Bruce Gethro

From Hudson:

"Bruce Gethro is a young man with three young children.  He is a car washer, and his wife used to sell used clothes ("pepe") at the market.  Their house was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew.  They almost lost everything."

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Could you help this man and his family rebuild their home?   Your year-end donation to Haiti Awake can help Bruce Gethro and people like him who are still looking to recover their lives post-Hurricane Matthew.

Checks can be mailed to Haiti Awake, 4630 Mockingbird Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409.  To designate a gift specifically for hurricane relief, please note this in the memo line.

On-line donations can be made through the Paypal button at the bottom of this page.

All donations to Haiti Awake are tax-deductible because Haiti Awake is a 501c3 organization.

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Orestal Beauvoit

As I stood surveying the community we were in one week ago today, the remnants of one house caught my eye over and over.  Though most houses were at least partially standing, having lost their roofs, there was one dwelling that had completely collapsed . . . with a still-intact roof on top of the rubble.  It was almost ironic.

One Tuesday morning, Orestal Beauvoit came to me.  He explained to me that he is an old man, that he is sick, and that he has no way to rebuild his home.  He asked for my help.

And I offered him the same help I offered everyone else we talked to in Les Cayes last week.  I promised to tell his story and share his picture.

Orestal Beauvoit also has a physical ailment which he asked me to look at.  I explained to him that I am not a doctor, I am not a nurse, but he seemed to take comfort in me just looking at the problem... a problem he has had for almost 6 years.   I shared the photo I took of his issue with a number of people who are medically knowledgeable.  They all agreed - he needs to see a physician.   

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Could you help this man rebuild his home and see a doctor?   Your year-end donation to Haiti Awake can help Orestal and people like him who are still looking to recover their lives post-Hurricane Matthew.

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Checks can be mailed to Haiti Awake, 4630 Mockingbird Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409.  To designate a gift specifically for hurricane relief, please note this in the memo line.

On-line donations can be made through the Paypal button at the bottom of this page.

All donations to Haiti Awake are tax-deductible because Haiti Awake is a 501c3 organization.

Antoine Honneur

One of the many houses in Les Cayes needing repair. One of the many families still suffering post-Hurricane Matthew

From Hudson:

Becky and I agree.  A picture couldn't describe how this house is built.  That's why we have taken a video to try to explain the trick this grandpa did, so that he can sleep at night.

He is a farmer, and his wife sells what he grows.  Their garden was destroyed by the hurricane.  It sounds difficult for them now.

Antoine Honneur, like so many in his community, needs help in rebuilding his home post-Hurricane Matthew.   Will you partner with Haiti Awake and give a financial gift to help repair his home?

Checks can be sent to Haiti Awake, 4630 Mockingbird Lane, Wilmington, NC 29409.  Paypal payments can be made through the button on the bottom of this page.  All donations to Haiti Awake are tax-deductible.  Please consider Haiti Awake in your year-end giving.

Grace Upon Grace

 The following is Hudson's report of the most recent work in Les Cayes.

We were back in Les Cayes, especially in "Gelee". This time God has made a path direction to Jack Charlie's house and his family.

Jack Charlie (far right) and a few members of his family.

We feel so much enthusiasm by how God uses our heart, our hands to make it work. Even everyday is a blessing day.

This family feels further blessed, and we got to feel the same way as them because God has touched our hearts and make us do the right thing.

They are so thankful, so happy, and they want to keep us in their prayers... We feel the same way too.

All our acknowledgment to God, Haiti Awake, and you all that've made this work possible.

Do not forget that God loves us.

Editor's Note:  We will continue the work in Les Cayes as long as funds are available.  Please consider Haiti Awake in your year-end giving.

“Keep your doubt away and hold onto faith, my friend. Because every day His grace doesn’t stop to fall on us, to fortify our lives, and make us feel we were made to love and be loved by Him (GOD). Believe, and be sincere in your acts. A heart that gives must always be happy and so for the heart that receives. ”

— Louis Hudson

Dredging Up Compassion for the Suffering and Desperate

The following is a guest post from our friend, Lisa Moore.

I'm sitting in a big comfy desk chair staring at my oversized computer screen.  Looking back at me is Haitian woman and her child whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew.  My home consists of carpet, tastefully painted walls, and a solid roof to keep us protected.  Her home is no longer a home, but a thrown together shanty made of broken sheets of iron.

