Meet My Kids....

Courtney and I


ALL THE KIDS...


I would like you all to meet the children of the Miriam Center. Courtney was very creative in writing these descriptions of our kids....

BELLE
I have Autism. {Please be aware that I can get easily frustrated and act that out. I love to walk, dance and overall do better one on one. I am working on being able to fulfill task such as sweeping, and cleaning and would love more experience. When helping me with a task I work better with fewer words. Please do not feed me, I am on a restricted diet.


WALDEN
I have Cerebral Palsy. I communicate fully through my eyes, smile and basic sound due to my limited physical ability, cannot sit up on my own due to low muscle tone. I am incredibly sharp and am just waiting for my body to catch up. I need a lot of time on my tummy practicing to keep my head up. I love touch and being part of your world. I am extremely ticklish!


RACHEL
Cannot sit up on my own. My body has a tendency to be twisted, it is good for me to be place into the sitting position. I love to be sung to and just being held. It is good for me to have tummy time.


CHERLINDA
I have lost most of my vision and can see shadows. I have a tendency to put things in my mouth. I can speak in Creole phrases that sometimes make sense. I have not a lot of experience without my vision and so my attention span on task can be limited. I love to go for a ride in my wheelchair and I love music of any kind.


JIMSON
I love music and to dance. I love just being able to get out of my bed and explore the world, so take me out in my wheelchair or for a walk by helping me support my weight. I love being bounced on the trampoline as well.


LOVEJINIE
I might look breakable but I am not, I love to be held. I love to be sung to and activities such as bubbles.


LOUNIDE
I don’t have the ability to sit up on my own; I love touch and am incredibly ticklish. So pick me up and sing to me. I need time on me stomach and reaching for items.


STEVEN
I have Cerebral Palsy. I love to learn and can pick up on new tasks easily. I am learning to use sign language and am pretty fluent in both Creole and English. I love to make music and listen to music. I am pretty mobile with the use of using my wheelchair as a walker.


DEN DEN
I have Cerebral Palsy and limited ability to use my hands. I can complete tasks with my mouth and toes. I am incredibly bright, hard-working and a born leader. I am pretty fluent in both Creole and English. I am pretty mobile with the use of using my wheelchair as a walker.


JOB
I am blind and don’t have the ability to sit up on my own, I love touch in any form, so pick me up and sing to me. I also respond well to tactile play. I also love to be held and rocked.


THAMERA
I have a form of Autism. I am in mental range of a two year old, in that understanding I am bright, I love to explore, don’t understand danger, will stick things in my mouth, and push things to the limit. I love be given the chance to explore my world in a controlled environment. I am mobile and will wonder off. I love playing in water and walks in the rain would be fun.



ROSALIE
Please be aware that when I am over stimulated I have a tendency to bite. I cannot sit up on my own. I would love if you gave me one on one time. I love touch and music. I calm down when sung to and love to run my fingers through dangling objects. I would love to reach and touch your face. I love if you took me for a walk in my wheelchair and just had me spend time outside of my bed. I need practice being on my stomach and have the ability to lift my head with practice.


MARIE JULIE
I have Cerebral Palsy. I am incredibly bright and pick up on tasks easily. I have better use of my hands then I think I do, so push me to finish a task. I am incredibly motherly to my younger siblings and can help out on taking care of them. I am learning to use sign language and am pretty fluent in both Creole and English. I am pretty mobile in walking with assistance.


JEAN
I have Cerebral Palsy. I am possibly colorblind and have short attention span (important that I finish a task). I am incredibly bright. I am pretty fluent in both Creole and English. I cannot straighten my legs but can get around pretty good on my own.


MACKENLY
I have the ability to learn and just need the experience. I am fully mobile and in that need to be watched, I can wonder off. Please do not let me throw the toys. Also I am learning not to stick things in my mouth. I absolutely love music and to dance.


KENDERSON
I have the ability to learn and just need the practice. Please give me lots of practice reaching for toys, sitting up on my own and on my tummy, keeping my head up and rolling over. I am a cuddle bug.


KEM
I have Cerebral Palsy. I communicate fully through my eyes, smile and basic sound due to my limited physical ability, I cannot sit up on my own. I am incredibly bright and can fulfill most task with basic assistants. I love to learn and share my love with others.


MOISE
I sometimes work myself up but can be easily distracted. Please be aware also that I will stick things in my mouth. I love one on one attention. I like listening to music and dancing.



HENRY CLAUDE
I don’t respond very much to anything but would love if you just sat with me and gave me human contact or took me for a wheelchair ride.


JOHN KERRY
I like movement and would love if you help me experience music to my rhythm. I would love to for a ride in my wheelchair.


JESSICA
I don’t have the ability to sit up on my own; I love touch and have the best belly laugh- ever. I need time on my stomach and reaching for things.

Owens
I am bright and understand Creole. I am still learning English. I cannot straighten my legs but can get around pretty good on my own. I love books and would love it you read to me and showed me the pictures.


Ti Willi
I just came to the Miriam Center a few days ago. I am still still getting used to my new environment and needs lots of love as I am scared. I am scared of white people but I would like to learn to trust and love them. I have not let on much of what I can do yet but I can sit up on my own. I am excited to meet all my new brothers and sisters and be in such a loving environment.

For Jonathan Sake Update

Courtney's Story from Friday
"Friday, I got through most of the day before the wind got knocked out of me. I just got back from my walk around 5, just turned my computer on, got comfortable and then was told that there was a lady at the gate, she says I help feed her family. I immediately started grumbling about how that is just to bad she will have to come during scheduled times and I have nothing right now. I grumbled until I saw her standing there at the gate, she didn't come last week to get the news we had no food for a while and traveled a good several hours probably by foot. The image that met me was her beautiful little 3 year old girl with a disability in her arms, her two year old holding onto her skirt, her 8 year old daughter standing near and then her beautiful 5 year old son hurdling as fast as he can into me so he could wrap his arms around me and burry his head into my stomach. She apologized about being late, she is one of my poorest moms, single with her whole family, her sick mom at home and nothing. I told her I had nothing, we have no food or money here at the Mission for this program right now. Then I looked at her little girls and held her son close to me and broke. I left and went and found everything that was edible in my room that was not jello mix, muffin mix or flaming hot cheetos. They got crackers, tuna, and a bunch of pre-made brown rice and my broken heart. She was grateful and I ache."

