I'm a DORK

In my most recent post below, I mentioned that I had lost the first Haiti trip update...well I stumbled upon it and published it. It is 2 below this one. Who knew there was an automatic save on drafts? Apparently not me. Learn something new every day.

Haiti and Thoughts

I feel weird blogging. I think its because I feel like it can rob me of vulnerability only God should have access to. But the Lord knows my heart in this and I feel certain he wouldn't mind me blogging. :)

I have an updated note on facebook about my last trip to Haiti at the end of May. I tried to write a post up here about it, and ended up deleting it on accident and got frustrated. So I figured it wasn't supposed to be posted(that's my excuse for letting the frustration win). :) Among several tasks, one thing we accomplished while there, was purchasing the bunk beds mentioned in my previous blog post, with the help and support of many many people. A big thanks to all of them/you out there.

As the Lord continues to provide for the major needs of Orphanage on the Rock(OTR), I am reminded that according to James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." I love this truth and characteristic of God.

The needs of OTR have been on my mind and in my heart for months now, as I have taken on the responsibility of fund-raising for some of their most basic needs(food, etc.)...

As time goes on, more desires from Willio and the orphanage arise. They desire new books for school, uniforms, money for summer school apprenticeships, etc. I often get overwhelmed with the desire to provide all these things, and more so with a doubting/frustrated heart. I have recently pondered the fact that it is not my role to provide anything for anybody, I am just a middle man, the messenger. There is much responsibility with being the middle man, but no pressure to create the message/gifts, etc. that the Provider is responsible for getting to the middle man in order to deliver it. There is much peace and freedom for me in this realization. I am only responsible to ask the Provider what the gifts/messages are and where they are going. Sometimes, I don't even have to ask, but rather just answer the question of "Am I willing?" It is my role to be a faithful, willing servant of the Lord and a cheerful giver.

Also, if I can be completely vulnerable and honest... due to what I've read and the perception of Haiti, I fear that I(and those who help me) will get taken advantage of. No matter how much homework you do, or how much you think you are not naive, there is always the chance that you will get "robbed," deceivingly. This fear has been a struggle for me. So, my prayer is that God will continue to faithfully provide me with necessary discernment, wisdom, and faith to carry out the tasks at hand with OTR. I neither want knowledge nor fear to hold me back from demonstrating God's love to people in Haiti. I am working for the Provider, not those who are receiving provision. Once I, the middle man/messenger have accomplished that which the giver of good gifts has told me to do, it is out of my hands and control. Obedience is required of me, not fear. I am compelled to help God's people who are in need, particularly orphans...and nothing should stop it. I am praying for faith to trust God to show me what to do, and know that He will provide the means and protect my heart/his ministry accordingly. I am sharing this, so that if you are a believer in Christ Jesus, you will also pray these things for me.

God is good...

KW

CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW TO PUT PICTURES WITH MY BLOGS...NOT JUST ON THE SIDE OF MY PAGE(I'm technologically challenged) ? :) THE TOP PICTURE GOES WITH THIS POST, fyi.

Haiti Goodness

I returned from Haiti a couple of weeks ago. We were able to get bunk beds for the kids at Orphanage on the Rock in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. It was great, they loved them...and so did we! No more sleeping on the floor. The scripture that continues to pound my thoughts from the very get go of finding out that we raised the money for the bunk beds is...

James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Praise God for providing good gifts. I am often overwhelmed by the goodness of God, from the giving of his son Christ Jesus, so that I may have life...to a much needed, simple, 2 hr conversation with a friend that leaves me challenged and encouraged to be a child of God and all that it entails. Not just some good gifts are from God...EVERY good and perfect gift is from my heavenly Father. I praise God for the good work being done in Haiti, and for the simple goodness He provides me with day in and day out.

From a grateful heart...

Kristi

Haiti Trip, Bed Project

The Haiti trip I just came back from went great. We got a lot accomplished with the kids and community of Ouanaminthe,Haiti. Many art projects were done to put on things that will sell here in the states to raise money to build a school for the kids (see the referenced link to this post for more on education in haiti).

I, along with others who love the orphans and community of Ouanaminthe, will be raising money to buy the 33 orphans bunk beds to sleep on. They are sleeping on the concrete floor right now, sharing donated sleeping bags/sheets with each other. Beds are a luxury in this community it seems. Willio, the pastor and orphanage father to the kids informed us that he didn't have a bed until he was 22 years old.

While we still come up short with funds to adequately feed the orphans each month, I feel like buying beds for the kids is a "quick fix" and can be accomplished rather quickly with donations from generous givers.

If we should received more funds than necessary for the beds, it will go directly into the food budget, which is about $660.00 a month (about $20 a month per kid, just for food).

I want to thank so many of you for already asking questions, ready to give. I will have more details on this project as soon as I find out how much the beds will cost, and how many we will be purchasing. One thing to consider when purchasing beds is space. Please continue to thank God for providing for the orphans thus far, and ask Him to lead us as we implement measures to better care for them.

By God's grace, may his work be accomplished in our lives.

Kristi