Humbled

(3.13.13)

Humbled. Humbled to be here. Humbled to be a part of this ministry. Humbled to be a small part of so many stories. Humbled. Absolutely humbled God would chose to work through me. Humbled He could give me this privilege I don't deserve in the least bit. 

Kay Libete A (The Freedom House)

All her earthly possessions fit in three bags, packed and ready to go.

Today Megan, James (our moto driver) and myself went with Catherine* to her home to get her things so she could move into The Freedom House. Catherine has been stopping by the house, with her 8 month old child, a little more frequently lately. Her father is alcoholic and abusive.

Today as I entered Catherine’s small room (it fit a bed, small table, and a couple small stools leaving barely enough room for the three of us to stand) with walls made of tin and tarps, and as Megan and I took a second glance at her “bed” I held back tears and was ashamed that I had complained about my mattress be uncomfortable and springy, that a spring was actually poking through my mattress, ashamed that last night as I lay on an air mattress I thought, “well this really isn’t as comfortable as I thought it would be and I still can’t sleep.” It hit me why two months ago when another of the girls who will be moving into The Freedom House asked, “why can’t we move in now?” We said, “because it’s not ready.” We considered a house made of bricks and cement not finished because not all the floors were finished, the kitchen sink wasn’t installed, there wasn’t power hooked to the house yet, the kitchen needed shelves, etc. Four sturdy walls with a real roof over their heads, even if there wasn’t a bed, was better than what these girls were used to.

You want to know what Catherine’s bed was? Megan lifted the sheet and under that sheet, with no sort of padding, was an old metal door. An old steel door with a single sheet, being held up by cinder blocks, is what this girl and her baby were sleeping on.

We had a short encounter with Catherine’s father as we were walking from the house, he started to cry and with no emotion, not even a flinch, Catherine told us, “ignore him.”

We sent Catherine off on the moto (to her cooking class) and Megan and I walked back to the Respire House.

Later as I lay in the hammock with Catherine’s child sleeping in my arms I stared at her sweet face and I realized how much The Freedom House means not only to the teenage girls moving in but also to this sweet little 8 month old. Her mother will be able to go to school! What kind of opportunities will that giver her to give her child a better life? This sweet baby will now go to school from the very start! What kind of opportunities will that give her to make a life for herself? I was again moved to tears as I thought of how bright that darling child’s future is because of The Freedom House; because so many have been faithful to follow God’s leading in their lives, to make sacrifices in order to care for these young girls who were so helpless and hopeless but whom I now see smiling, laughing, playing, singing and living life together every day.

I read a verse this morning and as I lay in that hammock looking into the face of that precious child I couldn’t help but think of it, I had one of the girls bring me a Bible and I read these verses over and over…

But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;

    you consider their grief and take it in hand.

The victims commit themselves to you;

    you are the helper of the fatherless.

You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;

    you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

   defending the fatherless and the oppressed,

    so that mere earthly mortals

    will never again strike terror.

Psalm 10:14, 17-18

*name changed for protection

You can support The Freedom House with the purchase of a Free 1 Otterbox case www.respirehaiti.org

Wishing

Hello blog world!

I've put together a couple of Amazon Wish Lists, one with needs for the school and Cafe and a personal wish list. 
I have been working with K-2, trying to implement centers and we could use more materials in order to make this a success! Respire is also about to open a Cafe which will be run by our current head cook, Ta. I'm excited to be helping her as she starts this venture! (How many times have I been told I should open a bakery!?! This might be the closest I ever come :) ) Anyway, we have many needs for this new venture as well. This is the link to the Wish List if you would like to chip in and help make the Cafe a reality http://amzn.com/w/1JDTLNFF4YMB

I've also put together a personal Wish List as I will now be staying longer than originally planned. You can find that list here http://amzn.com/w/K3D7OAG8Y75Z

And last but not least I will be needing to raise financial support for my extended stay here in Haiti. If you would like to join me as a financial supporter please contact me via private message.

Thank you all so much for joining me on this journey and being a part of life here in Gressier. 

Here In This Place

(2.20.13)

Worshipped and prayed in the Freedom House tonight with three of the girls who will be living there. Powerful.

As we sang the lyrics “there’s no place I’d rather be than here in Your love” I could only think there’s no place I’d rather be than here with these people, in this Country, in this moment.

Being here, leaving jobs, family and friends, and a comfortable life may seem foolish to some but tonight there was no doubt I’m in the right place. I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m so humbled God would choose to use broken, imperfect human beings; that He could choose to use me.

Family

(2.12.13)

“…and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.’ And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’” Mark 3:32b-35

As I sat in a circle of people make up of Haitians and Americans, staff and group members (Jessi’s family), ages 2-34, these verses came to mind.

