Madam's Monday- Esther Louis

Esther Louis is a madam here at OLTCH. She works in the toddler room and cares for them day and night. In the short time she has been with us, she has done an awesome job. Caring for one toddler is a handful. Caring for 13 is an even bigger task, yet she handles it with grace and laughter. I can't wait for you to read her story. Enjoy!!!

"Hello and good evening! My name is Louis Esther and I am from Port au Prince, Haiti. I have 25 years. When I was a little girl I lived with my mom, sister, and 2 brothers. My dad left us for his new girlfriend, and Momma raised us all. Me and my sister and brothers went to school, and Momma paid for us to do that. Momma left us when I was 16. She went to the United States. My dad gave us money to live. 

The people found her without her papers and they put her in jail. She asked to come back in Haiti and they let her come. When she came back, my dad said he would take my brothers. Me and my sister stayed with Momma. She took us to live outside of the city and we stayed there 3 months. My family helped us. 

We came back to Port au Prince. I tried to live with my dad, but he didn't want me. I stayed with my mother. Whenever I needed something I just asked my mother. 

I met a boy and loved him. I knew him for one year. We had a baby boy. When our son had three months, he got sick in his stomach. My boyfriend took care of him. We fell out of love. 

My son died when he had one year. I have a photo of me when I was pregnant with him.

It hurt so much when he died. I cried so much and wanted to die. My mom did not want me after he died because I was so sad and I wanted to do bad stuff. I went to my cousin to get help. I miss my mom so much.

I started working at Bizonton taking care of one baby. The baby had two years. I worked there for two months and then left because the girl's mom was not nice. 

I started taking care of a child at Brois-Verna. He had 5 years. I made sure he go to school and I washed his clothes. I slept at my aunt's house. I worked there for 4 months. 

I did not have a job after that and my aunt helped me.

A friend of mine knew Momma Greg (Jasmine). Her baby lives here at OLTCH. When Momma Greg needed my friend, she called my phone. I would come with my friend to the orphanage. One time I come with her and I asked Momma Greg if she could give me a job. She said yes and I have been here for 2 months. 

I am very tired working here. It is hard and there are many kids. I like to work here.

I love Haiti so much because it is my country. It is all I know. All of my family is here in Haiti. This is my home, but it is hard to live here.

At OLTCH, I love everyone. They are my family. Laura and Momma Greg and Poppa Greg I love so much. All the Haitian women I love. I love all the children.

I want to make God happy with my life and I want to have a nice life.

Thank you all for reading my story. I love Jesus and I want you to pray for me. Nice talking to you!"

I see you.

Every time I pass a child on these streets, I can't help but stop whatever I am doing and look at them. Not to simply stare, but to drink in their existence. I can't help it. My heart aches when I see them. Not a sad ache, but a heart-so-full-it-hurts ache. Many children in Haiti seem to simply be products of a decision two people made (or maybe one person made and the other had no choice). A lot of them are not wanted and are given away or even disposed of, while others may remain with their parent(s) or other family members, never truly knowing what it means to be loved and cared for. My heart smiles in the times I do come across families where the children are loved and adored. Or when a mom is in tears as she gives her baby away because she loves this child and she knows it is the best thing for her to do.  A dad who wants anything but to give his child away, so he raises her/him on his own, making the most of every goud spent. I pass women with their stomachs full of life and think about the child within them. I wonder what his/her life holds. Does she want that baby? Will she get rid of the baby once it arrives? Will she try and raise the child only to later have no choice but to give it away because she doesn't have the means to? Did she fall for some man's sweet words only to be left alone in this way? Is she married and now happily pregnant?
The stories go on and the books of these people's lives are endless. I wish I could read every one of them.
Each time I pass a child on these streets, I catch a glimpse of him. I notice her. I am so keenly aware of the child's presence... each child with his/her divine appointment for life in this generation, in this country, with these parents or the lack of. I see their life. The ones crying, the ones smiling, the ones being carried, the ones on a motorcycle with a man or woman, the ones eating, the ones barefoot and thin, the ones with a shirt on and no bottoms, the ones dirty from the dust, the ones working, the ones begging for money, the ones sharply dressed for church, the ones who are disabled, the ones that are injured, the ones who are laughing, the ones who are sitting by themselves. I see them and I love them. I think about and pray for their lives. If I could stop and talk to each one, I would. If I could hold each child and lavish them with my love and the love of Christ, I would. The spirit within me and the heart God has given me longs for these children. I want to tell them that I see them.

You are loved, sweet child. I see you.

Where are you going, sweet child? I see you.

Do you have a home, sweet child? I see you.

Are you happy, sweet child? I see you.

There is a God, sweet child. He sees you.

He created you, sweet child. He sees you.

You are beautiful, sweet child. He sees you.

There is a plan, sweet child. He sees you.

I see you. Even if only for a split second... I see you.