As promised....

Yep, this one is going to be a little more on the humorous side. I thought I would take the time to share some interesting experiences I have had this trip.

#1. I've ridden a PUBLIC tap tap. For those of you who don't know tap tap are a major form of transportation for the Haitian people. Imagine a 1980 (or older) Ford Ranger with the bed of the truck enclosed on the top. Now add LOTS of colors and some random sayings about Jesus or bible verse or yes even pictures of Nathan Lee (an American I met in Haiti who was famous enough to be painted on a tap tap-he goes down in history for that one). It was interesting that while riding the Haitians didn't want  to sit by me. I think they were taken aback by a Blanc on a tap tap. After the 14th person crammed in I quickly had people on either side. The public tap tap was quite an experience and I've decided I will try to avoid from now on, primarily due to the fact that I am too tall and hit my head both times I entered and exited.

#2. I've walked through the streets and played with some of our kids in the rain. This BY FAR might be one of my favorite times in Haiti. We jumped over puddles hand in hand and even found a drain running off the roof of a school and stood under it to get doused in the rain. Cha Cha, a brilliant boy, had the best time playing in the rain. Even sweet Rosa who is typically timid and shy, jumped the puddles and laughed as we made our way around the neighborhood!

#3. To follow that one up, I've walked through mud to church. This was quite humorous. It took about twice as long to get to church, as I was trying to avoiding slipping and falling on my bottom. Cha Cha goes to church with me and on our way he got stuck in the mud and I had to pull him out. Not ideal for his black leather church shoes. The Haitians are very practical about their church and school shoes, so I assume the nannies didn't appreciate our escapades! Oh, and I got to do this twice because I forgot my Nalgene at church. Good one, Tori! Cha Cha, however jumped at the chance to go through the mud again!  

#4. I've ridden in a machine (this is the Creole word for car!) without a battery. Yes, that's right, you can drive a car without a battery. Since you're all wondering I will just tell you how. You take the battery from the generator (because the car battery isn't working), connect it to the car, then start the engine, then disconnect the battery and somehow tie the cables. Viola! Off we went through the streets of Port Au Prince! Yes, this happened for about 4 days before we were able to get another battery! I certainly learned something new with that one.

#5. I've been stranded on the side of Delmas (quite possibly the craziest/busiest street in Port). As we were crossing the street the car battery died. Some men offered to help push the car to the side and after about an hour (which I didn't mind getting a sun tan!) we were back to running our errands.

#6. Speaking of Delmas, I have also ridden a moto (yes, I've ridden a motorcycle in Haiti, but never in America- I know this makes a lot of sense, right?!) through rush hour traffic on Delmas. I was thankful to complete the ride with all my limbs intact. The drivers weave in and out of traffic like I've never seen. I spent about 80% of the transit in prayer for my safety and wisdom for the driver! Nonetheless, I safely arrived a dinner at La Reserve, my favorite restaurant in Haiti (not that I've been to many- it's just been a ritual for most of my trips).

#7. I know how to operate a generator and inverter now. The things I have done to have power! I'm just beyond thankful to have the opportunity to have power here.

#8. I've read by the light on an old gasoline lamp. My grandmother showed me one of these at her house a few years ago, but now I can say I've used it. Those few nights without power were pretty cool to read in the simplicity of light and I had a really sweet time in worship one of the nights also!

That's about it for now as far as my funny stories go. Please continue to pray for me, the children, and staff. You prayers for unity have been felt. Today was a wonderful day working with everyone and great things were accomplished! Pray for some of our sick ones, it seems that the common thread right now is fever. Please pray that fever be gone from our home in Jesus Name! AMEN!

Faith. Hope. Love.

The Founder and Director of Faith Hope and Love Infant Rescue where I am staying asked that I write a weekly update for all of those on the email list.  I wanted to share with all of y'all also.

 

Faith: as it says in Hebrews is the substance of things hoped for and the certainty of things not seen.

 

Hope: I've recently heard defined as the anticipation of good.

 

Love: the laying down of one's life for another. Simply put....JESUS. He is the definition of love and modeled laying down His life for us all.

 

These three things are the only things that keep us, I'm referring to believers, going. They are the driving forces to waking up everyday. They are what allows every person here to care for these children. It's not an easy task, but it's certainly a rewarding one. It's one that I'm thankful I have the opportunity to take part in, if even for a short time.

 

Quick updates on the children. They start school on October 7th. As the new school year approaches I'm excited to see what it looks like. Sally, the Haitian Director, has worked so hard to get all the necessary items and prepare them for the big day. The kids have been learning a truth from scripture every week. This week the verse was "Nou konnen Bondye fe tout bagay travay ansanm pou byen moun ki renemn l yo" Romans 8:28. I've been able to take a group of the kids on walks in the afternoons. By God's wonderful Grace we've even been able to take even Son Son, Cassandra, and sweet little Lovena. The kids have been also participating in handwriting lessons. Some group and some individual. Tomrrow 10 of the children are going with us to the Sugar Cane park. I thought this would be very educational for the kids to understand a major industry in their country and it's history. Oh and did I mention a fun outing with ice cream?On Sunday, I plan to teach the older ones how to tell time. Please pray that they don't just live life constantly on "Haitian Time". There is importance to being to school and future jobs on time!

