No Orphans of God

See what great love the Father has lavish on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 1 John 3:1

The amazing fact that He calls us His children is incredibly humbling. This God who's love surpasses all understanding, who's power is beyond compare, and who's grace is deeper than imaginable is our Father! What an honor! What a blessing to know that we are not of this fallen world because we are His! If that doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what could. It's overwhelming to think of all of who He is and be able to say you've witnessed His miracles, you've felt His joy, and you've experienced His joy!

"I've been living like an orphan, trying to belong in this world."

"There are no orphans of God."

"I once was fatherless wandering with no hope."

We have comfort because we have an amazing Father who will never leave us nor forsake us. My prayer is that we live up to our name, "Children of God"!



Just a few of the Children of God who display his love in incredible ways of joyful compassion.

Reuniting Joy

Day 1:

When we arrived in Jacmel, we didn't waste any time by heading straight to Children's Hope. Being reunited with my Haitian family was incredible and so exciting! Wow I missed them so much! I also got to see "my son", Kiki, and his family. His mom welcomed me in her home remembering who I was and that was a super sweet time! 

We shared with our kids at Children's Hope about the fruit of the spirit and they made fruit loop necklaces, which they loved.

Day 2:

We headed up to Lavalee to Pastor Barjon's school where we also shared about the fruit of the spirit. We spent a lot of time with the kids at that school making crafts and playing games. 

That afternoon we got to take our kids to the beach, a long awaited trip for them. They get so excited about going to the beach. We all piled in the back of the truck and the taptap and we were on our way. They had so much fun and it is always so exciting watching the joy on their faces as they jump over waves or find a seashell. The beach, however, didn't wipe out all of their energy because they were singing at the top of their lungs on the way home. They were just having a good ole time!

Day 3:

The team helped paint the outside of the new Alabama House. A lot of the kids that live around in the community, who I spent a lot of time with this summer, came to help. It was great being reunited with old friends and being able to love on them. This was a very special time for me, because this summer I built relationships with these kids outside of Children's Hope. This shows how it doesn't just stop with our kids, but Children's Hope opens SO many doors.

When we got home, the team decorated the Alabama House for the "missionary birthday party". Mrs. Celia Teel, with the help of the GA's and many others, gathered some of the wants and needs of the missionaries in Jacmel. Each missionary had a bag full of things like books, candy, board games, etc. It was like Christmas morning and it was so exciting watching their faces light up as they looked through their bags. It was a very neat time of fellowship. 

Day 4:

One can't put a Haitian worship service into words. From all the times I've been, I still can't explain the feeling of the closeness of the Holy Spirit in one body of several differences. During this church service, I sat with our kids, which is interesting in itself. When it came time to give the offering, Samuel passed out a few coins for the kids to give. The kids were fighting over the coins. What if we had that eagerness to give? Why do these people who have way less than we do have this eagerness that many don't? Pastor Paul preached on Acts 4:32-35. Verse 33-35 says, "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of The Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

After church, we spent time with the kids one last time before we left. Saying goodbye this time was harder than usual because it was such a short trip and I wanted to feel like I lived there again. 

We had Church on the Beach at the Alabama House, with all the local missionaries, and we discussed James 1. We talked about trials and how they grow us. We talked about how it's not the trial itself that changes us but the act of trusting God and clinging to Him. 

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

Home Sick

God put a love in my heart for the Haitians that I can't explain. He didn't put it there for my personal enjoyment. He put it there to bring glory to His name. However, because of this love for them, I enjoy solely bringing glory to His name. Praising HIm derive the deepest joy and by doing so it brings glory and makes Him known to the people I love. Worship and service are for my enjoyment but because of love, they are my joy.

To wrap my arms around you and hold you,
to grab your hand and walk with you,
to wipe the tears off your face,
to sit under a tree and talk with you,
to stand beside you and worship humbly,
to play games with you and be silly,
to dance to worship songs as you sing a long,
to lift you up when you fall down and carry you,
to be there with you and for you
is my constant desire.

