tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69559994293172653482024-03-06T02:47:21.819-05:00Tender TenacityIN HOPE & PRAYER, IN EXPECTATION & LOVE
<br> Philippians 1:6Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-26923549451386426092017-06-25T20:30:00.001-04:002017-06-25T20:30:04.812-04:00Fan template<div dir="auto"><a href="http://www.ayleebits.com/2006/06/10/diy-fan-programs/">http://www.ayleebits.com/2006/06/10/diy-fan-programs/</a></div> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-16078207475546683562013-04-15T17:30:00.000-04:002013-04-15T17:39:24.090-04:00YesterdayI leave my apartment late, this morning, on my way to church.<br />
It is quiet and I walk and think about this being my last descent to the Church of Hope. I had wondered while I had gotten dressed just what I would experience. I had prayed that I would be open to worship and to hear from the Lord, not distracted by my self or any one or any thing else. <br />
I hear the singing and it is lovely - the song about that good, that great day when Christ washed my sins away. It is a breezy and hot morning. I pause outside of children's church to wipe off Matthew's face (he's one of our preschoolers). He had fallen and had dust all over his face. I ask if he is okay. He isn't. I ask if he needs something. He shrugs. Maybe water? Yes. <br />
Face wiped, water drunk, fist full of plastic forks and spoons (who knows?? he's a little boy!), spring in his step, he goes back into children's church.<br />
I walk down the sidewalk to the church, circle around and enter through the door closest to where our kids sit. It is a full church today, not a lot of empty seats and our kids are scattered in their section with the rest of our church family. I walk up the aisle to find a seat and decide to sit near the front of the section. As I make my way there I see Linda. <br />
She is a dear lady with a house full of boys. Whenever they are around I sit with her and Ralph, her youngest, who is very tiny for his few years but is such a sweet boy. He doesn't go to children's church. I wonder if he is too small. He sits with his mom and munches on crackers or cheesies and usually has a nap. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irresistible Ralph</td></tr>
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But today is different. <br />
I hadn't seen Linda since before Christmas, and at that time she was expecting. <br />
Today she holds her tiny new daughter! <br />
Born exactly 6 weeks ago, little Isou (her name is something close to that and with my glee I don't write it down!) is wrapped in a baby blanket, snuggling with Linda. <br />
Of all the gifts on my last day of Sunday church...!<br />
I hug Linda twice and tell her how happy I am to see her on my final Sunday. <br />
And how happy I am that she had had a little girl! She grins and nods in her charming way and we just stare at the baby for a while.<br />
I sit with the three of them and, without protest when offered, hold baby Isou for most of the service. <br />
Linda has had some difficulties with her pregnancies and usually has the babies early - I guess that's why Ralph's so tiny too. Linda is a sweet and loving lady. She is very thin herself but she takes great care of her kids. I met Linda's husband last summer. She was so pleased that he came to church and was introducing him to all her friends. I haven't seen him since then.<br />
During this time of endings in my personal life I sit and soak in the feeling of being loved and blessed with the gift of cradling such a precious new life. <br />
I listen to the preacher (a guest from Compassion International whom I'd met last summer when he did a seminar with our teens... no comment), and we sing the brilliant Creole songs that I've come to love and I weep at the thought of my sad (as in pathetic) lonely voice singing them alone in the weeks and months ahead - there is something about corporate praise and worship here in Haiti that whets one's appetite for the heavenly praise and worship that I anticipate will be part of our forevers.<br />
And the Spirit keeps whispering, as I study Isou's face, "Behold, I am making all things new..."<br />
Which is from the book of Revelation (21:5). <br />
Where we learn that there will be a new heaven and a new earth and peace and love will rule, and our Saviour, who went through death and came back, has covered it with his blood. And He covers us.<br />
And He calls us out. <br />
Out to new things, new places, new seasons; yes. But ultimately to Himself - to a rebirth IN Him who makes everything that is old and tired and worn and broken and used and ugly and dead... He makes it NEW:<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<em>and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, <span class="text Rev-21-4" id="en-NASB-31059">and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”</span> </em></div>
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<span class="text Rev-21-5" id="en-NASB-31060"><em>And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”</em></span></div>
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<span class="text Rev-21-5"></span> </div>
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<span class="text Rev-21-5">And suddenly I tune in to His gifts again.</span></div>
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<span class="text Rev-21-5">And I am humbled (again) by the beauty and gentleness of the Creator (of <em>every</em>thing - including beginnings and endings).</span></div>
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<span class="text Rev-21-5">And, though it feels long and drawn out over these weeks and days, it is somehow more okay to leave this place and this role and this season and these people. </span></div>
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<span class="text Rev-21-5"></span> </div>
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<span class="text Rev-21-5">Now, come and gaze with me...</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-63902865947222296632013-04-05T23:12:00.004-04:002013-04-05T23:12:57.575-04:00What are you known for?Scratch that. What am <em>I </em>known for? <br />
I've been reading about making disciples (the MOH staff are reading Chan's <u><a href="http://www.francischan.org/#/multiply" target="_blank">Multiply</a></u>) and about how the Bible says we, as the church, will be known. Jesus, Paul and John say we'll be known by our <em>love</em>, our <em>unity</em> and our <em>hope</em>.<br />
<br />
It's a strange time for me here. Two weeks from today I leave the mission, my friends, my surrogate family, all the Haitian Mommies and Daddies and the kids that I love so desperately.<br />
<br />
When you leave for just a few days or weeks the news of your departure is met with a lot of "what will you be bringing back for me?" type of questions. The kids always want photographs of themselves (which in and of itself is a funny but meaningful thing as they are sorting out their stories in the strangeness of being a child of an orphanage).<br />
<br />
But when you break the news, as I did last week, that you are finished your time living day to day in their lives - it is a different conversation that flows out of that kind of announcement. <br />
<br />
Now, recently, our kids and staff (both Haitian and North American) have had to say some quick goodbyes. Some people have left within days of announcing their departure (for different reasons). The quick-leave causes a different kind of grief. It's like ripping a bandage off. There's that initial painful protest, but then it's over and all that is left, for better or worse, is the wound to nurse.<br />
<br />
We have had that.<br />
<br />
