Sunday, January 29, 2012

Let's Get Up to Date!

I know I have said I would only be keeping this blog going during my mission trips....but it has been a year and a half ago now that the Lord said to me: "Amanda, you are a missionary to Kansas City."

Welp, here I am. Missionary in Kansas City.

What does that look like? Well, mostly it looks like opening my eyes as wide as I can so to see every facet of his never ending extending love bursting brighter than the brightest light heart!

For now I will be keeping this blog to share the stories and experiences of an awesome bunch of kids and the things we learn together about our Daddy God (who we have so far established is "always in a good mood!")

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Just to be with you, He gives EVERYthing!

"I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain just to be with the one He loves. How many times has He broken that promise? It has never been done. Well I never climbed the highest mountains, but I walked the hill of Calvary. Just to be with you, I'd do anything. There's no price I would not pay. Just to be with you, I'll give anything. Yes, I'll give my life away. And I know that you don't understand the fullness of my love, how I died upon the cross for your sins, and I know that you don't realize how much that I give you, and I promise I would do it all again. Just to be with you, I've done everything. There's no price I did not pay. Just to be with you, I gave everything. Yes I gave my life away. " -Third Day


This past weekend I had one of those experiences that gives just a little bit more insight into the extravagant love of the Most High King whom I serve and devote my life to. I was compelled by a love that can only be accredited to Christ. The kind of love that compels a young boy to take a beating from his father when really it was meant for his younger brother. A love that compels a mother to take in a child out of the rain who is from "the other side of the tracks." A love that compels a father to spend all his savings to save his child's life.

The kind of love that would compel someone to spend ridiculous amounts on airfare, fly 11 hours and drive 2 more to then spend ONLY 3 hours with the one she loves. And in all that travelling, taking a risk. The risk that maybe the one she travelled to wouldn't remember her, or would be asleep that whole time, or just wouldn't receive her.

On Saturday I was welcomed into the home of a dear family, the Wallace's. Husband, wife and 2 little ones greeting me with hugs at the airport. Sunday morning, having made beans and rice for Dev and her father, and with small gifts of love it tow, we drove the 2 hours to find Dev in the PICU at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.


When meeting Michelet, Dev's dad in the hallway, we exchanged a warm embrace and huge smiles! He then led us into Dev's room. She had just been given a new IV, and was very upset. I handed her the little baby doll I had brought. She took her in her arms right away. When Michelet asked if she remembered me, Amanda, she hesitantly looked and said, "Amanda." To help her remember I said to her, "heyou!" (this is what all the kids called us until the learned our names.) She gave a big smile then and kept saying, "hey you!" and giggling.

She came into my arms and sat on my lap playing for quite some time. She played with her doll and we sang all the songs we used to sing while at the clinic in Haiti. While still on my lap she began to shake. I wondered what it could be. The nurse thought it was just tired muscles. It turned out to be a high fever! The nurse then put cool cloths on her forehead and tummy. (I had the nurse put one on her baby doll too). Her dad was able to talk to her mom for the first time since leaving Haiti for the surgery. Listen to Dev's cute grown up conversation with her mom, "Yes, I am doing well. How is my brother? Has he died or he is alive?" (think in terms of "alive and well," rather than morbidly-I think it's a cultural way to converse). When, at the end of 3 short short short hours that passed as if it were only 20 minutes, saying goodbye felt a bit like leaving Haiti all over again. Somehow though, I had this idea that this was not the last I would see little Devekynabens!










For the next 24 hours Dev was in isolation as blood work was done, ect. All being negative to date-praise Jesus! And the most recent report being that Dev is up and walking around, playing in the play room and loving it!

My mama's heart just grows and grows for the children all across this planet earth! It is one that takes in joy and pain all at once and expands in ways that sees no limits in the fathomless depths of Christ's eternal love!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Devakynabens, you are blessed!






Devakynabens is the darling 2 year old wonder that captures the heart of all who see her. Her smile is shy and ever so sweet. A smile that shows itself for bubbles and baloons and stuffed puppets, but comes beaming out if ever a crowd is praising Jesus.

