Children's Precious Prayers!

Dear friends,

I have so much to write you, it is impossible to tell it all. I will attempt an update now :)

Well, the HIGHLIGHT of the day is always a good place to begin:

Bible study today: I told the story of the friends who lower the crippled man into the house where Jesus is. I told the kids that they were all brought together for a purpose and that now they are becoming friends. They can trust Jesus for one another. Founa can pray for Carlandia and Francellot can pray for Daniette.....And do you know what? The kids had a time of laying hands on one another and praying! We were all a mess (we the workers). To see 12 year old with his leg amputated praying for another new 3 year old, Shikira, with her leg also amputated. To see Founa pray that Carlandia's leg grow to match the other... all the kids were lifting up their prayers to Jesus!!! I want to see this continue every day!

Now for some updates:

Shikira: She is 3 and came a few days ago. Her left foot was amputated. Her mother has no husband. She has Shikira as well as a 5 and 1 year old! She is very overwhelmed. Both mom and child are so traumatized that they cry and are afraid at the sight of Shikira's stump when it is not covered with a bandage/sock. With a lot of creativity she is getting used to her little bitty walker and doing better by the day.

Carlandia: She had a spica cast because her left femur(thigh bone) had broken. She did get her cast removed yesterday, but today when walking we noticed that her leg is now shorter than the other. Her leg wasnt set right and now it is a problem. Please join us as we are asking frequently for the leg to get longer. Also pray for her mama. She is so sweet and cried alot today to hear that her child's leg was short. She needs the comfort of Jesus.

Denison: a 3 year old who came yesterday and got his spica cast off. He is very afraid to move his legs. He also seems very sad and withdrawn. He is one of a twin! The twin is fine.

Have I told you of our babies?

Kevin:Born about Dec 15th. He was left at the orphanage just after the quake because parents couldn't take care of him. Parents are having a hard time deciding if they want to take care of him. Dad is supposed to come tomorrow to make a choice. A man from our earlier team, Brandon, really wants to adopt him. But parents' relatives are unsure of letting Brandon and his wife do so. Please pray for this because we want him to have a family!

Jean(John): Born around October. As little as Kevin! But improving soo much! He smiles and has even giggled. Can hold his head up with little trouble. He moves to follow toys and even grabs for things! These are all great mile stones! He still has some wrinkles, but I think he is beginning to chub up! His parents died in the quake and his grandma had retreated to the hills thinking a tsunami was coming. She had no food, so had been spoon feeding him water! He didn't even know how to suck when he came to us! He is my little boyfriend and I am sad if I do not have a 5:30pm date with him each evening.

Mistil: Our 12 year old left lower leg amputee. He goes home tomorrow! I might cry! He is a wonderful boy who has touched my life in ways that I will never be the same again for. We are expecting a leg for him!

Oh goodness, there are soo many to talk about. I cannot remember who I already shared about before.

Oh, Dev: here is the issue. CMH is not taking him. Dminican Republic is our next option, BUT, remember those prisoners that escaped? No passports are being issued until pictures of those prisoners are found so that none of them escape. This makes a problem especially for Dev's dad to be able to acompany her. It's not like America where a child can go alone if necessary. There has to be a caretaker with the child, or they may not get taken care of!

Did I tell you about 3 year old Rudy who needs surgery to his leg? His left leg is out of socket. He was sent somewhere in Haiti and gone for a week. We were told he'd get the surgery there. Turns out they did not have the right supplies, so now he is back. The bad thing is that his mom will not stop him from walking and he is doing more damage every time he walks. Somehoe his muscles are compensating. But he walks of kilter and it is really not good. Pray for a miracle!

Please pray that I get another interpretor. Today was my interpretor's last day. I may just pay him to stay longer just for me! It is nearly impossible to work to the best without him!

On Monday we lose our 2 pediatricians! They have to get back to families and work. I will miss them soo much! They've been such a comfort to have and have done such hard hard work! I think they work the longest hours of all!

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5

Much love to you all! Thank you for all the prayers! Kristen, keep writing! I love the prayers, it's like your here!

God is Good ALL the Time

Hello friends! I am excited to tell you that we have begun a mini-kid version of God Story today! We are telling of His love because we(the staff in hospital) realize that it is not merely their physical needs we long to meet, but much more their hearts!

I had woken up today so discouraged. I had been struggling to meet Jesus in His Word. When I would read I would seem to find discouraging or impractacle verses. I was growing hopeless for the country and unsure of just why I was still here. What was I thinking to stay on for so long whenever all these changes keep happening and I do not know from one day to the next what I will do. But God is soooo good! He has the plan and it has never once changed. I am constantly reminded...