This, my leaving, is different feeling to me. It was a surprise to all, including me, that my time here would end as soon as it is. I had a couple of weeks to figure out how it would be okay for me to go and then it was decided and, soon after, made public: I would be leaving in about 3 weeks. <br />
<br />
That's a slow rip. <br />
<br />
The time has been calculated so that I can do my best to finish well what I have been doing within the Art Therapy setting. The rest of the hours in the day, however, have become strange.<br />
<br />
I am working on a teaching and discipling curriculum for our Haitian staff in the orphanage. It is designed to orient them to the mission and support them in increased knowledge and parenting skills - but I will have no part in teaching them or supporting them or anything that will go with the program. Those are bittersweet hours of writing and making sense of data and concepts for them to improve their work... thinking of each of them and the children they parent and hopes I have for all - but will not bear witness to.<br />
<br />
Then there are the hours with other North American staff. Only a very few have broached the subject of my leaving in meaningful conversation. Oh, lots of sad looks and I'll miss you's, but talking about how things really are is not easy or really part of the culture here where so much change happens so frequently - and change is another great reason we all keep relationships at a level of comfort... well, not change, we just call it that. Change happens all the time everywhere and often a lot more than here inside our bubble at the mission. I think the real name is fear. But fear in the form of self-preservation. <br />
<br />
And then there's the business of life here and everyone's directive to "run hard" - which keeps that ever-changing team focused on their tasks and goals and timelines. And I respect that and want to give it space in this mission culture.<br />
<br />
This processing during the leaving is heavy.<br />
<br />
But back to the question: what do I want to be known for? I don't really care for the idea of being known for writing programs but not working them out in relation to the people they're intended for. That's just not how I'm wired.<br />
<br />
Certainly not fear nor self-preservation. Even if it's been real in my life I don't want to be <em>known</em> for that.<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
There are other hours of the day. And these hours, spent with the kids, are teaching me what I may or may not want to know: what they know me for.<br />
<br />
And it's hard and lovely and tentative and sad and makes me melt like chocolate in Haiti.<br />
<br />
Because they are sad I'm leaving and are sweet and loving children and teens and Mommies who want me to be sure to remember I am loved and have been enjoyed and appreciated and will be missed. And so:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Good things are being said to me, things that I hear with a heart of love and sorrow and things which I know are designed to clarify to me their love and their sadness at me leaving... so perhaps not how they have always thought or felt about me - but how they are thinking and feeling now & sweet music to my heart always.</li>
<li>Funny and tender things which they may not have ever felt comfortable sharing before they knew I would be leaving - and so treasures with which I must be careful.</li>
<li>Honest ideas and memories that, because I will leave, have cause to come to mind again in my presence... "remember when you said that thing that time?" they remind me with laughter... "I really like how you do this thing with us..." they say with a hand on my arm or fingers in my hair... "when will you visit us? and when you do will you stay in my room?"...</li>
</ul>
<br />
And I want to spend <em>all</em> my hours with them but I know my heart would burst. And so the hours I do have in the orphanage I am trying to use well, to honour each person's spirit, to talk with them and look them in the eye, to hug a lot, and to turn conversation to truth in Christ. <br />
<br />
They have a lot of questions about why I'm going, how God told me to go, was it in a dream, did the mission kick me out, why can't I just stay and keep working? I love them more for asking. I love them for so many things. And I want to assure them that things will be alright - better than alright because God's plan for us is so full of His love for us that we can fully count on that ridiculous and inexplicable joy and love and peace in our spirits as we live for Him.<br />
<br />
And that is the truth<br />
<br />
And it is also true that life is hard. They know that, perhaps, better than I ever will. They know loss in a way that I've only been afraid of. <br />
<br />
And I think of how I know them: for their resilience, their brilliant resourcefulness, their indomitable strength of will... their beauty.<br />
<br />
What I want for them, and for me, is that we be known for our love, our unity and our hope. This is our calling. This, as I start to pack, steal moments with children and kisses from babies, work through terminating Art Therapy sessions with precious ones, seek the Mommy who's hand I haven't held this week, write Bible-based curriculum, socialize with dear friends and just say a slow goodbye... this is my prayer now, again:<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
</div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<span class="text Phil-4-4">Rejoice in the Lord <em>always</em>. I will say it again: Rejoice!</span><span class="text Phil-4-5" id="en-NIV-29448"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>Let your gentleness be evident to all. <em>The Lord is near</em>.</span><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.</span><span class="text Phil-4-7" id="en-NIV-29450"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</span></div>
<span class="text Phil-4-7"></span><span class="text Eph-3-14" id="en-NIV-29266"></span><br />
<div class="passage version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<span class="text Eph-3-14">For this reason I kneel before the Father,</span> <span class="text Eph-3-15" id="en-NIV-29267">from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.</span> <span class="text Eph-3-16" id="en-NIV-29268">I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,</span><span class="text Eph-3-17" id="en-NIV-29269"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being <em>rooted and established in love</em>,</span> <span class="text Eph-3-18" id="en-NIV-29270"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,</span><span class="text Eph-3-19" id="en-NIV-29271"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be <em>filled to the measure of all the fullness of God</em>.</span></div>
<div class="passage version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<span class="text Eph-3-19"></span> </div>
<div class="passage version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<span class="text Eph-3-20" id="en-NIV-29272">Now to him who is able to do <em>immeasurably more</em> than all we ask or imagine, <em>according to his</em> <em>power that is at work within us</em>,</span><span class="text Eph-3-21" id="en-NIV-29273"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.</span></div>
<div class="passage version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<span class="text Eph-3-21"></span> </div>
