Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A most wonderful Christmas gift!!

WOW!! It has been too long!! So much has happened since I last posted--SORRY for not keeping you all up to date! Here we go....

As many of you know a long time ago I fell in love with a little boy! I fell in love with a little boy but had to wait on God's timing. After 2 years of waiting and trying to navigate through things in Haiti I can hardly believe that God has been faithful! At the end of November I was granted guardianship of little mr. Lovinsky! I traveled back to MN for Thanksgiving and when I returned he came to live with me! He is now going to the same school that I teach at. He is learning English and making all kinds of new friends!

It has been such an amazing and busy time! We have laughed together, we have cried together and we have been so blessed to have each other!

Before I left for MN I told him that he was going to be coming to live with me when I got back....we were both pretty excited! :) 






Trying out the basketball court at school! :) Its so great that we can use this all the time! 

 Checking out the school!!

His first day of school!! So handsome!  


It didn't take him too long to find a friend to run around with! We've also had some chats about being a good friend and keep our hands to ourself. ;) I'd like to say it's all been great, but we've had some "mom" moments we've had to deal with as well. 

We've had fun weekends filled with ice cream and.....

 Christmas lights!! (all at the grocery store!) haha 

 We're are having all kinds of new and good foods! (That requires me doing a lot more cooking...which if you know me may not be my best quality ;) ) Good thing he's not too picky! 

We've been blessed with amazing friends who take us out for treats and to the "Haitian zoo" :) 

We've also been blessed to be invited to Christmas parties where there is always something new and exciting to try! 

 A new experience on the trampoline...notice he's holding onto the pole ;) 
Thankful to have some fun and crazy friends to hang out with! 

We went to a little bazaar in Haiti where we got to sell Anchored in Hope items and Lovinsky made snow cones all day for everyone.....

saw Santa Claus...but said it wasn't the real Santa because he wasn't "red" or in other words white. Yikes! ;) 

 He even got to be spiderman...which just resulted in red face paint everywhere from him sweating and jumping on the trampoline! :) 

I did get to see him a little bit that day! ;) 

Our lives are completely different, but in a good way! We have our challenges, but we work through them. We have many happy moments. We have been blessed beyond measure by amazing friends who love us and help take care of us! We are blessed and thankful for each of you who have and continue to support us! 


I am so thankful for such a wonderful Christmas gift this year and all the joy that comes with it!
God is good and He is so faithful! I am so excited to continue this journey with my little man and see where God leads us! 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from our house to yours!! :)

Sending lots of love! Jessica and Lovinsky :) 
Cheers to 2015 and all that God has in store! 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Faithfulness...

As I look back on what the last 3 weeks has been I can only think of one word...FAITHFULNESS. 

Recently I have been thinking back to all that has happened and where I am now. I have gone from feeling so lonely in a this new place and questioning if this is really what God has for me and am I really qualified to get guardianship and go through the adoption process to now feeling so incredibly at peace. For about a week or a week and a half satan was really doing a good job at tearing me down. But today I am so thankful for GOD'S FAITHFULNESS. God has blessed me and affirmed (thats one of our vocabulary words this week ;) ) that this is where HE wants me in this new season of this journey.

