REUNITED

As Hurricane Matthew approached Haiti, the area of Grace Emmanuel School was expected to get up to 85 mph winds and a lot of rain. To say we were worried about the students, staff, and theirs families is an understatement. We knew God had them in His sovereign hands, but the unknown future was nerving.

For some reason beyond our understanding, the expected path of the storm shifted west, giving our area much less wind and rain. After visiting many student and staff homes the day after it passed, it was evident that we were spared. There was no significant damage! 

However, about a week later, we learned that the mother of one of our students, who also happens to be the wife of one of our staff members, was in Jeremie when the hurricane swept through and t

hey still hadn’t heard from her. (Jeremie was one of the heaviest hit areas in Southern Haiti.)

My heart sank thinking of the possibility of them not ever hearing from her again. 

A couple days later, after what must have been an antagonizing wait, they learned that she was alive! They shared that she was home recovering.

Eager to see if she was ok and to hear her story, I paid her a visit the following week in their home.

During the hurricane, the house she was staying in was destroyed and fell on top of her. She said it was not made of cement, and that if it had been, she could have died. Thankfully, she didn’t suffer from any major injuries. And on top of all that, they went three days without any food.

Her daughter shared that she was scared that her mom had died. When I asked what she did when she saw her mom for the first time, she lit up and said, “I jumped on her!”

We all agreed that “Bondye bon” (God is good). 

We praise God that relief teams responded quickly and roads eventually became available for travel so that people like Betchina’s mom were able to return home safely. 

Unfortunately, this is not the story for everyone as many lives were lost and essentially everything was destroyed in the southern areas. As relief, recovery, and rebuilding continues, please keep the Haitian people in your prayers.

"We were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the same newness of life." (Romans 6:4)

Anne Marie and Kimberly, two young ladies who live in our children's home, decided to publicly declare their surrender to Jesus! And let me tell you, it was the most picturesque morning for a baptism. 




As I walked around the village yesterday checking in on my friends, students, and fellow staff, I saw a whole lot of smiles and no apparent damage! I haven't seen every student yet, but those who I have seen are just fine as if nothing happened at all. I'm so thankful our area was spared from the hurricane's path of destruction. Praise God!

[Although there was no significant damage in our area, I can't help but think of the lives and homes lost on southern tip of Haiti. Please continue to keep those precious Haitian people in your prayers.]
















Living as a foreigner in a third world country is challenging. After spending two years in Haiti, I chose to stay for another. However, I knew I needed a break. I decided to leave my Haiti home for an extended period of time over the summer months to stay with my family. My expectation was to get much needed physical, emotional, and spiritual rest.

I arrived in the good ol' USA with a weary soul, excited that I had two months ahead of pure bliss - no responsibilities and nothing to stress over. But, as what often happens, my glorified human expectations did not match reality.

Not long after my arrival, I learned that my dad had an abnormal lump on his neck and would be going in for further testing. About a week or so later, he went in for a CT scan showing that the lump was indeed a tumor. About a week later he went in for a biopsy to test whether or not it was cancer.

After nearly two weeks of waiting, we received the news that no one wants.

I will never forget that moment. I was home alone with my dad and we were chatting up a storm about trusting God in the midst of all this. He went outside for a moment, got a phone call, came in the house, looked at me with tear-filled eyes and said, "It's cancer." We cried.

Not long after, my mom rushed in (she had been on her way to work), looks at my dad, and bursts into tears. She wept unlike anything I've ever seen as she fell into his arms. I had to walk out of the room; I just could't bear it.

We all trust the Lord, but that kind of news requires tears.

He had to go in for another scan that week to see what kind of cancer it was and whether or not it had spread. We later found out that the cancer was Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The cancer had invaded a tonsil and a lymph node.

Over a week later, he went in for surgery to remove the cancerous tonsil, the tumor, and the surrounding lymph nodes. Surgery went about as well as it could have, but we still had to wait on the pathology results.

Thankfully, the surgery was successful in removing the cancer. There may still be a long road ahead as the future is unknown, but we remain hopeful, trusting that God is sovereign.

