The Choices we make dictate the Life we live!

This past week in Haiti has been one that we could have had any given week in the U.S. over the past few decades in youth ministry.  Seeing devastating consequences of choices -
We can say that it has been heart breaking...
The week started with our first of the month family meeting.  We rejoiced as Vanah shared about her experience at the embassy with her student visa but also the realization of the seriousness life here needs, the confidence that only Christ can give and the purposeful moving forward in respect, honor and integrity but mostly the awareness of the blessings God has given us as a family in Haiti.
We looked at the cost of obedience, as well as the blessing and the HoM students were challenged to live a life worthy of the call.  To do their best as working unto the Lord AND that we all have CHOICES and the choices we make dictate the life we live.
 (Col.3:25) helped sum up the time of challenge as we reminded them that kingdom goals of leadership and discipleship are the focus for their hearts and lives in this home.
It was the end of their first trimester exams, and they all worked and studied hard hoping to find great success on their exams.  
     Then, one of our students earned his third strike in six months, which means they choose to relinquish their position in the leadership ministry.  This was emotionally hard for us as a family but it has revealed so much to us all.  We are walking with him as he transitions into his culture for the first time and we are still claiming victory for this young man as a leader in this culture through prayer and support.
     We lifted up friends in the U.S. who also struggled with choices and consequences this week.  It was once again painfully obvious that our choices don't only affect us but the ones that love us the most and our closest to us.  On the other hand, we have seen that what Satan means for harm, God can use for good.  (Rom.8:28)  As we pray for our friends in the states enduring things with their children, we have seen our other children grow stronger and our family's faith support one another in hard times.

     God has also encouraged us through choices of obedience in many other ways:
- We FINALLY got the bunk bed we ordered months ago for our students and now we have one of the two beds we needed fixed complete!  (It's the little victories in Haiti - LOL!)
-We got to see our friend Bruce and he helped us begin the process of our battery/inverter system for more electricity...(eventually)
-We went to Sonlight and got to visit with our sweet friends there and be encouraged by their education ministry!  It was refreshing to see kingdom excellence being lived out in Haiti!
-We got to see our employees and their children, friends (Niason), siblings of our students and our own students persevere through colds, allergies and sickness this week as God healed them!
- Thursday night Bible study was a packed house!!!  Students continue to invite friends, neighbors come and we grow as a community and Acts 2 church as we dig into God's Word!
-The HoM family officially has a "home" church that we have committed to and are excited to dive deep in as we serve!

Closing the week, Ognot attended the Saturday morning Sunrise club in our village that we do some English, education and teen advice with.  Dr. Tony (wonderful Haitian doctor) was there teaching about STD's and good sexual CHOICES which is abstinence.  Then, we did English and talked about faith and the unjust and just choices of the foundation of Haiti and choices of the foundation of America.  It was refreshing and entertaining as Ognot came home shaking his head in pleasure as he realized that they aren't the only ones we "preach" too!  I closed with a quote from my Mom, "It's okay to shoot for the stars and miss but it's not okay to aim for nothing and make it!"

John and I got a date for the first time in 2 1/2 months!  It was awesome! We soaked in the time basking in where God has brought us from and the complete unity he confirmed in us this week as an answer to prayer as to where we are going-continuing to believe God for great things as the gospel goes forth changing lives.  We are totally committed to the lives God has entrusted in the ministry of HoM.  We love what God is doing in our life and in Haiti all around us...

Our final blow and close of the week was to find out that one of the "brothers" of our students that came from the orphanage they grew up in got arrested.  Today was sobering as we traveled to the jail as a family to pray with and encourage him.  The vision of the tears streaming down this very young man's face as he waits for trial before the strong possibility of going to PdP Prison will be etched in my heart and mind for a while and I know that I'm not the only one.  I think as the HoM family prepares for our Sunday night Praise and Prayer service we are thankful for God's blessings and aware of the costs if we take our eyes off of Him.
To him be the glory as we daily seek his strength in every. single. choice.