<div class="passage version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<span class="text Eph-3-21">Philippians 4:4-7 and Ephesians 3:14-21</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-71189799257408951282013-03-15T15:06:00.000-04:002013-03-15T15:06:43.209-04:00"It must sometimes break your heart"<div class="gmail_extra">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>It breaks my heart consistently. That's probably the biggest reason I've stayed here most of the last two years - second only to my (sometimes wavering, if I'm honest) desire to be obedient to the Lord. But you know what I've realised? It is out of my own brokenness that I can best love and serve the broken. I do cry a lot for them and call out to God on their behalf too. And this deepens my love for these precious children of our Father. And then, on days like today, I am confident that </em>that <em>is the greatest thing in this life - to love with Jesus' love and to pray for each other.</em> <br />
</blockquote>
I wrote this to a friend from years past in an email today. <br />
<br />
Then I thought, if I really believe that, I need to back it up.<br />
<br />
So I'd like to ask you to pray for a young girl I am working with. I cannot describe her more succinctly than to say she is an utterly chaotic, never satisfied vacuum. On the exterior she is pushy and sometimes overly friendly while other times cold and distant. Her hunger is for love and only our Redeemer can satisfy. Her pain and brokenness is deep and ugly and riddled with shame. And when I am with her I can feel how she desperately tries to both connect with others and to not be destroyed by what is happening inside. It affects every part of her and every part betrays the pain, if you're looking.<br />
It is one of the heaviest things I've experienced but I know I do not carry it alone. I love her, but she is not <em>mine</em>. She is one of the orphanage children, but she does not belong <em>to </em>Mission of Hope. She belongs to Jesus and He is transforming her - He alone has the power to heal this child's horror. Not only is He healing her, He is redeeming her and WILL use every bit of her story and pain to multiply His beauty and love.<br />
So, please, help me love her by praying for her - not by name, but by heart. Pray to release her into His power and light. Her redemption story is already brilliant and God is <em>forever</em> faithful to His children. <br />
Our hope is endless. <br />
There is <em>no end</em> to our Hope in Christ!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-87516830979272566222013-03-15T00:04:00.000-04:002013-03-15T00:04:48.821-04:00Mackenlove<span class="messageBody"><span class="userContent">Today we welcome Mackenlove! <br /> Mackenlove is the newest edition to the Village of Hope Family. He is about 20 months old. He arrived this afternoon and had time to play with his new brothers and sisters and eat a great supper before falling fast asleep in his crib.<br /> Please pray with us for this sweet little boy as he adjusts to his new home, his 63 new siblings and life here at MOH. <br /> Our loving Father has placed him here and we are honoured to have him in our family.</span></span><br />
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Christella snuggling with Mackenlove</div>
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Mackenlove with some of his sweet new brothers. </div>
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They were so welcoming as they shared toys and chatted away to him.</div>
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With exicited big brother, Iverson.</div>
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Soudline (helping Mackenlove smile) with Julien.</div>
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<span class="messageBody"><span class="userContent">Welcome Mackenlove!!</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-16721936874241509422013-02-18T08:47:00.001-05:002013-02-18T08:47:24.495-05:00Embracing HopeMy friend Diana is one of the greatest treasures I've touched on in Haiti. <br />
She is from Ontario and has been teaching the missionary children here at MOH for 5 years or so. <br />
She is brilliant and humble and always ready with an encouraging smile and a soft word of love. <br />
Sometimes when I am around her I realize how my heart has become hard in ways that I haven't been noticing - I see it because her heart is so gentle - and I desire and pray for softening.<br />
I love that we can do that for each other; as brothers and sisters reflecting back the Spirit in us, to each other.<br />
Diana writes great blogs and I read one this morning that I want you to read.<br />
The title of the post is "Pote mwen" here's the link: <a href="http://embracing-hope.blogspot.com/">http://embracing-hope.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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Sometimes it's hard to find words for life, and sometimes, especially, life here. Yet there really is so much to share - so read her post and her perspective and hear the Holy Spirit in her.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-29813252194644950032013-01-22T18:49:00.000-05:002013-01-22T18:49:09.913-05:00Re-posting ... comes after recyling, right?I know I posted a link to the MOH updates page about Clinton just the other day, but here is another one worth reading: <a href="http://mohhaiti.org/posts/82#.UP7rss0lKOU" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://mohhaiti.org/posts/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>82#.UP7rss0lKOU</a><br />
It is a link to the MOH blog page and this entry was written by a friend of mine, Ruben, who is so full of life and faith - he has a contagious spirit!<br />
I hope you let his brief story bless you. He is one of a group of young leaders being sponsored to study at the college and being poured into by our staff. Training them, educating them, equipping and empowering them - I picture God fist-pumping at each step in their journey. It's men like Ruben who can really be used by the Lord to change this country... and we get to ride along, at least for a ways!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-47154536042776422452013-01-22T11:43:00.000-05:002013-01-22T11:43:12.461-05:00We Recycle!This news really confused my mouth.<br />
I didn't know I could smile so big while my jaw was on the floor.<br />
In a country where, when you're done with something (whether it be a water bottle or a tire), it is common drop it and walk away, the organizations that are re-using and re-purposing trash are held, by me, in very high esteem. Now we at MOH certainly don't dump our trash on the side of the road. We burn what we can and the rest has it's own place, a place I never like to go, a place people shouldn't really go, but a very necessary place. We do a pretty good job with our trash. Sounds dramatic, but it's just a mini land-fill sort of deal. <br />
But, upon return to MOH after my Christmas time at home, I have learned that we are kicking it up a notch. A beautiful, big, fat, lovely notch.<br />
Not only are we recylcing the thousands upon thousands of cardboard boxes we accumulate each year, we are sending them to ... <a href="http://apparentproject.org/" target="_blank">The Apparent Project</a>!!!!<br />
Even better than recylcing, we are supporting <a href="http://apparentproject.org/mission.html" target="_blank">The Apparent Project's mission</a> to employ Haitians in order to keep families in tact, healthy, happy and connected with the gospel of Christ!<br />
Do go to their website and look around. I gifted some of their beaded ornaments at Christmas - they are just lovely! In the future we can expect many of their paper beads to be made by boxes have passed through MOH hands! <br />
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I just LOVE when stuff like this connection happens. LOVE IT!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-40938113883209673312013-01-20T19:40:00.001-05:002013-01-20T19:40:22.210-05:00Hey, Bill.<em>"Bill Clinton Foundation Works With MOH!"</em> <br />
<br />
Think back to all of your thoughts and memories of President Bill Clinton.<br />
