Going deeper as the Lord calls us.

Do you all remember Daphne? This last summer we started a micro-finance program with her. She started by raising 200 chickens and then selling them for a profit. As of yesterday she has done this two times already! This week she will be able to purchase 250 chickens to sell. 

What I think is the most amazing is that she has already begun repayment. I was not here to receive the first payment in October so she kept it. I don't know if you understand how big of a deal this is. In Haiti, if you have the money and there is a need you spend it. Even if it is designated to go someplace else. I know her situation enough to know that there would always be a need for that money. 

Not only that, she has hired a man to bring water to her chickens. She said that her family could do it, however she wants to be able to allow someone else to have a job. It does not cost a lot to have someone bring buckets of water to your house, but it allows this man to have an income. This loan just keeps giving. Daphne was fully sponsored by an amazing young couple who love Jesus and felt called to meet this need. 

Do you remember Anachemie and her family? Daphne has been bringing them food and visiting them every month that we were gone. I asked Daphne to get to know the mom and see if she thinks the mom would want to work. I do not believe she is educated but I don't know what kind of skills she has. Well apparently since she has had help with feeding the children she has been able to get a little extra money (I have no idea how this works in Haiti as she does not have a job and by everything I can see she and her children should have died of starvation already. The generosity of neighbors is what I think) and has begun to sell charcoal. This is a dirty job and is usually done by those with few other options. But its a job and it shows us that she does want to work! I am incredibly excited to talk to her and see if we can put together a business plan. My hope is that she is the next micro-loan. 

There is one other woman who approached me before I left for America. She had an amazing business plan already laid out. She wants to sell ice. She needs $600 for the start up to purchase a special kind of motor and freezer to freeze an entire batch every 12 hours. I have been praying about this for a long time and really felt that this was something God wants because it wouldn't go away from my head. 

I met with her and it turns out that this plan will not work right now because her town is not getting electricity. However, she desperately needs surgery. So, it seems like the nudging that God has been putting on my heart had nothing to do with the micro-loan but was instead to help her with paying for her surgery. She has found a place that will remove a very large fibroid for $300 American dollars. 

There is a husband and wife that I have known for the 16 months we have spent in Haiti. They love Jesus, they are hard workers and they just can not get ahead. The money they have barely covers the cost of feeding their family. They live in a hut with mud floors and Samaritan's Purse tarps as walls. They desperately need a cement floor. The rainy season is coming and when it rains they have to send their two small children away to live with her mother. I know that God is calling us to help them. I don't know why now, as we have known this need for a long time, but it is. This family needs $300 to pour the cement flooring. There is already a man that is donating $200 to help with this project. 

Daphne and I were talking yesterday as we shopped at our local market (I have to get some pics. Its beautiful, dirty, chaotic, and fun). She was saying there are many people she knows that desperately need help in this way. She told me of a couple with 5 children that want to start a business. Right now they purchase a few bottles of soda and walk around Titanyen carrying it on their head and selling it. They want to be able to grow this business so it could take care of their family but they don't have the start up cost. I am still praying about this one. We are waiting to see if we feel the Lord telling us to help this couple. I'll keep you posted. 

There are too many people that need help in Haiti, so we are going to continue to pray and ask God for guidance on which ones He wants helped. 

Will you pray along with us? 

We need people that would be willing to sponsor these other needs. If any of these stories touched you or you feel called to help, please let me know. 

Haiti...it is just beautiful. 

We went swimming at a local resort and Landen had SO much sand in his pocket. He needed a little help getting it out. 

Sierra & Abbie

Restin'.

We finally have our license plates. 

Sunrise at Global. 

This is my favorite tree. I wish I could draw it. 

Sierra loving on some kiddos. 

Austin & Landen playing soccer at a local orphanage. 

This man came down to take some videos and pictures with his camera and drone. He then shares them with Global to share with others. He and his daughter allowed Austin to tag along, ask a LOT of questions, and just generally loved on him. 

