Reflections....

WOW!  I have had some time to think/reflect upon a lot of emotions the past few days since the team left.  Mostly about how extremely blessed we are as an organization and also how blessed I am as a daughter of the King!  There have been so many things to "digest" and process-- pray about and sort through these past weeks in Haiti (particularly with this past group and some ministry lessons as His plans overruled ours).  Maybe it's because of my age and hormones but I have been in tears a lot lately.  Happy tears- not stress.  Tears of joy from recognizing the goodness of God!  Here are just a FEW of the moments that brought on the emotions...

-visiting the children in the General Hospital in Port au Prince and seeing two in particular who were abandoned there.  One is a 15 year old young man who is afraid to let them know he is not sick because at least there he is getting fed/a bed/some care.  Who knows where he will go upon his release so he pretends to be ill- laying in a bed all day, thinking about who knows what!  I can't get his image out of my head and pray to be able to visit him again before I come home.  This made me realize how blessed I am to be able to be here and be used by God to let people like Raphael (this young man) know he is loved by God and not forgotten, that God has a plan and that he need not be afraid.  (I was also encouraged to find that a friend of mine visited that same ward with a mission team on Saturday and also met/talked with Raphael)

-watching as God redirected our steps over and over with this group but then listening to testimony at the end of the day as the team reflected and realized "it's a good plan, but not necessarily God's plan" when we put a schedule together.  HIS plans are best and I am glad we followed His lead.

-spending my 31st wedding anniversary here with the group away from Ron was tough.  I sooooo long for the day(s) when we can both be down here ministering together.  Who knows when that time will be, but we are trusting in His direction

-reading the posts all week as people donate items to load on the bus and ship in a few weeks. (and hearing how the details of the bus donation have been coming together) We are getting excited to have the bus here to be used by teams so we don't all have to squeeze into tap taps and the Montero.  Speaking of the Montero..... TODAY it will be sold (paperwork completed)... I can't describe the emotions as Redgi drove away from here on Saturday with it for the last time.  God provided it to us and it served us well.  We pray it will do the same for the missionary who bought it.  It's a good SUV but we have had another (smaller) one donated that is newer so it was time to upgrade.

-talking to Ron as he helped our youngest (Danika) move to North Carolina this past weekend.  Her husband comes home Friday from Japan where he has been stationed the past two years.  Our home in Pennsylvania will quiet and it will be strange to return without her there.  This is the last of the three to leave home..... more tears.

-seeing the dedication of our ministry staff has brought me to tears three times this past week.  Once when we had a mix-up with one of our translators, David.  I had asked him to translate for us but we had no room to transport him and the team to the orphanage in PAP.  I texted and asked if it was a problem for him to take public transportation to/from the orphanage if I paid for it in addition to paying his wages for the day of translating.  He texted back, "yes, it is a problem" so I figured we would just have to do ministry with one less translator because that meant he could not come.  We got to the orphanage and here came David about 10 min. later- drenched in sweat from walking in the heat up the final hill to the orphanage.  I said, "I thought it was a problem for you to come today?"  He looked confused and replied....."NO!  I said it was a problem for you to PAY for my transportation.  I will not accept that.  Your ministry is a blessing to me and the people of Haiti. If you need me to translate, it is my pleasure to travel to where the need is and to serve with your team."  Yep!  The water flowed freely when I realized just how blessed we are with the men/women who serve with our teams.      
        The second was when James felt he had to go to the airport with the luggage from this last group (they were in the Montero- luggage in a tap tap).  They still don't know it, but two men jumped into the tap tap and tried to get money from James.  He and Peterson scared them off before there was any trouble or anything stolen. On our way home after dropping off the team Redgi and I got a text from him saying, "I know now why I was to go with the luggage" and then he told us the story.
         And finally, one participant leaving on Saturday had his flight cancelled.  He managed to get an e-mail out to me but then I didn't get another one for hours so we didn't know where he was- stuck at the airport unable to speak Creole?  Safe? We didn't know.  I was at the base alone and Redgi was off until Tuesday afternoon (after taking me home from the airport Sat.) and exhausted.  I tried and tried to reach the participant with no luck so......  (without me asking or my knowledge he had done so) Redgi drove to the airport and asked around until he found out that all passengers had been sent home (the Haitians) or to various hotels (the foreigners).  He tracked down the participant (just as I finally got an e-mail) to make sure he was settled into his hotel and everything was OK.  Redgi could have just gone home "off duty" as many would have, but he wouldn't rest until he knew all members of the departing team were safe.  WOW!