I confessed my hopelessness to Jesus and He took it. I read Ephesians 6 (Allison Riggs-thankyou!!!!) again as it has been my promise on this journey. I set out for the day still discouraged yet pressing on. A nurse, Jackie, who is a wonderful woman, had said she had a check in her heart all morning that she was not supposed to go where she had at first planned for the day, but was to stay with me. I was soo blessed! We were both glad, for she had no idea I needed the encouragement, and I really had not realized just how lonesome I had been for a partner in doing physiotherapy. It was so encouraging to have her bright smile and joyful laughter all the day! And in the crazy afternoon, the Lord brought all the kids together, and their parents in one place. My translator, Rheggi-super!-helped me so that I told them all about the God who is a family and loves so much! I left off explaining to them where Satan came from and what happened when Adam and Eve disobeyed. Tomorrow, Lord's doing, we will tell them about God's big plan! Come on God Story!!!!

All that to say that I am immensely encouraged and found purpose here!

P.S. We have a new little 3 year old also with one foot amputated. She is rocking out! Sooo cute! She has a teensy little walker! Today I found her a cute little pair of pink moccasins. Little Haitian Indian ;D

Thank you Alina and Kristen for such encouraging notes on the last blog! It really helped me today! I love you! Please everyone, keep praying for the atmosphere in the clinic, among the families and kids, that we will grow in the love and grace of Jesus Christ!

Did you know?

Hi friends! I realized today that you may not here updates on the news about Haiti anymore. Did you know that we have had 4 earthquake/aftershocks since I have been here? 2 happened lastnight. We are all fine, but the children were so frightened and shaking. They slept outside under the mango tree! Tonight we will not go back into the chapel where the kids have been staying, but will move them into tents. Please pray for the kids that they will be free from fear. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!

It has been a good day so far. I did learn that my children's hospital in the states is not willing to take heart baby, Devee. We are praying that the Dominican Republic option will happen! Please pray too!

Today I sent our cutie 3 year old home with her family. She is the youngest of 3 and has both parents living, however they live in a sheet tent. We were able to send them with 3 tarps, rope and duck tape. I will miss her! Please pray for this family. Mom is really sweet, but very discouraged. When she first came she asked that we take Woodlean(the little girl) as well as the other 2 kids because they have no way to provide. I prayed with her and she now wants to take Woodlean home with her. Praise God!!!! Mom says that she is a sick woman, that her heart and back hurt. Lastnight I gave her a spa night. I put my ipod in her ears to Kristene Muller and she layed on a sheet while I gave her a good long back message. We shared Bible verses with her and lots of prayers. I told her what we tell the kids in the hospital when we they learn they have a new disease. I said to her, "The missing leg is not in control. You are in control. I told her that the Lord has all the power over satan and that He is their good Papa." Pray for this family as they transition. That Woodlean will not be bedridden, but will be empowered by the Spirit to rise up and conquer with her missing leg!

Okay, my lunch break ended a bit ago. Love to you all! Kisses on both cheeks and hugs (as we do here!)

Super Star

Okay before I tell you what's going on here, I gotta tell you this cool thing that happened to me today. Most of you know that I was following blogs of missionaries in Haiti daily since the earthquake? I had secretly thought of them as super stars that I hoped to meet, and would want to take pictures with them. Well, today I was out helping try to create some tent cities with some from my team as well as other teams. I overheard a guy saying he and his wife were here in Haiti wanting to open a girl's orphanage and how the earthquake put a delay on it. I turned and realized he's one of the blogs I followed! Jarod and Jalayne! Ha! As if I know them. And, of course, I was too sheepish to ask for a picture. But, they may make their way to this orphanage while I am still here. I hope! Hehe!

So as for an update from the weekend news, the droves of people are gone! Some of them were genuinely sweet to be fair. So, we are praying that some routine be recovered in the week ahead. Please do pray as there is quite a bit of disorganization among different ministries. This is making it confusing for me as to where I am supposed to be. Things concerning the big tent for the kids post-op are "up in the air."

I am here and loving the kids and loving their families. I love the team of 2 pediatrician, an EMT(Sarah, aka "the boss") and me. We work so well together and see Jesus pouring out of us constantly. Those kids are precious! They keep us on our toes with all their energy! Love that!

I am realizing that you are all really committed to lifting me up in prayer from the different notes and things I have gotten. Thank you! It means so much!

