Yesterday our family went to visit an orphange we had not been to before. We went because Max and Margarette wanted us to visit to see if there was anything we could do to help, they are in great need. All week I had been praying that God would show us what we really needed to see there because sometimes there are little signs that speak boldly into a situation.
In Haiti, there are so many orphanages. There are so many kids left in the care of someone else due to poverty, sickness, death. Some orphanages provide great homes for children and the leaders have the best of intentions, they just need help.
We have seen some though that take kids in and ask for help only to benefit themselves and the kids suffer. Some have great hearts, take too many kids in and don't know how to manage, so any help they might get isn't necessarily sustainable.
We have seen both and no matter how much we want to help the children, we can't. It breaks my heart to say that, I wish we could save them all. But there is one thing God has made clear to us as we see so many needs; that we have to focus on what is sustainable to make a lasting difference here. Which takes me back to my prayers this week. If I am to focus on specific people, I need God to give guidance, wisdom, discernment into who those people are.
So as we enter this orphanage (I don't even know the name of it yet because all of the pictures I took including the one of the sign out front didn't came out clear. maybe God's way of me having to trust him by faith, not by sight), I just keep praying for God's guidance. We don't have much information yet on the background of this home. We don't know the owners well.
We do see good here, we see each child has their own bed. We see clean bathrooms. We see the owner holding two little one year olds at a time the way a mother would. We see a young boy leading prayer. We see some food in the food depot. We see tables and chalkboards where the kids attend school right there. We see some items some of the kids have learned to make to sell for income for the orphanage.
We also see need. We see kids in dirty tattered clothes. We see shelving in the bedrooms ready to fall. We don't see any supply of hygiene items. We see that there is nothing for kids to play with. No place to run and play. While I am in the kids' presence, I don't let them see I am holding back tears for them. I am watching babies taking care of babies, I have to turn my head.
We see a couple trying to minister, knowing they can't continue because they have lost their spot at the market where they earned their income. We see kids who don't smile much, could have been the scary white people walking through their home.
We don't know yet what all this means. Other than it is always hard to see kids who aren't with their parents. It is always hard to see such need. It is hard to walk away not knowing what will be the next step. We don't make any promises.
What I do know is our visit yesterday took me back to Good Samaritan Orphanage 2 1/2 years ago. Our kids were in a very similar situation. Now I see the tranformation that has taken place because God has brought us together to partner with Max and Margarette. The transformation in the lives of the kids is astounding, but the spiritual transformation in our lives and the lives of many other people who have supported or visited this place may be more significant. We are so thankful that our kids at Good Samaritan are doing so well. Now we pray that 2 1/2 years of transformation can be branched out and we ask God for His direction and timing in it.
Christ is in the business of transforming lives here and there.
~Deb
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
"it's like Christmas!"
sometimes kids say the sweetest things! Kylie's comment this evening..."it's like Christmas, the container came same day as you Nessa".
Today Vanessa arrived in Haiti to help us for a year. This is going to be a big transition for her, please keep her in your prayers as she gets adjusted and begins to walk this new phase of her journey! We are very excited to have her here!
With the arrival of Vanessa also came the arrival of two partial sea containers for some of our ministries.
One came bearing bunk beds, mattresses, etc for Freedom House Bethesda and Freedom Grace Orphanages for their new family members! These items will be delivered to their respective homes tomorrow...awesome news as we see God's timing coming together with the construction of Freedom Grace almost complete as well as the second floor to Freedom House Bethesda just about finished. Thank you to Rob Kivlan for making the connection to get these beds donated for these children!
The second container...the one Kylie and Jeff have been waiting for, contained a few treasures...
treasure #1 Dyson vacuum...can't tell you how much this item has been missed esp with all the dust that filters through our house.
treasure #2 stuffed animals...Kylie has been waiting for a few certain stuffed animals to arrive when we had to leave them behind due to lack of luggage space.
The animals, along with some kitchen supplies and tools rode in some much needed kitchen cabinets for the Good Samaritan boys orphanage and a couch for the guest house.
yeah, it was kind of like receiving a bunch of gifts today!
Today Vanessa arrived in Haiti to help us for a year. This is going to be a big transition for her, please keep her in your prayers as she gets adjusted and begins to walk this new phase of her journey! We are very excited to have her here!
With the arrival of Vanessa also came the arrival of two partial sea containers for some of our ministries.
One came bearing bunk beds, mattresses, etc for Freedom House Bethesda and Freedom Grace Orphanages for their new family members! These items will be delivered to their respective homes tomorrow...awesome news as we see God's timing coming together with the construction of Freedom Grace almost complete as well as the second floor to Freedom House Bethesda just about finished. Thank you to Rob Kivlan for making the connection to get these beds donated for these children!
