Blessed!

I’ve been “counting my blessings” and thought I would share some of them with you.

The kids we have been caring for 24/7 for over 3 years now, are almost ready to move.  There is now running water at their new home at the Hands and Feet Project.  We are very excited for these kids.  They have been through so much in the short time they’ve been on this earth.  It’ll be really cool for them to walk to church and walk to school and back home again, daily.  These pictures are of Ely before he came to MOHI and the second one was just before the earthquake.  These kids are blessed!

Last week we met many of you at the open house in Westminster, MA.  What a wonderful day it was!  It reminded me of a song we used to sing in elementary school: “Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold.”  We were enjoying the wealth of both old and new friends that day.  We feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends, partners and supporters.  Many thanks to each of you who visited and made that day so special.  I especially want to thank Lennie & Amy Engman, who opened their home to us once again, and Patty Sparks who was the “ring leader.”  Pictured here (L to R) are Patty Sparks, Len Gengel and Kevin Groder.  Lex and Lennie Engman are visible in the background.  What a blessing each of these are in our lives.

We had the opportunity to attend a family event while we were Stateside.  The Rosen/Zucker cousin’s reunion brought my 3 brothers and I together in one place for the first time in about 30 years!  It was a very special time for me.  Many of the family had heard about the work we are involved in in Haiti and they encouraged us with gifts of peanut butter, tuna, batteries and even cash.  Again, I feel very blessed.

As you know, the school construction project is a very high priority for us right now.  Because we are in the middle of it, neither Lex nor I felt that we could be away for very long.  Consequently, Lex only stayed for a few days, the kids and I for 2 weeks.  After Lex went back to Haiti, our friends Len & Cherylann Gengel from Be Like Brit treated us to a few days at their home on Lake Ossippee.  It was great to have some “down” time with them.  One day Len took the kids to an amusement/water park and I had an entire day to myself, sitting in front of the lake in complete silence.  It was incredible.  Once again, I feel extremely blessed.

This is Fafane.  Talk about a blessing!!!!!  How cute can one child be??? …even after eating a grapefruit!

We recently had a special dinner with Dr. Greg & Amalia Ciottone, from Child in Hand and Len & Cherylann Gengel from Be Like Brit.  It was great to share the time with like-minded people, all with a heart to help the people of Haiti.  I consider it a great privilege to work together with other organizations, such as these.  So much more can be accomplished when we work together.  Yes, I truly am blessed!

Today I had a great meeting with another friend who simply cannot shake haiti from the forefront of his mind and his heart.  It was awesome to recount MOHI history together and see some of what the Lord has brought to pass over the years.  One truth that really struck us is that God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Eph 3:20 excerpt)  I think that sometimes we limit God by what we ask of Him.  What I expect of Him is always smaller or less than what He has in mind.  I enjoy entrusting my life to Him, knowing that His plans and purposes for my existence go way beyond what I could imagine.  And then I just trust that His will and His word will both come to pass in my life.  I am totally blessed!

I encourage you to take a moment to “count your blessings,” as well.  If you’re like me, they really are too numerous to count.  There are so many negative things to pay attention to every day of our lives.  I find that taking time to acknowledge the good things is important to our peace of mind.  I pray for peace in your mind today and I thank you for your support of MOHI in every way.  Whether it is through financial support, prayer, volunteering or sharing with others about this mission, your support is helping to make a positive impact in the lives of the Haitian people.  Thank you.