Now click <a href="http://www.mohhaiti.org/updates" target="_blank">here</a> to see how his Foundation is blessing our community here in Haiti (and so blessing me and, because we're connected, blessing you too)!<br />
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Loving how God's plans are just so delicious to include us all!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-14651540527419833482012-12-14T23:45:00.001-05:002012-12-14T23:45:50.072-05:00BlessingsAfter church Sunday, where Mr. Frantz spoke about being ready for eternity and our responsibility to others to share the truth of eternity, I read a devotional from an advent reading plan. It's from an online group and I've decided, because I like traditions, to do an Advent focused plan for 4 weeks. In the introduction the other day the writer commented about the word advent, meaning the start of something, and how we use it at Christmas. The <em>advent</em> that we focus on is the <em>arrival </em>of Christ Jesus, the arrival of our Messiah as a baby. Every year this story - that is my heritage - becomes, as I think of it and on it, more and more both a ridiculous and a miraculous thing. <br />
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My Saviour, who always was and always is and always will be, was born. Birthed. A mess of humanness to change EVERYTHING.<br />
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Just let me sit with that for a minute.<br />
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So, as I said, I was reading today's advent devotional. It spoke of what the writer felt were blessings: an unexpected Starbuck's, a spouse arrives home early, etc - yes, I can see those things as blessings (being spouse-less the Pumpkin Spice Latte is higher on my list) but really, and I hope this doesn't sound...well, rude ..., but come <em>on</em>. <br />
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It's a blessing that I'm home for Christmas and can see friends and family. <br />
It's a blessing that I can share in love and time and even gifts with many loved ones as we celebrate this time of ridiculous miracles.<br />
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But wait. It's a blessing that we have more food than we need and heated houses and cars and choices about clothes and water from the tap that I can drink!<br />
And we're reasonably healthy and safe in a world that is sick and dying...<br />
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So many blessings. But come <em>on.</em><br />
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What is all that? It's straight-up my perspective. My perspective about the things and people that <em>I</em> cherish. And, truth be told, I expect to keep on cherishing those things.<br />
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But the Ridiculous Miracle says that God Blesses things this way:<br />
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<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup><span class="woj">“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-5-3"><span class="woj">for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-5-4" id="en-NLT-23215"><span class="woj">God blesses those who mourn, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-5-4"><span class="woj">for they will be comforted.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-5-5" id="en-NLT-23216"><span class="woj">God blesses those who are humble, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-5-5"><span class="woj">for they will inherit the whole earth.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-5-6" id="en-NLT-23217"><span class="woj">God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-5-6"><span class="woj">for they will be satisfied.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-5-7" id="en-NLT-23218"><span class="woj">God blesses those who are merciful, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-5-7"><span class="woj">for they will be shown mercy.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-5-8" id="en-NLT-23219"><span class="woj">God blesses those whose hearts are pure, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-5-8"><span class="woj">for they will see God.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-5-9" id="en-NLT-23220"><span class="woj">God blesses those who work for peace, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-5-9"><span class="woj">for they will be called the children of God.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-5-10" id="en-NLT-23221"><span class="woj">God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Matt-5-10"><span class="woj">for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.</span></span></span> <br />
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<span class="text Matt-5-11" id="en-NLT-23222"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span class="woj">God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-5-12" id="en-NLT-23223"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span class="woj">Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." (Matthew 5:3-12)</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-5-12"><span class="woj"></span></span> </div>
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<span class="text Matt-5-12"><span class="woj">Just let me sit with this for a while. Let's do that together. Let's sit with what our Blessings are and what God Blesses and <em>how</em> He Blesses.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-5-12"><span class="woj"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-5-12"><span class="woj">Oh Jesus, thank you for reconciling all this for us... for perfectly redeeming it... this mess of humanness.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-53752412016790770082012-12-06T18:14:00.000-05:002012-12-06T18:14:39.989-05:00SO GREAT!!Mom and Dad came to visit in November. It was so fantastic to have them here, to share with them and to share them with loved ones here in Haiti. The time went so fast but each moment was treasured. I kept them hopping - or maybe they did me - with projects, touring around, and meeting people. Here are a couple of photos from our 9 days together:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After church on Sunday at MOH</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touring the MOH North Campus</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Super Big loaf we found at Carribean Supermarket. That's a lotta slices!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not sure about why they're standing behind me.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">but this is outside the National History Museum in Port-au-Prince.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We spent a day and a night at the beach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mom and Dad worked on a number of projects around the house - including getting my hammock up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mom enlists the help of the toddlers in sorting some big bottles of finger paint! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">She totally knows how to engage children - she speaks to them with such love it doesn't matter that they don't speak English and she doesn't have Creole.</span></div>
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This fall has been really very difficult and Mom and Dad's visit was such a sweet gift from Jesus.</div>
</3></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-49752199203962096162012-10-09T13:49:00.000-04:002012-10-09T13:49:57.009-04:00It's how we do.This morning was a fun and different type of training session with our Haitian Staff. Getting out of the office/classroom setting for our Prayer Walk seemed to shake things up a bit.<br />