Also while home, I had an unexpected ankle surgery. It had been causing me pain for over a year and it had gotten to a point where I could hardly even drive. Exercising became difficult, walking the villages caused pain. I found out that I had three options - a cortisone shot that would provide temporary relief, live with the pain for now, or surgery. Knowing what the pain had been like for the past year, I decided to have the surgery, an arthrotomy of my right ankle.

After 4 weeks of recovery, I got the news from my doctor that I could finally head back home to Haiti. I booked my ticket for that same week.

It may not have been the most blissful sabbatical ever, but I'm choosing to be thankful for all that it was. My dad's caner brought our tight-knit family even tighter and caused me to put all my trust in He who is faithful; my surgery forced me into physical rest (which also gave me a good excuse to watch all my favorite Olympic events); being home for such an extended period of time allowed me to spend quality time with my closest friends; having little responsibilities (and speaking English) gave my mind a breather.


Now, I'm back in Haiti and couldn't be more excited. I know there are many hardships to come (and honestly, there have already been quite a few), but I'm eager to continue the work God has called me to do at Grace Emmanuel School.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."


ONE LESS















“The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific conditions and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children. And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth proclaim to be Christians. The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.” - Katie Davis 

Recently, I had the honor of capturing one of the most beautiful moments as some friends welcomed home their adopted son from the Congo. According to statistics, the Congo has over 4 million orphans. Now, because one family was willing to step in, there’s one less.

YEAR 3, HERE I COME!


Two years ago today, I moved to the pearl of the Caribbean. I set off for a life changing adventure to a culture, people, and language I had yet to really know. I didn't exactly understand what I was getting myself into, but I was excited for what God had in store.

Since the moment I stepped off the plane and into my new home, my world has been flipped upside down. Now, two years later, I better understand the culture, I have incredible friendships, and I can speak the language (well, sorta). My faith is stronger, my eyes see things differently, my heart beats to a newer rhythm, and my soul feels a whole lot deeper. I am in love with the students I get to serve. Although it's been a rough ride filled with heartbreak, stress, and a whole lot of humbling, I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

I'm honored that the Father chose me to live this life, that he decided I am the one who gets to love these students, that I get to witness his faithfulness in unimaginable ways.

I'm excited and hopeful for what lies ahead as I follow Jesus into another year. Year three, here I come!

ARE YOU WILLING?


"The Christian life is a journey to the greatest joy that exists. But 'the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few' (Matthew 7:14) Why is that? Because, paradoxically, in order to pursue our greatest joy, we must deny ourselves." – Jon Bloom

As I looked out at the kiddos playing in the school yard, God started speaking to my heart about willingness.

He asked in his still small voice, "Are you willing to stay forever?" 

He assured my anxious mind that he's not asking me to stay forever; he just wants to know how willing I am to follow him wholeheartedly. How willing I am to fully depend upon him no matter what happens, no matter where he leads.

I said yes to living in Haiti with an end date in mind, but am I willing to loosen my tight grip around the idea of a timeframe? Am I willing to let go and trust God with full assurance that he is working out all things for my good? Am I willing to let go of things I desire in order to glorify the one who gave me life? 

The answer is yes. Sometimes, I wish I was a little less willing so I could go back to a more "comfortable" life with less heartbreak, stress, and mosquito bites. However, a life poured out for Jesus' sake is undeniably worth it, and I am more than thankful for this wild adventure towards eternity with him.

Jesus said it himself, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?" (Mark 8)

Thankfully, I trust that God is who he says he is. No matter where I go, what I do, and when I do it, he is faithfully working it all out for my ultimate good according to his perfect plan. Denying myself, taking up my cross, and following him is my best option. So, I'm going to stick with that no matter the cost.

OUT OF DARKNESS


 co-written with Kristi Bucher

Every once in a while in life, you meet a soul unlike any other. One that makes you wish you where a little more like them, and that somehow after spending time with them, a bit of their sweetness will rub off on you. Manita is one of those people. She possesses the kindest and most gentle soul with a heart so unbelievably in love with Jesus. 

As a child growing up in the village of Cabaret, Manita would dance at voodoo ceremonies. She worshipped Satan, the same as the rest of her family. She didn’t know any differently.

