Kids, Creole, & Colossians.

~Kids~

                Honestly, sometimes I feel as if my day is just filled with Kids & Creole. Here at GLA we have roughly 150 children. Some are here for just assistance, some who have been abandoned and/or orphaned, and some given up for adoption due to circumstances beyond their family’s control. Whatever the reason, God has placed each one of these children here at GLA and I am honored to be able to be a part of their lives. I am thankful to be a part of this transition time between either becoming healthy and returning to their biological family or before they are adopted and placed with their forever family.

                There are a lot of things I didn’t and still don’t know about the whole adoption process. Before moving to Haiti, adoption was a definite possibility for my future, whether single or married.  As I see the process and amount of work that is put into just one single adoption I’ve realized that adoption is a hard and grueling but amazing and rewarding process.  Over the past five months of being here at GLA, I have had the opportunity of seeing about 8 children go home with their forever families and have seen many parents meet their proposed children for the first time. It has been such an honor to see this process happen. I can’t even imagine how it is for those who have been at GLA with these children from the beginning. What an incredible sight and story to see unfolding! Lord willing, I hope to have an adoption story of my own and be that parent meeting their child for the first time and then taking them to their forever home with me (and maybe a husband).  

***If you want to learn more about the adoption process and the state of adoptions in Haiti you can go to Dixie's Blog and read her most recent post ***

~Creole~

                I really never thought I had the capacity to learn a second language… but lately I think I may. The more I learn in Creole class and the more I am immersed in the language the more I am starting to speak and understand! I am in no way fluent and/or even that great but each new word I learn or person I understand, I have my own little internal celebration. At times I can’t even believe that I am speaking and/or understanding and yet slowly but surely it is happening. I am so thankful for the patience of the Haitian staff and our Creole teacher.  Day by day, little by little…

~Colossians~

                Sometimes (a lot of times) I lose sight of what is God is doing around me and if my actions are pleasing to the Lord. I am not always thankful for the life God has given me. Whether I gripe about a past, present or even future situations, my eyes are on what is seen and not what is unseen (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Why I worry about these things is beyond me, but I still do. I’m a thinker and a planner. I feel as if I need to know what is next and what the future holds, but I know I can’t. Here in Haiti, the staff at GLA lives in pretty close proximity. We work, socialize and live together 24/7. Coming from living alone for a long time, this is/was a big adjustment for me. I was recently reading Colossians and chapter 3 verses 12-17 stood out me. It is directly related to me and the life I lead here at GLA. Although not always the easiest, God has placed me here for a reason and I know I need to keep these verses in my heart.

Colossians 3:12-17

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members on one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

               So yes, just three word sum up the past few months… Kids, Creole & Colossians. The devotions I have been doing end in a prayer that the author has written and I’ve decided to mimic it. 

~My prayer for tonight~

               Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to grow during my time here. May I please you with my thoughts, words & actions. Bless these children around me and those I have yet to meet. Bless those I work alongside here at GLA. Please give us all the strength to continue to do your work here in Haiti. As the adoption process continues to change here in Haiti, place your hand upon it and let your will be done with the future of adoptions in Haiti. Help me to stay focused on your glory and not my own. Rule in my heart. Amen.

…to be continued…

-B

Twenty-Five.

Really? When did it become February?! The time continues to fly by as I approach three months here in Haiti at God’s Littlest Angels. So, what have I learned so far? Here are 25 random things that I’ve become more aware of, have learned or am learning, embraced, accepted, etc.

1. Haiti is absolutely beautiful.

2. I don’t miss television but I do miss my dog.

3. I can buy just about anything at the stores in town that I would want in the states… just at a cost.

4. Three adults, two babies, an oxygen tank, and an ambu can all fit into the front seat of a truck (The Transport).

5. Sometimes you have to look past the dirt/litter/fog to see beauty.

6. Altitude makes a difference

7. Children are hurt intentionally and unintentionally.

8. Many things are beyond my control.

9. I like riding in UTV’s/back of a truck better than inside a car/truck.

10. Prayer is the most valuable tool/medicine/weapon.

11. It is hard not to bring work home with you when your home is your work.

12. Adoption is a beautiful thing.

13. I have a great support system.

14. I love the children I care for more than words can describe (7 babies in 24hrs).

15. Each smile, embrace, miracle reminds me why I moved here.

16. I miss my family/friends tremendously… but February does contain the most family birthday’s so it stings a little more this month.