A Day Away

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT TO MY DARLING KRISTEN HOWDESHELL! I LOVE YOU!!!! GLAD WE GOT TO TALK THIS MORNING!

Well, as you heard, the weekend here has been crazy! So....we got away! My leader said, "you have no choice, you're going to the beach." Okay! This morning we did have church the Hatian way under the mango tree. It was really wonderful as I was able to press into Jesus just as I would at home with my Boiler Room church family. What a blessing and an answer to prayer! I loved praying for all my kiddos in the clinic as they sat their on benches/stretchers.

After all was settled in at the clinic as far as new volunteers, we left for the beach. The beach was not what I would ideally chose for a relaxing getaway, but I think it was really good for me. And I am hoping that tonight I will be rocked to sleep by the lasting feeling of being in waves. Hmmm, love that!

Tomorrow morning I think I will be going super early to build tents in the city. So I am off to bed now. Love to you all!

Everyone in KC, I am sorry you're stuck home tonight! Mom! I am soo sad you are likely missing River Dance! Be safe everyone.

Stand Firm, and Having Done All, Stand!

Dear friends,
I had wondered until just the past few days what the purpose of Ephesians 6 being prayed over me was all about. Now I am seeing. There is so much chaos at the orphanage right now....

THE RUNDOWN OF WHAT I AM STANDING STRONG IN:

In the past couple days we have begun to really sit down with the chidren in the post-op clinic/hospital and hear their stories and the stories of their families. Not one is not sad, though many are filled with all praise and hope resting in Christ Jesus. (Praise Him!). I have cried with these families and prayed with them....and ask Papa where will he take them from here. So many with nothing. No home, no tarp or sheet. No work. No money. Others to take care of. Dealing with death and hurting. It is alot to take on for them(and yes, for my breaking heart for them).

On top of this, 130 (nonbelievers from the words and attitude that come from their mouth and their actions) people showed up and pitched tents all over our campus at midnight and woke all the kids and orphans and workers up...IT CHAOTIC to say the least. Pray for our grace as we are having such a hard time welcoming them. (We are protective of our kiddos in the clinic and do not want them to be spectacles and tourist attractions, let alone catch whatever sicknesses they may carry!)

Then today we said goodbyes to several team mates who have been so spiritually strong and helpful. Just their presense with us was community and compassion and....a small new sort of family. We cried!

I discharged my first patient today. Her home is not what it was before. She does not have the home she had before nor the auntie that had been her mama. She leaves with her brother and I have to trust that the Lord takes good care of her!

As you see, your prayers are much appreciated! I love you all! -Amanda

Rain Rain Go Away

I was awake in the middle of the night for several hours because of the heavy down pour we had here....rainy season is here! Usually I would love the sound of rain to fall asleep to, but lastnight my mind wandered and my heart prayed. Is it bad that I sang this song?

"Rain Rain go away, come again another day. Haitian tents are made of sheets, rain rain go away."

Pray for all those in sheet homes, and those homeless. They are getting soggy, and soggy means breeding grounds for dangerous illnesses.

Please be vigilant as can be for the nation to remain and be humble before the Lord. There seems to be a lot of restlessness among them. Wouldn't you be too? Heartbroken, hungry, needing soo much love! Pray for all of us here as missionaries, that we would not lose heart.

It has been a fun day in with the kiddos today. So much laughter and playing. A crew of navy came through and are loving the peace and joy they find in this hidden little cove away from all the destruction beyond these walls. We are glad they came. It's heart breaking to see so many kids just sitting, stuck because of crutches and wounds.

I am in the process still of getting my little heart baby, Devee, to KC. There is too much "red tape." PRAY PRAY PRAY!!

We were all in tears lastnight to send our little Rudy back to Miami field hospital. He indeed needs an open reduction and pins to his left leg. He is going to be so bummed to be stuck again! He's only 3. I cannot imagine what his mom has been through, but she has not been with Rudy and so right now he is alone at that hospital. I know he has nurses there that I am sure have fallen in love with him just as we had been caring for him here.

Our little Marie with a broken arm, who's parents were killed in the quake, wandered alone over to the orphanage playground and fell and knocked her shoulder out of joint. Sheesh! Heal that girl Jesus!

All our spica cast kids are having a blast with the new equipment (a pilates ball) we have here now. They get "tummy time." I have them doing kid pilates ;D. This involves doggy paddle, blowing bubbles, and skidamarinkiedinkiedink all while on their bellies.