In this new season and during the transition God has blessed me abundantly. I had to go back and just simply lay out some of them, although I know I missing many.
-Emails and messages of encouragement and love
-The sweetest couple took me in and invited me over for dinner one night. It was the simplest act of kindness but it filled me up and was just what I needed.
-Another girl reached out to me and we had an amazing dinner and great conversation! I wasn't the only one struggling and we were able to connect and support each other.
-Facetiming with family and friends.
-During a time of no running water another sweet girl said I could go over to her place to shower. She then invited me to stay and watch a football game they were going to be streaming. Oh to have connection filled me up!
-Someone else sending me a messaging saying there was extra food if I wanted to come have some.
-Being invited to a 9 years old birthday part and connecting with others.
-Attending a weekly bible study with amazing people who love God and not to mention a big amazing meal every Wed. night!
-Students who tell me I look pretty--even when I'm not feeling it.
-Being able to receive mail and purchase needed items online.
-Another friend shared this song with me that rocked me to the core. My strength was failing me and I felt like I had nothing more to hold onto but I was reminded I could hold onto HIM and to not lose HOPE and that I was going to break through all of this. I bought this song and listened to it daily!   Holding Onto You by Carrollton
-I was invited to a small intimate house church that I loved and filled me up.
-Comments and messages on facebook that always seemed to come at the right time.
-Letters from my 2nd grades telling me they love me and I'm a great teacher!
-The opportunity to stream TV and movies (most nights when we have power) ;)
-Being able to make phone calls and connecting with loved ones.
-Starting another bible study with two other ladies.
- Being able to take some days off of work to go home for Thanksgiving for a few days and having the funds to pay for the ticket.
-Randomly running into a girl I met probably a year ago and the encouraging words she had to share with me and that adoptions really do happen!
-Getting another step of paperwork done for the guardianship process.
-Another sweet girl I just met took the time to reach out to me with encouraging words and sent me another great song. Not for a moment did God forsake me! "Not For A Moment" by Vertical Church Band
-Watching a soccer game and cheering on our schools team and having a great time of connection with a now new friend.
-Friends who help me out when I need something--like a ride on a motorcycle--to get where I need to go and another great friend who gave me a helmet to borrow and made sure I was properly dressed!
-Going to a grocery store-regardless of the insane prices!
-Buying soft served ice cream at the grocery store--a delicious and tasty snack.
-Being apart of a school that truly cares about me--and even take care of renewing my Visa or help me to get a Haitian drives license (haven't done it yet but thinking about it!) ;)
-Meeting a new friend and being blessed by the devotion she read--of course it was about God's faithfulness! I love it when God does that!
-Spending that night at a dear friends house on the beach. Thankful for her and our time together.
-Unexpectedly receiving some early birthday presents!

I could go on and on about how God has been faithful these last couple of weeks but I think you get the picture! :) I am thankful to have a sense of peace about where I am, what I'm doing and know that I am right where God wants me--even if it took me a while to figure it all out.

Thank you all so much for your prayers! I would not be where I am at today without them!

Be blessed! 
AMEN!! 




Sunday, October 12, 2014

Mail!!!

It's one of those little things that I have taken for granted in the past. Most of the time it was a nuisance to get the mail because all it would be was bills or junk mail! That what your thinking isn't it! ;) 

Maybe I've been in Haiti too long, but I am excited because I now have the opportunity to send and receive mail!! (It the little things people that excite me!) ;) I can even order items (like cheese) online and have it shipped to me! Yes I have to pay for the weight of the items (about $1.50 per pound), but it is going to be totally worth it! Things in Haiti are really expensive and not always the greatest. So to now have the luxury of being able to order things I need (or want) or to receive actually mail is a pretty exciting event in this girls life! :) 


If you feel like going old school and sending a card or anything in the mail you now can! The mail gets sent to Florida, then it's brought over to Haiti and delivered to us at the end of the week! How great is that! 


Now I just need to get some stamps so I can send letters! :)


If you are interested in sending anything to Haiti you can send things to the address below! 

Jessica Burmester
3170 Airmans Dr. 
      # 2029 QCS 
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946


God has been blessing me abundantly during this transitional period and I am so thankful for the people He has and continues to put in my path. I'm being reminded to continually lay it all before Him daily! 

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support! 

Monday, October 6, 2014

Change isn't easy....



I came across this picture the other day on Facebook...funny how God even uses Facebook ;) But it is exactly what I needed to be reminded of. 

There have a been a lot of changes in my life lately and regardless of how extremely difficult they have been I know that God is working it all out for my good. At least I try to remember this--it's not always easy in the moment when you feel like your life is tumbling around you. 

A couple of weeks ago I connected with a girl on Facebook talking about adoption and guardianship stuff here in Haiti. It was one of those God things. 

I've tried in the past getting guardianship of a child that God has placed so strongly on my heart only to be denied, for a few reasons, but one of them was not having a "job" in Haiti saying I wouldn't be able to support the child. 

Through this conversation with this girl on Facebook she mentioned she had been in a very similar situation to me and was now teaching. She also mentioned that they were looking for a teacher for this school year--but this would mean me moving out of Grace Village, my home for the last 2 years and starting something new and not really knowing anyone. But if this could hopefully help me to get guardianship I couldn't pass it up, could I?

