Rest In Peace with your King

I know I am posting alot of other peoples words and stories but since I am not there first hand I want you to see and hear the amazing stoies of serving our King. The following one is written by Ariana Lee who spent half the summer in Haiti. She got there right after I left so I did not get to meet her face to face but I really got to see her amazing heart threw facebook and her blog :) Last night was a rough night. I got news that Walensky went to be with His maker. If you look a few posts before you will where I wrote about him being so sick. He is one of my For Jonathan Sake kids. He had some type of degenerative disease and has a sister who has the same one. How hard for a mother to lose a child and knowing that her other child is on the same path. Please pray for this family. Pray for God's presence and peace and love to surrond them. The following is a blogpost Ariana wrote....It is Just Beautiful! Thank you Ari for shairng your heart and the truth of where Walensky is. Thank you for loving on him when I couldn't and for carrying Him to the king!

Today, I was met with a difficult, but blessing of a truth: Walensky is Home!
It was probably a week or more ago, Walensky left the arms of his mommy to be with his Jesus.
It hit me a little bit harder than I expected it to. And, oh, how my heart longed to be there again! Simply stated, though, part of my heart will always long to be in that home. For today, I am learning to be content where I am and with where he was.
Walensky was with his mommy.
And I’m battling pieces of my own belonging and of my abilities, or lack there of. But my heart, though aching, is at peace. This is so much bigger than me! This little boy just got to meet his King, his Perfector, his Creator, his Lover… his God!
He isn’t hurting. He can BREATHE. He can move. He is whole and safe. He is Home. He is God’s.

This is the blog I wrote on June 29… What a fighter!

Today, we went to the hospital.
We took in Walensky, a little boy from Rou’s Corner.
I’ll introduce you to him:
His eyes are dark and deep, as deep as the ocean. Within them, there’s an untold story and incredible amount of pain. But soon, they’ll see an amazing glory.
His ears are merely there, nothing spectacular. They won’t be spectacular until they hear the chorus surrounding the Throne.
His limbs are thin and of no use to him. He won’t use them until he is on his knees before the King.
His feet, at the end of his legs are pointed. It’s as if they know they are destined for a place greater than this one. They know they’ll carry him on streets more gentle than ours.
His heart beats. Only until it’s time for him to be Home.
His chest rises. His chest falls. Only once more.

We’re okay. The four of us? Yeah, we’re okay. I can’t account for Courtney and Michelle’s. Only Walensky’s and my own.
I’m okay. It’s a merciful place to be. We got to love him. We cared for him. We never left him alone. And when he left us, he found mercy. His mercy is in the arms of the King. In the Good. In the painless breath, the easy beat.
He’s okay. He’s standing in the Courts of the King. In the presence of the One that is Good. He’s living painlessly, dancing wholly.

Rest, my child. Rest easily. I’ll see you soon.

…
One last goodnight, Walensky.
I love you.
I thank God for you.

GOD IS MOVING

The following is a post from my good friend Melonnie who has been called to the prison ministry at NWHCM and just a few months ago called to start a Brothel ministry. I know I have posted about the amazing work that God has been doing threw her but this blog post just brought chills to me as it testifies to the BIG GOD who is moving in BIG WAYS in Haiti right now. It was not until the earthquake that Melonnie was weven able to get into the Big prison in Pout a Pey and that was 1 day a week and the guards only allowed her. To now hundreds have accepted Christ, the guards have become Christian, the inmates have been baptised, clean water and food are provided, basketball hoop, sewing program, education....Only God could orchestrate all this. Please pray for the prison ministry and the Brothel and for Melonnie as she pours out her life as a sacrafice everyday!

was so excited to get to go to Port de Paix today. I’ve been in the states for the last three weeks with my family and was really looking forward to seeing everyone. Through emails and phone calls I was able to keep up (mostly!) with what was happening at the prison and brothel while I was gone.

Ivenor went to the prison every week and Jessica was able to go a couple of times too. Dennis and Lori still went and did clinic so it was business as usual. I missed them all like crazy and couldn’t wait to get back. The sewing classes started while I was gone… Ivenor delivered the new treadle machines and the ladies had all kinds of little skirts and things to show me. It was so sweet! They were so proud of what they had learned so far and I was SO happy for them. They were thrilled when we brought all of the fabric and other sewing supplies from TCC. They will hopefully have enough to keep busy for a while!

A great big surprise was that the hallway in between all of the cells had been scrubbed clean and painted. It looked and smelled SO much better! They were also using the big blue barrels we brought them to hold water for each cell. The men can reach into the barrel and fill their own personal containers. They used the buckets of white paint we had bought them right before we left… it was neater and cleaner than I had ever seen it! It was a wonderful surprise and I made sure to thank the guards and tell them how amazing it looked.

