"Home" again...

I put the word "home" in quotes for a few reasons... this was the first time leaving Haiti that I really felt as though I was going to the USA to visit and would be returning "home" soon because I return in three weeks to Haiti with the medical assessment team (A-team) and then again at the end of Dec. for a group that is coming from California.  But, then I thought farther and realized though I love Haiti and the people there so much and though I had the most amazing/blessed trip this time, Haiti is not "home" either... I have a HOME in HEAVEN where I will live one day forever -spending time with the love of my life- Jesus!  I will tell you that I believe I have been given a wonderful glimpse of what Heaven will be like the past few weeks.  I have also been blessed to experience what pretty much everyone who has gone on a mission trip experiences- I was FAR MORE BLESSED than those I went to serve.  Starting with the friends with whom we stayed in the beginning of our trip to those with whom we stayed at the end of our visit to Haiti and everyone in between both Emily and I were so blessed.  Let me explain a bit about our trip now that I can share the details- will try to be brief.

It all started when Son of God orphanage was closed by officials in Haiti due to the horrific conditions the children were living in and the treatment they were receiving from the directors of the facility.  Children were literally starving, they were sick and covered with scabies, some were neglected/physically/sexually abused, etc...   We had been on the periphery of the investigation by Americans compiling data for many months so we knew some of the key people working/advocating for these children so we were blessed when we were chosen to travel to Haiti to help wherever we could just 5 days after the closing of Son of God (SOG).

We arrived in Haiti on Thurs. 10/27 and for the first five days we stayed with friends on the "front lines"- people who were helping locate/identify children moved in the closing of SOG and others who were still considered "missing".  The role God gave Emily and I was to stay at the base where these friends live and do work there (physical work, photography, compiling data, etc...) so they could continue to attend meetings and  do what they needed to do to find/help the children.  They knew where 35 girls were and at least 9 boys (we later found it was 20) and they knew all the "key players" in the investigation on the Haitian side.  We felt so honored to be able to be there and be able to free their schedules for them so they could attend to the work God had given them without worry/distraction.  Being "behind the scenes" can be difficult- everyone likes to be in the spotlight, but honestly it was a job done with JOY and we made some great friendships in the process (and even learned things/met contacts that will help our ministry in the future).

But, I have to be honest and say that after five days of being in the country and 10 days since the closing of SOG it was really hard some days to listen to stories of visits to the girl's orphanage (where we KNEW Sarafina was) and not see the girls ourselves.  But, Emily has even said, God really used that time to teach us both a bit about servant ministry and putting Him and His agenda first.

Then, day six in the country we got to see the girls!  I can not explain to you the feeling of driving into that facility to see them and watching them as they tentatively approached us, some saying our names, but hanging back a bit because they were unsure of us/our intentions.  They had been told many stories about the Americans and not to trust us.  But, it didn't take long until we had little hands tucked in ours and children fighting for our attention.

Bottom line, we were asked to join the pastor there, stay in his guest house and serve the girls by giving them medication and helping with transition to this new, happier place.  So, day six meant moving to the girl's home where we would live the next NINE days.  I will write more stories about this experience because honestly it is hard to talk about it still without getting VERY emotional.  Yes, I am 50 years old and hormonal (and as some of you know I cry very easily anyway) but this experience would bring anyone to tears.  The ability to love and bless others that these girls have is beyond comprehension.  After all they have been through they still  welcomed us into their "family" and we were truly part of the group.  Leaving there was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. It was the glimpse of Heaven I talked about earlier.  Not physical heaven.  It is still Haiti- it is a dirty, concrete place where they live, but the sense of family, the love, the tenderness toward one another is beyond compare.  If you look past the physical you will see the smiles, hear the shouts of joy, hear the corporate prayer every night, hear the worship songs sung at dusk on the porch, watch the older ones caring for the younger, etc...

Again we were tested when Emily and I had to leave after nine days even though our "relief" was not coming for another week so the girls would be "alone".  We knew they will never truly be alone- many of you are praying for them and will continue to do so and we know God is with them but it was like leaving family when we pulled out of there and went to visit the boys for a day (that was another GOD experience) and then to head back to the place we stayed upon arrival to debrief, process and REST for another four days.  But, during that time we were again ministered to and blessed much more than we were blessing.  Those we stayed with were wonderful and really helped me at least work through some things I needed to.

Our last night was spent at the Arris house- planning for the Dec. trips and having time with my family there.  Getting out of the car and having the family come over and call me "mom" and hug me- seeing their faces light up when they saw me was another blessing.  And then having an evening with them was God literally putting icing on the cake for me.

