Back from Haiti

I had another incredible trip to Haiti through Praying Pelican Missions. Praying Pelican is a wonderful organization to work with. They organize domestic and international mission trips to several countries. Anyone can join a trip with a group or sign up individually. Check it out our trip journal with pictures.

Here are some of my highlights from last week. Thank you for all of your prayers. We were overflowed with the Spirit in way that is difficult to describe in words. The challenge will be to try and continue to search for and feel that presence at home. Please pray that Josh and I clearly see how God is calling our family to be a part of this beautiful country.

1. Revisiting Life is Hope orphanage:
With the support families in the US have given, Life is Hope is able to have 2 sites (known as "A" and "B") until the new orphanage is finally built on the new property they were able to purchase outside of Port-au-Prince. Our group was a team of people from Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio. We stayed at the orphanage (B), which meant we were able to spend as much time with the children as we wanted. It really helped us to form deeper relationships with them and their cooks.

We drove out to Life is Hope A (the original site), to spend time with the children there. They all sat together and greeted us with song each day. It was beautiful. I was overwhelmed to see the difference that the support we've all given has visibly improved their lives. Better clothing, fewer sores, better food. Last year the children were not eating everyday. This year they are eating heaping plates of rice and beans. God is good! They look so much healthier and happier.

2. Building the wall of the new orphanage site outside Port-au-Prince:
For several days, our team worked alongside Haitian workers out in the green countryside of the "Vision" (or now "Reality") property for Life is Hope orphanage. They will have a building for boys, girls, medical care, church, and school. There will also be a guest house for future volunteer groups. We got to help make the caps for the giant wall/fort protecting this future community. We had to work without the resources we have at home, and learned a lot from our Haitian brothers. They were so kind and patient with us as we tried to understand their methods for mixing and pouring concrete.
Out here it is clean, peaceful, and beautiful. I can only describe it as Eden. I can't wait to see the children of Life is Hope playing soccer beside the grazing cows.

3. Tree Ministry:
A group took coconut and mango trees to families in the surrounding area of the new orphanage site. We met the families, prayed over them, planted trees, and invited them to come to the new church which is currently held under a tarp inside the new orphanage wall. We were well received by the rural families, but not so well inside a nearby village. Although it was uncomfortable, God did an amazing thing and about half the town followed us back to our worksite! We didn't know what to do once they got there, but Pastor Jean told them about the church, they joined us in prayer and worship. We played soccer and games together.

4. Sugarcane Plantation: 
With flooding of the tropical storm/hurricane Sandy (don't worry, we were all fine...just lots of rain), we weren't able to hang out at the beach, but Praying Pelican organized a trip to a Sugarcane Plantation museum instead. Our translator had to translate everything from the curator. He did a fantastic job and we all learned a lot about Haiti's history. The teacher in me loved this experience.

5. Rooftop Worship and Feet washing:
Each night we had beautiful worship under the stars, mountains, and swaying palm trees. When it rained, we went inside the orphanage. One night we gave all the children fresh fruit and invited them to do worship with us in Creole and English. We danced and sang, and I swear the roof shook! On the last night, we invited all the cooks at Life is Hope B to come up where we prayed over them and washed their feet, as Jesus did for his disciples. They have a very, very tiring job to feed and care for over 70 children, let alone cook for the American groups they have coming in week after week! Lots of tears, laughs, hugs, and smiles were shared.

There is still a lot to be done. There is another Life is Hope group going back to Haiti in December and you can join! There will hopefully be another trip during spring break in March. Check out the website here to donate or learn more about upcoming trips. http://lifeishope.org/

More donations are needed for: food, the new orphanage construction, and school. I believe Life is Hope needs several thousand dollars to pay for a teacher to come to Life is Hope and teach the children. Right now, none of them are able to afford school and they desperately want to learn. You can make a donation of any amount and specify where you would like it to go.

Life is Hope

Hello dear friends!

We don’t have much to update you on with the adoption. We were told back in spring not to expect to know anything until fall. We’ve been lucky to hear more news than we expected.

Our appeal went on review at the Supreme Court in Estonia on October 3^rd, but we haven’t heard any response. We have been given an opportunity to go back to discuss reconsideration with the Committee in Estonia, but our agency isn’t sure that is a good step for us at this time. Josh and I feel a little differently, so we will just need to keep praying and when God is telling us it’s time to go there, I have no doubt He will make it more apparent. I’ve become a lot better at being patient in this process, though it is never easy.

In the meantime, Josh and I are keeping ourselves busy. Josh is running his first marathon this weekend to support his nephew, Rowan, who has been fighting Leukemia since March. Updates on his health can be found here. Hope for Rowan

Haiti 

I decided not to pass another opportunity to go back to Haiti on my second mission trip. I struggled for a while with deciding if the expense was a good choice, but God has not lessened the pull that Haiti has on my heart. Josh and I have been supporting Life is Hope orphanage since my last trip there in July 2011. I came home and prayed that He would make it possible my family and I to go back…

Since then, an amazing thing has happened. God stirred the hearts in some courageous people in our church. Jude and Linda Hoffman decided to take it upon themselves to provide food for the 170+ children at this orphanage forever! They have been rallying supporters for over a year (that’s $4000 a month, folks)! Trips will continually be formed out of our church. In fact, I’ve missed two opportunities while waiting on the adoption.

Check out our elder, Jude's powerful testimony to the cause here:

Trip Preparations:

Although I am sad about leaving my students for the week (I have a fantastic class this year), I know they will do just fine without me. God provides us the way, and we can either say "yes" or make excuses. This trip is by far the cheapest, due to the time of the year.

Josh won $600 from a weight loss contest at his work, so we were able to put that money towards my trip. YAY Josh, for being awesome!

Because of supporters like you, a new, safer orphanage will be built outside of the main city, Port-au-Prince. The new orphanage will have farmland and irrigation systems. I am blessed to be able to go back and finish building the wall that will surround their new home. Can you say goosebumps? I cannot wait to see the improvements our support has made on the quality of life the children have that I’ve only been able to witness by picture.

You can help change lives at Life is Hope Orphange:

I am not fundraising for my travel to Haiti. Fundraising for myself is exhausting :). However, I am collecting children’s medicine, and money for completing our task of finishing the wall that will surround the future orphanage. I will be traveling with a team Ohio and Maryland. Together we’ve raised nearly $5000 towards our $7000 goal for materials. A lot can happen in a week! If you feel led to be a part of the Life is Hope story, you can make a tax-deductible donation towards the wall, which will make them one step closer to having a new home on the "Vision Property." Please pay through this secure link. Donate to Life is Hope 

Mark your donation with a note- “Life is Hope October trip wall materials” and it will be designated appropriately. Thank you for all of your support.

In less than a week, I will finally be seeing many familiar faces open those gates as the children run and jump into our arms. There is nothing like it.