Ask and You Shall Receive

 “Ask, and it will be given to you;

 seek, and you will find; knock,

and it will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

 

I'm going to be really honest right now, I don't like asking for things. I tend to be very independent and try to get things done on my own. I don't hesitate to ask God for things, but when it comes to other people, I typically avoid. I don't want to be a burden on others. This is a problem. In the effort to be independent, I neglect the beauty of the body of Christ.Why do I bring this up?

 

I mention this because while in Haiti, I struggled with this thought. Upon coming to Faith, Hope, and Love I met a joyful little boy name Mackenzie. Mackenzie has been in Momma Dorothy's home since the early 2000's. He has more or less grown up here. Mackenzie is now 9 and has difficulty speaking. In Creole he can say one word: Qui (which he pronounces Whey).

 

 Meeting Mackenzie I was reminded of Sanders Morris. Sanders is a little boy that I did an Occupational Therapy Home Exercise Program with 3 days a week my last year of graduate school. If you look back a while you will find a picture of this precious one in a blog where I was talking about things I will miss about Birmingham. Since working with Sanders, I have become close friends with the Morris family. I cherish his parents friendship and love all 3 of their boys dearly. The beauty of the Lord to bring the Morris family and Mackenzie both into my life at two specific times puts me in AWE of the Sovereign Goodness of God!

 

The first week I was here I looked in Mackenzie's chart and saw a document from the Kaufman Clinic in Michigan. This is the speech clinic where Sanders spent 4 months learning how to speak! The founder of Kaufman clinic was Sanders therapist during his stay and is now friends with their family. I instantly knew I should talk to Rebecca, Sander's mother, about Mackenzie. BUT I waited three weeks. WHY? Because I don't like asking for things. WHY? Because I don't want to burden people. WHY? Because I wasn't choosing to participate in the goodness of the body of Christ. Thankfully, the Lord wouldn't relent. I couldn't quit thinking about it and 2 weeks ago I emailed Rebecca as I shot in the dust. I just couldn't go anymore without just simply asking. 

 

Ironically, Matthew 7:7 is the verse I was teaching the kids last week, amidst me seeing the fruit of asking myself. Rebecca didn't hesitate even overnight. She got the email and sent it directly to Mrs. Kaufman that night, she said she couldn't sleep before forwarding it. Throughout the past 2 weeks, we have emailed back and forth information about Mack, the requirements for Mrs. Kaufman's  program, and finally I sent her videos yesterday of his speech. By 11 AM this morning Mrs. Kaufman had responded saying that he was DEFINITELY a candidate and asking how we could make this happen? WHAT, JESUS?!?!?! Amen, as we ASK, we do RECEIVE. We receive your goodness. His goodness amazes me time and time again, it knows no bound!  

 

I received this good news right before lunch and I am still like a little giddy child! I'm SOOO excited and thankful about this opportunity! JESUS is AWESOME! As you can imagine, there are MANY things that have to be worked out in the meantime. But God is SO capable of making a straight path! With all of this said I would ask that each of you join me in praying for the following:

 

1. Please pray that we are able to contact Mack's mother or aunt and get their permission to proceed with him getting speech services in the states.

2. Please pray that we get a certified birth certificate

3. Please pray that the Visa process go quickly. Both Dorothy and I are not sure what this will look like. She is contacting resources she has, I will ask a woman I met at the hospital yesterday, and I plan on going to the US Embassy tomorrow and seeing if I can get any information about this. Please pray that I have favor as I go and hopefully get accurate information to get the process started.

4. Please pray for all things in the US to pan out. I don't foresee this being a problem due to the willingness of all involved who want to help. With this I would ask you pray for provision, as I am sure this will be an added expense Faith, Hope, and Love didn't foresee coming; however, our God lavishly provides for His children!

5. I would ask that you pray for a quickening of all of these processes!

 

Thank you for reading, for praying, and for joining in this journey. May God alone be glorified in Mack's journey to speaking. When I sat and asked Jesus for words over each of these little ones, the word's I got were PROCLAIMER OF TRUTH, the Lord reminded me of Moses. I am so expectant of the day when Mack proclaims the truth of the Gospel to all he encounters!

