More pics from Haiti!

This is my morning class with the nannies at Hands and Feet.  They are loving learning about the Bible!  Especially the Old Testament.  They had never even heard of the book of Ruth before.  It's been explained to me that many Haitians have been evangelized but very little discipleship has taken place.

This is the 6 and 7 yr. olds' Bible lesson.  Josue is one of my interpreters playing the guitar.  He is great with the kids!

I taught them the story of Jesus calming the storm.  Here I am demonstrating the disciples going to Jesus and saying "Wake up!" when he was sleeping in the boat.  The girls thought it was so funny : )

This is my afternoon class of nannies with a different translator named Fanel. He is super smart and incredible at translating.

This is Kerby.  He is precious!!  He is deaf and will be coming to the States soon for a medical exam and to see if he's a candidate for a cochlear implant.

This is Stevenson.  He has been at Hands and Feet for less than a week.  He was brought to them as an extremely malnourished little boy.  I got to hold him Saturday night and spoon feed him peanut butter.  He could barely sit up and his legs were completely limp.  It was a moment I'll never forget.  I got choked up holding him as he slurped peanut butter from my hand thinking about the verse "When you saw me hungry, you fed Me".  It was a very humbling and overwhelming experience.  I actually thought that he might have CP.  We checked on him this morning and after just a few days of nourishment and love this little guy was smiling from ear to ear and trying to take steps with his nanny helping him.  I was AMAZED!  I have never witnessed something so drastic.  

These are the older kids learning movements for the "Story of God".  Dave let me borrow his curriculum from our church's after school program.  They caught on so well and did great!  Here we are doing a motion symbolizing God making creation.

This little guy came up front to show off his memory and explaining the whole story of God I taught him. He was embarrassed and kept giggling... such a cutie pie : )

Some of the older boys skyped my family with me tonight for my birthday.  My boys and the HAF boys were planning a playoff in basketball.

Carrie made me a cake for my birthday and my family on Skype and everyone here sang happy birthday. 

It was great!  I got sick last night and felt pretty crummy all day so I am hoping to feel better and try the cake tomorrow.  Thanks to anyone who prayed for me, I was able to teach today despite not feeling well. God is good.

Tomorrow is my last day and I will be back home early Saturday morning.  Can't wait to see my family!  I've enjoyed my trip immensely, especially teaching the women!  Thanks again for all the prayers!  They were felt : )

1st two days of Haiti

This is the market in Port - Au - Prince as we were driving from the airport to the orphanage in Jacmel.  It was a 4+ hour drive through the mountains... amazing scenery!

Sunday morning here in Jacmel.  Didn't understand a word but I recognized a lot of the songs and could sing along in English. Those aren't empty benches in front but FILLED with a lot little cuties from Hands and Feet : )

This is Clivens(pronounced Cleevens).  He came here on Friday after his parents abandoned him in a hospital.  He seems to have some serious delays and medical conditions.  SUCH a sweetheart and just smiled and smiled.

Doll baby right here!!

Proof that I'm here : )

Aren't these girls adorable??  They were so helpful and good workers doing their chores.

This little guy (Willcharson)ran up to me at church and threw up his arms at me wanting me to hold him.  I got to hold him all the way back from church... so sweet.

I get to teach first thing in the morning!  Got to meet my translator this afternoon and go over my lessons with him.  I am so excited to see how it all goes!  Prayers are very welcome : )  Thank you to everyone who already has prayed...  I have felt the strength that comes from that intercession.

Send Me!... to Haiti?

Yep!  I'm going to Haiti in 1.5 wks : )  Above is a pic of the kids I'll get to hang out with while I'm there.  The name of the ministry is The Hands and Feet Project.  There are approximately 70 orphans  that live there.

This is my cousin Carrie, her husband, Stephen, and their adorable littles...Ella, Mikah and Grady.  They are the directors of the orphanage at The Hands and Feet Project in Jacmel, Haiti.  They sensed the Lord's call on their life a year ago and moved their family to Haiti just about 6 months ago.  You can read about their adventures in Haiti here.  Can't wait to spend some time with these people!!

This is a pic of part of the facility at The Hands and Feet Project : )  Sweet rainbow too!

I have felt a strong desire for over a year that the time for "going" to do the ministry of orphan care I so passionately advocate for was near.  God has made it clear to me over and over again that my part in orphan care is to be a mouthpiece for the voiceless to His Church.  However, my heart longs to kiss little cheeks and embrace these ones that God has asked me to advocate for...  to remember the reality of their plight and their desperate need for Hope and a Kinsman Redeemer.

Of course, when Carrie and Stephen were called to Haiti, I thought what a perfect place to "go"!  I did not want to go for the sake of going but desired to only go if there was a divine purpose in me "going".  I asked the Lord if He had a purpose for "me" personally to go.   And if there was, then, "send me" because I was willing.  God put it on my heart to use my love and passion for teaching the Word to the nannies that care for the children at The Hands and Feet Project.  I suggested this to Carrie in conversations about whether or not I would be coming.  God affirmed my desire to teach the nannies when Carrie expressed what an answer to prayer that ministry would be.  Lastly, the Lord confirmed all of these leadings by speaking to my husband David's heart that "yes", I was indeed supposed to go on this trip.   David felt the Lord saying there was specific purpose in my week there.... so, within the week I was on a search for the best, cheapest flights I could find : )

If you would feel led to partner with my trip to Haiti in prayer, I would be very grateful.  I have never taught the Word using an interpreter before.  This makes me feel very inadequate and unprepared.  Yet, I trust God has a plan.  I will be teaching 2 different groups of nannies each day and 1 group of kids every evening.  I will be teaching from Equipping the Saint's model for teaching discipleship and also teaching inductive Bible study methods going through the book of Ruth to the nannies.   I will also be using some curriculum and Bible story telling with the kids.  

Please pray I would be flexible to adapt to God's agenda, sensitive to the Spirit's leading and trust God's  all sufficiency in my weakness.  Thanks to all who come alongside this 7 day trip in intercession for children in Haiti : )