I know this is long, but I just wanted to share a LITTLE into the life we lead down here and how God is blessing me and Hearts United.  We have a very big God who cares about so much of the details in our lives, cares about the ministry we are doing as we serve Him and His people here in Haiti, and cares about YOU too!  If you have any doubts about that, I would love to talk to you because there is no doubt your prayers are heard and God is answering them!  So, emotional as I am this morning, I am encouraged too.  I am anxious to get home (for 5 weeks this time) to see Ron, to begin to clean and organize our newly "emptied nest" and to see what God has for us!  AMEN!  -Crystal

Bye bye buddy!  Behave for the next owners!  You will be missed for sure!  (this was taken the last day at Redgi's house)

My buddies at Redgi's house- they are getting so big!  (his neighbors)

PHOTOS

Yesterday I didn't take many photos.  In the morning we went back to do another HIV/AIDS seminar but no one showed up so we turned it into a prayer walk and chance to meet people who may not go to church.  It was a great visit, but since we were in a tent community we didn't take photos (there is one right near the new church location).  In the afternoon we all went to Madame Esther's Orphanage (OSE) and taught a few lessons to the children (hygiene, Bible story, read a children's book), then played with them.  Here are a few photos of nail painting and one of the memory game.  ALL the girls wanted their nails painted.  :)

PHOTOS

The HIV/AIDS teaching on Tuesday

Bill stayed back and worked at the base.  He made this shelving unit for the kitchen, hung hooks in the bathrooms, hung the map on the wall in the living room, worked on the electrical system for the water to pump to the roof, etc.... WHAT A BLESSING!

Louise/Mallory teaching at the English class

Crystal and James doing an interview for sponsors (Juliya/David did some too)

I look silly in this photo, but it's the second grade class.  They received cards from students in the USA so I was talking to them and trying to get them to write back.  We got about 25 cards back for the children in the USA.  

Juliya and David interviewing (this is Lorvencia- she is adorable and one of our littlest at the orphanage)

playing at the orphanage later in the day

Donald playing with children too.... what a great day it was!  

Two more awesome days in Haiti!

Yesterday was a full day, with Donald teaching about HIV and AIDS at Pastor Robby's church in the am. He did an awesome job! In the afternoon, the team did some teaching English to adults at Hearts United with Haiti's Training and Discipleship center. After introductions, the teacher of the advanced class stepped back and asked Mallory and me to take over. The topic was grammar.... Hmmm.... had to think quick and come up with a plan! We weren't expecting that at all! What teamwork! Somehow we pulled it off, with Crystal's support  (and God's too, of course!) And had a blast! Of course Donald and Juliya stepped in after us and had the class in stitches with laughter!

Today.... well, I'm not going to write about what the others did, since they won't take their turn on the blog!! Bill, Mallory and I had set up in advance to visit to our Compassion child, Anderson, who we've sponsored since right after the earthquake. Let me say this: Bill, Mallory and I all agree that it ranks up there with one of the best days of our lives. We met Anderson at his school and had a tour. He was quite pleased with the soccer ball and played with Bill and Mallory for quite a while. He was also very interested in the notebook with his letters and pictures. At his home, we met his family and his mother told us how Compassion sponsorships have made a huge difference in their lives. I had the opportunity to pray for them before we went to lunch. Anderson was "all eyes" on the way to the restaurant, and we played a memory game with cards while waiting for our food. What a blessing to be able to teach him the game. On the way back home, he laid his head on my lap and fell asleep. My heart is full today!

If you ever have the opportunity to sponsor a child, please DO IT! It may be the most important thing you ever do!

Blessings!

Louise (Bill and Mallory too, but they wouldn't take their turns on the blog either!)
\

5 Senses

SIGHT: By day the streets are filled with an organized, beautiful chaos. Tap-tap's stream up and down the streets similar to the way rain rolls down a window- one second it is going in one direction and the next second it is going the complete opposite. People are everywhere- in fact there must be more people on the streets then there are stars in the sky, selling their goods day after day. Houses and tents freckle the hillsides. The mountain hovers over those hills like a protective older brother, enveloping the cities below them. By night, the lights of Port Au Prince glimmer and twinkle like glitter. Women set up stands by the sides of the road cooking a vast variety of native dishes. Words don't do these sights justice. 

