Heart of God Haiti http://heartofgodhaiti.org Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:58:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Haitian Proverb of the Day http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-11/ http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-11/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:57:37 +0000 Erin http://heartofgodhaiti.org/?p=2367 Sa manman poul gaye, se sa pitit li manje.

What the hen scratches up is what the chicks eat.  meaning, Children pay the consequences of their parents’ actions.
This past weekend we discovered that the father of a sibling group here at the center committed suicide last week. From what I understood he was having financial issues and therefore, decided to take his own life. The children know, having been told by Pastor Justin, but I am unsure as to whether or not they know the specifics. They seem fine but one day one of them said, “Hey Erin. I’m thinking about my father.” I pray that if they do know about the suicide aspect of this tragic event that they will not dwell on it. I fear it will sit with them as an example of a resolution to difficult times. Pray for these children to find peace and to remember to trust in God during all times, during times of sadness and uncertainty, to remember their heavenly Father is always with them.
]]> http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-11/feed/ 1 Haitian Proverb of the Day http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-10/ http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-10/#comments Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:33:51 +0000 Erin http://heartofgodhaiti.org/?p=2364 Sa ki gen larivye, twop pou batwel.

What is at the river is too much for the paddle. meaning, There are too many problems there for me to handle alone.

With this proverb I am reaching out to anyone reading this blog for prayers. There have been some situations this past week that have not gone well. The most major of these is the fact that I may not be able to get Ednel and Ezekiel into an orphanage that could adopt them to a family in the U.S. I received news of this just a few moments ago and I am crushed. Because of both of their dental issues and Ezekiel’s sickle cell disease moving the boys to the states would have improved their health and their lives greatly. There is still a sliver of hope: if the creche we were hoping to send them can link up with an adoption agency in the states that handles special needs cases they might be able to place Ednel and Ezekiel. Please, please pray for this to happen. In Haiti, Ezekiel’s life expectancy is shortened because of his illness and also because it is Haiti. If he could get to America, his life would be lengthened significantly simply because of better standard of living and easier access to medecine and doctors. Please pray. I have done alll I can do to make the move happen. I need God to intervene in a big way. Pray.

]]> http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-10/feed/ 1 Haitian Proverb of the Day http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-9/ http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-9/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:22:13 +0000 Erin http://heartofgodhaiti.org/?p=2360 Sa ki nan vant se li ki pa ou.

What’s in your belly is what’s yours. meaning, Don’t count on something until you have it in hand.

This month I begin the process of moving Ednel and Ezekiel to another orphanage in the area that is better equipped to deal with both of their dental issues and Ezekiel’s medical needs. Nothing is for sure though. The family will need to sign off on the move because the orphanage where they will be going adopts kids out to the U.S., which is ultimately the best option for the boys. Even though the family can’t take care of the boys now, they might want them to stay in country so that when they get older they can return to their relatives and work in the garden or help sell items at market. This is not an uncommon occurence. Because of this, I am trying not to get my hopes up too high, trying to wait until I have this in hand before I let myself believe it.

Please pray that this whole process goes smoothly. Pray that the living relatives, brothers and grandfathers, will see that Ednel and Ezekiel will lead a healthier life in the U.S. Pray that God gives me the words to reason with the boys’ family in a way that helps them understand how important this move is to Ezekiel’s well being. Pray for our boys.

]]> http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/04/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-9/feed/ 1 Videos of the Kiddos http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/videos-of-the-kiddos/ http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/videos-of-the-kiddos/#comments Sun, 31 Mar 2013 00:10:30 +0000 Erin http://heartofgodhaiti.org/?p=2357 Unfortunately I have trouble posting videos to the blog but I want to let everyone know that I have some great videos of the kids on the HGH Facebook page. In the past 3 months, the kids have learned 3 worship songs in English. They already knew the Kreyol versions but they had to work hard to master the English pronunciations and to learn the meanings of specific lyrics. And the little ones learned just by listening to the older kids! We got some smart ones!

]]> http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/videos-of-the-kiddos/feed/ 0 Haitian Proverb of the Day http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-8/ http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-8/#comments Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:49:21 +0000 Erin http://heartofgodhaiti.org/?p=2355 Paysans bel, lavi long.

Patience is beautiful, life is long. meaning, A patient person is happier.

I love the way this proverb produces an instant image of peace in my mind. I even breathed a bit deeper after reading it. There are so many things that I wish would happen right now, so many projects that could be done (or finished) to improve the center and the lives’ of the kids. All this week I thought about all the improvements I could make to the kids’ English class once the room is complete and we can relocate there. Unfortunately this just made me wish the room was already completed. It gets difficult remembering that I am on God’s time, not mine. He knows what needs to be done when. Like another proverb said, God is not man. So I pray to remember these proverbs, breath a bit deeper, and find the beauty in patience.

]]> http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-8/feed/ 0 Haitian Proverb of the Day http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-7/ http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-7/#comments Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:24:37 +0000 Erin http://heartofgodhaiti.org/?p=2351 Nou pa mande pitit samble papa l’, nou mande erez kouch.

We don’t ask for the child to look like his father; we just ask for a successful delivery.  meaning, May the project be successful even if it turns out differently than anticipated.
Today begins construction on a room, situated between the church and the center, that will serve as my bedroom, workspace, and classroom. A budget was decided upon with prices for each material calculated and written down and the boss was told numerous times that we only have this set amount of money to complete the project in 14 days and I have emphasized the desire for a simple structure, nothing extravagant, repeatedly. Yet, my stomach is in knots and numerous worst case scenarios have been running through my mind all weekend. What if they make the ceiling too low and it feels like a cave in there? What if the windows they install don’t give enough light during English class? What if we didn’t plan it big enough to fit all of my personal and teaching supplies? When I saw this proverb I decided it reflects how I should be thinking about this project. As long as we stay on budget and the room is functional and safe, I should consider it successful, even if it is not how I would have designed it. These next 14 days will be filled with mantras of “Let go and let God”. He knows we need this room and He will make sure it is done successfully. Please keep this project in your prayers these next couple weeks. Pray for safety and success. And if you wouldn’t mind, pray for peace of mind on my part because I’m human and I don’t think my nerves will let up anytime soon.
]]> http://heartofgodhaiti.org/2013/03/haitian-proverb-of-the-day-7/feed/ 0