Then Manita started attending Grace Emmanuel School in 2005. Her family had heard of a new, free school for their daughter to attend and enrolled Manita in 2nd grade at the age of 10.

At Grace Emmanuel School Manita heard about Jesus. She remembers a man named Manela who would lead devotions every day for all the students. It was during one of these devotions in 2009 that she made the decision to follow Christ. She had seen death in voodoo, but in Jesus, she found life. She says it was by the grace of God that she became a Christian.

A few years ago, Manita’s family moved to Bon Repos and she almost had to quit school because of the daily cost to travel the distance. Staff encouraged her to continue and assured her God would provide, and He has proved faithful.

Now 21 years old and in 12th grade, Manita expects to graduate next year (high school in Haiti goes through 13th grade) and would like to study to become a pediatrician. She is a quiet leader of the whole student body. She sings beautifully, stays out of trouble, and is always near the top of her class.

I ask Manita if I can visit one day as we are driving to Bon Repos from school. She leads me to the two-room wooden structure where she lives with her mom, uncle, his wife, and their three children. She shares a full-size bed with her mother in a small room also shared with her three young cousins.

Her mom is not home, and Manita tells me she will be at the local market selling beans until dusk.

Seven years after putting her faith in Christ, Manita is the only Christian in her family. Her mom still believes in Satan and practices voodoo.

I ask her if this is hard. “I used to talk to my family about Jesus and tell them that He is coming back, but they won’t believe. I tell my mom that Jesus loves her and wants to give her life. My mom says she wants to believe in Jesus, but she still hasn’t.”

Curious about her father, I ask about him. She says he used to practice voodoo as well. In 2006, he became very ill and bed-ridden. Because of this, neighbors came to visit and shared the gospel with him. Before dying in 2007, he gave his life to Christ.

I leave her home encouraged. Manita’s story is one that speaks of bright light in the midst of darkness. What Satan meant for destruction, Jesus meant for life! What a wonderful reminder that the enemy has no dominion over who belongs to Him.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). 

A month or so after I visit her home, I receive word that her mother is ill and needs to go to the doctor. She is in a lot of pain and cannot walk because of her inability to move her left arm or leg. I feel in my heart that I am called to lend a helping hand. After a few trips to a nearby clinic, we find out she is suffering from paralysis due to hypertension. Her elderly body is literally wasting away. 

Myself and many others who know the situation continue to pray with expectation. We are confident that God, according to his perfect will, has the ability to heal both physically and spiritually. 
A few weeks go by and I receive the greatest news of all. After spending a lifetime practicing voodoo and worshiping Satan, her mother has finally given her life to Christ! She may not be healed physically, but she has been saved from the dominion of darkness! As Manita put it, "all the glory belongs to God!"

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16)

A LOFTY PRIVILEGE


"To enter into loving people and possible loss, is to enter into suffering, to enter into the daily hurts and heartaches. To soldier on well we must have an understanding of suffering or we will let it overwhelm us and stomp out God’s goodness, and then we become a martyr rather than an overcomer." -- Sarita Hartz

Jesus promised pain and suffering. Paul suffered. Mary suffered. Peter suffered. Stephen suffered. Jesus himself suffered. Must I continue?

I gather this: I cannot live a gospel-motived life without suffering. Yes, maybe there will be seasons where suffering doesn't seem so dang prevalent. But in reality, it will come. 

For some, it may never leave. 

So wether I am stuck in the hot, dusty valley, climbing up the never-ending mountain in the blazing sun, or working my way back down the mountain (which is must easier than the original climb, but still a tedious task as you must work hard not to tumble down to the bottom), suffering is inevitable.

But that doesn't mean I have permission to sulk in a self-pity filled, woe-is-me, negative Nancy kind of attitude. 

Again, Sarita puts is perfectly:

"Expect that there will be pain in this life and in what you do for the Kingdom. Decide that you won’t let it make you a martyr. Decide to not let the unfairness of this life make you bitter. You will face the disappointments and rise, because you know ultimately all things do work together for the good of those who love Him. He is working out the beautiful tapestry of your life in ways you can’t even imagine. He knows everything you need to fulfill your call. He doesn’t waste a single one of your tears. I believe He has a bottle in Heaven of each tear I’ve cried. He will not waste any of your suffering or any opportunity to shape it for your good and for the good of many others."