SMELL: The smells are nothing like I've ever experienced. Driving with the windows down is something that I will never quite get used to. Car exhaust. The fish market (you can't even begin to imagine). Exotic foods. Charcoal and trash burning. Car exhaust. Chicken cooking. Goat simmering. Marinade boiling. 

SOUND: Early in the morning, I'm awakened by the sounds of a rooster. Having grown up with a mother who had that experience and shared it with me, nothing could prepare me for that piercing shriek the first morning. It's safe to say, there was no way I was sleeping in. As the city continues to wake up, the horns begin trumpeting and the purring of motorcycles gradually becomes more and more severe as the minutes tick by. When the day is at full blast, I can only describe the sounds in the same way I described the sight of the streets: organized, beautiful chaos. Music can be heard at all times of the day in a multitude of venues: people, stereos from motorcycles, radios of tap-taps and the calming melody of the crickets as the day comes to a close. 

TOUCH: The only touch I care to mention, is the touch of the hands of the children. Children on the streets. Children of the orphanages. Children in the school. Warm. Loving. Blindly trusting. No other sense compares to this. 

TASTE: I have not had a lack of different flavors since I've been in Haiti. Some... well some have been better than others, but I've never been opposed to trying new and exotic foods. Rice, rice and more rice. It's a good thing I love rice. I never comprehended how many different types of rice existed until now. It's an art how many different ways they find to prepare it; each new flavor is more delicious than the last. Each day's meal is a new adventure.

Haiti, breathtaking beauty doesn't even begin to describe it. 

Haiti Day 3

 This morning Donald, Crystal, and I (Juliya) went to the free General Hospital in Port-au-Prince. We were able to visit with the patients in the pediatrics unit. There was an abandoned child with Hydrocephalus which the nurses were taking care of. There was another baby boy who had gotten better and his family was taking him home. Another little one-and-a-half year old was laying listlessly in her crib. Her young widowed mother was there to take care of her. Most of the childrens' family were there because the hospital does not provide any bedding, medicines, or food. It is up to the family to buy the necessary medicines the doctor prescribes. I was very nervous about entering the room, I had no idea if they saw us as a nuisance, or something like that. But after a little while, something shifted and we became really comfortable. The families were very happy for us to pray for their children. And I started playing with the balloons with some of the children. All of a sudden they were smiling and became animated. I really became more comfortable and enjoyed my time spent with the patients. It is really amazing how God is always present, and moving among us and those we meet. I saw Him today in the kids, in the parents, in the nurses and doctors who let us visit.We're all sitting together in the front porch, relishing this cool breezy evening, listening to the sounds of the street below us and watching this gigantic orange full moon rise. It was a really good day.

Misc. Photos

These are not from Sunday (except the last three) but they are from between teams.... things I thought people might want to see.  We had a "chill" day yesterday but it was ministry all the same.  Church was great, then visiting a friend's orphanage to see their chicken coops and then off to visit a friend and former translator in Leogane who had a BAD motorcycle accident in May and is still recovering after a few surgeries and therapy.  It was good to get the group out into a bit of the countryside and to see how beautiful it is in Haiti!

for the Path of Life people who just left... look who is sitting on her nest!  :)  (for the rest of you, this is a HUMMING BIRD zoomed way in- how exciting to watch her build her nest and now prepare for her young)

We were at Life is Wealth when the girls came home from school.  This is one of the girl's shoes!  The concrete is hard on them.  If anyone has gently used or new black dress shoes they can wear for church (flats) and school we would LOVE to take them off your hands!

It may not look great, but it's a start... only a little "new" trash along the building, Steve.  (and we DID make a stink so it got cleaned up quickly)

"Snow in a can" that Louise brought for her "Haitian son" and his family to see/experience.  It was FUN 

experiencing snow (kind-of) in Haiti

A visit with Henry!  

Beautiful Sunday in Haiti !!

Pastor Robby's church moved and it's no longer on the beach - but it's still hopping! We walked in during the praise set and were greeted by girls dancing in the spirit, like last year. I'm not finding the words to describe contemporary church service in Haiti.... It is just so different, yet just so similar to church in the USA. Imagine hearing "This is the Air I Breathe," in Creole, and singing along in English! All worshiping the same God, the one and only God, from the depth of our hearts.

