Paths

When I stepped out of the truck upon my arrival in Haiti this summer, I was greeted by Magdala.  This sweet little child has worked her way into my heart along with all of the children, teachers, and staff at CLS.  This picture captures a moment of pure joy.  Yesterday I walked down the stairs and prepared to step back into the truck to leave CLS.  Poking her head out of the girls' room, Magdala motioned for me to come over.  Of course, I was all teary and blubbering.  In her calm little voice she said, "Don't cry Miss Jessie."  She held her arms up and I picked her up and told her I loved her.  "I love you too!" she whispered in my ear and we just stood there embracing for a moment.  This was a moment of heartache.

I firmly believe in the sovereignty of God.  I know and understand that He is in control of this life and sees each moment we experience.  What's more, He cares for us as a loving Father.  I keep thinking about the paths that He has lead me down in my life.  I think of the ways He has taken me and the unexpected turns that were fully known to Him even if they took me by surprise.  I think about how He guided me to Haiti 3 years ago and how He has used this experience to deepen my faith and cause me to feel a purpose and a calling I have never experienced elsewhere.  

I am thankful to be safe back in New Hampshire and to be able to reunite with my friends and family and brothers and sisters in Christ here.  This morning though, I am asking God for a path that brings me back to Haiti so I can hug Magdala again and be reminded of the ways that God works and the beauty of the paths that He plans for us.  Love in Christ, Jessie

Artist

This summer I have been spending most afternoons doing art club with the children from the children's home.  It has been so much fun to teach the kids about paints and drawing, and also just to spend some quiet time creating with them.  Here are a few pictures of the artists at work...

Many times during our stay in Haiti I have commented to the kids that they live in a beautiful country.  The mountains, oceanside, and lush green farmlands all cry out the praises of their Creator.  When we learn about art we talk about God and His creativity.  We can paint and draw and be artists because we are made in His image.  Here are a few shots of the beauty that God created in Haiti...

As my time draws to an end here in Haiti, at least for this summer, I am trying to focus on the beauty of each moment, to cherish the value of each relationship, and to not waste a single minute that the Creator has given me.  I am more thankful than ever for the way that He creatively and beautifully works all things together for our good and His glory, including many surprises and unexpected events, like taking a girl from rural New Hampshire and causing her to fall in love with a people and a place in the middle of urban Haiti.  Only a master Artist could work in such a way!

Tomorrow I'm headed back to New Hampshire, but I'll do my best to write again and share more reflections on this amazing journey to Haiti!  Many thanks for your support and words of encouragement over the past 5 weeks!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Homeward

Yesterday we packed 22 of the children and a handful of adults and took the 3 1/2 hour drive from Port au Prince to Gonaives.  In 2008 most of the children from the CLS Children's Home were relocated from Gonaives to Port au Prince after surviving a devastating flood.  At the time, the children had been living at an orphanage in Gonaives which was completely destroyed by 14 feet of mud.  The group of about 30 children were stranded on the tin roof of one of the structures at the orphanage for about 3 days before help arrived.  It is a heart-breaking story, but yesterday's journey wasn't about remembering why they left, but looking to who they left behind.  Many of the children from Gonaives still have family there, an aunt, grandparent, cousin, sibling, or even parents.  They take trips a few times a year to visit with their family members and to help them remember their home and where they came from.

This is the second trip I've made up to Gonaives with the children and I was so thankful for the opportunity to go again.  Being cramped into the back of the truck with all these precious kiddos is my favorite version of a road trip.  And being able to be there to capture the joy and love when the children are reunited with their loved ones is priceless...

Herode with his big brother.

Miselene, Shneider, Octaline, and Chandlin with their Grandmother and cousin.

Exaline with her brother.

J.J. with his Aunt.

It was a wonderful time of celebration and love as the kids spent the day together with their families.  These children have two homes now, one in Gonaives and one at the children's home at CLS in Port au Prince.  My prayer is that as they grow, they would recognize how loved and valued they are.

Thank you for following along on this journey!  Love in Christ, Jessie