The second container...the one Kylie and Jeff have been waiting for, contained a few treasures...
treasure #1 Dyson vacuum...can't tell you how much this item has been missed esp with all the dust that filters through our house.
treasure #2 stuffed animals...Kylie has been waiting for a few certain stuffed animals to arrive when we had to leave them behind due to lack of luggage space.
The animals, along with some kitchen supplies and tools rode in some much needed kitchen cabinets for the Good Samaritan boys orphanage and a couch for the guest house.
yeah, it was kind of like receiving a bunch of gifts today!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Celebrating lives changed!
I just read a facebook post about a celebration scheduled for tonight and it grabbed my curiosity. Yesterday there was a post about a celebration at Carlisle BIC Church and there were a whole bunch of encouraging comments that followed. It occured to me after I read closer into today's post and realized the celebration was a send-off for Vanessa. We have been so removed from everything going on in Pennsylvania, we have missed all of the discussion, support shown, excitement and all Vanessa has gone through over the past few weeks to get ready to join us in Haiti. She will be coming for a year to set up our medical program, get it up and running and assist us with all we are doing. I know God has moved in her and changed her enough to do something crazy like move to Haiti, but it just hit me how big of a deal this is. Not just for her, but also, for her family and friends sending her off. What does it take for a person to give up family and friends and the comforts and ease of things America provides? I should know, I just went through it...somehow, I seem to have forgotten.
Living here is hard. Everything here is hard. Nothing comes easy. Everything takes time, patience, and more patience. However, in the midst of things being difficult, God is at work. God is changing our lives and he will change Vanessa's life. You can't be here without relying completely on God for everything. Even leaving for the grocery store takes faith and prayer. I am still so anxious here. So uncomfortable. Everything here intimidates me. Being here without friends and family close has gotten very lonely for us. Everything here is hard, but in the midst, God is using that so we will rely on HIM more and ourselves less.
We find ourselves trying to figure out what this time is for, these last few months we feel like we are spinning our wheels. Trying to do ministry, but finding ourselves only being able to do a little bit of the ministry we would like to do, but mostly, we're still finding our way here, figuring out the language, learning the culture (and many times asking ourselves why things are the way they are here), etc... As we look at our ministry and why we are here, part of the reason is to reach out to the Haitians and those we love here and share Christ with them, but the other part is to minister to those coming to serve here, those whose lives God is still changing, those who need to hear from God. I realize this time now was laid out for a purpose of just that...for us...learning, growing, trusting. God is still changing us and I know that will continue, but we should let him change us and mould us in the now and not get so frustrated with not "doing enough".
So we celebrate this week with Vanessa, with her friends and family as her life continues to be changed, as she takes this step of faith to a place that is sometimes very hard to be, hard to be away from the people we are closest to. But we also promise those friends and family that we will do our best to watch out for Vanessa, but ultimately, it is God who is watching out for her, he loves her more than any of us and he will surround her as she serves here. We are so excited to take the "hand off" from those she loves there and have her here with us. We are and will be blessed!
And Vanessa, thank you for following Christ, for believing in AWAKENHAITI and in what we are doing here! Thank you for loving the Haitian people that much! We love you!
~~Deb
Living here is hard. Everything here is hard. Nothing comes easy. Everything takes time, patience, and more patience. However, in the midst of things being difficult, God is at work. God is changing our lives and he will change Vanessa's life. You can't be here without relying completely on God for everything. Even leaving for the grocery store takes faith and prayer. I am still so anxious here. So uncomfortable. Everything here intimidates me. Being here without friends and family close has gotten very lonely for us. Everything here is hard, but in the midst, God is using that so we will rely on HIM more and ourselves less.
We find ourselves trying to figure out what this time is for, these last few months we feel like we are spinning our wheels. Trying to do ministry, but finding ourselves only being able to do a little bit of the ministry we would like to do, but mostly, we're still finding our way here, figuring out the language, learning the culture (and many times asking ourselves why things are the way they are here), etc... As we look at our ministry and why we are here, part of the reason is to reach out to the Haitians and those we love here and share Christ with them, but the other part is to minister to those coming to serve here, those whose lives God is still changing, those who need to hear from God. I realize this time now was laid out for a purpose of just that...for us...learning, growing, trusting. God is still changing us and I know that will continue, but we should let him change us and mould us in the now and not get so frustrated with not "doing enough".