After lunch, we were all deeply blessed to visit my Haitian son, Henry, at his home and we met his beautiful family at his home. Henry was my interpreter every year that I've come here and he's not able to work right now. Henry was in a terrible motorcycle accident last summer and suffered multiple fractures to his left leg. After a long period of convalescence and two surgeries, he is now able to walk with one crutch, but he does not have full range of motion. The doctors told him there is nothing else they can do for him, but we serve a big God who CAN do anything. Please join me in praying for Henry - that he would continue to improve so that he could move as well as he could before the accident.

Every year I come back, I see progress in Haiti. It might be slow but it's definitely there! Thank you God, for loving these beautiful people and for all those I've met along the way with a passion to reach out and love them like you do.

Blessings to all from the front porch of the base,
Louise

PHOTOS- first day

I didn't take my camera to the mountain so I will have to rely on others for photos, but here are a FEW I took with my phone.  Enjoy!  (We went to dinner at a little restaurant in town and then hiked a bit up to the overlook where we go to pray.  I was blessed to pray with a grandma and her granddaughter who has some sort of developmental issues.  She is beautiful but didn't start to walk until she was 3 years old, only says a few words but the grandma said she understands a lot.  Pray for her physical and mental health and maturity as we could all see how much the grandma loves her.  Louise was able to share a little about the importance of loving the little girl and we pray our words gave encouragement and hope).

one of my favorite views of the mountain (looking up) from the overlook

Many Haitians come here to pray (like we do).  This man was sitting and reading his Bible and praying.  It was such a beautiful site!

Juliya made a friend.... He was playing soccer with some boys.  

The view toward Port au Prince.  This week we will be serving God's people HERE in this country and witnessing Him at work among them.  We are eager to see what He has for us all!  

Group has arrived

The group is here and all is well!  Luggage arrived, everyone happy and safe and enjoying the warmer weather.  We will update as we go- for now we are going out to eat and then to the mountain to pray!  God bless and THANKS for the prayers...

God's Provision!!- updated 3/13

Many of you know that we have been praying for a short bus (and are STILL praying for an SUV to replace the Montero that is not SOLD) for a long time to transport groups.  Well, we are thrilled to let you know that one has been DONATED!  (it's value is $11,000)  It will seat about 24 people when it is finished being modified and having seats added and will be shipped to Haiti in the beginning of April.  Since we pay the same to ship it no matter weight, we are hoping to use this s a great chance to FILL IT FULL of things we need here in Haiti.  Please see the list below the photos to see if you can help us by donating any items we need to fill up the bus.  We hope to have collection points in Michigan, Ohio and also in Pennsylvania near our office.  If you have something on the list we ask that you e-mail us (heartsunitedwithhaiti@gmail.com) and we will pass along your info. to our coordinator for your area.  The list is pretty extensive, but we feel God will fill that bus with all the items we need to ship it to Haiti in time for summer groups.  God bless- it's amazing to see Him working as He has been these past few weeks!  

ALL this space in the back of the bus needs to be filled!  :)  Can you help out?

We are looking for the following items to be donated......

Refrigerator- small size but not dorm size- donated

BUNK BED FRAMES (and mattresses- twin)—we need six frames and 10 mattresses

Folding (white/plastic) 8 foot tables  x 5

Stacking chairs or folding STURDY ones  x 20

Recliner for porch (like outside/patio furniture-chaise lounge)  x 2

Futon x 3-4 with good cushions OR sofas (for base- teams have been sitting on metal folding chairs when visiting- used furniture is VERY expensive in Haiti)

Clothing stand/rack (to hang things)- like in a store x 2

Upright cabinet (metal/locking is ideal) - donated (in Pennsylvania)

Canning items (jars, canning pot, rack for inside pot, funnels, lids, tongs, etc…)

Filing cabinets (4 drawer) x 2

Microwave x 2- ONE donated

Drying racks for clothes x 4

Tarps- all sizes and shapes

TOOLS for base (any/all- especially power tools) for our toolbox/projects

Trash cans (galvanized)- 30 gallon x 5

FANS (pedestal) or box variety

Desk for office x 2 (one at base and one at training center)

TV’s x 4 TWO TV's donated

DVD player x 3

Christian movies (OSE, LIW, base -used for outreach/orphans: to control/filter what the orphans watch on TV and at the  base-we have neighbors over for Bible Study and "movie nights")

Office supplies (hanging folders, manila folders, paper clips, staples, scissors, etc..)
 

