Basically the cutest thing I've ever seen. Enjoy! Hope your christmas was lovely!
I love packages. Especially ones that have pictures like this in them.
These little girls captured my heart. I spent one day with them. July 29th. But that one day was filled with so much joy and laughter and dancing. That's Katelyn on the left and Ubeta on the right. They both live in Cité Soleil, the poorest tent city in all of Port-au-Prince. Such sweet girls living in such a horrible condition. When I got this picture today, memories came flooding back to me.
Spinning around, hand in hand, until we get dizzy and can't stand up anymore.
The girls playing with my hair, braiding and twisting and pulling every way.
Ubeta putting on her best dress for worship. I didn't even know she would have a dress that fancy.
Sharing a bag of cranberries leftover from my MRE.
The smiles on their faces when they saw their little picture in my viewfinder.
Ubeta getting a chair for me and forcing me to sit so they could both sit on my lap during worship.
Katelyn playing clapping games with me until my hands were red and splotchy.
Holding hands. All. Day. Long.
Holding hands. All. Day. Long.
Jumping in the back of a truck, knowing I'd probably never see them again. But also knowing it was all worth it.
So, a few days ago, I started to seriously pray about not going this year. When God said that was right, I was so upset. I cried for a few days. I really really didn't want that to be the answer. I asked Him for confirmation. He gave me so much confirmation, every single day. So much so that I couldn't ignore it.
You don't even know how much I wanted to go this year. I prayed and prayed for God to let this be the year, but it's not. He has a different plan for me than I have for myself, but His is much much better. He has given me a peace about waiting. It's okay with me now. I won't be able to go with all those people I love, but soon there will be more people I'll love. I still don't really know the reasons why, but He does. That's all I can take comfort in right now. He's still going to do incredible things. I'm glad to have more time with my family before I go. This time will give me more opportunities for fundraising and saving up money. It'll give me time to tell more people around here about social injustice.
Who knows what God has in store for this next year? I have a feeling He's going to do some pretty incredible things here in Seattle. I have a feeling He's still going to do some pretty incredible things through my dear friends all over the world.
My plan for now is just to find a job and work full-time until next January. Let me know if you know of anything. I'll still be fundraising and finding supporters to partner with me. I'd like to get involved in some ministries around here as well. We'll see what Jesus brings up.
The realization that I can't do it. But He can.
New financial supporters.
A lovely visit to my best friend in the freezing cold of Ellensburg.
Christmas music. It is not too early.
Laughing with my sisters until we can't breathe and start to cry.
Psalm 34.
A conversation about Haiti with a person who actually knows Haiti.
Soy Chai.
Wind storms and flickering lights.
Please let me know as soon as you can if you'd like to support me financially. I basically need to know by December 1. I'm $1,190 away from my goal right now and every little bit helps more that you could ever know. If you can only give $5 a month, great! I'd also love your prayers whenever you think of me. I need strength to get through this time and to trust in the Lord.
My support letter is finally finished! They're being shipped out this week (hopefully...), so if you want a hard copy, send me your address and I'll get you one! In case you don't want to kill trees or want to save me 44 cents, here's a digital copy! Hope you enjoy it!
Newsletter 9-10 2
Newsletter 9-10 2
Someone gave me a verse right before I left hawaii and it's been such a blessing. It's Philippians 4:4-7.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Such an encouragement, yeah? I love it. Though you might too.
The Lord has really been providing for me. I don't have any money right now. Seriously, I have $7.09 in savings. So my family has been giving me little things that are the biggest help in the world. My sister bought me a pair of jeans the other day and this morning I woke up to $4 from my mommy for a coffee at starbucks. She's so sweet. You don't even know how happy it made me. Plus, random people have been emailing me about photo sessions. People I don't even know. It's so great! I know that Jesus is providing for my every need. He is always faithful.
So my plan for today:
Chiropractor Appointment (you have no idea how messed up my back is from sleeping on the ground)
Starbucks (I'm thinking half white mocha half pumkin spice with no whip and extra foam. mmmmmm)
Grocery Shopping (I cook dinner monday-friday now. It's so much fun!!)
Dinner (Salmon with lemon herb sauce and mediterranean chickpea salad. Come over if you want some.)
Family time.
Jesus time.
Sleep.
Last week was so good. Being able to spend all your time with Jesus and close friends is probably the most refreshing thing in the world. Not to mention, spending that time at the beach and the market and downtown and all around the beautiful campus I called home. You never know what you have until it's gone.
Yesterday was a day full of emotions. I was sad because of the people I may never see again in my life that I had to say goodbye to. I was beyond excited to see my family. I was literally jumping up and down. I looked like a crazy person. I was overwhelmed with the realization of everything God has blessed me with, especially in the last three months. He has given me such a blessed life and loves me unconditionally. He pours his love out on me so that I can pass it on to others. What else would I ever want to do with my life. So, needless to say, I spent all day yesterday crying. The funny thing is, I was never that much of a crier until DTS. Now I cry basically every day about everything emotional. Even if it's not even sad. God has broken my heart for the world. For the people I love in Haiti, living on nothing. For the people in my hometown who are filthy rich but just want more. As I sit in my little sister's starbucks, watching her serve these people, I'm overwhelmed with sadness for these people. At first I was angry, seeing the couple meeting with the real estate agent, probably looking for bigger and better things. The woman with the gucci bag and expensive jewelry. It made me so angry that these people are so cut off from the world. But then I realized something. As much as I think of these Sammamish people as snobby Microsoft housewives and overspoiled children, they just haven't realized what's going on in the world around them. They may know it in the back of their mind, but it hasn't become real to them yet. This is where I can come in. The people I met in the last three months can impact these people as much as they have impacted me. God has let me learn these stories to show these people what the world really looks like. To show them the things that people go through that are worse than not having the latest fashion or best haircut. I understand that this is just a stereotype, though. Not everyone is like this. But they definitely are here. They are waiting for someone to show them that there is more to life. They just don't know it yet.