Courtney and I can't wait till we can get this program up and running again. This program is soooooooooo important for so many reasons. It is keeping families together, keeping kids alive, providing community to mothers of disabled chidlren, and changing the midset of a community. We hope to open back up in a few weeks. Please PRAY for finances to come and for there to be a way to buy the supplies that we need. Pray for courntey as she is there, living it out...She is the one who has to tell the families there is no food, she is the one who has to see their faces and feel so helpless. May God bless her and fufill her favorite verse...
"You turned my wailing into dancing,you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with JOY, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God I will give you thanks forever." Psalms 30:11- 12

Adoption Stories From Haiti

With all the devestation in Haiti, thousands of children are now orphans. NWHCM is trying to discern how to help in this aspect...

Northwest Haiti Christian Mission has served the children of Haiti for the last 30 years through its orphanage. We recently moved the children to a brand new facility in the Far West zone of Haiti. This has freed up the facility that remains empty in Port de Paix, Haiti. As the weeks and months pass and the displaced children in Port au Prince become known orphans we will begin the process of filling this campus again with children.

BUT there is good coming out this disaster for orphans on the end of adpotion and the government relaxing on the rules and regulations...There is been alot of exciting adoption news going around lately....

This is a story posted on Stacie Ayers blog....
Nine years ago, Jen and Jarod began the process of adopting three children. For years, they have watched other Haitian children adopted, but have never been able to adopt Daphne, Jadon and Justin. They have spent countless amount of money and time and travel and tears on different agencies and lawyers and on everything possible to make these adoptions happen, but corruption, (adoptions that are still open are still making money), ever-changing laws (cannot adopt until you’re 30…then cannot adopt until you’re 35….cannot adopt if you have biological children…) and “lost” paperwork have kept the adoption process going until now.
Because the adoptions could not be finalized, the kids couldn’t get visas, meaning that three of their five children (two biological) have never left Haiti, meaning that Jen and Jarod cannot leave Haiti together, but have always had to do short furlough’s apart while one of them cares for the kids here.
Jadon is also severely autistic, and has been unable to have access to any of the help that going to the States could have offered.
For NINE YEARS.
Since I met Jen, we have prayed for and searched with and hoped for her, but had truly seen NO progress. I have watched them struggle with coming to peace with the fact that the children that they have raised and loved and cared for and who have been THEIRS might never legally be…struggle with the knowledge that their lives might always and forever be mostly in Haiti in order to be with their children.
After nine years, it was just not going to happen.
Well, I just got off the phone with her, and TONIGHT, she and her FIVE children are flying to Fort-Lauderdale from Port-au-Prince. Due to all of the paperwork on adoptions being lost in the earthquakes, pending adoptions are being rushed through, and all her kiddos have Visa’s waiting for them in Port. Once they arrive in the States they can work to finalize the adoptions.
Tomorrow, she is taking her WHOLE family to her home country, and adoptions should be on the horizon. Jarod should be following soon, as soon as he is free from the major relief work in the DR/Haiti. She was SO EXCITED she could hardly speak, and I am so overwhelmed that I couldn’t either.
What a BEATUFIUL miracle, a miracle, and a beautiful thing arising from the ashes. I am so thankful, and so thankful for these happy tears and to see the day that nine years of the prayers of many were answered.

If you have not heard this next story it is absolutely amazing About 58 orphans being brought from HAiti to Pittsburgh to be adopted. These 2 young women have such a heart for HAiti and these children, it truly makes my heart smile

Article from CBS
A charity relief mission carrying dozens of young children from an orphanage in earthquake-ravaged Haiti has arrived in Pittsburgh.

Fifty-three children from infants to about age 10, along with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, were on the Air Force flight, which landed at Pittsburgh International Airport about 9:30 a.m. ET.

"I'm so proud to bring these kids back to Pittsburgh. It's awesome!" said Alison McMutrie, who with her sister had been caring for approximately 150 children at the orphanage they run in Port-au-Prince. "I think I'm dreaming. I don't know when I'm going to wake up."

Workers, some carrying children, disembarked the plane and boarded waiting buses. Other children walked by themselves and waved to onlookers.

Some children were wrapped in blankets as they adjusted to the Pittsburgh weather - 32°F and overcast, compared to the sun and 82° temperatures they had left behind.

Medical workers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and, in some cases, adoptive families are waiting for them.

Moments before speaking with CBS News correspondent Manuel Gallegus, Jill and Bruce Leeer of South Dakota were reunited at Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital with Ange Laurette and Pierre Cardin, the Haitian girl and boy they've been waiting for a year and a half to adopt.

"They look happy and content," Jill Leer said. "But I think they are exhausted."

Leslie McCombs, a senior consultant for government relations at UPMC who was also on the flight, said she'll never forget seeing the kids for the first time. The children were sitting in vans with the sisters, reaching out of the windows and waiting for help.

"We got on the van and they starting singing, they were clapping and giving us high fives. They were saying prayers," an emotional McCombs said. "It was amazing."

The children were taken to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Doctors who examined them say they are remarkably resilient, Gallegus reports.

"I would have to they they arrived in quite good shape. They are in general healthy, very few of them had any significant dehydration whatsoever," Dr. Richard Faladino said.

About 100 other children from their orphanage are being cared for by Dutch and French agencies.

"When we found out everyone was okay and everyone was alive and we knew we had to take action, I never imagined that this is how it would turn out," McMutrie said at a press conference.

"It was a long week, it was a really tough week living in a driveway with hundreds of children, but the fact that we're here now is certainly worth it, and just thank you to everyone."

She said the children were happy to arrive: "They know that they're coming home and hopefully to go home to their adoptive parents. The kids felt hopeless, too, because Haiti's in a really bad state right now. But they're doing great. There are some kids who had become dehydrated, running some fevers, basic baby stuff, but the team that came have almost nurtured them back to health already - everyone just took someone under their wing and took care of them.

"I'm Ali to them, but when I'm there, my sister and I are their moms," McMutrie said. "We have a family - we don't just have a group of kids that get fed. We all care about each other and love each other. And to be asked to leave without one was just not an option.

Marc Cherna, Director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, said it was hoped that, once the children were cleared medically, their adoptions could be finalized promptly.

Many of the adoptive parents were done with the legal process when the earthquake hit, Cherna told told CBS Station KDKA. "Now hopefully we can finish it up."