We started with just 3 Mommies and Mr.Frantz, one of our orphanage supervisors. I introduced the idea of praying over the space and those who live and work in that space. They quickly caught the vision for this.<br />
As we went room to room throughout the orphanage more Mommies and one of the Daddies joined us in praying over the rooms.<br />
We prayed for the Mommy or Daddy in that room. We prayed for each child by name - over their beds, over their health, over their hearts - blanketing them with prayers of blessing and protection from the enemy.<br />
We walked around together, unified, claiming the power of Christ for this place and in these specific spaces.<br />
It was sweet and joyful and I'm so very glad we did it - together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Frantz with one of our young men.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy Edith and one of our toddlers.</td></tr>
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Jean Remy (in the white shirt), one of our Daddies, <br />
with some of the teenagers.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-52619982386179462992012-10-09T09:47:00.001-04:002012-10-09T09:47:04.073-04:00Lapè ak kè KontanThanks for your prayers and encouragement!<br />
<br />
Last week's session on Peace and Joy went really well. <br />
The Mommies and Daddies started out as they usually do: expressionless and non-responsive. I'm trying to see this a cultural norm and a challenge to engage rather than from the (my) point of view as a person who is hungry for feedback!<br />
After a few minutes the Haitian staff began to engage again. We looked at scriptures about Joy and about Peace and talked about the world's understanding of joy and peace, what happens in the absence of joy and peace, and God's provision for us in His Joy and His Peace - the supernatural kind that we hunger for, that our children and youth hunger for!<br />
We talked about the Kingdom Life of Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit found in Romans 14. <br />
We found out that Psalm 62:5 in my NIV is 62:6-7 in the Creole Bible (that was an amusing distraction!).<br />
We also looked at 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 which shows us how the work - ministry - of reconciliation is not only the work of Jesus Christ, but also OUR work. We have been blessed by Christ reconciling us to the Father and now we are called to do that same thing for others: Rekonsilyasyon! Following the Spirit's leading, supporting and modeling and sharing the truth of Jesus - reconnecting us with Father God so that we have life and have it abundantly!<br />
We encouraged and challenged the staff with this as part of their job description in parenting our kids.<br />
We spent some time coming up with concrete ways we can access and teach how to access the Joy and Peace of God. With some encouragement they came up with great examples: <br />
Know God's Word (spend time in the Bible), <br />
Worship Him, <br />
Time in Prayer, <br />
Obey God, <br />
Work as unto God, <br />
Forgiveness (this got me excited for future work because forgiveness has such huge power to release chains of bondage - I can't wait to see God work here through forgiveness... but that will come...!),<br />
and Salvation!<br />
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Their homework assignment was to make peace in their own lives where it is missing and to get involved in leading the children and youth in making peace and experiencing joy. It seems pretty broad, but when we ask God for opportunities do these things He is excited and ready to give us a chance to share Peace and Joy - what a great privilege and responsibility to know and live and multiply Love and Joy and Peace! Even just to SPEAK in Love and Joy and Peace... what a difference it makes!<br />
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Today we are going to do a Prayer Walk. We will enter into each of the bedrooms and pray over the space and those that live and sleep there. I believe this is a powerful thing to do and have experienced great blessing by doing that in my home (immediate and powerful results praying over my apartment here!), and am hoping that our Haitian staff will appreciate today's session.<br />
I treasure your prayers as we claim these spaces for Christ this morning.<br />
<br />
I'll leave you with 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (CEV)<br />
God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. <br />
<span class="text 2Cor-5-19" id="en-CEV-26799">What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.</span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-30566847090202983482012-10-02T09:42:00.000-04:002012-10-02T09:42:25.250-04:00St.Marc and More!I almost forgot to post pictures from our trip to St.Marc to view the rice farms!<br />
These pics are borrowed from a co-worker, Katie Anderson.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice Drying in the Sun</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmers preparing some land.</td></tr>
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Haiti is really beautiful. It has been fun to share some of the sights and beauty with our children and youth this summer.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-38924459857547954042012-10-02T09:31:00.002-04:002012-10-02T09:31:50.338-04:00Joy and Peace<div>
Morning!</div>
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Our focus in teaching with the Mommies and Daddies today are the Fruits Joy and Peace of the Spirit of God in our lives.</div>
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Within the orphanage setting we often struggle to find evidence of Joy and Peace in a consistent way - so many of the children experience internal chaos which battles against their Joy and Peace.</div>
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We are talking and praying about this today and expecting the Lord to keep working and performing Miracles in all of our lives.</div>
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Thanks for your prayers this morning, and I pray that the Father of Lights reminds you today of the Joy and Peace He has for you!</div>
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Love in Christ,</div>
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Kara-Lynn</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-28430012015495622472012-09-18T09:37:00.002-04:002012-09-18T09:37:54.297-04:00So, how did it go?<div>
Great! </div>
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Last Friday's training time with our Village of Hope Mommies and Daddies went really well!</div>
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We began with a bunch of non-expressive faces. Rachel called the looks on their faces "I-Hate-You" expressions. I took them more for completely uninterested and basically just putting up with me faces (I see those looks a lot and have decided to accept that explanation over the hate one) - but really they were blank and staring and no one was responsive...</div>
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... until about 10 minutes in when things started changing quickly! I am confident that it was <strong>your prayers</strong> that changed their attitudes and attention! and thanks so much for those words of encouragement some of you were able to send! <br />
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The group began responding, interacting, relating, discussing... it was the brilliant hand of God in that meeting in my office that stirred those Haitian Mommies and Daddies!</div>
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We talked about Love as the base for everything in our lives, as we have Jesus Christ as Saviour, and of the importance of that in the orphanage. We talked through some questions and ideas they had and encouraged each other. It was great.</div>