I had an interview and was offered the job on the spot. I was excited, scared and overwhelmed all at once. How could I do this? But how could I not do this? 

Through lots of prayer and other circumstances taking place I knew God was opening this door and I had to keep walking through it--no matter how scared I was. So I took the job! 

The transition has been difficult as I learn a new way of living and trying to find my niche in all the newness, but I have been beyond bless with the loving support of family and friends. I've received messages and emails from so many that continue to bring me to tears. 

God is near and He is working. 

It has been hard to leave Healing Haiti and Grace Village but it was time. I am blessed that, God willing, I will be able to find transportation to be able to go see all those that I love often! 

So here I am teaching at Quisqueya Christian School in Port au Prince. I have been welcomed with open arms and though overwhelmed I am slowly finding a place in the chaos. 

Change is difficult, but I'm reminded that I don't have to go at it alone. 

A dear friend reminded me the other day...Our God can redeem our darkest days for his

purposes. 

Without this promise, your trials and mine could feel overwhelming, and our pain could

feel unbearable-- GOD IS WORKING. He is working all things out for my good.

Even though my journey is taking me down a slightly different path I know my mission is to continue to love and serve those that God puts in my path even though it looks a little different now. I pray that through this season of change God will open the doors for guardianship and He will provide me with all my needs. I have been so blessed and am so thankful to be even just a small part of what God is doing through Healing Haiti. 

Living in PAP and taking on this new role brings about a lot of financial change as well. I now have to pay monthly rent, transportation, water, internet and basically everything that goes into living--just at a little higher price. ;)

If you would like to contribute to this continued journey of following my heart where God is leading and hopefully one day, God willing, bringing a little boy into my life to stay I would be beyond blessed by your donations. 

Donate online:
Type in Jessica Burmester

Donate by check: (please write only “Acct. no. 26908” on the check memo line): 
Mail to:
RCE International
 PO Box 4528
 Wheaton, IL 60189

Above all please pray for me and this crazy journey of life that I'm on. Sometimes I think it would just be easier to leave it all behind and go back to my "easier" life in the states of providing for myself and being close to friends and family, but I know God has me here for a reason and I have to trust in that always! 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support on this journey! 

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Eyes closed

Sometimes that all you can do in a situation is close your eyes and call out to God. I’ve learned that a lot over the course of this journey, but I need to continue to be reminded.

Lately it has been one of those times where there is not much that I can physically do; except to close my eyes and call out to God. God knows my heart, God knows my journey, God knows my needs, and He calls me child. He is all that I need.

Though the world and it’s evil ways may rush against me, I find my comfort in the solitude of prayer and praying with others. The world and people around me don’t define me, God does. The world doesn’t dictate if I’m ready, if I’m qualified, if I’m doing what is right or wrong, God does. In the end, God is the only one that matters. I can’t change the ways of the world, but I can love the way that God loves me. Through God’s love I can give my love to the poor, the orphaned, the hurting and the broken in hopes to make the slightest difference in their lives. I won’t change the world, but I pray that I can be love for the ones God puts in my path. 

I was fortunate to be able to spend the morning in pray and worship today as Grace Church had a time for prayer and fasting this morning—of course God knew I needed this today—He knows my every need! J

As I closed my eyes and laid everything before the Lord and listened to the voices around me shouting their praises I was overcome with peace and could feel the presence of the Lord as the tears strolled down my face. My God knows me. He cares for me. He is all I need. What an assurance to be able to reset in.

The scripture verses that they read this morning we also exactly what God knew I needed to hear.
Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.
God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

He is my Refuge and Strength! The LORD is with me! 

So I ask for your prayers. I ask that God would move mountains, that God would soften hearts, that God’s plan would prevail, that the orphaned would be loved, the elderly would be cared for and the sick would be healed. I ask that if my desires are not God’s will that He would change my heart. I lay all my worries, fears, frustrations, desires and dreams at that Lords feet and know and trust that HE is my Refuge and Strength!

I encourage you if you are feeling weighted down by the world take time to close your eyes and spend some time in prayer and reread Psalms 46 and 91. If God is for us who can be against us!

He is my Refuge and Strength!  


Psalm 62:1-2, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”