To that end, a courtroom has been set up at Children's Hospital and the adoptive parents are arriving from all over the country. "The judges are all set," Cherna said. "We expect a good portion of these children will be adopted today."

The landing capped days of preparations and maneuvering by American caretakers, lawmakers and government officials. The orphans were cared for by two Pittsburgh-area sisters whose network of family and friends used Facebook and Twitter to let the world know they were in dire need of food, water, diapers - and a plane to ferry them out of Port-au-Prince after last week's massive earthquake.

Gov. Rendell, a crew of medical personnel and several Congressmen also were on the flight that carried the group out of Haiti late Monday and headed for Orlando, Fla. He told reporters that Alison's sister, Jamie, is still in Orlando with the 54th child, pending completion of paperwork. He said preparations are being made to fly them up to Pittsburgh.

Jamie McMutrie arrived in the Haitian capital in 2006, and with her sister (who moved there two years ago) run an orphanage called BRESMA.

After last week's earthquake destroyed much of the Haitian capital, the sisters contacted officials at UPMC, who in turn contacted the governor. Rendell reached the Haitian ambassador to the United States on Sunday, said the governor's spokesman, Gary Tuma.

The ambassador advised Rendell it would be "a good idea for the governor to be personally on the flight" because he could use his stature to cut through red tape, the spokesman said.

Rendell and U.S. Rep Jason Altmire, D-Pa., said Haiti's ambassador to the United States, Raymond Joseph, as well as the State Department, Department of Homeland Security and even the White House all helped get the children out.

Dutch and French agencies were caring for the other 100 or so children from the orphanage, which was badly damaged.

CBS News correspondent Seth Doane visited another orphanage on Monday, on the east side of Port-au-Prince. It was completely collapsed in the quake. But 78 kids survived - orphans who have lost their home once again. If it wasn't for one woman's dedication to the youngsters, they would be alone amid the rubble

Casting Crowns Songs

I will praise you in the Storm
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it’s still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can’t find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Chorus
Sing it with me as we lift up thanksgiving and praise that our help DOES come from the Lord. No matter what is happening here, no matter how frustrated I get with the overwhelming feeling of helplessness… Let me never forget to keep on praising my LORD and Savior.
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away…

My missionary sister BETH posted the following on her blog...This song by Casting Crowns not only reminds me, but speaks to what is going on around me. My Lord is always enough!!!

In this dry and weary land; Lord you are the rain.

In the sea of shattered ones; Your love comes rushing in.

You hold the world within your hands and see each tear that falls .

Thru every fire and every storm

Your always enough, Your always enough.

Keep my heart in perfect peace; my life is in your hands.

When confusion hides my way

Your always enough, always enough

Your love is peace to the broken; faith for the widow; hope for the orphan;

Strength for the weak.Your love is the anthem of nations; rings out thru the ages

And your always enough for me.

I rejoice for my Savior reigns

I rejoice for He lives in me

God on high He has set me free

Worthy is the Lamb.

Haiti UPDATE

I apologize for not updating my blog in a week. It has been a rough but good week at the same time. As you can imagine so much has happened on the Haiti front. I can't seem to pull myself away from the missionary blogs, facebook updates, the news. My heart continues to break for the people of Haiti and I have been emotionally drained. BUT at the same time God has been revealing himself in Amazing ways. It is hard because the news seems to focus on the negative, don't get me wrong they love to tell of the rescues as well. PRAISE GOD for all those pulled from the rubble. I thought I would share some stories that have been an encouragement to me that have come from the missionaries in Haiti. PLEASE if you want more updates see my missionary family's blogs off to the right.

Jody Castillo
“Most parents watch their children playing school or doctor. I watch mine play Earthquake.
Mikela: Okay. Your house fell down on you. It’s shaking. It’s shaking.
Rosie: Help me! Help Me. My house fell on me.
Malaya: My house fell too. I don’t see my baby.
Mikela: Sorry Rosie. I can’t help you. You’re dead. Malaya – I will try to dig you out. I cant save your baby-sorry.
Our kids talk about the quake just like your kids talk about what they ate for lunch. Malaya prayed last night that the people who died would all go to Heaven. Mikela prays for people to understand there is only ONE God and that He will take care of them. Rosie prays for people who are still under concrete.”
Jody also reported a story about one of the girls sitting in the room when one of the mission staff came in crying as she just found out her sister did not make it. Her daughter turned to her grandma and said Grandma, tell her about the things of heaven, where there is no more pain, no more sorrow...before her grandma could translate it, she started saying it creol and wiping the ladies tears away :)
I have been amazed at the wisdom and faith of all the missionary children. It makes my heart smile to see the godly hearts of these children, there compassion, and concern for the people of Haiti.


Stacie Ayers
This morning we put the very last of our Haitian money in the offering plate. While we have some US cash, all the banks in Cap-Haitien have closed. (due to the fact that all the banks in PAP were destroyed) With banks being closed, we had no way to change our US money for Haitian money, and without any Haitian money...we had NO MONEY at 10 am this morning. We usually keep a reserve of money, but with all the major need this past week, it was ALL gone. We told one of the visiting professors staying with us this morning, "I don't know WHAT we're going to do."
After church this morning, a friend asked us for a little bit of money to help her buy some rice for her family, and I told her honestly, "We have not ONE penny, I'm so sorry! We have US cash, but no Haitian money, and no one is changing!"
"What are you going to do?" she asked, and I honestly replied, "I don't know!"
It was not 30 seconds later that she came back to me, and said, "Someone knows someone. I will come to your house later."
Well, she just left with a friend of a friend, who changed out money for us, and at a great rate, too! We praise the Lord for making that which was not possible, possible.

Church this morning. We have been just so blessed by the reactions of Haitian believers to all of this. After a time of prayer for all those who are hurting, we had a long praise time, and I was in tears listening to the loud songs of heart-felt praise enveloping us. After an awesome sermon about the struggles we will always face, but the faithfulness of our heavenly Father, we were encouraged that NOW is the time.
"It takes much pain for a woman to give birth to something new. We have an opportunity to rebuild, to build something new, to take what has been Satan's for so long and make it HIS, to stop living for ourselves and to live for Him!"
Then, a nearby pastor stopped in the service, and let everyone know that area churches are all coming together to make Casava (a common type of bread/cookie). "If you have the ingredients for Casava in your garden, bring them! If you have money, bring it! If you have charcoal, bring it. If you have two grains of rice for your family, bring one!"
Tomorrow they will make as much Casava as they can with what everyone donates, and then a group of believers will take it to fallen churches in PAP.
I was so touched, and continue to be so touched, by the way ALL those around us are responding to this devastation. For those who have so little already, I know their "three pennies" are beautiful sacrifices unto the Lord.

