Crowns for Queens and Kings

Every week the children learn a new letter and subsequently their craft usually starts with that letter (N for nest, necklace, night) and throughout the week as we talk to them, we point out different things that start with the letter of the week. This past week was Q, which Shelley wanted to be creative with and I personally think she succeeded, We decorated large letter Q with squares like a Quilt, we did a duck craft because ducks say "Quack" and in games we ran Quickly or had to be Quiet, the kids loved it!

Thursday we made crowns we pointed out that Queens as well as kings, princesses and princes all wear crowns. We had them decorate their crowns by gluing on different shapes, sequins and who doesn't love glitter?

Our youngest class was the hardest as well as the largest; to keep them from tearing their crowns we had them color as we worked with individual ones letting them choose which ones and where they wanted them to go. 

The next class we placed the glue and they placed and pressed each piece down, glitter though usually winds up more on them than their craft so we helped with that part. But it's pretty adorable, don't you think?

Lots of laughs and smiles going around

The oldest class did everything but the glitter as well and they were very creative! Some of them took crayons and colored in the triangles or made their own patterns, others made patterns using their sequins.

And Rochelle wrote on her's; made me smile when I read her crown.

As Kanaval is next week and there is no school the crowns the children wore really got me thinking. I have never experienced Kanaval or knew it happened in Haiti (know theres one in Rio at some point during the year) so when I first heard about it I though "Oh fun!" but the images my brain had started to build were quickly shattered as I was informed more about Kanaval. 

It's hard for me. 

There are things that go on that I know happen everywhere... but not to these precious kids! We received some news about a couple of the children that attend Maranatha's home lives and it was hard. Half of me didn't want to believe it, not in a way where I was ignorant but it just didn't seem real. One of the children particularly is attached to me and always smiling and happy. It was as if I was being told this in a dream and I was going to wake up and there would be that relief of "just a dream" and life would resume. The other half couldn't wrap my head around it; physically I felt the weight of this information but my emotions couldn't process what I'd been told. And then I saw this child and I can't even write about it at this time.

Kanaval is a scary time; I'm still getting information from it as it draws closer but I ask that this weekend and next week you pray for the country of Haiti. People go "crazy" during Kanaval, as one person put it very nicely, "like Mardi Gras... but much much worse I think" and I want to just bring all the children and their families here, where I know they will be safe to an extent. But prayer is a powerful wall of protection and God does not just live here at Maranatha but He is with each child and their families.

During Kanaval people dress up and several of the kids came back today wearing their crowns and a couple of them came with glitter, make-up and one little girl was dressed completely in a pink: leotard, shrug, leggings and her pink crown from the day before which was rather adorable but other, older children were seen on the street  by the directors as they drove through the city this morning that were dressed.... less appropriately. It hurts knowing..... knowing everything. It makes me angry. Children should not be treated this way; they are children. I'm so frustrated typing this I can't put the words I want together but I hope you grasp a piece of what I'm trying to convey.

Continuing on; seeing the children with their crowns (especially Rochelle's) I was reminded why we're here and what we are trying to do. God's filled me with this love for children. Since I was eight I've wanted to provide a good home, food, education and love for every child and it's hard knowing that we have these children here for such a short time. But, talking with a wonderful wonderful Haitian brother who has a HUGE heart for his country, he reminded me that we are setting the foundation for them, to have everything that we provide for them at Maranatha right at the start is huge and no we don't know what is going to happen to these kids but we can and will plant seeds, and water  them for as long as they are in our care. Every single child is a prince and princess of the King and it is my prayer that they will grow to be Kings and Queens in His eternal Kingdom because they are dear to Him and are so very loved.

Mèsi Jesus!

Result of a Racing Mind & Heart at 3:00am

In Haiti the poverty is very close to home and there are things that I know I will probably never understand. Driving anywhere you will come into contact with it, you will see things that make you wonder "Why?", things that you long to figure out, people that you want to hold close or take to a safe place where they're fed and clothed, so many stories that I long to hear; hurts and pains that I long to heal and things I want to fix. But, almost two years ago I went to one of my mentors and one of my best friends, about an issue with a friend that was going through something really tough and was making drastic life changes. I vented to them saying I wanted to help her, I wanted to be there for her, I, I, I, I. They both listened and when I'd finished asked me one thing "Why are you trying to play God?" woah, what?! I'm not trying to... oh wait.