 

One HUGE praise that I absolutely must share is Tamara. Since I arrived on September 7th she has made incredible progress! She feeds herself while sitting up in the wheelchair, she can sit up on her own, she can bear weight some weight on her legs without pain, she pushes herself in her wheelchair, and she crawled from one room to the next last week. The biggest accomplishment that brings tears to my eyes is when the nannies told me 4 nights ago that she was in bed during devotion and they looked over to find her kneeling on her legs to pray. I got to see it for myself last night and I was overjoyed. She is much more active and constantly wanting to be included in all that her peers are doing!

 

Life in Haiti is fabulous, but we absolutely can't do it with your prayers! 

 

Please join with me in praying for the following:

 

- Tamara to walk. I'm believing this will happen before I leave on October 25th.

- Emma: tonight she complained of her knees hurting her. Please pray that the Lord would take away the pain and miraculously heal her body and free her from warts!

-Mawens: the doctor came today and we are thinking he might be hypoglycemic. He has had a few episodes this week of weakness before meals. I will be checking his blood sugar in the morning per doctors orders. Pray that this isn't the case and maybe he was just tired and hot.

-Myson: we went to the hospital today for a routine check up. He CD4 level was 564. Above 500 is the safe zone, but in reviewing his notes from previous visits his number have decreased 60 points. This could mean he isn't responding to the retroviral meds, please pray that this isn't the case!

- Please pray for unity of the leadership and staff here. That we daily wake up and commit ourselves to the Lord. That we constantly are driven by the Faith. Hope. and Love. our Savior died for!

Rooftops and Bedtime Kisses

I've had this title in my head for quite a few days now so lets see where this goes....

 

Rooftops. All but one of my trips to Haiti the places I have stayed have roofs. Thankfully where I currently reside this also is the case. Throughout the past 3 years I have spent quite a few evenings watching the sun go down over a country that I love. The sunsets in Haiti are particularly magnificent! The colors that He paints over this great country put me in AWE of my Creator King. Here I often spend time with the Lord as the sun goes down. More times than not during this ritual tears well up in my eyes at the majesty of King Jesus.

 

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork." Psalm 19:1

 

His handiwork is unlike anyone else's! It can't be contained. It can be compared!

 

During this trip my times on the roof have taken on a whole new meaning. One night after exercising I told the older kids who come up/semi-participate to go on downstairs. They said the wanted to stay. I then replied "If you want to stay go get a Bible." They ran downstairs and back upstairs with Bib la's in hand! I told them they had to be silent and either le (read) or prie (pray). The 5 older kids have joined me for a few of my evenings on the roof. The first time as I sat and watched them read and kneel to pray tears welled in my eyes (yes, I admit I'm easily moved to tears at the things of God! I like to consider it a strength and say I am tender hearted!). How sweet of these children to just want to be with me and the Lord give me the idea to include them in my times with Him! I'm not sure how well they can read or how much they truly focused, but I fully trust Jesus to speak to his little ones! My prayer is that in these sweet times He reveals Himself to them in ways that they can't deny, in ways that they will never forget, and in a way that they long to sit before Him more! May these rooftop nights become a part of their new normal. May time with Jesus be something they crave even at the ages of 7, 8, and 9!

 

Bedtime Kisses. I've about decided there is nothing sweeter in the whole world! On my last trip to Haiti I was given a Jesus Storybook Bible in Creole. For you moms out there, there isn't a better books to read to young children. If you don't own it, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing it ASAP! Also, for those of you like me who need Baby Shower gift ideas: there you go, now you have it.  Anywho, I have had the joy of reading to the girls some nights before bed. The Lord has given my such a grace to be able to read Creole with about 85% accuracy (yes, Jetline the oldest corrects me when I say a word uncorrectly!) even though I haven't a clue what the words are saying. Most of the time I infer the story from pictures!  The girls lay in their cabons (beds) and listen intently and get really excited to see the pictures! After I finish I get to give and receive bedtimes kisses. Some nights also after devotion and chante (songs), led by the nannies, I venture downstairs and say Bon Wit (Good Night) to the boys and I have little ones running up to me giving hugs and bedtime kisses too. These times are just precious. I'm so thankful for the Father displaying His love for me through His beautiful little children!

 

I have LOTS more to say and promise a less serious and more humorous blog is to come, but for now I would ask for prayer. Please pray for unity among the leadership here at Faith, Hope, and Love. There is Sally, the Haitian Director, Samuel, the Driver, and myself all trying to make decisions, manage money, and love these kids the way the Father does. Pray that our recently begun prayer times would daily regroup us for what our purpose is in all of this, to serve God and bring Him glory! Pray for the children. Pray for healing. Each of them either came in with or has a chronic medical condition or a disability. Pray that the Mighty God come and restore to them health! That one by one He make them ANEW! Pray for provision. It takes ALOT to care for 24 children, but I'm always amazed at how He makes it happen and know they He cares more than I ever could. Pray for the Founder, Dorothy, as she has returned home: that these season at home be restful, that her back be healed and pain would be gone, and that the Lord grants her wisdom about what it looks like to best care of these children from here on out!

