So, how did it go?

Great!

Last Friday's training time with our Village of Hope Mommies and Daddies went really well!

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...

... until about 10 minutes in when things started changing quickly! I am confident that it was your prayers that changed their attitudes and attention!  and thanks so much for those words of encouragement some of you were able to send!
 

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!

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.

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).

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.

(Friday) Morning Prayer Request

Good Morning!

It's Friday!
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!)

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.

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!

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.

With gratitude and awe at His work here,
Love in Christ,
Kara-Lynn

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!

NYTimes visit

For those wondering about re-construction and development in Haiti,

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.

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.

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.

 

Years After Haiti Quake, Safe Housing Is a Dream for Many

 

National Children's Day in Haiti

Our younger girls and boys singing at church this Sunday.

The song they sang was about being a child of Haiti. They were excited and nervous and it was GREAT!

Children of Haiti: Widler, Christopher, Mackenlove, Roberto, Steevenson, Steeve, Iverson, Rose Berline, Kethia, Christella J, Michelove, Clara, Esther, Dounie, Emmanuella, Christella A, Sophonie!

Cham 16 (Biwo Mwen!)

The landscape on the large wall - so pretty!

 

A floral vine around one of the windows.

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.

The 2 and 3 yr olds kept running back and forth saying "wowww" "WOW!" "wowww" and touching the walls.

Impromptu Toddler Group (Diapers Allowed... welcomed, actually)

Hannah climbing up to touch the flowers.

Doing work!

More work: This is serious.