Redeeming Gifts

I have some very exciting news to share!  Many of you know that I have spent the last three months teaching myself to make paper beads to start a new ministry with the brothel girls.  Ashley spent that same time learning to make hand sewn coin purses with her nutritional program moms.  We had ideas and dreams of how to market and sell these items to help the women we love so much better their lives with these new “jobs”.

Apparently God thought that our ideas and dreams were not even close to big enough!

In the last two weeks, God has taken our tiny idea and exploded it into a full blown women’s ministry that encompasses all of who and what NWHCM is!  As we continue to Rescue, Restore and Redeem here in the Northwest zone of Haiti, God is telling us that the time is now to refine some of our thoughts on the Redeem aspect.  Using mostly recycled products, Redeeming Gifts was born through much prayer and excitement.  We will be able to use this new ministry to start redeeming these women in their own eyes, the eyes of the community and allow them to fully understand who our Lord and Savior is through in depth Bibles lessons and “Life lessons” as well.

Here is a breakdown of what we are looking to do:  We have invited the women and girls in our programs in ministries to participate in, not only earning an income, but in the classes we will teach during their “work” time, the opportunity to bless the ministries at NWHCM through their tithes, the chance to pay for their college educations or start businesses of their own.  Our plan is to sell each of the items here in Haiti on our campuses, online on a new website dedicated to this project and in stores in the states along with christian conferences, church bookstores, etc.

The programs should be fully self sustainable after our initial “start up” investment as we are paying the girls all of the profit on each item, only holding back what we need to replace the supplies used.  They will then tithe a portion of their earnings back to the ministries of NWHCM.  We will offer savings accounts and finance/budget lessons and help with business plans to help them achieve their goals.

Each program involved has in Redeeming Gifts has chosen a scripture and a word, in Hebrew or Creole, to call our section of the ministry.  For example the ones chosen for the brothel girls:

Leviticus 26:13  I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves.  I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high.

ga’al:  redeem.  to reclaim a person or a thing.  often an economic transaction such as buying property back from a creditor or purchasing freedom for an enslaved family member.

Before I get all excited and start rambling about the brothel girls, let me tell you who we have involved and what they will be making so you can start joining us in prayer.

Brothel girls:  hand made paper bead jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings)

Prison women:  patchwork hand sewn coin purses (using scraps of fabric left from other projects)

Nutritional Program moms:  hand sewn and decorated coin purses

Orphanage teen girls:  hand made, fabric covered journals made with homemade recycled paper

Miriam Center outreach moms:  two styles of beautiful fabric tote bags

Granmoun women:  weaving projects (mats, baskets, etc)

Jody is getting her women in the Mole involved too so our product list will be growing as will the different ministries involved.  I love it!  This has really become an “entire staff” project as we all work, dream, pray together towards making this successful.  Please pray along with us as we seek the Lord’s vision in this whole thing and that we are able to use Redeeming Gifts to honor and glorify Him above all else.

Sixteen of the brothel girls have committed to the program and to seeking change in their lives and hearts through a relationship with Christ.  We have had several meetings and classes so far and they have picked it up faster than I thought was possible!  These sweet girls have the opportunity to go from being prostitutes to being missionaries to their own community through their tithes and offerings to the ministries here at NWHCM.  Can you even imagine a more powerful sentence?!?  As we invited them into the mission family, and have brought as many of our Haitian staff in to help and just love on these ladies, I have watched them lose the look of doubt and fear that always seems to be present.  Just giving them their lanyards and name tags the other day filled them with beautiful pride and they all seemed to sit up inches taller in their seats!

We have already begun selling, and taking orders for their beautiful jewelry.  I am so excited for what this could mean for them and their children!  More than the financial freedom this will bring them, I am desperate for them to see themselves the way God does.  Worthy.  Beautiful.  Daughters.  Chosen.  Covered by Grace.  Redeemed.  What a powerful testimony these sweet women could be!  To turn from the live they felt forced into and trapped in… and, God willing, become passionate followers of Him… sharing that love and grace with everyone they know!  I am covered with goosebumps and have tears in my eyes just even imagining the day we are all celebrating in Heaven together.

Here are some pictures of what the girls have been up to.   If you have any questions about how you can help get involved, if you know of any store stateside that might be interested in carrying our products or you just want to offer up prayers on our behalf, please let me know!

