I am so excited to update you all on what God is doing in and through Empowering Haitian Moms' Sponsorship Program! :) God has provided 23 beautiful children with the gift of education through sponsorship! What a blessing this is to their families, and to the child who is now able to attend school without fear of whether or not he or she will have to be pulled out because their parents can no longer afford their education.
Thank you to each of you who have prayed and felt the Lord leading you to sponsor a sweet child! And a thank you to all who have prayed and are still praying for EACH child to receive a sponsor!
There are still 15 precious children who would love to be sponsored! I have updated their pictures on my blog, so feel free to scroll over their pictures! And, please continue to pray about whether God would have you and your family sponsor a child!
If you would like more information about sponsoring a child, or about other ways you can help Empowering Haitian Moms feel free to contact me at ashley.crowe@hawks.shorter.edu or Stacie at empoweringhaitianmoms@gmail.com
Psalm 111:1-3
"Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart...How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in Him should ponder them. Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty."
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013
God's CHOSEN! Who have you CHOSEN?
For the 2012-2013 school year, EHM had 10 kids sponsored! As of now, God has provided EHM with 20 sponsors!! EHM is so excited about what God is doing! EHM still has 18 beautiful children who need sponsors! Their pictures are posted below. Each child has been CHOSEN by God, and He has a plan for their lives! What child could you CHOOSE to give the gift of education to?! :)
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| Dafnie 3 years old 2nd year Kindergarten |
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| Nehika 9 years old 3rd grade |
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| Ivenson 6 years old 2nd year Kindergarten |
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| Jim Jim 2 years old 1st year Kindergarten |
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| Faulto 6 years old 3rd year Kindergarten |
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| Sheeze Laura 4 years old 3rd year Kindergarten |
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| Nana 4 years old 3rd year Kindergarten |
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| Fedey 14 years old 10th grade |
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| Fly 18 years old 11th grade |
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| Christo 11 years old 5th grade |
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| Flancia 9 years old 3rd grade |
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| Lousiana 11 years old 2nd grade |
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| Hanley (Lele) 2 years old 1st year Kindergarten |
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| Hrevens 4 years old 2nd year Kindergarten |
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| Dalie 6 years old 2nd year Kindergarten |
Monday, July 15, 2013
Following Him to Haiti!
I have been home for 2 days now, but I would like to back track a few days to share the ending of Following Him to Haiti!
On Thursday, we said goodbye to the moms and kids. We told them that we needed Friday to pack and finish last minute things before our flights left Saturday, but the truth was we were going to surprise them with a night visit!
When we walked up the hill Friday night, everyone was SURPRISED!! It was great to see all the smiles on the moms and kids’ faces! They did not expect us to show up, and word spread quickly that we were there!!
After everyone was there, we did a scavenger hunt with the moms and older kids. They had the best time racing each other to find the objects! The remainder of the team cheered for the person hunting the item, and it was so much fun!! At the end of the scavenger hunt, we chose 3 people from each team to go and find their seashell that we gave them the first week I was there! Believe it or not, those 3 women found their seashells after 7 weeks!! After the scavenger hunt, we played another game where the moms passed the ball around the circle, and when the music stops playing, whoever has the ball is out. At the end of the game, I won!! The moms and kids were cheering so much because I won! J Then we played the same game with the kids, and Celina won!!
After the games, we sent the kids to their classroom, so I could pass out pictures to the moms. They LOVED getting pictures of me, Cierra, and mom! They told me over and over that they were going to miss us! I showed them some other pictures of our family, and the moms went crazy! They enjoyed seeing pictures of dad, grandma, and granddaddy! I gave away all the pictures except for 4! It was so funny to see the moms asking for pictures of grandma and granddaddy when they have never even met them!
Then, Cierra and I went into the kids’ classroom to give them their pictures! We made picture frames for the older kids with our picture in them, so we passed those out along with individual pictures of ourselves and mom! The kids LOVED them too!! I don’t know how many times the kids ran up to us and told us that we were beautiful! Then they would tell us how much they were going to miss us!
Cierra and I had a lot of toys that we wanted to give away, so we were trying to think of ways to give them away without just handing them out. We came up with the idea of a talent show! The moms and kids had to get up and either sing or dance to get a prize! It was so much fun! After the talent show, it was dark, so we broke open the GLOW STICKS!! The moms and kids had so much fun playing with the glow sticks! We stuck around for a little while longer, but then sadly it was time to say our goodbyes.