We saw Lucner's brother yesterday, and what a miracle...so be in a building entirely collapsed on Tuesday, surrounded by his dead room-mates. To be found by Lucner on Thursday in the hallway of a hospital in Port-au-Prince. To be WALKING on his street in Cap-Haitien on Saturday alongside of his mother...I saw a miracle with my own eyes in him yesterday, we praise Him.

Courtney Peirce
I have been so encouraged to have the opportunity to talk to Courtney most everyday the last few days. To share our struggles, to share the joys, and to be excited with each other when God would reveal to us just how big he is.
As I shared .ast week I found out For Jonathan Sake was going to have to be shut down due to funding. Me and courtney struggles with this for a while but finally we were both able to turn it over to God adn when we finally did God revealed to us both his amazing power and love for us and for our families and their kids.
An hour after Courtney received an email that someone donated $1,000 to help reopen our program :) WOW....BIG GOD! Courtney figuered out it would cost roughly before inflation rice and beans for a year would cost around $1,000 :) BUT with inflation it might be closer to $1,000 a month :( Either way we will continue to fight and raise money to keep this program running God has been so amazing in opening up opportunities.

I have been so amazed the past week of the flood of people willing to help. I have people helping out in cincinnati, I have college students from my home church fundraising, my brothers girlfriend has helped set up 4-5 collections, I have 3 speaking engagements already set up for February, possibly fundraiser at school. God has been opening up so many doors. I have received so much support threw phone calls, emails, and facebook messages with encouraging words. THANK YOU....EVERYONE who has helped in any way whether threw an encouraging word, prayer, or donation.

Please continue to pray for Haiti
1.Pray for healing for all those mourning, who are injured, who are spiritually confused.
2.Please pray for all those who do not now Jesus as their personal Savior that they will come to know and love him
3. Pray for all medical personel floodign into Haiti to help especially 22 surgeons who just arrived today at NWHCM.
4. Pray for people to continue to remember Haiti when it is no longer to top story
5. Pray for all the missionaries around Haiti
6. PRay for God's PEACE, LOVE, MERCY to flood into all the hearts of those in Haiti
7. PRAY for peace for all those who are still missing loved ones and hold onto the hope they are alive

THANK YOU AGAIN for all your support!

Lord Let this nation be changed!

The following is a post from Stacie Ayers blog that really met me where I was and gives me hope for Haiti!!!

Arise! Let your light shine for all to see.
For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,
but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.

All nations will come to your light;
mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

Look and see, for everyone is coming home!
Your sons are coming from distant lands;
Your little daughters will be carried home.

Your eyes will shine,
and your heart will thrill with joy,
for merchants from around the world will come to you.
They will bring you the wealth of many lands

Foreigners will come to rebuild your towns,
and their kings will help you.
For though I have destroyed you in my anger,
I will have mercy on you through my grace.

Your gates will stay open around the clock
to receive the wealth of many lands

Though you were once despised and hated,
with no one traveling through you,
I will make you beautiful forever,
a joy to all generations
Mighty nations will satisfy your every need
You will know at last that I,
the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer,
the Mighty One.

I will exchange your bronze for gold,
your iron for silver,
your wood for bronze,
your stones for iron.
I will make peace your leader
and righteousness your ruler.

Violence will disappear from your land;
the desolation and destruction will end.
Salvation will surround you like city walls,
and praise will be on the lips of all who enter there

For the Lord will be your everlasting light.
Your days of mourning will come to an end.
At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen."
Isaiah 60

Praying and praising that He might become the Redeemer for Haiti, that many would come to love Him mightily, that Haiti would become His light...Praying for lasting change that only He can do.

Thank you for all your prayers!

Why I love Haiti so much...

THE PEOPLES: SMILES...LAUGHTER....DANCING...JOY ALL DESPITE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. These people know what it means to TRULY follow God...To TRUST him...To suffer for the cause of Christ. They long for Christ's return and look forward to heaven...How many American's can we say have true joy despite their circumstances, do we find smiling, laughin, or dancing on a normal day. How many christians long for Christ's return or Long for Heaven....Not many that I know. I Pray that one day I can have 1/2 the things that truly matter that my Haitian Brothers and Sisters have and are teaching me. In the midst of the worst tragedy in the countries history. Hatiains are walking the streets, SINGING PRAISES to their lord "Mwen pa ka di kombien mwen dwe" It is Unbelievable how amazing these people are. In a Praise to God they are saying that they cannot say how much they owe Him.Thats right in the midst of this tragedy they are still able to sing these praises...WHAT FAITH The last week has been the hardest week of my life emotionally and it is nothing compared to the week my brothers and sisters in Haiti are experiencing and I can guarantee I have not praised God as much as they have. I watched videos of past trips today to remind me of why I love Haiti so much, Thought I would share a few...


I am reminded of a song I heard on my bus trip in my second time to haiti...7 hours into a 10 hour off roading trip this song came on... "Can a nation be changed, can a nation be changed, can a nation be turned back to you, were on our knees, were on our knees. God let this nation be changed, let this nation be saved, let this nation be turned back to you, were on our knees." PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE Continue to pray for all the people of Haiti...For the ones that lost loved ones...For the ones who survived but have seens things they will never be able to forget...For those who are injured and suffering...For those who are still waiting to hear if loved ones are alived...For those Who don't know Christ...For the new christians who are struggling to know what to beleive...for the government...For the volunteers on the front lines...For God's mercy to cover this nation.
If you would like to donate please see the posting below for supplies needed.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Here is a list of supplies we are collecting to send over to Haiti. I also listed some drop off sites pulled from the mission website at www.nwhcm.org. If you are a member of New Bedford Presbyterian church I will put have a box at church collecting on Sunday and throughout the next few weeks.


Collect SuppliesNext, we need food, medicines, and medical supplies. Food and medicines need to be at least six months from expiration.