 

Thank you to Rebecca Morris for asking and for Mrs. Kaufman for saying yes!

 

I now challenge you to ask God for something BIG and just wait to see what He does! You WILL NOT be let down! He is Faithful!

 

 

 



Where to Begin?

I am so thankful to be in Haiti again. I'm so thankful to be fulfilling a dream. I love these little children and learn so much from them. I'm pretty sure I could write a chapter of a book with each new day. The Lord shows up in mighty ways constantly. I am so blessed to be involved in the work of God at Faith, Hope, and Love Infant Rescue!

 There is so much to update people on, I don't know where to begin...hints the title of this post! I'll start with Saturday, if I recall that is where I left off. Saturday was a busy day in our house. We had returned visitors with extra supplies, I am always thankful for what teams bring. Saturday was also a day for revamping. We have all new shower heads, the guest bedroom became the new room to Claudine, Rosa, and Emma,  and 4 of the boys shifted rooms. Excitement and curiosity ebbed with all the changes! Saturday was fun for me also because I got to eat out for dinner and lunch. I was able to go to Epidor (the Haitian version of McDonald's, however not like it at all) and Munchee's. These are 2 places I wanted to go before leaving, so thank you Lord for making that happen! While eating dinner in Petitionville, the nicer area of Port, we heard lots of sirens and noticed a lot of cars with lights driving through. Due to our wonderful driver, I now know that this is likely the President. Well come to find out today it was the entourage of the President and his family. The president's son got married on Saturday night and we were seeing the cars go from the wedding to the reception. I thought this was pretty neat. I also enjoyed seeing the pretty gowns the women were wearing. Yes, I am a girl! ha.

 Sunday, I went to church which is always a treat! To worship with the saints blesses my spirits. I returned home and instantly started my 2 tasks for the afternoon. Shampoo the boys heads and clip their finger nails. Some of our boys have a fungus on their heads. Likely due to one kid getting it and then it quickly spread. I recently learned from another experienced orphanage person that putting shampoo on their heads and letting it sit for 30 mins will often help get rid of the fungus and then the boys don't have to take medication that is strong for their little bodies. It was quite an adventure washing all their heads and the bathroom was quickly a mess. The boys without the fungus were quite sad that they didn't get to participate. After this event and clipping fingernails, I took some time to rest and enjoy the Haitian sun!  Sunday night I made Pecan Pie. It makes the think of my Grannys and all things Southern. It was a small, but wonderful comfort of home. The pie was finished to late for the kids to eat it, but don't you worry they had no problem eating it today! YUM!

 Today was EMMA'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! SOOO fun! She loved it and looked wonderful in her new pressed uniform. Her smile was extra wide today! Fred also went to the hospital for a routine check up. He didn't particularly care for the visit. Waiting forever he just slept, and then seeing the doctor made him cry the whole time. He didn't get a shot, blood drawn, or anything. His crying didn't make sense and made me sad. Fred is a hard one to figure out. He's so hard most of the time then other times he wants to be held and will run up and hug you. I often wonder what kind of world these kids experienced before coming to Momma Dorothy. In my wondering, I'm so thankful for the Lord's provision to bring them to a place where they are loved, cared for, and taught about Jesus. I pray that this home be a place of restoration and healing for them in all areas: physical, spiritual, and emotional.

 Today we also received Aaron's final blood test results back and they were the same. He is running, playing, jumping, and seems without any symptoms. For that I will PRAISE YOU LORD! 

 This afternoon, I got Tamara standing with a little support on her walker! This was a big step. She was afraid and tearful, but kept saying she wanted to do more. I'm hoping that her ability to do this increases exponentially with each new day! It rained this afternoon and the children ran outside to play, dance, and slide along the sidewalk. This was so much fun and I captured the fun times with the camera! I know I will look back at these pictures in a few weeks and smile really big remembering their freedom and joy they walk in. Lord I ask that you bring us all to that place of freedom and joy in You!  Tonight we also walked! Always fun, but tonight it was a group of the older ones and we walked a different route. While doing down one street there was no traffic and we all acted like motos vavavooming down the road! This was delightful! Prior to the walk we were on the roof and I noticed the beautiful clouds and sunset. I said "Mesi Jezi" and asked each of the kids what they were thankful for. It was sweet to hear the 6 of them thank Jesus for specific things and say "WOW" at His beautiful painting in the sky!

