Bondye konnen tout bagay

I am struggling to find words tonight.  I've read so many Facebook posts today, and they all resonate with me.  But somehow I can't find my own words.  The only words I can find are these:  "Bondye konnen tout bagay."  

God knows it all.  

“Statistics are one thing, but friends are another. Numbers may challenge your mind, but faces will soften your heart. And names will stick with you over time.”

— Jeff Shinabarger

These are not statistics.  These are our friends.   Please, as you pray, pray for them specifically.  They have faces.  They have names.  And we love them.

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Steeve, Caleb, Stevenly, Manoucheka, and Lorie

Caelle

Cesnel

Idelmy

Esterlin

Maken

Kerchie, Phebe, Widcherline, and Antonide

Fedlin

Donalson

Handy, Davensky, Fenley

Hudson

Dieussait

Polo

Stanley

Wesly and Christine

Yvenson

Fabenson, Migerlson, and Lorvens

Woodlin

Alanta

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“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm . . . ”

— Isaiah 25:4

God's Work Through God's People

Two years ago right now, these kids were barely eating.  We visited them in October of 2014 and found them dirty, hungry, thirsty . . . miserable.

And then something amazing happened.  God spoke specifically to one family.  And that one family made a commitment to these children.

Later, God spoke specifically to another man who had a vision for these children to not only have a safe place to live and daily food to eat but to have an education, as well.

That man shared his vision with others . . . 

The first day of school - September 2016

And  last year they went to school - many for the first time.

The first day of school - October 2015

Now look at them today.  God does amazing things through the generosity of His children.  We at Haiti Awake are thankful for the many people God has sent to Haiti on short-term missions teams in the last two years - people who have seen specific needs and addressed them with financial support.  It is because of the generosity of many people that Haiti Awake is growing in its ability to fulfill its mission statement:

“Our goal is to equip these local Christians to reach their own communities and their own country through showing Christ’s love in action.”

“This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

— Psalm 118:23

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Those of you who know the children might notice that Idelmy is not with the rest of the children today.  Please pray for him.  He has been struggling with his health in recent weeks, and he was not able to attend the first day of school.  I know this is difficult for him.

Special thanks to Hudson and Polo for getting some great photos to share this morning.

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These two handsome young men started school at IMPAD this morning, too.  We are thankful for the way God provides for everyone associated with Haiti Awake.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

The Cost of Discipleship

“Yet over and over in the Scriptures, Jesus warns people of the cost of discipleship, that it will cost them everything they have ever hoped for and believed in—their biological families, their possessions, even their very lives.

He warns them to count the cost before putting their hand to the plow.

And Jesus allows people to walk away.”

— Shane Claiborne

Last weekend's surprise trip to Haiti was supposed to be filled with fun and laughter.  That was my expectation.

And it was a great weekend, in many ways . . . except when it wasn't.  This past weekend I was again confronted with the realities of Haiti . . . Harsh realities.  Dark realities.  Realities that rip at my heart.  Realities that are often more than I want to ponder.  Realities that affect people I love and know by name.

And so, this past weekend I counted the cost.

But I'm not walking away.

Thankful for friends who are infinitely patient with me as I navigate life between two vastly different worlds.

Thankful for Rick, Justin, Jared, and Ethan understanding my heart ...

I'm not certain this will ever get any easier.

Be Faithful To What God Has Called You

“He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. ”

— Job 5:9

Steeve and his precious family as he prepares to go to STEP for his first night of seminary, year 2.

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As I look at this photo tonight, I am reminded of the story of the 12 stones Israel placed for a memorial after crossing the Jordan River (Joshua 4).  Somehow I see Stevenly, Caleb, and Lorie asking a variation of "What do these stones mean?" when they grow up.  

Haiti Awake is not even two years old, and already we can look back and see God's hand of guidance and faithfulness.  God has done amazing, miraculous things for the Derard family during this time.  It has been the Graves family's privilege to walk this journey with them, as friends, as ministry partners.

