Terah's First Blog in Haiti "Desperation"

Today we went to an church to give out shoe boxes. We got there and sang then my dad preached and then it was time for shoe boxes. The chaos was unexplainable. I got these two little girls (sisters) each a shoe boxe which included lots of pushing and yelling. Finally the Haitian pastor that came with us said get the missionary kids out! So me and my friends went to the back of the room and saw people giving out shoe boxes get pulled in the crowd and a girl hurt her already broken finger. Then all of a sudden we saw them just throw the shoe boxes out to he crowd to get them away from the people giving out shoe boxes. We got out just before they started fighting over a box right where we were sitting. So we stayed out there for awhile when I saw three sisters (ages: 6,4, and 2) walk out with nothing. I talked to them and gave them a few things and walked away feeling sadness for the kids who sat there waiting their turn. Later I found out that they had been sitting there for almost 5 hours waiting for us to come. That is the face of poverty. That is not someone who is mean and who will just grab the shoe box. That is the face of someone who is so  desperate something in a tiny shoe box. often we forget how much we have compared to the rest of the world. We have so much and take it all for granted.   

The Reactions...

First off, thank you for the travelers that journeyed with us to  get us here.  It was so hard to say goodbye to each of you, but the journey has begun and it is so right!

Ava's Return...

Wow!  I have never seen Ava quiet, until last night.  As we drove up to the orphanage last night, the kids were all chanting "Ava, Ava, Ava."  As we carried her in, she was immediatiely taken and passed around.  Her eyes were huge!  As she was carried around the orphanage there was a large crowd following her.  

As to how she is handling it all...tonight as we we FaceTimed with PeePaw and MeeMaw, she said..."

"I love Haiti and I am a Supertar."  Please pray for humility! 

Jordan's Reaction 

This was one I was unsure about.  But I can honestly say after 24 hours, he is doing quiet well.  Today he gave one of his trains away to a little boy that was crying.  Tonight before dinner, I leaned upon a fence and watched him play his heart out with other kids.  A huge thank you to Christine Bogdanoff, she has been awesome with him.

Terah's Reaction 

Terah as we suspected is in her element.  Walking around holding kids, chilling with the other missionary kids, and being Terah, is the best way to describe her.  We had a moment today...as she was walking away from bringing me water, she called out..."Daddy, this is our life!"  To which I responded..."What do you think beautiful?"  She said with huge smile, "I LOVE IT!"

Christi's Reaction 

It goes without saying that Christi loves this country.  Almost 8 years ago she stepped in Haiti for the first time and has not been able to get it out of our soul ever since.  She is my hero.  The way she pours out with love and service to all around her is so amazing!  I love you sweetie.

My Reaction 

Dude!  How can I sum it up in a short enough version that you will actually read it?  Let's just say the Scriptures are so alive here.  I am in love with my Jesus!  What he allowed me to walk through in just today is humbling!  God, thank you for calling us here!

Mwen remem ou!  

(We love you!)

Merry Christmas

Don't forget the greater purpose of  "baby Jesus".  Check it out...

Saying Goodbye...

Today I said good-bye to my Coder classmates. It was hard leaving everyone, especially when one of my best friends  break out crying at the end of P.E. I don't know what my emotions are. It seems like I was always telling myself that I still had lots of days, or yay school is almost out. But it was here and it passed. My friends have been like sisters to me. We were magnets that no one could separate. But even the strongest magnets eventually break. And I am the magnet that was pulled off. I will never ever forget them. I will miss them.... ALOT!!!

To Coder Elementary

Life Changers:

I want to thank you all for loving my children.   The way you received my family is something we will always remember.

On the way home there was a silence in the car that was deafening amongst Jordan and Ava.  I was in the front driving through the tears that was flowing from my eyes.  The tears were those that you always want a reason to have but you never want to experience.

Let me explain...

There are a few things in your life that you really long for, one of them being that your children are loved and are safe.  When you place them out in the "world" you only pray and hope that they are surrounded by others that love and care for them with the same mindset that you have.  When this occurs, you are overjoyed.  This was the reason for the tears driving home today.

You guys at Coder loved our family beyond anything we have experienced.  We are very grateful for the way you opened up your lives to our family.  Words cannot express the gratitude we have.  Please know that what you do makes a difference each day.  Please know that the long hours do make an impact.  The patience, joy, and love does not go without notice!

When I headed to Coder today to pick up the kids for the last time, I had no idea the emotion that I would feel.  The deep feeling originates only from those that open their lives to you and receive yours for what it is.

We love each of you and will miss you dearly.

John, Christi, Terah, Ava, and Jordan

The House With Upstairs and a Backyard

Sounds like a funny name for a blog title, but that is our reality right now.  For the last few days that has been the question reverberating around our dinner table.

Jordan asked Christi and I where our house was?
"You know momma and daddy the one with upstairs and a backyard!"

Change is real for our family right now, and we are all feeling it.  To step out in this journey the unknowns are a constant conversation upon my tongue to God.  I find myself asking him to relieve the pressure on the little ones and give me, John, wisdom on how to serve them and walk with them through this change.  Not combatting their answers with quick responses but taking the time to listen and direct them along this path.

I covet your prayers for our kids as they journey with us.

To GOD be the Glory!

The Right Perspective

On our way back from the kids getting shots, Terah shout out, "Oh my..."  Concerned with what was wrong, I asked her.  She responded with reading a report from International Justice Mission.  Here is part of the story she was reading:

"Last fall, Malavika was five years old – the age my own daughters started school. But Malavika was spending each day as she had the one before: sitting on the hard dirt next to her mother, helping to crush rocks, as her father carried massive stones out of a deep pit. Though she was young, Malavika knew enough to understand her home – a remote and massive granite quarry – was a terrible place.

Malavika’s parents were slaves. The fabric of her childhood was a cycle of abuse, pain, work and need. It was hearing the vulgar shouts of the owner and his henchmen berating the labourers and threatening to sexually assault the women..."  (A link to the entire story)

As she was reading the story, I had a reality check.  It is so important for us to to keep a KINGOM PERSPECTIVE; such as the one Jesus shares in Matthew 6:20.

When she finished reading , Terah and I had a daddy-daughter moment.  One in which we felt the same emotion  The soul thought was how important it is for us to keep our heart on the following:

1.  Jesus loves us.

2.  Jesus has placed a deep love for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

3.  Jesus has called us to serve in Haiti.

4.  We have no other choice but to obey Jesus.

As we get ever so close December 27th, we more than ever have to keep the Kingdom perspective.  It is easy to get wrapped up in "what you are leaving" instead of the "ONE who is calling?"

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Saying Goodbye To My Dog

One of the hardest parts was leaving my dog, kelsey. I have had her since I was five. She was one of my christmas gifts. It seemed like she was always there through my moves to new schools to my families move from Colorado to Texas. She was there trudging through the snow when she'd rather be in her nice warm bed by the fire. She was always there, and I thought she always would be there. But you don't know how much you love things until they're gone. I know that what we are doing in haiti is much bigger than that. But nothing will replace the spot that Kelsey had, and always will have in my heart .