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