"Lessons From Me" (until I think of a new clever title)

Twelve years and 2 months ago, I was getting on a plane heading for Haiti…my new home. I never imagined the journey that God would lead me on, the heartache I would experience, the miracles I would witness, the lives that would be changed, the lessons I would learn, and the contentment I would have in knowing I was exactly where God wanted me to be.   Sometimes at the end of the day, whether I am in Haiti or on vacation in the States, I sit in silence reflecting on my life.   I've learned to really appreciate those moments.  Living in a home full of anywhere from 15-40 boys over the years might have something to do with that!  But m any times during these moments, the silence speaks volumes. It is not a silence in the sense of quiet or a noise-less environment, but a silence that whispers “Grateful”.   If I could think of one word that explains how I feel most of the time, that is the word….simply Grateful. Yes, I am grateful because I have a family, incredible fr

So, it is 2 a.m. and I am in Haiti, still awake, wide-awake, thanks to jet lag from getting in from Los Angeles.   Oh, and I am getting attacked by bugs in my room.   The kinds that shoot from the light on the ceiling fan and slap you in the face, or leg, or arm.   So, there’s that. On another note, I am drawn to write a blog on something that I know the Lord has wanted me to write about for a while.   Several times in the past year, I have sat at my computer multiple times. I would type, then erase, type then erase, and so on, but it just didn’t feel like the words were coming out the right way and it just wasn't the right time.   Tonight feels different.   Usually most of my blog posts are about stories of my life in Haiti. This one is not…it is more personal...it is one that I have been hesitant to write about for a few reasons.  It is about...drum roll..."singleness".    So, to all the single ladies (and men), here it goes: If you would have told me

There are some things in life that are just hard to do. My prayer over the past 10 years is that my heart would never become hardened by the poverty, overwhelming needs, injustice, and the unnecessary suffering that I see daily watching people have to endure heartbreak because of things that could be prevented, like hunger, malnutrition, AIDS, etc. This morning in the midst of paperwork, construction projects, sponsorship program deadlines, and the other daily issues, I had to tell a sweet 20 something year old mother that her precious 1.5 year old boy died. It is one of those things where I plead with God to not let her feel the weight of her loss. Just a couple of months ago, this mother was homeless, sleeping on the streets, nurturing her little boy to the best of her ability. Then one day she came to our property after hearing about what we do. He was enrolled in our baby rescue program here at Danita's Children . One of our missionaries, Hope, loved him like her own. A family

 In September it marked my 10 year anniversary in Haiti.  In October, I turned 32.  As I sit here and think about the past 10 years and the 22 years before that, I just well up with tears.  Tears of gratefulness to the Lord for not giving me what I wanted when I wanted it, but giving me something better.  Ten years is a long time to see a lot happen.  When I first came to Haiti on my first visit almost 11 years ago, Danita had one house and was building a second floor.  We would go up to the 2 nd floor at night, sit on cement blocks, and drink coke from a glass bottle.  The property that now has a school, church, dental clinic, playground, cistern, cafeteria, 8 new homes, and a children’s medical center was just a field with grass and cows and goats when I first came.  The children that were 4, 5, and 6 years old are now 14, 15, and 16 years old and tower over me.  The joy and purpose that our children give me is more than I could ever express in words... Ther

Throughout the past several weeks, I have sat down at my computer so many times, wanting to write…starting to write…a few sentences come and I press delete. I write a paragraph and then delete it. Other times I just fall asleep out of exhaustion. There are so many times where I want to communicate my heart, share stories, tell about God’s amazing provision, but I want it to be the right words…the right timing…and nothing about me.   I am terrified of writing something that glorifies me and does not bring honor to the Lord.   He must become greater; I must become less seems to be the resounding words in my mind and heart lately.    That is the cry of my heart, but so many times my life does not show it.   To so many people, I or “we” who live down here are heroes or angels, but it is just our calling. It is an odd feeling when you know you are far from perfect...or far from hero or angel status.  I fail at pleasing the Lord. I fail at spending the time I should with Him.   I g