I'm excited for this new season in my life. My hope is that I can inspire the people of the Eastside to do something more for the world. I'm praying God will put meaning into their lives. I'm praying I can be some small part of that transformation.
I'm gonna start crying again if i think about this too much. So, that's all for now. I'll write more later.
We finished up our last day of ministry yesterday! It was such a good day. We spent the morning in a community teaching a bunch of kids which was crazy and chaotic, but overall good. Then we went to do an evangelistic service for the kids in the baseball team we've been working with. It was so so good and 40 of the boys came to Christ! After that we attended this church service with some people from the morning. The things they do in these churches are so strange and different. They have dancers with the worship team and they wave flags and banners. But all in all, it was a perfect end to our time in the DR.
It's so strange to be leaving so soon. I go back to Kona on Thursday and then back to Seattle the next week. You have no idea how excited I am. Seriously, it's going to be soooooo good. Oh man.
I'm so ready to go home. We go back to Kona in 6 days and I come home to Seattle in 2 weeks. It's amazing how fast this time has flown by and yet it seems like forever since I've been home. It scares me to think about a year and a half away from home, living on support, being away from my family. But if it's anything like what these past three months have been like, it'll all be worth it. There is nothing better than serving Jesus. I can't even imagine a better job.
We did a few other things throughout the week as well. One of the guys from the bible study runs a baseball ministry for little kids. Baseball is huge here and the kids love it. They always have some kind of teaching and worship before the game. We told them the story of David and Goliath and had them act it out. They loved it! Then during the entire game we got to take pictures. We also did a program for some kids in a neighborhood near us and it was pretty similar.
This weekend was perfect. Some of us girls (the ones who aren't sick) got to go shopping. Their stores are so weird. All the clothes are bedazzled and ghetto. You have to search SO hard to find something decent. But it was so great to have some kind of normal activity to do. I didn't get to buy a whole lot cause I'm starting to run out of money, but even just getting to go was awesome. Then when we got back, we made brownies and fruit salad and popcorn and watched Dear John. And cried. A lot. It's funny how emotional I am here. I miss my family so much and that movie made it even worse. It's weird thinking about how long I'm going to be gone from home during track. Six months has been hard. How hard is a year and a half going to be? But getting to have a girls night and some sense of normalcy was so good. And you'll never believe how much of a lifesaver chocolate is here.
Please be praying for the girls on our team that are sick. They've been in and out of the emergency room this whole week trying to figure out what they have. Now they've found out that 2 of them have Giardia, a parasite. I don't think they know yet what's wrong with the other. One of the other girls had an Amoeba but she's just about back to normal. They are getting really discouraged and sick of being sick. These three girls are the same three that had Dengue Fever with me. So it's been way too long. They need healing. Please be praying especially for them and also for our entire team. We are all ready to go home, but want to finish strong.
Also, please be praying for the Central America team. They are going through a lot right now from what it sounds like. You can read their blog post about it here.
9. There is no maximum number of people who can fit in one vehicle. 30 people in the back of a tiny truck? No problem.
8. It is possible to fall off of motorcycles. If it happens, Haitians WILL make fun of you.
7. Mosquitoes can destroy your legs, but stretch mark cream can cure any scar.
6. Kids don't need to wear clothing until they're 10 years old.
5. I miss my family more than I ever thought I would. As much as I love it here, it's going to be soo good to come home to them again.
4. Joy can be found in the most desperate situations. The smile of a little Haitian child can brighten anyone's day.
3. Once you experience poverty of that level, nothing else will compare. The poverty I thought was in the DR seems like nothing now. It's seems like we're in America now. What will it be like when we get back home?
2. Being sick really sucks. Especially being sick with the Dengue Fever. But even when you're stuck in bed with the ugliest rash you've ever seen, the worst back pain you've ever experienced, and your eyes feel like they're going to pop out of their sockets, God can speak to you in powerful ways.
1. Jesus is so powerful. He chooses to use me to show his power. To heal the sick and cast out demons. I seriously can't get over it.
It is only the beginning of the day and Margareth is finding herself already exhausted. It is busy in the brothel today because of the holiday, and there is no stopping the countless men flooding in. Margareth had sold food on the street all her life making about $33 a day but since losing most of her family in the earthquake she was forced to change her occupation. With only her son and granddaughter left she feels desperate to provide for them and has begun to lie to them about how she earns her money. As ashamed as she is of her occupation, she feels that she can’t get out of the cycle she is in.
The men that buy her frighten her. While she is working, she tries to shut off her mind and become senseless, but sometimes the men are forceful and cause her pain. Sometimes they hit her or threaten to. Some days, business is slow, with no men coming to the brothel at all. But it’s days like today that are tough, with more than 20 men using her body for such a small amount of money. She only gets paid $1.50 per man, barely enough to cover her rent at the brothel. The 32 other girls who live in the house are also plagued by the same problems. Disease spreads rapidly, even with the use of condoms in place. If she had the money, she would restart her rice business. It would cost $133 to begin again, an amount of money almost impossible to attain. If she leaves, she will be forced to sleep on the street until she can find someone to take her in. Margareth has trained herself to have no expectations of any hope or anything good. How she longs for the day when she can escape this way of life.