THEN, to top it all off, on the way to the airport our last day we stopped by the orphanage to see the girls and to talk to the pastor about a few last minute things.  I wish there was a video crew there to capture the reception we got.  I couldn't help but think about the reception we had when we first got there just two weeks earlier- to the day.  This time girls RAN to us- screaming our names.  They literally knocked Emily to the ground to hug her- crying and laughing at the same time.  One got to me first and jumped from about 3 feet away and landed with her body against my chest and wrapped her legs around my waist and arms around my neck.  She kept kissing and kissing my cheeks and crying and saying "I missed you" in Creole.  Then the rest were "on" me.. all fighting to press in and touch me and I think of how blessed I am.

These girls are now my daughters.  God did not put us at that orphanage by chance.  We are ONE family now- all 36 of us!  (and actually more cause we bonded with many of the girls who were already at the orphanage too) I do not know what God has for the future, but I know He has given me a glimpse of the joy I will have in Heaven when I get there.  Returning "home" to this orphanage was beyond what I can describe to you all.

THANK YOU for those of you who contributed financially to this "emergency" trip.  It was by far the most expensive one we have taken and we will be "in the hole" for a while because of it, but we were blessed so much by our time there and humbled that God used US to help these girls transition to their new "home".  Thank you to those who covered us in prayer.  We ask that you continue to pray for us and for the girls as we work with other organizations to see what God has for their future sponsorship/support, etc... Pray that we can reunite many with their families.  I truly pray many of you reading this will get a chance to meet these girls one day and know them.  They are truly gifts from God and they bless everyone who meets them.  :)

"Working" with the girls!

The following was written from the orphanage where Emily and I have served for the past 9 days- we were so blessed God used us in this capacity and we were allowed this opportunity- it gives you a LITTLE glimpse of our life here in Haiti-

Imagine for a minute getting up in the morning and getting medication ready for 35 girls- some are on two or three different kinds that all need to be measured and logged in their charts.  Then, joining the Haitian cooks rolling dough to make breakfast to feed about 75 girls only to be called upstairs to your room where your own breakfast of scrambled eggs and Haitian coffee awaits you.  (along with the little girl who directs you to the bathroom and holds a basin of water and soap out so you can wash your hands- pouring the clean water over your hands once they are soapy)  After breakfast, you get to go play with the girls and “hang out” teaching them English as they teach you Creole.  Every one of them fighting for your attention.  Mid morning brings with it more “treatments”- soaking swollen hands, dressing cuts and scrapes, washing hair and cleaning open sores, etc…   Afternoon meds and “dinner” comes too soon at about 2 to 3 pm. and then the later day wound care again.  Dinner is set on the balcony overlooking the entire city of Port au Prince and is a huge meal complete with an ice cold drink bought by our host family again.  Finally, the evening routine begins at about 4:30 pm with applying scabies treatment/medicine to ALL the girls in the orphanage as well as some of the family because the Pastor feels no one should be made to feel “different” so he lets them all play together even though many of “our” girls are covered with scabies and sores.  We start the treatment so early because it takes a long time to administer to all the girls and we want good light.  Then, we hang out again and finally, at about 8 pm. we give evening meds and then we go into one of the bedrooms with all 35 girls and sing songs/pray before bed… So far I have not been able to keep from crying when doing this- good thing it is so dark in there.  How blessed to hear the happiness of these girls, to see the love, to spend this time with them!  They are happy- you need not worry about them.  They are loved.  They are adjusting well and have made friends with the 40 who were already at this orphanage and the pastor/family who run the place love them and WANT them there.  He is an amazing man of God.  They will soon start school and eventually will be trained at his “professional” school where they will learn trades such as sewing, baking, hair dressing, etc…  Yes, these children have been abused.  Yes, many of them have had to fight to survive.  But, survive they have and they are resilient.  They are happy here and so are we.  God is amazing and both Emily and I consider ourselves soooo blessed to be here serving these girls and Him. And we are so thankful for all of you who have made it possible to be here.  There is no doubt in either of our minds it is exactly where God has us right now. So, as we fall into bed exhausted at about 8:30 pm. we say “Thank you”- to you and to God!   More photos and stories to follow.  J

ALL the girls at the orphanage- they are all one big "family" now

                                           Emily handing out morning medications

 

        Morning medications- all counted and ready to "serve"

Prayer Meeting

                                (our friends with their children- they were working to adopt these two 
                                           from Son of God-  the children are James and Lorie if you would like to
                                                                                pray for them by name)

I know MANY of you joined us in prayer last night from home and some of you came out to Living Rock Bible Church to join us in person.  We had a blessed night of prayer for many.  I will put a list here, but please understand that it is NOT complete-  We ask that you continue to lift these requests up to God.  I also had some verses that I passed out to those with us last night.  I am posting them here as well if you would like verses to read.  There are MANY more, but these are some God put on my heart.  Read the surrounding text as well-  God's heart is tender toward the orphans/fatherless.  Thanks again-