Backpacks for each child (x 70) or small tote bags to store their items

Musical instruments  – especially need a guitar for the base!  (and maybe a keyboard-KEYBOARD donated)
 

DRESSES – all sizes for the orphans- prefer ones with short sleeves rather than spaghetti straps
GIRL's SUMMER CLOTHES- no short shorts or spaghetti strapped tops
GIRL's UNDERWEAR/BRAS

SHOES for the orphans- black/dress shoes and also sneakers/play shoes- all sizes

Non-perishable food items- peanut butter, bags of beans, rice, etc... 

Stereo/entertainment set (CD player/radio combo) x 2 (with speakers)- used for outreach events (especially portable "boom box")

Extension cords (power strips are even better)- LONG ones for tools, shorter for the house

Foot lockers to store donations (can buy at Walmart to pack things in)

Anything else you THINK we can use- just ask us.  

PHOTOS # 4

Here are photos from the last full day...

Haitian Bob! 

Add caption

Add caption

Add caption

Add caption

Add caption

It has been quite a week here in Haiti, we have seen God working in many ways each day.  we have been blessed beyond our means.  Sarah-You were right.  this is a beautiful country with a lot of big hearts for the Lord.  I met with your sister Mercaline and enjoyed my time with her, then said some heartfelt goodbyes.  we passed out your cards and the children truely enjoyed them.  i feilded many questions about my daughter, their freind Sarah.
I miss my beautiful wife and children and thank the lord for them allowing me to make this trip.

-Mike

Aaron is correct everyone...I would be lying if I told you that he got beat up by a 115 pound Haitian young man...he was only 110 soaking wet!!!!!  When he finally got control by falling on the young lad with all 260 pounds of his girth he stood up and raised his hands as if he actually accomplished something...Pastor Craig was so embarrassed that he had to use verbiage to apologize to the Haitian Pastor to save face for Aaron.  But in the end we were all blessed and Aaron was able to keep some of his pride in tact.  We will be home tomorrow and can squeeze our spouses and children.  Pastor Craig will get to squeeze Jenna in Atlanta before we get home.  Love you all and see you tomorrow.    Pastor Steve...the honest one.

What a great God we serve!!

I was told at the beginning of the week that I would be teaching a security class at Pastor Robbie's church today. I had no idea what I would tell these men who were in the class. That still had not changed when we arrived at the church this morning. I didn't think that I could possibly give these men any instruction given that I come from a totally different country and had totally different life experience. I met with Pastor Robbie for about 20 minutes prior to meeting with the group and it was amazing how God spoke to me through him and when it was all said and done, I found myself wrestling around with one of the security students knocking over chairs in the sanctuary!! It was a truly great experience to not only share some knowledge with those men, but to learn so much from them.

The afternoon gave us an opportunity to ride out to the mountains and see some of the countryside in Haiti. As I stood and looked out over the ocean and then turned behind me to see a beautiful picture of mountains rising up behind me, I couldn't help but feel blessed by how awesome God's creation truly is. Haiti is an exciting and amazing country and I feel so blessed to have spent the last week among the Haitian people sharing fellowship with them. As great a week as it has been it really makes me happy to know that I will be crawling in bed with my beautiful wife instead of waking up to Steve taking pictures of me in my Pocohantas sheets!!

As a side note, if Steve tries to tell anyone that I got beat up by a 115 lb security student, he is lying!! Love you so much Katie. Can't wait to see you tomorrow!!

Aaron

PHOTOS # 3

More photos though I don't have that many because I just got too busy and left it upstairs a lot today, but the team has more to share when they return!  :)

Tashina and Aaron repainted the hopscotch area for the children... with their assistant- Robinson, of course!

Sitting with the children before leaving

I got the girls to scrub while the other women were busy elsewhere.  The girls were THRILLED to show off their new, clean area when the women returned! 

"after" product of that same area!  (not perfect, but so much better- they were sooooooo proud of themselves)

I know to someone who has not been there this might look dirty but it is SO MUCH CLEANER than it was before the girls scrubbed it.  The kitchen building on the left especially!  A fresh coat of paint on some of those surfaces and it will be great! 