I look at the rubble and trash and rocky ground around her home, and I just can't understand as my home is surrounded by a pristine carpet of St. Augustine grass.  I see her shoeless feet standing on the concrete slab, and I think of my recently painted purple toe nails.  But then I notice in the picture her one year old son standing in the makeshift doorway of her dwelling.  He's naked.  And I think, "Where is his diaper?"  My western mind hasn't connected that a shoeless, nearly homeless woman would not be able to buy diapers.  Wow. 

I continue to stare at her but honestly, I struggle to have compassion for her.  I continue staring at the computer screen waiting for compassion to erupt from some deep place in my heart.  But it doesn't.  I wait, and still, nothing.  It' difficult for me to dredge up empathy for this poor woman because I cannot relate to her situation. I cannot comprehend her desperation.  I have shoes, a home, and children that are dressed head to toe.

I continue to read about this desperate mother, Moline, and her family.  She has three children.  She sells fish at the nearby beach.  Her husband is a fisherman.   And then I read a sentence that does produce a reaction in my heart:

“ We could not help her and her family...”

 And I am cut to the heart.  Because, you see, while my heart may struggle with compassion and empathy to relate to a woman I will never know, God's Holy Spirit lives in me.  God knows this shoeless woman that I will never know.  He sees her ramshackle dwelling and her diaperless child.  He hears the hidden wailings of her heart that I will never hear.  He cares for Moline oh so much. 

And God sees me.  God knows that I have the means to help this woman.  He knows that I have some extra room in my budget and I've been waiting on Him to know what to do with it.  And God knows that when He speaks, I will listen.  Although I often resist and question, I will eventually obey.  Jesus, after all, is my example.  God hears the silent prayer of my heart, my surrender, “Not my will, O God, but yours be done.”

My heart is moved to action and these extra funds in my budget will now be sent every month to Haiti Awake, a ministry on the ground in Haiti that helps real families like Moline and her diaperless child.  I know that my US dollars - the amount my family of four would spend to eat out just once - will make a sizeable difference for families in Haiti. 

And even though I still may not understand or comprehend their plight, I will make a difference.  I will touch Haiti - not with my hands and feet - but with my heart.  God's heart. 

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What about you?  Is God speaking to your heart to be a monthly supporter of Haiti Awake?   They need monthly support they can depend on, which allows them to plan, to grow, and to follow where the Lord is leading.  Whether you can share $10, $25, $50 or more, God will use it to care for the Molines and families like hers in Haiti.  Please prayerfully consider giving to this ministry.

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  Lisa Moore has been married to Brian for over 20 years. A nuclear engineer by training, she homeschooled her two children, including her son that has autism.  Through her transparency, Lisa encourages struggling women by giving them the gift of “Me, too. ” Lisa loves Pride and Prejudice, Chapstick, and taking long afternoon naps with her stuffed bunny rabbit, Jessie.  Connect with her at CelebratingWeakness.com.

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This is the Gospel

The following is the weekly report from Steeve Derard, Ground Director for Haiti Awake.

The effects of Hurricane Mathew on the south of Haiti (Les Cayes and Jeremie) will not be repaired in a very short period of time. It will take a long time - maybe years - for those people to get back to a normal life.

But God has not forsaken his children.

Thank you for all who have contributed to help in rebuilding several houses and a church in Les Cayes which had been destroyed by the hurricane.

Pastor Delpeche is one of the pastors in Les Cayes who called me to thank Haiti Awake for helping them, and he was telling me how people in the community were so happy .

Describing Haiti Awake's work in Les Cayes: 

“This is the Gospel.”

— Pastor Joseph Jeneve Delpeche, Mission Eglise Baptiste Sud d'Haiti

Lespwa Fè Viv (Hope Makes Life) - Part 5

This week's final installment from Hudson re: the work in Les Cayes.

Jack Charlie who is a very strong man, spiritually and physically, who helped us every day from the morning to the night and didn't expected to receive anything from us.  His family -  Yvena Cadet and their 5 children -  are also in need.

But through all their pains they don't stop to believe, to preach and hope that God always has a plan for their life.

We could have more samples stories from that community, the people that are living in that community have the same issues.  We noticed a lot of repetition seeing what they have been through.

But they are not desperate because they know someone who is awesome, powerful, amazing - a God that will never stop taking care of them.

They're are so thankful, and they ask us to pray for them, like they will always hold us in their prayers, too.