A gate stands, reaching higher than any person can see. An enormous lock and chain prevent anyone from going in or coming out. Darkness covers the whole area and a sign defines the place inside: prison. All of a sudden, the gate violently explodes and a new gate is revealed. A beautiful, white gate appears. Light shines everywhere and the sign that once called this place a prison is redefined. It is now known as an “area of change.” This was the vision Philipson Georges received which caused him to begin a ministry in the prison of St. Marc, Haiti. It was a long journey to even begin this ministry. Two years after Philipson saw this vision, during a prayer meeting a friend felt they should go pray in front of the prison. While they were fervently praying, a man came by to ask why they were praying so loudly. Philipson told him that he had been trying to start a ministry inside the prison for some time, but was unable to get a meeting with the prison inspector. When the man told him that he was the prison inspector, Philipson had a hard time believing that the door was opened so easily after years of trial. The meeting was scheduled for the next day and within two weeks the ministry began. He began telling the prisoners about Jesus, baptizing them and teaching them about the bible. The staff at the prison began to notice a change in the prisoners. Fighting began to decrease and the ministry flourished. Now many of the prisoners are following Jesus and eagerly learning more about Him and His word. Philipson has had complaints that the women are praying so loudly at night that the guards can’t sleep, and many of the prisoners know sections of the Bible by heart. This is a testimony of Philipsons persistence with following his vision and God’s blessing on this ministry. With three services a week and many other activities the prisoners have something to look forward to and a new hope. Philipson hopes to train them in other areas of relationships, helping them build trust with society and family. Philipson has many dreams and plans for the future. Everyday he sees these dreams come true. Just days before our interview with him one of the prisoners was released and is now attending the services outside of the cell ministering to his friends who are still in captivity.
Philipson is turning this prison into what it was originally intended for. Before prisons existed, the only punishment was death. Prisons were created for the transformation of those who have committed crimes. The time they spend there should change them into the person they should be. When they leave, their families should embrace them instead of shunning them. Philipson dreams of the day this happens. He dreams of starting a school inside the prison so that the men and women can be trained during their stay. Engineers, doctors and electricians can emerge instead of people with no knowledge or training. He also wants to start a halfway house for prisoners who are set free, setting up an accountability program for them.
Prayer is the biggest help you can send for Philipson and the ministry he has started. Pray that Philipson’s dreams for the future will come true. Pray that the ministry will prosper and move into new prisons. Pray for continued transforming of hearts inside the prison walls. Pray that it will become what it was intended to be: an area of change.
It was a typical day for Roberteau. The seven-year-old Haitian boy went to start the morning fire, but as he was opening the kerosene tank it poured out all over the right side of his body. As there was still a fire from the night before it lashed out creating third degree burns all down his right side. He ran, on fire and screaming, to his brother, who then put it out and brought him to their grandmother. Try as she might, her simple medical knowledge was not sufficient to take care of the third degree burns Roberteau was experiencing. It wasn’t until three days later, when an American nurse finally came to his small mountain town, that he experienced better medical care. Even with her knowledge, his tissue grew together the wrong way and crippled him; he needed more advanced care. After some time and coordination he was sent to live with an American family in Arkansas so that he could have the surgeries needed, but it still took many other surgeries to heal completely and have the ability walk again. When he was 16 Roberteau heard God calling him back to Haiti to finish school. It was while he was back that he gained the vision for this medical clinic in the same area he grew up in.
It was this experience that inspired Roberteau to be passionate about providing care for the people who live in the mountain towns. Still today many people don’t have the health care needed, but He will change that soon. He is now planning on building a clinic for the people of Fond Baptist, Haiti. 2 acres and a partial building have already been donated and all that needs to be done is finish the building. He wants the people living there to be comfortable and well cared for, not only with health but also in discipleship for the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Roberteau and his wife Carolyn are passionate about discipling others in their faith and will be using this as a tool to do so.
Access to clean water is a luxury most people can only dream about. Ads can be seen on TV about this dilemma and some are fighting to stop this reality. But as days go by, not much has been done to see the end of this epidemic. Kyle Reno, a well driller from Florida, has discovered his calling in this area of injustice. While on a mission trip to Saint Marc, Haiti, Kyle saw this need in the communities surrounding the city. He found that most children work to get water for their families, the miles that they walk take up the majority of their day. When he visited the source of this water he found that the many miles walked were not worth the water they were receiving. The river that is their source of water was being used as a pool, bathtub, and toilet of humans and animals. While processing this great need, Kyle wondered who could help these people, but everything pointed right back to him. As a well driller, he would be able to provide clean, drinkable water. It wasn’t possible to do anything during his short trip, but when he returned to Florida, he shared with his church all that he dreamed to do. After communicating all he longed to do, Kyle was approached by a man, Nathan Boleen, starting an organization to drill wells in third world countries. Their dreams matched up perfectly, so Kyle decided to partner with him. The next day, a woman from the rotary club asked Kyle if they could sponsor his work. Things really started to take off. By May 2010, he took a second trip to Haiti, this time to start testing the water in different communities. What he discovered was shocking. In every sample of water tested, both bacteria and salt were found. This is the same water that thousands of people drink every day.