So we celebrate this week with Vanessa, with her friends and family as her life continues to be changed, as she takes this step of faith to a place that is sometimes very hard to be, hard to be away from the people we are closest to. But we also promise those friends and family that we will do our best to watch out for Vanessa, but ultimately, it is God who is watching out for her, he loves her more than any of us and he will surround her as she serves here. We are so excited to take the "hand off" from those she loves there and have her here with us. We are and will be blessed!
And Vanessa, thank you for following Christ, for believing in AWAKENHAITI and in what we are doing here! Thank you for loving the Haitian people that much! We love you!
~~Deb
Thursday, February 17, 2011
foumi anpil
Last week while the team was in Jacmel, I was here doing school with the kids and just trying to get the house cleaned up during the day. Wednesday morning I went to the guest house kitchen to find it overtaken by many ants (foumi anpil). I spent a good bit of time spraying and making sure anything that might have attracted them was in containers and cleaned up...didn't think much of it...there's been a lot of people here; drinks get spilled and not quite cleaned up, crumbs drop and no one knows...no big deal. The more the week went on, the more ants kept showing up in odd places, like Mike's dirty clothes and bed with no sign of what might have attracted them there. In Caitlin's backpack...well certainly there was something in there. Still not thinking too much of it, still lots of people here.
God provides!
...this week though another story
foumi anpil in our house, everywhere...kitchen, bathroom sinks, toothbrushes, clothes, backpacks, drawers...they have taken over our home. We have been spraying, cleaning, putting everything under the sun in containers and ziploc bags. When my banana bread was ruined today that was the last straw, so I thought, then they moved to the girls clothing closet and the kids bathroom, turns out there was some toothpaste still in the sink. ok, seriously, can we get an exterminator around here????? We're not laughing yet.
While our week seems to have been so mundane and tiresome, doing school, cleaning, and chasing after foumi anpil...we stop and take a step back and we continue to be amazed at God's provision over us and those around us. Viviane is doing very well physically. She almost seems to be back to normal after the horrible week she had last week. Please continue to pray for her as the emotional healing will inevitably take longer.
Jacques was in a motorcycle accident yesterday and it could have been very serious, but he walked away with only some scrapes, sores and a burn knowing full-well that God protected him. Jacques also is so very thankful for the progress on the building of his home. It is such a blessing for us to see Jacques building his future!
View of the front of Jacques' house
Jacques standing inside his home
God provides! Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Not just doing, but being like Christ
Friday, we took Team February to Canaan, one of my favorite places. Every time I go there, I sense God's presence and hope for a future for these people. The picture above is just a glimpse of this land that didn't exist pre-quake. No one lived here. I look around and every person in this massive expanse has experienced loss in some form or another just over a year ago. It can be an overwhelming feeling. When I stand at the base of this glorious mountain and look at the level of need, I can't breath. What can words do for people who have suffered so much? What help can be given to help them start their lives over? But God has shown us that yes, we are here to help, we are here to provide for needs for this life, but we are here to be like Christ, love like Christ then do like Christ for the sake of their eternity, not just for their life here on this earth.
We gathered at the home of Gerald and Madame Gerald to support them and pray. They asked for prayer for their marriage. Their marriage that was just beginning. They recogized that they now needed God to hold this relationship together to be a family.
Next we went inside the home of Nadej...she said she appreciated the prayers we said the last time (which would have been in December). She said the prayers worked...she got married just one month later and asked for prayer for them in their marriage. Nadej and John and their children need God in their home.
Finally, we went to the home of EveMary. She has 4 children and one due in April. There are so many things she could have asked for, but she immediately asked for prayer for her husband, Jean-Claud as he is not a Christian.
So in this place where there is so much need, the need for God is greater. We see 3 families who want their circumstances to be better, but want God more.
We as Americans so often want to "do" for people. All with good intention. Usually things that are good, but we are learning here that building these relationships, praying with/for people, and sharing Christ's love comes first. Before building. Before providing. Before giving. Before doing...being like Christ comes first. We're very excited to do some work there; build a church/school and building homes, but when God tells them they are ready and us, we are ready. Lord, please help us to be patient for your timing and help us to be and love like Christ.
God is moving in this place, I sense it every time I am there.
Please pray for these 3 families as they seek God in their homes!
~Deb
We gathered at the home of Gerald and Madame Gerald to support them and pray. They asked for prayer for their marriage. Their marriage that was just beginning. They recogized that they now needed God to hold this relationship together to be a family.
Next we went inside the home of Nadej...she said she appreciated the prayers we said the last time (which would have been in December). She said the prayers worked...she got married just one month later and asked for prayer for them in their marriage. Nadej and John and their children need God in their home.