Greater than…

I was lucky enough to be in the states for most of the “Greater than” series preached at my church.  Each week, I would walk out of the service and wonder how it was that Drew knew exactly what I needed to hear.  The congregation was all given these bracelets to wear to remind us that in every situation or struggle or fear… God is SO MUCH bigger than whatever we are up against.  And that God’s desires are so much bigger than my own selfish ones.  What an awesome reminder for me this past couple of weeks  back in Haiti.    

It’s so hard to not get caught up in the frustrations here and the helpless feelings that can come when faced with some of the hard stories.  Immediately upon return I met a tiny baby we’ve named Moses who is living in the orphanage here on campus.  Moses was found lying by the river about 4 weeks ago.  He was one day old, naked, and his wrists, feet and legs had been sliced open with a knife.  Left to die.   Anyone else feeling my pain and frustration with that situation???  Ok.  God is greater than that.  Today I sat next to Magdala in church as she lovingly held this sweet baby boy.  Healthy.  Safe.  Loved.

I met a 14 year old boy in the local jail a few days ago.  He was there because he had been caught stealing.  Again.  I sat on the floor of that jail with him for over an hour, separated only by the bars on his cell.  His story was heartbreaking in that this little boy is living on the streets.  He is alone.  His mom lives in PAP.  He does not know his father.  The family that had taken him and his little sister in kicked him out after only a short time of his staying there.  He was stealing to eat.  To survive.  Again…. anyone feeling that same pain and frustration?  I know that God is greater than that too…  Magdala is trying to line up a home for him when he is released.  We actually know the woman who was taking care of him and Magdala has asked her to give the boy another chance.  If not, he will be placed with a family from our congregation.

As I write I have that familiar pit in my stomach… the pain in my heart that comes with feeling the pain of those we are serving.  How wonderful to just look down and be reminded over and over again… God is greater than…  fill in the blank.  Because He truly is.  In order to know the beauty of the mountain you must have first experienced the low of the valley.  Here in Haiti they are sometime simultaneous.

During the greater than series Drew preached about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fact that they were kept safe while actually IN THE FIRE…  not kept from it.  Why should we expect any different?  God is here with us… with a baby left to die… with a little boy locked in a cell… with my sweet brothel girls and prisoners…  with the people struggling to just make it another day…  with the mission staff here as we face our own fires…  Can we learn to be grateful for the fire?  To realize that it’s only when we are truly broken and at His mercy that He can really show His glory?  I think we can.  God is greater than any of our fears, desires, our comfort, our hurts.  Mesi Jezi.

Brothel boys? Might be time for a new name?

I don’t what else to call them as they happen to live at a brothel!  Lol.  It just sounds wrong though doesn’t it??  I mean, there aren’t even any girls currently working there!  Strangest but BEST day of my brothel ministry each week.

I just wanted to share a few pictures of our Bible study with the boys yesterday as they are SO stinking cute.  It seems almost sinful to keep all that cuteness to myself!   This weeks study was on the book of Ruth.  The boys and several neighborhood kids were all there waiting patiently on us to come down the hill from the prison.  Nothing warms my heart like their excitement for learning more about the Bible!  Love them!

Psalm 34:11
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

 

calling all prayer warriors…

Ever feel at a total loss for words?  Or at least words that make sense to anyone but you?  That’s where I am at so blogging is definitely a bit of a struggle tonight.

I am just SO EXCITED about what God has revealed to me today… shown me today… confirmed to me today…  ALL OF THE ABOVE!   Yes.  The capitol letters mean I am screaming out loud!  That’s how crazy awesome this is.  At one point today (Heather will confirm!   Lol!) I couldn’t even control myself from jumping and dancing in the street on the way to our truck… so where do I begin?

Today is Maeka’s 20th birthday so Heather, Edril and I loaded up the cupcakes, milk and presents and went to visit her after church.  Maeka met us on the road and climbed into the back of the truck with us to show us where she lives.  She looked absolutely radiant.  When we got there this is the sight we were greeted with…

Have you EVER seen anything so precious?!?  So sweet and beautiful.  Her name is Kiwanna (no idea how to actually spell it.  but you get the idea…) and I couldn’t get enough of this miracle baby in all of her sweet perfection.   I was overwhelmed by the thought that this baby “shouldn’t” be here… but by the GRACE of God…

Here is a shot of Maeka opening one of her gifts and sitting next to Heather…  smiling and enjoying her special day as she SO deserves…

Ok.  Show and tell time is finished for now.  Onto the praises and prayers…

When we first got to the house Maeka and her family are living in I was relieved to see that it’s actually quite nice.  There was a man sitting in front of the baby that I knew I recognized and I asked if he was the daddy.  He said no but went to get the baby’s father.  You could have knocked me over with a gentle breeze when I saw who the father was!  His name is Robert and he is a man that I met many times at the La Pointe brothel.  The same brothel (now a restaurant) that I had JUST pointed out to Heather on our way there, telling her that some of my most powerful moments in ministry happened in that small building.

