Kylee is here!!!

Just to let you all know that Kylee is here and safe in the Montero. On our way to the base now.....

Heading back

Driving home the other day I literally had to stop on the side of the road to enjoy a few moments watching this sunset. It gave me time to reflect before heading back to Haiti. I always try to take time before heading stateside after serving in Haiti but rarely take time to just sit, pray and re-group before leaving. There are just so many things on the "to do" list prior to my Haiti trips. So.... this time spent with Him was so special and reaffirmed His calling on my life-to serve in Haiti. No matter how much the enemy tries to discourage or tear down, the God who has called me to this ministry counters with His peace. Thanks for those who lift up our ministry in prayer. It is a battlefield out there! But, we are victorious. We are blessed! #heartsunited #headingback #haiti #blessed #sunset #called #missions #missionarylife #atpeace

Update #2

Here is another update-this one from the past week. We picked up Ron from the airport and went to Croix des Bouquets to show him some of the amazing artwork being done there. He had a safe trip here but was exhausted after coming from such a busy week before Haiti. 

Since his arrival we have gone to church (a fantastic service-I am always uplifted by Haitian church but this week God used an American pastor and Haitian pastor to bring His message even though neither knew the other would be there so no chance to collaborate. Gotta love it when the Holy Spirit is at work!); visited the community in Bas-Citronniers; visited the orphanage a few times; had a meeting with the leadership committee at Pastor Robbys church; and done many odd jobs around the base. We met, visited and are getting to know a young artist in Port au Prince. I have already contacted an artist friend of mine in Haiti who confirmed that the young man is quite gifted. God knows where He intends this friendship/meeting to go. We got to go look at (and show Ron) the piece of land I saw last June and have revisited/prayed about since only to find someone building upon it so He obviously closed that door. We have made more meetings and done phone calls to set up and/or confirm appointments for the rest of our days in Haiti this trip. Whew!!! 

The past few days have been a bit tough for me for many reasons-mostly because it breaks my heart every time I see/hear about a person or organization perpetuating the cycle of dependency that too many well-meaning people before us have created unintentionally. The longer you minister in this beautiful country and the more you get to know the people/culture, the more you realize the damage some cause and the more it grieves your heart (or should). Good intentions are not enough. Responsible ministry is tough. BUT...... just like parenting, each must do what He feels called to for those God has put in his path. Please pray that we always seek God as we seek to minister ALONGSIDE those God has brought our way!

Here are some photos from the past week.

The drive to Bas-Citronniers

Sone photos from the school there

Redgi helping the orphans write their pen pals-NOTE: we still have 25 orphans in need of sponsors!!

Ron with his buddy from December at the orphanage-Sodnise

 Today we have more meetings in Port au Prince, are dropping off food to the orphanage for a party tomorrow that we have been planning for months. The Nannies have been working with the children on an entire program to show us! Then, dinner with some missionary friends of ours. Tomorrow the party, Sunday eye exams for the orphans, Tuesday our vet visits Bas-Citronniers with us to talk about raising goats, etc...... Lots to do!!!

Trip so far...

Many of you know I am back in Haiti so I wanted to give an update of whats been going on so far on this trip. So far we have..... 

-visited the orphanage (meeting with the Nannies/paid them, meeting with pastor's son who is in charge currently/paid school tuition & April spinsorship, handed out translated sponsor letters, did a "walk-through" to see how things are going & check out improvements, etc).

            (Lorvencia with her letter)

-met with an eye doctor scheduled to do exams on the children at Life is Wealth during the week of April 19th. 

-visited the girls in Mirebalais (took them seeds to plant; went shopping at the market for food-none had eaten that day and they were only eating maybe once per day for a while now; had some great discussion about future plans/goals, orphanages vs. reunification with family, etc. they are planning to come stay with me for a week this summer!!

     (Jesula and her daughter)

  (Showing off all the food we got for about $50 US)

  (Shopping together and having "girl-time"-- they taught me a TON about shopping in a market in Haiti)

 (The countryside is so beautiful and peaceful-I love it there and thank God for the time away from the city)

-we have balanced receipts and filed reports from both Redgi & James. A LOT has happened since my last visit and wea are blessed to have the ministry in such capable hands when I am not here. 