Thanks to God, to Haiti Awake, Fre Jack, and everyone who has made that trip possible by helping with prayers, love, and finances.  We are thankful that God always give us His hands for the broken-hearted, the ones that are far beyond our reach.

“But they are not desperate because they know someone who is awesome, powerful, amazing - a God that will never stop taking care of them.”

— Louis Hudson, describing the people he met in Les Cayes

Lespwa Fè Viv - Hope Makes Life (Part 3)

More in our week-long series regarding the work in Les Cayes as seen through the eyes of our co-worker, Louis Hudson.

Moise Marieta. A few words cannot tell all her story, but by the privilege we had to talk with her.

We know that she is a mother of seven children, and Hurricane Matthew destroyed her house. She used to sell food (Manje Kwit), but the life she is actually living now is to stay nearby the beach and wait until someone gives her some fish to sell . . .  if only they had a good day fishing.  This is most difficult.

When we got to where she was supposed to live, we saw the place.  We can't call this place a house any longer.  Some of her neighbors told us that since the hurricane all that she does is to live nearby the beach.

We could not help her this trip.  There are so many people, so many needs . . .   Time and funds are limited.

More from Hudson tomorrow . . . 

Another way to give to Haiti Awake

The generosity shown by gifts of time and money to Haiti Awake is truly amazing and continues to grow.

We have shared various ways of giving that cost you nothing extra (for example, shopping through with Amazon Smile when shopping on Amazon).

One of the things that we wish we could do is accept all of the physical items that are offered. Some of these items are valuable and would be useful, but the cost of shipping and customs is prohibitively high.

Given this problem, I wanted to give a short explanation of eBay community charitable selling. This allows you to sell these items on eBay and contribute the proceeds to Haiti Awake.

It is very simple. When you list your item one of the very last options is a little check box that says "Donate a portion to charity."

Check this box and then under "Donation Percentage" choose 100% of proceeds (when you sell for a charity eBay will credit the listing fees back to you).

The last line is "Donate to." Click that drop down menu and choose "Search for Charity." Type "Haiti Awake," and Haiti Awake will pop up.

You are all set! The proceeds will be sent to the Paypal Giving Fund, you will receipt a gift receipt, and 100% of those funds will be sent to Haiti Awake.

For more detailed information you can go to http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/selling-nonprofit.html

- Rick

A new staff member

We at Haiti Awake are extremely happy to announce the addition of a new staff member, Manoucheka Derard Pierre.  Manoucheka has been helping Haiti Awake since day one because she's Steeve's wife, but now she officially has her own position as the Health Care Manager for Haiti Awake.  

Manoucheka will be responsible for overseeing both the staff and children's healthcare, as well as coordinating healthcare outreach in the future.

Congratulations, Manoucheka!

Happy birthday, Haiti Awake!

Yesterday I sat in a coffee shop, chatting with a friend about life and service and responsibility and what it means to live on mission.  And my thoughts were directed back to this quote from Richard Stearns:

“The adventure that God invites each of us on is a life filled with meaning and purpose. His plan for each of us is unique, but it is always filled with a sense of passion to complete God’s mission to demonstrate and share His love. He may send you to Wall Street or the local soup kitchen. He may ask you to spend years in preparation or to drop everything and start doing what you feel totally unprepared to do.”

Two years ago God clearly called the Graves family and the Derard family to partner together in Haiti Awake.     He has given us a passion for Haiti and her people, and He's continued to clearly show us what He would have us to do day-by-day.

On this special day, we are thankful for the many people, both Haitian and American, God has used over the last two years to teach us, to encourage us, to support us, to help us more clearly define our mission and our philosophy of ministry.

We are excited to watch our Haiti Awake family continue to grow, and we look forward to continuing to share the goodness and faithfulness of God in the years to come.

Below are just a few of the memories we're been blessed with here at Haiti Awake.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

— Ephesians 3:20-21

It's a New Week

“It was so hard (seeing the devastation in Les Cayes last week). Most of the people are homeless. They don’t know when they will have a new house. They lost everything. It is so hard for them when it is raining. They can’t even stand under a tree . . . because there is no tree.”

— Polo

The men will leave early tomorrow morning to travel from Port-au-Prince to Jeremie, and by Tuesday evening they hope to be in Les Cayes again.  Current plans include food distribution and repair work on the church where they will continue working with Pastor Joseph Jeneve Delpeche, Mission Eglise Baptiste Sud d'Haiti.  