 I think that's all for now. I love this place and can't imagine what it will be like to leave, but for now I'm trying to soak up EVERY LAST BIT of what He has for me here!

I just couldn't resist

Today was a GREAT day in Haiti! All days are wonderful, but today even more so!

 

We started off the morning with the typical school rush to get kids dressed, eat breakfast, and head out the door. I start hearing the kids sometime before 6 am. There's nothing like waking up to their little chatter and hear them scurrying through the halls; and of course, the occasional crier who woke up on the wrong side of the bed. haha. I rode to the handicapped school with Samuel and the kids..... AND EMMA! Yes, she got dressed ready, had her lunch box in tow, and ran around with Sam and I today until we took all the kids after school for their yearly test. Not quite sure how this works, but they all passed so I will take that as a positive thing and keep trucking along. Sister Judith, the principal informed us that Emma is going to have therapy at school for handwriting. It's an interesting concept, seeing that her hands are deformed from the warts that are on them, but WHATEVER it takes for her to go to school I am all for!

 

For more background on beautiful Emmanuella St. Louis, referred to as Emma. She joined the Faith, Hope, and Love family after being found by short term missionaries while walking the streets of Port Au Prince. Someone stopped them and asked them to come and look at this girl. Emma was found in the backyard of a nice Haitian home living in a tent. Her aunt lived in another tent nearby. Emma's basic needs were met with food, water, and shelter (I guess a tent is better than nothing); but essentially she was isolated from the outside world. The mission team was familiar with the incredible founder here, "Mama Dorothy". After discussing Emma with doctors (to make sure Emma's skin condition wasn't contagious) and praying about it Dorothy quickly welcomed this beautiful child of the King into her family. Emma came to Faith, Hope, and Love last September. Since being here many people have tried to assess her skin condition. She has warts all over her feet, hands, knees, and elbows. Her little fingers and toes are splitting. This at times can be painful for her, but she rarely breaks a smile. Beauty radiates from this child. From what has been determined so far Emma has a hereditary skin condition which hasn't been fully identified. She daily uses a special cream after her baths. I am just extremely elated that she is getting to get out of the house now. Today while riding around in the car with Samuel and I she was taking everything in. She loved eating her snack from her OWN lunchbox! I can only imagine the ways that Emma will be blessed by social interaction and being challenged at school. I think she might be brighter than most think! So praise you Lord for making a way for her!

 

Speaking of short term missionaries. We had 2 groups come by the house today. The first group had a woman that sponsors little Mawens (the boy with hypoglycemia). She brought pictures for him and he showed all the kids. The children were eating up the attention, photos, beanie babies (such a hit!), love, and affection. This team also brought goodies for all the nannies and some candy for me! It was a joy having them in our home. The second group came sometime after we finished eating Lovensky's birthday cake! (This too was a hit! Lovensky choose Johnny to pray over his next year of life. Please join with our prayers for health and increased knowledge of Jesus.) This group had previously visited and supplied us with water filters! I'm thankful for this! Today they came with 2 wheelchairs in tow! One for Tamara and one for Emmanuella! During a previous trip they had fitted the girls. They came later in the day so I wasn't able to sit the girls up in them, but I can't wait to do it tomorrow! I love having people come visit! It's great to speak English and to show off the precious little ones that amaze me with each new day. I'm also always encouraged to hear how the Lord is at work changing people's hearts to align with his Kingdom purposes. Fellowship with the body is always refreshing! So thank you Jesus for double portions today!