Sometimes I feel like we don't really understand who and what exactly God is, or maybe we do and we simply forget. God is not something that we carry with us in our pocket and then send to different people when bad things happen; kind of like a get well card. God doesn't take sick days or forgets to check on you. God is.... God!

 A lot of the children come to preschool with fevers, running noses or infected eyes. The cause of these is a number of different things but I always want to keep them here with me. For example: Dianne, who is in the 4-5's class, on Thursday was coughing so badly she threw up. She was also running a fever; so I gave her medicine and ended up helping with her class as they finished their craft, cradling her on my lap as I worked. She was feeling better by the end and not coughing as much, so I had her sit down and helped the rest of the kids with kicking balls through the makeshift milk can goal. When it came time for her to go home she didn't want to leave, she ran to me and I had to walk her out the gate to her mom, but then she demanded I come home with her. Her mother is a very sweet loving woman and we both explained to her that I would see her tomorrow and she needed to go home and sleep; after a bit I had to walk away. Part of me really wanted to go and see where they lived and if there was something I could help them with but no. I actually would like to go home with each of the children at the end of the day or just keep them all here, where I know they will be fed and will be safe. But no.

I've been reminded this past week that we live in a fallen world, where things that shouldn't happen, happen and what we take for granted so much every single day that a lot of people do not have and a lack of love, pure love is... painful, destructive and keeps people in heavy chains. I'm a girl, one girl and If I fed people with the food of this world they will come back hungry, if I give them clean water to drink they will return thirsty, if I build them a home with materials from this world it will fall into disrepair, if I pour out my love on them it will not be enough and while for a while they may feel happy it will fade and they will continue on in darkness. But, if I feed them and fill them up with the words of God they will be full and their thirst will be quenched, if I tell them about Him and they accept His gift they will build a relationship with Him far stronger than any house, if I pour out God's love they will walk in the light and their fear and hopelessness will run from them as He in turn fills hem with His unconditional love.

I cannot go home with the families or people I meet; but I don't have to because God already goes with them; He will protect them and if He chooses to use me to help their physical needs then He will show me where and how and I am more than willing to do it. But, until than I will love them with His love that fills me, never runs dry and is unconditional. This world tries to take Jesus out of the equation; you see and hear everywhere "Love is all you need, you are beautiful, you are powerful" on and on they go and those things are all true but why is love all you need? What makes you beautiful? Because God is love and He is literally all you need and will/is providing everything for you. You are beautiful because you were created by God and God is working in and through you. You are powerful because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Don't take Jesus out of the equation because without Him, we cannot even begin to hope to change lives here in Haiti or anywhere in the world.

We pray for people who have less than us; but, they pray for us too. A good friend told me a true story where a church had planted a church overseas and they were asking their planted church what they needed and how they could pray and the man's answer was something along the lines of "We really don't need anything. We pray for you actually. Here we see God, we depend on God for food for the next day and He provides. But, in the states it must be hard to follow God because you have everything" wowzah! Can you say paradigm shift?

Tonight I pray for the world. I pray for each of you. I pray that you seek God with your whole heart, that you take risks (also known as leaps of faith but we tend to limit those too) that you shine love, His love because we're here for such a short time. Look at me, I'm 20! Yikes! God isn't finished with me and God is not finished with you either.

Update: Four kids more kids have sponsors!!! They're each kids close to my heart and I could tell you so many stories and little things about them. I'm so ecstatic for them! If you don't know what I'm talking about or maybe you forgot read this: http://hopeblownaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-name-is-hope-i-have-request.html

Be strong and courageous ~ Joshua 1:9
Be wise ~ Proverbs 13:10 & James 3:17
Be safe ~ Jeremiah 32:37-38 & Job 11:13-19

Center of My Life

A week ago was my 20th birthday, I never thought that I would spend my 20th birthday overseas or away from my family and loved ones but as my older sister who's lived overseas pointed out: "birthdays are about new life" & I definitely have a new life here in Haiti.