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Specific prayer points for the week:

1.     Pray for the safety of our men as they travel.  People are getting desperate out on the peninsula, and desperate people do desperate things.     

Psalm 4:8:  'In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."

2.     Pray for God-ordained, Gospel opportunities that point people to the true hope of Jesus Christ.    

2 Corinthians 4:18:  "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

3.     Pray for the men to be able to find the supplies that they need at a reasonable price.      

Psalm 90:17: "Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yea, establish the work of our hands!" 

4.     Pray for the vehicle they are driving to run smoothly and clear the roads ahead of them as they go.       

Psalm 40:2  "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure."

5.     Pray for Americans to continue to have a heart of generosity toward the Haitian people and not be overcome with compassion fatigue.        

James 2:15-16:  "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"

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I'll end with some photos from last week. Daily updates might be hard this week because Jeremie is more remote than Les Cayes, but we will update Facebook and Instagram as we can.  

Please continue to pray for Haiti.  The road ahead will be a long, difficult one.

The Lord continues to direct our steps

“As humans, we will miss seeing so many things without God’s eyes. That’s why I’m so thankful to Him, because He gave us His eyes to understand things that we couldn’t, and to show us that He is always in control.
He provided what we didn’t expect and make us feel useful to help our brothers and sisters.
We have crossed rivers by walking, taken out trees from bumpy roads...
As a photographer I couldn’t use my camera as often I used to... because I felt the necessity to carry things and to do my best to help our fellows Haitians in need.
We are also thankful to Haiti Awake team, Redgi from Heart United, and other friends that were there to help during these three days.”

— Hudson

We thought we had a plan for Monday.  The men were supposed to meet a friend at the airport and caravan down to Les Cayes with her group to start relief work.  Instead, that plan fell apart . . . just as another friend reached out to Haiti Awake and offered to partner with us for work in the same area.  I am very thankful for Crystal Funk and Hearts United with Haiti.  As the day unfolded on Monday, it became evident that this was the partnership God wanted for us to pursue for this week.

Here is the short version of what has happened on the ground so far this week.

Monday:  Polo got to Les Cayes by airplane thanks to Gene Schmidt.  Gene is a new friend, an amazing man, an excellent pilot.  Hudson, Wesly, Fre Jack (a friend from church), and Redgi (from Hearts United with Haiti) headed down with the truck later in the day.  Polo had already made contact with Pastor Joseph Jeneve Delpeche at Mission Eglise Baptiste Sud d'Haiti, and the men were able to sleep at his house all week.

On Tuesday the men bought supplies and distributed them.  But the day was not without incident.  According to Polo, they had a flat tire far away from where they could get help.  He said it was difficult to get the help they needed, but in the end they were able to get the tire fixed and finish the work they had set out to do, including buying rice and re-bagging it for the Wednesday distribution.

Today the men gave out rice in the pastor's community before going to his church where they met with the people and gave rice.  They then helped Redgi get iron sheets to people his organization knows and has worked with for years.

“We passed a beautiful 3 days with the Haitians in Les Cayes. The pastor who shared in his house is a good men.
I pray to God for the people in Les Cayes.
God bless Haiti Awake. It can help the people in Haiti.
We need your help, Dear Father, like the Haitian song says, ‘Papa Bondye nou bezwen ou kounye a.’”

— Wesly

Tomorrow the men plan to return to Port-au-Prince after helping Redgi with another project. The current plan is to return to the Les Cayes area next week - hopefully to help with fixing the roof at Mission Eglise Baptiste Sud d'Haiti.

“I am thankful because God had given us this opportunity to help our brothers and sisters who were in need. And I felt so good working with some of the Haiti Awake staff and Jean Frtiz and Redgi from Hearts United with Haiti.
We worked as a team. We worked hard. The road was bad - trees in some road, but God was with us.
The Pastor this morning said the fact we come to help them it a prayer come true; they were hopeless. They said they will pray for us.”

— Polo

Further, having Fre Jack on the team has provided wisdom and experience, as well as a point of contact who already knew people in the area, including Pastor Joseph.

Please continue to pray for Haiti as the road to recovery will be a long one.

We are thankful for a great team of Haitian men who are helping their fellow Haitians and making a difference in the community in which they are working.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

— 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The heart can only grieve what the eyes have seen

The last 72 hours have been a whirlwind as I left Wilmington, arrived in Pensacola, flew to Haiti, and then went deep into the countryside.

