Glwa Pou Bondye! ( Glory to God!)

We got an early start Thursday morning and headed to Guillaume’s orphanage near Cite Soley (Soleil) As we approached the orphanage gate we could see the children were wide eyed at the gate waiting for us!! Their embrace melts you. We walked through their rooms and were reminded of the run down indescribable conditions the kids lived in.  It was incredibly humbling and sad for me. The kids loaded onto the bus some holding their bibles that were being held together with layers of tape nothing else other than clothes.

 As the bus entered the gates to their new home you could hear singing voices.

Forty beautiful lives moved into Grace Village on Thursday! It was an amazing and emotional experience. The sweetest innocence, the sense of contentment and joy filled the rooms today as the children settled in. The new playground set the stage for the day’s events. They swung for hours!! When it was time for them to get ready for bed they grabbed their baskets and towels and marched off to take their first shower. They enjoyed the shower SO much that they took two. As the day was drawing to a close, they sat in their beds with such satisfaction on their faces! I went to say bonwuit (goodnight) and saw a sweet boy reading his new beautiful Kreyol (Creole) bible out loud. I thanked and praised the Lord for all the incredible moments we got to witness as His plan unfolded. How faithful He is to these sweet kids and they are so thankful!

Today Gary drove the Kubota from the guest house to Grace Village with FanFan. He was in his glory.  When we arrived many of the boys gave Jeff sweet letters.. I wish I could better understand their thoughts and experience. One child said it was like paradise. They loved to be held and touched. I spent time with the oldest girl today and as I rubbed her back she slowly moved closer and closer with the sweetest smile. They are truly amazing kids. Allie and Lindsay don’t want to leave, we love these kids so much mom, they say! We are so blessed and humbled to spend Christmas at Grace Village.

Glwa Pou Bondye!

Becky Nelson

Sounds of Glory by Julie Sexson

Sounds of Glory

Voices squealing.

laughing, clapping.

Voices praising God in worship.

Cheers echoing from heaven.

Feet crunching.

Children racing.

Swings squeaking.

Legs reaching to touch the sky.

Voices praising God in worship.

Garlic crackling.

Oil splattering

Plates shuffling along the table.

Popcorn popping.

Toilets flushing,

Showers dripping.

Bare feet slapping as they walk by.

PJs rustling.

Kisses smacking.

Pages turning.

Voices praising God in worship.

Hearts breaking to say “goodbye”.

The power of an embrace: Jessica Burmester

The power of an embrace: Jessica Burmester

MY PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE….this was the title of my daily devotion this morning and how fitting it was especially for today.

Today I was blessed to be able to be apart of the most amazing experience; moving the orphan’s into Grace Village-their BRAND NEW HOME. It was the most incredible site to witness these children seeing their new home for the first time. The anticipation of where it would be and what it would look like was so evident on their faces. I had the opportunity to ride on the bus with all 40 of them up to Grace Village and I can’t even put into words the joy and excitement that filled the bus. Through their singing songs of praises, smiles and laughter, and pointing at all the big buildings/villages as we drove by them wondering if that was their new home, I could not stop smiling and my heart was overflowing with joy for what they were about to experience and see.

As we drove up to the gate the kids were yelling and cheering and practically jumping out of their seats to get a glimpse of their new home. As I sat back and watched each child try to get out as fast as they could I was filled with so much joy and excitement for each one of them.

As we showed the children their rooms it was beyond a doubt that they were so thankful and happy. Seeing their faces as they each found their own bed along with a bible, and little beanie baby on it was better than any words could describe. Watching them lie on their beds, hug their beanie babies and open up their bibles melted my heart.

With as much joy and excitement that filled the rooms there was also those few children who weren’t quite sure what to think. Wislene was one of these little girls who was feeling extremely happy but yet a bit overwhelmed-we could see it in her face. Fanfan asked her if she was ok and she said yes, but I knew she wasn’t. As the others cleared out of the room I climbed up the bunk embraced that little girl in my arms and told her, Mwen renmen ou, which means I love you. I just held her and kissed her and told her I loved her and as I started pulling away she wrapped her little arms around me and held me tight. As we continued embracing each other and rocking back and forth I couldn’t imagine what she was going through nor did I have the communication to talk to her but I knew that all this little girl needed was a loving embrace. As I started to pull away again she pulled me in closer, my heart just broke for her. As others came back into the room, we released each other, I told her I loved her, kissed her on the forehead and showed her that her name was written in the front of her bible and she gave the biggest smile ever. Later on the playground as she was swinging, I walked by her and smiled and she told me, Mwen renmen ou. They were the best words I had heard all day.