Kyle is determined to make this happen. He is going to drill 150 wells every year. Instead of the $1750 that it normally costs to drill a well, he and his team will be drilling them for $200-$300. Since he won’t be charging for labor, the costs are significantly decreased and will cost the Haitian people nothing. His goal is to provide clean water for all of St. Marc and eventually many different third world countries. His dream is to help as many people as he can in his lifetime. Once he gets started, there’s no stopping him. No lack of finances, no lack of resources, no lack of workers can prevent him from completing his goal.
The one thing Kyle is most in need of is your prayer. Please pray for open doors and able hands. For ample funds and abundant supplies. Be in prayer for the people who are in need of the clean water. Pray that God would fill them with hope while they wait for the wells to be drilled. Pray for safety for the team who will be drilling these wells as they work to provide this water.
I'm really excited for all the opportunities we have with all these interviews. We're probably going to get to interview the mayor sometime this week, as well as the UN. There are so many stories we can do, but we're trying to narrow it down so that we get better quality stories. It's tough knowing there are so many more that we aren't getting, but we know that it's good to focus on a few good things rather than get a whole lot of crappy stories. I'll try to be posting some of them on here so you can get a taste of the things I'm doing.
The base here is beautiful. It's so green and has gorgeous mountains on one side with the ocean on the other side. It's rainy season right now, so there is so much produce available at the market. We get to explore the city whenever we are free and it's so much fun just walking the streets. I really like it here a lot.
I can't even believe everything God is doing here in Port-au-Prince! In the past two days, 25 people have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 2 people have been healed. And now, 2 people have been freed from demons (one was cast out by another team yesterday). He is working in lives here in amazing ways. He is working in me. He is working in our team. He is working in the residents of these tent cities. He is giving them a freedom they have never experienced before.
Please pray for protection for these new believers and for a deeper relationship with the Lord.
Today, I learned one of the reasons behind the practice of voodoo in the Christian church. Léonard said if you renounce voodoo, the priests will come after you and kill you. This is why so many pastors are still under voodoo while they are in the church. Satan has such powers over the people of this country. Their minds have been twisted to believe these spirits are in control. The life has been drained out of Léonard. You can see it in his eyes. Voodoo had such power over him for so long and it killed the life in him. Jesus is in the midst of restoring him. He has already healed his body from blindness and He wants to heal his spirit from legalism. When Léonard became a Christian, he completely turned from voodoo, which is a miracle in itself. But now he believes all these rules about clothing and jewelry. He says we shouldn't be anything like the world and shouldn't even be friends with non-Christians. There is so much darkness left over in his heart. The life needs to come back to him. His heart is in need of so much transformation and I believe it is coming for him. He needs your prayers.
The kids here are so much fun! They love dancing and having tickle fights! I love getting to play with them every day! Here are some of their beautiful faces:
Yesterday we started our mini DTS for real. Emily R shared on the Father heart of God. She did a really great job and I think the people loved it. Today Dani shared on hearing and obeying God's voice. I didn't get to hear it cause a bunch of us were outside playing with the kids, but I heard it was great as well. The kids there are hilarious. They love to play clapping games and when you first come they'll all attack you and fight over who gets to hold your hand. Communicating without words is so fun! We danced to the ukulele and sang together. They taught me how to dance to Waka Waka by Shakira, but I'm pretty sure they were making fun of me the entire time. Obviously my little white girl dance moves don't amount to anything compared to them. Little 5 year old Haitians can dance better than me! After lunch, we started on a new project for the base here. They're trying to get kids in the tent cities sponsored by people in the states, so they needed photos for each kid, along with their names and ages. We probably photographed 300 kids and it was crazy, but so fun. If we can get it all done, it's going to make such a difference in each of their lives. We have about 700 more kids to do by the end of the week.
Please be praying for the people attending the mini DTS. Their lives are already getting impacted, but there is room for so much more. Pray that their hearts will be open to what God has to share with them. Pray for continued health for us. Most of us haven't gotten very sick yet and it would be incredible if it stayed that way. If you read this tonight, pray for direction in a decision we have to make by tomorrow. Pray that we will be able to hear God's voice very clearly.
I'm missing home so much lately. Love you guys and hope your summers are going well!
Driving over the border yesterday was so intense. The government is so corrupt. They just want money and didn't even look at our passports. The people fight over food and basic things. There is mud everywhere and the people lack basic clothing. It's tough to even explain to you. The poverty is atrocious. But, in the middle of everything, they have things painted on their cars like 'Merci Jesus'. They have so much hope and joy. It is incredible.
Today we drove around the city to a bunch of places where the destruction is the worst. These are all the places they show you in the news and stuff. Most of the city isn't nearly as damaged as I thought it would be. But these places we went to today were utterly destroyed. We went to the President's Palace. They were telling us about how all the leaders of the country are going to other countries and not taking care of Haiti. When they built this building, they killed a bunch of virgins and mixed their blood into the foundation, which is some kind of voodoo practice. There are statues outside the gate of a bunch of voodoo leaders. When they were built, they killed a bunch of pregnant women and buried them underneath those. The voodoo beliefs are crazy and so satanic. We also visited a destroyed cathedral. We prayed blessings over it, but they said the voodoo leaders just curse it and take the blessings away. There are things I can't even believe happen here. This religion is killing the country. However, more people have turned to Jesus after the earthquake than have in the past 35 years. They are desperate for Him.
