by Jonathan Lamare

As the sun rises this morning of January 10, 2016, we here in Haiti wake up in a home which is very filled with love and laughter. Our 66 children and our group of Britsionarys enjoyed a safe and secure night, climbing into clean beds with full bellies. Protected from harm by a strong building, even stronger walls, and security personnel around our property, we indeed recognize that our reality in Haiti is not the norm; that we've been blessed with so much over these past six years. 'Love Lives Here' is how we are describing Brit's Orphanage here in Haiti - and love does indeed live here in so many ways, and can be found in the day to day in so many beautiful ways...

Of course, the Love that exists at Be Like Brit certainly isn't limited to us here in Haiti. We are reminded and compelled to remind you all that this entire endeavor was one of Love. Yes, it was one of grief and tragedy, too, but first and foremost, it was motivated by a family's love for their daughter. Through Faith, Hope, and Love, everything that Be Like Brit has become has been a product of Love. From our employees at the Operations Center in Worcester, to our staff in Haiti, our Britsionarys and our volunteers, we are well aware of the commitment on a personal level that so many have extended to Be Like Brit. As Len once said, working for Be Like Brit can't just be a job. It has to be a vocation - a calling. It is in that frame of thought which enables us to do the good work that we do with the compassion and the humanity in which we do it.

This morning, as we woke up here in Haiti, Britney's family and friends back in Massachusetts woke up, many of them preparing to attend the 6th Anniversary Memorial Mass for Britney Gengel, at St. John's Church in Worcester. As the Gengel Family nears the 12th of January, the day that their lives, along with the lives of hundreds of thousands of others was forever changed in a mere 30 seconds, we embrace them and lift them up in Love. In celebration of life this morning, with great love in our hearts.

We are so fortunate here in Haiti to see every day examples of Love in the smallest of ways. The way that our staff cares for our children; the way that our children care for each other; and the way that our volunteers and Britsionarys bring so much love and joy with them to Haiti. Projects like this one pictured above, the "Growing Tree" was brought to us by Medical Britsionary Sarah Parker. The children were encouraged to write on the leaves of the tree to identify their dreams and their goals, and to encourage healthy decision making as they grow from children into adolescents and eventually into adulthood. Things like this are memories our children will take with them into adulthood.

We see the innocence of children being children; children who have come from situations where they couldn't enjoy life as a child because of their situations and circumstances in life. In the days and months after the earthquake, most people I know tell me that it was difficult to feel anything but despair. Through their faith, people pressed on and persevered. While many of our children were just babies (or not yet even born) when the earthquake struck Haiti, some remember it well. Most were affected. Indeed, Love Lives Here in solidarity.

There is no question that the earthquake changed the landscape of Haiti. There's also no question that in the nearly six years that have passed since that fateful day, the face of Haiti has again changed. When I first visited Haiti in October of 2012, tent cities littered the landscape. Today, those are largely gone. While the physical landscape has improved, we know that not everyone has found a better option. We continue to pray for those who struggle, and continue to make it a focal part of our work to give back to our community and to foster a sense of reciprocity in our children as they grow into adolescence and into young adulthood.

We see such seemingly small yet so significant incidences of love here every day. Whether it's helping a child with a meal, or here, pictured above, Steeve offering Sha Sha a piggy-back ride on a long hike, these incidences of love truly warm our heart and remind us of why we are here. We are here because time and again, people choose love in the face of so much despair and adversity. People choose  to give of themselves in the most selfless of ways; traveling to Haiti to give a week of themselves to those less fortunate and those in great need. Much like our newest group of Britsionarys from Holy Cross, along with Dr. Kvedar and her daughter Julie who are here in Haiti this week offering their precious and much needed services examining eyes and vision of our children, staff, and likely, community members too.

#LoveLivesHere. It truly does. And more than six years after so many thought that the world was coming to an end; six years after for so many the world - or at least this life as we know it in fact did end - the acts of love and the generosity of the human spirit keeps us pressing on, moving forward. Your love and your support have made this journey possible.

Thank you for helping us help the children of Haiti at Be Like Brit!!!