Welp, lunch is over. Love you! -Amanda

Uptade on Kids

Baby Meeshela is actually Devee(her dad's name is Meeshela)-Talking daily with Chidren's Mercy in KC to take her for the heart surgery that will save her life. PRAY THIS HAPPENS! I WANT DAD TO MEET MARIA LITTLE'S HUSBAND AND WITNESS TO HIM IN FRENCH!

Cristal: 15 yr old r leg amputee. She hasnt had any more afternoon terrors since I wrote requesting prayer for it. Thank you! She is working really hard and getting very good at balancing with her one leg.

Mistil: 12 yr old r leg amputee. He needs motivation. He loves to play soccer and is sad to have lost his leg. He made it into the New York times and the american doctor who did his amputation is saying she will get him a prostethic leg. Pray it happens sooner than later! Pray courage for him.

Joseph: 7 yr old in spica cast (both legs). He is doing well, but his mom was sent to field hospital 2 nights ago for heart attack symptoms. We had given her nitro and aspirin and it didn't help!

Joann: 15 yr old who had bricks fall on her. Her leg is getting so much better! She even dances now! She will go home as soon as we find out what "home" is and can contact family to receive her.

Nancy: 15 yr old who lost parents and siblings and cousin in earthquake. She was in the kitchen and we think the charcoal stove may be the reason for the bad burns to her right leg. She has been so sad, but we see a smile more and more now. Pray she walks again! She does have an aunt and uncle who are very attentive. Uncle had cysts to face and head that we surgically removed.

Rudy: 3 yr old was in spica cast(both legs). It's been removed but one leg still looks out of place. We do not think it's right, but the hospital keeps sending him back to us. Pray for healing! He tries to walk, but is very weak.

Jimmy: 15, but looks 12. He just came to us. He was crying and one nurse thought he was in pain. I knew the cry did not sound like pain. I had our interpretor ask if he was afraid. Yes! He didn't know what we would do to him. I hugged him and told him, nothing to be afraid of here!

Fauna: 8 yr old with pins in one leg. It is excrutiatingly painful for her to get her pins cleaned. Healing come!

Jenny: same as age and story as Fauna.

Francellot: I think he is 6 or 7. Adorable! Pins to both legs. He cannot move. But is soo cheerful! His dad speaks a little english and told me that usually Francelot is soo active he forgets to walks on his hands and sometimes forgets to use his legs! He is such a little worshipper! His dad is a police officer. Pray he meet Jesus and act justly.

There are more kids that you will hear about as time goes by. My internet time is limited and the generators go out constantly, so keep checking here:)

Spicy Peanutbutter!

Good morning loved family and friends!

Haitian's make their peanutbutter with chili peppers in it, bam! My breakfast is therefore spicy peanutbutter with honey on white bread. I rather like it!

This morning is my 7th day in Haiti, and my first day off! I figure the Lord rested on the 7th day, so I will too! I thought you might like a run down of my schedule day to day, though keep in mind YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN HAITI. So, that being said, this is only what would happen each day if schedule's really existed :) (also know, it's an hour ahead here)


MY DAYS:
6am-wake up and hide away with Jesus.
7am-eat spicy peanutbutter on bread or mixed into Haitian cornflakes. Get ready for day.
7:30am-Get to clinic and begin! (Goodmornings,pincare, wound dressing changes, medications/vitamins, physical therapy, and all those in between things that you nurses know come up)
Noonish: We try to get all the kids moved outside on their cots-it's hot hot hot indoors and those casts get ITCHY! By this time our goal is that most first rounds of PT have been accomplished (they get it 2-3times/day which is alot).
2pm-5:30: second round of PT begins. Any pincares and limb dressing changes that weren't finnished in am.
5:30-daily meeting/eat dinner with my YWAM team(the team pairs off and goes all around Port a Prince from field hospital to tent city clinics, ect.)
6ish: Back to clinic to finnish up.
7ish: Priase errupts in the clinic. The orphanage we are at has a projector that they bring over and has one worship dvd of vineyard songs that we all sing and dance or wave arms to.
7:30 they start a movie and we say goodnight!
I am usually in bed by 8 or 9 on a good day, and that feels so late!

More to come so keep checking my blogspot:)

Happy in Haiti!