As we walked down the hill for the last time in the dark, it was bittersweet. Part of me was ready to be home for hot showers and some rest! But MOST of me was not ready to come back. I fell in love with Haiti and with these moms and kids, so it was definitely hard to say goodbye after being with them for 2 months! Some of the older boys walked hand in hand with us to the street, and it was so precious! It wasn’t until we were driving away in the back of a truck looking up at all the stars that the tears hit me. They were happy tears because I was so full of joy in the Lord! I have been so blessed over the last 2 months! There is no greater feeling than knowing that you are doing God’s Will for your life! There is such peace and overwhelming love and confidence in Christ!! J It was the best experience ever!
Saturday morning we woke up around 5 AM to pack last minute things, and we were supposed to leave at 6 AM. Our driver arrived at 6:30 and off to the airport we went. We arrived at the airport around 8:20, and we had plenty of time to get through security and check in. When our plane took off from Haiti, I shed more tears because up until that point it felt like a dream that it was really time for me to go!
We arrived in Miami around 11:50, and we went through customs, security, check in, and found our gate with about 30 minutes to spare. At this point, Cierra and I were no longer on the same flight schedule. I left Miami at 1:50, and Cierra was supposed to leave Miami at 5:45. I arrived in JAX at 3:30 because it began to rain in Miami when my plane was leaving, and we had to fly around a storm. So, I was a little delayed getting to JAX. My first meal in America was of course Chickfila! It was so good! I have to share a funny story…I went into the bathroom at Chickfila and I was leaning over the sink to look in the mirror, and all of a sudden, the sink turned on and I jumped out of my skin!! You know you have been in a 3rd world country for a while when you jump because of an automatic sink!!! J
We had a few hours to spare before Cierra’s flight arrived, so we went to sit in a parking lot. Well, Cierra called us, and said that her flight had been delayed because of storms in JAX and Miami, so we were thinking okay that will be okay. It’s just a little bit of a delay. Then, she calls back to say her flight had been cancelled! Thankfully, the Lord provided her with a flight to Gainesville, FL. Her flight did not get in until 12:30 AM Sunday morning! We finally got home at 5 AM! Needless to say we slept until 2 PM Sunday!!
It still has not completely hit me that I am no longer in Haiti. I am readjusting quite well to American living (besides the automatic sink incident!). I am enjoying the washing machine, but I am missing the fellowship and quiet time that hand washing clothes brings! There are a good many things that I am enjoying that I did not have in Haiti, but I would gladly give them up to be with those sweet moms and kids again!!
These past 2 months have been the best 2 months of my life! Like I said earlier, there is no greater feeling than being in the center of God’s Will! And I know that God has called me to the mission field! I don’t know yet what He wants me to do on the mission field, but that is okay. In His timing, He will reveal to me what He wants me to do! Right now, I am filled to overflowing LOVING on His children!
I do believe that it was a lot easier saying goodbye because it was not truly goodbye! I will return to Haiti!! I have fallen in love, and I cannot imagine Haiti not being a part of my life! I miss those precious faces and the sweet laughter, but it is only a few short months before I return to see everyone again!
I am so thankful the Lord pricked my heart back in January to seek mission’s opportunities, and I am so in awe that He chose me to go to Haiti for 2 months this summer!! I have LOVED Following Him to Haiti!! And I cannot wait to Follow Him to Haiti over and over again in the coming years!!
Thank you to everyone who made it a possibility for me to Follow Him to Haiti! Thank you for the encouragement and countless prayers! Even though I am not in Haiti right now, continue praying for the country and for the moms and kids of Empowering Haitian Moms! If any of you would like for Cierra and me to share with your church or Sunday School class all that God did in and through us while we were in Haiti, just let me know! I would love nothing more than to share with each of you what Following Him to Haiti looks like and how you too can Follow Him to Haiti!!
I love each of you!
Blessings and Love!
Ashley
Friday, July 12, 2013
Kindergarten Graduation!
On Sunday, I had the honor of being godmother of a Kindergarten graduation! The lady that just had the baby, Jetride, and her husband Erik asked if I would be the godmother of their son, Hendy’s Kindergarten graduation! Kindergarten graduation is a BIG deal in Haiti! In America, Kindergarten is just one year, but in Haiti, Kindergarten is 3 years long! So it is such a huge accomplishment to be promoted to 1st grade!! I was very honored and proud to be Hendy’s godmother because I know he has worked hard for the past 3 years to get to this point!
