My God Is Mighty To Save

Yesterday was an adventure.  In truth, everyday in Haiti is an adventure.  The interns have coined the phrase "Bien Veni Ayiti" or "Welcome to Haiti."   We use it whenever something happens that would only happen in Haiti.  For example, it was said the other day when I hung my freshly washed skirt to dry, and a bird pooped on it.  Well yesterday was filled with a lot of these moments.  We went to Ansefalour and hit roadblock after roadblock.  It led to a lot of frustration for me.  However on the way home, I just felt at peace about everything.  If something good was not happening in Ansefalour, the devil would not be fighting us.  He would not be creating all of these roadblocks if hearts were not being changed.  Now to the adventure part.  On the way home, one of the tires on our tap tap blew up.  Our driver decided to keep driving.  When the driver turned the truck off to coast down the mountain, the girls in my group started to get scared.  They started to sing "Jesus, Take the Wheel" which was actually a little comical to me.  Then the truck completely stopped.  The driver opened the hood, and oil was spewing everywhere.  He tried to fix this by beating on the engine with a rock and tying a vine around it.  Needless to say, it took five minutes for us to break down for good.  The mission sent a new truck, and we eventually made it home.  Boy was I glad to be home.

I also feel the need to blog about how I have been blessed by the Miriam Center this week.  The Miriam Center is our home for special needs children.  I recognize that I do not have the gift of working with the children of the Miriam Center.  It is simply not my forte.  A couple of days ago my group took some of the children to our special needs playground.  While we were there, I was feeling very homesick and simply out of place.  I took my bible and went by myself to pray.  While I was praying, Jilbert, a special needs boy came up to me and asked what was wrong.  Before I could say anything, he gave me a big hug.  I cannot express what went through my head, but my eyes were definitely opened. then the next day, Joseph, another special needs boy, grabbed my hand and painted my nails.  What a humbling experience.  I just feel completely blessed and humbled by these amazing children.

I want to finish this blog by talking about something I am surrounded by each and every day.  Miracles.  How cool is it to be living in a place where you can see miracles each and every day?  A couple days ago my group went to do grocery ministry.  We went to the market, picked out some food, and let God lead us to a house.  The house he led us to said they hadn't eaten in three or four days.  I have no doubt in my mind that God led us to their house.  They needed food, and through Him, we were able to provide it.  We also had our plans changed the day we were supposed to go to the brothel.  We had everything planned, but the girls were asleep.  Instead of wasting away the morning, my group went to the town square and sang and played guitar.  It is an incredible experience to sing "My God is Mighty to Save" in the center of Saint-Louis-du-Nord.  It was a moment that I will never forget.  Today, a couple of people climbed to the top of the church.  It was breathtaking to look out on all of God's creation.  To see the mountains beyond mountains and the beautiful blue ocean that my God created.  I just loved seeing the beauty, even in the midst of such hardships.  I love this country, I love the people, and I am so thankful that God sent me here this summer.  Thank you for your prayers and your words of encouragement.  They mean the world to me!

Big Expectations

What a crazy week!  I want to start with our Mole trip.  I had so much fun.  The Mole was absolutely beautiful, and it was great to get away for a couple days.  We spent a lot of time at the beach, and we just hung out and relaxed.  My favorite part of our Mole trip was the lesson in voodoo that we got.  Jodi Castillo shared some of the history and some of her personal experiences with voodoo.  The stories brought me to tears.  I feel like I understand the culture so much more.  I was raised going to Sunday School, and a lot of these children were raised going to voodoo rituals.  It is ingrained in their heads as the thing to put their faith in.  It really reminded me how important ministering to the children is.  

The new groups have come in, and things have been crazy busy.  We had about 140 peoplecome in one night.  I learned the definition of an imtern: running around like a chicken with its head cut off while answering a million questions. It was stressful at the time, but it was kind of funny looking back on it.  I definitely understand why we were told to pray for patience and unconditional love.  

I was talking with one of the missionaries the other day, and he really challenged me.  He talked about how easy it is to get comfortable and put our faith in a little God with little expections.  However, our God is a big God with big expectations.  We need to wake up every morning asking God to do something huge: something we cannot do without Him.  God had me step out of my comfort zone today.  The mission has an agreement with the biys outside the gate.  The boys are allowed to sell bracelets if they attend a Bible study.  Well today was time for the Bible study, and no one had prepared anything.  I jumped up and said I would do it, and within five minutes I was in front of the boys.  I had nothing prepared and was way out of my comfort zone.  However, I was able to share with them Romans 12:12 and what thay verse meant to me.  More importantly, God really revealed to me how much I love those boys while I was up there.  I knew I loved them, but I did not realize the extent of that until I was up there.  They are one of the reasons why I am here.

