Leaving one home for another!

Perfect picture to summarize the awesome community the Lord has provided here in Haiti! 

Quick Update!

Today Cassandra, Joann, their younger sister, and mother met with Miquette. They showed up in typical Haitian fashion almost 2 hours late. Miquette and the family agreed to have all three children tested for placement in the TeacHaiti school.

Miquette explained that a majority of Haitian families really value education. On average, Haitian families would rather not have enough food to eat in order to save money to send their children to school.

I am really wrestling though the idea of "white people" coming in and saving the day. The last thing I want to do is harm (physically or emotionally) this family and the other families in this village. 

Continue praying that the Lord would be at the center of this whole situation, and he would restore areas in all of our lives that are in need of healing.  

Power of an Education

Most of my Saturday nights are spent at the Mattenleys. A bunch of us eat pizza, spend time together, and worship. It is always a great time.

Last Saturday after some much needed worship my roommate and I walked back to our house. It was about 9pm so it was dark and few people were out on the streets. We were walking and met up with 2 girls who were dragging a huge bag of plastic bottles. We began speaking to them in Creole, and they told us they were walking to the end of the road to dump the bottles in the trash pile. We exchanged a few more words and then wished them a goodnight. 

Kellyanne and I continued our conversation about what God was teaching us but were soon interrupted by the 2 girls coming over to grab our hands. They walked us back to our house and we invited them in. They sat on our front porch and talked to us for 45 minutes. This was quite impressive considering my Creole speaking ability. I couldnt have done it without Kellyanne :) 

Cassandra and Joann were the names of the 2 girls. Cassandra is 10 and Joann is 12. They were so sweet and very polite. During our conversation we found out the 2 girls were not in school because their mom did not have enough money. My heart broke immediately thinking the future for these girls would be very limited. 

The girls went back home and came to visit us again on Sunday. I continued praying about what God would have my role be in this situation. I wanted to be compassionate yet wise with my actions. 

On Monday Miquette, the founder for TeacHaiti, approached us saying she heard the 2 girls we had met were not in school. Miquette immediately said she would like to meet with them and their mother to see about getting them into the TeacHaiti school. What an answer to prayer!! I am still amazed with how God orchestrated that :) 

Today we went to Cassandra and Joann's home to talk with their mother. Tomorrow at 1:00pm they will be meeting with Miquette about going to school. Please be praying that details work out and the girls would be able to attend school. My ultimate prayer is that God would be glorified and his love would shine stronger than anything else. 

I will keep you updated! :) 

Caribbean Christmas

Tonight Josiah, Nathaniel, and Damon came to our front door singing Christmas carols. What a wonderful surprise! 

Christmas Bazaar

Yesterday we had a Christmas Bazaar on campus. I am trying to get into the Christmas spirit even though it is so warm out. 

Here are some necklaces that children from TeachHaiti made. 

 

on my knees in prayer

God has been teaching me over the past month how to pray according to the scriptures. Tonight I spent time specifically praying for the Lord to give me the desires of his heart. 

How incredible that I can go before the king with confidence that he will answer my prayers according to His word :) 

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."

1 John 5:14-15

 

Thanksgiving

About 20 teachers spent Thanksgiving in Port Salut near the coast of Haiti.The weekend was filled with fun games, singing, spelunking, swimming, and eating. 

I am overwhelmed with God's faithfulness. Here are just a few things that happened this weekend that I am thankful for. 

1. An authentic family of believers in Haiti

2. Food to eat

3. Long (6 hours) tap tap rides to play Gestures 

4. Clean water to drink

5. A roof over my head

6. Jesus dying on the Cross so I can have everlasting life

7. God challenging and teaching me daily 

8. The ability to play frisbee and volleyball 

9. Safety and protection 

10. Worship sessions 

11. The beach 

12. Mountains

13. The people of Haiti

14. Great conversations with friends 

15. Caving Adventures