•High-protein foods (peanut butter, protein bars, beans, canned meat, baby formula)
•UPDATE – Medical supplies
◦Over the counter medicines: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Prenatal Vitamins, Stool Softeners, Polyvisol Infant Drops, Infant Tylenol, Children’s Liquid Tylenol and Ibuprofen, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Antifungal Cream, Hydrocortisone Cream, Children’s Vitamins
◦Prescription Medications: Lidocaine, Iron supplements (ferrous sulfate), Pitocin (comes in 10 unit vials), Methergine (comes in vials), Amoxicillin (tablets), Gentamycin (IV), Ampicillin (IV), Rocephin, Erythromycin Eye Ointment, Antibiotics, Children’s Liquid and Adult
◦Supplies: Cord Clamps (can easily be purchased online – http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=00369), 5 french NG tubes, Infant and Preemie Nasal Cannula’s, 18 and 20 gauge Intracath, Gauze, 3 and 4 “O” Vycril, Lubricating Gel, Digital Thermometers, Sheets (Flat), EmergenC Electrolyte Packages (come also specifically for kids), Plastic Cups, Large Trash Can, Ziploc Bags (Gallon Size), New Women’s Underwear, Maxi Pads (both for moms who come deliver and don’t have anything with them), Infant Formula (powder), Newborn Clothes (onesies, caps, socks, Layette material), Preemie Clothes and small caps

Collection Centers:
•Central Kentucky: NWHCM – 150 Laralan Ave. Suite E, Frankfort, KY 40601; Contact 502-695-7870; M – F 9am – 4pm.
•Florida: Tomoka Christian Church – 1151 West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; Contact Barb Kennedy (386-677-6455) or Leah Putting (386-214-1449); Saturday, Jan. 16 4pm -8pm, Sunday, Jan. 17 8am – 1pm, M – F 10:00am – 6:00pm.
•Central Indiana: Common Ground – 4550 N Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN 46208; Contact 317-251-1494; M – F 9:00am – 4pm.
•Western Indiana: Hanging Rock Camp – 6988 S State Rd. 263, West Lebanon, Indiana; click here for detailed contact information and call for hours.
•NEW! Northern Kentucky/Southern Ohio: First Church of Christ, 6080 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington, KY 41005; Contact (859-586-4673); www.1stchurchofchrist.org; Contact church for collection times.
•NEW! Michigan: South Lansing Christian Church, 6300 Aurelius Road, Lansing, MI 48911; Contact Frank Weller (517-394-3220), frank@seekstudyserve.org; M – F 9am – 7pm.

7pm.


VolunteerIf you are interested in volunteering in the relief and recovery, please consider giving your time to collect supplies and donations. We are not able to coordinate immediate response teams and at this time we do not know of any other organizations accepting volunteer inquiries for coming into Haiti

My children already being affected....

I just received the following email from courtney.....

I am writing you right now with a heavy heart in the wake of what is happening in Haiti. I am asking for prayer and help. As of this afternoon the ability to provide for my Outreach program were limited due to the after mass of the earthquake. Which means come tomorrow afternoon I have to tell 30 parents that they don't get to provide for their special needs kids. They have to go back to watching their family suffer in an even more devastating time. The earthquake has affected everyone. My heart hurts but there is a reason for it, it makes me see the needs of others and figure out how to go from feeling hopeless to doing something. Right now it is trying to find a way to buy rice and beans on a weekly basis during an increase of prices for an already starving country. For Jonathan Sake is the reason I only have 23 kids in my orphanage and I love it, it keeps kids with their parents, it shows this culture they are worth a hot meal, medical attention and love. No, these kids are not found in the mass of the devastation happening at the capitol but they are affected by it fully. If you or people that you know are looking for a way to help out with the earthquake relief that is connected to what I do, this is a way, they can donate through NWHCM website under Miriam Center- memo it For Jonathan Sake or to me and memo it For Jonathan Sake. We have NO funds to pull from, this program has yet to be sponsored and I am surrounded with families that have sick kids due to their disability or starvation. Within the last week I have had to turn families away from medical help, comfort a mother holding onto the loss of her little girl this last Sunday, hold a little boy at the age of 5 being only 15 pounds and feel helpless by massive needs right outside my doorstep. Thank you for letting me come to you with this. I know we have a BIG GOD!

Because of Him,

Courtney Pierce

My heart is breaking at this news. Yes PRAISE GOD all my kids are safe and were not injured in the EQ but For Jonathan Sake is my favorite program because like courtney said it keep parents with their children. It is teaching a community to love their disabled children in a culture that says not to. If we turn these parents away their children very well may die, families lose their support system and friends they made while comign to the miriam center. Not only have they lost loved ones in this tragedy they have lost their support system for their chidlren. PLEASE PLEASE CONSIDER donating to For Jonathan Sake. You could save a child's life!

Mixure of stories from Missionary Blogs

Here are some stories from the front lines

From Jody....
I gave an interview on the Weather Channel tonight and reported what Jose saw. Someone saw that interview and called the mission. I answered the call. The lady told me – My name is Edgar and my best friend is trapped in her home in Petionville. She is an American. Her cellphone is about to die. She called to say good-bye to her friend. Edgar begged - “Please – save my friend”. We cried together on the phone. Can you imagine being buried alive? I yelled for Jacques and he came and talked to the lady on the phone. We know exactly of her location. In fact we have staff that lives nearby. We haven’t heard from our PAP staff and her house is where the big hospital collapsed. We are trying to call the Baptist Mission and our friends in the area – but there is simply no phone service. It rests in God’s hand but tonight we will do our best to call every 5 minutes in hopes that we can reach someone. Jacques called this lady’s cell phone (she has an american phone with ATT) and she cried on the phone to him - “please save me”. I think her phone must have died then because when we called back there was nothing.
Please pray because this is just one of many people who are trapped and will not make it out of the rubble.
Jose said the streets would remind you of 9/11. No trucks can pass by. Rubble is everywhere. The smoke from the concrete covers the air and you can barely breathe in some areas. With darkness comes fear and in a land dedicated to Satan – I’m sure few have the hope of the Lord. They don’t have anything tonight to cling onto – to help them get through this. Women were looking for their children and everyone had cuts and sores. Jose said one guy was hollering out in pain – laying on the street as he lost his leg when his home fell.
The thing is – this is just the beginning. As we find out more reports from PAP – and morning sets in – we will finally see the battlefield. The reaction to this no doubt will be devastating. While our area has just small cracks and the Catholic church has blocks that fell below – our village will suffer none the less. Next comes the lack of vehicles bringing food and diesel. Next comes the outrageous prices for what small food is still available. While we might have only felt the tremors – we will feel the aftershocks for sure. How in the world will these Haitians survive?
Over 100’s of thousands expected in casualties. How do you process that? How in the world do you explain that to new Christians and small children? I don’t understand it myself. My home was fluent today with countless Haitians wanting to catch a glimpse of the news, weeping while I hold their hand or hug them tight – and it never stopped. I feel so numb and yet I cry nearly every 10 minutes. Always another story – always another problem. They come to me looking to “save” them to make it go away and i am left helpless – crying with Melonnie because there isn’t anything we can do.