Three of the prisoners accepted Christ today. It was very cool. For our devotion today, I shared a letter from a father who’s son had been murdered. He was writing to one of the men on death row that had been convicted of murdering his son offering forgiveness and the opportunity to adopt the man as his child. You have probably guessed that the Father was God and the Son was Jesus. It was pretty powerful. It was the perfect opportunity for these three men to confess their sins and accept God’s offer of forgiveness. Love it!

Ivenor and I met with one of the guards afterwards and I have some pretty amazing updates. The UN has agreed to help with the water tanks we had been talking about so that the prisoners can have plenty of clean water. This is a HUGE deal. They have asked that we try to help build a small enclosure to protect the new tanks that are coming. I’m not sure how much this will cost yet but will try to get numbers together for anyone who is interested in contributing. I’m hoping that hubby can oversee this project while he’s here (hint, hint).

Even better than that…. we are going to be starting classes for the boys that are in the prison. Right now there are eleven underage boys all in a cell together. The guards have agreed to let them continue their studies and take the government tests. Not only that… but the teachers will also offer classes to any of the other prisoners that do not know how to read or write. Unbelievable! They have already been trying to teach each other but this is an awesome opportunity for them to really learn and better themselves. I need to build benches for the classes, buy a chalkboard and enough notebooks and pencils for all of the prisoners. Notebooks will be an ongoing need so feel free to start collecting! ;)

Moving onto the brothel… this is the big news. ALL of the girls that were there when I left are gone. They all packed up and left in the middle of the night a few days after I left. I am so excited for new beginnings for them! I pray that the work we had been doing and God’s Word we had been studying sunk in and they have truly left this business for good. I have to admit (selfishly!) that I am pretty sad about not getting to see them again. Those girls truly became my friends and I love them more than I can tell you. Please pray for them as they try to start fresh somewhere new.

Ivenor had called me and Jessica had emailed me so this wasn’t a surprise… but it’s still an odd development. The girls that Papa Yo replaced them with are all from the Dominican… meaning they all speak Spanish! Lol…. great! I can barely speak CREOLE and now we are throwing something new into the mix?!? Today was hysterical! We were trying to just get to know each other… I would speak in English, Ivenor would translate into Creole and one of the girls (who sort of knows Creole!) would translate into Spanish for the others. It was really pretty funny but it worked.

They all seem really nice and are VERY excited about this Bible study. None of them have ever done one before or have been part of a “small group” so they are really looking forward to it. They all have a basic understanding of the Bible so I just need to get copies in Spanish for them and I think we will jump right into Romans. Hubby is hoping to come down in a couple of weeks so I am hoping he can find some for me and bring them.

God certainly has a way of keeping me on my toes and always reaching for more than I have to give. I love it and am so grateful for that push. Coming back into Haiti was especially difficult this time. It gets harder and harder each time I say goodbye to my family. I thank God for giving me this new challenge and reminding me why He has me here to begin with.

Miracles Happen

The following is a peice from my missionary friends Matt and Stacey Ayers blog who work with OMS in Cap Haitia at the Seminary. They are amazing Godly people with a heart for the gospel especially to share it with there brothers and sisters in Haiti. I have a link to their blog over on the right hand side. This is a HUGE MIRACLE AND JUST A REMINDER OF HOW BIG OF A GOD WE SERVE!

BUT, the most exciting thing to report is a miraculous (aren't they all!) conversion! There is (well, there was) a witch doctor living in Vaudreil (where the main OMS Haiti compound is) named Innocent. Over the past years, the Lord has put Innocent on the hearts of many, and countless foreign and national Christians have met with him, prayed with and for him, and given him countless opportunities to accept Christ.


While he is always open to discussion, and even asks for prayer, ect., he has never been willing to accept, losing to his greatest slave, money. "If I didn't do this, what will I do for money? How will I take care of my family?"


Last Tuesday, Lucner and Jerry went to see him again, picking him up at a local bar and shared with him salvation once again.


"I know that it is a simple decision," Innocent said, "It is simple. But it is BIG. I can't do that."


They left a little discouraged that once again, Innocent had been so open, but so unwilling.


However, on Friday, Jerry got a call from Innocent, saying that he needed to see him. Matt and Jerry drove back to Vaudreil, hopeful, but not confident that he wasn't just needing money or wanting to debate.


When they arrived, they found Innocent a different man. "I cannot stop thinking about everything you keep telling me, and I'm ready. I'm ready."


"What will I do for money?" he asked them. "How can you help me?"


"I leave tomorrow," Jerry told him. "I can't do anything to help you. But God WILL provide for you. Do you want to trust him to?"


"I'm ready."


Matt and Jerry led him to the Lord right there, and when it was time to leave, Innocent made them a promise.


"Come back tomorrow, and I promise that all of this stuff will be gone," Innocent said, nodding to the talismans, trinkets and ceremonial items in his temple. "I'm done. I have a new life."


The next morning they stopped at his place on their way to the airport to drop off a few books the Seminary has helped translate on the foundations and beliefs of Christianity.


"I slept WELL," Innocent said, showing them his empty temple. "I have peace. I don't know what I'm going to do. But I have peace."