Thankfully, amidst the trials, Jesus has promised that he'll never, ever leave or forsake us. We overcome because he already overcame. No matter what kind of terrain I find myself on, I can rest assured that my suffering is not in vain. In fact, I should count it as a lofty privilege to suffer for Jesus' name sake. I am a warrior on the frontline of battle! As Paul puts it, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

(If you haven't read a blog post from Sarita Hartz, you're missing out. If you are a missionary, going to be, was at one point, or just want to understand a missionary better, go and read her stuff. She says all the things I don't have words for and deeply encourages my soul.)

NEVER, EVER FORGET

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."


Over the weekend, we celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus. Many times, I had to fight back the tears as I thought about the goodness of our God. Jesus, in all his glory, humbled himself by coming to earth to sacrifice himself for the sinner (a.k.a. all of us).

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."

This was the most perfect sacrifice. Now, we are not saved by perfecting the law or the bloody and tedious task of sacrificing animals; we are saved by our mere belief in the risen Son of God. We reap the benefits of his miraculous death and resurrection due only to his love for us. We have done nothing to deserve or earn it. We were chosen before time, adopted as his own. And there's nothing, absolutely nothing, that can separate us from this unmeasurable love.

I, a sinful woman, am now counted as righteous. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." I've gone from slave to free, broken to renewed, lost to found - all because of the blood shed on the cross over 2,000 years ago. 

This moment in history is on the calendar to be celebrated once a year, but that same moment should be what drives us all to our knees daily. The King of kings came down and rescued us all! We, undeserved, broken humans, are deemed spotless in the presence of God.

May we never, ever forget that. 

However, his saving grace never promised a life of bliss (maybe that's what we'll get when we arrive in Heaven). He actually promised quite the opposite. We WILL suffer, we WILL face trials of many kinds. But thankfully for us, Jesus claimed victory over this life. In him, we have already won! 

"In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world!"

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."

So, may this incredible truth not only be celebrated once a year, but spur us to live daily with a zeal that cannot be contained. Amen.

AN UPDATE

The past few months have been the most wonderful months I've had since moving to Haiti. In January, our board of directors came for their annual meeting. Everyone is excited for the things to come this year! March 1st, our missionary community doubled as we welcomed a young couple from Northern California, Dizzie and Josh Hus. I am so excited to serve alongside them.

Another thing I must note (a rather big and exciting thing), is that I've made the decision to stay in Haiti another year. Once I returned from Christmas break and saw the students again, I couldn't imagine leaving in 6 short months. After spending all this time building relationships, learning the language, and getting a handle on what I'm doing, it didn't make much sense to leave quite yet.

It wasn't the most comfortable decision. I miss my family, friends, and the simple comforts home has to offer. Sometimes I worry that I'll continue to lose the closeness I once had with certain friends, that I'm missing out on precious family time, that I should be getting married by now, etc. However, following Jesus is so absolutely worth it. I believe wholeheartedly that He has more for me here in Haiti. 


It often seems like it would be much easier to move back home to Indiana and "continue" my life. But then I realize I am in the midst of an incredibly beautiful life with Jesus; one filled with joy, heartache, compassion, trial, love, learning, and so on. It's been a glorious adventure serving my beloved Savior. 

A LAMP UNTO THEIR FEET, A LIGHT UNTO THEIR PATHS

As I walk down towards the lunch area, I see a 2nd grade student. We lock eyes and exchange hello's. After walking past me, she calls with a big smile, "Jamie! I really like the Bible!" I smile in return, and with a warm heart I reply, "That makes me so happy."


In November, my mom told me that my home church (Harvest Fellowship of Leo, Indiana) wanted to do something for the students of Grace Emmanuel School for Christmas.

I told her that we've dreamed of giving Jesus Storybook Bibles to all of younger students and regular Bibles to the older students. This, however, would be a sizable cost. My mom assures me of her confidence that God will provide the money.