We also visited a clinic, which had mostly babies. Some of them were so small and had such severe malnutrition and my heart just broke for them. We prayed over so many of them, but I want so badly to do something. Isn't it crazy that Americans have big fancy houses and huge SUVs and more food than they know what to do with and still want more, yet these children are dying just because they aren't able to get the simplest things in life? It makes me so sad.
Amongst all of this, I find so much joy. Jesus loves these people so much! They have an incredible perseverance. They are so beautiful. There is so much hope for them if they will only seek God. I am so excited to see what God has in store for this country!
I'm so sorry for the lack of photos. We'll be taking more as we build relationships and people become more comfortable with us. We don't feel right just clicking our cameras around at anyone. So, just be patient with me. It won't be long.
Here's me and Elizabeth during one of our ministry nights. The kids kept coming and coming. There were like 20 of them by the end of the night that just wanted to take pictures with us.
One of the kids took this next one.
They are all so beautiful!
They're pretty strict at this base. We aren't allowed to use the computer except for alloted times every other day, which is why I haven't really blogged yet. We can't go anywhere by ourselves, but that's understandable since it's dangerous. I still feel sort of isolated though. I feel so controlled and like I have no freedom. It's okay though. They're just trying to protect us. It's just weird coming from Hawaii where it's all carefree, to this.
I'm loving the ministry we've been doing. We've already done lunch for a homeless shelter; worship, testimonies and encouragement for some lepers; and an evangelism event. We're doing another evangelism event on the streets of Santo Domingo tonight and I'll be sharing part of my testimony. It'll be my first time speaking through a translator, which should be weird. It's so great to get to hang out with people. A few people on our team speak some Spanish and we talk with some of the people. The kids here are great! They all LOVE the camera and always want to see the pictures after we take them. The amount of joy you can see on their faces after they see their picture is so refreshing. They get the biggest smile ever and just want to take more. It's so fun!
We've been going through a lot as a team. It's not really the right place to talk about it, but please be praying for us. We have a lot to learn. None of us have ever really done a trip like this. The camera pulls such a different aspect in and we aren't used to how that affects people.
We go to Haiti on Thursday. It's a ten hour drive. I'm hoping to learn some of either French or Creole on the way. The language barrier here has been difficult and I think even if I know a little it will help a lot.
I'm a little nervous about going to Haiti. SO excited, but nervous at the same time. It sounds so intense. Here's an article I read about everything that's been going on in Port-au-Prince. It made me cry and my heart break. I can't wait to actually do something. We'll be going into three different tent cities in Port-au-Prince and doing mini DTSs. I'm excited to share the best thing they could ever have with them!
I really am loving it here! I can't wait for all the things God has in store for us!
We've all been pretty tired, but we're functioning. We got to go to a homeless shelter yesterday and a leper center today. We aren't allowed to take many pictures yet, and even the ones we have we aren't allowed to post. It's a long explanation, but hopefully that will change soon. It's been awesome to get to know some people and just start to build relationships. Everyone here is super friendly and hospitable.
I don't have much time, but I wanted to let you know that I'm here and safe and loving it. It's crazy hot and humid, but I'll hopefully get used to it soon.
Our team had breakfast with the school leaders on Saturday. They were in Haiti in February and were telling us all about it. They said if we can get through this, we'll probably be able to go to any country in the world. They said Haiti was one of the hardest places they've ever been, but so rewarding as well. This makes me so excited! I'm ready to be rocked and changed. I don't think I'll ever be the same after this. It's going to change me dramatically. It's going to change all of us.
Our team still has some pretty significant needs. Our team leader, Cyrielle, still needs around $900. We also are still in need of a video camera for the movie. Please be praying for these needs. We have faith that God will provide all our needs. He has called us to this country for a specific purpose and He promises that He will take care of us. The India team is also in need of lots of prayer. Quite a few of them still don't have visas and they leave on Thursday. Please pray for everything to move quickly and easily and for peace among their team.
I don't know if I've told you about the track yet, but I'm almost positive it's what God wants me to do. I filled out the application form for it yesterday, so I'm pretty sure. God has been placing it on my heart for a while and I think it sounds crazy and fun. I'll be taking a big risk. It's a lot of money that I don't have, but I believe if it's what God is calling me to, He will provide a way. It's basically a program through PhotogenX where you travel around the world for a year and a half studying cultures and people and injustices and taking pictures of it all. After traveling, you come back to Kona and make a publication about what you've seen, then travel with it, telling people about what you've seen.
Here's sort of what my life would look like starting in January:
January 2011: Photographic Communication Course somewhere in central or south america. This part focuses on documentary photography and photojournalism.
April 2011: Outreach in South Africa.
Mid-May 2011: Biblical Core Course in the Middle East. I will be studying the bible where it was written
September 2011: Humanities and Science in Northern Europe and Asia. This will give me an opportunity to engage in cultures all over the world.
Mid-November 2011: Outreach in South East Asia.
January 2012: Publication production in Kona.
April 2012: Publication distribution wherever God leads.
June 2012: ???????
December 2012: THE WORLD ENDS!!!!
