Hope

     Okay friends, I am going to keep this one short and sweet (it's very late here and it's been a refreshing, but long day). Yesterday, I had the privilege of traveling to a fishing village to begin English classes for a group of villagers there. We plan to go every Saturday, and it seems like our adults will be very quick learners! It's refreshing to be on the other end of the language-learning! ;) The ability of so many of my Haitian friends to quickly learn English is humbling and serves as motivation to my language practice (Haitian Kreyole is much, much more simple in structure than English....I wouldn't want to learn English!)
     This morning, we were invited to attend my dear friend Simeon's Haitian church. Everyone was so welcoming, and I even tried my hand at reading/singing French and Kreyole hymns! (of course Simeon and I were the only ones who heard my efforts, and I eventually gave it up so that he could worship...rather than laugh at me) :) Then we attended our very own English-speaking Church, where nearly 3 of our kids fell asleep on me. The rest of the afternoon, Jenn and I played nannies at Club Indigo (a beach hotel where a missionary couple is living). The afternoon was wonderful! We watched the kids by the pool, sat on the beach, and I became a lobster. :) God's way of reenergizing us for the weeks ahead, and boy was it appreciated!
   Above all, God has been using this trip to enrich the hope that is in my heart for Haiti. After my last trip to Haiti, my prayer was for the church to be stirred into men's ministry. That men of God, faithful to their wives and devoted to their families, would rise up as leaders and restore the future generation. My prayer was for hope. Each day I am here, God has been revealing to me just that! Tonight, Jenn and I had the privilege of fellowshipping with Franz (the "dad" of the orphanage) and Simeon (the selfless brother). What began with laughter and jokes ended, nearly 3 hours later, with broken hearts for a broken country...but we serve a God who is bigger than brokenness. :) It was beautiful to hear the wisdom that these two men received from the Lord! We discussed broken families, hurting wives, and abandoned children in ways that took me 4 years of Sociology to understand! All they had to do was look around, and the answers were clear: Love God, Love people...Agape! I could get on my faith-filled, sociology soap box, but instead, I'll just bid you adieu. :) There is hope for Haiti....if you don't believe me, book a flight...

So much for short and sweet!!! Please pray in the power of Christ for:
           * New Vision Ministries as they are undergoing major changes and new partners.
           * That the hope that lives here would speak loudly and boldly for the Kingdom's sake.
           * For the missionary children who live with us here. This makes 6 weeks so far in Haiti, and they will continue to process and experience in their own unique ways. Pray for God's Agape love to speak clearly to them though their family and for patience through their adjustment.