The day yesterday was not what we had planned, but it was what God had planned.

We had planned to Les Cayes, and we did.  But when the contacts in Les Cayes did not direct us to great need, we decided to go on to Jeremie.

From Jeremie we took motos for approximately 3 hours, going through Mafranc to Morow and finally arriving in Chambelan.  From Chambelan we crossed the Riviere de la Grande-anse.  And we climbed further up the mountain until we arrived at Maken's family's home.

When we arrived at Maken's family's house, we found a once lush, beautiful place barren.   The breadfruit trees that surrounded his family home are gone.  The plantain trees are gone.   The coconut trees are gone.  They lie all around on the ground.  Amazingly, his parents' house still stands, but the same can not be said about many houses in the area.

We returned to Chambelan to locally purchase rice and oil and carry it back across the river.  And this morning Maken's father was able to share food with his neighbors and friends.   We returned to Port-au-Prince this afternoon.

 Tomorrow Polo will be going to Les Cayes.  We hope to have more news to share with you later tomorrow.

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

— Nahum 1:7

I wish I could tell this story better tonight, but we are all so tired.  I hope I am at least conveying the information well.  Please pray for Haiti.  People are suffering.  They need help.

Please consider donating through Haiti Awake.  We assure you that 100% of the money that you donate will be used right here in Haiti . . . to benefit Haitians.

Glwa Pou Bondye

This morning we are praising God for His protection over those we hold close to our hearts while acknowledging others have suffered great loss.

For those of you inquiring about relief for our neighbors to the south, here is our advice:

“The storm has reached the southern coast, and the very few reports we’ve seen are scary, mainly because no one fully knows how bad it is.
If you or people you know are thinking about making donations for relief....please wait. Wait to find out what the real needs are, and then find a grassroots organization that’s meeting those needs. I promise you, the big organizations are ineffective. We saw it after the earthquake. No one wants history repeated. See where God is working, and join Him.”

— Allison Vantreese Garrett

We are currently working with a trusted friend and mentor, Gloria Board, on a list of organizations you can trust in Haiti.  If you feel led to give, whether it is through Haiti Awake or another organization, please do your research.  Be discerning.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

— Lamentations 3:22-23

God's Work Through God's People

Two years ago right now, these kids were barely eating.  We visited them in October of 2014 and found them dirty, hungry, thirsty . . . miserable.

And then something amazing happened.  God spoke specifically to one family.  And that one family made a commitment to these children.

Later, God spoke specifically to another man who had a vision for these children to not only have a safe place to live and daily food to eat but to have an education, as well.

That man shared his vision with others . . . 

The first day of school - September 2016

And  last year they went to school - many for the first time.

The first day of school - October 2015

Now look at them today.  God does amazing things through the generosity of His children.  We at Haiti Awake are thankful for the many people God has sent to Haiti on short-term missions teams in the last two years - people who have seen specific needs and addressed them with financial support.  It is because of the generosity of many people that Haiti Awake is growing in its ability to fulfill its mission statement:

“Our goal is to equip these local Christians to reach their own communities and their own country through showing Christ’s love in action.”

“This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

— Psalm 118:23

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Those of you who know the children might notice that Idelmy is not with the rest of the children today.  Please pray for him.  He has been struggling with his health in recent weeks, and he was not able to attend the first day of school.  I know this is difficult for him.

Special thanks to Hudson and Polo for getting some great photos to share this morning.

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These two handsome young men started school at IMPAD this morning, too.  We are thankful for the way God provides for everyone associated with Haiti Awake.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

Be Faithful To What God Has Called You

“He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. ”

— Job 5:9

Steeve and his precious family as he prepares to go to STEP for his first night of seminary, year 2.

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As I look at this photo tonight, I am reminded of the story of the 12 stones Israel placed for a memorial after crossing the Jordan River (Joshua 4).  Somehow I see Stevenly, Caleb, and Lorie asking a variation of "What do these stones mean?" when they grow up.  

Haiti Awake is not even two years old, and already we can look back and see God's hand of guidance and faithfulness.  God has done amazing, miraculous things for the Derard family during this time.  It has been the Graves family's privilege to walk this journey with them, as friends, as ministry partners.

We eagerly anticipate the future.

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”

— 2 Timothy 2:24

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Steeve, here's our advice for you as you enter your 2nd year of seminary:

“Listen: Just do your thing with passion , joy, honor, and humility, and folks will notice.

