Adieu Tati

In January of 2014 my friend Kameryn, who was serving as a nurse at Respire Haiti, was headed to University Hospital in Mirebalais to take two ladies who needed to be seen by the doctors there.  She asked me to go along and keep her company, I had been wanting to see this hospital for awhile so I gladly agreed to go even though it meant a lot of time in the car on mountain roads.  Little did I know that this particular day my path would cross with a wonderful woman who would become a dear friend of mine.  As I reflect back on things that have happened in my life it seems as if God always uses the tiny little mindless decisions we make to forever impact our lives….and I am oh so thankful that when asked to go that particular day I just said yes! 

Tati was one of the ladies that went with us to see the doctor that day.  She had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was going to see what they could do for her at this hospital.  We left early in the morning when it was still dark and we pretty much all rode silently in the car the entire way there.  As we were waiting to see the doctor we started talking.  I’d been in Haiti about 8 months so I could have a decent conversation in kreyol and she had previously lived in the states so she also spoke English.  We didn’t necessarily become fast friends as we waited in the hospital….but when we left we walked over to some of the vendors across the street to buy some food for the trip home.  She got the biggest kick out of the way that I joked with the vendors for calling me “blan” and kept up with their comments trying to get us to buy food from each of them.  She insisted on buying me a pate and then that I eat some sugar cane with her.  As we dropped her off at her house at the bottom of Bellevue mountain I promised I would stop by to visit her.  I walked right by her house on my way home from the school, so I would often stop by to chat with her. 

March 2014

It didn’t take long for us to become great friends.  She hadn’t seen her kids in about 8 years and she has a daughter that is close to my age.  She said that I reminded her so much of her daughter so she quickly became my Haitian mama J  I miss my mama when I am in Haiti and she missed her kids so much while they were in the states that we were a great comfort to each other.  Her daughter and her husband were able to come visit that summer and we celebrated her 60^th birthday together.  It was so simple, but so much fun…and I was so blessed to be able to share that day with her family. 

Tati's 60th birthday - July 2014

I loved stopping by to visit her as she was always such an encouragement to me.  Her faith was so strong.  There wasn’t much that could be done for her cancer here in Haiti….there were a few options like having an operation (which she was terrified of) or getting chemo (but the hospital was so far away it wasn’t feasible).  She tried many natural remedies and a whole lot of prayer.  There was a group of ladies that would often stop by her house to pray for her.  I remember one particular day when I had just had an awful day so I decided to stop by to just visit with her.  We were sitting in the hallway visiting and this group of ladies who so faithfully came to pray with her for so long came by.  They just began singing and praying and it was just one of the most beautiful things I have experienced.  God’s presence was so evident in that place and I just remember being in tears reflecting on how much He loves us and cares for us.  The worries of that day were washed away in an instant and I was again centered on what really mattered. 

Watching her health continue to deteriorate was so difficult, but through it all she always stayed so positive and so faithful.  She knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God could heal her, but even if He did not, He was still good and she was still thankful.  I am just so honored and blessed that she was a part of my life.  Oh how I wish that she was still here, but I know that God’s timing is perfect, that He alone is my refuge and that I can trust in Him.  Though I miss her, I know that she is rejoicing in heaven, no longer in pain and no longer suffering and for that I am thankful.    

Psalm 91: 1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Tati with her children - March 2016

Cristina & Didi...thank you for sharing your incredible mother with me.  Also a sincere thank you to all the nurses who helped her and tried to get her the best care possible (Kameryn, Beth, Michele, Nancy, Deb & Sally).  I'm forever grateful.

In loving memory of Marie Ange Bisserethe

July 14, 1954-October 5, 2016

Respire Video

If you haven't seen this video yet please take a few minutes to watch and learn about the organization that I have been serving with for the past 3 years!

My first blog of 2016.....in JUNE.....

So as all of you know or have figured out by now....I am horrible at blogging.  I'm not someone who processes by writing....I actually really hate writing, give me some math problems instead please ;)  I have felt convicted for awhile that I really need to keep people updated on what's going on and I keep promising that I will do better this year.  Well, it's June and I have not yet written a single blog, but I decided I better start somewhere....so I decided that I would at least share some pictures with you and tell you a little about what has been happening over the past month.

