Tuesday, October 30, 2012
A Light At The End
As I near the end of this journey I consider everything that has taken place. I've seen so many places and have heard so many stories in the last 6 weeks that i couldn't POSSIBLY tell all of them in 10 conversations, not to mention my own stories... i have been bitten my mosquitos (and kids), I've seen a riot break out simple because they just want food, I've seen God provided in everyway possible; wherever I turn, and to top it all off, I can only tell you this because I am a part of it! IT'S BEEN SOOOO AMAZING! I've been so blessed to be a part of the many teams that I joined each week to go out and serve the people of Haiti. God is moving! God is working! DO SOMETHING!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Stories That Change Your Perspective
yesterday was amazing and totally encouraging. We went to Gressier to meet this young woman named Megan that started a school up on this mountain. She's only 26!!! She started it when she was 24. crazy, right?! She told Kirsten and I these awesome stories of how God has provided for her.
One night she's rushing to make her flight back to haiti. as she gets to the gate a woman calls her and says "i've gotten a hold of this man you need to talk to. Would you like to join us for dinner?" she says, "I can't. I'm about to get on the plane back to Haiti." Megan gets to the gate, and the agent says, "I'm sorry, but your flight has been cancelled." She calls the woman back and ends up meeting her for dinner; meets this man, and by the end of their dinner he says, "Well, I would like to help you with your fundraising. How much money would you say you would need?" "$125,000" Megan said. The man says, "Well, I will give you half because I want other people to come along side of you and be blessed by what you are doing in Haiti." So he writes her a check for half and calls it a night. How amazing is that! All because of the people that God puts in our path.
Another story she told was this guy who was part of an organization, i think. And he wanted to help with expanding on her land that she had bought for the school. He's talking about building an orphanage; this, this and that. Meanwhile, she's thinking I don't want an orphange that's not necessarily what we're trying to do here. Her friend came up to her and said, "Should I say something to him? about how you feel about the whole orphanage thing?" Megan says, "No, we'll let God take care of it." 10 minutes later, the gentleman comes up to here and says, "Do you know what? I feel like an orphanage is not what you need. Like education is the main priority here." and she said, "Thank you Jesus!!! You know what we need!" There's so much more. I just feel very encouraged to keep going, and have the biggest faith that God will come through. All the connections I've made within the last 5 months to prepare for this trip have not been in vain. There's a bigger picture here.
I'm so determined by the grace of God that I can raise 68,000-70,000 dollars between November and January. So... I'm officially sharing this with the world. Since I've been here in Haiti, specifically New Life Children's Home I feel like I've been called to help with the progress of expanding here at the orphanage. So $40,000 will be to build and furnish a new building whether it be used for the boys or girls, or the clinic and handicapped, or the babies. that hasn't been decided yet. But what we do know is that more kids are coming in and the space is getting smaller. I little background of New Life...it's also a rescue center. they don't just get kids without parents, but also kids that need medical attention. It's such a blessing really. As I was saying, $12,000 will be for me to live in Haiti for a year, to kind of make sure that the money is going where it's needed, and $16,200 to pay for my school loans and phone bill, since i would be gone for a year. I'm still praying about it. That is what is on my heart. it might change it might not. but whatever it is...I WANNA BE APART OF IT!
One night she's rushing to make her flight back to haiti. as she gets to the gate a woman calls her and says "i've gotten a hold of this man you need to talk to. Would you like to join us for dinner?" she says, "I can't. I'm about to get on the plane back to Haiti." Megan gets to the gate, and the agent says, "I'm sorry, but your flight has been cancelled." She calls the woman back and ends up meeting her for dinner; meets this man, and by the end of their dinner he says, "Well, I would like to help you with your fundraising. How much money would you say you would need?" "$125,000" Megan said. The man says, "Well, I will give you half because I want other people to come along side of you and be blessed by what you are doing in Haiti." So he writes her a check for half and calls it a night. How amazing is that! All because of the people that God puts in our path.
Another story she told was this guy who was part of an organization, i think. And he wanted to help with expanding on her land that she had bought for the school. He's talking about building an orphanage; this, this and that. Meanwhile, she's thinking I don't want an orphange that's not necessarily what we're trying to do here. Her friend came up to her and said, "Should I say something to him? about how you feel about the whole orphanage thing?" Megan says, "No, we'll let God take care of it." 10 minutes later, the gentleman comes up to here and says, "Do you know what? I feel like an orphanage is not what you need. Like education is the main priority here." and she said, "Thank you Jesus!!! You know what we need!" There's so much more. I just feel very encouraged to keep going, and have the biggest faith that God will come through. All the connections I've made within the last 5 months to prepare for this trip have not been in vain. There's a bigger picture here.
I'm so determined by the grace of God that I can raise 68,000-70,000 dollars between November and January. So... I'm officially sharing this with the world. Since I've been here in Haiti, specifically New Life Children's Home I feel like I've been called to help with the progress of expanding here at the orphanage. So $40,000 will be to build and furnish a new building whether it be used for the boys or girls, or the clinic and handicapped, or the babies. that hasn't been decided yet. But what we do know is that more kids are coming in and the space is getting smaller. I little background of New Life...it's also a rescue center. they don't just get kids without parents, but also kids that need medical attention. It's such a blessing really. As I was saying, $12,000 will be for me to live in Haiti for a year, to kind of make sure that the money is going where it's needed, and $16,200 to pay for my school loans and phone bill, since i would be gone for a year. I'm still praying about it. That is what is on my heart. it might change it might not. but whatever it is...I WANNA BE APART OF IT!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
MORE HANDS
I walked into the nursery earlier today and immediately Vanessa just handed Natalie to me. She's small like Paulson, but a little younger than him. her and her twin brother Nathaniel arrived here at New Life almost a year ago i think. They were left in a basket at the front gate of the orphanage. Their mom had gone mentally crazy and left them in the toilet. The father came home one day and found them, and right away he brought them to New Life. So not all of these kids are without parents necessarily. It's more of a rescure center as well.