Before I left for Haiti, my mom repeatedly told me that if I got homesick to tell her. She said, "being homesick is one of the worst feelings". I kept telling her that I wouldn't be homesick and I never was. I did miss my family and friends, but I never wanted to leave early because I didn't want to even think about missing out on being a part of God's great work there. On the other hand, I dreaded leaving. Throughout my month in Jacmel, I constantly prayed for peace about leaving my "home". Saying goodbye to my family there in Haiti was extremely difficult and despite many efforts, I did leave. For I have a mission, no matter my location. I am supposed to serve God and bring glory to His name in spreading the gospel and through love. That is my purpose. Oh how easy those words are to say when you are surrounded by twenty-three kids who light up your world. Its a totally different story when you are back in the states and going back to school the next day. The first few weeks back were extremely difficult. Dealing with not being in a place I love and coming back from a place that is SO different from what most people know as normalcy was a struggle. That has always been a struggle coming home from Haiti but being there a month intensified that. But to be useful for God, I had to learn to be content in where I am. If I have Him, I have more than enough. For God to use me, I had to completely surrender to Him and give up my life, my wants, and my desires. I had to redirect my desires to be His desires. I had to be totally surrendered to Him and where He wanted me to be. God gave me a love for Haiti, but He also gave me a passion to serve Him and be a part of His work, no matter where I am.-"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11- I wanted to be passionate about serving God even in Montgomery, Alabama at Trinity school, but I missed Haiti like crazy. I've never missed something so much. I missed all the little things about life in Haiti. I missed all the people I was with for hours everyday. I missed the pure joy in the Haitian's smiles. I missed everything. And at first, I felt like if I missed Haiti this much that it was bad because it could hinder my desire to be passionate about where God has called me to serve now. I realized, though, that it was okay if I missed Haiti that much, but I had to realize that Haiti is not my home, as I seem to always to refer to it as. My home isn't on this earth, and I am so glad it isn't.-"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20- I am so glad that I have a place beyond my greatest imagination with Christ Jesus that I can call home. Therefore, no matter where I am in this world, I am not home. I cannot find comfort in where I am or who I'm with. Contentment is something only one can have with Christ. Thank God for who He is and the peace and love He constantly pours out on us to make us feel at "home" in this fallen world.

I still miss everything about Haiti everyday, but I'm here. To know that I am exactly where God has called me to be at this given time (even if I don't know why) leaves me with so much excitement because I have personally seen the power of God and what He can do. I don't want to miss out on God's plan for me. To have the opportunity to serve such an awesome God, wherever I may be, is pure joy. The fact that God chooses to use me despite my weaknesses and flaws, is an amazing picture of grace in which I am truly thankful for. I am here for God's purpose alone and I can't wait to see what God has planned. I have been blessed with mission opportunities already here. Haiti is always on my heart and in my prayers. As I prepare to go back next week, Philippians 1:7,12 reigns true. "for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me...Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." Wherever I am, spreading the gospel is my command. My prayer is that eyes, ears, and hearts are opened both of our team and of those we come in contact with. God does the impossible.

Daddy's Girl

Joy comes from The Lord, but happiness comes when you're with your earthly father! I got reunited with my dad yesterday! I guess you could say I'm a little excited. My dad is one of the wisest and most compassionate men I know. I don't even know what to say other than that I love him so much. And because of my earthly father, he has taught me so much about the love of my Heavenly Father. If I can't describe the love I have for my dad, I surely can't describe my love for God! I feel like I've feel in love with Him over and over again each day. Wow... He's amazing!

Since I'm talking about fathers, I'd like to mention that my dad is now a grandfather... Almost. One of the kids who has been coming to the orphanage this week to be loved on by our kids had one very swollen leg and a spot on his bottom. A nurse student, Tiffany, came down with my dad and took a look at the little boy. His name is Kiki. She concluded that he just really needed to see a doctor. So this afternoon, we asked his mother if we could take him to the doctor. She easily agreed and we were on our way. We got there and laid Kiki on the table and he fell asleep almost immediately. The doctor came and checked him all out. He said that Kiki had a skin infection. He gave him a shot which woke Kiki up and gave us medicine for him to get every six hours for a week. When we were getting Kiki's information, I told them his name and age. I didn't know his last name so the doctor asked for mine. The doctor told me that he was now my baby. So yes, I became a mother to a three year old today and my dad is now a grandfather! 