I woke up to the bit of sky changing color through my window; my internal alarm clock wakes me up around 6:30am now which gives me plenty of time to get ready before our staff devotion and meeting before Preschool starts. I got ready for the day, braiding my hair thats been bleached by the hot sun, thinking about my life and where all God has taken me. Missing my family a bit and my siblings waking me up to tell my happy birthday or popping in while I'm getting ready for work to tell me, as I looked into the mirror thinking about change and growing up I felt like God saying "Give me your cares and plans" and so I did.

As I made my way downstairs Isabelle (the baby of the family) met me with a glass cup filled with a special smoothie that Byron had made, "Happy Birthday Hope!" she said giving me a big hug and the smoothie, I thanked her hugging her close and headed to the meeting. James (another intern for Maranatha from CA) wished me a Happy Birthday as I sat down, warning me that he was going to "get me back" as on his birthday I announced it at meeting and then had random kids tell him throughout the day and the whole preschool sang Happy Birthday before we ended the day. Shelley however beat him to it saying/singing Happy Birthday when she joined the meeting and before we headed to greet the children Estacey led the whole staff in singing Happy Birthday; which Estacey did in english and than Kreyol, beginning in her silly, not quite Donald Duck voice; she's hilarious and keeps us all laughing.

I don't teach dance on Thursdays and everything seemed to be ready for the day so I headed outside where Daniel and Elindja were playing (their mother drops them off early for school). Daniel, who is 2, came running to my arms with the biggest smile on his face! Erta calls him Hopes zanmi (Hopes friend) because he always smiles when I talk to him. He cuddled with me as we waited for the rest of the children to arrive.

Through out the day there were little moments with each of the kids that made the day special. A couple were: One of the girls who's been a very big problem, had completely turned over a new leaf the day before and Thursday continued her good streak, hugging me and being very nice to the other children. Four of the girls sat on my lap or as close as they could during storytime, as on days I don't teach dance I help with their class. Sarah and Barbara braided my long bangs, Nahomie, Wilkency and Milande each gave me random kisses on the cheek. Several of the children ganged up and tackle hugged me and everything ran very smoothly through-out the day.

For dinner, Byron made hamburgers (which are honestly the best I've ever had) and are a huge favorite here and for dessert Shelley surprised me with a beautiful cheesecake with twenty red candles and a huge sparkler sticking out of the middle! (I really love fireworks) Top it with mixed berries and mango jelly and you've had a little slice of heaven! Byron and Shelley had taken a little vacation to the Dominican Republic to celebrate their anniversary and had brought me back a beautiful blue sarong with white palm trees printed on it as well as a bracelet with Larimars or "Stefilias Stones" set in silver and connected on a silver chain, Larimar very rare and can only be found in the Dominican Republic, very thoughtful and beautiful presents I was not expecting.

 Twenty candles is a lot; I feel like somehow I jumped from my 8th princess party back on little East Lake Rd to suddenly here an "adult" in the eyes of many. I've made a lot of mistakes, done things that I'm not proud of, didn't give my all in certain things and I'm not the person I want to be; but by the grace and love of God I'm not who I once was and I'm not lost. Everyday He is molding and shaping me and I look forward to this 20th year and all the lessons and trials to come with Him by my side.

We have devotions every evening and two people play guitar and sometimes Jeff or Emmanuel will play the Djembe before and after the scripture reading. One of the songs we sang that night was Center by: Charlie Hall and the chorus is my prayer for this next year of this crazy adventure known as my life.

You’re the center of the universe
Everything was made in You Jesus
Breath of every living thing
Everyone was made for You

You hold everything together
You hold everything together

We lift our eyes to heaven
We wrap our lives around your life
We lift our eyes to heaven, to You

Chorus:
Oh, Christ be the center of my lives
Be the place I fix my eyes
Be the center of my lives

My Name is Hope & I Have A Request

I've been in Haiti, working at Maranatha's Preschool for over a month now; which at times is hard to believe and at other times I feel I've always been here. I call each of the kids by name, know the troublemakers & the sweethearts, the quiet & the ones that never seem to stop talking, the shy & the ones who will tackle hug you all day long. 

