3 things I have learned already...

Bonjour

We are finally at NWHCM and we are in our house.  You all should come over some time, we would love to show you around!  :)

Let's jump right in...3 things I have learned or have been reconfirmed in the last 36 hours:

1.  God's Scripture is so powerful..."sharper than any double edge sword"  The word is a so revealing of who we are but more importantly who Christ is!  The Word brings freedom, conviction, peace, etc.  We are resonating  to the words that Jesus stated that "man does not live by bread alone but every word that comes from the mouth of GOD.!

2.  Satan is real.  He is actively engaged in the destruction/distraction of what is going on.  But oh the power of knowing that "He that lives in us is greater than He that is in the world."  

3.  We live among radicals.  

This mornings after our 6:30 am meeting with the family here at NWHCM, I was able to spend some time with a radical named Courtney Pierce.  Courtney's act of obedience to Christ at NWHCM, in her own words is to; 

"I oversee a facility set up for all those who have limitations living in the Northwest zone of Haiti. We currecntly have a disability residential care (Miriam Home), a residential care set up for those who are terminally ill and or just fragile (Rou's Corner), an Outreach Program for families with special needs kids (For Jonathan Sake Outreach), Special Education Program (Luke 2:52 School) and a Deaf School and Outreach (Prince of Peace Deaf Ministry)

We are so blessed to be walking among followers like Courtney here at NWHCM.  Here is a 25 year old that have forsaken all to find that which Jesus is in and in the midst of.  To hear her share her love for the the children here blow me away and I could not help but here the words of Jesus as she was sharing; 

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  

We miss you all and love you dearly, thank you for being part of the journey

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!!!