To make a long story much, much shorter, the money was raised! Now, each student has a Bible of their very own. I pray this gift of God's word would be a lamp unto their feet, and a light to their paths.


We owe a huge "thank you" to the generous hearts of Harvest Fellowship! The students' smiles as they received their Bibles was something words could never describe.


Here's a small glimpse of the joy:









EMPTYING THE OCEAN WITH AN EYEDROPPER

Visiting students is the part of my job that doesn't really feel like a job. How on earth did I get this insanely awesome opportunity? To enter into their space, get on their level, meet their families, see their situation first-hand, spend quality time, and love them.

How is it that I, a twenty-something white girl, get to dive into the trenches with some of the poorest of the poor? With those who have been abused and abandoned? With those who don't have much to call their own? 

I am in no way prepared or qualified for such a task, but God called me anyways for some reason beyond my own understanding. God seems to have a thing for calling the ill-equiped (Moses, anyone?). So, I find myself extremely thankful that I get to love them. I love loving them.

However, as you probably know, love comes with heartache. Katie Davis, in her book Kisses from Katie, puts it this way:

"Sometimes working in a Third World Country makes me feel like I am emptying the ocean with an eyedropper. And just when I have about half a cup full of water, it rains...It is enough to discourage even the most passionate and enthusiastic person. And yet the discouragement lasts only a moment and God tells me to keep going. That He loves me. That He loves these people. That He will never leave or forsake any of us, not one. That my work is important to him...Love is the reason I just keep filling up my little eyedropper, keep filling it up and emptying my ocean one drop at a time. I’m not here to eliminate poverty, to eradicate disease, to put a stop to people abandoning babies. I’m just here to love."

Isn't that the truth! God did not call me here to fix people or systems, I can leave that up to Him. He called me here to love. Why? Because He perfectly and sacrificially loved us first. Whether working in Haiti or in a fancy high-rise building in Los Angeles, the Christian is called to love with a different kind of love: the immeasurable, unconditional love of Christ. Although I'm not always good at it, I'm thankful I get to be a part of what He's up to! Even when it feels like I'm only emptying the ocean with an eyedropper.


Little Jenifer is a kindergarten student at Grace Emmanuel School. Her and her family have become one of my most favorite people to visit! 

A REFLECTION ON 2015


"But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble is He doesn't come through."
This quote from Francis Chan’s book, Crazy Love, basically describes what the year of 2015 was like. It was hard and uncomfortable. I was forced to rely on him for everything (and I mean everything). The moment I tried to do things alone was the same moment I became stressed and doubtful.
Thankfully, although tough, this past year has allowed me to see and experience God in a fresh, raw way. In the midst of poverty and injustice, God’s character of love, compassion, mercy, justice, and peace never changes. He sees the broken, he loves the fatherless, he has compassion for the weak. That’s just God and He doesn’t change.
Another valuable lesson I’ve learned is how His power is made perfect in my weakness. It’s not that He can just “work with” my weakness and spin it into something magnificent. His power is made PERFECT. How incredible? I often ask God how on earth He chose me for this task, for I am weak and inadequate. But then I realized that’s exactly why He chose me. He took me out of my comfort zone to glorify Himself. 
What a privilege it is to know that the God of the universe chose me! He chose me to seek and follow after Him. He entrusted me with the message of Jesus in order than I might share it with others. He, the King of kings, adopted me into His family! And not only did He do these things, He has given me the unique opportunity to love the least of these in Haiti. For that, I am forever grateful.

As of a few days ago, I have only 6 months left of my original 2-year commitment to Haiti. Time has gone by so fast! However, I am not so sure I will be ready to leave quite yet. I am currently considering whether to stay an extra year or to move onto something else. I dream about becoming a teacher in the inner city and exploring other parts of the world, but I currently cannot imagine leaving the kiddos of Grace Emmanuel School. Pray the Lord would guide me and strengthen me to faithfully follow His lead (no matter what that may be) with full assurance. 