WHY is this so exciting to me?  Ok… well… you have to understand how completely weird I am.  And how completely in love I am with Maeka.  The most exciting WONDERFUL amazing part of this was that I could see, feel, touch God’s amazing plan in bringing this family together… which leads me to believe that God has some crazy big plans for Maeka and her new family.  Here are the thoughts swimming through my head…

*  Maeka is the one (along with Matilda and Kateline) that got us into the La Pointe brothel.  Until she left Papa Yo’s and stood on the road waiting to see me drive by on a Thursday I had NO idea that there even was a brothel there.  Interesting fact is that Maeka only stayed at that brothel for a few weeks and then moved onto the local brothel here in town.  But our ministry there continued…

*  Robert, along with the dwindling brothel girls and anywhere from 30 to 60 people from the community packed into that tiny brothel week after week for Bible study and prayer.  He was THERE when I audibly HEARD the brush of angels wings!  If you haven’t read the blog post about that day stop right now, read it here: http://melonnieinhaiti.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/brush-of-angels-wings/ and then continue reading this post.

*  So here’s God telling me…  “See?  I’ve not only GOT THIS under control NOW… but I have been preparing for this day all along.”

*  Could Robert possibly remind me of Hosea???  Heck YES!  Is it a bit of a stretch for everyone but me?  Maybe.  But he met her at a BROTHEL… knowing that she was a PROSTITUTE and he is choosing to love her and take care of her and seems so very PROUD of her and that beautiful baby girl.

*  Could Maeka and Robert possibly become PARTNERS with me in the brothel ministry???  NOW I’M TO THE EXCITED SHOUTING PART AGAIN!!!   DANCING, JUMPING, AND LOVING!  What kind of TESTIMONY would they be to the others still trapped in that way of life???  With a miracle baby to boot!  HOLY COW?  Can I get an AMEN?

I know this probably seems like a huge stretch to some of you but I know (and I mean KNOW) that God can and will use them.  We have a long way to go.  This is where you all come in.  I need you to pray.  And I don’t mean a short “Dear Jesus, bless these people” kind of prayer.  I mean like an ON YOUR FACE crying out to the  Lord kind of prayer.   These are the things I am asking you to join me in lifting up to the Lord:

- wisdom for me as I try to come up with scriptures for Robert to pray with.  He has agreed to be my prayer partner.  I am bringing him a Creole Bible (at our baby shower next week!!!) and promised him that I would highlight scriptures that we can both use to pray for and strengthen their family.  I am looking for scriptures on being the spiritual head of the household,  loving your wife and providing for your family, being a LIGHT in the world, being good parents… you get the idea.   I’d love your feedback and comments.

- prayers that Maeka and Robert will eventually get married.

- prayers for that sweet baby’s health and that she will grow up knowing and loving Jesus.

- prayers that Robert would find a job (mason work) to be able to support his family.

- prayers that Maeka would truly understand that she is a daughter of the KING and that she knows the influence that she could have on the girls still at the brothels.

- prayers that Robert would truly understand the responsibility that he has to the Lord and to his family.  That he would rise up as a Godly man and an example of faithfulness to those around him.

- prayers for Roberts 15 year old daughter as she adjusts to this new family and that she too will come to know and love Jesus.

- prayers that God will bless this union and use them in a MIGHTY way to share the Good News in a way that is far more effective than anything I could do or say.

- prayers that Robert and Maeka will be open to the crazy excitement that I have and to the nudging of the Lord in this… that they realize their beautiful potential!!!

I could keep going and going and going but lets leave it here for now.  Thank you so much for joining me in this battle and for sharing in my excitement.  The absolutely clear and wonderful message that I received today is that God has BIG plans for them.  I believe it.