As I sit back and reflect on the moment I had with Wislene and the power of a simple loving embrace, I think I needed that moment and embrace just as much, if not more, than she did.

An excerpt of my devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, for the day reads: “Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My Strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles—and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight enables you to see My Glory.” Today was an absolute miracle for these children and everyone involved. This is the beginning of something amazing for each one of these children—GOD’S PLAN FOR THEIR LIFE.

Grace Village

There are no words to describe to beauty of Grace Village and the beauty of the children's faces as they saw it for the first time. The children arrived in a bus today to see their new home for the very first time. As we were driving in the bus the children were practically crawling out the windows trying to catch a glimpse. They had no idea what had been prepared for them. As we drove the children kept thinking that each building we passed must be their new home. After twenty minutes of bumps and dust we started the ascent up the hill and the children started to grasp their new reality.

Grace Village sits at the base of beautiful mountains and overlooks the gorgeous ocean in the distant. The children's screams of pure unbridled joy as they saw it were so loud they were heard in the vehicle that followed the bus. It was indescribable.

The children excitedly got off the bus and ran for the playground! They climbed, swung, slide, and giggled for about an hour. Then we showed the children their new rooms. Each child had a beautiful bed with their artwork hung on it, a bible labeled with their names and a handmade quilt atop it. They had cozy pillows into which many of the children immediately buried their faces.

I was overwhelmed with gratitude to be a witness to this amazing moment. I can’t even wrap my head around the opportunity these children now have to live with comforts and opportunities they have never experienced.

Tomorrow the children will slowly begin to learn about their new home. They will be able to use toilets for the first time and end the day with a shower for the very first time. They will go to bed under beautiful quilts that were made with so much love and pillows to comfort their beautiful heads. I pray that they can feel all the love that so many people have for them. There is so much love that has enabled Grace Village to become a reality. God’s love for these children is immeasurable. The love God has put in countless hearts of Healing Haiti supporters is such a blessing for these children.

I hope that all the people who have shared their hearts with the people in Haiti can feel the joy that is happening at Grace Village. Tonight the children went to their current home to pack their things and spend one last night there. We are picking them up early tomorrow morning and taking them to Grace Village to stay. They will unpack and make themselves at home. Home Sweet Home. God is so good!

Krista Carroll

Amazing Day!

an amazing day...it started with What breakfast and a lot of excitement...the group this week is a mix of last minute..yet..perfectly in His plan people here to do the final preparations at Grace Village and move in the children...We all feel so blessed and grateful to be here..what a priveledge. We drove the 45minutes thru common scenes of Haitian life...tents and huts along the road..with people cooking, walking with baskets on there heads, setting up tables of random items they have for sale. Cars and motorbikes weaving thru heavy traffic with honking and stopping continually on the rutted, beat up road. We made the last turn thru Titanyen up the gravel road. Little kids started running after us..with big smiles..and then we arrived to the beautiful gate that had Alyn's heart all over it..a purple door and the beautiful sign...Grace Village. The gate opened and we were overwhelmed..it took your breath away..the serine beauty of the mountains and ocean surrounded the haven built for the the least of the these. The buildings are full of color, warmth and comfort. In front is the playground..kids from the village come to play..it is filled with laughter. The breeze and view reminds us all day of His presence. We spend the day cleaning, unpacking, making up beds...they are so covered with love..handmade quilts, stuffed animals, art from the children, a bible for each child with their name in it...all the Glory to God..it was an amazing day!

Written by Kim Bell

Bonswa!

December 19, 2011

Destination: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Status: Arrived :)

We made it! All here and accounted for, including our twenty-four pieces of luggage. Customs was completely chaotic but we got everything through....PTL

Looking forward to what God has in store this week! Please keep the Haitian children in your prayers. Going up to Grace Village tomorrow to prepare for the big day!

Goodnight!

-Allie