I heard from a crying Jose on the phone. He is fine. He’s at the Visa Lodge and called from their landline. He said the coke factory in front has severe damage. It was like there was a hedge of protection around the Visa Lodge.We both sobbed. He thought that our home had crumbled just like the ones in PAP. They still feel strong aftershocks. He begged me to take the family outside to sleep. He doesn’t realize that what he saw isn’t the same that we feel.
People are wondering the streets aimlessly – with no where to go. All the houses have crumbled – there’s no power and no cell phone service. People have no way of knowing whether their family is okay. St. Louis is grieving as they have family in PAP and can’t reach them. He saw countless bodies buried under debris. He said he just can’t process this – it’s the worst thing he’s ever seen. I praise God he is okay. I pray that God will use this somehow to His glory….like maybe there’s a reason Jose is on the front-lines of the battlefield.
On other news – the two orphan boys came back with a tragic story. The quake started and they ran out of the house as it fell and killed everyone in it. They ran to another house that had their friends and only one person came out – Exalus who often helps with groups. No one else. Immediately a school full of little children fell and everyone died inside. We could barely understand their story through the sobbing. I had to ask 3 different times to really understand and I honestly may still be missing something. Melonnie led a praise and worship session with Americans and Haitians tonight. She said that there weren’t any dry tears. Everyone is mourning as news continues to filter in.
Why tell you that – because I’m trying to make this real – not just something you see on the news. This isn’t some distant land – this is my home. The terror in their eyes is something I will never forget and I want you to picture what that looks like. They have had nightmares all day long. They told me they will never be the same. They were shaken and scared and in shock. How many others are that way – those that did survive and will never forget what they saw? How could it not change the life of every single person there? Lord Have Mercy On Haiti…
As some cell phones are beginning to work now – news about personal accounts are filtering their way up here. You will hear someone PRAISE THE LORD – when they hear their family is okay – - while another one collapses to the ground when they realize they lost everyone.
We still have no word from ANY of our PAP staff – their cell phones don’t work or perhaps……I don’t want to go there. NOT TRUE NOW - – JOCELYN AND FAITDU (two orphan boys) just walked through our gates! Talk about God’s timing and just when you think you have no hope.

From Melonnie
heartbroken and numb
This earthquake has changed so much here. The realization of the utter horror around me is becoming more and more clear.
Today I listened to two of our “boys” give their accounts of what they experienced during the earthquake in PAP and what they went through afterwards. They made their way back to the mission yesterday and today and are absolutely haunted by their experiences. I could do nothing but weep as they told their stories.
Jocelyn told us running to people after the first quake while the destruction was all around and telling them that they needed to turn to Jesus. That is wasn’t too late. He led several of them to Christ right there on the street. My heart was bursting with a mixture of pride and pain. The boys told of their joy in finding each other and the decision that they made to get out of the city. They told of people in the streets crying out to God, praying and singing. Jocelyn said that the cries got louder after the first big aftershock. He told of hearing the cries coming from the rubble of the people trapped underneath.
Their accounts of the devastation and horrifying descriptions of the dead and injured broke my heart more than I thought was possible. I literally have a pain in my heart that will not go away.
Here is the amazing part… they want to go back. They want to go help. They saw children everywhere on the streets with nowhere to go. They are planning on heading back to PAP in the morning with Larry Owens (Jody and Janeil’s dad). Their plan is to find as many orphaned children as possible and bring them to safety. To feed them, give them medical care and just love them and care for them until we can find their parents or figure out how to give them homes. We are planning on possibly bringing them to the Port au Paix campus. It used to house our orphanage before the move and is empty and waiting. There are several other options Janeil is checking into as well.
While my heart hurts for these boys and the fear that they must feel about going back, I am also incredibly glad to be involved in something so amazing.
We are starting to plan for the weeks and months ahead. To conserve fuel, the hours we run our generators will be cut to just a few each night. Jody reminded us all that less power means less water as well. We are all pulling together and will make it all work. I am so VERY grateful to be serving with such amazing missionaries here. We are a family. I thank God for that.
Keep your prayers coming!
earthquake ripple effects
So it’s been over 24 hours now since the earthquake. We are getting more and more information about what’s happening in PAP. We can seem to tear ourselves away from the television but just can’t process what we are seeing there.
My day was mostly spent answering emails and phone calls. Giving interviews and speaking to reporters. Trying to let the world know that we are ok here in St. Louis du Nord but that PAP is desperate for help.
We had one of the translators make his way back from PAP today and his stories were horrifying. He told us of destruction and death all around him. Buildings, schools, banks… all gone with people inside. He was lucky to have escaped harm himself.
As the spotty reports start to come in, more and more of the Haitian staff here are finding out that loved ones are lost. Mary is one of many that received bad news today. She works here at the mission cleaning and helping with laundry among other things. She found out today that her sister is one of the dead. My heart was breaking for her today and all of the kitchen workers as they sat together on the floor crying together.
Many are still waiting for news but are fearing the worst. They have heard the reports that hundreds of thousands are possibly dead. My friend Ivenor is one of them. He is the head translator and is my assistant. He grew up at the mission orphanage but does have parents living in PAP. His little brother is here at the mission now and they are waiting to hear any news at all. Seeing the look on Ivenor’s face today and feeling his pain brought me to tears. He is one of many of the staff here who haven’t heard about parents, brothers and sisters, friends. I know that some are planning on trying to get to PAP in the morning to try to find their loved ones. Please keep them in your prayers.
We had an awesome time of worship and prayer tonight. I think it was good for all of us to worship Him even through the pain. We invited all the haitian staff to join us and it was an emotional but spirit filled time. I thank God that we could all come together as one and lift up songs of praise to Him.
Melissa and Maureen are heading out in the morning with 2 Haitian nurses, Magdala and Sylveste and also Dr. Simon to work at Mission of Hope outside of PAP. Innocent and Benna are going with them for security. Please pray for them all. Pray for their safety. Pray for comfort and peace… for them and for their families as well. They are taking a huge truck filled with medical supplies too.
This is a scary time for all here in Haiti. There is pain, suffering and grieving all around us. The weight of it is almost unbearable. My heart breaks for the pain and fear my Haitian brothers and sisters are feeling. People are afraid that the quakes are still coming. There have been around 30 aftershocks and I’m sure that it is terrifying for them as buildings are already crumbling around them.
I pray that God will use this tragedy in a mighty way. That He is glorified through these trying times. I pray that people are turning to Him in their time of darkness. I pray that broken hearts are comforted and that the people here are filled with a peace like none they have ever felt before. I pray that God wraps His arms around this entire country and wipes away tears.
I pray for strength and safety for all of the missionaries here in Haiti and the relief workers coming in to help. I pray for wisdom for the doctors and nurses and that God will direct rescue workers in just the right direction.
Please join me in continuous prayer. We know that God hears our prayers rising up to Him like a beautiful song. Help me make it a loud one!
This earthquake has changed so much here. The realization of the utter horror around me is becoming more and more clear.
Today I listened to two of our “boys” give their accounts of what they experienced during the earthquake in PAP and what they went through afterwards. They made their way back to the mission yesterday and today and are absolutely haunted by their experiences. I could do nothing but weep as they told their stories.
Jocelyn told us running to people after the first quake while the destruction was all around and telling them that they needed to turn to Jesus. That is wasn’t too late. He led several of them to Christ right there on the street. My heart was bursting with a mixture of pride and pain. The boys told of their joy in finding each other and the decision that they made to get out of the city. They told of people in the streets crying out to God, praying and singing. Jocelyn said that the cries got louder after the first big aftershock. He told of hearing the cries coming from the rubble of the people trapped underneath.
Their accounts of the devastation and horrifying descriptions of the dead and injured broke my heart more than I thought was possible. I literally have a pain in my heart that will not go away.
Here is the amazing part… they want to go back. They want to go help. They saw children everywhere on the streets with nowhere to go. They are planning on heading back to PAP in the morning with Larry Owens (Jody and Janeil’s dad). Their plan is to find as many orphaned children as possible and bring them to safety. To feed them, give them medical care and just love them and care for them until we can find their parents or figure out how to give them homes. We are planning on possibly bringing them to the Port au Paix campus. It used to house our orphanage before the move and is empty and waiting. There are several other options Janeil is checking into as well.
While my heart hurts for these boys and the fear that they must feel about going back, I am also incredibly glad to be involved in something so amazing.
We are starting to plan for the weeks and months ahead. To conserve fuel, the hours we run our generators will be cut to just a few each night. Jody reminded us all that less power means less water as well. We are all pulling together and will make it all work. I am so VERY grateful to be serving with such amazing missionaries here. We are a family. I thank God for that.
Keep your prayers coming!

