A Quick Trip
Lex and Len at Lynn University's memorial to Britney Gengel.
Lex has gone to Florida for the weekend with Len Gengel, co-founder of Be Like Brit. Before beginning their search for some needed parts and supplies for here in Haiti, they visited Lynn University, where Len’s daughter Britney was attending school, prior to her death during the Haiti earthquake, January 12, 2010. Here’s what Len had to say when he posted this picture. “Lynn University Memorial with Lex Edme in front of Brit’s Prism!!! Pastor Lex and Mission of Hope International is the reason why we are able to build Brit’s Orphanage in Haiti, they are Be like Brit’s representatives in Haiti!!! Bittersweet, Beautiful yet Heartbreaking!!! Keeping the Faith!!!” Would you please pray for Len, Cherylann and their family? What they’ve been through is unimaginable and continuing the journey on behalf of their daughter is, at the very least, challenging. Thank you.
While Lex is gone, people look to me to solve problems and smooth the way for them. I spend a little less time at my computer and a lot more time listening and advising. It makes me appreciate how gifted and wise my husband is. While I’m bogged down with paperwork and communications each day, he’s oiling this big machine we call Mission of Hope. Pastor Edon asked me this morning to share a message at church this evening. While Lex is ready at any moment, I require a little more prep time. I have my work cut out for me today.
Nutrition Program
Last week’s Child in Hand visit was too short to accommodate all the parents who brought their children to be registered for the nutrition program. This past week, Angela saw an average of 80 children per day. Marie Ange and Alexis took down their basic information and then sent them to the clinic, where Angela measured and weighed them. Of course, some of them also got some medical attention.
Hand Washing signage in Haitian Créole and French from Child in Hand
We’re thrilled to have our friend Janina back with us from Germany for 10 days. Janina first came to MOHI shortly after the earthquake for a 5 week stay. She was here for the beginning of the transitional shelter project. While she was here, she checked each house to ensure quality. Janina will now be helping to put all the information that has been gathered about these children into a database, so that we can share it with Child in Hand. I love how God brings the right people to us at the right time in order to accomplish what He’s set before us!
My Troubled Heart
A young girl was hanging around after church this morning. She hadn’t been in the service, but I am very familiar with her and her family. She was filthy, her hair looked like it hadn’t been touched in weeks, mango juice (which she’d eaten the day before) outlined her hair on one side of her face, her skin was dry, hair red and her countenance was sad. I asked for her mother (not actually her mother, but her father’s mate – they have 3 other children together), who was at home. I had heard Lex speak with the mother yesterday and it was obvious to me that the things he’d addressed with her were not important to her. I felt such a heaviness in my heart for this little girl.
Renord, one of our operations directors here in Haiti (whom I wrote about last week), said to me “Do you think they would take this girl at Be Like Brit, when they’re done building?” You see, I was born in the “Land of the Free,” where children have some basic human rights. If I were in America now, I would likely call the authorities. Living in foster care must certainly be better than what she is going through. Here, however, it’s not quite that simple. There is no foster care and there are so many children, like this girl, who spend their days hauling water, cleaning the house, caring for younger siblings, preparing food (if there is any). They may go to school occasionally, but that usually doesn’t last. This is what is referred to in Haiti as a restavek – a child who lives with someone other than their mother, who becomes a servant to that family. Some call it child slavery.
I gave the girl some food this morning, on the picnic table just outside my office. For some reason, she sat under the picnic table and ate. When she finished eating, she washed her dish and brought it back to me with a big “Thank you.” She’s probably about 8 years old.
Situations like this is why we need your prayers. We need God’s wisdom. Sometimes the lines are fuzzy. Part of me just wants to beat the mother up. Oh yes, that part of me is called the flesh. I need God’s strength, love, wisdom to do what’s best for everyone involved. Galations 20:20 comes to mind: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Chrislove – Always the Attention Grabber
A few days ago Chrislove messed up his knee running down the mountain to come to MOHI. He wouldn’t tell his mom how he got hurt (perhaps he was doing something he’d been told not to???), but that night he cried most of the night. Clara brought him to the doctor’s in the morning for an xray. The next day they sent him to another hospital where they put him in a cast. I hear he’s supposed to be staying off that leg, but that’s easier said than done, for a very active 4 year old boy! Now that he’s past the pain, he’s very smiley and seems to be glorying in all the attention that white thing on his leg brings to him.
Some people thought we wouldn’t see much of Chrislove once he moved, but lo and behold, not only does he come to school daily, he comes to PLAY daily, too. I have to admit it’s a bright spot in my day when I hear him and Mackenlove open the office door with a sing-song, “Bonswa Madame!!!”
Construction Update
This week forms were pulled from the final footing pour. We have started to back fill once again.
Life on the Mission Field
Often times people think that life on the mission field is very spiritual, and it certainly can be. But one thing I’ve noticed, personally, as well as in the hundreds of people that have visited us here, is that the spiritual high usually comes out of a physical low. The very things that one is tempted to complain about on the mission field, are the things the Lord uses to grow us and bless us.
No, those are not chocolate jimmies!
I was making some fruit salad the other day and poured some honey in it. I didn’t notice that the ants’ gluttony had left them floating in my honey. In America, I would NEVER knowingly eat something that bugs had been in. Here in Haiti, some things are so precious, that you deal with the bugs. I spent a good 15 minutes picking the ants out of the fruit salad and then devoured it. Isn’t missionary life glorious???