 

I'm so appreciative of each of you partnering with and supporting me in this journey! The love and support from those at home is felt daily!

 

To Him Be the Glory,

 

Tori

Two In a Row

Yep, I guess I’m back at the blogging thing! The Lord often speaks to me through music. Tonight while I was exercising up on the roof with 5 little Haitians attempting to participate a song came on my phone that I downloaded right before coming to Haiti. The song You Are I AM by Mercy Me began to play. The words of the chorus greatly moved me to ponder the GREAT I AM. The chorus goes as follows:

 

You’re the one who CONQUERS GIANTS

You’re the one who CALLS OUT KINGS

You SHUT THE MOUTHS OF LIONS

You TELL THE DEAD TO BREATHE

You’re the one who WALKS THROUGH FIRE

You TAKE THE ORPHANS HANDS

You are THE ONE MESSIAH

YOU ARE I AM

 

After sending the little ones down to play with their friends, I sat watching the sunset and talked to Jesus. I prayed through each of these specifically in regards to these children. I challenge each of you to pray through the giants in your life- Jesus conquered them! Pray through what Jesus is calling you to do. Is it something challenging, radical, out of your comfort zone. DO IT! I promise you'll never regret it! Life with Him is abundant! The God who kept lions from eating Daniel is the same God who protects you! The power that raised Jesus and Lazurus from the dead is a power that you Behold! Acts 1:8 says "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses..."  The Son of God has walked through any fire, trial, or tribulation that you are currently walking through. Follow His leading and Praise Him throughout and you will pass through the fire also! And of course, now to one of my favorite parts He takes the orphan's hand! What a joy that I get to do as the Great I AM and holds these sweet little children's hands! It is my delight to do so. I love that my heart delights in the things of God! Last, but certainly not least, He is the One Messiah! The only one who can SAVE YOU! I hope and pray that if you're reading this you know Him if as your Savior; if not, please contact me I would love to tell you more! If you do know Him as Savior, make time right now to Worship the Great I AM! I'll end with another line from the song...

 

HALLELUJAH, HE LIVES IN ME!

Truth

One of the first few days I was in Haiti I read the following verse:

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the TRUTH."

3 John 1:4

The Spirit prompted me to consider how beautiful it would be if every week while I was in Haiti I took time to teach these wonderful children a morsel of His Truth. I mean the Bible's clear about the fact that the Truth Sets Us Free! This is a HUGE thing I desire for the sweet little angels. That they walk in Freedom! Haiti is a country that through the years has been wrecked with slavery and bondage both tangibly and in the spiritual realm. But Jesus came so that these kids can walk, dance, run, and sing in freedom! 

So last week The Lord laid it on my heart to teach the kids

 "...Mwen p'ap vire do ba ou..." 

Joyze 1:5. 

"...I will never leave you..." 

Joshua 1:5. 

This pwomes de Bondye (promise of God) is so vital for these children to learn. My heart longs for them to know this promise in it's fullness and cling to it everyday as long as they journey on this earth. It's so important for them to grasp this truth as most of their earthly parents have left them either through death or abandonment and as we Blancs (white people) love them dearly, but are also guilty of coming and going in their lives. Please join me in pray that this truth set these kids free from any lies the enemy tries to put into their precious little minds! 

It's a New Season

Adventure. That's what LIFE with God is. Everyday no matter where you are choose to say YES! to the adventure. It's waking up to a day filled with new, yet perfectly planned, encounters. Whether it be the man you speak to at the gas station, celebrating a birth, chatting with a co-worker over lunch, or speaking to the librarian (shout out of all of you in school) He has purposed it all. The sunset, the soon to be autumn leaves, a snow capped mountain, or beautiful seas God uses ALL of it to lure you deeper into a personal adventure with Himself. Choose to say YES! to the Living God. He has good things for you.

Today I am saying YES! to a new adventure. I'm currently sitting in Miami waiting to board a plane to Port Au Prince, Haiti. I will be returning to a country and a people that I love. I have the beautiful opportunity to spend 7 weeks in Haiti! This longer than ever before. My heart is glad. My heart is thankful. My mind on the other hand, can't fathom what lies ahead. Praise you Lord that I don't know what is to come, but you do! Praise you that it is good and that through it I will be more transformed into your likeness! While in Haiti I will be living at a children's home. I get to become a part of a new family. As I depart, I ask for you prayers. Pray that I will receive MORE of Jesus. Pray for grace to transition into this home as the director will be leaving a couple of days after my arrival. Pray that the Kingdom will come in our home. Pray that God shows up in RADICAL ways. Pray that His name be glorified in all I say and do. Pray that the kids know how LOVED they are by their Creator King.

Thanks to all of you for supporting and encouraging my YES! Thank you especially to my parents for modeling for the what it means to take the Gospel to the nations and for nurturing my adventurous spirit! I am who I am today because of Jesus and y'all!