Kindergarten graduation in Haiti is a HUGE production!! Graduation was supposed to start at 9 AM. However, it did not start until 12!!! We got there around 10:30 (yes we were technically late too!), but MOST people were getting there at the LAST minute! The graduating class danced into their places on the stage. They sang songs and recited a few prayers. Then, they handed out the diplomas! Each of the kids went forward, and their mom went and stood with the child for pictures! Well, Hendy’s mom just had a baby, so she was not able to go to the graduation. So, I had the honor of standing in her place!! I’m sure a lot of the people at graduation were confused, but I enjoyed it! J It was such an honor to be chosen by this precious family to be Hendy’s godmother! They have only known me for 7 weeks, but in that little bit of time we have come to love one another! I am so thankful to my Father for placing this family in my life! They are so sweet, and they all love Jesus! I am so thankful to be an influential person in their oldest son’s life! Praise the Lord!!
After the diplomas, some of the students put on a skit! The graduating Kindergarten class passed on a candle to represent the passing of the torch to the younger class who will be graduating next year. Two of the kids from our ministry, Faulto and Mimi, were chosen to receive the candle/torch! Then four of our kids from the ministry, Faulto, Mimi, NaNa, and Sheeze Laura, performed a short skit which was so cute!! There were some dances put on by students as well! The graduation did not end until 2:30 PM! It was a LONG graduation! However, it was very interesting to see how a Haitian Kindergarten graduation is done!
After graduation, we went back to Erik and Jetride’s house for watermelon, and for Hendy to open his gift! We gave him a new bookbag, tennis shoes, a kite, a dodgeball, some candy, a coloring book, crayons, bouncy ball, yo yo, and some other little goodies! He was very happy!! He probably played with his ball the rest of the afternoon!!
Hendy’s dad, Erik, is the one that was in the motorcycle accident a few days ago. He is still healing, and feeling a little better. But, please continue to pray for him to have complete healing!! Pray for this family as a whole because Erik cannot work right now while he is healing, and Jetride cannot work because of the new baby. We are not sure how long he will be out of work, and no work means no money which means no food. For us as Americans, we have back up savings and such, but for Haitian families, they literally live month to month because they barely make enough money for food each month! As Hendy’s godmother of his education, I ask that you would pray for his schooling! Pray that he continues to be a great student! Above all, pray that he studies God’s Word and LOVES Him!!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Haiti Facts!
I want to share with you all some Haiti facts!
Haiti Facts:
~Eighty percent of Haitians live under the poverty line and 54% live in abject (hopeless) poverty.
The average per capita income in Haiti is $480 a year, compared to $33,550 in the United States.
This is crazy to think about! If you take $33,550 and divide it by 12 months, that means an American who makes $33,550 a year brings home about $2,795 A MONTH!! A MONTH!! Haitians bring home $480 (if they even make that much) A YEAR!!! A YEAR!!! That means that they would bring home $40 a month! However, this is not the income I have seen in the community I have been working in. One of the dads in the community is a motorcycle driver, and on a good week he brings home $7 FOR THE WEEK! That is $28 a MONTH!! This just blows my mind how much poverty is in this country. This statistic just breaks my heart! In America we have a welfare system that gives money to those in need, but in Haiti their government does not help the people in anyway. We have the gift of free public education, but if a child here has the opportunity to go to school it comes at a cost. Most of the schools cost around $300, so if the annual YEARLY income is $480 and they send one child to school (according to statistics a typical Haitian family will have 5 children, but most people I have met have 2 or 3) they are left with around $180 for the rest of the YEAR! How many of us could live off of $180 for the year?? None of us could, but somehow these people have made it happen. I’m sure you are thinking, yeah Ashley, but their cost of living is so much lower than ours. And in some cases you are right, rent for a two bedroom cinder block house is only $150 for the year whereas houses in America rent for thousands a month, but you also have RUNNING WATER, you have HOT WATER, you have ELECTRICITY, you have a REFRIGERATOR AND A FREEZER, you have a STOVE to cook on, and so many other appliances!! I don’t share all of this with you to feel sorry for these people because they are probably the most loving and joyful people I have ever met!! I say all of this, so you can understand the truth about Haiti’s poverty!
~A typical worker in Haiti makes only $2.75 a day. Because jobs are so scarce (approximately 70% do not have regular jobs), those who do have jobs are afraid to speak out against unfair labor practices
This fact should make us all grateful for living in America! We have the opportunity most times to speak out against unfair labor practices. Plus, no one makes only $2.75 an hour! And this statistic is not necessarily true for the community I have been working with….most of the moms make less than $1 a day if they even make that because jobs are so scarce! Most women sell things in the market, and that is where the hard part comes. The moms I have been working with have to figure out where to sell that will bring in a good income for the day, and what to sell because you don’t want to steal someone else’s business by selling the same thing. So it is definitely a rough process trying to find work! Please be praying for these moms to find opportunities to work, so they can provide for their families!
