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."