Prostitute to Princess

¹pros·ti·tute

1: to offer indiscriminately for sexual services especially for money

2: to devote to corrupt or unworthy purposes 

¹prin·cess

1: a female member of a royal family; especially : a daughter or granddaughter of a sovereign king

Do those two words connect in your head?  They do in mine…  meet (for some allow me to reintroduce…) Maeka.  She is a 19 year old girl I met that was working at Papa Yo’s brothel last year.  Through many small group Bible studies, lots of love and a princess party that taught us about being a daughter of the true King we were able to break through Maeka’s “tough girl” attitude.  She won my heart and the hearts of my daughters.  We loved, and love, her fiercely and protectively.

Here she is at that Princess Party…

And at a birthday party at another brothel here in St Louis du Nord with Susan…

Back in October we learned that Maeka was pregnant.  She was scared.  I was scared.  I was also heartbroken for her.  Days after I went home for my winter break I heard from Ashley that Maeka had taken some pills off the street to try to end her pregnancy and was in bad shape.  (You can read a blog from that time http://melonnieinhaiti.wordpress.com/2011/11/03/prayers-for-maeka/)  Ashley shared with Maeka that her baby was God’s baby and encouraged her to trust in the Lord during that very scary time.  I was so scared for her and her baby and by the time I got back to Haiti Maeka had left for PAP.  We didn’t know if we would ever see her again.

Today my sweet Maeka showed up again.   In her arms was the most beautiful, perfect baby girl.  No signs of that awful time are visible in that precious baby at all.  She is a true miracle… but even more overwhelming to me was Maeka’s tender love for her child.  I am so ridiculously proud of her!  She left PAP and is now living in La Pointe with the father of her baby.  Making a life… a REAL life outside of the brothel.  Today I saw Princess Maeka.  A true daughter of the King.  Thank you Jesus.

We will visit Saturday and have a birthday party for Maeka as she turns 20 on Sunday and then again next week when my hubby gets here so we can load her up with baby goodies from “grandma and grandpa”.   Please join me in praying for Maeka and her new family!

Psalm 45:9  Daughters of kings are among your honored women.

Side note…  as I was looking up the definition of prostitute I couldn’t help but look at the second definition.  How many of us can honestly say that we do not devote ourselves to unworthy causes?  Or “sell ourselves” to the materialistic world we live in?  How am I different from those girls?  We are all guilty of prostitution in one way or another…  some are just more honest about it.  Food for thought.

If only…

If only every day could be Thursday…  or at least a day like MY Thursdays usually are…

Yesterday was pretty awesome.  I was so happy to be healthy enough to go to Port de Paix this week!  I had a great team of nurses and helpers go with me to run the clinic at the prison and several others who went along just to help out in whatever way they could.  Magdala and I decided to split the cells up this week (each teaching on the same scripture) so we could get done fast enough for her to join me at Papa Yo’s.  How cool!   Magdala chose Philippians 4:4-7 and off we went.  I was so blessed to be partnering with such a beautiful servant.  I don’t know if we actually made it through faster but it was SO great to know that I could take my time at each cell and not worry about having to cut the last cells short because we were running over! It felt so so so good to be back with my sweet friends!

My favorite part of the day was definately watching as the team handed out the Creole Bibles and song book we finally got from PAP.  I couldn’t help but cry as I saw each set of hands clutching their Bible and as I saw so many beautiful smiles as some were able to open up their very own Bible for the first time ever.  The guards all insisted they get one too which was pretty amazing.  Their whole demeanor changed as they too got these gifts.  Yes…  Lol…  that means I need more Bibles!  But goodness… the guards??  Wanted Bibles??  SO AWESOME!   As Magdala and I finished up the devotions, the team also helped deliver the prisoners meals, refilled water jars and spent time time in prayer with them.  It was a crazy hot day.  One of our clinic workers actually fainted!  Two of the men that were being treated caught her and helped fan her to try to cool her down.  Love them!  The prisoners were actually fanning me with pieces of cardboard while I spoke in front of several of the cells.  So sweet but I felt ridiculous!  How awful that they knew I needed to be cooled off like a princess when I’m in there for only hours while they. never. leave.

A few of the team joined me, Edril, Magdala as we went to Papa Yo’s for our small group with the boys.  Oreos, high-lows, scripture and a word search.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  So funny to be ministering to those boys in a brothel.  Still no girls working although I did hear that there might be a girl staying there.  Another Thursday of sweet victories. 

celebrating the victories

I have been pretty quiet for a while on here as I have been recovering and reflecting on my crazy spring.  I so appreciate the sweet messages and prayers that so many of you have sent my way.  Nothing to worry about at all… just a time of much needed rest and listening to God.