17. Medical supplies get used until they don’t work anymore.

18. I work with some pretty great people (Haitian, American, Canadian & Australian).

19. The Creole/Kréyol language is a part of everyday conversation.

20. I despise student loans.

21. The Haitian staff is very patient with me as I learn/ try to speak Creole.

22. I need to take more pictures.

23. iTunes is amazing/ I listen to a lot of music.

24. Although I listen to a lot of music, I don’t like being in charge of picking the music in the car.

25. God’s plans for me are bigger than my own.

So, there you have it… maybe not the blog post you were expecting, but a blog post none the less.

…to be continued…

-B

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago". Ephesians 2:1

One thing... Remains. (The Armor of God)

   Your love never fails, never gives up.

Never runs out on me.

  While in the process of preparing to move to Haiti, I was met with a lot of spiritual warfare. I wrote a blog called "Jesus take the wheel", which went into some of the struggles and spiritual warfare I was facing. While in North Carolina, the devil knew exactly where to hit me... and that was financially. I made the decision to move to North Carolina because I knew God wanted me there. I took a significant pay cut and dropped down to only one job (which was a first). I continued to finish my BSN and pay for that. After graduating, my college didn’t file a paper correctly for tax purposes and I got a bill from the IRS (this was eventually fixed) & not to mention the over $10,000 I paid out of pocket for dental work just in the two and a half years I was in North Carolina. Along with a few other bumps along the way, the devil knew finances were the one thing that may hinder me from moving to Haiti. I kept working through each bill, loan, etc… and kept telling Satin to “get out of my life”. After receiving the job offer at GLA, God provided in each circumstance in which “I was running low” and I am continual thankful he gave me the strength and courage to trust in Him and in His promises. I think Satan also realized that God can always beat him, even when it comes to finances! The few weeks before moving I felt calm and comfortable that God would provide because I was doing what he wanted me to do and moving to Haiti to serve Him and the people of Haiti.Fast forward to now. 

     Tomorrow marks three weeks of living in Haiti. I have been healthy and feeling good maybe 5 whole days. I had bronchitis the first week, followed by stomach problems and now I have had fever/chills & Strep Throat since Thursday night. New germs, food, travel, fatigue have most likely played a part in this but seriously in needs to stop. I want to be able to give 100% to the children, staff & volunteers at GLA. In my previous blog post I asked “What do you do to combat spiritual warfare? & Does anyone know of any good verses or passages to read?” I wanted to share what I found in case you were searching yourself and hadn’t found what you were looking for. Ephesians 6:10-20 says:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

     This set of verses is labeled “The Armor of God”; as you face the day doing God’s work, put on the full armor of God and let God do His work in your life. I will stand my ground against Satan and be cheerful, knowing that I am working for the Lord and he is my ultimate healer and provider. He will comfort me in my sickness and help me fight each battle Satan puts in front of me; whatever that may be. As I write this I can’t help but feel selfish. I live in this beautiful country full of beautiful people who are suffering. I know my financial and physical burdens will be healed. Others live without that possibility or even the hope of that possibility. I hope that as I live this life God has given me, I exude the Armor of God and am able to share the hope, strength, courage, & possibilities that come when you have faith in Jesus Christ. I leave you with this verse; “Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek his face always” Psalm 105:4.

…to be continued…

-B


An addendum... A day later.
As I finished up this post yesterday, I really wanted to find a song to lift my spirits along with Ephesians 6:10-20; so here it is: One Thing Remains by Jesus Culture.

In death, In life, I’m confident and

covered by the power of Your great love

My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can

separate my heart from Your great love...