Empty Me... that is the prayer of my heart! As I sit here with bags packed on my way back to Molokai from Haiti my heart cries out the words to the Jeremy Camp song...
"Holy fire burn away my desire for anything that is not of you and is of me. I want more of you and less of me."
After spending a full week in Haiti, my heart is so overwhelmed with emotion. This trip I have spent a lot of time with the children of Haiti. Looking into their precious faces, I think of how much of the worldly treasures they don't have but yet their little faces radiate happiness. Last year when I came to Haiti, I sponsored a little one that I had the privilege of meeting this year. Ismy Love and his family of seven live in a rock hut that is 10 ft by about 12 feet. When we got there Ismy and his siblings were playing while their mother was in Kenscoff for market day. Five of our team members went with me on this home visit and they had a blast playing and taking pictures of the children. Love breaks through language barriers!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Haiti: on the way out
As I sit here on the eve of heading back to Molokai, my heart is saddened. There is such a need in Haiti and I could definitely see myself working with the children out here. I am thankful that God made it very clear last year that I am to wait until I am married in order to adopt. Otherwise it would be an incredible struggle to leave this place without a child. On the other hand each child that I have held reminds me to pray for my future husband and our future children.
Oh Lord, my heart breaks for each of these children living in such poverty but oh how happy they are. May you use me to minster to these little ones that are so close to your heart. I pray that youare preparing a husband for me even now to love and care for children as much as you do.
Oh Lord, my heart breaks for each of these children living in such poverty but oh how happy they are. May you use me to minster to these little ones that are so close to your heart. I pray that youare preparing a husband for me even now to love and care for children as much as you do.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Haiti: visit with Ismy Love
Alysa and I were on for breakfust duty... this morning we made eggs, bacon, and rice.
At 8:30am, Shannon, Risse, Keith, Andrew, and I went up to visit my little one... Ismy in Kenscoff. He was out of school but we went by and saw the school and visited a 4th grade classroom where the kids sang and recited a verse for us.
Our driver, Willie and translator took us up to Viard to meed Ismy Love and his family. His mom was in town buying supplies- beans to sell. Ismy's 13yr old brother was watching all the children. They live in a one room rock house where 7 people call home. The children loved the toys we brought and the mom was thrilled to see us.
After the home visit we went up to Ft. Jacque for a tour. It was build to withhold the French troops from invading Port Au Prince.
At 8:30am, Shannon, Risse, Keith, Andrew, and I went up to visit my little one... Ismy in Kenscoff. He was out of school but we went by and saw the school and visited a 4th grade classroom where the kids sang and recited a verse for us.
Our driver, Willie and translator took us up to Viard to meed Ismy Love and his family. His mom was in town buying supplies- beans to sell. Ismy's 13yr old brother was watching all the children. They live in a one room rock house where 7 people call home. The children loved the toys we brought and the mom was thrilled to see us.
After the home visit we went up to Ft. Jacque for a tour. It was build to withhold the French troops from invading Port Au Prince.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Haiti: arrival
After way too many hours of flying, we arrived in Port Au Prince shortly after Laura Bush. We went through customs and then met up with Julie, Alejandro, and Keith. We collected our 30 bags and headed out the terminal to meet up with Chris and Kelli.
All of us girls jumped in with Kelli and drove up to the BHM compound with a quick stop at an overlook. It was so good to talk with Kelli again. The entire way up to the mission... Shannon, Alysa, and Risse were all "look at that cow", etc. ... by the time we got to the mission... Alysa had taken 300 pictures.
Once at BHM, we unloaded the bags and went up to Mountain Maid for lunch. After lunch, Patti took the team on a tour while Lizzy and I started unpacking bags and setting up reservations for home visits with Elsa. Once doing that we realized that school was out of sessions for the next week so we had to revamp the schedule.
By the time we had a group meeting and dinner. When dinner was finished, everyone had a glazed over exhausted look... Everyone went to bed!
All of us girls jumped in with Kelli and drove up to the BHM compound with a quick stop at an overlook. It was so good to talk with Kelli again. The entire way up to the mission... Shannon, Alysa, and Risse were all "look at that cow", etc. ... by the time we got to the mission... Alysa had taken 300 pictures.
Once at BHM, we unloaded the bags and went up to Mountain Maid for lunch. After lunch, Patti took the team on a tour while Lizzy and I started unpacking bags and setting up reservations for home visits with Elsa. Once doing that we realized that school was out of sessions for the next week so we had to revamp the schedule.
By the time we had a group meeting and dinner. When dinner was finished, everyone had a glazed over exhausted look... Everyone went to bed!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Haiti: As the journey begins...
Well it is finally that time of the year. Off to Haiti! After months of planning and packing for endless hours, twelve team members sit on a flight from HNL to LAX.
It has been relatively uneventful as of this morning. Praise God! Barney just got his passport yesterday. Some issue with his birth certificate. Praise God that all got taken care of.
It has been relatively uneventful as of this morning. Praise God! Barney just got his passport yesterday. Some issue with his birth certificate. Praise God that all got taken care of.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Peace to You!