I had to write my regular report for the NWHCM board meeting a couple of weeks ago and as I did that I realized just how much the victories of the spring have been swept to the side in light of the illnesses and “junk” that have been so front and center over the last few months in my life.  I just spent two weeks in the states with my family, and even though much of my time really was spent on doctors appointments and tests,  I was incredibly disappointed and embarrassed that 9 out of every 10 question, note or phone call was to ask only about MY health… not to ask about what was happening here in Haiti… not about the prisoners or the brothel girls… not about the children… just me.   So…. in the interest of moving forward and looking only to what God has in store for us…. one last update on my health issues:

My liver scan and tests came back looking good.  I am recovering nicely from the Hep A.  My lungs are clear… no sign of damage from the pneumonia.  It was too early to recheck for typhoid as I am still in the recovery process.  That will need to be tested here in Haiti a bit later.  I am still exhausted and in a bit of pain.  But… I have had three major illnesses in a very short amount of time and am still recovering so that is totally to be expected.  This has also thrown some of my other medical issues into a tail spin.  The long and short of it is that I am ok.  I need lots of rest and need to be very careful as my immune system is pretty much non existent at the moment.  Naps I can do.  Supplements and vitamins are my new best friends.  Hubby has me on strict orders of what I am allowed to eat/drink and where.  The plan is for me to take an extended break at home this fall to try and get totally on top of all this but to stay in Haiti throughout the summer.    I thank you all so much for praying for me while I’ve been sick and I am SO excited about feeling better and the summer that’s ahead of us!

Now…  onto some of the victories of this spring…

1.  Magdala and Edril took charge of the devotions and prison visits while I was sick and/or at home and not one week was missed all spring.  We also had an amazing medical intern this spring, Maria, who stepped in and ran the prison medical clinics each week.  Such an amazing blessing and relief.

2.  Several members of the Eye Team visited the prison in February and did a much needed eye clinic.  They now plan to make this a yearly visit with ideas on how to even be able to make prosthetic eyes for those who need them!  Awesome!

3.  Three out of the four brothels I work with are now shut down or not operating as brothels!!!  Papa Yo’s currently has no girls working and he continues to care for the street kids he has taken in.  We do weekly Bible study with the boys and workers there.  The La Pointe brothel was shut down and a new owner has turned the property into a bar/restaurant and is very open to us coming and doing community Bible studies there regularly.  One of the St Louis du Nord brothels has shut their doors completely.  God has been BUSY!

4.  One hundred and fourteen baptisms at the prison this past April!  Enough said.  Goodness. 

5.  Money was donated to buy enough Bibles for each of the 380 prisoners to have their very own and several song books for each cell.

6.  Just a few weeks ago we were beyond blessed by a pediatrician and a OB/GYN who actually went down into the local brothel with me to set up clinic.  Dr. Steve saw and treated all of the girls children (and there’s lots!) and Dr. Alex took the time to explain the exam process and what he would be looking for and the procedures that would be available to them before handing out clinic cards to every woman who wanted one, even inviting the girls female family members that might be interested.  To see my sweet friends treated with such love and compassion was a bigger gift than I can begin to explain.  These same doctors also went with us later in the week to help Maria with clinic at the prison.

7.  Edril and I have a plan to start a new mens Bible study for the guys we meet while visiting the local jail to help get them involved in a church and have some accountability partners.  These men all live here in town and need to be connected with other strong Christian men to stay out of trouble.

I could have had 50 highlights written here as so much has happened…

It has been a bumpy road this spring. both emotionally and physically.  But the cool thing is that God showed me over and over and over again that He is going to get things done with or without me.  He encouraged me to trust Him in ways that I clearly hadn’t let go of yet.  The prison being a HUGE part of that learning experience.  We have, and are, experiencing many changes here at the mission and I know that my very uncertain spring has helped me become much stronger spiritually and emotionally.   I walk (or limp!) away from these past few months more committed than ever… to my God… to my family… to my calling here at NWHCM.

Looking forward to what God has in store for us as the interns and staff all start rolling in this week.  I pray that this summer changes lives and that God multiplies our talents, our money, our strength and our passion.  It is when we are weak that He is made strong.  Wow.  So madly in love with that Jesus.

one day at a time

Each day that goes by I am getting healthier and stronger… and more frustrated.  Lol!  Remember that whole PATIENCE thing?  Goodness.

