Haiti but they sure are funny. He loves everyone. He is always making people laugh. He does dangerous things because he thinks they are funny. Like using a huge knife to crack open peanuts when it is clearly unnecessary.
His story is one that I actually know. I don’t know most of the kids stories, because it was hard to sit down and ask Pastor Andre about them, but I know his. He is from the border town of Ouanaminthe. Both of his parents passed away and his older sister was left to care for him. His older sister was trying to go to university but did not have enough money or resources to take care of Marc-Elie. She heard about our orphanage in Ft. Liberte through a pastor in the town. So she rode a bus with Marc-Elie to meet Pastor Andre, who told her that the only way he could move in was if he had a sponsor. Andrew Walker stepped up and took on his sponsorship. His sister has not been back to see him. She fears he will want to leave the orphanage and she knows it’s the best place for him to grow up.
His story is not unique. So many Haitian orphans have this story. It is sad, but real. It is a great reminder for me to pray for the way I cannot see. Haiti is the long defeat, but there is joy. Remember to keep praying for this beautiful country and these beautiful people. Elections are tomorrow (Sunday) and the cholera epidemic is as bad as ever.
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“Getting To Know…” is part of a blog series by Abby Lilly. To read more from Abby check out her personal blog: http://abbyquinn.blogspot.com/
