A Happy Heart

Yesterday made my heart happy…I could probably say that about most days here but yesterday was a special one. Earlier this week there was a team that came and did a craft with the kids. They used ziplock baggies filled them with some treats and pinched the middle together with a clothes pin to make it look like a butterfly and added some paint, antenna’s and eyes. They then attached a little note or drawing for our elderly. What a great idea and it made me so happy that they included the elderly in on the activity.

Yesterday I was able to take 4 girls out with me to deliver some of the butterflies to our elderly. We brought them the butterflies, the girls sang for each of them and then prayed over each of them. The elderly loved it and it was a great experience for the girls too.

I asked the girls afterward to tell me about their experience and how they felt when going out to see our elderly and be in the community.

Blondie said to me the first lady we saw broke her heart to see the way she was living and where she was sleeping.

Yolencia told me the second one we visited touched her heart because when we were singing to her she started singing and when she was singing she was almost crying. She also said that to see where she was living and sleeping broke her heart because a place like that is not a good place to live and not a safe place to live.

Laika was very touched by Jude Jean Paul. She said her heartbreaks for what she saw and how bad he looks just lying there. She also said it really touched her heart when she asked how old he was and Carolle told her he was 20 because he doesn’t look like it and it really breaks her heart.

Sabrina was also touched by Jude Jean Paul and said her heartbreaks for him.  She said when they were asked to come in and see him it was hard to see him lying there.

At one point during our venture out into Titanyen we were able to see Grace Village. I could hear some of the girls talking and pointing at it. It must have been quite the perspective to them to be down in Titanyen surrounded by tarp homes, homes with dirt floors, no running water, dirty old beds to sleep on, and kids running around naked; and too look up on top of the hill and see their beautiful home with cement floors, brick walls, running water, nice, soft, clean beds, and ample amount of clothes. I asked them how it made them feel and if they were more appreciative of their home. They of course all said yes, but also that it breaks their heart to see how the people live in Titanyen.

When we were wrapping up I asked them if there was anything else that they wanted to share and they told me it’s hard and so sad to see people living like that. My heart breaks. And that they would love to help them and would love to go into the community more often to see them and help out.

I talked with them how happy it made my heart to hear them say that they wanted to help and cared for the people of Titanyen. I talked to them about how we are so richly blessed and it is important for us to share that with those around us especially in our community in Titanyen.

I pray that this is the first of many experiences our kids will have as we teach them how important it is to be the hands and feet of Jesus and how we can bless others.

Here's my life..

What I long for…

Today marks two months in Haiti. It seems like a long time but at the same time it seems like I just got here. I almost feel like it still hasn’t really hit me that this is my home for the next year; or actually as long as God has planned. I’ve come to realize that my life isn’t what I had planned for myself years ago; and I'm ok with that. 

As I read todays devotion I realized that it is exactly what I long for.

“You keep your plans tentative, knowing that my plans are far superior.” This is what I long for. I feel that this is how so many Haitians live their lives. “Living in dependence on ME...” Many of them wake up each morning and have no other choice but to depend on God to provide them with what they need or to follow His agenda for the day. I find that living here I’ve been able to let my agenda go more easily than I would be able to in MN. In MN I feel that I have a schedule, job, activities and a to do list that must get done…I don’t leave room to let my plans be ‘tentative’ or allow God to lead me. Yes, it’s a cultural thing, but why do I conform to the American culture? I know I have and I do and it’s sad that I let my life and my agenda get in the way of God’s plans that are far more superior to mine. 

Last week at church we sang the song, "No Sacrifice" by Jason Upton and I feel like God is continuing to remind me that I need to give Him my life...my WHOLE life. I must sacrifice my plans and ideas and know that HIS are far great than mine! 

"No Sacrifice"

To you I give my life, not just the parts I want to

To you I sacrifice these dreams that I hold on to

Your thoughts are higher than mine

Your words are deeper than mine

Your love is stronger than mine

This is no sacrifice

Here's my life

To you I give the gifts

Your love has given me

How can I hoard the treasures that you've designed for free?

BecauseYour thoughts are higher than mine

Your words are deeper than mine

Your love is stronger than mine

This is no sacrifice

Here's my life

To you I give my future

As long as it may last

To you I give my present

To you I give my past

BecauseYour thoughts are higher than mine

Your words are deeper than mine

Your love is stronger than mine

Your thoughts are higher than mine

Your words are deeper than mine

Your love is stronger than mine

This is no sacrifice

Here's my life

HERE'S MY LIFE... I GIVE IT ALL TO YOU!! 

Check it out it's worth listening to...it rocked my world and changed my perspective!! 

No Sacrifice...