~Only 53% of Haitians can read and write
This fact breaks my heart! This is why I want so badly for the Empowering Haitian Moms kids to go to school! I want them to be able to read and write! I want these kids to receive an education, so they can find jobs that will provide for them and their future families. I want these kids to get out of the cycle of poverty! Granted, they will never know an American salary unless God wills them to go to America, but they can be educated and find a steady job that will provide them money enough for the basic necessities for living! I don’t want any of this new generation in Haiti to have to struggle to keep their home and to feed their family. I know God has BIG plans for each life in Haiti!!
~Only about 10% of all Haitian children enrolled in elementary school go on to a high school.
This is so sad, but it is so true. I have experienced it firsthand. One of the moms in the ministry is 23 years old, and she had to quit school after the 3rd grade when she was 10 years old because her family could not afford to send her to school. So, she has not been in school for 13 years, and she only has a 3rd grade education. It is so sad, but this happens all over this country. It’s just so hard to see the struggle this country has. You know these parents want the best for their children…they want to see their children make something of themselves, but they can’t afford it. They work their butts off, but all that gets them is MAYBE food on the table one meal a day which is NOT the case most times. Some of the kids in the ministry go a few days without eating anything because their family cannot afford it. And then we wonder why only 53% can read and write…it’s because families are having to choose between education or feeding their children. Of course they are going to choose to feed their family (I would too)!
~Throughout the mid and late twentieth centuries, Haiti experienced a “brain drain” as educated professionals and business people left the nation to escape brutal dictators. This exodus weakened Haiti because it was left with fewer and fewer skilled workers to run businesses, health centers, government offices, and schools.
~Families who live in the country spend almost 60% of their income on food. The poorest groups spend more than 70%.
~Only about 40% of school-aged children attend school regularly.
Again, I share all of this with you not for you to feel sorry and to offer a handout, but so that you will truly see the poverty that these people live in. I know a lot of times we may think “oh, they could get out of poverty if they choose” However, being here has opened my eyes to see that Haiti’s poverty is NOT something to easily overcome. The change is going to take YEARS because of the corruption of previous leaders. Pray for this new president to really LOVE his people, and to try every which way to TAKE CARE of them! Be thankful and praise God that we live in a country that helps us out! Praise God we have so much, but yet what do we do with the much that God has blessed us with? This mission trip has really opened my eyes to how much God has given me, but it has really made me think what am I doing with it? Am I blessing God with what He has given me? Am I being a blessing to others because God has blessed me? We don’t have to give monetary donations to one another to be a blessing. Simply taking the time to listen to someone or helping someone out is being a blessing!
Continue to pray for this next generation in Haiti! Pray that God would raise up Godly leaders to turn this country around! Pray that more children would be educated so they can change their country! Pray for our community of children in Empowering Haitian Moms! Pray for their futures that God has planned for them!
Thank you all for bearing with me through this LONG blog, but the poverty and lack of education in Haiti has been burdening my heart!
Blessings and Love!
Ashley
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Hey Long Lost Friends!
Hello long lost friends!
I am so sorry I have not updated you all in a while! Things have gotten busy, and the days are flying by so much faster now that I only have one week left. :(
Yes I am so sad to say that I have one week left. I do not know where the time has gone, and I do not understand why it seems to be speeding up all of a sudden!
The kids went to VBS put on by an American mission team on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. So, when we arrived in the community on Monday, we only had a few of the new moms and like 5 kids which was nice to spend that one on one time with the new moms and few kids! Don't get me wrong, I love having 15 or more moms and 45 or more kids, but it was nice to actually sit, chat, and play games without kids being rambunctious!! Cierra and I blew bubbles for the 3 little girls that were there, and they loved it! They were so cute chasing those bubbles and trying to pop them! Since there were not many people there, we all played a game with the ball! We stood in a circle and passed the ball around, and when the music stopped, whoever was holding the ball was out! They had so much fun playing that game!! The next round we tossed the ball to whoever we wanted, and they laughed even more! The winners got DumDum suckers (at the end everyone got suckers!!) which we used later to teach the lesson. The lesson for Monday was about how God says we are victorious! Stacie asked how it felt to win and get a sucker, and the winners said it feels good to win! The best part is...we win everyday!! We are victorious because Christ has won the battle over evil!! Each day is a new spiritual battle...satan wants to defeat us, but oh the joy that comes when we realize we don't fight the battle! God does, and He ALWAYS WINS!!! We need not fear; all we have to do is wake up each morning and give the day to Him because He is the only one who can fight our battles! Praise the Lord WE ARE VICTORIOUS!!!
