We have officially made it through our first month in Haiti! Praise God! (Sorry for such a late update, but our internet access has been very poor.)
A lot has happened in the past month!
After being called to Haiti, we felt very unsure as to where God wanted us to serve; in L’asile with the FMC boys and girls team, or at Kay Mari(the Catholic orphanage). So we decided to spend time in both places and take our time really seeking God’s will and discerning.
We spent our first 3 weeks in L’asile and 2 weeks ago, we traveled to Kay Mari, a Catholic orphanage just 2 hours from the city of L’asile.
Before this, I had never been to an orphanage. But I had my thoughts about what it may be like(of course something like Annie, right?)
As we pulled up Thursday night, we saw kids. Everywhere. There are currently 31 kids living at Kay Mari.
The second thing I noticed was the JOY. They laughed, played, smiled. It was nothing like I thought it would be. You could feel the peace that resided in this place. It is so noticeable that even as you walk out the gate to the village, you can feel the difference. The lack of peace.
There are 4 “house mothers” who help care for the children, 2 cooks, a housekeeper, a moto driver, a director and spiritual director and Katie. She’s originally from Steubenville, Ohio. She has been here since they accepted the 1st orphan 5 years ago(just 6 days before the tragic 2010 earthquake). She has given her life to stay here with these kids and her love and dedication are truly an inspiration.
My thought on day 2-“I could live here forever”. This place is a fulfilment my dreams. See, as a young girl, I always thought someday I would move to “Africa” or somewhere, and care for the poor and abandoned children. Of course that was a dream that lasted probably about as long as my others (grocery store checker, marine biologist)but it still lay dormant in my heart. In the 1st day here, I felt a fulfilment of some sort. And I felt just certain that God created this perfect place just for me.
Not to mention the girls were having the time of their lives! Eliza loved all the friends she had made and Lucy of course loved all the attention she got from everyone! This place was perfect for them!
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| Eliza and her friend Kamud |
CRAFT TIME!
By the end of the day, I could feel myself thinking about L’asile. Thinking about the lack of peace there. Thinking about the children. I felt in my heart that God was calling us back there but I didn't want it. This place was perfect. Why give it up? Dave pulled me aside and confirmed my fears. “We need to create a place like this in L’asile”.
I knew right as he said it that this was true. This was the same thing God was speaking to me but I didn't want to hear. I mean, I did ask God to “Be clear with us as quickly as possible” with regards to where He wanted us. 2 days is pretty quick. But sometimes listening to what He wants is really hard to do!
In the past week or so, my heart has grown more content with God’s plan. In fact, we both find ourselves excited for the future and we desire to give many years of our lives to this country. Now just to clarify, we do not plan to start our own orphanage. At this time, we really aren’t 100% sure what God wants but we do know that He is calling us to start something for the children and have a couple ideas in mind.
Please pray that we can find a house soon! We have returned back to L'asile and are currently living with the guys team.(Poor guys)
Please also pray for whatever it is God is calling us to create for the children. Just that our hearts and minds will be totally open to HIS will and not our own:)
God Bless you all!
Love and prayers from BEAUTIFUL Haiti!
Andrea, Dave, Eliza, and Lucy
