Church on The Rock and Lifesaver.

Today’s Haiti adventures started a little earlier than usual. This morning Mom, Serge and I went to Church on The Rock for the morning prayer service. I could not think of a better way to begin 2013 than spending my first hours worshiping with the Haitian people. Today is not only New Years in Haiti, but it is also their Independence Day, so the atmosphere has been festive. It has been a wonderful experience to be here for the holidays – especially celebrating independence in a place that Jesus has brought such freedom to my own life.

A scripture that the Pastor of Church on The Rock read this morning really impacted me. Jeremiah 17:14 says "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise." Let us begin this new year with an attitude of thankfulness and praise. 

We traveled with the girls to Lifesaver Orphanage today. It is our goal for them to begin doing outreach work. They are very blessed in comparison to many of the other children in Haiti living in orphanages. I have to be honest at this point, and tell you that I hate the word “orphanage.” Many children who live in them are not orphans. Their parents chose for them to live there, so that they could have a better life. Most all of the girls in our home have some type of family that is still living whether it is a parent, an aunt or a cousin.

Some of you may remember my previous blogs about the Lifesaver children. They are very musically talented, so I was not surprised at all when they began to sing for us as soon as we arrived. They did several songs in several languages. It was very impressive. Our girls did their performance next, and they did a great job! I was so proud. After the singing we feasted on cookies and Haitian cola. Then we played. We brought balls, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk so the children had a lot of fun.

One child caught my eye, and tended to stay rather attached to me the entire time. Her name was Sema (say-mah). Sema arrived at Lifesaver about three months ago because her mother died, and he father could not care for her and her two siblings. She was very sick, and both her brother and sister were in the hospital. She eventually fell asleep in my arms. Please pray for this precious child that God would restore her body. She also has these scores all over her body, so pray that those are healed quickly.

After we arrived back at MFGH, we all relaxed for a few hours, had dinner, and now we are about to leave to do sparklers with our girls for Independence Day. I am very excited! Will probably not post a blog about it, but will at least come back and do some pictures.

Blessings,

Hannah