When I arrived back in Gressier in May there had been street signs installed on the mountain!  We are looking pretty official now :) 

Kitson finished up the 3 month beginner woodworking course and he learned so many new skills.....all kinds of reasoning and critical thinking skills as well as some beginning computer skills, math and english...and of course woodworking too.  He didn't pass the theory part of the course because his French skills are very weak, but he will be getting some extra tutoring this summer and re-taking the course hopefully this fall.

A few weeks ago we started a youth group!  So far the group is small, but the kids love it and it is so fun to watch them learn more about their freedom in Christ! 

Kindergarten Graduation!  You can't really tell from this pic, but those kids are just the cutest little things ever.....they were all dolled up for the occasion and it was really fun to see them celebrate their accomplishments this year. 

This view never gets old!  We have had the rainiest rainy season I have experienced since moving to Haiti 3 years ago...and one afternoon we were blessed with this beautiful rainbow.

I moved to a different house and it was an eventful first few days!  Our inverter exploded the 1st night, we had water problems the 2nd day, then the 3rd day there was a giant tarantula in my bathroom...eeeeekkkkkk.  This was day 4...quiet time and some coffee...things have been pretty smooth sailing after the first few days.  I'm thankful for that!

And yes, this is a picture of an apple on my desk....may seem a bit weird, but it was a huge blessing for me.  One of the teenage girls that is in our afternoon alternative class that I am close to had a little job one Saturday doing laundry and made around $5....what did she do with that $5?  She bought some things she needed, but also bought me an apple as a gift.  So sweet and so selfless.  I am so blessed by these little kind gestures. 

June 9, 2014 - Richcarde's heart surgery in the Dominican Republic.

June 9, 2016 - Richcarde is preparing to go to the Cayman Islands on June 25th for a 2nd surgery to get a mechanical valve.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.  This will be a difficult surgery, but God has a plan.

Amber & I went to church with some of our students on International Children's Day.  They let the children do the whole service and it was so great!  And by the way, the beautiful blue and white decorations are toilet paper :)

Amber and I tried to take the boys to the pool to go swimming....just to have a little carefree fun before Richcarde leaves for surgery.  The pool was closed, but we went to a little restaurant that has air conditioning instead....got the boys spaghetti and ice cream and had lots of laughs!  It is so much fun watching them have fun!

Last day of school!  Rice sack races in the 3rd grade classroom!  So much JOY!

And last but not least a little throwback to a year and half ago when my parents came to visit me in Haiti and a shout out to the most amazing daddy a girl could ever ask for!  Happy Father's Day Dad!  I love you so much!

Jwaye Nwèl!

I didn't get around to sending out Christmas cards this year, but wanted to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Many blessings to you and yours this season!

Merci! Mesi! Thank you!

This is one of those "better late than never" posts.....but I just wanted to say thank you so much to all of my friends who donated to help move Richcarde's house!  We were able to get both houses moved back in August as well as build a toilet/shower area for both families.  They were so grateful and I am too....thank you for being so generous and changing lives!  Richcarde will likely be needing another heart surgery before too long, so please keep him in your prayers as we start the process of getting all the necessary paperwork as well as finding a willing surgeon/hospital.

2 Corinthians 9:10-12
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

One of my least favorite things....

Fundraising.  Definitely not fun and one of the things that I like the least about my missionary life.  However, this time it is not for me but for a project that is very dear to my heart.  It is for my little buddy Richcarde, the one that I took to Dominican Republic last year for heart surgery.  He and his family (his mom and five siblings) live in a 12' x 16' one room plywood house on rented land.  Their lease has expired and they must move their house by the end of this month.  We are trying to help them to do this and have found a piece of land to purchase where we can move their house as well as their neighbor's house (one of my other little buddies, Joni, lives next door).  The total cost for the project is $8,000 to buy the land, pour foundations for their houses, dig a pit toilet, replace some rotting plywood on the houses, and move them.  If you would like to contribute to this project you can do so here and just put "house move" in the notes.  If you have any questions about this project feel free to contact me!

 

Isaiah 64:4

My friend Maria came to visit me in Gressier this weekend and she posted this blog today.  She is a much better writer than I am and I just loved reading her thoughts so I wanted to share.  Lately I've found myself needing to have patience and prayerfully waiting on the Lord.  Yesterday as we gathered for church we spent some time talking about Isaiah 64:4 which says "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him."  We do the waiting and God does the acting.  He will not fail to act for those who wait on Him in faith.  Let your strength be renewed by this truth.