 

Now for some interesting points of the day. Driving down Delmas 33 (a route we frequently travel) we noticed a large crowd gathered. As we passed I saw 2 dead people. Very sad. This is now the 3rd dead person I've seen in Haiti this trip. Not sure what happened, but Samuel (our wonderful driver) said he would listen to the news in the morning. Please join me in praying for all of those affected by this lose. On a lighter note, I just have to tell this. Samuel went to pay the power bill for the second time this week today (the first time they didn't have internet signal) and the power company didn't have power. WOW. Some things amaze me here. That makes absolutely no sense, but at least it makes me feel better to know that we don't have power, but they are also doing without it!  Oh and I can't leave this out. I've officially taken a rain bath. We don't have running water at the moment due the pump being messed up (please pray this gets fixed soon) but after a long day it was fun to stand under the drainage pipe and at least get cooled off. The girls on the roof with me enjoyed the rain bath clothes and all! I hope I don't get on the nannies bad side when 3 wet little ones came back in the house!

 

For now, good bye from Haiti. This is a wonderful place with incredible people and I am honored to have had the chance to live here! Please keep us in your prayers, not a day goes by that we don't need Jesus for every second! Bless you all in Jesus Name!

 

Tori

Merci Anpil

What a week! Since I last updated we have been going non-stop, but the Lord has given us such grace to proceed. On Saturday, we went to the Sugar Cane Museum. This was a hit! This kids watched a video of many different parts of Haiti, got to see relics ancient Haiti, see pictures of previous Kings and Queens, and much more! Last Sunday, we celebrated Wilson’s Fet.  This was so fun! During our celebration we asked Wilson who he wanted to pray for the next year of his life, he chose Aaron and it was the sweetest little prayer! Oh, and of course, everyone enjoyed the strawberry cake.

Speaking of little Aaron. He was admitted to the hospital last Tuesday with an infection and extremely low Hematocrit. Due to the many prayers and good care from the Haitian medical staff Aaron received some IV antibiotics and a unit of blood and was released on Monday afternoon. Aaron was so glad to go home, he had been crying for his brothers and sisters, the staff here, and wanting to go to school. He returned home to the family chanting “Aaron, Aaron” as he walked down the back steps. This too was a precious moment. The love in this place is tangible! Jesus reigns here! Hallelujah! This afternoon Aaron went for a follow up blood test. He was VERY unhappy to be at the hospital, but thankfully the test only required a prick of his finger. We are awaiting the results which will be in on Friday! Pray that all his levels are good and his home medications are working! He loves being home, going to school, swinging, and just being with his family.

Now on to school. What a production! The kids were up bright and early on Monday morning taking baths, getting dressed, putting ribbons in their hair, grabbing lunch boxes, you name it and they did it. Excitement was ebbing through their little bodies! Son Son, Frantzo, Mackendy, Tamara, and now Emma (more to come on this) have begun the year at the Handicapped school. Our other little ones are just down the street. They’ve successfully walked to school in the mud now without falling! It’s been raining almost every night so I think they might soon be experts at this.

Emma. She is going to school! Praise you King Jesus! She starts school tomorrow with 4 of her other brothers and sisters. I am so glad for her to get out and get social interaction. She is a bright little girl and I can’t wait to see how this increases just being out of the house and in the world! What a blessing she was accepted today. I told Sister Judith “Merci anpil” many, many times!

Prayer Requests:

-         -Emmanuella: We get her chest x-ray results back tomorrow. Pray that her lungs are clear and she has been responding to medicine.

-         Emma: Pray that she quickly get accustomed to going to school. This will be a big transition as she is 10 years old next week (yes, we will have another cake!) and from what we know hasn’t attended school before.

-         Richardson: He’s just a boy full of lots of energy. He is eager to be involved in any and everything. His energy is a gift. We have been having some trouble with completing homework assignments and inattention at school. Nothing to abnormal for a boy his age, but please pray that he makes choices that reflect the responsible leader that he is!

Praises: Aaron, Emma, and Mawens (He no longer needs blood sugar checks, just a nightly snack that he sure is enjoying!)

 Bless you all for your prayers. If you’re on Facebook I just posted lots of pictures. Look at the album and see their beautiful little faces for yourself!