My name has gone through a little trial here in Haiti, when I introduce myself, or someone else introduces me the person usually gets a funny look on their face "Hope?" they ask a couple times "Oui, mwen Hope" (yes, I'm hope) there are three responses after this: The ones that chuckle and repeat "Hope?" as if it's a joke, the ones that don't believe and ask for my real name and than ones that just can't get their minds around it and begin to spell it to make sure they have it right "H-O-P-E.... Hope?”, yes that is my name. At Maranatha the kids call me "HoPe" (large emphasis on the P) & when a couple of the younger children say it, it sounds more like "Wop" which makes me laugh.

    I've always loved my name & how unique it is (I've only once had a class with someone who had the same name) How easy it is to spell, I love that it's an invitation to share the gospel when people ask why I'm called Hope or what exactly it means. And my name describes a huge part of who I am.

Tomorrow is my 20^th birthday and I never thought that I would be spending it away from my loved ones, though I do love my Haitian family; it’s amazing the places God takes us. Since I am overseas and mail in Haiti has to come through people who are traveling from the states to Maranatha, I have a request/birthday wish. You've heard a couple stories of the kids here at Maranatha and hopefully seen pictures on my photography page of their sweet little faces; Maranatha has a sponsorship program for each child, their website reads:

 "Each one of these children has been lead to us in a way that could only be directed by our loving Father.  We are prayfully asking you to partner with us to change their lives.  Sponsorship is $50 a month and provides the necessary funds to keep the child in the program.   You will receive a photo and information on your sponsored child, as well as occasional correspondence from them."

There are over 80 children registered here at Maranatha, but only 24 have sponsors. For my birthday instead of cards and gifts I'm asking that you prayerfully sponsor a child here. I know that some of you are already supporting me or other missionaries or children and I thank you SO very much for that so I'm also asking you to share this post. To step out of your comfort zone and share with someone. Maybe have your small group sponsor a child or use this as an opportunity to challenge yourselves to cut back on different things, let God speak and listen.

I don't like asking people for money but God humbled me and showed me some different things about Christians and how we are supposed to live and give our all, pretty sure Matthew 16:24 doesn't say "And God said, pick up all your favorite things, pack them in boxes, place them in your Lamborghini and follow me" God asked us to give up everything, we are not on this earth to live as comfortably as humanly possible. Here's a blog post I found that really took the words from my mouth. 

Why We Don't Sponsor A Child

1. The Money

That’s probably the biggest reason, isn’t it? I get it. I totally get it. Extra money is hard to come by sometimes, especially now-a-days. But think about this. By just living in the United States most of us are in the top three percent (or something like that) wealthiest people in the world. A pastor said that once in one of his sermons, and my mouth almost dropped. The percentage may not be exact, but it’s something crazy-high like that.

Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)

There’s no doubt that giving to a child in need takes sacrifice. It takes saying “no” to some of our monthly pleasures to be able to use that money elsewhere. But when you see how God blesses you with peace and joy when you get that first letter from your sponsored child in the mail, then you realize how you gain more than you could ever give.

If you want to read the whole story, here is the link: http://triplebraidedlife.com/2012/09/why-people-wont-sponsor-a-child-compassion-blog-month/

Yatzin is one of the children I have written about who does not have a sponsor; he's made INCREDIBLE headway here at Maranatha and I hope he will be able to continue his remarkable journey; read about him here  http://hopeblownaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/2014/01/yatzen.html

Thank you so much for all of your love, support & prayers. To sponsor a child go to:  http://www.mcmhaiti.org/getinvolved.php I would love it if every single child had a sponsor by the end of this month; if you have any questions please feel free to email me or leave a comment.