Drones are pretty awesome. 

Landen and one of his friends from the team. :)

Some of the kindergartners from Global's school. 

Our 'Walmart'

Our family in transition.

We made it! We have arrived in Haiti and have been doing the big job of unpacking and organizing. So far we are about 2/3 of the way organized. More than once I have wished my mom were here to help. Missing you mom.

We want to take one more moment to thank each of you that have joined our journey by through prayer and financial support. It has affirmed for us that we are doing God's will. We are so excited to have each of you on this adventure with us. We know not everyone is called to Haiti but we hope that as we share our experiences, you will be as blessed as we are through the many ways we see God working around us.

We went grocery shopping today at a newly discovered store. It is only a 35 or 40 minute drive to get there, which is 30 minutes quicker than the store we normally go to. AND, more importantly, it had almost everything on my list! Grocery store blessings! 

We are living in a 3 bedroom, one bathroom home. It is probably about 1000 sq feet and has a wonderful screened in porch to sit on. It looks like a pretty normal American home. We have running water (which means flush toilets, showers, sinks) and electricity (which means a fridge, stove, lights on switches, fans). Since living in Haiti, I have decided that while these things are not a must, they are wonderful to have. I am grateful that I have access to them. 

Its only been five days, but the transition has been hard in some ways and easy in others. We miss our family and friends...a lot. We have so many amazing people in our lives and we already miss seeing their faces. Being in America for four months gave us the ability to spend a lot of time with them and it was beautiful.  

The first tiime we came to Haiti we were filled with excitement about following God's call. It is an adventure that not everyone gets to be a part of. The first time we went as heros (or at least that is what some told us). This time, we were able to see what we are missing by being far from family and friends. We were back long enough that we remembered the American life's many perks. This time we know that being a missionary is not being a hero, its being a soldier and its hard work. 

Haiti is filled with political unrest, poor healthcare, bad roads, lack of basic necessities and resources. This time when we packed up to go, we knew that Vodoo and Satan play a huge part in a sort of dark oppression that exists on the grounds of Haiti. We know that basic living like going to the grocery store can take 4 hours, if there are no problems. We know that things will be hard because when you are serving Jesus, Satan begins to fight. 

However, returning has been easy in many ways as well. We have MANY friends in Haiti. We are blessed with an incredible support network of both Haitians and Americans. It has been amazing to be able to return to Haiti and see all of their faces again. As soon as we reached Global Outreach our kids disappeared to hang out with their friends. They are so glad to be together again. They never run out of things to talk about, legos to build, games to play, and grounds to explore. Austin told me yesterday that he is glad to be back in Haiti. How many 14 year olds would feel that way?? Only God can prepare a child's heart to serve as a missionary. 

It is easy because we know how to take care of our family in Haiti. We know how to shop, what to eat and drink, how to drive, what to be cautious of and what is ok in Haiti. It is easy because we know that we are doing what God has called us to do in Haiti. That is the best part.

So, while we are mourning the loss of our face to face time with our friends and family back home, we know that God will bless them and us in this time. We know it is not tearing apart, but building us stronger. We know that God brings us crazy blessings every day and we will focus on Him as we transition back to Haiti. 

Forget not all the sunshine of the way   

By which the Lord hath led thee; answered prayers,   

And joys unasked, strange blessings, lifted cares,   

Grand promise-echoes! Thus thy life shall be 

One record of His love and faithfulness to thee. F. R. HAVERGAL.

 

This is the view from our front door. 

Standing in our doorway looking out of our house. (Please ignore the mess)

Landen helping transport food to give to the elderly that come each Monday. 

One view of our home. :)

Another view of our home. 

Missionary boys...just chilling as they wait for the elderly to arrive. 

Elderly (Gran moun) praising Jesus. They are so great!

This flower is growing outside my house. It makes me happy. (no filter used)

Sierra helping with the laundry. Its hot enough things dry pretty quickly. 

Much to the chagrin of my kids, homeschooling must commence.