Finally, we went to the home of EveMary. She has 4 children and one due in April. There are so many things she could have asked for, but she immediately asked for prayer for her husband, Jean-Claud as he is not a Christian.
So in this place where there is so much need, the need for God is greater. We see 3 families who want their circumstances to be better, but want God more.
We as Americans so often want to "do" for people. All with good intention. Usually things that are good, but we are learning here that building these relationships, praying with/for people, and sharing Christ's love comes first. Before building. Before providing. Before giving. Before doing...being like Christ comes first. We're very excited to do some work there; build a church/school and building homes, but when God tells them they are ready and us, we are ready. Lord, please help us to be patient for your timing and help us to be and love like Christ.
God is moving in this place, I sense it every time I am there.
Please pray for these 3 families as they seek God in their homes!
~Deb
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Team February
Team February left Port-au-Prince early Tuesday morning for Jacmel. Several team members have a sponsor child at Freedom Grace Orphange there, so they were going to meet their sponsor child and to help with some work on the new home for the girls. They've had a good two days so far, other than our car breaking down part way there. They were able to do some work and take the girls to the beach today.
Me being the selfish person I am, admitted to them Monday night that I was slightly jealous that they were going and I had to stay behind...my kids and I are now playing catch up from missing so much school through our move and transition. These little girls are the perfect age for holding and loving, right up my alley, but I will have to go another time.
I was caught between knowing what I need to do & what I am being called to do right now and what I would like to do. I wasn't crazy about staying here by myself...without a car...in a foreign country...with 3 children...teaching school. Teaching school is a whole other story in and of itself. It has been frustrating most days, mainly because we have missed so much and up til now, it has been hard to establish a routine. I always said I could never homeschool. I don't like having to take on the role of teacher and mother, it's confusing to me and to my kids.
God needed to remind me of something. I have been praying for my role here to become more clear for a while now. Sunday, God spoke through Pastor John. He was talking about faith and really spending time alone with God so much that we hear his whisper. So when everything else around us is telling us to do something, but we know God has asked something different of us(because we heard his whisper in our time alone with HIM), we need to have the faith that He will get us through, and we don't listen to the other "things".
Unfortunately for me, I didn't really process this right away. I now know Pastor John was talking to me. I have been called for this year at least to teach my children first. And minister to others second. But, then maybe the ministering is happening here even when I am staying behind and I don't even realize it. Our sponsor Young adult is staying here with me while the team is gone...I have time to talk with her, encourage her, and understand her life better. Viviane is coming tomorrow to cook with me and right now, she could use alittle love and hugs just like those cute little girls in Jacmel.
So I need to stop being selfish and listen for God's whisper...then be ok with what He is whispering!
~Deb
Me being the selfish person I am, admitted to them Monday night that I was slightly jealous that they were going and I had to stay behind...my kids and I are now playing catch up from missing so much school through our move and transition. These little girls are the perfect age for holding and loving, right up my alley, but I will have to go another time.
I was caught between knowing what I need to do & what I am being called to do right now and what I would like to do. I wasn't crazy about staying here by myself...without a car...in a foreign country...with 3 children...teaching school. Teaching school is a whole other story in and of itself. It has been frustrating most days, mainly because we have missed so much and up til now, it has been hard to establish a routine. I always said I could never homeschool. I don't like having to take on the role of teacher and mother, it's confusing to me and to my kids.
God needed to remind me of something. I have been praying for my role here to become more clear for a while now. Sunday, God spoke through Pastor John. He was talking about faith and really spending time alone with God so much that we hear his whisper. So when everything else around us is telling us to do something, but we know God has asked something different of us(because we heard his whisper in our time alone with HIM), we need to have the faith that He will get us through, and we don't listen to the other "things".
Unfortunately for me, I didn't really process this right away. I now know Pastor John was talking to me. I have been called for this year at least to teach my children first. And minister to others second. But, then maybe the ministering is happening here even when I am staying behind and I don't even realize it. Our sponsor Young adult is staying here with me while the team is gone...I have time to talk with her, encourage her, and understand her life better. Viviane is coming tomorrow to cook with me and right now, she could use alittle love and hugs just like those cute little girls in Jacmel.
So I need to stop being selfish and listen for God's whisper...then be ok with what He is whispering!