Today's lesson was on how God grants us spiritual gifts! Romans 12:4-8 was our Scripture reference for today's lesson. Stacie asked one of the kids if he could write his name on the chalkboard with his feet...he said he could not. She then asked another child can you smell the chalk with your ear...she could not. She asked another child can you eat the chalk with your eye....he could not. Just like our body parts have specific functions, we have specific functions in the body of Christ. Every believer makes up the body, and we have our specific gifts! We explained the gifts to the kids, and we asked if they knew what their gifts were. Some of them did, but most of them did not. Some of the kids Stacie has knows for 3 years, so she has watched their gifts develop and she shared what gifts those kids had. After the lesson, Fritznel prayed for the kids to hear God speaking to them what their gifts are. Then, they kept their eyes shut and sat silently for a while to listen for God's voice. Once they opened their eyes, we asked again if anyone had heard what their gift was from God. A few more of the kids told us what they felt God told them their gifts were! We told them to continue to pray for their gifts to be developed, and that they would use their gifts to glorify God!! We explained that some people have more gifts than others, but that does not mean someone is more important than another. God uses each of us in His way, and for His Glory!! I encourage each of you to continue to develop your spiritual gifts and to use them to Glorify God!! :)
Tonight, we had a 4th of July party on the beach! One of the missionaries has property on the beach, so all the "Americans" got together for a 4th of July cookout! It was really nice to hang out, and it made it feel like we were at home celebrating the 4th with family and friends! We had grilled hotdogs, and everyone brought a side dish, chips, or dessert. All of the food was yummy! When we arrived, there were some nasty storm clouds heading our way, but none of us really paid much attention to them. There were a few sprinkles during our celebration, but no rain...yet!! Everyone was packing up to leave, and all of a sudden the "bottom fell out of the sky!" The rain just started pouring down! We were all soaked, but it did not matter, we were all laughing and having a good time!
At the community today, Cierra gave our cameras to two very responsible young men, and we have laughed so hard at the pictures and videos they took!! We both enjoy taking pictures, but it's so nice to actually be in some of our pictures!! Those boys got some really great action shots! We also had a dance party with the moms and kids today! That was tons of fun being able to "shake our booties" with everyone! We also had a photo shoot with our new baby Erika! She is just so precious!! She and Mama are doing great, so thank you all so much for your prayers! Before I left, I ordered some crafts for the kids, and my mom saw this cute kit for new moms. The kit is a frame that you decorate and it comes with a foam piece that you put baby footprints on! It is so cute! So, we got Erika's footprints today, and we are going to make the frame for her sweet mommy Jetride!
Until next time,
Blessings and Love!
Ashley
P.S. thank you all for your patience with me since I have not blogged in a while!
I am so sorry I have not updated you all in a while! Things have gotten busy, and the days are flying by so much faster now that I only have one week left. :(
Yes I am so sad to say that I have one week left. I do not know where the time has gone, and I do not understand why it seems to be speeding up all of a sudden!
The kids went to VBS put on by an American mission team on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. So, when we arrived in the community on Monday, we only had a few of the new moms and like 5 kids which was nice to spend that one on one time with the new moms and few kids! Don't get me wrong, I love having 15 or more moms and 45 or more kids, but it was nice to actually sit, chat, and play games without kids being rambunctious!! Cierra and I blew bubbles for the 3 little girls that were there, and they loved it! They were so cute chasing those bubbles and trying to pop them! Since there were not many people there, we all played a game with the ball! We stood in a circle and passed the ball around, and when the music stopped, whoever was holding the ball was out! They had so much fun playing that game!! The next round we tossed the ball to whoever we wanted, and they laughed even more! The winners got DumDum suckers (at the end everyone got suckers!!) which we used later to teach the lesson. The lesson for Monday was about how God says we are victorious! Stacie asked how it felt to win and get a sucker, and the winners said it feels good to win! The best part is...we win everyday!! We are victorious because Christ has won the battle over evil!! Each day is a new spiritual battle...satan wants to defeat us, but oh the joy that comes when we realize we don't fight the battle! God does, and He ALWAYS WINS!!! We need not fear; all we have to do is wake up each morning and give the day to Him because He is the only one who can fight our battles! Praise the Lord WE ARE VICTORIOUS!!!