Aaron (in the middle of that group somewhere- you can see his leg) got the girls to paint the door on the school that the men had replaced. 

Enjoying some books donated by a member of another church in Michigan

A "goodbye" photo-  I didn't take many, but this bond was soooo beautiful I just had to share! 

 

Missing my family

Hi Deni, Steven, Jack, Kyle and Payton...Dad is doing very well but I do miss you guys greatly.  Robinson and Charles were sad today when I had to leave, but I assured them that I would bring Steven and Jack with me when I come in June.  That made them happy.  Deni, it felt so good to hold Mona Lisa and just see her light up.  As I moved more rock today to get the space for the chicken coops ready I told her talay...which is just a moment.  She patiently waited until I was done and then attached herself to my hip again.  I think the moment I will always remember this trip for was a simple request she had for me when she said..."dlo?"  I immediately gave her my water bottle and the little sweetheart just chugged almost the whole bottle.  I loved the fact that it was so simple but for once I could respond without an interpreter.  I so wish you could have been here for that.  Had a good conversation with Pastor Yves...pray that our relationship can build.  Going to see Pastor Robbie for the second time and will walk through the tent city by his church and talk and pray with the people there.  See you soon and I love you.  Continue to pray for us.  Love you guys.  Daddy....

HI to my family
Just a quick note to say thanks for your prayers.  This has been a far better week than I had anticipated.  (in case you didn't know it, I was praying for the RAPTURE for the week prior to coming).  But this week has been great and I am truly thankful to have been here.  I can't wait to talk to you about it. 
Love ya and see ya soon. (except Roni).
craig/dad

A study in Juxtapositions

I am sitting here, wondering what to write.  No words.  Today, we said 'goodbye' to the orphans.  Lumps in our throats, tears in our eyes, a silent ride home.  And yet, I have emotions and words bubbling over in my heart.  Too many to speak, too many to write.  Welcome to Haiti, Land of Juxtapositions.  The juxtaposition of too much vs. too little.  Too little wealth and material, Too much joy and love.  Too much rubble and dust, too little water and power.  Too many tap-taps and cars, too little rules and road lanes.  I fell in love this week.  I will write more later.  I need time to sort this out.  I am just finishing my first mission trip, but I am just beginning my mission.

Heartbreaking Goodbyes

Hi everyone! I haven't blogged yet so I figured I probably should. Today was crazy, Redgi took some of us to a cute little store where artists bring their work. We have some goodies for you guys back home. :) After that little experience, we spent a few hours down town stuck in traffic. We went back to the orphanage for lunch and spent our afternoon there. Tashina and Jenna came up with a cute game for the kids to play. I wrote all of their names on a piece of paper and they were SUPPOSED to write something nice about eachother...it ended up being a coloring session! Many of the kids had me draw them pictures. We also spent a good portion of the afternoon making bracelets with the kids, they really have fun with that! But just like most things, it had to come to an end. I cannot describe the feelings I got when I had to say goodbye. It was the hardest thing. They had tears in their eyes as we hugged them. I don't know how they can handle so many goodbyes. It breaks my heart.

Sending much love to you all,
Riley

To Gabe & Logan

Hi my sweet boys!!!! Thank you for sending me a message, you made Mommy's day. Today we were back at the orphanage and sadly had to say our goodbyes, it was very very hard, you both were the first people I thought of when I was driving away from all those sweet children who a lot of them were crying, including Lovely, :-(  was that I cannot wait to hold you and give you lovin's. I am glad to hear you are getting along with each other well, thank you, you make mommy proud!!
Well I will see you in a couple of days OK! I love you very much, give daddy a big hug for me!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Love, Mommy (I love you hon! Thanks for holding down the fort)

Happy birthday to me!

