Haitian Proverb

This is another great Haitian proverb that I like:

Pito ou mache sou “pinga” pou ou pa pile “si m’ te konnen.”

 

“Better to walk on “don’t” than to step in “if I’d only known.” Caution now prevents regret later.

Faces of Haiti: Precious Little One

Her little face just melts my heart! I wish I was in Haiti right now so I could scoop her up in a big hug. I hope to have my chance to do just that this summer!

 

Haitian Proverb

Since we moved out to the country, we’ve had to get used to having neighbor’s dogs roaming in our yard and hanging around our house 24/7. They seem very excited to have new people on the street. Since I’ve had dogs on my mind so much lately, this proverb seemed fitting:

 

Chen gen kat pat; se yon sèl chemen li fè.

 

“The dog has four paws, but it only takes one path.” One thing at a time.

10 Ways to Care for Orphans

In the midst of unpacking all our things in our new house, my Dad handed me a flyer that he had picked up at church. The flyer had two sides. One said “10 Ways Every Christian Can Care for the Orphan and Waiting Child.” The other side said “10 Ways Christians Like YOU Have Cared for the Orphan and Waiting Child.” It was a very inspiring list, full of practical ways to serve. I thought I’d re-post the list here, but I also encourage you to read the whole flyer by clicking here.

 

1. PRAY for them. (Matthew 7:7-8)

·         Tape a waiting child’s picture to your dashboard and pray for the child every time you’re in the car. Visit www.AdoptUsKids.com or www.RainbowKids.com.

·         Organize an evening prayer vigil at your church and pray for children in foster care or an orphanage overseas.

2. SPEAK UP for them (Proverbs 31:8-9)

·         Carry a waiting child’s picture and show it to other believers. Ask if they, or someone they know, would give this child a home.

·         Become a court appointed special advocate for a child in foster care. Visit www.NationalCASA.org for details.

3. PROVIDE for their needs (James 2:15-16)

·         Give sacrificially to a reputable orphanage. Financial gifts can be designated for specific items and aid needed by orphans. Visit www.HelpOrphans.org for more information.

4. SUPPORT those who support them Hebrews 10:24)

·         Mow, babysit, or organize meals for a week for foster parents. Pray with them and tell them you appreciate what they do.

·         Encourage a family adopting an older child by hosting a shower for them.

5. PROTECT them from harm (Psalm 146:9)

·         Become a foster parent or emergency foster parent.

·         Raise money to build a children’s home to help remove children from the streets. Visit www.WorldOrphans.org for details.

6. VISIT them where they are (James 1:27)

·         Go on a mission trip to an orphanage as an individual or family. Visit www.GainUSA.org or www.HelpOrphans.org for information

·         Take dinner to a foster group-home on a regular basis.

7. GIVE sacrificially to them (2 Corinthians 9:7)

·         Support reputable orphan care organizations on a regular basis.

·         Contribute generously to an adoptive family to help offset their costs. Visit www.ShaohannahsHope.org or www.LifeSongForOrphans.org.

8. ENCOURAGE them to press on (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

·         Sponsor a child, support them financially, and encourage them through your letters. Visit www.VisionTrust.org to learn more.

·         Become a mentor or tutor to a teenager in a foster group-home.

9. ADOPT them into your family (Psalm 68:5-6a)

·         Give a child a home through international, domestic, or foster care adoption.

·         Adopt a young adult who has aged out of the system.

10. MOBILIZE your church for them (Matthew 28:18-20)

·         Be a catalyst in your church for starting a sustained orphans ministry. Visit www.HopeForOrphans.org for resources and to learn about attending a Your Church and the Orphan™ workshop.

 

 

*List published by Hope for Orphans.

Faces of Haiti: Precious Girls

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14

Haitian Proverb

Our family is in the process of moving into our new home in Texas this week. We have a pecan grove, and the nuts are ready to be harvested this time of year. This proverb seemed especially appropriate: J

 

Si ou renmen grenn anndan, ou dwe renmen po a tou.

 

“If you like the nut, you ought to like the shell.” Don’t complain about working for something you want.

Faces of Haiti: Little Pincher

Even though I didn’t learn all the names of the children we met in Haiti, there are still things I remember them by.

 

One of the little boys I met could be very sweet, but he had a habit of pinching people’s arms.

I was sitting next to him in VBS one day, and felt a rather sharp pain on my arm. I think I ended up distracting him by teaching him a hand-game.

One thing that struck me about him—other than the pinching habit—was the fact that he was wearing a jacket during the day. It was July, and over 90 degrees every day. A person might wonder why on earth he would be wearing a jacket on a day like that.

The reality is, that’s probably all he has. Pinching or not, he’s a child of the King and is loved by Him. And by me.