Remember in prayer:
-missionaries on the ground in Haiti as they continue to fight for these children, comfort them, etc...
-the directors of the orphanage (Paul himself once persecuted Christians yet God used him and he became an amazing missionary for the Kingdom so God CAN use them if they accept Him and repent of their actions)
-the translators (who are still living in this area and in danger- that they not fear, but trust Him)
-Haitian officials (ISBER, the police, President Martelly and first lady, etc..)
-those who are now caretakers for the children rescued (wisdom, compassion, understanding for these children who have been traumatized)
-those here at home who have relationships with these children- many who were looking to adopt some of them but do not yet know where their children are and how they are doing (waiting can be the hardest)
-and of course THE CHILDREN (those who have been rescued/relocated- that they understand this was for the best, but they may be apart from the only "family" they have known for a long time AND those who are still "missing"- that they are found safe and secure and in the meantime that they know they are NOT forgotten- by us and by God)

Verses:  Exodus 14:14       James 1:27        Psalm 68:5        Isaiah 1:17 & 10:2       Jeremiah 49:11 & 5:28   Deuteronomy 10:18  & 27:19

Keep praying...

       My friend Adella holding Sophia (we THINK she was  rescued)

I still have no news about Sarafina and we do not have an exact number of children that were rescued on Friday from Son of God Orphanage in Haiti- sorry.  Things move slowly in a third world country and we all want to make sure we are reporting FACT- not supposition so even though it seems like it is taking forever, it really is moving along.  This is an even longer week than last week was while we were waiting for the Haitian government to actually go in and remove the children from that place.  I would ask that you PLEASE continue to pray.  I am not free to share a lot of details, but there are many reports coming out of Haiti from reliable sources and there is still a GREAT need for prayer...for the children, for the TRANSLATORS/Haitians who still live in that community (not everyone "bad" has been arrested so they are in danger), for my friends who have flown there to help, etc...  Until then, look at some of these images of "our" children at Son of God... I have tried to give you some names so you can pray for them specifically. Thank you for all the e-mails, notes, prayers, phone calls, etc.. They mean SO MUCH at this time- it's been tough to say the least.  In my head I KNOW God is in control, but my heart is still hurting for these children I love and have worried about for over 13 months.  I have been pouring over God's promises for His people- particularly the children/orphans.  He has NOT forgotten them!

      some of the children at Son of God with my team in March 2011-  Marie (the woman running the orphanage when it was closed down/wife of the "director" is in the back in the purple)


      Bettina (sitting on Abby's lap)- we still have no idea if she got out


      Wendy (opening a note sent by a friend of mine that I delivered)- we are pretty sure he got out- we saw photos of him that the news media released crying and scared.


       another group photo (they are holding a sign from my school- we collected clothes, toys, etc.. )

THANK YOU JESUS

PRAISE GOD the children of Son of God "orphanage" in Haiti are FREE!  There’s been an official announcement as of about 2:30 pm. EST today. I have attached a link to an article released by ABC news.. there are MANY others.  Know that some of my good friends are traveling down as I write this to see the children and help with this transition so they ARE being looked after- no need for everyone to rush to see them and overwhelm them. Though we know the children are safer in their new environment they have only ever known life at Son of God or with their families prior to being taken to the orphanage.  So there will be trauma associated with this move.  Please continue to pray for the children and my friends who will be staying with/near them to be with them as often as possible for the first period of transition. I am sure some will need medical care, etc... Also pray for safety for those who have been very involved in this situation in Haiti from the beginning. Some have been threatened since the “director” of the orphanage was arrested in July so I can only imagine how much more they could be in danger now.  I will forward stories of praise and excitement as I get them or post them on my blog.  

NOTE:

We are STILL having the prayer time at 7 pm  Monday night  at Living Rock Bible Church in Elverson.  We will have slides of the children to share so you can see the faces of those you have been praying for! Just show up- we will be there no matter how many of us there are.

Thank you SO MUCH for all your support with this!  James 1:27 and Hebrews 6:10 (two of my favorite verses) come to mind.  God bless-  J

Here’s the ABC article… Feel free to message/e-mail me with any questions…

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/haiti-closes-orphanage-child-neglect-14788210

OK to finally share...

I sent this to my prayer partners and posted it on facebook, but I would like to put it here as well.  Feel FREE to share with whomever you desire- TOGETHER we can help these kids!

For those of you with soft hearts I know this story will break yours, but I need to share it... I know it breaks mine and it is with tears in my eyes I share it with you.  I do not share for sensationalism but I share out of LOVE and out of desperation for the children at Son of God Orphanage in Haiti where we have taken teams and I have personally visited many times. Many of you know that my daughter Emily first "sent" me there with a message for her special girl Sarafina who I am now in love with too.  The last time I saw Sarafina was July when I went to visit her with my team (around July 23rd).  At that time I got to tell her I love her, Emily loves her and we will NEVER forget her no matter where we are- even when we are apart and can not see one another.  I said this partly because I knew things were "going to get crazy" at Son of God and partly because I just wanted (as every time I leave) to reassure her that she is NEVER far from our minds... 

