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.

2014 Year in Review

This year was such a whirlwind so my blogs have been few and far between, but I have put together some photos to walk you through some highlights.  There have been many ups and downs, but I have felt the presence of God so very near through them all.  Thank you to all who have supported me with prayers, encouraging words and financial support. 

First of all....everyday life :)

Mangos for sale

Walking in the neighborhood visiting with friends

What our kitchen table looks like most days as we help with homework

My roommate Sharon during recreation....we are always surrounded by kids at school!

Looking down my street

January

With Richcarde (left) before we knew he was sick

Kokoye Beach....all creation declares His glory :)

Kokoye beach again.....reminds me of one of my favorite stories (here if you've never read it) about the boy throwing the starfish back into the ocean and saying "but it matters to this one".  Something I have to be reminded of often when the needs are so great and it's impossible to help everyone.

February

Valentine's Day - we got to show these guys how much we love them

Valentine's Day spaghetti - and yes as a matter of fact, that is ketchup & mayo on top of that spaghetti...disgusting but the kids love it :)

We got to go visit Sarah and she was doing great!

March

Saturday reading program was full!

Happy Birthday performed by Sonson :)

April

I spent all of April stateside so it meant lots of facetime calls with my friends

Quality time with my sissy and little brother

And seeing Terra off as she moved to Tahoe

May

Lots of library time

We go to soccer games at the stadium every chance we get.  This is what it looks like when the game has to be decided by a shootout :)

June, aka the hardest & craziest month of my life

Miracle after miracle occurred, God moved major mountains and Richcarde got his passport and Dominican visa in one day!!

Hanging out with all his buddies on the last night before we headed to DR for surgery

I got up the next morning after he got his passport and thought I had a day to prepare to go to DR, but God had other plans and we ended up on a plane that afternoon to the Dominican border

On our way!

The welcoming crew after we landed on a dirt and grass runway!  We took motorcycles from here to cross the border and get on a bus.

Right before surgery for mitral valve replacement

A few days after being in step down ICU.  I was on the 24 hour shift for several days and nights in a row

Showing off his battle wounds

Sweet reunion.  After about a month in and out of the hospital we finally decided Richcarde would not get better without his momma.  We found a way to get her there and the whole crew was very happy that momma had arrived!!

June also brought the beginning of our microfinance program!  We now have 15 clients that have loans and meet with us monthly to update us on their progress

July

Summer school!

Meg received the draft copy of the book, so we did a lot of editing!  Book will be released January 13th!

Richcarde returned home!

I got the joy of celebrating "mama" Tati's 60th birthday with her and her daughter

A much needed relaxing weekend was spent at The Rustic in Kenscoff....it was SO cold! 

And had amazing views and hiking!

August

Spent time in Philly with Caila who had just had scoliosis surgery

Made it to Oklahoma and had an awesome reunion with a group of friends that hadn't been all together in years

Also got to be there for my sister's baby shower!

September

I made an unexpected trip home to say "see you later" to my Grandpa.  He had 95 wonderful years of life and someday we'll polka dance in heaven :)

Universole came to Haiti to train girls to make leather sandals

So I now spend 3 afternoons a week making sandals with these girls!

October

School started October 1st and we have 500 students this year!

I do library time every day at school

I also coordinate all of our student sponsorship so I get the joy of passing out letters to students when their sponsors write them!

The best joy of all arrived in October....my very first nephew!! Taison Jace Rapihana was born October 30th.

November

Most of my time in November was spent stateside with this precious guy :)

December

Caila returned to Haiti for a couple of months before she will go back to Philly for therapy

Christmas was spent with great family and friends

And with these characters :)

And 2015........

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-23