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We will have another teaching time this Friday morning at 10:30 again (and for the next few weeks) and will be checking in with homework assignments and discussing more Fruit of the Spirit in our work and lives here together. In the end they will have an exam and will receive a certificate upon completion (which is a bigger deal than you may think - certificates are highly valued here as evidence of completed work and/or participation).</div>
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Your prayers are coveted as we walk with our Haitian staff through this season of training. I plan to update the blog about what we are covering together so that you can join with us in prayers of blessing and thanks and requests for the Lord's favour on this journey. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-14891174216674913022012-09-18T09:35:00.000-04:002012-09-18T09:35:24.450-04:00(Friday) Morning Prayer RequestGood Morning!<br />
<br />
It's Friday! <br />
I've been prepping to do some teaching with our Mommies and Daddies here at the orphanage this week. Today is our first seminar - at 10:30am - and we will be doing teaching and encouragement seminars for the next few Fridays (starting today, ending... not sure!)<br />
<br />
The intent is for me to support them in their work parenting and also to challenge them to improve and hold each other accountable in this super-important role. We are going to be using the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) as a foundation and will include lots more scripture coupled with Attachment Theory.<br />
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I covet your prayers this morning for wisdom in teaching and for receptive open hearts and a growing desire in all of us to love on and minister to our children and youth. With 65 kids you can imagine it is often exhausting!<br />
<br />I'm just doing last-minute prep and it struck me (or, rather, God prodded me) to send out this invite for you to join with us this morning.<br />
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With gratitude and awe at His work here,<br />
Love in Christ,<br />
Kara-Lynn<br />
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ps. the scripture I'm praying over them is Eph. 3:16-21 - praying the Word of God is so powerful! and such a perfect place to start!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-27893664180254850732012-08-16T10:15:00.000-04:002012-08-16T10:15:04.790-04:00NYTimes visit<div>
For those wondering about re-construction and development in Haiti,</div>
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Below is an article from the NYTimes covering people in a variety of living situations and experiences in Haiti. My attention was drawn to it as reporter Deborah Sontag came to Mission of Hope this summer as part of the research for the article.</div>
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Sontag expressed, at seeing our MOH500 project (particularly in collaboration with The 410 Bridge work in the deaf community), that this was the only work she had seen that had made her smile. Her experience researching and interviewing these folks must have been sobering at least. Thank God Almighty she saw MOH500 in Leveque.</div>
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Believe me on this too: if you ever have the pleasure of coming to see what God is doing in this place you too will be both broken and blessed.</div>
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/world/americas/years-after-haiti-quake-safe-housing-is-dream-for-multitudes.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all" target="_blank">Years After Haiti Quake, Safe Housing Is a Dream for Many</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-77787590430414272432012-06-12T11:13:00.000-04:002012-06-12T11:13:04.078-04:00National Children's Day in Haiti<div style="text-align: center;">
Our younger girls and boys singing at church this Sunday.</div>
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The song they sang was about being a child of Haiti. They were excited and nervous and it was GREAT!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUdCHZVjRXvTseyM709xjBpX2mfRbSqvb_wwveziP8tg3UESA7ssVYXRPNs7jJHWBeKwEK7Ay2LDFpWQSkuA5UUNagLsmh2pb4W9BpLiSI2znK096OP5f2NXH4YINgAMvDcerXqwwPgw/s1600/National+Childrens+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUdCHZVjRXvTseyM709xjBpX2mfRbSqvb_wwveziP8tg3UESA7ssVYXRPNs7jJHWBeKwEK7Ay2LDFpWQSkuA5UUNagLsmh2pb4W9BpLiSI2znK096OP5f2NXH4YINgAMvDcerXqwwPgw/s320/National+Childrens+Day.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children of Haiti: Widler, Christopher, Mackenlove, Roberto, Steevenson, Steeve, Iverson, Rose Berline, Kethia, Christella J, Michelove, Clara, Esther, Dounie, Emmanuella, Christella A, Sophonie!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-44093337238764868162012-06-07T12:36:00.001-04:002012-06-07T12:36:51.354-04:00Cham 16 (Biwo Mwen!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfhEzgF5mG5g5lFw2SR3_QfiJ7BK9q2Td9fquV26LZj7AywFU6nAEDrpjj1x3zbU-9Z7QCUFtK6jE3EQIAAIf5kAMyPO_jHJ_9Af9gpfIS25Tc9U3Wzn4YWnubGD0PCe_vk_weCadYB0/s1600/IMG_2816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfhEzgF5mG5g5lFw2SR3_QfiJ7BK9q2Td9fquV26LZj7AywFU6nAEDrpjj1x3zbU-9Z7QCUFtK6jE3EQIAAIf5kAMyPO_jHJ_9Af9gpfIS25Tc9U3Wzn4YWnubGD0PCe_vk_weCadYB0/s320/IMG_2816.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The landscape on the large wall - so pretty!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PAuQ78uT32f17OfkT_273Grud26U3OptyCCL2bfECX-Vpsa7Z8u6xkjUWafcD6b-qYSwkFTLzktgk_vlMILiKy_mNllINbz9blz_EmKOWY_dZ4iGgBBYcJ1RJ-zsQThP2_907npewsE/s1600/IMG_2815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PAuQ78uT32f17OfkT_273Grud26U3OptyCCL2bfECX-Vpsa7Z8u6xkjUWafcD6b-qYSwkFTLzktgk_vlMILiKy_mNllINbz9blz_EmKOWY_dZ4iGgBBYcJ1RJ-zsQThP2_907npewsE/s320/IMG_2815.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A floral vine around one of the windows.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">Since
I came back from Canada at the end of April I have had an office. So
wonderful to have a place to meet with all the precious ones who need a
little boost or a little squeeze or a little love... and, while I was on
retreat last week, a visiting family, daughter fresh and full of
artistic generosity, painted a mural in the room. I think it is just
beautiful. I am so thankful they took the time to plan, be creative and
execute the wall's new beautiful dress. It is room sixteen in the
orphanage and it is sweet and peaceful and a good place for good work</span>. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2 and 3 yr olds kept running back and forth saying "wowww" "WOW!" "wowww" and touching the walls.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="color: black; text-align: center;">Impromptu Toddler Group (Diapers Allowed... welcomed, actually)</td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajy0yNuEEPHSKCp6oV6WhqrA9IwXeS5-PEl3cR6a1_vtJLhGq9R2uztIJQNbxgnItakyGURCEC9385njKt_8UUZ-NnlMv6chxkEd3Yq9Vj_-p6SA9_8gGwB48R7TCRyKXEX-ukM2f1LI/s320/IMG_2846.JPG" width="320" /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah climbing up to touch the flowers.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing work!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More work: This is serious.</td></tr>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-55637178894392912752012-05-14T09:51:00.000-04:002012-05-14T09:51:03.550-04:00Zo-nappleThere are times when I really struggle to find something to say that's worth saying. Sometimes I go to breakfast and sit with strangers or friends and say about 12 words in total. Sometimes I wonder what people think as I'm there beside them but not saying much. It's not that I'm not thinking about something or that I don't have questions for them so much as I enjoy listening and quietness more and more with each passing year.<br />
