Touching Gift

Last Thursday night, we were all sitting innocently around the dinner table enjoying a family dinner before Dad and the twins left for a Father Daughter Retreat the next morning (more on that tomorrow.) Suddenly, all my siblings get up and go upstairs together. I thought they had some kind of surprise for Mom and Dad. I kind of wondered why I had been left out of the surprise…

When they came back down, they had a tin box in their hands. They placed it in front of me. Completely caught-off guard, I opened the lid. Inside was loose change, lots of $1 bills, a few $5's and a $20. On top was a note that read "Bianca's Orphanage Project." For months, my siblings have been squirreling away money to give me. Their "golden goal" was $100.

Inside that little tin box was $102.67! I was so humbled by their initiative and thoughtfulness, especially when they all pointed to Josiah as the one who came up with the idea. I'm more impressed by the fact that they kept this a secret for so long. J I was so touched! I am so incredibly blessed by my siblings! J

Faces of Haiti: Smiles

Despite their circumstances, the Haitian children I met all have such beautiful smiles. A hug, a smile, a word of encouragement, or a small gift means the world to these children. I can learn so much from their joyful outlook on life!

*I apologize for my lack of posting last week. I have been swamped with details related to the fundraising gala coming up on April 5^th. I have less than 2 weeks to work out the costs of sending down teams, write up content for a promotional pamphlet, create an application form, and more. So my posting over the next few weeks may be a bit sporadic, but it’s because a lot is happening!*

Haitian Proverb

Money has been on my mind a lot lately. This Haitian proverb gives a soering reminder about how the love of money can motivate a person:

Chemen lajan pa gen pikan.

 

"The path to money has no thorns." One will endure anything for money.

Haitian Proverb

This Haitian proverb is a very good warning against laziness:

Si ou pa travay, wa fè lèd.

“If you don’t work, you’ll act ugly.” Idleness brings trouble.

Comfortable

“But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.” –Francis Chan

Faces of Haiti: "These Little Ones"

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

Haitian Proverb

This is a Haitian proverb that we Americans need to keep in mind more often:

Sa ki soti pa rantre.

“What goes out doesn’t return.” Be careful in spending money.

Life Outside the Boat

Over the past couple of months at Wednesday night youth group, our Youth Pastor has been teaching a series called “Life Outside the Boat.” I almost laughed on one of the first weeks we attended, when he told us to open our Bibles to Matthew 14. I have lost count of how many times in the last 6 months I have heard that preached and taught on. I believe God’s trying to send me a message!

We talked in detail about Matthew 14 and then spent the next few weeks looking at examples of people who lived/are living life outside the boat. Some of the people we talked about included Peter (the disciple), Katie Davis, William Borden, Nate Saint, and our Youth Pastor’s own testimony.

Last week he concluded the series by exhorting us to live our lives “outside the boat.” He really caught my attention with the following quote:

“It’s not on you to make something happen. It’s on you to act according to what the Holy Spirit is calling you to do. It [living life outside the boat] won’t happen overnight. It requires a lifetime of faithfulness.”

I wish I had heard that quote months ago when I started this process of building an orphanage in Haiti! There were so many times when I felt so discouraged and overwhelmed. I had no idea how I—one high-school-aged girl—could possibly carry out the vision God had given me. But then God reminded me that I wasn’t called to make it happen by myself; I was called to be obedient and lean on Him to work out the details.

Even when I don’t see the results I was hoping for, I must remain faithful, as He always remains faithful to me.

Faces of Haiti: Long to Return

How I long to be back among the precious boys and girls of La Montagne! I am counting down the months until I can return.

Haitian Proverb

I found a lot of comfort in this Haitian proverb after I read it, especially as I go through the pain of losing both of my paternal Grandparents less than 3 weeks apart from each other:

Bondye pa bay piti li penn san sekou.

“God never gives His children pain without help” God will not test without giving His grace.