Actually, even if no one notices, be faithful to what God has called you.

Remember, we do what we do not for people’s applause but for God’s glory.

Don’t be held captive to either praise or criticism.

Know who you are, what you’re about, and most important, who you serve.”

— Eugene Cho

And remember, you are greatly loved.

July 17, 2013

Three years ago today, God in His providence, caused my path to intersect with a little guy named Handy.  Handy was three years old at the time.  I met many, many children at different orphanages that day, but Handy was the one my heart could not forget.

Only God could have known what the future would hold.   About six months later, God brought our lives back together. The circumstances surrounding our reunion can only be explained as God's enabling.

When we said goodbye that day in early 2014, we had no idea when . . . or even if . . .we would ever see each other again.  But God knew!

In July 2014, our paths intersected again.  And this time, Rick and I knew we had to do something.  We weren't sure what something was, but we knew we had a future with Handy.

When Haiti Awake was founded in October that year, the very first children's Bible school we did was with Handy and the other children at his home.

Since that first trip, every Haiti Awake team has held Bible schools with the children, and thanks to team members who came and got a vision for the future, we are now doing life with Handy and his friends.  The children now have better living conditions and a constant food supply, and they are going to school.

One life encounter has turned into many friendships and lots of love for Handy.

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”

— Psalm 92:4

This photo was taken in January of 2015 as we said goodbye after a week of Bible schools with the children.  It was so hard to leave that day because, at that time, we had no communication between trips.   This entire team felt so burdened for the children, but we still didn't know what the future would hold.  But God knew.

Just over three months later, God provided a way for the children to move to their current home . . . which is roughly a mile away from our Haiti Awake home.   He provided funds for monthly food.  And He provided a vision of the future.

Just a month after that, God added Polo to our Haiti Awake staff . . . with his primary responsibility being the children.

And one month after that, God provided the finances for the children . . .  Handy and all of his friends . . .to go to school for the first time.

Now goodbyes look like this. . . because goodbyes aren't goodbyes.  They're "see you later"s.  We know there will be another trip soon, and we know Polo, Hudson and Wesly will send plenty of photos in the meantime.

“You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.”

— Psalm 40:5

Getting outside the walls

Yesterday our kids had the opportunity to go on a summer field trip with Hudson, Polo, Dieussait, and Wesly.    One of our goals as we walk through life with them is to expand their world, helping them to see possibilities they never imagined.  Each trip outside of the orphanage allows them an opportunity to learn and grow.

Thankful for monthly support that provides the funds needed for days like this.

Mutuality

So . . . I've been home for a week.  But it feels like much longer.  And, I'm counting down the days until I go back to Haiti.

As usual, people ask, "How was Haiti?" and as usual, I don't really have an answer.  It's like there's no explanation, no way to explain everything that's in my heart, everything that's on my mind, everything I'm still trying to sort through.

On the one hand, this trip was AMAZING.  For the first time ever, our family spent several days in Haiti . . . just "being" with our friends and co-workers.  It was incredible.

It's been a year since we were all in Haiti at the same time.  I treasured the days we passed together!

Also, I had the privilege of being with Steeve and Manoucheka again as they welcomed a new addition to their family . . . this time it was Baby Lorie.

Further, we hosted some wonderful people who encouraged us all greatly, including the group from Mission Made Jewelry - the first-of-its-kind trip for Haiti Awake.

On the other hand, this trip ripped my heart up all over again.  I tell myself that after 20 trips I should know "that"/ be able to process "that"/ be numb to "that" . . . and yet "that" can  bring my tears time and time again.

Often, the "thats" are too personal to share publicly, out of respect to our Haitian friends and co-workers.  And often a "that" can't be shared because, unless you've been there, unless you've seen it, unless you have some true idea of what life is like in Haiti, you won't understand why "that" is the way it is, or why it is so hurtful, or why it can't be fixed with a simple solution.

I'm thankful for American friends who, like us,  want to understand Haiti better, who are investing their hearts, their time, their money alongside of us.  I'm thankful for Haitian co-workers who are infinitely patient with our American ways, our impatience, and our lack of understanding on so many issues, Haitian friends who love us as we are and give us so much grace time and time again.

“True love flows out of mutuality, where we blur the lines between those who are serving and those who are receiving, and where we humbly acknowledge that we all have something to offer and something to receive from one another. ”

— Craig Greenfield