-we have found out the bill (finally!!) for the hospital stay from the baby back in December/January. It came to about $600 US so we plan to pay that tomorrow. 

Overall, it has been a busy but BLESSED trip so far! Hard to believe it has only been four days-whew!!!

Prayers & Help needed

Please pray for Pastor Yves Louis-the pastor of the orphanage we partner with in Port au Prince. Last week he had his right leg amputated due to diabetes. His medical bills are GREAT (medicine, bandages for dressing changes, travel for medical care, etc) If you would like to help in a concrete way we will accept donations through our website heartsunitedwithhaiti.org or checks to Hearts United with Haiti P O Box 55 Morgantown PA 19543. Any amount would help this family I am sure. They have sacrificed for years for the orphans and are looking at a very uncertain future for the ministry, the children, the school, etc. Cards can be sent to our office as well and will be forwarded to him. He wants people to know his faith is strong and his attitude is good. I know that will help a great deal in his recovery. Thanks!! (and sorry to not share this sooner-we were respecting his privacy but he is ready now to share this news). #heartsunited #thisiswhatitisallaboutfolks #opportunitytobless #missions #orphanministry #pastor #familyincrisis #donate #cardshower #godbless #godisawesome #missionarylife 

Fruit/Milk Ministry

I know I took a break from the "ministry spotlights" and actually have a piece written highlighting the different ministries we have (through our organization) at Life is Wealth Orphanage, BUT I wanted to take a few minutes to share some photos with all of you.  These photos show how much the children enjoy the deliveries of fresh fruit and milk twice per month.  A woman in Michigan started this blessing a few years ago at Christmas with a delivery of fresh fruit/milk for each child and it has grown (mostly by her spreading the word and soliciting funding from her family/friends) to include delivery twice per month.  Here are some photos from the last delivery just last week.  The children look forward to their special treat.  They chant, jump up and down, and run off to eat their treat wherever they can on the orphanage grounds after receiving it.  THANK YOU for this special ministry to the orphans and for supplying them with good nutrition they would be lacking otherwise.  But, more importantly, with the knowledge that someone cares enough to send them a special treat twice each month.  If YOU would ever like to be part of this distribution or to help by donating a delivery of fresh fruit & milk, let us know.  God bless!

First Redgi buys the mangos from the side of the road.  This helps the local economy and the fruit lady gets SO EXCITED when he comes.  She has gotten to know him and the days he will be there and saves fruit for him.  So, we are helping her family while feeding the children.  Here is one of her assistants helping carry the mangos to the car with Redgi. 

Then, we drive to the depot to buy the milk (canned this month- sometimes powdered).  They too get the business and are excited.  Redgi has their phone number now and calls in the order ahead, swings by and loads it into the Montero.

The children know to line up (smallest to largest) and advance to get their piece of fruit.  The milk will be served with dinner the same day.  

Here are some of the older ones- at the end of the line.  By the time we get to them they are all out of line- haha.

And now..... it's time to EAT!

Some of you may remember Sandrine.  She recently was dropped at the orphanage (Wed, Feb. 4th) and is starting to settle in.  This was the first time she was part of the delivery and she just carried her mango around with the BIGGEST smile- you can see that!  

Lonyse with her mango.  She recently lost her sponsor so is available for sponsorship ($32 per month)

Cathie holding mangos for others (some give their fruit to someone they trust and they eat it later- others "trade" for chores but we ask the nannies to discourage that).  

Sodnise and Marie-France (2) each with a mango.  

Widline with her mango- so cute.  

Berlando LOVES the fruit every time we come.  He asks for it each time I go to the orphanage and you can see he eats EVERY bite!  

Berlando again- eating his mango

Berry off in the distance eating hers.  She is available for sponsorship by the way- hint hint!  ;)  

Let us know if you would like information about our fruit/milk ministry at the orphanage or if you have any other questions about any of our ministries in Haiti.  I will shortly resume the "Ministry Spotlights".  heartsunitedwithhaiti@gmail.com is our e-mail address.  Someone will respond to you shortly.  God bless!