Today's lesson was on how God grants us spiritual gifts! Romans 12:4-8 was our Scripture reference for today's lesson. Stacie asked one of the kids if he could write his name on the chalkboard with his feet...he said he could not. She then asked another child can you smell the chalk with your ear...she could not. She asked another child can you eat the chalk with your eye....he could not. Just like our body parts have specific functions, we have specific functions in the body of Christ. Every believer makes up the body, and we have our specific gifts! We explained the gifts to the kids, and we asked if they knew what their gifts were. Some of them did, but most of them did not. Some of the kids Stacie has knows for 3 years, so she has watched their gifts develop and she shared what gifts those kids had. After the lesson, Fritznel prayed for the kids to hear God speaking to them what their gifts are. Then, they kept their eyes shut and sat silently for a while to listen for God's voice. Once they opened their eyes, we asked again if anyone had heard what their gift was from God. A few more of the kids told us what they felt God told them their gifts were! We told them to continue to pray for their gifts to be developed, and that they would use their gifts to glorify God!! We explained that some people have more gifts than others, but that does not mean someone is more important than another. God uses each of us in His way, and for His Glory!! I encourage each of you to continue to develop your spiritual gifts and to use them to Glorify God!! :)
Tonight, we had a 4th of July party on the beach! One of the missionaries has property on the beach, so all the "Americans" got together for a 4th of July cookout! It was really nice to hang out, and it made it feel like we were at home celebrating the 4th with family and friends! We had grilled hotdogs, and everyone brought a side dish, chips, or dessert. All of the food was yummy! When we arrived, there were some nasty storm clouds heading our way, but none of us really paid much attention to them. There were a few sprinkles during our celebration, but no rain...yet!! Everyone was packing up to leave, and all of a sudden the "bottom fell out of the sky!" The rain just started pouring down! We were all soaked, but it did not matter, we were all laughing and having a good time!
At the community today, Cierra gave our cameras to two very responsible young men, and we have laughed so hard at the pictures and videos they took!! We both enjoy taking pictures, but it's so nice to actually be in some of our pictures!! Those boys got some really great action shots! We also had a dance party with the moms and kids today! That was tons of fun being able to "shake our booties" with everyone! We also had a photo shoot with our new baby Erika! She is just so precious!! She and Mama are doing great, so thank you all so much for your prayers! Before I left, I ordered some crafts for the kids, and my mom saw this cute kit for new moms. The kit is a frame that you decorate and it comes with a foam piece that you put baby footprints on! It is so cute! So, we got Erika's footprints today, and we are going to make the frame for her sweet mommy Jetride!
Until next time,
Blessings and Love!
Ashley
P.S. thank you all for your patience with me since I have not blogged in a while!
Friday, June 28, 2013
She is HERE!!
Before I explain the title of my post, I would like to catch you all up on what God has been doing!
Each time we have met in the community, people continue to show up! God is doing wonderful things in this community, and I am so thankful He chose me to be a part of it! We are continuing to max out our numbers each time we go and share God's Word with the community! We have had numbers like 40 or more kids, and about 15 moms the last few times! God is so awesome!
On Monday, we taught the moms and kids about God's LOVE! 1 John 3:18 says that "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." Of course, it always feels nice to hear "I love you!" from someone! Our parents tell us, our grandparents tell us, our siblings tell us, and our friends tell us how much they love us. But, is it enough just to tell someone we love them? No, Jesus tells us we must show others our love by the things we do! For the kids, that truth means don't hit each other, don't call each other mean names, stand up for one another, etc. For the moms it means showing your kids how much they mean to you, encourage each other, help each other out, etc.
There is a special group of young ladies, the Godly Girls, and their precious leader Mrs. Liz Bland who sent me with so many goodies for the kids!! They also sent me with a sweet card telling the kids that they are praying for them, and that they love them! They sent decorated hearts for the moms and kids, and thankfully there were just enough hearts for everyone! We used the hearts from the Godly Girls to demonstrate showing our love for others! We told the kids that this group of girls in America loves them and they are praying for the EHM kids! The kids LOVED their hearts, and I know they were so excited to know that people in America are praying for them and love them!!! Thank you Godly Girls, and Mrs. Liz Bland!!
We all need to show each other how much we care for one another! It's so easy just to say "I love you!", but when you show someone you love them, it means you took time out of your busy schedule just for them! I want to encourage each of you (and I want you all to encourage me!) to be better at showing people how much we love them and care for them! God loves us, so we need to love each other and show that love just as He did when He sent Jesus to die in our place for our sins!
