Tears of Espwa (Hope)

The only word I can think of to describe the last few days is full. Not just in the sense that we have been very busy or eaten a lot of good Haitian food, but that it has been full of espwa (hope). Yesterday morning, we participated in a Christmas party for the children at Maison. It was full of treats for the kids like candy canes, crafts, pizza, cake and presents. It was so amazing watching their sweet faces light up over such simple treats.

Then, we had to leave the party early because I was speaking at Pierre's church. The church invited women from 40 different churches around the PAP area to attend. There were over 30 women there. Pierre said they had to serve food so the women would show up.  Funny, how that works in America too, and most likely, they are not literally starving. They served a sandwich (not sure what kind or what it was, but we ate it with a smile) and a drink.  I was told there was a group of women there from the mountains, which is rather difficult and often times dangerous for them to travel.  It was an amazing experience. Pierre also told me that no one has ever come to their church or area to speak just to women. It was the first time these ladies had ever heard a message directly to them as women.  They learned that they were special as a woman, that God loved them, and had a purpose for them. Next year, we are already planning a 2 day Woman's Retreat with these women.

Yesterday evening and the majority of today, we spent it with the children of Zan Fan la Kay. They were extremely generous to us, giving us lots of Coke (coca) and presents. We had the privilege and honor of being apart of their Christmas party as well. There are about 52 kids, and they each received an MP3 player. It was so fun watching those kids walk around and dance to the music. They were so happy.

As Brian mentioned in his blog, I also had the privilege to speak to the Nannies this afternoon. I have decided that I love speaking to Haitian women because I get a lot of head nods, and loud Amen's which fire me up. I am so humbled by how God moved so quickly in their hearts. During our 8 p.m. devotion the Nannies said they learned so much, and they now know that God values them as a woman. I believe there is espwa (hope) for the women in Haiti who have lived far too long under oppression and condemnation. 

The evening ended well with a great trip to Epidor with our family, Pierre's family and Wilson. I have posted a few pictures for you to see.

Pictures from the Week

Brian's Perspective - Day Four

Christy will give you a better understanding of how the schedule went for us today, and you'll see that it didn't go at all like we had planned.  I have so much work to complete before we are able to leave tomorrow, that I'm afraid that it will not get completed. 

Spending the day Zan Fan la Kay (zahn fahn lah kai - House of children) was so emotional for me.  I held back tears most of the day while learning more and more about these boys, and the conditions they have been rescued from.  These children are not up for adoption.  They are being raised to stay in Haiti, and prayerfully make a difference as they grow up.  There is good work being done through this home and through Grangou (grain-goo - Hungry) http://grangou.org/, the non-profit that funds the home.  There were infants, all the way up to young adults living and working there.  The smell was horrible and the boys only had what they had on their backs.  Today's Christmas party was humbling and convicting to say the least.


As we headed home, Pierre received a call from the orphanage.  Apparently, the women had been waiting to hear Christy speak since 4:00.  As we were turning into the driveway at 4:35, Pierre said, "Oh, I forgot.  That thing that I said you would talk to the women about...they are waiting for us!"  Christy had to rush in, use the only clean restroom we had seen all day, throw on a skirt and speak.  She did the most amazing job!  The Spirit truly spoke through her, and there were many AMENS and HALLELUJAHS coming from the ladies.  These women have never been told by someone teaching from the Bible that they are important in God's eyes.  These women have never been told that God created them beautiful.  Lives were changed today!  I am so proud of Christy.  What amazes me most is that the messages that she has written for 3-6 grade girls are applicable to the oldest of women here.  Man, it's amazing how God works.


Tonight, Wilson is sleeping with us in the tent.  He knows we are leaving tomorrow, and it's going to be very hard for all of us to say good-bye.  He wouldn't go to his room tonight, so Madame Klinide made him a bed in our tent.  He and Caleb stayed up late playing games and laughing.  I can't hardly wait until he can come home with us.  I have a boy snoring on either side of me, at this very moment. 


We were told tonight by the nannies what a blessing it has been for them that we have come.  It's hard to make them understand that we are equally blessed, if not more than they!  To God be the glory!

The last day in Haiti by Caleb

I am sad that I will leave tomorrow. Here is my day. For breakfast, I had oatmeal. For lunch we had rice. To make a long story short I had 3 huge Cokes Jimmy gave me!! My bracelet they gave me broke at Zan Fan la Kay. Jimmy runs Zan Fan la Kay. Last night I slept perfectly. Tonight,  I will sleap nicely! Dinner was Epi'dor. I had a burger that I did not like, so I gave it to my dad. I had fries with my meal so I ate them. I miss the U.S.A. I will land in Texas at about 12:01 a.m. tomorrow.

Caleb

Day 3 by Caleb

Ok it is my first time blogging so hang on.  Since the first day, I love Haiti.  I was the first one to wake up, but the last one to brush my teeth.  Today was a very nice day.  For breakfast I ate spaghetti.  At lunch, we had a Christmas party for the kids.  We learned the candy cane story. We ate cake and pizza.  A while later we went to Pierre's church and my mom spoke there.  Close to the end of church, I had a very spicy sandwich.  Then, we drove to Zan Fan la Kay.  There we got a big coke. They gave me a necklace and a bracelet the boys made. We  got home at 9:00 p.m. I my not go to sleep.  At night sometimes we get cold! I will blog tomorrow.

Caleb

How Great is our God

What a great day at the orphanage! This song pretty much sums it up. The morning started off with an Advent Devotional which was followed by reciting scripture and singing.  I was so impressed with their songs and scripture memory.  I was even more impressed with the dedication of Maison's staff including Pierre, the Orphanage Director and Angie, the American Missionary to teaching these sweet children the love of Jesus.

Caleb and I spent the majority of the day making chlorine water for the orphanage. We got water from the well and mixed in 1 1/3 cup of salt. Then, we hooked up a battery to a spout and filtered the water through to make chlorine water. This will provide the orphanage safe and clean water.

I also painted all the girls fingernails. Not sure who had more fun, me or the girls.

Brian began working on a project today. The people of Haiti do not have an opportunity to get water unless you pay for it.  Often times, they have to fight for water on the streets. The orphanage never ceases to amaze me because they asked Brian to put up a door from the orphanages side of the well, so the people on the streets can use the well water. What a lesson on giving. The orphanage has been blessed with water, so what do they do, give it away.

It was a good day here in Haiti, hanging out and loving on kids. Tomorrow will be a big day. I will be speaking to a group of women from different churches around PAP. Please pray for God to do great things in the lives of these Haitian women, and the Lord will give me the words to say. Also, tomorrow we will have a Christmas party for the children here at the orphanage.

Greater things have yet to come...
Christy