Lastly, may your new year be filled with joy and perseverance as you pursue Jesus. Although I am not much into resolutions, this verse is what I'm striving for in 2016:

"...make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."  —2 Peter 2:5-8

THE LES CAYES ADVENTURE
This weekend was one heck of an adventure. Although absolutely nothing went according to plan, it made for an incredible and unforgettable story. 


We traveled 4 hours on a bus to Les Cayes (a city none of us had ever been to) with plans to visit the mom of two boys in our children's home. We couldn't get ahold of her, so we decided to head to the guest house we planned to stay in that night. Due to the miscommunication of accidentally talking to the wrong resort, we ended up in a boat we weren't supposed to be in.





 Once we were in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, we realized the boat was heading in the wrong direction towards an island resort.






Long story short, we accidentally arrived in paradise.






Although we would have loved to stay, paradise is quite expensive. So we left and headed back to the mainland.




Once we got back, we were dropped off and found a questionable, small bus to take us to the guest house (the real one this time). We spent about an hour crammed together in this little bus weaving through roads up and down the mountain. I tried explaining to my fellow passengers the expression, "packed like sardines." Because that's exactly what we were.



We finally arrived to our destination. Although tired, we swam until dusk (complete with sand fights and tons of laughter). We ate some local food, hung out around the guest house, and went to sleep in hopes of a smoother next day.






The next morning, we drank some much-needed coffee. After gathering our things together to head back home, our transportation was bit late. Eventually, he showed up in a pick-up truck (not ideal for 7 people, but it would get us there). So we all hopped in, knowing it would be a wild ride through the winding mountain road. The drive was like the thrill of a roller coaster, but much more terrifying and risky (hence Lauren's face and death grip around our buddy, Junior).


During our wild ride through the mountains, we got to see some of the most incredible views of Les Cayes.


After a crazy weekend filled with unexpected adventures in an unfamiliar town, I find myself thankful and filled with joy (well, except for the intense stomach ache during the entire bus ride home). 

 All glory and thanks be to God for protecting us, keeping us sane, and giving us an opportunity to witness more of His beautiful creation.

CUTIE PATOOTIES

These cutie patooties were hanging in the nurses office, and so I thought I'd snatch them up for a little photo shoot. They absolutely loved getting their pictures taken. And I don't know about you, but this giggle fest is probably the most adorable thing I've ever seen. 




A MIRACLE

In late July, I receive word that one of the students at Grace Emmanuel School is gravely ill. Her name is Ruth Shama, a 4-year-old who just finished her first year of kindergarten. 

As soon as we find out, we go to visit her in downtown Port-au-Prince. Because we arrive past visiting hours, the security guard hesitates to let us enter. After some convincing, he finally agrees to let us in.

As I walk into this overcrowded, underfunded hospital, I can feel the sickness like a heavy wool blanket on my shoulders. There are many children laying in beds everywhere in one, large room.

Ruth Shama after being hospitalized for 15 days

 Ruth Shama has been here for over two weeks, and has a high fever and an infection of some sort. We are told the doctors are unsure what she has, and the test results will give us more information. They think it may be meningitis. She is horribly thin and unresponsive. She looks nearly lifeless, the only movement coming from her quivering lips. 

Although I am terribly disheartened, I know Jesus is capable of healing her. It is evident that He will need to intervene in a powerful, supernatural way. So I lay my hands on her and pray for just that, pleading with the Lord to comfort her and strengthen her weak body.

After we get back in the car to head home, I look over at Valerie, a friend who accompanied me to the hospital, and ask, “Do you have a good feeling about this?” She and I both feel that there may be no hope for her survival. 

 But we continue to pray.

Frequently, I receive updates from her dad that she is slowly making progress. He sends a picture of her smiling and wonders when I will visit again. Soon after, I return to pay a visit. Ruth Shama, although skinny an not yet able to speak, is moving and flashes a few smiles in my direction. 

 There is hope, after all.

At the beginning of September, we hold a make-up photo day for the students who missed the scheduled days in August. To my surprise, Ruth Shama walks in with her mom. She is healthy, energetic, and full of smiles! I can hardly believe my eyes! She looks more beautiful than ever, and her mother smiles with peace and a joy that cannot be erased. 

I am in the presence of a miracle.