The Onion

Every trip I make to Haiti is filled with so many emotions.  Yesterday as I was talking to Redgi and James I said I finally understand when people compare an experience or situation to an onion.  That is kind of how I feel my trips to Haiti are.  Each day, each adventure brings a new experience or challenge which is like peeling back the layer of the onion.  BUT, as those of you who have peeled onions know, with the peeling comes tears- sometimes few, sometimes many.  And, just when you have finished with those tears and have begun to peel back the next layer, you find that along with that one comes another wave of the same.

I hope this makes sense, but what I am trying to say is that coming to Haiti does take a physical toll on me, but the emotional and spiritual aspect of the trip is much greater.  My experiences in Haiti are filled with so many highs and lows- ups and downs- exciting moments and frustrations.  The range is vastly different than my experiences in the USA.  Perhaps it is being away from close family/friends and spiritual mentors or perhaps it is just that the battlefield here is vastly different from the one I grew up with and learned to adjust to over the 53 years I have been on this earth.  Perhaps it is a mix of the two.

Don't get me wrong.  I am BLESSED to be here.  I am totally convinced this is exactly where God wants and has me at this time in life.  The incredible joy and peace I have daily when living "my Haitian life" is proof.  The experiences I speak of and the tears I refer to are because I love the people here so much.  God has blessed me with the gift of compassion, but with that comes the ability to understand (to the degree I am able) what they feel and to understand their daily struggles.  On my own I am helpless to change any of the circumstances of those I meet and know in Haiti, but through Christ I am able to come alongside them, encourage them and love them through the daily hurts, frustrations, struggles.  God has used Haiti and the people here to break me many times and to teach me so much about Himself!  For that I will forever be grateful to the people and situations I have come to know/experience in this amazingly beautiful country.

Yesterday was one of those days.  At the orphanage I found out that one of my favorite children has disobeyed the rules and gone out of the orphanage at night to hang with friends- something that is strictly forbidden.  She knew the risks she was taking and now is facing the reality that she will be taken (supposedly on Friday) to Haitian Social Services and will probably be relocated to another orphanage.  This is fair because if one is allowed to not follow rules, then others will do so too and soon there will be no rules.  I know, understand, and support the decision for her to be punished.  I don't know that I agree with the punishment, but it is not my orphanage.  But, praise God I was able to hold her, pray with her and tell her (maybe for the last time) that I love her.  I got to give her Redgi's phone number and tell her that she can call any time and we will do our best to keep in contact with her/support her.  I explained that we all make mistakes, yet God loves us the same and though I am disappointed with her disobedience that I still love her too.  (you get the point- don't need to keep going)

Yet, just about an hour after I was given the news this girl would be leaving, I was blessed that one who had been taken away a few months ago for the same reason came to the orphanage to visit because she knew I would be there yesterday.  She came with her father who she has been reunited with.  She came to tell me she is doing ok, that she is happy now and back with family and that they are searching for her sister who is still in an orphanage somewhere in Haiti (they don't yet know where).  They need assistance to stay together- Dad is living in a tent and she is currently with other family, but it was God's way of showing that I am not the one who is helping these girls... HE IS!  He has His hands on them even if they are out of my sight.

So, my highs were HIGH yesterday and my lows were LOW.  Tears of joy and tears of grief.  My heart swollen with happiness and torn apart from sadness.  I got to say "hello" to someone I love dearly and "goodbye" to another. But, I also got to sit with both and talk/listen to them.  I got to tell both (at different times) of God's love.  And, both know they are loved- by Him and by me.  I am SUCH a blessed woman indeed to live this life and to live out the calling as "missionary".

My challenge to each of you reading:  Find your passion- that gift from God that you have been given.  And USE IT to bless others.  That is why we are given spiritual gifts- to bless others and to strengthen the entire body of Christ.  You each have your own gift to give/use.  I thank Him that I am able to use mine here in Haiti (and at home when there).

Jennifer - she came to visit with her dad yesterday.  Her leg is TOTALLY healed and she looks great.  You can see the happiness in her smile and eyes.  Love this girl!

(and I will not be posting a photo of the one who is mentioned as possibly leaving- still not sure it will happen and also her sponsor has yet to be notified)