Singing for the King!

The second Sunday I was in Haiti, God surprised me with the first of many unexpected ministry opportunities using music.  I sang that Sunday morning with two of my dear friends Sanite--who doubled as my Creole teacher--and Marthe--both of whom I love so very much!  Please enjoy the only recording in existence of the three of us singing together!  The song is saying some of the things we know about the Jesus--He is the Lord, the Son, the Lamb, the King of Kings.  Then it says, "I adore You, Jesus!"  My favorite part is where it says "You are the first and the last, Alpha and Omega, Lion of Judah, there is no other."  We can worship the Lord in any language...how beautiful it will be when we all gather around the throne and sing:  "I adore You, Jesus!"

Please click on the following link to view this video:  https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Sn6wfvvMC0pQ5SJ7kV7-uw?feat=directlink

The More I Talk...

I have been back from Haiti for a little over two weeks now and I have found that the more I talk about my experiences in Haiti--the people I love, the country I am called to, the fun times, and the sad times--the more I realize how excited I am to get back!  I do love my family and friends here--please know that.  I remember when I first went to Haiti, almost a year ago, I didn't want to go at all.  If, a year ago, you would have told me that I would be where I am--getting ready to go back to Haiti for a year and planning on spending much of the rest of my life there--I wouldn't have believed it.  

Thinking back on my last year and sharing about how things have changed reminds me that I had nothing to do with this.  On my own, none of this would have been possible.  All I can do is point to God!  His plan, His faithfulness, and His love is what made me decide to go to Haiti in the first place.  He is the one who gave me a vision and a passion like this.  He is the one who gave me the ability to go.  There is nothing about me in this.  This is all about God.  As is my life!

So, again, as the busyness is taking over and as I have more places to go and people to see, it's good to be reminded of God's faithfulness in my own testimony, but, again, I must surrender my life to my King daily!  It's amazing how busyness takes away from what God has for us.  It's time for me to spend more time with Him.  To be filled up before I head back to Haiti to serve Him there again!  To be able to share the vision He has given me!  I cannot wait to see how He continues to show His faithfulness every day--here in the states and in Haiti!  For His GLORY--FOREVER!

From the Mountainous Land to the Land of Sky Tinted Waters

I've said all my goodbyes and packed my bags.  A dear friend drove me to the airport yesterday morning where I waited in line after line to leave the country I am called to serve to return to Minnesota for a time.  My trial period is over and I have discovered many things.  The first is that I am definitely called to serve the Lord in Haiti.  The second is that I will be moving to a new ministry when I return to Haiti. I will miss my kids and girls at Canaan, but I know that God is moving me in a new direction.  There are many other things that I have learned that I will be writing about more later as well!  I already miss Haiti and my dear friends there so much!

Friends, my time back here in the states is going to be busy with a variety of things from doctor's appointments, meetings, and family time to paperwork, visiting churches, and travelling.  I am going to be needing your prayers and support as I continue to serve the Lord--for this time stateside--and get ready to transition to a new place in Haiti.  While I am here, I would love to hear from you!  I would love to share with you about what God has been doing and how you can be more involved in what He will continue to do through me and in spite of me in Haiti.  If you have a church, youth group, or small group that would like to hear about Haiti, I would be happy to share if I possibly can!  Please email me or leave a comment here if you would like to hear more from me.

This time will be busy, but I want to share with as many people as possible about God's faithfulness and His love for the people of the world while I am in the states!  I have meetings starting this morning and need many prayer warriors.  The first couple of days back are usually the hardest because of the change in location, environment, and tasks.  These particular first couple of days are going to be hard because of scheduling as well!  Please be praying for me!  I look forward to seeing many of you soon!

Enjoying the Time!

I figure because it is one my last days in Haiti, I should wake up and blog this morning.  The last few days have been interesting to say the least!  We finished school by having the kids clean it on up and then we had cupcakes--some made from a mix but most we made from scratch!  Yummy!  Props to Naomi for bringing the mix and the recipes we would need.  We sang and prayed and the kids were out of school by 10:30 on Tuesday morning.  That was the day I told them I was leaving.  And then...I cried...