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!

Email from Executive Vice President

Email from Sam Guilliams, Executive Vice President, NWHCM
NWHCM was spared major disaster from this earthquake, but God has laid
it upon our hearts to go help in places that need it and are crying
out. We are sending our own people and supplies to help our partners
in ministry to the south. This will mean that we need finances and
supplies for the task at hand and also for the task of resupplying.

Money is the most flexible resource to use in Haiti. Next, we need
food, medicines, and medical supplies. Food and medicines need to be
at least six months from expiration and we need all of this shipped to
Frankfort where it can be collected until we have enough to ship.

Anyone desiring to donate medical supplies needs to have some contact
with Melissa or Maureen or someone that Melissa or Maureen has
directed to communicate on their behalf.

Anyone wanting to take a trip into Haiti still needs to go through our
application process to do so.

Here it is again…

Money
Food (6 months shelf life)
Medicines (6 month shelf life)
Medical supplies (approved by our medical professionals either
directly or through needs lists)
Trips to Haiti (sign up online)

www.nwhcm.org – click “give”

Earthquake in haiti

Sorry I have not posted since everything happened, I was so caught up in finding out if everyone was ok, praying, crying, questioning God, and trying to Trust. Thank you all who sent emails, called, and facebooked me with concerns and asking how you could help. If you would like to donate financially you can go to www.nwhcm.org- the site is secure I promise. It has been a long exhausting last 28 hours since I heard what happened. Since then I have so much to praise God for
1. Everyone at the mission is safe and only minor damage to a few walls. All 23 of my miriam center kids are ok. All the missionary families on the compound are ok PRAISE GOD
2. Jose Jody's husband was in Port-A-Prince when the earthquake hit and had no way to contact if he was ok. Everyone was praying like crazy he was ok. He finally got to a phone and reported he was alive and ok but the devestation is catastrophic. You can visit the Castillo's blog there is a link on the right for the most up-to date and detailed reports of what is happening. WARNING many may bring you to tears (at least I did)but they are true stories. Then Jody did not hear from Jose again for 24 hours but just heard little while ago he is still ok even after all the aftershocks. PRAISE GOD
3. Matt and Stacie Ayers are ok and everyone at their mission is ok
4. Rolgard who worked of the mission for years is in the states studying physical therapy planning to return to Haiti to practice. His whole family was missing until about 20 minutes ago. So many have been immersing him and his family in prayers and PRAISE GOD they are alive. PRAISE GOD
5. Grace Baptist- my church in Erie has missionaries in Haiti and I got word they are ok and alive PRAISE GOD
6. MAgdala the Haitain in charge of the birthing center servived and her whole family did...PRAISE GOD

PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE Be emersing Haiti in your prayers...American's there are saying this is comparable/worse than ground zero on 9/11
-hundreds of thousands are dead
-Many of the mission HAitain staff have not been heard from
-PRay for the ones who lost loved ones
-Pray for the ones still alive but buried in rubel
-PRay for those in the distant villages who don't know if family members are alive
-PRay for those who are injured with no medical help available
-PRay for all those who are homeless
-Pray for all those who are still looking for loved ones in the rubel
-PRay for the missionaries as they make plans to help
-Pray for all those mobilizing to come to Haiti to help
-PRay that supplies come
-Pray for all those who don't know Christ in the midst of this....I can't imagine
-Pray for all the christians who are confused

Monday I randomly opened to ps 119 and read it then teusday morning I read ps. 121 it did not mean a whole lot at the time, I applied it to my day and went to class later that night after all this shocking news came, my heart was breaking, I was crying, I picked up my Bible and re-read ps. 121
"I lift my eyes to the hills
where does my help come from
my help comes from the Lord,
the make of heaven and earth
He will not let your foot slip
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches of Isreal [Haiti]
will neither slumber or sleep.
The Lord watches over you
the Lord watches over your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day
nor the moon by night
The Lord will keep you from all harm
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore"

WOW!!! Thank you God. Thank you that last night you were not sleeping but right in the midst of everything bringing the Haitains comfort and love. Thank you that you were watchign over my brothers and sisters in Haiti. Thank you that you are still there. GOD THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING ALL MY MISSIONARY FRIENDS!