There has been so much going on at Son of God since a group of people I consider good friends (I was only minimally involved in this at this point) got the Haitian government and other organizations investigating and involved to try to bring help to these precious children- children living in filth, being abused (both sexually and physically), not being fed, not being clothed with things we took as donations, etc... I could tell you of months of investigation and exposing the corruption of this facility.  I could tell you of the many organizations who are working together to get these kids out yet they remain in the same (if not worse) conditions.  I could tell you of the arrest of the man who runs the organization and how it "went down" and how we all thought and prayed that THIS would be the end and the children would finally be moved and safe.  I can tell you of how his wife and children continue to run the orphanage, to eat well, to have "luxuries" the children in their "care" do not have.  I can tell you how the meetings with officials in Haiti have exposed even more corruption than any of us could imagine.

What I can NOT tell you is that the children are safe. That they are fed.  That they are healthy.  That they know we are fighting for them (and not wondering WHY the Americans come to see them but nothing changes- except to get worse).  That they will be "OK".  That they will not die of starvation (as we fear at least one already has).  

Will you PLEASE join me in prayer for these children?  Monday night (October 24th) we will be having a time of prayer.  I am not yet sure where this will occur (depends on response) but I am asking that you prayerfully consider fasting until then from something that (when you think of it or want to eat it or whatever you choose) will remind you to PRAY for them!  TOGETHER there is power through prayer.. God has not forgotten the children of Son of God.  PLEASE join us in this fast/prayer time. PLEASE look at the photos of "our" girl Sarafina and remember her as you pray. The first one was taken in the beginning of July 2011, the second on Aug 17, 2011 by a friend of ours.  There's no knowing how much thinner she is now- TWO MONTHS later!

Thank you-  God bless!!  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to  look after orphans and widows in their distress."  James 1:27

Blessings-  Crystal Funk (founder/president of Hearts United with Haiti)

PS- Please comment or e-mail me if you plan to come on Monday the 24th to pray with us.  Then we will get a number together so we can plan a location that will "fit" us all.  thanks

PLEASE feel free to share this information with whomever you desire.  And finally, if you would like to sign a petition to get CNN to do a story/get involved in the investigation, please follow this link from a friend of mine.  (copy and paste this link)

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-freedom-project-expose-human-trafficking-at-son-of-god-orphanage-in-haiti                  

Sarafina -July 2011

Sarafina- 8/17/11

School has begun!

Today school began for the 2011/2012 year with 200 students!  YES!  I said, TWO HUNDRED!  Last year there were 75 (we thought we would have 12 to 15 originally-  WOW God) and the building was full when we went to visit.  I can not personally imagine another 125 children there.  But good thing God isn't limited by MY imagination.  He is moving in Haiti and it's absolutely amazing to watch it happen.

I spoke with Michael on Friday (twice- once the poor man was stuck on the side of the road while taking public transportation with 24 chalkboards and "a whole bunch of wood to build stuff" and other school supplies- the bus had broken down- "this is Haiti") and he was excited to get to Chaveneau with the supplies to get things ready.  Then he called Sunday afternoon with a HUGE surprise for me.  He said, "Mom, someone here wants to talk to you" and then proceeded to put Jude on the phone.  This sweet little voice said, "Hello" and then when I asked who it was he replied, "Jude".  I couldn't believe it! Jude is the little boy in many of my photos- he is the profile photo for the Hearts United with Haiti page on facebook and was on my personal facebook for a long time in a photo with me holding him. I know I shouldn't have favorites but I do have about 10 little ones that I have really bonded with after living in the community. But, what a blessing it was to hear his sweet little voice all the way from Haiti.  Oh how I love that little boy and the people of Chaveneau.

Anyway, back to Michael's phone calls.  He told me that they realized there was no way to fit all the students into the church/school so they are building three outdoor classrooms under the trees where we held Bible School and had as our "team area" this past summer.  This is so exciting to me.  I can not wait to get there in December and see first hand what the classrooms look like.

Please pray for the students, teachers and the Arris/Beaubrun families as they all adjust to this new school year and the expectations, demands on time, challenges it will bring.  But rejoice with us as we praise God for this overwhelming response to this project.  We are so thankful for Pastor Duval who followed God- even though many thought it didn't make sense to put a school in Chaveneau.  God rewards our obedience to Him and MANY will benefit from this school/church/etc...

I will send out my newsletter for October soon- you will be amazed by what God is doing when you read of all that has been happening - both in this organization and in Haiti.  :) :)