We did not go to the community on Wednesday because we went to Port to pick up my sister, Cierra!! I am so blessed and thankful that she is here with me!! I have always wanted to do missions alongside my sweet sister, and now God has blessed me with the opportunity! So far, she is loving being in the community with everyone!
Yesterday was Cierra's first day in the community, and alot of the kids kept saying "There are 2 Ashley's!"!! It is so funny that people back home think we are twins, and people in Haiti think we are twins too! They picked up her name quickly, and all of the little girls LOVE playing with Cierra's LONG hair! She wasn't even here but one day, and she let Assefie braid her hair! It's so cute! I will post a picture of her hair soon!
We went to the community again today! The lesson was about being confident in the Lord! God told us and showed us numerous times in His Word that He keeps His promises, so we can rest assured and be confident that He will do the same for us! He has promised us a hope and a future! We can be confident in His love that NEVER FAILS! God loves us no matter what we do; however, we do suffer consequences. Stacie's example today was Saul who was converted to Paul. Saul had been killing many Christians, but God chose him to spread His Word. So God blinded Saul on his journey to get his attention (this was a consequence for his sins), but once he repented and accepted God's plan, he was able to see again. Because of his conversion, Saul became Paul who did amazing things for the Kingdom of God!! What a blessing it is to know that when we mess up, God is waiting with His arms open wide for us to run back to Him! He then will wash away our sins when we ask, and make us new!! We can be CONFIDENT in that truth!!
Okay so I am sure you all are wanting to know why my title is "She is HERE!!" When I arrived 6 weeks ago, there was a pregnant lady in the ministry. Her name is Jetride! She is so sweet, and such a Godly mom! She is a mother to 3 boys, and she was expecting a girl! Of course, we were all thrilled that after 3 boys, she was having a girl! She was supposed to be due in May. However, because their medical system is not as modern as in America, she was not really sure when she was due. Anyway, the moms told us yesterday that she was in the hospital. Then today they told us she was still there with no baby! So, after the feeding program, we rode to the hospital to check on her. When we got there, she was in the delivery room!! About 2 minutes after we got there, this sweet baby girl made her entrance into the world!! She is beautiful!! We have been calling her Erica for the past few weeks because the dad is named Eric, but we do not know for sure what her name will be! I will let you all know as soon as the decision is made!
This baby girl is such a blessing, and she is the first newborn for Empowering Haitian Moms!! Be praying for this baby girl, and her family as they all adjust to life with a newborn! Pray that she will grow up knowing how much God loves her and cherishes her! He chose her! Pray that she understands how to show God's love, and how to be confident in His love that never fails! Pray for her mommy and daddy to be able to pour into her how much God loves her and cares for her! Pray for fantastic health for mom and baby in the weeks and months to come!
Of course, the baby is such a blessing, and she is adorable! I will be posting a picture shortly! But it was also really interesting to see the maternity wing of the hospital in Saint Marc! It literally was pregnant moms laying on hospital beds throughout different rooms. There was a delivery room, but they did not take you to it until you were literally having the baby. As soon as you were finished and the baby was semi-cleaned, they wheeled you back to your bed in a wheelchair. Then, you climbed into your bed. The hospital keeps you for a few hours just to make sure everything looks okay, and then they send you on your way. For Americans, this seems crazy! However, they do not know any different, so it's normal to them.
Continue to be in prayer for a vehicle for Empowering Haitian Moms! Stacie is going home July 13th for a few weeks, and we are all praying and believing that she will be able to receive a vehicle that she can ship to Haiti while she is home! Also, continue to be praying about how you can help Empowering Haitian Moms! There are so many ways to get involved! :)
Thank you all for your continued prayers and encouragement!
Blessings and Love!
Ashley
Each time we have met in the community, people continue to show up! God is doing wonderful things in this community, and I am so thankful He chose me to be a part of it! We are continuing to max out our numbers each time we go and share God's Word with the community! We have had numbers like 40 or more kids, and about 15 moms the last few times! God is so awesome!
On Monday, we taught the moms and kids about God's LOVE! 1 John 3:18 says that "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." Of course, it always feels nice to hear "I love you!" from someone! Our parents tell us, our grandparents tell us, our siblings tell us, and our friends tell us how much they love us. But, is it enough just to tell someone we love them? No, Jesus tells us we must show others our love by the things we do! For the kids, that truth means don't hit each other, don't call each other mean names, stand up for one another, etc. For the moms it means showing your kids how much they mean to you, encourage each other, help each other out, etc.
