4 o'clock!

I really don't know what started this, but I know it started sometime last fall after I returned from Haiti.  I didn't know then that I would be where I am now...looking forward to much more time in Haiti, but I felt the need to be praying for this country I had such a passion for!  I didn't want to forget my friends, the ministry, the local church, or even the government.  I must have told someone that I would be praying for Haiti, so I set my alarm on my phone for that purpose.  Every day at 4 o'clock I heard the BIDIRIDIRIDIRIDIRIDIRID! BIDIRIDIRIDIRIDIRIDIRID!  It's funny because even when my phone was on silent the speakers would blare this sound into the office, the movie theater, the bank, or wherever else I would happen to be at 4.  I would remember to pray for Haiti...

When I returned from Haiti in June, I turned my old phone on--it had been on standby while I was away.  It shocked me when it was 4 o'clock, because I had forgotten that alarm was still set.  Haiti is often on my mind now as I have been reflecting on the several months I was there and now that I am preparing to return, but I haven't turned that alarm off for some reason.  I guess it is because I still need to be reminded to pray.  To pray for the people of Haiti, the ministry that is happening there, the government, even the weather--we are really praying that hurricane season would again be non-existent in Haiti this year.  I need to be reminded.  So easily we forget the things we need to remember most.

And so, God,

I come before you again, crying out for the people of Haiti.  Lord, like Habakkuk prayed, I ask that in the midst of these years revive Your works, in the midst of these years make Your works known!  God, send a revival that would make Haiti a light that people turn to and they would see You working there!  Lord, be with Your children and give them a hunger to know You more!  You are good and You are God!  May Your name be praised and lifted up in Haiti and around the world!  Amen!

Dear God...

I had to chuckle when I wrote that title, not because prayer is funny, but because of my experience of praying in Creole the week before I had to leave Haiti.  I'll write what I said in English so you call can understand why I had to laugh at myself:  "Thank you, Lord for today and for grace and for all the people together here today. Amen."  


Prayer is so vitally important and I am so glad that God can hear the prayers of our hearts when our words don't quite suffice!  In Creole, my words are limited.  Very limited.  Today, I feel like I am praying in an even more limited language.  My words are not coming out and cannot express what my heart is saying.  Romans 8:26-28 says, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."


And so, Dear God,
You know what you have planned for me.  You know my heart and my thoughts better than I do.  God, I need Your peace today and Your love and comfort to surround me.  I am so grateful that You allow us to approach you in the midst of good times, in the fire, and in the battles we face.  I am thankful that You are God and I am not.  Lord, I surrender to You.

A Jello Mold, A Calendar, and A Vibrant Orange

I will be honest.  This last month has been really trying on my spirit and my heart.  Being back in the states has proven to be more difficult than I could have imagined, although I have loved seeing my family and friends.  God is definitely faithful in providing the support I need even in difficult times.  One of those supporting people has been my dear friend Teri.  She was the one who introduced me to Canaan--where I served for 4 months this year.  She became a fast friend and encouragement to me...especially recently.  

She is a prayer warrior like none other.  Even though she is also in the states for a while and longing to go back to serve in Haiti where God has given her an amazing vision, she has been praying for me.  She has great ways of putting things and these things are always so timely that I cannot doubt that what she is saying to me is coming from the Holy Spirit.  I am so grateful that God is speaking to her about me and that she is sharing with me what He is revealing.  This is so desperately needed because I feel like I am having trouble seeking the Lord.  He finds ways to get through to us!

Teri has emailed me the things that God has revealed to her.  I love how creative God is.  The things she has shared with me are a jello mold, a calendar, and a vibrant orange.  The jello mold was in regard to trying to fit into a certain thing, when God had the PERFECT thing (the perfect shaped jello mold) already prepared for me.  So, I don't need to try to squeeze into something I am not made for.  I just have to wait for what God has.  The calendar represented time and how I have been so focused on when I am returning to Haiti that I wasn't appreciating what God had for me here and now:  my family, my friends, renewal, rejuvenation, etc.  And the Vibrant Orange was me being picked to be a light for the Lord like in Matthew 5:16.  Everything I do or say should give glory to the King of Kings.  I do have to be filled up to be that Vibrant Orange and let God shine through me because on my own I am a dead orange.  The best part is this isn't about me--it's about pointing to Jesus.  

I know these things may seem odd, but I am so grateful for Teri and how God is using her in my life to continue to encourage me even when the going gets really tough.  Please be praying for me.  I know God has something for me here  and that He will use me.  Pray that I be so filled up with joy and love that it bubbles over even here.  

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!