Back to the nursery...
I walk in, Natalie gets handed to me, then I see my boy Sanel run up to me with his arms as high as he could get them. He's about 3 or 4 years old. So I pick him up. Now I have Natalie in one arm, and Sanel in the other, and all of a sudden this little boy runs up to me and puts HIS arms up in the air for me to hold him too! I felt so overwhelmed! I wanted to hold all of them! If only my arms were as big as my heart. Naturally, i did what i could to make it possible. I say down so I could put him in my lap too, only for a moment, and then one of the women (employees) comes up and grabs him, and tells him to go sit down on the floor. My heart just broke! They all love Jesus, but their culture is just not as affectionate as America's. It's crazy! They are so "a matter of fact" here. Needless to say, all the kids are so adorable. It reminds me to have a child-like faith and come to Jesus with my arms up high. That's all I have to do, and he well take me in.
So comforting...
Back to the nursery...
I walk in, Natalie gets handed to me, then I see my boy Sanel run up to me with his arms as high as he could get them. He's about 3 or 4 years old. So I pick him up. Now I have Natalie in one arm, and Sanel in the other, and all of a sudden this little boy runs up to me and puts HIS arms up in the air for me to hold him too! I felt so overwhelmed! I wanted to hold all of them! If only my arms were as big as my heart. Naturally, i did what i could to make it possible. I say down so I could put him in my lap too, only for a moment, and then one of the women (employees) comes up and grabs him, and tells him to go sit down on the floor. My heart just broke! They all love Jesus, but their culture is just not as affectionate as America's. It's crazy! They are so "a matter of fact" here. Needless to say, all the kids are so adorable. It reminds me to have a child-like faith and come to Jesus with my arms up high. That's all I have to do, and he well take me in.
So comforting...
Friday, September 21, 2012
HOME SWEET HOME
I feel so at home being back here. The kids are amazing, of course. They are all doing really well. Some of my girls were excited to see me. Mostly surprised. Lavita, Lulu, and one other girl. I can never remember her name, but she grew attached to me instantly, unlike last time. Lulu fell asleep in my arms last night during their devotions/worship time. It was precious. she's about 6 or 7 years old. Lavita is as independent as ever...that's why she's my girl. She leads her "sisters" well. She's smart, methodical, but know when to have fun too. I to see my baby, Paulson!!! He's walking now. I guess he's waaaay older that I had imagined. He turned 1 this past January, but when I saw him in March, he looked about 6 months old. That's how malnurished most of these babies are! it's crazy! He's still tiny, but getting better everyday. That's what all the nurses keep saying. Speaking of the nurses, I was really happy to see them too. Imagine having 9-10 loving grandmothers and aunts around you everyday! They're amazing!
Still no word from Shelli D yet. Still praying she'll be able to visit me and Kirsten next month.
Until next time!
Still no word from Shelli D yet. Still praying she'll be able to visit me and Kirsten next month.
Until next time!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
BLESSED...
This whole summer has been such a blur. running around all of seattle. doing fundraisers here and there, and on top of that meeting new people, and keeping up with the social network. cuz you know... "it's about who you know..." anyway, I'm proudly express my gratitude to everyone who has supported to get to Haiti. I am now fully funded, but still have a lot of planning and packing(organizing) to do. I have about 3 weeks left, and then I'm gone for 2 MONTHS! AAAHH! it's gonna be one the best experiences in my life!
On top of that, I've been collaborating with my awesome friend Krystal Kelley of Mind Unwind to do "Art Pen Pal" kind of thing while i'm there. She has art camps for kids here in Seattle, and we'll be sending letters/art back and forth between here and New Life Children's Home Orphanage.
AAAANNNDD, on top of THAAAT... I got the pleasure to meet a nice gentleman who has a friend that has connections to some people in the Music World in Haiti. All of that is still up in the air, but hopefully i can catch the right pieces falling down. :-) thanks to everyone who is following! I'll definitely be writing more. Obviously when i'm there in Haiti.
Until next time...
On top of that, I've been collaborating with my awesome friend Krystal Kelley of Mind Unwind to do "Art Pen Pal" kind of thing while i'm there. She has art camps for kids here in Seattle, and we'll be sending letters/art back and forth between here and New Life Children's Home Orphanage.
AAAANNNDD, on top of THAAAT... I got the pleasure to meet a nice gentleman who has a friend that has connections to some people in the Music World in Haiti. All of that is still up in the air, but hopefully i can catch the right pieces falling down. :-) thanks to everyone who is following! I'll definitely be writing more. Obviously when i'm there in Haiti.
Until next time...
Thursday, June 14, 2012
From Observation to Creation
Come out to the Celebrate North Seattle BLOCK PARTY!!! June 24th in the Oak Tree Plaza Parking Lot. 2pm-6pm I'll be selling my artwork for my trip!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)