There is a special group of young ladies, the Godly Girls, and their precious leader Mrs. Liz Bland who sent me with so many goodies for the kids!! They also sent me with a sweet card telling the kids that they are praying for them, and that they love them! They sent decorated hearts for the moms and kids, and thankfully there were just enough hearts for everyone! We used the hearts from the Godly Girls to demonstrate showing our love for others! We told the kids that this group of girls in America loves them and they are praying for the EHM kids! The kids LOVED their hearts, and I know they were so excited to know that people in America are praying for them and love them!!! Thank you Godly Girls, and Mrs. Liz Bland!!
We all need to show each other how much we care for one another! It's so easy just to say "I love you!", but when you show someone you love them, it means you took time out of your busy schedule just for them! I want to encourage each of you (and I want you all to encourage me!) to be better at showing people how much we love them and care for them! God loves us, so we need to love each other and show that love just as He did when He sent Jesus to die in our place for our sins!
We did not go to the community on Wednesday because we went to Port to pick up my sister, Cierra!! I am so blessed and thankful that she is here with me!! I have always wanted to do missions alongside my sweet sister, and now God has blessed me with the opportunity! So far, she is loving being in the community with everyone!
Yesterday was Cierra's first day in the community, and alot of the kids kept saying "There are 2 Ashley's!"!! It is so funny that people back home think we are twins, and people in Haiti think we are twins too! They picked up her name quickly, and all of the little girls LOVE playing with Cierra's LONG hair! She wasn't even here but one day, and she let Assefie braid her hair! It's so cute! I will post a picture of her hair soon!
We went to the community again today! The lesson was about being confident in the Lord! God told us and showed us numerous times in His Word that He keeps His promises, so we can rest assured and be confident that He will do the same for us! He has promised us a hope and a future! We can be confident in His love that NEVER FAILS! God loves us no matter what we do; however, we do suffer consequences. Stacie's example today was Saul who was converted to Paul. Saul had been killing many Christians, but God chose him to spread His Word. So God blinded Saul on his journey to get his attention (this was a consequence for his sins), but once he repented and accepted God's plan, he was able to see again. Because of his conversion, Saul became Paul who did amazing things for the Kingdom of God!! What a blessing it is to know that when we mess up, God is waiting with His arms open wide for us to run back to Him! He then will wash away our sins when we ask, and make us new!! We can be CONFIDENT in that truth!!
Okay so I am sure you all are wanting to know why my title is "She is HERE!!" When I arrived 6 weeks ago, there was a pregnant lady in the ministry. Her name is Jetride! She is so sweet, and such a Godly mom! She is a mother to 3 boys, and she was expecting a girl! Of course, we were all thrilled that after 3 boys, she was having a girl! She was supposed to be due in May. However, because their medical system is not as modern as in America, she was not really sure when she was due. Anyway, the moms told us yesterday that she was in the hospital. Then today they told us she was still there with no baby! So, after the feeding program, we rode to the hospital to check on her. When we got there, she was in the delivery room!! About 2 minutes after we got there, this sweet baby girl made her entrance into the world!! She is beautiful!! We have been calling her Erica for the past few weeks because the dad is named Eric, but we do not know for sure what her name will be! I will let you all know as soon as the decision is made!
This baby girl is such a blessing, and she is the first newborn for Empowering Haitian Moms!! Be praying for this baby girl, and her family as they all adjust to life with a newborn! Pray that she will grow up knowing how much God loves her and cherishes her! He chose her! Pray that she understands how to show God's love, and how to be confident in His love that never fails! Pray for her mommy and daddy to be able to pour into her how much God loves her and cares for her! Pray for fantastic health for mom and baby in the weeks and months to come!
Of course, the baby is such a blessing, and she is adorable! I will be posting a picture shortly! But it was also really interesting to see the maternity wing of the hospital in Saint Marc! It literally was pregnant moms laying on hospital beds throughout different rooms. There was a delivery room, but they did not take you to it until you were literally having the baby. As soon as you were finished and the baby was semi-cleaned, they wheeled you back to your bed in a wheelchair. Then, you climbed into your bed. The hospital keeps you for a few hours just to make sure everything looks okay, and then they send you on your way. For Americans, this seems crazy! However, they do not know any different, so it's normal to them.
Continue to be in prayer for a vehicle for Empowering Haitian Moms! Stacie is going home July 13th for a few weeks, and we are all praying and believing that she will be able to receive a vehicle that she can ship to Haiti while she is home! Also, continue to be praying about how you can help Empowering Haitian Moms! There are so many ways to get involved! :)
Thank you all for your continued prayers and encouragement!
Blessings and Love!
Ashley
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