But it's also that I want to say things that are worth being said. I think that is magnified on a blog post in that it isn't just the mumbo jumbo that escapes my mouth but actual words are chosen and written become part of the text of the online world. When we write or create we are adding to the collective story-telling of humankind.<br />
Does the thing I make/write/express mean something in itself or does it have meaning just because it was created? Today I'm choosing 'it means something to me'. Here's a story about gifts:<br />
<br />
Every Sunday our morning worship is full of unknowns for me. Will I get a seat where I can see the words of the songs projected or will I have to go from memory and flub most of the words of certain songs we sing? Will the kids behave in service? Will I understand the sermon? Will one of my friends get up on stage and do a solo for the Lord? How many people will accept Jesus this week? Will that old lady two rows up fall asleep again in service? And when she does will her friend be her pillow or her alarm clock?<br />
Those are just a few of the questions. But there's another wild-card. A man named Zo. He is incredibly tall and so very thin. I am sure he is essentially homeless and on some occasions arrives at church looking as if he hasn't had a bath in 3 weeks. It is said he struggles with an addiction. He has a big toothy grin and large calloused hands. He usually situates himself near the head of the mission's family. He often keeps a watchful eye on newcomers and welcomes them warmly, bending down to greet them. He keeps tabs on the children too and if they act up he will correct them (which sometimes scares them to tears if we're honest here). Zo also has a habit of bringing gifts of fruit to church to give to North American staff. I have seen him give fruit to the heads of the mission repeatedly. I find it interesting and wonder what his thought process is - I wonder if it is a conscious tithe for him. I wonder how he buys these gifts and what the cost is for a man who looks as if he eats only once in a while. I really don't know his story but I do see on his face the care he takes in presenting a gift each Sunday to the honoured recipient.<br />
I was away recently (at home for Grampa's funeral and to have some time with family) and when I returned it was with very mixed feelings. I found leaving Canada at the end of April to be more difficult than ever. Two days later I walked down to church at the mission with hopes for some good worship and determination to focus on the message from the pastor. During our time of greeting each other (Happy Sunday, God Bless You) part of the service someone touched my elbow. Turning around I was presented with a small pineapple wrapped in a plastic bag. I was shocked. Zo had chosen me that morning for his gift. Even now I am humbled and speechless. At the time I thanked him and shook his hand. At the time I didn't know what to say except 'I got Zo's pineapple'.<br />
To me this meant so many things. Most importantly it means that I am known. Not by Zo, he doesn't know me except for Sunday morning worship service. No, I am known by my Heavenly Father. It is He who gives every good and perfect gift. That was His pineapple. That was His child who gave it to me - me His other child in need of encouragement.<br />
Some things that I write are just written things. This is truth: He does not forget, forsake, overlook or ignore us. He showers us with gifts like life and love and sun and rain and precious precious little pineapples.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-45244547168791617842012-04-14T20:16:00.000-04:002012-04-14T20:31:02.408-04:00Round-TripI'm flying home Monday the 16th. I was going to be coming home the 17th but I've changed the flight in order to be at my Grampa Ferguson's funeral.<br />
I'd like to say that I will see dozens of people and do a million things, but I won't. I haven't even planned to do very much. It will be a fast week, I'm sure, and I really want to soak in my family. <br />
I'll fly back to Haiti on the 24th of April.<br />
Thanks for prayers for travel and family time and for comfort especially for my Gramma Ferguson. Thanks too for sharing in this journey and for being part of the story of reconciliation of relationships - us to God through Christ - because that's what we're doing here. Paul talks about it in one of the Corinthians. I should memorize that bit... I find this comforting and I find myself reminded of the hugeness of God (Hebrews 11:3 says that we serve a God who just COMMANDED things to BE out of what was not even visible) and of the closeness of Jesus (Psalm 25 says we can have friendship with God and Col 2 says we can be rooted in Christ actually drawing NOURISHMENT from him).<br />
What a lovely picture. That Psalm 1 tree rooted by streams of living water...<br />
I pray that if you read this you are driven to send your own roots down, get nourished, and then multiply that life-giving water in you to those around you in the name and in the power of the Risen Christ.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-87395063704771487862012-04-06T09:58:00.000-04:002012-04-06T09:58:31.054-04:00GreensThe first time (and the second and third) that I came to Mission of Hope everything was brown. It happened to be January the first three times I set foot on the mission and January, being winter, has distinct dry and dusty characteristics in this part of Haiti.<br />
Brown, dry and dusty equals desolate in my mind. January 2011 I had a friend (Michel) visit from Port-Au-Prince and he seemed thoroughly unimpressed by the area's desert qualities. 'There are no trees for shade and cool. You're kind of on the edge of the desert ' he pointed out. It was exhausting to think about as I mulled over the idea of not having relief in a dry and desolate land. In my Ontario mind it was strange to be hot and see only browns and grays... no greens.<br />
But we have a sweet and merciful God who created weather changes to take care of us - to take care of me - and my mind is so very limited and my thoughts so narrow that days like today are comical, really.<br />
It is Good Friday. We are mid-rainy season. The flowers on the mission are blooming. The nights are cooled with rain. The trees are growing daily. Fruit ripening. Life is springing up and the greens and pinks and purples are so very green and pink and purple that you can SMELL the life in them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG5P4P3XLaKW545mpgNPpKEGQ8IwYlnC1IRvZ8y6NARxB-BxTCTVLy3-xnlrEmPikjSrnQcQ6CIaNunaTzZXCvBplmHdAGbRw1SWobILnArLsQZEVPVnHnLlbq_et-Hv13fxCHaPe-hk/s1600/IMG_2135a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG5P4P3XLaKW545mpgNPpKEGQ8IwYlnC1IRvZ8y6NARxB-BxTCTVLy3-xnlrEmPikjSrnQcQ6CIaNunaTzZXCvBplmHdAGbRw1SWobILnArLsQZEVPVnHnLlbq_et-Hv13fxCHaPe-hk/s320/IMG_2135a.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papayas gettin' ripe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ojw0fdE8wz1xlpAlZ1er3j_5dcf3ItNzLUrpFc79TyAB5yrkaOSnM2kMMnWyRRRW1LO5yRXDjHXcHW0x1FcAlX9yVKBK6mjV2ABaJqhZ6ZUGFX0FaiXhvmfiBe_6z5eOmt5tRYvRyQs/s1600/IMG_2124a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ojw0fdE8wz1xlpAlZ1er3j_5dcf3ItNzLUrpFc79TyAB5yrkaOSnM2kMMnWyRRRW1LO5yRXDjHXcHW0x1FcAlX9yVKBK6mjV2ABaJqhZ6ZUGFX0FaiXhvmfiBe_6z5eOmt5tRYvRyQs/s320/IMG_2124a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside our gate, steps from the playground, the gardener - Mr. Joseph - rakes up the fallen bougainnvillea flowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HSdpwouuqq4sVX6Zh4xZYEAA4oqUmilBmpLSfPrsa_1tc8u-4Ycro0i0y4VgKjD6Ea516bEVmua2z8KjPR-gavtwHZg1Xh6UKnQwqcAqK45HETN7ICrZ7ffBRCbd2Fkf-5XW2mfMSro/s1600/IMG_2118a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HSdpwouuqq4sVX6Zh4xZYEAA4oqUmilBmpLSfPrsa_1tc8u-4Ycro0i0y4VgKjD6Ea516bEVmua2z8KjPR-gavtwHZg1Xh6UKnQwqcAqK45HETN7ICrZ7ffBRCbd2Fkf-5XW2mfMSro/s320/IMG_2118a.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our front yard area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74Hxz5dwxSs_ddxng_Ik3uFfOqQhD2lDkAmFKoUtWaw_vyOrmiea4sI4ZbvOr_86QI0cGJ1wyfJLnpIU4m4ROsj-CX3kGKtMczlChHFLVgvxxK0lyv3sJY8r4l17uBnzQBgm9ZcmPDJI/s1600/IMG_2121a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74Hxz5dwxSs_ddxng_Ik3uFfOqQhD2lDkAmFKoUtWaw_vyOrmiea4sI4ZbvOr_86QI0cGJ1wyfJLnpIU4m4ROsj-CX3kGKtMczlChHFLVgvxxK0lyv3sJY8r4l17uBnzQBgm9ZcmPDJI/s320/IMG_2121a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bloom hit me in the head on the way to breakfast this morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And life is here. <br />