The hardest part is that as I am slowly regaining strength, I am able to do more… which makes me feel more than a little antsy to get off campus.  One day at a time right?  *sigh*  If only we could skip right over Thursdays while I am still healing.  But then again… how selfish is that?

This weekwhen Thursday rolled around there were no tears but I was definitely cranky… and I mean CRANKY… as I packed the team up and sent them off to the prison without me.  I was so overwhelmed with my own selfishness and grumpiness about not getting to go see my friends in PdP that I forgot to be EXCITED for the sweet team of Wheaton kids that were going to help run the clinic.  (not one of my finer moments!)

Well.  I got slapped hard that night.  God reminded me, in no uncertain terms, that He has this completely under control and certainly doesn’t need ME to be able to love on the prisoners in prostitutes in Haiti… in other words…  get over yourself Melonnie.

The teams stood up at the end of devotions to share about their day and I was absolutely blown away by God’s goodness… and by His obvious love for me.  While I know that the Lord  was clearly telling me that it’s not ABOUT ME… at the very same time He gave me the sweetest gift of getting to hear firsthand how my friends HAD been loved on that day.

I sat and listened to the stories about what had happened at the brothel and at the prison that day and I just could not control my tears (hopefully not scaring the teams!  Lol) as I was overcome by the gift that they had been to my my sweet friends, by the way they allowed God to work through them and LOVE the “unlovable” through them.  There were so many great stories shared but hearing Alyssa’s passion for the brothel girls and Steven’s story of taking the time to massage the dry and cracked, infected skin of one of the prisoners… I could barely breathe.  They even fed and loved on my prison dog (Mama!) without having ANY idea what that would mean to me!

I tried to share my heart and my thanks with the group after they had all come up and shared but I’m not sure that they could possibly even begin to understand how God was using them to speak to me in such a powerful and loving way.  The Wheaton teams have been such a treat to have on campus and have been so willing to allow God to work through them and IN them… it’s been a beautiful thing to watch.  They have fully embraced what it means to not only be the hands and feet of Jesus, but being His face as well.

So… back to that whole patience thing…  I’ve only got a couple more weeks before I can hopefully get out and about… luckily, God has just reminded me to let go… to trust Him… to remember that it’s not about me… to be patient.  I can do this.  One day at a time.  Because I am slowly understanding that until I really GET it… God will continue to teach me about patience.  I would like to learn this lesson once and for all.

Maybe you could join me in praying for my stubborn streak to be replaced by patience, gentleness, patience, trust, patience, grace, patience… I think you get the picture…

Rewind…

As I sat down to write about my week I realized that I haven’t blogged about LAST week!  We have been crazy busy but crazy blessed!  I’m going to back up a bit and fill you in on last week too… sorry if it’s a long one but there is SO MUCH to tell you!

Last Thursday at the prison was emotional but very sweet as we shared our memories of the earthquake and also went through the many blessings that have come in the last two years… especially the fact that the prison doors were even open to us to begin this ministry.  I was able to introduce them all to our new medical intern, Maria, as she will be heading up the weekly clinics for me there.  Last Thursday was the day we started a new Bible study at Papa Yo’s as well.  We started at the beginning, using the summaries and crossword puzzles that I have prepared for the prisoners over the last couple of years.   We have combined the brothel girls with the boys as we start making our way through the Bible, one book at a time.  Obviously I will still need to separate them as we focus on different areas and get to the princess parties, etc that we love so much… but for now it’s just really nice to study God’s Word as a family.

On the way back to the mission we stopped at the LaPointe brothel.  It has been closed up tight since I’ve been back (Halleluiah!)  but I wanted to check in on all of our community friends who had joined in our Bible study time with the girls.  We found four young men (who I didn’t recognize) sitting outside the gate.  Edril and I explained who we were and told them that we would be back the next day after lunch for Bible study and that anyone and everyone was welcome.  We had no idea what to expect…

The next afternoon, Katie, Ashley and I headed back to LaPointe.  Our truck broke down on the way so we were an hour and a half late.  I was so nervous that they would think we just weren’t coming at all… so I couldn’t believe my eyes as we pulled up and saw all of our old friends, with Bibles in hand, waiting for us outside the gate.  The doors to the brothel were opened and we all piled in.  There were around 30 people there including several new faces so we went through a time of introduction and then went into an incredibly sweet time of prayer.  As always, we asked for individual prayer requests at the end to allow me as much one on one contact with each person as possible.  As I wrote down request after request, Katie would lead them out, one at a time and Ashley took time praying with each person or family as they left.  We couldn’t wait to see what would happen as they all agreed to come to our weekly Bible study every Friday afternoon.