We eagerly anticipate the future.

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”

— 2 Timothy 2:24

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Steeve, here's our advice for you as you enter your 2nd year of seminary:

“Listen: Just do your thing with passion , joy, honor, and humility, and folks will notice.

Actually, even if no one notices, be faithful to what God has called you.

Remember, we do what we do not for people’s applause but for God’s glory.

Don’t be held captive to either praise or criticism.

Know who you are, what you’re about, and most important, who you serve.”

— Eugene Cho

And remember, you are greatly loved.

Donalson Antoine

On our very first trip to Haiti, we met a little boy.  His name was Donalson.

We came home from that first trip having met many, many people.  A few of them we just couldn't forget.  Donalson was one of them.  We knew him, and he knew us.

In fact, when Jared and I went back to Haiti a few months later, Donalson was one of the first people to greet us upon our arrival.  To say we loved him would be an understatement.  There was just something special about him.

And so a friendship began.  With each trip to Haiti, we looked forward to seeing Donalson and spending time with him.  He frequently came to visit.  He was bright, inquisitive, ready to learn.  He never once said, "Hey, YOU. YOU!" and he never asked for anything.  We knew his name, he knew ours, and what we shared was shared out of love.

He gave us beautiful drawings, and we often gave him the paper and pencils with which to draw.

When Haiti Awake was founded in October of 2014, Donalson began to come by our house to visit.  He then started coming to the neighborhood Bible schools, but it was obvious he was uncomfortable.  He wanted to be with us, but he is not a child anymore.

Soon Donalson was helping us at Bible schools - distributing crafts and snacks, helping with crowd control . . . even doing some interpreting.

And at some point . . . he became part of the Haiti Awake family.  He's an essential part of our team.

And so, today we are very proud to announce that Donalson Antoine is officially part of our staff at Haiti Awake.

God is good.

“
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

— Psalm 32:8

What a fine young man Donalson is becoming.  

Praising God for His Goodness

“Thanks for all your prayers and support for the school year. I have learned so much for the first year.”

— Steeve Derard

Last night of the 2015-2016 school year

We often commemorate firsts in life and forget to acknowledge lasts, so tonight we want to acknowledge Steeve's last night at STEP for this school year.

When Haiti Awake was founded in October of 2014, we knew one thing:  Steeve felt called of God to pursue his education.  And we knew that God was calling us to walk alongside him on the journey.

Last year Steeve went back to high school and graduated.  And then he was accepted into STEP for this school year.    We thank God for so many things as we look back.  And as we look forward.

Thank you to those of you who have supported Haiti Awake with your prayers, your time, your donations, and your finances.  Without you, this night would not have been possible.

“My mouth will tell about Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot sum them up. ”

— Psalm 71:15

Happy Birthday, Stevenly!

You are a special part of Haiti Awake, and we praise God for you, Stevenly.  

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  

                                                                                                                      -----Zephaniah 3:17

Happy birthday, Hudson!

Today we celebrate the 24th birthday of our friend and co-worker, Hudson!  We are blessed to know him.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

— Numbers 6:24-26

Happy 1st Birthday, Caleb!

We love the Derard family.  Simply love them.  They are part of OUR family.

And today, as they celebrate Caleb’s 1st birthday, we can’t help by think about the goodness of God in their lives over the past year.  God is faithful.

Caleb's Birth Story:

http://www.haitiawake.org/news/2015/5/15/caleb-steven-derard-2

Caleb's first day at Bible school, March, 2016

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep.”

— Psalm 92: 4-5

“Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Never once did we ever walk alone

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Ever more we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful.”

— Ingram, Redman, and Wanstall

Never Once by Matt Redman on the album 10,000 Reasons which is available from itunes. Enjoy, and God bless.

Looking in the Rearview Mirror

I journal a great deal, especially when I am in Haiti.  But I've never really shared any of that publicly.  But I think today is a good day to share a little bit of what I wrote back in 2013.