Though I have biological family in the States whom I love and miss the people in that circle truly feel like family, and they are!

Anyone I serve along side of is my brother, or sister, or mother. God may place me somewhere away from my “real” family but He surrounds me with “new” family.

I will embrace this mindset and thought pattern as we begin a stretch of back to back groups. God is faithful.

(This came at a good time as I’ve been asked to stay in Haiti longer and I was thinking of missing my family, missing holidays, birthdays and road trips I hadn’t planned on missing or thought would be missed.)

Hope

(1.7.13)

Where do I even begin?!

• Josh and Megan got back Monday after being gone nearly two weeks.
• I’ve spent my first full week in K-2. Words to describe that… chaotic, energy, cuteness, exhausting, frustrating, encouraging, hope. These young four(ish) year olds have hope, though they may not know or recognize it, for a future of freedom if they continue on this path of education; hope that their parents are learning that their lives are valuable and worth fighting for, that with education come options, options other than becoming a restavek (child slave). I pray these children never know the life of a restavek.
• There’s a song I heard here for the first time and it’s perfect for Haiti. So many times I’ve thought, oh, that is so applicable/appropriate  right now, I’m declaring that in this situation. The lyrics talk about plundering the gates of hell and taking back what the enemy has stolen.                                                                           I was not there but that is literally what happened today as some of our American and Haitian staff found themselves standing in a voodoo temple fighting for a young girl. They went thinking they’d start the process by just visiting her (she hadn't returned to school, or home, after leaving to visit family for Christmas), and talking with the family but as things went from okay/so-so to not good they definitely weren’t expecting to leave with her. God had other plans and that is exactly what happened! It was a total Spirit-filled God moment and now J is sleeping on the floor (on a mattress) between our bunk beds.
• There are a lot of things to think and pray about as we prepare the Freedom House and consider the long-term plans for Robertline and J. Pray with us for wisdom and clarity in all that needs to be decided.
• If I had three wishes right now one of them would be to annihilate ants!
• It’s been pouring steady rain for a good couple hours! This resulted in a wet, cold run from one house to the other, and that resulted in the “warmest” bucket bath I’ve had to date.
• As I lay here in bed writing by lantern light I can’t help but think the rain is a perfect example of cleansing, redemption, a fresh start. Hope.
• Tomorrow is the last day of school before a five day break!!! I am so ready! We’re heading to the beach Tuesday morning, renting a house on the beach until Wednesday evening (for $35!!!). It is going to be so much fun! American staff, Haitian staff, staff kids, the girls, and Jessi’s family; eating lobster and fish, snorkeling, swimming, laying out, worship on the beach, sleeping under the stars, family time, bonding time, time for relaxation and renewal. So needed and so ready.

These words are from Set a Fire by Will Reagan and United Pursuit and haven become my prayer. Pray it with and for me.

Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain and I can’t control

I want more of You God, I want more of You God

No place I’d rather be than here in Your love

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." Matthew 19:14

Bedside Baptist :)

I stayed home from church yesterday morning and had my own church; did some reading, listened to some music and sermon podcasts. It was good :) These are somethings I took note of and wanted to share...

"The marvel of the Redemptive Reality of God is that the worst and the vilest can never get to the bottom of His love. ~Oswald Chambers

"You're the God who comes to raise the dead
I know You'll raise me up again
I know You'll raise me up again
For who can praise You from the grave?
I die to see the life You gave
Just to see the life You gave
And every fear in me You've put to rest
It's the song I bring of Your faithfulness
And every tear has led my feet to stand 
Where the ocean meets the land
Where the ocean meets the land...
I lift my hands
If my hands fail I"ll bend my knees
If my knees grow weak
I'll raise my voice and I'll sing 
I'll sing I know that You love me
So give me a song to sing
Give me a song to sing
Give me a song to sing and I'll sing it"
~Will Reagan and United Pursuit (Give Me A Song)

"Something inside us is coming alive
You're sending us out with authority
You gill us with fire holy desire
Your spirit is all that we'll ever need
You are all that we'll ever need
Breaking down strongholds of the enemy
By the blood of the lamb
Breaking down strongholds of the enemy
By Your blood by Your blood
Moving to the rhythm of Jesus heart
Moving to the rhythm of Jesus heart
~Will Reagan and United Pursuit (Commission)

"If you've gotten over the Gospel I offer that you may have never gotten the Gospel." ~Louie Giglio

Whatever sin can do grace can do more. 

But where sin increased and abounded, grace has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, Romans 5:20b

I recommend reading Romans 5 in it's entirety if you haven't in a while :)