Also find pictures on facebook: H.e.rPhotography94

Not Always Easy

Crystille was the first 2-3 year-old that took to me right away at Maranatha, we played a game where she pokes or tries to tickle me before I can tickle her; we'd both end up laughing and when our sides (or at least mine) were about to burst she'd crawl up in my lap and play with my necklace, giggling and making up new little games. She's full of sassyness, giggles, cuteness and as all children do, completely stole my heart.

I looked forward to her laughter and little games over the next week and a half but at the end of my second week I noticed she'd been acting strange, kind of quiet and than she would perk back up but than calm down again. That day I wasn't with her class at all but she came to me right before assembly in the afternoon and she was burning up! We gave her some child tylenol and I headed back into assembly with her cuddled in my arms. As I sat there with her sitting on my lap facing me, she began to perk up again and was playing with my necklace and laughing, but it wasn't her usual laugh, it sounded almost forced. I was confused. I asked God for wisdom and the answer I received was a simple "ask". "Crystille? Ou tete malad?" (Your head hurt?) she stopped immediately and looked me right in the eye, I felt as if she was seeing whether I honestly wanted to know; kind of like when someone asks me "How are you?" and I tend to go with the short version of "I'm good" because most people (not all!) are not really asking and wanting the story of the past day or week. I asked her again if her head hurt and all of that fake bubblyness fell away and she looked like she was about to burst into tears "Vini, kouche" (Come, lie down) I said patting my shoulder. It was like she'd been trying to be ok, but when I gave her "permission" to not be she slunk against me as I began to rock her gently side to side.

By the time the children had finished singing and Mr. Byron came in to tell us the Bible story for the day, she was fast asleep, but it was a feverish sleep. She was sweaty and would fidget and give a soft cry every so often. When assembly was over I stood up and carried he outside to wait for someone to come pick her up. I sat there for a time, rocking, praying and singing over her limp & sweaty little body. Her face was tilted up at mine and a thought floated through my head "How are you going to give her up?" followed by a bucket load more soon after "Will she be ok if she leaves? Will she take the medicine? Where do they live? Is there something I can do?" I sat there worrying and continuing to pray and sing.

In time her mother came to pick her up, one of the teachers I think read my face like a book, "Its alright" she said comfortingly as she lifted the sleeping child from my arms. I watched as she was handed through the gate into the arms of her mother. But, I saw another set of arms carrying her away, they were His arms and I knew that He was going to take care of her because our God is not bound to the preschool grounds, or lives in a different country. I didn't put Him in my suitcase & bring Him with me because He is here, He has always been here just like He is there with you now wherever in the world you are because He is everywhere and with everyone every single minute of every single day and in that I found/find peace as I watched her go down the dusty road home.

I waited anxiously for 17 days to see her sweet face again, I knew God would take care of her but what can I say, I live up to my name and every day I hoped to see her walk through the tall gates. In that time I learned that she had been taken to the hospital (in Haiti that means that she visited the Dr's office, she was not admitted) and my prayers became a little more frequent. Monday when she didn't arrive the usual rock didn't settle in my stomach, for some reason I felt very at peace and I wasn't sure why; until today that is.

We'd called for clean-up were sitting the kids down to breakfast; I greeted two girls that had walked in a little late and as I turned to go inside for plates I noticed a little figure coming around the gate and towards the gazebo "Crystille?!" I wasn't sure I was seeing right, "Crystille!" I swooped her up and hugged her close, tears threatened my eyes as Fi Fi (one of the teachers) began to chant her name and clap with the kids; we were all thrilled to see God answer our prayers by healing her and bringing her back to us.

She was a little quiet at first and wouldn't let me put her down but after starting our little tickle game her old spunky self came back and I got to hear that giggle I've been missing. Maranatha provides two meals a day, vitamens and two healthy snacks for the children, they are a non-profit organization & the development, care and love that flows from this place really is incredible to see and to be a part of.

It's hard to send kids home, not knowing or knowing what they are going home to, but  God continually reminds me that worrying is not healthy or from Him and that He holds each child in His caring hands. Such a lovely thing!

Messi Jesus!
(Thank you Jesus!)

P.S I have a request that will be coming up this weekend for you guys, so keep following and checking back :)