“July 15:
I am sitting at EpiDor waiting for Steeve. Maybe I will be able to bear the next few days if he visits for a while. The last 24 hours have been very difficult for me - emotional ups and downs . . . mostly downs.

I feel so isolated up there at Children’s Lifeline. I hope it will get easier as the days go by. I don’t know why I feel this way . . .

Sitting here, I am beginning to wonder, “Have I become too comfortable where we are at MTH?” God is definitely stretching me.

Micah 6:8 is running through my mind: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Evening:
Lunch with Steeve was encouraging. He had the words to say that I needed to hear. He reminded me of how the Bensons are leaving and it’s God’s plan. He reminded me that God has a plan for my life - each moment.


July 17:
Today I went with Hillary, Assiah, and Robenson into PaP to do sponsorship work. Three different orphanages. All so different.

July 18:
From Dan Huffstutler’s Facebook this morning. Luke 17:10: “When you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’

What an incredible week of seeing a land God has not forgotten.”

This photo of this sign eventually led us back to the children I met on July 17 - the children we now have under our care.

You see, today, April 12, 2016, is a day that brought all of this full circle.  A day when I can look back and see how God was working everything together for good.

Without that difficult week, I would never have met Tyler.  We would never have become friends.  And I'd have one less person in my life who gets me, gets my love for Haiti . . . and loves Haiti just as much . . . if not more!  Tyler knows how hard that week was for me because he was right there to listen to me cry.  We didn't know each other before, but we became friends and have kept in touch ever since.  And I'm so thankful for that!

Without that difficult week, I would never have met the children we now consider part of our Haiti Awake family . . . children we feel tremendous responsibility for . . . children we know by name and love with our whole hearts.

First photo of Handy and me together.  Such precious memories!

Without that difficult week, I probably wouldn't speak nor understand Creole as well as I do because a little over a year ago, Tyler introduced me to Gloria Board who became my Creole teacher, as well as a mentor.  I love Gloria, and I am so thankful that God providentially put her in my life to help me learn and grow and understand more.  

 In June of 2014 Tyler and I got the opportunity to visit Gloria and her husband at their home in Haiti.  What a blessing that was! Gloria has helped me in so many ways in understanding and loving Haiti better. 

Today I got a series of photos from Polo.  He was at our orphanage . . . and Tyler was visiting with some of his friends from Children's Lifeline.  And I was so struck by the goodness of God in bringing all of the circumstances of the last three years together.  

Partnerships in Haiti are so important.   Those of us who love Haiti need each other.  We can't do this alone.

Three years ago I had no idea where we would be today.   No idea.  But God did.

“My God is awesome
He can move mountains
Keep me in the valley
Hide me from the rain

My God is awesome
Heals me when I’m broken
Gives strength where I’ve been weakened
Forever He will reign”

— Charles Jenkins

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.”

— Psalm 40:1

Reflections on Four Years

On March 12, 2012, the Graves family landed in Haiti for the first time.  Little did we know how this one trip would change our lives in so many ways.

One of the first photos we took after we landed.  Mountains upon mountains.

We have learned so much, and we still have so much to learn.  Perhaps the most important thing we've learned is summed up in this quote from the book, Overrated:

“We need to do away with the “I can change the whole world” mentality and language because it’s impossible, and actually unhelpful.

But we can impact the worlds of some. And some may be many. Some may be just a few. Some may be just one family or one person, but we can make an impact and in the process, be changed ourselves. This, in my opinion, is the best part of wanting to change the world. Inevitably, we will be changed in the process.”

— Eugene Cho

There are so many people in Haiti.  So many.   We'll never know them all.  
But . . . we're incredibly thankful for the few we are privileged to call friends.  Because their story has become part of our story.  

And, si Dye vle, there are many chapters still to write.

“ Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.”

— I John 3:18

Happy Birthday, Polo!

We are blessed beyond words to have you as part of Haiti Awake, zanmi m.  May God richly bless you in the coming year.

Keep living out I Timothy 4:12:  "Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."