Haiti 2011 | Blog 2.

We spent last night at Wings of Refuge. The kids were so excited to have us stay with them. I ended up staying with the girls in their room and think that I have never slept worse. I know that is terribly negative but it was so hot that it was hard to breathe, hard to get comfortable, and hard to sleep.

I was drenched with sweat by the time I woke up a half-hour after I fell asleep. It probably did not help that I had two little bodies squeezed in right next to mine - those two little bodies of course, fast asleep. I did not want to move in case I would wake them up. In fact, I hardly wanted to breath in case they would awake. But, at moments, I just had to sit up. It was that hot.

All I could think was, this is how they sleep every night?!? They slept so sound, so peacefully, without a peep or sigh.

I love that we serve a God who loves and cares for children, no matter their age, no matter their background, no matter if they were accepted or rejected by their parents.

King David wrote,
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” [Psalm 68:5].

That has taken on a whole new meaning for me this week. God is a Father to the fatherless.

James then wrote later,
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” [James 1:27].

I can’t help but think that Jesus desires to use His church to care for orphans and widows. Though He could easily do it on His own, He wants to use us. I have been so blessed being used in caring for children who have no parents to call their own.

Since most of my time is being spent at Wings of Refuge, I would love to introduce you to each of the children that currently live there. I will start with the two youngest of the bunch. They are both three years old and extremely different from each other.

Angelina is the first pictured here and these two pictures give you a taste of the many faces that come with Angelina. She is my little love and we have become close friends the past two days. She is spunky, fun, brilliant, and the most stubborn little thing.

Betchina is still getting used to the transition to Wings of Refuge but tries to keep up with the rest of them. She is just precious. She loves to be held (I guess all of them do actually) and loves to be sung to.

Pray you are doing well, CLC Family! Love you, miss you all, and thank you for all the prayer!

- Holly Aman

Haiti 2011 | Blog 1.

Personally, I think that a blog should take each post and focus on one thought, one lesson learned, or one challenge passed. However, I have absolutely no idea what one to focus from the past few days. I had intended to blog everyday to alleviate the pressure of summarizing or writing far too long posts but the internet has not been working since I got here.

Boy, God is good. There is not one moment that I am not positive that He led me here not only for the lives I am coming in contact with but for my own refining, growth, and character. My goal coming to Haiti was to be a blessing to those who already laboring here but I honestly feel that they have blessed me far beyond any blessing I have been.

I love the way people live here. It is definitely not easier but there is something so beautiful about it. Whether it is to washing clothes by hand, never knowing if electricity is going to work, breaking ice by hand, and so many other things that are simply afterthoughts in the United States, there is something so simple about it.

We have been spending most of our time with the children from Wings of Refuge Children’s Home but had an opportunity on Saturday to help run a kids’ program for the children from one of the tent communities. There are still many people living in tents since the earthquake. Can you even imagine? This tent city that we visited with was right next to the Prime Minister’s house, so it is said to be the nicest.

The children are beautiful. Stunning, really. They are so happy, so caring, so considerate, and so helpful. Many of them have close to nothing to call their own but they truly love life. While helping with the program at the Tent City, I noticed there was so much trash all around (which is not a rare scene at all, due to the lack of trashcans). I asked around for a bag (“sha-she” in Creole) and began to pick up trash. At first people just watched but after only a few minutes many children and teenagers had joined in the effort. It got to a point where they were fighting about who could hold the bag for the others to throw the trash into.

The children really don’t want anything except your attention. They want to be held, loved, and played with above all else. Though the clothing and items are appreciated, all they want is you. I don’t think this is any different than any other child in the world, however somewhere along the line it is easier and less disappointing to go for the possessions.

More than anything, I am reminded that Jesus Christ is the hope for the world. No matter the circumstance. No matter the situation. No matter the person or issue. No matter the country. He is the answer and it is how we respond to Him that changes everything. I have been pondering over this story in Luke for a few days now...

“...Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.” [Luke 13:10-13].

I love that in her own strength she could not straighten up at all, but then, Jesus comes on the scene and everything changes. It is easy to become overwhelmed in a country that is so bound by poverty, corrupt government, and spiritual oppression, however, Jesus is the answer. Not just for Haiti, but for the United States. I love that. That does not mean that it will look the same but It really is that simple.

I could go on for about two weeks about what God has been doing, showing me, and challenging me in just these past few days but I want to go help get dinner on the table. Thank you so much for all the prayers and support. Love you all and miss you, dearly! Can’t wait to hear all that God is doing in YOU over these past two weeks.

- Holly Aman