Today was full of tears, Questions, Prayers, Waiting, Trusting, and Praising God. By tonight I am exhausted emotionally. I feel like I can not cry anymore...I just new I needed to go to bed and trust God from here. however I felt God telling me to read some more from bed. So I picked up my Bible re-read ps. 121 read a few more psalms and then God lead me to ps 126:6
"He who goes out weeping,
carring seed to sow,
will return with songs of Joy,
carrying sheaves with him."

I was thinking WOW!!! God tomorrow the mission is sending a medical team down to PAP and they are all heartbroken, weeping and scared what to find. Jose is in the midst of it. So many in Haiti are weeping right now and you are promising Joy???

Them I read the footnote which said-
"God's ability to restore life is beyond our understading, Forests burn down and are able to grow back. Broken bones heal. Even GREIF is not a permanent condition. Our tears which we have all shed alot the past 24 hours] will grow into a harvest of joy because God is able to bring good out of tragedy. When burdnened by sorrow, know that your times of greit will end and that you agin will find joy. We must be patient as we wait. God's great harvest of joy is coming."

WOW GOD YOU R AMAZING just what I needed to hear before going to bed after one of the roughest days I have ever had. I could write more but I am exhausted and heading to bed.

PLEASE keep praying, if you can help financially please do. This was already the poorest country in the western hemisphere. They were still recovering from the 4 hurricaines that hit last year around this time.

THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

We serve a BIG...AWSOME...GREAT GOD! He can turn our weeping into Joy!

Peanut Butter Drive

The past two night while praying, God has laid upon my heart “Peanut butter drives.” While in Cincinnati I received an email from one of the missionaries in Haiti that the mission was completely out of peanut butter. The thought of a peanut butter drive crossed my mind but I pushed it away, I was too busy and so far from home. But the thought came back up about a week ago but Truthfully in the back of my head I questioned God, “God, I am working with the Miriam Center I want to fundraise for them” God’s response “no you are working for me and this semester I have different plans.” Ouch! Well, I guess I deserved that slap So, all this said, is this something you think is a good idea. I know God has placed this on my heart this next semester to collect as much peanut butter as I can to be used during Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) this summer. Peanut butter to me is very important outreach tool. Ever since my first trip into Haiti, I feel that every time a VBS is done that snack should be provided. We should not only feed these children spiritually but physically as well. They will grasp more spiritually if they are physically in a state to receive it. I know When I do not eat before church I do not grasp as much or worship God to my best ability. I would love to collect enough peanut butter that every group that comes in this summer and does VBS peanut butter would be there and hopefully I can raise enough money that groups that don’t have the money for bread the money would be there for that as well. Peanut butter and feed my hungry children meals are 2 of the top foods the mission uses to combat malnutrition and hunger in their programs. One of the mission’s biggest and oldest initiatives is to fight malnutrition and hunger. They provide meals to: •over a 1,000 children daily in the schools the mission sponsors •over 100 kids in their nutritional program for children with 3rd-4th degree malnutrition •over 27 kids in our For Jonathan Sake Program- disability outreach program •over 24 kids in Miriam Home- disabilities orphanage •over 38 elderly in the Gran Moon •over 10 elderly threw meals on wheels •over 100 kids in the older kids orphanage •over 20 kids in the baby orphanage Most of these programs receive feed my starving children meals. Feed My Starving Children is a Christian non-profit organization. A single meal costs only 17 cents to produce, and 94 percent of total donations goes directly toward the food program. Without these meals most of the programs would not be running to their full potential. Peanut Butter is a big outreach to children of the community especially during the summer during VBS’s. The mission has mission teams that come in all throughout the summer and also different times throughout the year that perform vacation Bible schools 3-4x a week. VBS’s in Haiti are not like here in America. When word gets out there is going to be a VBS 200-300 kids show up and kids actually have to be turned away. Often groups give a lesson, have a craft, and sing songs. All this is great, but I am a huge advocate for providing these children who probably have not eaten all day and will not eat with a peanut butter sandwich. If we fill these children’s physical needs then their spiritual needs will be better filled. My goal is to collect as much peanut butter as I can and deliver it to the mission warehouse in Kentucky by April. How awesome would it be if every child that goes to VBS this summer will get their physical needs met as well as their spiritual needs met. In the summer the school feedings do not occur and this is the missions chance to reach many of these children and those who are not in their school system and provide them with physical and spiritual food. Let me know if you are interested in donating peanut butter or helping do a peanut butter drive at your church.

Miracles

Right after Christmas I went to the Niagara youth convention with my home youth group. We took a group of 18 youth most of which were college students. Our last night there, they were having a prayer service for healing. As I was praying for all the people who went up front to receive healing and for God to perform miracles in these peoples lives I found myself weeping. I heard God speak to me “Autumn, you have seen me perform miracles.” He began to reveal to me the miracles I have seen him perform in Haiti. He revealed to me that each and everyone of my children in Haiti are a miracle in the simple fact that they are alive in a country who looks down upon them and sees them as worthless. They should be dead, most children with disabilities are left to starve. There parents feel if they can't feed their healthy children then why feed their unhealthy one. IT is truly a Miracle they are alive. It is a miracle that these children have a loving family, 3 meals a day, educational toys to play with, and access to healthcare. It is a miracle that Ju-Ju is walking with assistance, steven being able to sign his name & feed himself, Den-Den using his mouth the paint, play with playdoe, etc, That kim can feed herself & stack blocks, that John is making his bed, that Belle is sweeping the floors everyday, that these children are in a new and bigger facility, and that they have Courtney there to care for them and fight for them. Praise God...that he is still performing miracles today. God does perform miracles are you looking for them?
Look At my Miracles....

Pictures of the kids I received from Haiti :)