Well what a day. Today was a day I will never forget. My 30th birthday, spent doing what I love - loving on orphans. We had another full day at the orphanage, and even though we girls had our "plan", God had His own plan, and of course, we had a great day.
When we left on Monday, we challenged the girls to continue the work we had started. The freshly painted walls were filthy and so we started cleaning them. Crystal put one of the older girls in charge and said "When we come back on Wednesday, we want to see what else you've done." When we pulled up in front of the orphanage, the first thing we saw was orphans cleaning the outside of the orphanage! They had soapy water and designated rinsers and dryers. It was awesome! We got so excited and started cheering them on, which made them excited and work harder. It was so cool to see "Okay, maybe we are making a little bit of a difference".
After that, we had such a girlie day with the girls (and even some of the boys *cough* Aaron *cough*). It started with painting their finger nails/toe nails, which is interesting to do when you have antsy little girls who don't understand "sit and let them dry" even with a translator. "Sit still? Wait? What?!" So needless to say that took a little longer than we thought because we had to re-do some girls over and over again. Our final "girl" did a great job though. Aaron's toenails are a nice shade of burnt orange.  After that, and a little more loving on the girls and playing "hair salon" (Tashina was a trooper until they brought out scissors), we had a lunch time "debriefing", where we enjoy some lunch and talking about things that happened that morning.
After lunch we busted out the colored thread to make bracelets with the girls. That was a hit! On my wrists I currently have 4 bracelets in additions to the ones I wear all the time, and oddly enough they're all the same 3 colors (blue, yellow and white). I guess the girls could tell I'm from Michigan. Even the little boys got in to this one (Aaron and his orange toes were back to work at this point). During this time, I had the sweetest present ever - 15 little Haitian girls sang me happy birthday in creole and then again in English. Best. Thing. Ever.
The end of our day was pretty great too - a dance party. It started with my dad (*sigh so embarrassing - yes, there is a video of it) and pretty soon all of us were dragged into the circle to copy the little dance leader. Not to toot my own horn, but when I was done she said to me "Good job!" All those years of dance paid off mom!
Tonight, we're having a quiet night, enjoying the electricity. It's been a good day, and a great birthday. Thank You God.
Mom, dad's "dance skills" are a hit with the girls. They even started copying his "leg move"! He's doing well with the clothes he picked. No "Uncle Jack" down here. Thanks so much for the birthday message this morning. If I wouldn't have been scared for my life on a tap-tap, I would have teared up. We both love you and miss you and can't wait to talk to you once we land in Atlanta on Saturday. Glad to hear Jay is taking care of you with the snow.

Jenna

Dance Party!!

Today our morning devotional time was about expectations. Coming into this trip I expected to spend lots of time just playing with kids at the orphanage. I knew there was going to be work to be done and other things we were going to do, but my expectations were to just play and have fun. As usual, God's plan for this week has been much greater than mine. On Tuesday, we spent most of the day spending time with two incredible men of God, Roni and Pastor Robbie. Listening to them talk about their passion for serving the Lord and then seeing how they put that into action was truly inspiring and challenged me to look at myself and see that there is so much more I can do for the Lord.

Today was a very encouraging day. I thought that playing with the kids would be the best part of the trip, but working alongside them has been even more rewarding. We arrived at the orphanage today and found a large group of the girls scrubbing the walls. They were laughing and joking and truly enjoying themselves while also cleaning up their surroundings. It seems like every time we start another project, there are little ones lining up with work gloves on ready to jump in and help us out. I have grown so much already in my walk with God by seeing how faithful the people we have met are. So many of them have so little as far as money, or material possessions, but they find their joy in the Lord and they truly have faith that he will provide them with everything they need.

Of course the day was not all work. It ended with some of the girls from the orphanage challenging us to a dance off. I'm not sure that there was a clear winner, but Pastor Craig and Pastor Steve definitely represented Path of Life well!!

Katie, I wish so much that you were here with me. I miss you, love you and am praying for you. Kiss all my kiddos for me and also give yourself a kiss from me!!

Aaron

MORE PHOTOS

Here are some more photos from yesterday.  It was kind of a "down day" physically, but we had meetings with some amazing people who are the future of Haiti and are really committed to making an impact for the Kingdom here!  In the morning we met with Rony and his "foster care" children.  In the afternoon, with a group of pregnant women (to talk women's health, pregnancy and child care) and also with the leadership of the church Hearts United with Haiti is committed to ministering alongside.  Then, we practiced English with the students in our training center (we have a beginner class and an advanced class- we just held conversation with them so they can hear a true English speaker and practice)...it has been a BLESSED trip so far!

While we were meeting with Rony some neighborhood children came to peek in through a hole in the roof.  :)

Rony with the kids (he is standing on the left)

playing with the children

Bob making a bracelet (holding it actually while she braids) with Astreede- our female translator

Riley with a friend- also making bracelets

The group of women.... GREAT meeting

Here are the men meeting with Pastor Robby

Practicing English with students