~Deb
Monday, February 7, 2011
Team February arrived safely on Saturday. We have had a fun few days with them! Sat evening we visited Good Samaritan Orphanage then had a delicious haitian meal. Sunday, was a great morning of worship followed by lots of fun with the Freedom House Bethesda girls. There were crafts, games and fun visiting! We were even entertained by a very special dance they had been working on:)
This team is feeling the frustration of the language barrier. Even with translators, it is hard to have conversations with people the way you normally would. For Jeff and I, it is a huge frustration...hopefully we will begin some new lessons soon. The team is also learning that for the kids who don't normally get one on one time with anyone, just sitting with them, smiling, and laughing is sometimes enough and conversation doesn't have to happen the way we are used to.
Today the team is doing some "work" at Freedom House. Putting in a garden, hanging ceiling fans, and helping around the house. Fortunately, they have been blessed with a cloudy, breezy day...great for working in.
We are very excited to see what God has in store for the rest of this week as the team travels to Jacmel to minister to the girls at Freedom Grace Orphanage, then to Canaan on Friday. We know He will be very present and we pray that those who need to see or hear something throughout this week, indeed are open to God's presence here.
On another note, Saturday, Viviane showed up for work unexpectedly. She informed me that she was losing her baby and she wanted to do some work. She was clearly in no physical shape to work, but insisted...work is very important to her. After an hour and a half, I insisted she go home. Today, she looks physically better, but I wonder what emotional pain she is hiding. When I think about the reality she is facing today, my heart drops to my stomach. I have not been through this myself, but I know others who have and I know losing a child is not something you "get over". Again I find myself at a place where all I have to offer is prayer and hugs. I'm grateful for Viviane and the quiet servant's heart she brings here. Please pray for her.
looking forward to more to be revealed this week in and through Team February!
~Deb
This team is feeling the frustration of the language barrier. Even with translators, it is hard to have conversations with people the way you normally would. For Jeff and I, it is a huge frustration...hopefully we will begin some new lessons soon. The team is also learning that for the kids who don't normally get one on one time with anyone, just sitting with them, smiling, and laughing is sometimes enough and conversation doesn't have to happen the way we are used to.
Today the team is doing some "work" at Freedom House. Putting in a garden, hanging ceiling fans, and helping around the house. Fortunately, they have been blessed with a cloudy, breezy day...great for working in.
We are very excited to see what God has in store for the rest of this week as the team travels to Jacmel to minister to the girls at Freedom Grace Orphanage, then to Canaan on Friday. We know He will be very present and we pray that those who need to see or hear something throughout this week, indeed are open to God's presence here.
On another note, Saturday, Viviane showed up for work unexpectedly. She informed me that she was losing her baby and she wanted to do some work. She was clearly in no physical shape to work, but insisted...work is very important to her. After an hour and a half, I insisted she go home. Today, she looks physically better, but I wonder what emotional pain she is hiding. When I think about the reality she is facing today, my heart drops to my stomach. I have not been through this myself, but I know others who have and I know losing a child is not something you "get over". Again I find myself at a place where all I have to offer is prayer and hugs. I'm grateful for Viviane and the quiet servant's heart she brings here. Please pray for her.
looking forward to more to be revealed this week in and through Team February!
~Deb
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Our week at a glance
Wahoo Bay
Monday we took a trip to our little get-a-way in Haiti, Wahoo Bay. This place is absolutely beautiful! Some of the fun we had...
Jeff taking a dive
Kylie and Brooke ready to snorkel!
Jeff and Colton checking out the starfish below
Deb and Vanessa
This beach is so beautiful, we had to remind ourselves that we were really still in Haiti. So one day of respite and now we are back at it.
Jeff and Jacques have been busy building, painting, and finishing shelving units for closets and storage, desks and shelving for our kids' school room, and now tables for Freedom Grace Orphanage. Our kids love their new school room and their very own desks! They have put in some long days getting all of this organizational stuff done in order for us to be more functional! The kids and I have been playing catch-up on school after missing so much this fall through our move & transition and with our recent trip to the states. Today we celebrated Jeff's birthday and we'll celebrate more tomorrow with the Good Samaritan Orphanage kids...lots of fun!
Over the course of the next few days, we'll be getting supplies gathered and setting up for Team February. The team will be spending their time working at Freedom House Bethesda Orphanage and Freedom Grace Orphanage, as well as a trip to Canaan to deliver some much needed school supplies (thank you Crestview Elementary!). We're very excited to have them come and to be part AWAKENHAITI and the work God is doing here!
Please continue to pray for Vivianne as she has been asked to go on bed rest. She'll be working with teams doing some light cooking because she doesn't want to lose her job, but she is very limited in what she can do. Please pray for her health and the health of the baby...thank you!
~~~Deb
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