Dear family and friends-
As I sit here tonight working on my Cultivating Contentment Bible Study for this week, my heart is overwhelmed by all that God has been teaching me. Currently my house is very calm compared to an hour ago when we were in the midst of our staff Christmas party. The calmness I feel around me and within me is a perfect reminder of how God originally designed the season of His son's birth. Born in a quiet town in a stable where the only sounds heard were those of the animals. There wasn't a lot of busyness around our Savior's birth.
Now fly through more than 2000 years, here I sit in my living room on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, listening to Bing Crosby sing Christmas music with the angel on the top of my Christmas tree flashing sporadically. There is a cool breeze blowing from the fan. All of the comforts of modern day life in America. Boy what a difference in setting between the night Jesus was born and where I sit tonight but that divine calmness is the same. That calmness is known as peace and I was reminded of all of this after reading Colossians 3:13
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful."
We can have that peace in the midst of even the crazyiest situations. So my prayer for you is may the peace of God be with you! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Much love and God's blessings,
Angela
As I sit here tonight working on my Cultivating Contentment Bible Study for this week, my heart is overwhelmed by all that God has been teaching me. Currently my house is very calm compared to an hour ago when we were in the midst of our staff Christmas party. The calmness I feel around me and within me is a perfect reminder of how God originally designed the season of His son's birth. Born in a quiet town in a stable where the only sounds heard were those of the animals. There wasn't a lot of busyness around our Savior's birth.
Now fly through more than 2000 years, here I sit in my living room on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, listening to Bing Crosby sing Christmas music with the angel on the top of my Christmas tree flashing sporadically. There is a cool breeze blowing from the fan. All of the comforts of modern day life in America. Boy what a difference in setting between the night Jesus was born and where I sit tonight but that divine calmness is the same. That calmness is known as peace and I was reminded of all of this after reading Colossians 3:13
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful."
We can have that peace in the midst of even the crazyiest situations. So my prayer for you is may the peace of God be with you! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Much love and God's blessings,
Angela
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Moments
Ever have one of those moments when you look back over your life and ponder the things that you have done??? Some are happy. Some are sad. And most are somewhere in between. Over the past few days I have had quite a few of those pondering moments.
God has allowed me a bit of a vacation to visit North Carolina . I came with no expectations and have been blown away by what God had planned. The purpose of the trip was to come back for my ten year class reunion but I feel like it has been more of a walk down memory lane.
The journey started by going to a Friday night Western Alamance High School football game where the memories of marching band and the cool crisp fall nights flooded the scene. No matter how many things change there are still a lot of things that stay the same!! Saturday brought with it an evening filled with old friends and talking the night away at our ten year class reunion. It was so good to see everyone and reconnect with people I haven’t seen in over ten years. Sunday brought with it a new church and a late night dinner with an old friend at the infamous IHOP!
As I settled into the routine of being back at my parents and getting in touch with people, I couldn’t help but remember the emotions of the previous weeks. …finishing the first quarter of school with evaluations and parent conferences…watching two boys for nine days while their parents went to the mainland…getting everything washed and packed for a two week trip…sorting out all of the details while I am gone…and the heartbreak of losing two friends in the matter of a few days made this trip something less than desirable to look forward to. (Plus I think I was exhausted!!!) I have had to remind my self numerous times over the past few days that I am on vacation and not in the “real” world. Just as there were moments of not wanting to come to NC, there have been those moments of not wanting to go back home to Molokai for there are responsibilities to take care of.
So with all that said- I have three more days left and I am going to make every moment the best it can be because there will never be another moment like the last. When you look back over the last week of your life how have your “moments” been???
Hope all is well with you! Keep in touch and let me know if there is anything I can lift before the throne of God for you!! I will try to stay in better contact!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
God has allowed me a bit of a vacation to visit North Carolina . I came with no expectations and have been blown away by what God had planned. The purpose of the trip was to come back for my ten year class reunion but I feel like it has been more of a walk down memory lane.
The journey started by going to a Friday night Western Alamance High School football game where the memories of marching band and the cool crisp fall nights flooded the scene. No matter how many things change there are still a lot of things that stay the same!! Saturday brought with it an evening filled with old friends and talking the night away at our ten year class reunion. It was so good to see everyone and reconnect with people I haven’t seen in over ten years. Sunday brought with it a new church and a late night dinner with an old friend at the infamous IHOP!
As I settled into the routine of being back at my parents and getting in touch with people, I couldn’t help but remember the emotions of the previous weeks. …finishing the first quarter of school with evaluations and parent conferences…watching two boys for nine days while their parents went to the mainland…getting everything washed and packed for a two week trip…sorting out all of the details while I am gone…and the heartbreak of losing two friends in the matter of a few days made this trip something less than desirable to look forward to. (Plus I think I was exhausted!!!) I have had to remind my self numerous times over the past few days that I am on vacation and not in the “real” world. Just as there were moments of not wanting to come to NC, there have been those moments of not wanting to go back home to Molokai for there are responsibilities to take care of.
So with all that said- I have three more days left and I am going to make every moment the best it can be because there will never be another moment like the last. When you look back over the last week of your life how have your “moments” been???
Hope all is well with you! Keep in touch and let me know if there is anything I can lift before the throne of God for you!! I will try to stay in better contact!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
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