Come and Gone...

Come and gone..

Well tropical storm Isaac has come and gone. I am so thankful that we were all safe and made it through. It was quit the experience from preparations, to the storm, and the aftermath. It’s tricky to plan for something that you have never experienced or gone through! But we hunkered down in the dorms with the big metal doors locked and no one was allowed to leave. We were supplied with snacks, water and activities to do with the kids. The night of the storm, which I was anticipating to be the hardest for the kids was actually the easiest. Almost every child slept through the storm! I was shocked that they didn’t wake up from the wind and heavy rain pounding down on our roof. Kathy and I woke up often and then would be up for a few hours wondering what to do or what to expect next. Besides a few leaks in the ceiling and some water coming in through the seals on the windows everything held up great! I think our room was the room that had the most water in it. We had puddles of water on our floor and my bed on the top bunk was soaked-thankful I wasn’t sleeping in it like I normally do.

A tent city where many of the tents and been blown over.

This river was flowing over the bridge during the storm! 

The wind got a hold of this sign.

The morning after the storm the rain was still coming down and the wind was blowing so we decided to keep the kids. Luck for them they got breakfast in bed and got to have a picnic in their rooms for lunch! Finally by late afternoon the rain had stopped and the kids were able to get out and play a little bit. I think we were all excited to get some fresh air.

The morning after the storm also brought some sad news. A man who worked at Grace Village doing a lot with the school and hiring the teachers was overcome with guilt and depression in his own life and decided to take things into his own hands. He was a great man and always seemed to have a smile on his face. Just goes to show you never really know what people are going through. He will be greatly missed.

With all that had happened Kathy and I took some time away from Grace Village. We went to church on Sunday in Port au Prince, it’s an American church, and it was just what we needed! God knew we need it and it filled us right up. We sang  ‘Never Once’ by Matt Redman and ‘No Sacrifice’ by Jason Upton both songs were just what I needed. I love it when God’s knows just what we need and He provides us with it at just the right moment. After church Maxim took us to see his sweet little baby girl Princess. 

Later Sunday night we went salsa dancing. It is always fun to go, but I am always reminded of just how uncoordinated I am! J It’s fun to watch the Haitians dance. I think every single one of them could make it on dancing with the stars!

On Monday I was able to go with a friend to visit some other orphanages and love on some kiddos. It was a perfect day and interesting to get a look into other orphanages. It’s crazy because as we were driving you would never have guessed some of these places were behind the big metal gates!

I was also able to connect with some the kids that live by the guesthouse that I know and hangout with them. I had brought two stuffed animals with me that Ruby and Annabel had given to me before I left and wanted some kids in Haiti to have. So as I was out an about I came across two sisters and gave them the stuffed. They loved them and were so excited to have them. It’s the best when you can make someone’s day with the little things and things that we have an abundance of!

On Tuesday Guyto, a man who works at the guesthouse and I walked down to see my buddy Mackenley! It was so wonderful to be able to reconnect with him again! His mom was so excited to see me and said she had not seen me since January-she has a good memory! They sang for me and I was able to meet his sisters. This little guy made my day! He asked me for a camera so if anyone has an old digital camera that they don’t want anymore and would like to donate it to him I would greatly appreciate it and I know he would too!! J

While at the guesthouse for those couple days we also were able to hangout with some of the team that was here and had some good laughs and played some games.

It was a nice little couple days away, but I missed the kids and was excited to get back and see them.

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers, especially during Isaac, and your support. It is such a blessing to be able to have so many people praying for me and support me.

Blessings to you all!!

Keep us in your prayers

Tropical storm Isacc...Keep us in your prayers! 

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/22/2962721/issac-better-organized-still-threat.html   

Joy independent of circumstances

Joy independent of circumstances…How I long to find joy in all circumstances that life throws at me.  It is only with the presence and peace of the God that this is possible. So often when times get tough, things, or relationships don’t work as planned or hoped I often try to fix it or let my emotions get the best of me. Today’s devotional was a perfect reminder for me to put myself in the presence of the Lord especially during those circumstances and to find the joy! Easier said than done, right?! I am continually learning to let it go and let God have His way and put my own will aside. I may think I know best but ultimately I have no idea what my future holds and as bad as I may want something I have to trust that the Lord knows best! So I have to remind myself to lay it all down and be in His presence.  Tonight I lay it all down before the Lord; my hopes, my dreams, my desires and I ask that He would show me His hopes, His dreams, His desires for my life.

This devotional is a perfect example of many Haitians. I feel that despite many of their circumstances I often see joy in their hearts. They are a living example of what it means to have joy independent of circumstances.  

Help me to have that JOY!