This is where my week got crazy.  The next day the surgery team came in (a treat as I was so happy to see so many friends!), two days later I took the very long ride (about 7 hours) to the Mole campus with Tracey so we could visit and meet with Jody about travel stuff.  An absolutely gorgeous area and an incredibly sweet time of catching up and silliness that was much needed.  We spent just one full day there and got back in the truck early Wednesday morning to start the journey back to the mission… a very bumpy seven and a half hours!  We got back with just enough time for me to prepare for the next days devotions at the prison and brothel!

This Thursday in PdP was emotional to say the least.  Very high highs and very low lows.  The devotion that I shared with them was on sharing and putting each others needs above your own… something that the prisoners know way more about than I do.  The devotion time went well and I closed at each cell by telling them we were finally ready to set up our next time of baptism there at the prison.  I have had several men and women make the decision over the last six months or so and knew that it would be enough to as the director permission again.   I guess I have totally lost count or maybe just don’t give God enough credit for what He is doing in these prisoners hearts.  I am beyond shocked and completely overjoyed to tell you that sixty-seven men and 2 women came forward and asked to be baptized.  Why this shocked me, I don’t know.  The last baptisms we had seventy-six total…  I guess it’s because I know so many of them had already been baptized before I even knew them that I was shocked by this HUGE number.  With only 335 prisoners I am blown away by their overwhelming passion for the Lord!!!

So there is a super high high…  the lows are just incredibly painful and I ask that you lift my sweet friends up in special prayer this week.  One of the prisoners died at the local hospital this week, creating fear and sadness in some of the others.  Two of my closest friends at the prison, Charles and Madam Jacques are incredibly sick, and while we were able to have a special time of prayer… my heart was still breaking for them.  Another of the women had just learned that her son had been shot and killed the night before.  My heart, as a mom, was completely overwhelmed with grief at the thought of her not even being able to mourn with her family during this awful time.  There are six men that are battling TB that are in pretty rough shape…  all six of them came forward to be baptized… a huge relief but still and awful feeling to be so helpless in meeting their physical needs.

We went down the hill to Papa Yo’s and realized quickly that God had more surprises in store for us.  All of the girls except the one Dominican girl had left… gone home for good.  I was so excited!  It was funny because my friend Kim had come with me as she is very interested in women’s ministry and I found myself actually APOLOGIZING for the fact that there was only one girl there!  Lol!  It was a great time of Bible study though as we still had all of the “brothel boys” and the several guys that just kind of hang out there join us.  Markel was there and able to translate for the spanish speaking Dominican as we studied the book of Exodus this week.  She shared that she was sad that the other girls all left and that she was lonely… she also shared that she had been reading the Bible I had given her every day!!!  My hope and prayer for her is that she is the next to go… before Papa Yo manages to find new girls to come and “keep her company”.

Kim (a nurse) also joined us yesterday at the LaPointe brothel…. again…. I almost felt guilty that there are actually not ANY prostitutes at this Bible study!  Haha.  Such an interesting thing I do…   Katie had made cupcakes and be brought cold milk but were completely overwhelmed by the number of people that had come.  Our little community Bible study has grown!  My devotion was similar to the one I had done with the prisoners but really focused more on community and again… meeting each others needs.  Just like at the prison, I know that this group of individuals knows far more about this than I do but we shared in the Word and sought out what God tells us so clearly.

We started out with around 30 men, women and children but we honestly lost count by the end.  My guess is that we spoke to and prayed with around  50 people.  As they learned that Kim was a nurse, the prayer requests turned into pleas for help.  I already knew so many of their stories… and incredibly difficult lives… so adding their medical needs into that mix was emotionally draining to say the least.  Just like the week before, Ashley set up a prayer station outside but as the lines grew longer we all jumped in and were able to spend powerful time of prayer with each person that came.  There are too many to list but there are a few that really jumped out at me this week.