Pretty good way to spend the rest of my life, huh? :)
I went to Costco tonight. It was glorious! It reminded me so much of home and made me miss everyone. It also made me miss the days when my mommy used to buy me food and vitamins and shampoo. It's funny how much you take for granted when you just have things all the time. I've learned while living here that diet coke is not a necessity and that I probably don't have to use so much shampoo. Mom - thanks for buying good food and being the best chef ever.
The Slovenia team from youth group back home is leaving this week. It's making me miss all my European friends so much. That trip last year was so much fun and such a stretching experience for me. I'm so excited to see what God does through their lives and the relationships they'll be making with the kids at the camp. If you want to read about what they're doing and how you can pray for them, click here. There's also some posts left on there from last year if you don't know what I'm talking about.
I leave for Haiti a week from tomorrow. I'm so excited to go! People keep asking me if I'm ready, but I don't know if I ever will be. What can prepare me for the crazy things that are going to happen there? It's going to be an incredible experience and I can't wait for what God is going to do through our team. Thanks so much for your prayers.
Please let me know if there's anything I can be praying for you about. I'd love to hear how your lives are going and what God is doing in your life.
Just five months ago, on January 12th, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit just 10 miles west of Port of Prince, followed by 33 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 4.2 to 5.9.
Because Haiti has no real constructional standards, millions of people quickly became in need of emergency aid. The country soon became a chaotic mess with only rubble, death and ruins as a result of the quakes. The land is filled with death, missing loved ones, a lack of food, looting, riots and houses that lay in broken pieces. It is estimated that 80% of Haitians were already living underneath the poverty line, existing on less than $1 a day. Now with this disaster there is hardly any hope to be seen amongst the people.
Because Haiti has no real constructional standards, millions of people quickly became in need of emergency aid. The country soon became a chaotic mess with only rubble, death and ruins as a result of the quakes. The land is filled with death, missing loved ones, a lack of food, looting, riots and houses that lay in broken pieces. It is estimated that 80% of Haitians were already living underneath the poverty line, existing on less than $1 a day. Now with this disaster there is hardly any hope to be seen amongst the people.
Yet, we are confident that God will arise and bring forth hope to a country full of despair. We believe that "the precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes" (Psalm 19:8). God has already been on the move in a broken world, however sometimes we just do not take time to see it. He calls us to help in the ways that he has blessed us, not to leisurely sit back and watch the world suffer. Our meager $10 text message donation to an aid organization is not enough. So even five months later, there is still a lot that must be done in Haiti.
Eyes of Hope wants to be a part of this task. We are a team of young Christians going to a land of hopelessness, mistrust, destruction, darkness, frustration and total devastation with only one goal: to find out what God's character is all about in a place of despair. We know that above all He is Love. He is the Giver of joy; the Prince of Peace; a God of patience, kindness and perseverance; He is faithful, gentle and sacrificial; He is Truth; He is Hope; and we seek to find it in a broken world.
Our first project will be focused on a movie. Please enjoy our trailer and afterwards check out our website for further details and updates: www.eyesofhope.info
This weekend has been just crappy. Emotionally, it's just been crazy. I don't really want to talk about it here, but please just be praying for our school leaders right now. It's a really difficult point in their lives and they just need comfort and hope.
I got sick on Sunday and laid in bed all day. Seriously. I only got up for dinner. My whole body feels so weak and my voice sounds like a man. Today has been equally as crappy since I'm still sick, but actually had to get up and do stuff today. A bunch of us got immunizations and we were at the doctor's office for two hours. The health care here sucks. They don't even take insurance. An immunization should take like 10 minutes at the most. It was just ridiculous.
A team that went to Haiti just got back on Saturday and some of us have been talking to them about it. I think we'll be meeting with them sometime this week, but they have already helped us so much. The things we are going to go through there are just crazy. They said every single one of them had vomiting and diarrhea at least once a week from dehydration. Apparently the water tastes really bad, even when it's filtered. The demonic forces there are apparently super heavy too. They said we'll feel it as soon as we get off the plane. I have a peace about everything, though. I definitely didn't at first, but after praying about it a lot, I feel better. It'll probably be one of the hardest things any of us will ever do, but totally worth it. God has so much planned for us and our trip and I'm just so excited to find out what all of that is!
Want to know what I learned last night at 1:30 AM? A fan blowing directly on your face while you sleep can either kill you or mess up your jaw. Seriously, google 'korean fan death'. And then, just imagine trying to understand all that while someone wakes you up in the middle of the night while you sleep so you don't mess up your face or something. I was so confused. Oh, living in community. Life is never boring here.
When we got back we went to 'YWAM Idol'. Pretty cheesy, but fun. On Sunday, Alyssa and I walked around town, bought groceries, a UV filter, Wendy's, and took pictures of strangers for our photo assignment. Here's one of the ones I turned in:
Then a bunch of us decided to do a random photoshoot with paint and weird make-up. Here's a few of my favorites. If you want to see more, they're all on Facebook.
So, yeah, pretty crazy and exhausting, but super fun at the same time. I only have 3ish weeks left until Haiti! I'm so excited! Please continue in prayer with me for that country and for the people I will be meeting there. Love you guys!