Unfortunately the power is about to go off, so I must go.  I miss everyone dearly.  Thank you for your prayers!

Highs and Lows

These last couple of days have been filled with ups and downs.  If you are friends with my mom on facebook, you probably saw that I helped deliver a baby!  It was an amazing experience.  However, I am fairly certain I never want to witness it again.  The lady I helped was 18, and she delivered her baby with no medication.  She spent the majority of her time in labor in a room with no air conditioning.  This lady hardly made a peep during the whole process. I definitely have a new definition of strength.  Although I felt a little quesy during the birth, being able to hold and pray over the baby girl moments after she was born is something I will never forget.

Unfortunately, I sae the other end of the spectrum today.  We were hanging out upstairs when we heard screams coming from the clinic downstairs.  We all went downstairs, and there was a woman wailing.  The interpreters told us her husband had just died.  It was absolutely heartbreaking to see. One of the interns said, "it is amazing how hard death can be evem when you do not know the person."  That is so true.  My heart breaks and my prayers go out for that woman.

This morning was also tough as our first group left. One of the interns had to return home for a wedding, and saying goodbye was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  I am amazed at how this group of staff has become like a family.  However, I did have a wonderful morning with the staff.  Today was James's birthday.  A couple of us went to a little Haitian resturant wih James and his brother.  I loved spending time with him, and growing closer to the other staff.

Tomorrow morning we are headed to the Mole for a couple days.  I am excited to see this new ministry, but it is going to be a long seven and a half hours on the back of a military truck.  I will update you when I return!

Be Still

He says, "be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 

I knew that living in Haiti for the summer was going to be crazy.  I knew that it would be filled with ridiculously long days with a neverending list of things to do.  However, I did not realize how much of an opportunity I would have to be still and know that He is God.  I cannot describe how amazing it is to wake up every morning and know that I am doing God's Will.  I am right where He currently wants me to be.  That blows my mind.  Even though things are crazy, I am away from all the distractions that keep me from listening to that still small voice. I love that.  Another thing I love about being here is how dependent I am forced to be on Scripture. God's Word is where I find mmy hope and my strength to get through the day.  I love that I am forced to flip through my Bible seeking verses that will help me.

My first group is here.  They have been keeping me busy, and I have found it to be a lot more fun than I thought it would be.  It is differet in the way that on my previous trips I have been here to pour out into the Haitians.  I am still here to do that, but I am also responsibke for pouring out into my American group. I love being able to watch them fall in love with the country I have fallen in love with!

Today we went to House of Hope.  It is a home for children who are severly ill.  The majority of the children suffer from TB or extreme malnourishment. The goal of House of Hope is to nurse the children back to health so they can return to their families.  I loves being able to love on the children.  I was once again reminded how precious a child's laughter can be.

I must be going to bed, but I want to thank you for all the emails and comments.  They have encouraged me in an indescribable way!

Habakkuk

"Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed.  For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5


This was the Lord's reply when Habakkuk cried out to Him.  Habakkuk said, "...How long Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen...why do you make me look at injustice..."  What an amazing promise to someone who was struggling wih his calling.  I find such encouragement in this passage.  I have only been here around two weeks, but there are times when I am just like Lord, why am I here?  This passage showa me that even if I do not know why, God knows why I am here.  He is going to use me to do great things for His glory.

These last couple of days have been a blur.  This past weekend we went to Tortuga, Beauchamp, Salines Mayette, and La Baie.  I felt like I did not spend enough time at any of the places, but I had a great time at all of them.  Salines Mayette and La Baie are both orphanages.  These definitely hold a special place in my heart as these children are just like my sister.  At La Baie, I was able to reconnect with Kenny, a boy I fell in love with when he was in Saint Louis's baby orphange.  I have no idea if he remembered me, but being able to spend time with him was such a blessing.

So many amazing things are happening, and the groups are not even here! One of the staff members started raising money to buikd James's family a new home. In less than five days, he raised 10,000 dollars! James is getting a new home.. and hopefully this summer! There is a video on my facebook about it that is definitely worth watching!

Thank you everyone for you comments and emails.  They have been so encouraging! I love you all :]