My dear dear family,

Soo much to say! Thank you for your prayers! I always have to write so fast, but I must tell you, things are happening here in Haiti that have NEVER happened here before in all of Haiti's history. NEVER! The president issued that for 3 days, today and Saturday and Sunday, the entire nation is to pray and fast until noon each day. Here's the deal, will they all be praying to Jesus Christ, or will they also be praying to their voodoo god? This is why we need for you who are outside of this place of bondage to join in our prayer and fasting each day until noon. We are two hours ahead here. I would be soo blessed, but more importantly, YOU WILL BE A PART OF SHAKING SPRITUAL GROUND IN WAYS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN DONE FOR THIS COUNTRY! Even Haitian's are amazed and recognizing this great thing.


As for what's happening here. Today was amazing! The kids are improving miraculously. Kids who may have never walked again without the physical therapy we are giving them....people from outside our haven, as I like to call it, recognize a difference between what's happening in our little chapel turned clinic and say it is a difference of Love! So awesome.



Other prayer requests in my little section of PAP:



Keep praying for Meeshela: If the "red tape" is lifted, she will be flown to Miami,Florida's children's hospital for surgery! (She needs atrium repaired.)



Crystal: 15yr old girl. Orphaned by the earthquake, lost her R foot. Every day at 3-4ish in the afternoon she has fantom pain and cries alot. This is no coinsedence to us that it is the same time the earthquake hit. We pray for her alot, and she loves to smile.



Jean(John): 4 month old orphaned by the earthquake. Way underdeveloped and undernourished. Pray for quick development, that he'd catch up. I want to see fat rolls on that wrinkly skin!!!



We are about to expand to 50 kids! It'll happen around the 18th or 20th. I am praying about staying on until the 2nd if it doesn't cost too much extra.....that will still give me a few days to rest before coming back on the 8th.



I love you my dear dear friends and think of you often, knowing your prayers are with me! Love and blessings to you!

Nitty Gritty Haiti Details

What I know so far:

Leaving Feb 8th for Port a Prince, Haiti. Operating as an RN in the care of wounded children in make shift tent clinics surrounding an orphanage. Sleeping there as well. In addition, traveling to “Tent Cities,” with mobil clinic operations. This trip is for 14 days including a day and a half or 2 days travel time on either end of the trip.

***I won’t be able to give updates, but this website may be the link to do so(or to at least find out more about it): mercyworks.org and ywamtyler.org

I come home Feb 23rd to rest. On March 8th I will leave for Haiti again. This time with a mixed team of medical as well as psychologists and therapists. We will be helping in clinics as well as tent cities and being housed by local missionaries.

***I will not be giving updates on this second trip, the best option to stay connected is this website: ohmhaiti.org

Why GO to Haiti?

When I first learned of the earthquake having shaken Haiti, I was heartbroken. I dreamt all night I was there rescuing Haitian's. Strangely, I wasn't pulling them out of rubble, but out of the ocean where they were floating around with their wounds which were from the earthquake. I pulled them out and fed them.

I woke with this phrase repeating itself on my heart: "I love Your ways." I knew that was not my own thoughts, but from His own Spirit. Though I wouldn't have thought it up, nor did I understand it, I fully believed every word.

I hear of Haitian people asking the question, "Where does our help come from?" Some say, "We are just lucky," others say, "This is because of our voodoo," or "God is angry with us."

And never has the Lord been so passionate in me as the response that came from me as His vessel. I will go. Send me if you want to. I will go right now. If no one goes, if no one tells them, how will they know that their help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and earth? That He is near to the broken. That He is slow to anger, RICH IN LOVE and MERCY? Not that I think it is going to be soo dangerous, but I have never been more willing to risk my life for the sake of loving Him and seeing His arms be able to expand full of new sons and daughters. I am honored to be called His friend and to share in His suffering. So here I go.....

Will you join me there?

I know you, my brothers and sisters, are with me because we sit in the same place:

God raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

Now, it is for this reason we bow our knees: that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, being rooted and grounded in love. Eph.3:14,17

Prayers for Haiti:
-Invite the Holy Spirit to move among the people
-Soften the hearts of the people
-Healing: Spiritual, Emotional, Health, Wounds
-Pray against child trafficking
-For mother’s delivering babies: for infants and preemies, and their mother’s recovery.
-For Salvation and Redemption
-Strength and sustainment for the missionaries currently full time in Haiti



Prayers for Me:
-To know I am fully loved and a part of Papa’s ever growing family.
-To welcome the Holy Spirit to have His full way in me every day.
-To embrace the fullness of Christ’s loving compassion for the Haitian people no matter how much that makes my heart hurt!
-Strength showing itself in JOY when my heart does hurt.
-Promises continued to be made known to me.
-Quick to recognize my sin, and drop it at the Cross.
-That I’d pick up on the language quick and easy. ;D