There are approximately 9 million people living in Haiti, 80% of them Roman Catholic and 16% protestant. Most of the population practices voodoo, or Vodou as they call it. The main belief is that gods called Loa are lesser gods that serve a higher god called Bondye. Worship is directed toward the Loa. Haitian voodoo is influenced by the voodoo of many other areas, mostly Africa, but also New Orleans, Cuba, and Brazil. On August 14, 1791 a group of voodoo priests vowed to give the country to Satan for 200 years if he would help in liberating it from the French. Haiti gained its independence on January 1, 1804, starting the 200-year reign of the Devil. At that time, Haiti was the richest black-led country in the world. It wasn’t long before it became the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It was recently given back to Jesus, which has made significant impact on the country. A statue of the Ten Commandments now stands in one of the major parks.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the earthquake that happened this January. It will take approximately 3 to 5 years to clear the rubble from the streets of Port-au-prince. 3 million people are in need of help, and between 50,000 and 100,000 people have already died. 197,000 are injured, 692,000 displaced, 2 million in need of food, 1 million in need of shelter, and 500,000 in need of water. The devastation is incredible. These people, who were already the poorest in the western hemisphere with more than 80% of the people living on less than a dollar a day, are desperate for help.
We leave July 1, and we'll be flying into the Dominican Republic. We'll stay there for a week, adjusting to the time and preparing ourselves for the rest of the trip. Then we'll take a bus ride to Port-au-prince, where we'll be staying in a refugee camp for three weeks. Then we'll be going to the YWAM base in Saint Marc for another three weeks. While in each of these places, we'll be doing various different things. We'll be running a mini DTS for the refugees, ages 8-adult. During that, we'll be teaching them on the different topics we've been learning about in lecture phase. We'll be doing some photo projects for the Voice for the Voiceless book and Unicef. We'll be filming a movie about the character of God in the midst of the devastation. We'll be doing some community and construction work. And, obviously, we'll be sharing the love of Jesus with the Haitian people. After all this, we'll head back to the Dominican Republic to share in the churches there about what is going on in Haiti. We'll be speaking about Voice for the Voiceless a lot. We don't know a whole lot yet about this part of the trip, but I'm sure it will be great.
The whole trip is going to cost $4,350. Although I have all the money I need, many of my teammates do not. We are also in need of funding for Eyes of Hope, the movie. Please contact me if you're interested in donating money. I also need some equipment, such as a backpacking backpack, extra batteries or battery packs for the Rebel xsi, a mosquito net, and possibly some better lenses. If you have any of these that you'd like to donate or let me borrow, it would be much appreciated! But most of all, we are in need of prayer. Pray that our team will grow in unity. Pray that Haiti will be encouraged by us in the midst of all their suffering. Pray for safety and health for all of us.
I'll have the trailer for the movie up soon. We're filming this week and will hopefully be done soon.
The Road to Fondwa and it tells the powerful story of a rural Haitian community poised to change the future of Haiti one University student at a time.
When Haiti is not forgotten or ignored, it is seen through a tinted lens. The small, impoverished nation shares an island with the Dominican Republic just 500 miles from the shores of Miami. It is Haiti’s proximity that brings it into our national conscience in short, periodic bursts. When a dictator is overthrown, a group of ‘boat people’ is lost at sea, or a coup is staged, it gets our attention. Reporters rush to the scene, horrific tales are told, and we feel sympathy… or is it pity? And then, as quickly as the news cycle churns, the moment disappears.
From the very beginning of the film, it is clear that The Road to Fondwa does not follow this pattern. The first interview introduces Sandelwi, a farmer and a mystic, who is riding on top of a bus that is speeding around the treacherous curves of the mountainous road to Port-au-Prince, mindless of the precipitous drop to the valley below. ‘When you’re in Haiti, I consider you Haitian,’ he says. ‘It’s up to us, we have to put our heads together to do development.’
From that point on, there is no turning back. It becomes evident that The Road to Fondwa is not a one-way street, but rather a conduit between two very different, yet intricately connected nations.
If you'd like to watch it, click here.
Last night, we had a night of worship. I can't even describe how amazing it was. God was definitely there. Our speaker and some people from different schools went around laying their hands on everyone and asking the Holy Spirit to fill them. The things people did when He came on them were crazy. There were people who fell on the floor laughing, people crying, people dancing, people drunk on the Spirit, everything. It's so weird how I'm so okay with everything now. During corporate week, everything was freaking me out and I was angry all the time. God has given me so much peace about everything going on around me. He's been reminding me that it's not about what I'm seeing them do, but what He is doing in their heart. I don't know why, but one of the ways He chooses to work is through this. He uses this process to break off lies and restore people's hearts. He's breaking through to so many through this. So many of us come from conservative backgrounds and we've just been coming to the realization that God is so much bigger than the box we put Him in. All of this is completely biblical too, it's just that we are so uncomfortable with it because it's not what we're used to. But God doesn't need to make us comfortable. He doesn't work how we want Him to all the time.
Towards the end of this worship, something crazy started to happen. We started to sing this song without words. It got louder and louder and louder until all of us knew it wasn't just us in the room anymore. The presence of the Lord was so strong - stronger than I've ever experienced before in my life. Even our speaker, who has been through some crazy stuff, said that it was one of the most intense nights she's ever seen. People said they saw angels in the room. It was so crazy and way better than I can even explain. It was like a tiny tiny glimpse of what I imagine heaven like. Everyone worshipping God with all they have and dancing like they've never danced and shouting as loud as they can. It's going to be so good.
Anyways, the night was so great for me. I cried, I laughed, I felt like I was floating, and at the end of the night I just couldn't stop smiling. He's so wonderful. I can't even believe the love He has for me. He loves me like He loves no one else and it just makes me so happy. I'm actually falling in love with Him.