Romans 5:5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Looking back on this week, I just have to laugh. I've had so many chaotic events happen in the past few days that are just really funny to think about. For starters, Monday, I attempted to teach the kids at Childrens Hope how to play tennis. Did I mention I didn't have a translator? I have learned some of the language, so I did the best I could. However, it turned into baseball eventually. They would hit the ball, run, and retreive it. Not exactly tennis but they had so much fun!!

After this chaotic morning playing tennis, I went to the market. We were going to buy the monthly supply of food for the kids. The market is a ton of people packed into the streets selling all different kinds of things.

Yesterday was the complete opposite as my chaotic Monday. Yesterday, all the kids and I were just sitting around and hanging out. There are always kids hanging out on the other side of our fence. A few of our kids noticed a little boy and a little girl whose clothes were very raggedy and it was evident they didn't have much. Our kids ran to me and asked if we could give them underwear because they didn't have any.  I went into the closet where we keep extra clothes and got a few things for them. During this time the kids had found another little boy who needed clothes. We ended up adopting these three kids for the day. We bathed them, clothed them, and have them food. By the end of the day these kids were all smiles! It was amazing to see the hearts of our kids here at Childrens Hope. It was encouraging to know that they want to meet the needs of those around them. They know that everyone needs love. Their actions yesterday were a chain reaction of what God has done for them. 

This morning, I went to an all girls orphanage. We helped do a VBS there The girls were so sweet and beautiful. 

This afternoon, I got to play tennis with some of the kids in the community. We started out with four boys. I got a translator for a little bit and shared with them a message The Lord had laid on my heart. The four said they were Christians and I felt like they were. Those four boys didn't want to exclude anyone from playing tennis. If someone walked by, they would run to them with a tennis racquet and a ball. They didn't want anyone to miss out on the fun!

We ended up with this many boys playing! I didn't have a translator so I couldn't share with them a whole lot. I told them I would pray for them everyday and that God would bless them. 

One of the verses I shared with the boys:

2 Corinthians 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weekness."

I love how God works in our hearts. He knew I needed that verse this week. He never ceases to amaze me!

The Little Things

The day before I left to come here, my grandparents came by to say goodbye. They also gave me a little gold cross necklace. With the necklace was a little paragraph which basically said to listen. So whenever I feel my necklace, I am reminded to listen to God's voice. Despite the chaos of this culture and constant noises, Gods voice is quiet but powerful. All we have to do is listen. It's amazing the things you hear when you listen. He has made me aware of so many little things and has used them to teach me. There are so many things that God has taught me these past few days and here are a few.

1. Tuesday I was holding this little boy as I watched the children play at VBS. As I was sitting there watching, some music was playing and the words "Your grace is enough" were being repeated. I sat in awe of the power of that statement. His grace is more than enough.

2. That same little boy I held Tuesday, I held again today. He was the little boy who was sitting by himself. I went over to him and put my hands out to give him high fives and he fell into my arms. There he stayed collapsed in my arms just holding on all morning. This story reminds me of my love for My Father and how sometimes all I want to do is fall into His arms. Sometimes we all just need to fall. How awesome is it that we always have His arms to fall into!

3. The last little thing that I just love is a Haitian smile or laugh. The way their smiles light up their faces is completely contagious. I love riding through town and watching them smile!

Yesterday was Silmaine's birthday! Happy Birthday to this special girl!

Yesterday was quite an eventful day. Yesterday morning we did a VBS, then after lunch we went evangelizing(5 people accepted Christ), and then I got to go to a soccer game with all the older kids. We watched our friend, James, play. James is on his way to becoming a pro! The game was so much fun and an experience seeing a whole new side of Haiti! They take their soccer seriously!