THIS IS EXCITING STUFF! It is the FIRST time since we've been here that we have seen a witch doctor convert, with so many being unwilling to give up the "business" for possible poverty. For YEARS different visitors, missionaries and national friends have asked for prayer for Innocent, and last week, all these prayers came true.


No one, not even God himself, could MAKE Innocent leave a life of serving Satan. NO one could convince him to follow Christ. The God of the Universe can't MAKE us love him. We have to choose to. Simple. But BIG. Because it's not just a choice like what to have for lunch. It is a choice that changes EVERYTHING.


Innocent's choice on Friday changes EVERYTHING. HOW exciting is that! "Changes Everything" is exactly what Innocent, me, Haiti, needs.


Jesus, who had NO sin, took on sin so that we, who had NOTHING holy, could be, and therefore be in relationship with a holy God. Changes EVERYTHING.


Praise the Lord! Please be praying for Innocent as a new Christian making a giant leap of faith.


Does it seem like there are a ridiculous amount of miracles taking place lately? Yay! It is just AWESOME to be a reporter for the Divine Events Coordinator.

TWITChange Video from Eva Longoria

This is the current fundraisor going on for the new Miriam Center in we broke ground for in July. This is all because we serve a BIG GOD



All proceeds from the TwitChange celebrity auction will provide aHomeInHaiti.org the means to finish rebuilding the Miriam Center. The Miriam Center houses, educates and loves on Haitian children with cerebral palsy, severe autism, and other major life challenges and is one of the only facilities of its kind in Haiti. The current facility houses children in the earthquakeʼs aftermath and is extremely overcrowed. These kids need and deserve a permanent home.

aHomeInHaiti.org has provided over $1.5 million in tents to homeless Haitians since the earthquake. They have created a movement of tens of thousands of people across the globe to provide more tents than nearly any established organization or government in the world - all through the power of Social Media.

Now, in the first project of Phase 2, we look to break more records! We know that together with YOU, the Miriam Center, the largest and best center of its kind in Haiti will be built!

You can visit there website at http://www.twitchange.com/

ALSO Check out this CNN interview with the pastor from Florida leading up the fundraisor. He has a BIG heart for Haiti and especially my kids :)

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2010/09/15/nr.shaun.king.mission.possible.cnn.html

Feeling Unqualified

The past few weeks learning my new job has not been easy in the least bit. There have been many times I have pushed waaaaaaaaay to far out of my comfort zone...I have felt unworthy/unqualified...and 1 or 2 questioned God a little bit. BUT WHY? Why would I doubt the God who answered my prayer to show me where He wanted me, who opened every door to lead me to this job, who has helped me along every step of the way during the journey. This journey has brought me closer to God than I have ever been. It has forced me to rely on Him more than ever to make it threw every minute of my day. Everything is new, everything is harder than before but God has given me strength when I needed it, wisdom when I needed it, Confidence that could only come from him, a peace that surpasses all understanding....and the list could go on and on.

Tonight was one of those nights that I was just empty. I had given my all today, been challenged, I was brain dead...tired...and just wanted to curl up in bed BUT I didn't I went to Bible Study & had an amazing time of worship and got to dig into God's word in Nahum & was reminded of the character of the AMAZING God I serve. After the service the women I work with that invited me to this church spoke words of encouragement to me reminding me that what other people at work who are advising me don't realize is that God called me to this job! SOOO TRUE! (thanks Lila). I then came home and read a blog post from my dear sister in Christ in Haiti who put into words exactly what I was feeling (thanks Beth!). I could not say it better myself so I am going to post it below

“Not that we are in any way confident of doing anything by our own resources-our ability comes from God.” 2 Cor. 3:5 (phillips translation)

“As we yield our lives to Him we discover He exchanges our self-sufficiency for His all-sufficiency. He makes us the person He wants us to be and prepares us for the task He has for us to do.” stamm

Today I was reminded that I can only rely and be confident in the one who created me…who knitted me together in my mother’s womb, who knows the number of my days and who equipps me for everything He desires me to do. I am not always confident that I can complete a task or finish the race as strong as I think I should. I don’t always feel I have the right to do what I am doing. I don’t always believe others think I should be doing what I am doing or have the credentials or diploma to do what I am doing. In essence I feel a lot like Caleb. “He didn’t follow what others thought he should do Caleb longed to see God work in power and he knew he would be less likely to rely on God if he dwelt in the easy places.” (swindoll?) Caleb didn’t ask questions like ” what do the experts say” or “what do my friends say?” He was seeking more of the question, “what would God say?” God called him a man with a different spirit and he followed him wholeheartily (Numbers 14: 24) I want to be more like Caleb. I don’t want to always think to myself ” what will others say?” or “what do others think?” or do as I did today and believe I am not qualified. God reminded me today that he doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called. I desire to seek the mountains so that I can witness God doing things through my life that can only be explained by His mighty power. I desire to see Him glorified.