I guess what I'm really trying to get across is that God is doing something crazy with this school. I don't know what it is and I don't know how to explain it, but He is starting to show a little bit of Himself to us. Even that tiny tiny bit that we saw last night is not anything compared to the greatness that He is. He is capable of anything. He is starting a revival across the earth. Our speaker was telling us this morning of stories of people who God is working through with healing and teleporting and raising people from the dead. Really crazy stuff. But why should God be limited to anything?
If you'd like to read some of the notes from lectures this week, you can go to our speaker's website. She has all the notes on there. I don't agree with everything she teaches, but she does have some good points and helped me understand this so much more.
I know that some of you will read this and start to think that I'm in some sort of cult or something. Believe me, when I first came that's what I thought too. I would really encourage you to seek God on this. Read the Bible - there is some pretty crazy stuff in there, too. You can really look at anything Jesus did as being crazy. But it's not, He's God. Seriously, I was probably one of the biggest doubters of this, but God has done so much in me through this and I'd really encourage you to look into it for yourself.
I just finished reading our next book, called The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Shane is the founder and one of the partners of The Simple Way, a faith community in Philadelphia. This community is based on simplicity, non-violence, spirituality, relationships, jobs, the kingdom of God, togetherness, healing, accountability, local assembly, structure, the arts, projects, growth, balance, play, rest, justice, hope, and beauty.
The book is all about ordinary people living in a radical way. He talks a lot about helping the poor in any way they need, voluntary poverty, and eliminating all war and violence. I found the whole book really confusing. He seems to think that every person should sell everything and give money to the poor but also support ministries like his. If every person were poor, how would anyone give money? While it seems like a great concept, the more you think about it, the more it doesn't make sense.
He wrote a lot about different protests he took part in. When Philadelphia wouldn't let the homeless eat or sleep in a particular park anymore, a group of he and his friends went and ate and slept there. What happened to the part of the Bible that says that God has placed every authority in our lives for a reason and we should respect them? You can't pick and choose which parts of the Bible you want to follow. He put such an emphasis on leaving everything behind, but then doesn't obey the law. While he is right in thinking that the American church doesn't help the poor enough, he takes it to a bit of an extreme. He says that if we throw away food and a child dies of starvation, we are guilty of murder of that child. This just seems ridiculous to me.
So while he had a few good points throughout the book, most of it was just way too extreme. What I do like about it is that it makes you think while you read it, but is still an easy read. I think what he is doing to help the poor and needy is great, but he cannot expect everyone to live the way he does.
My little sister had her first date last night. Isn't that crazy? She's so grown up. I really can't believe how mature she is for her age. But then again, it doesn't seem like she's old enough to be dating yet. And she is, but it's just so strange for me. She's so happy and I'm so happy for her. He seems like a great guy and I'm so excited to meet him sometime.
We had a dinner to bless all the guys in our class last night. It was so much fun. I helped with the scavenger hunt that they had to do to figure out where it was. I think they had a great time and I had such a great time putting it together with some of the girls. Pictures will be on Facebook soon.
I've really been starting to miss home lately. I miss Seattle and Bellevue and just being in some sort of city where there are actually things to do. I miss Mars Hill and Community group. I miss seeing my family every day and just talking about random things. I miss driving with K and screaming to the music as loud as we can. I miss serving and laughing about stupid customers. But, as much as I miss it there, there are so many things here that I'm loving. I love having the ocean within walking distance. I love waking up to the birds chirping. I love worship with Steven (it really is the best - hear him here). I love my roommates and funny conversations about weird english words. I love frozen yogurt. I love my Haiti team. I love being around people who love Jesus all the time.
I'm getting so excited for Haiti. We're going to be making a trailer soon for this movie that one of my teammates will be making there. It's going to be the best. It's called Eyes of Hope, and it will be all about how in the middle of so much poverty and destruction, there is hope and love. I'll probably put it up once it's out. It will definitely be on Facebook, so keep an eye out for it. If you'd like to make a donation to my team, please let me know. It will cost $5,000 for each of us. We're also looking for cameras to be donated for the kids in the refugee camps. We'll be teaching them some photography while we're there, so just contact me if you'd like to donate a camera.
-Jesus loves me, this I know. Get this wrong and you'll live a christian lifestyle. Get this right and you'll live a christian life.
-God's original intent was that we would walk with Him, know Him, and be known by Him.
-We should be comfortable with God's presence as we are comfortable with a Dad.
-You either live for or from your father's approval.
-Your heavenly father can give you what your earthly father never could.
-We should burn for God, but not burn out.
-If we don't expect much from God, he won't do much.
-God cannot change your past, but He can alter your future.
-The only way to get free from junk in your life is to go to Him first and let Him get rid of it. You shouldn't wait until you get rid of it to come to Him.
-The more creative you are, the more you must guard your mind because that's where the enemy will attack you.
-Quit living by emotion and live for what is true. Then your emotions will follow that truth.
-An imagination may be on e of the most powerful tools for good or for evil.
-When a person is deceived, they are deceived in their imagination.
-The enemy will use your senses to influence your imagination and manipulate your mind.
-When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.
-The devil is not creative, he is just a good liar. He uses two lies: 1. God didn't really say that. 2. You can be like God.
I've been reading more old testament lately, and today I was reading in Hosea and found this passage. You're gonna love it.
Hosea 2:14-20:
Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me 'My Husband,' and no longer will you call me 'My Baal.' For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.