Next Step...

We have been blessed with another beautiful spring season in our home. Actually it isn't just the home I feel blessed to have for another spring, it is the surrounding area/yard/view that I appreciate so much. Watching spring come to life here is amazing. We have open fields with all kinds of wild plants coming to life. Woods that seem so transparent in the winter, fill in the blink of an eye. Early mornings and just before sunset when the deer venture out into the fields, there is a peace that comes from seeing them trust the space. Standing in the back of our property with the view of the mountains turning green and the silouette of these massive mountains as we witness the sky turn orange, pink, purple or any combination of the three in the evening takes my breath away. One of my favorite things when the weather turns warm is sitting on our front porch on my comfy rocking chair sipping coffee just taking it all in and seeing God's hand in all of it. I wonder how similar this is to Heaven.
Now, we begin to let go. We committed to giving it all up last summer when we opened ourselves up to follow God's leading in our lives to move to Haiti. We have talked about this and tried to prepare ourselves for it and now we are doing it. Our house goes on the market April 1st, 2010. This is the next step. We feel peace because we know without a doubt this is where God is leading us.


We have asked for many prayers over the course of the last few months and you have been faithful and have encouraged us by your support. We ask you to join us now as we pray for God's timing to be evident to us in the selling of our house. This is the key to our timing in moving.
We are also in the midst of several other important decisions in how some specific details will be taken care of, schooling for our kids, preparing them, and ourselves to move to another country. Thank you for praying with us and for us as we move forward.

Jeff and I are humbled and blessed to be serving our God in Haiti. We trust Him to walk us through this and to take care of the details.

Blessings,
Deb

"Home is where your Heart is"

Jeff is quite busy in Haiti. Up until now, he has only gotten to see the Good Samaritan kids late in the evening for short visits. But, tonight they are having a great time with the kids, Max and Margarette, Pastor Nathan and some other friends celebrating Martine's birthday!
The military came in and built a new tent system for the kids several weeks ago. They built them up off the ground so the beds stay dry with all of the rain they are getting. The girls continue to be happy and are doing great.
Jeff has been checking out housing for us, for the guest house, for the girls, for a boys orphanage, etc. Many meetings and business. All ground work stuff that has to be done.

Tony joined Jeff on Sat and seems to have fallen in love with the country and of course the kids too.
Gesner is doing really well. He now has opened a barber shop and Youdeline is working for the red cross. They are living in a house constructed out of sticks(the long branch like sticks you see for sale when driving around the city limits, I assume) and tarp. Jeff and Tony will be helping them build a second room on their "house" so they have a bit more space to be inside. They will also be helping them move the barber shop to a new location.

Schneider is doing great. His cyber cafe is running really well. He is also doing a good bit of translating for organizations.

Fan Fan is still trying to get things going with his school, but nothing happening yet. He needs work.

The next few days will be busy as well. They have more visits to make. More kids and leaders to visit. More needs to evaluate. A lot of information is being gathered.

Thank you for your prayers so far. Please continue to pray for Jeff and Tony as they minister to the Haitian people.
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While Jeff serves in Haiti, I am here in Carlisle with the 5 kids who need me to be here right now. We are doing our normal thing. School, homework, activities, taking care of things at home. It has been a blessing to see Max and Berothie blend so well with our own children. It has been really cool teaching them things about our culture and them also teaching us about theirs. It has been an unexpected blessing to be able to blend our lives with Haiti here before we even move our family there.
Pastor Nathan called tonight and spoke words for me. He said "your heart is in Haiti, you are there, but your heart is here". At the time I couldn't figure out why he said it. Then I talked to Jeff. He mentioned Pastor Nathan's concern that I hadn't been to Haiti since October. He thought (as has happened with others in the past) that I had lost interest in Haiti and was having second thoughts. Him saying to me that my heart was in Haiti was his way of confirming with me my desire to help and to allow God to work through me in Haiti. When I hung up the phone, I realized Pastor Nathan was exactly right. My heart is in Haiti because that is where God is leading me. As hard as it might be to give up what we have here. As hard as the transition might be. As hard as it might be to home-school my kids. As hard as it will be to learn another language at my age. As hard as it is to step out of my comfortable life. As much as I love what we have here...family, friends, church, security...The saying "Home is where your heart is" means I belong in Haiti. We belong in Haiti.

Back to Haiti!!!

I'm headed back to Haiti on Thursday morning. There is so much to do in a matter of a week, but that's been our M.O. as of late. We have been very busy over the past two months. Starting a ministry from the ground level is a ton of work, but it's also an awesome experience to help start something new and different.

One word that keeps coming up time and time again is "Focus" Which the word in itself may not seem very challenging, but when the ministry that is being developed is in a country like Haiti, it can be heart wrenching trying to figure out where that "focus" needs to be. Then standing firm in that focus when there are so many needs right in your face just walking the streets of Haiti. Watching a young man swing a sledgehammer over and over again on a mountain of concrete in hopes of finding peace by digging out the remains of the one he loves. Seeing a sea of tents knowing that the wind and rain are on the way. Seeing the desperation in the eyes of a college graduate because he can't feed his family. Seeing a child beg knowing that it's possible that if he or she comes back empty handed, they'll be severely beaten by their owner.

Even though we feel the vision and focus for the ministry has been a process that has developed through time, prayer, fasting, listening, and from the advice of many, sometimes we still question. How do you see what we've seen and not question? How do you hear criticism from people you care for, who's passion is not the "focus" and not question?

Even though the questioning is hard and sometimes hurtful, it has also been a source of strength and faith. When we question, time and time again it brings us back to the very same place. The "Focus"

My hope and prayer for this trip (and for my journey) is that God will continue to show me His love and compassion for people he puts in my path, both in Haiti and right here in Carlisle.

And even though our ministry may not be able to focus on every ones needs, take heart, I believe God is able to. Even yours and mine...

Bondye beni,

Jeff