And so is shade and cool. <br />
And relief. <br />
And things are washed afresh each morning.<br />
And we know that He is Risen!<br />
<img height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ojw0fdE8wz1xlpAlZ1er3j_5dcf3ItNzLUrpFc79TyAB5yrkaOSnM2kMMnWyRRRW1LO5yRXDjHXcHW0x1FcAlX9yVKBK6mjV2ABaJqhZ6ZUGFX0FaiXhvmfiBe_6z5eOmt5tRYvRyQs/s320/IMG_2124a.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 342px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 771px;" width="96" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-88788152579000977962012-03-19T12:56:00.000-04:002012-03-19T12:58:25.322-04:00Babies!Last week the Village of Hope completed the paperwork, met with the relatives, and bought new beds for twins - they arrived a few days ago. <br />
A boy, Soudnel, and a girl, Soudline, just 4 months old. There's a buzz in the air with their new brothers and sisters - the children who live here. And <em>everyone</em> is sharing about the interactions they are having with these new little ones. <br />
It is so exciting to have them here! And it is a reminder of yet another family who just couldn't care for the children they brought into the world. <br />
Which is so heavy on our hearts.<br />
BUT <u>Praise God for providing for His children!</u> <br />
The Father, for reasons we don't know, chose Soudnel and Soudline to be Haitian, to be born in a town nearby, to arrive now, to bless us with their smiles and giant cheeks, to compel us with their cries, to help us to focus on the present and to pray, more and more, for God's leading us towards the incredible possibilities in the future.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheORyHCdSnVBipOJg8UDmn6Y9OTfRQ2cuaH0y_I_UdvH_t_kZczPjmYW4q-pweyi7ohMPfuHbw2UKBLMl6GvnERfwYizHLJ-9JtqH2HcXLeUUgAP9AUKjrTDerrl5p3oORjQx6D3CJKJ0/s1600/twinssss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheORyHCdSnVBipOJg8UDmn6Y9OTfRQ2cuaH0y_I_UdvH_t_kZczPjmYW4q-pweyi7ohMPfuHbw2UKBLMl6GvnERfwYizHLJ-9JtqH2HcXLeUUgAP9AUKjrTDerrl5p3oORjQx6D3CJKJ0/s320/twinssss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel suggested this as the "Welcome to the Orphanage" photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9QWeGeVcYEbn-EQramVE4f1PiPGLLkJWWFoiOFbrb6AifDXRqA5TMhhcVHUoPDy58ACqd_r40UAue1G5JwEyc4HTu_aQBizLOuuR7P-hQj6pI7b47gIbshNMaQqHbwGVV5Z-bLe_RlA/s1600/twinsss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9QWeGeVcYEbn-EQramVE4f1PiPGLLkJWWFoiOFbrb6AifDXRqA5TMhhcVHUoPDy58ACqd_r40UAue1G5JwEyc4HTu_aQBizLOuuR7P-hQj6pI7b47gIbshNMaQqHbwGVV5Z-bLe_RlA/s320/twinsss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soudnel's very laid back...unless he's hungry. So funny.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_fbPvMijcqThc8CYTmONGTd3BLnQ3-8dyV-8OLk6vj6PufmOaygBXSvmt5UdbJtOtQ3xovJUTtjldEPO6RnGVRffwY-7r3U2ygQuxtkM1ZCsmSHMhLjdFAu_rYliU3iGxItiPnMfo4k/s1600/soudline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_fbPvMijcqThc8CYTmONGTd3BLnQ3-8dyV-8OLk6vj6PufmOaygBXSvmt5UdbJtOtQ3xovJUTtjldEPO6RnGVRffwY-7r3U2ygQuxtkM1ZCsmSHMhLjdFAu_rYliU3iGxItiPnMfo4k/s1600/soudline.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Soudline and Kethia. <br />
And Soudline's spit-up on my shoulder. <br />
Classic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955999429317265348.post-58590717860815943322012-03-09T12:01:00.000-05:002012-03-09T12:01:05.051-05:00He Knows Our NameThis past Wednesday I was considering what to blog about and found myself on a rabbit-trail of sorts through blogs connected to MOH.<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to straight up pilfer one written almost 2 years ago by a fellow who used to live here. To see the original go here: <a href="http://jershurk.weebly.com/1/post/2010/05/a-girl-with-no-name.html">http://jershurk.weebly.com/1/post/2010/05/a-girl-with-no-name.html</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's from May, 2010. He writes this: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><em>"A Girl With No Name</em></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: black;">A guy came into the hospital the other day with
his infant daughter, sat down and then asked a woman to watch his daughter while
he used the restroom. He never returned. No one knows who he was. So now we have
an abandoned baby girl we are keeping at the patient dome until we can figure
out what exactly to do next because we have no records of anything in regards to
this baby girl.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Pray for her. Shes
not eating much."</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I scroll down to see this picture:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKGGbMgUuxb4TtiAZzAF-s5fQK5WCwt8Ltxi9kaBev5mMtDhCirWVyz5L8oEygYyx_3JSduMIuBbGNo3u4iuvfVVsY7dY3_3tI5PA0qEwSOZ12fL189OiWGAG2RkZNTaSuAdezxx49Z0/s1600/used+to+be+angelie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKGGbMgUuxb4TtiAZzAF-s5fQK5WCwt8Ltxi9kaBev5mMtDhCirWVyz5L8oEygYyx_3JSduMIuBbGNo3u4iuvfVVsY7dY3_3tI5PA0qEwSOZ12fL189OiWGAG2RkZNTaSuAdezxx49Z0/s320/used+to+be+angelie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And it hits me between the eyes. I know her name.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v9wHpH0ZfLHnJrxdXre1MUDr4_10lIS_Me0r-bzrMyOwJQatkaP2vl52F9Xxb1ln8qWbgZf9zu-QsPaWvDxx8itTAxwbqffryBJfBiOk-1j9xrr6cuDxzbCcTkpX4fnDmGiQd1yeGEE/s1600/used+to+be+angelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v9wHpH0ZfLHnJrxdXre1MUDr4_10lIS_Me0r-bzrMyOwJQatkaP2vl52F9Xxb1ln8qWbgZf9zu-QsPaWvDxx8itTAxwbqffryBJfBiOk-1j9xrr6cuDxzbCcTkpX4fnDmGiQd1yeGEE/s320/used+to+be+angelie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And as I am overcome with tears and the miraculous thought of what 2 years can bring I begin to laugh. Because they prayed she would eat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Meet Angelie. Our biggest, feisty-est, arguably<strong> best eater</strong> in the toddler room. Yesterday afternoon she was practicing 'braiding' my hair, running around, playing (and bossing) the other toddlers, yelling, singing, laughing and loving life. This girl is a power-house. God has big things for her and He always knew her name.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH6ziSUWeTg__SWTjVMuBmXwYLKLyeMff3RedzDjQVNm4HUZmZFqzhR-f4u9FdA4XkZ0TbgXI-RP7zbg-1UK8uNuqiYS0ZTtASxW_ISVoDBoNjDqCTJ8xXo5wXNkvezfVXuhyZeG7qRI/s1600/angelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH6ziSUWeTg__SWTjVMuBmXwYLKLyeMff3RedzDjQVNm4HUZmZFqzhR-f4u9FdA4XkZ0TbgXI-RP7zbg-1UK8uNuqiYS0ZTtASxW_ISVoDBoNjDqCTJ8xXo5wXNkvezfVXuhyZeG7qRI/s320/angelie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: Abby Lynch - who takes amazing photos <br />
which you can see and even purchase here: <a href="http://www.fotosbyabby.com/">www.fotosbyabby.com</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11216690180362169810noreply@blogger.com1