Joanna is a sixteen year old girl that has been coming regularly since the very first day at the Lapointe brothel.  Her parents are both dead and a woman that she didn’t really know took her in.  She literally has no other family.  Her one and only prayer request has been that she might find a way to finish school.  It was only because Kim was with us that I also learned of her vision problems and chronic headaches.  Founa is another woman that we know well.  Her husband died four years ago, she and her three children have been homeless since, floating from house to house as different people have taken them in for a few weeks at a time. A typical story here.  One of her daughters has a pretty nasty skin infection that Kim was able to treat but it was Founa’s story that got me.  As she shared her stomach pains, headaches and dizziness with Kim I realized instantly what the problem was.  She admitted that she only eats one meal every two to three days so that her children each have a few more bites of whatever it is she has for them that day.  Heartbreaking.

The next two were both first timers… Rodrigue is eighteen years old and very shy.  He was orphaned as a young boy and now lives with a friend.  His prayer request was for a family to take care of him.  That’s it.  Holy cow.  He shared that he used to know Jesus but that he had forgotten Him as his situation started to seem hopeless.  We were able to share in God’s Word about the special place God has in his heart for orphans and how God might choose to use him to be able to grow up and help BE that protector for other orphans and be the one to teach them about Jesus.  After an incredibly powerful time of prayer Rodrigue promised to come to our Bible studies each week and asked me for a Bible.   Another first timer is a sweet eleven year old named Shanika.  Last week she was asked to leave her school as her parents can no longer afford it.  Just one of many, many children in the same boat.  But God stirred something in my soul as I listened to her quiet prayer request that she might finish her studies so she can grow up and be a doctor.  She will be on my mind in in my prayers.

I know that this is a rambling mess of information…  but this is my life.  As we left the brothel, Kim asked me how I can stand it… seeing so much need and not being able to “fix it”.  As hard as it is sometimes, my comfort comes from this…  It is NOT about what I can do.  But it IS about what God can do.  Period.  To beat myself up any more than that is to give myself way too much credit.  It’s not about me.  And I thank God every minute of every day for that.  Please join me this week in praying for my sweet friends in the prisons and brothels.  For the people living in our communities.  For the stories I will never hear and the names I will never know.  Pray that they WILL see the face of Jesus through us and that they WILL hear that God truly does love them and have His arms wrapped around them.

Pray also for Katelyn as I am heading home in a couple of days to speak at a church event and get some much needed hubby time.  She will have a lot on her plate with the prison and brothel ministries while I am gone.  I am tickled at what God is doing through the brothel ministry…  brothel turned orphanage… brothel turned community center… I hope He is getting a good giggle in over this as well!  Thanks for standing in the gap with us!

loving my Thursdays!

Today was a crazy busy day for us in Port de Paix… this was the largest group I’ve ever brought with me to the prison and it went amazingly well.  I had an entire team of nursing students (led by our summer medical intern) go to do clinic for the prisoners… the first they’ve had since the fall.  I also had a couple of other friends tag along who have joined me before and are interested in both the prison and brothel ministries.  One of our “misc team”, Paul Olsen, was kind enough to lead a devotion with each of the cells and I got to introduce my son and his wife to everyone too!  There are now over 335 prisoners in 9 “regular” cells plus a few that sleep in the sewing cell in a few in the “sick cell”.  Katelyn had her work cut out for her handing out soap, batteries, condiments and playing cards today.  Busy… but AWESOME.

The most exciting part of the prison today was that the men and women had been ministering to the new prisoners that had come into their cells while I was away… The men had a small group of “new guys” that they had shared the Bible with and who were now ready to accept Christ.  I had the privilege of leading them in that prayer of salvation.  Paul led a couple of new boys in the “little boys cell” in that prayer as well.  The women had a new lady that has already accepted Christ and is waiting for us to baptize her…  How cool is that?!?  They are doing it… being the church… regardless of their circumstances, sharing the love of Christ with each other in such an unlikely place.  Love it.  Their one big request today (not on my list of collected supplies of course…) was new Bibles and song books.  Time to put it a new order…

We had a great visit at the brothel today too.  It was so fun to be able to give Papa Yo the school uniforms and the (first wave) of school supplies for the boys!  We had a great small group time with the brothel girls before inviting the boys to join our circle to do our worksheets on the names of God we had prepared.  We also ended up with five or six random men that had been hanging around join us too…  pretty funny (and sweet) to see these “tough guys” getting in line for pens and pencils and trying to be the first to finish their crossword puzzles.

Today reminded me just how much I love my sweet friends and why I do what I do here.  A much needed boost!