Anachemie...

The problems in Haiti are big. Too big for me to comprehend, to big for me to fix, to big for me to shoulder. But I have learned that God does not need me to do any of these things. My only job is to be intimately connected to Jesus and to listen to the Holy Spirit's whisper. When I focus on Him and not my task, that is when He can use me. 

While we were waiting we very clearly felt led to help my friend the 'rock thrower', Anachemie. I blogged about her before, I'm not sure if you remember. She used to throw rocks at us when we would pass by her house. Yet one time, I stopped walking and asked her to be my friend. For the last 9 months we have been developing that friendship. 

Anachemie is the second of five children. Her father died two years ago and her mother does not work. They do not go to school, they have no money, and they have very little hope. God decided to use us to show them that He does hear their prayers. 

We were able to enroll all 4 of the school aged children, purchase uniforms, books, and school supplies. We will be checking up on them quarterly to make sure that they are doing well and to help address problems as they occur. We are also supplying food each month, as it is impossible to learn when your physical needs are not being met. We are working with the mom to see if there is some job or small business that she can do to supply her families needs by herself. 

The best part is that we have not done this all on our own. We have partnered with two of our Haitian friends to help this mom get things moving, to purchase the food, and to help us begin to understand this families dynamics so we can help, not harm. We are also using this opportunity for our two 'workers' to earn a small income and build trust and responsibility in them. One thing that struck me is that both of our Haitian partners have come to us, after visiting Anachemie's home, and expressed their shock at the poverty this family is living in and their gratitude to be able to be part of helping. 

I don't know if this is something we will continue to do or if this is a one time event. I do know that when I visit my friend Anachemie, she has a look of hope in her eyes. I also know that serving God is never boring. 

Two of Anachemie's siblings outside of their home. 

Prayer requests:

-Pray for Anachemie and her family and that we can find a way for them to be self-sufficient. 

-Doors continue to open for us to share the vision God has given us. 

-That we can be present, appreciate all the good in America yet still stay intimately connected to God (tricky in all the good).