Yesterday was full of surprises!  After falling asleep at 6:30pm on Tuesday night you would think that I would wake up refreshed...not so much...but I hit the ground running.  Went to Rousseau to help with Mamba--the malnutrition program here.  The drive was beautiful on a crazy road!  We got there and some kids got checked to see if they qualified for the program and others were checked to see if the program was working.  Not many came out though because of the rain.  We arrived back at Canaan around 11...just enough time to start cleaning house before lunch!  We even lit candles to make it smell extra clean...I remember lighting candles when I was cleaning many years ago.  I loved how candles looked and smelled in a clean room.

After yummy tuna sandwiches for lunch, we had to make a run to the clinic to measure a building and bring stuff down.  While we were there, we were told that our elderly gardener man had fallen.  We went with the truck to pick him up and bring him down to the clinic.  After the doctor saw him and he received his medication, we brought him back up to Canaan and continued cleaning our house/packing.  

It's crazy packing things up.  You find things here and there and everywhere!  I hope I don't forget anything...while packing I decided to write out Thank Yous to the different groups here at Canaan.  I gave them to Sister Wenda last night along with the gifts my parents left for the staff--sorry Mom and Dad, I was really slow at getting those out.  She didn't know I was leaving.  She gave me two HUGE hugs and said she would miss me.  And then...I cried...

During dinner, so many kids kept coming up and giving me cards, so I spent some time writing cards to those precious children.  I love them all so much!  They are so dear.  Please join me in continuing to pray for them.  Some letters were thanking me for being a good teacher and being patient with them.  Some letters were about always making them smile.  I hope they see it is God in me loving them and giving them these gifts of joy!  

Sunday School Class--My Girls!

Later last night, I went to my girls' house to sing a little and laugh a lot!  It was so much fun to hang out with them!  I am so blessed.  Praise the Lord for what He has done and will continue to do here in Canaan.  I have to remember that He brought me here for a season to love these kids and show them His love, but now He will continue to be with them as I leave and He will send someone else to love them and show them something new about God's love!

A Grand Finish!

You all remember how I have been working with some students in my own classroom right?  Well, as the school year is coming to a close, all of the kids are finishing up their work for the year.  One student, in particular, has captured my heart.  He is very difficult at times, a jokester always, but still very dear to my heart.  Joel has a hard time focusing on his work and has become a little discouraged as he has not completed a lot of work lately.

I have been pushing him the last several weeks to learn the information in his school work and pass his tests.  I have seen such an improvement in his attitude and his work ethic.  Today, he took his last test.  I told him on the walk down to school that he must come find me to let me know how he did.  I told him that when he passes it, he should be really excited.  By the time the first break came around, Joel came to see me with a silly grin on his face.  "Miss Cassie," he said quietly while smirking.  "I passed my Math..."  He smiled so big and gave me a huge hug!  "I am so proud of you, Joel," I said.  "I knew you could do it!"

I will never forget that hug and that grin.  He felt so accomplished!  There are so many other stories of these kids finishing up and finishing well.  They are feeling like they have been pushed...and know that they can do much.  Some still have a ways to go before school is finished next week.  Be praying that they can all stay strong and finish what they must.  Pray that we, as teachers and staff, would have patience with them.

All By Myself--but feelin the love....

Now, this may seem like an odd thing to be excited about, but these last few weeks I am excited to have a classroom all to myself.  I am working one on one with kids who are needing some extra help or who just work better without the normal classroom setting.  I take these kids out of their classroom and encourage them to work hard and finish what they have in front of them.  These last few weeks are vital because whatever the kids don't finish before next Wednesday, they will have to start over next fall when they come back.  We want these students to learn the information and know it so they can start on a good note next year.  

The kids love coming to my classroom.  As they walk by I hear whispers of "Miss Cassie, can I work in here today?" or "Miss Cassie, I need help in my math."  They are so funny.  They get so excited when I show up behind them and say, "Bring your PACEs and come with me..."  Because I am no longer the principal, I am no longer the threat.  They love to get the attention and help that I am intentional to give them.  Some are definitely more excited than others, but I pour into them all day long and try to help them understand as much as they can.  

In the past week, I have noticed something else as well.  I have gotten a new nickname here at Canaan.  The students don't call me "Miss Cassie" as often anymore because the last part of my name sounds like the Creole word for "sour".  They have started to call me "Miss Ca-dous" which means "sweet".  I am feeling loved here by the students for sure with the  new nickname, the classroom, and the smiles and hugs I have been getting.  I keep praying that I will continue to be a light and will be able to love on these kids until the day I leave Canaan and will remember to pray for them long after that.