Romans 8:39

"Neither height nor depths, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Isaiah 54:10

Wednesday was the last day with the FBC team. Half of us went evangelizing and the other half painted at the new Alabama House. I went with the group who went evangelizing and what a blessing it was! We split into three groups each with a translator and went door to door. We talked to people who already knew who Jesus was, people who weren't ready to accept, and people, through Gods mighty Hand, were excited to accept Jesus in their hearts. Seven people came to know Christ Wednesday morning! Wednesday afternoon, we took the Children's Hope kids for a surprise treat! Ice cream! They all loved it!!

Thursday and Friday have been my "hang out" days! I spent the majority of both days at the orphanage just spending time with the kids. I learned their favorite games, I tried new food, and I relaxed with them. What they knew as everyday activities, I treasured as precious moments. These past two days were two I would love to be able to put on replay and experience them over and over again. 

I realized that these kids have no idea the amount of prayers, donations, and attention they receive from people all over. They don't know about all the lives they have impacted personally or the lives brought together because of them. God has used those sixteen children in the tent two years ago to do so many great things in Haiti. God has been made known in numerous lives because of their sweet faces and they have no idea. One thing that they were unaware of was the Rave for Hope. I was so sad I was going to miss it this year, so we decided to have our own. Kous pou Espwa!! 

Isaiah 54:10

"Though the mountains be shaken and hills removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace will not be removed." Says The Lord who has compassion on you.

Joy in Service

Well I tried to blog yesterday, but I lost everything I had typed out. I didn't know really what to say yesterday just because I had so many random things going through my head. I had trouble putting it into words. Today however, I realized why I'm glad I didn't get the opportunity to update the blog. It's funny how God works that way. Today was a very special day for me. We traveled about an hour and a half to a church. There were probably 100 or so people in there. We sang songs with them and told the story of Creation. They received little coloring books and crayons. I had the opportunity to share what it meant to be born again and Pastor Paul shared a story. By the grace of God five children accepted the Lord into their lives today. 

At the school today, there was a boy who was special needs. He was unable to speak or walk and he was constantly drooling. He was also constantly smiling. His smile was the most precious thing. His mother kept telling me that he was hungry which was evident in his size. Before we left, The Lord laid a verse on my heart to share with her and her son. Romans 15:13 was me memory verse the other day and I know exactly why. It says, "May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so tht you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." I gave him the only good I had ( airplane pretzels) and walked away full of His peace and joy.

Yesterday was also a very special day. We traveled about an hour up the mountain and then hiked the rest o the way to a small church. We basically did the same thing as we did today. Two children accepted Christ! It was an adventure getting to and from the church but it was worth it. We got to worship and serve God with an amazing back drop of His creation.

This was one of the two children that accepted Christ.

All I've got to say is that it is an absolute privlege to serve such an awesome God. Wow, I love our God!!

The Beginning of an Adventure

Right now I am sitting by myself on the floor in an empty airport. Bright and early in the morning, I will leave to go to Haiti for one month. For many people, going to a third world country for that amount of time would be a huge sacrifice. For me, on the other hand, it's the complete opposite. Two years ago I fell in love with Haiti and all the people there. I could go on and on about the reasons why I love this place. So going to Haiti for a month was by no means a hard decision for me. This trip is nothing but a HUGE blessing. I have the opportunity to serve God by sharing His extravagant love in a place that I have a deep passion for. I get to love on kids who God has used to literally change my life. I get the privilege of being a part of God's amazing work in Haiti. I honestly cannot think I anything better. As I attempted to prepare for this trip (which is totally impossible since I have no idea what God has planned), one verse has been very near and dear to my heart. Acts 20:24 says "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task The Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." So these next few weeks are about surrender. I need to totally get my self out of the way so God can be seen in every step I take and heard in every word I say. " For the sake of the world, burn like a fire in me." "Set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain and I can't control. I want more of you God."

My name is Beth Birchfield and this is my blog.  This blog is meant to attempt to capture what is above Haiti's love.  What is above Haiti's love is the power of God.  Haiti is a broken place, but God is looking down and is using His people to restore it.  I am immensely blessed to be a small part of His amazing work there.  However, I don't want to keep all the things He has revealed to me to myself so that is the purpose of this blog.