The first time I met Dev, she was clapping her hands to a worship song while sitting on her father's lap. He had come to our team's worship night seeking out prayer for his daughter's healing. She has multiple problems with her heart, requiring open heart surgery.

From that first week in Haiti, and the 4 weeks following, it was my aim to get her to a hospital for her surgery. AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING!!!! I left Haiti still trying, but at times it seemed hopeless. I knew I had to come to a place where I could honestly say to the Maker of the Universe, "You are in control. You have Dev in Your hands. You care for her even more. You have good and perfect plans for her. You will not leave her abandoned. You will come for her." And Oh, how He has!!!

Devakynabens flew into Florida last Friday. Her open-heart surgery is scheduled for Thursday morning at 8am. The surgery is much more complicated than it was at first thought to be. Please pray out of Psalm 121 for both Dev and Michellet. Pray for the Surgeons to be prepared for what they will do. Peace for Michellet. Miraculously quick healing for Dev!

(From Psalm 121) We serve a Lord who is Protector, He will not allow our foot to slip, nor will He allow the hand of the surgeons to slip. He never sleeps. No, our Protector never sleeps nor slumbers. Dev will have to be asleep for this surgery, but her LORD will not be. He is the shelter right by Michellet's side, when he is worried about his beloved daughter, he will find the shelter of His Lord. The Lord will keep Dev safe, He will protect her life. The Lord has protected her through earthquakes and rains. He has protected her travel to the USA. He will protect her for this surgery. He will protect her travel back home to her mom and brother. The Lord protects her coming in and her going out!!!!!!! Praise be the Covenant Maker and Keeper. The Creator of Heaven and earth!!!!!!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Really Really Really Really Really Missing the Children.

Hello dears,

Whoever you are that is still following this (Sandra and Alina for sure). I hope your Easter was so full of the renewed sense that because Christ is alive, EVERYTHING is going to be more than okay! That was my Easter, Jesus just keeps coming to me in these little moments where my heart just becomes all fluttery. It is really very sweet how alive He makes me!

On this weekend, as is usual for most of my holidays, I am even more filled with longings and prayers for all the darlings of all the nations that I have visited-and those I haven't as well. In my heart this weekend I flew to Ukraine, Namibia, Mozambique and Haiti. I imagined the scene at each orphanage, and asked Jesus that this would be a weekend that they really get hold of who our God really really is. Oh I miss those kids and long to be with them! All of them!

I woke up in the middle of the night last night with a question swarming in my mind out of nowhere. "Who will sing over Founa?" Oh how my heart ached at it! The answer, "You Jesus. You must sing over her. That's your promise to her. You go now and sing over her always."

I woke up in the morning with Nancy and her lingering wounds. Healing Jesus! I began to see her through the eyes of the Resurrection! No more wounds! No more depression! No more lies!


Please keep praying for Miss Dev. The little 2 year old in need of a heart surgery. My hospital has said she is "back on the radar." Dr. Abi has written up a letter stating that her organization will take care of all fees for passports, visas and transportation for both Dev and dad. Now my hospital needs to approve it! I already find the Lord's hand in this that they would even invite me back for another meeting. One comment that was discouraging was when it was said, "that Dev is just like so many other millions in 3rd world countries who are in need...." She is not just another. She is one that we know, one that has touched our hearts, and one that Jesus has a plan and purpose for. Come Jesus in whatever way to heal your Devee!

I am currently praying about my future-as always!!!! I am so curious as to where, when and with whom He will send me. Some questions before him for example: Do you want me to go where no one else wants to go? Do you want me to go where they have never heard of Jesus? Do you want me in Haiti where missionaries abound? Do you want me in Africa where there will always be a need? Should I continue to work full time until the very moment I leave? Should I switch to part time as I prepare and am being trained to go? When should I do that if so? How shall I be trained? Here in my home church or abroad in a training school? Ladeedadeeda. Do not worry as you read this, I am not in a full tizzy over it. I keep hearing in many different ways His gaurantee: (just as when I lost my passport), I have not for a moment stepped off the path He has for me, He is not for a moment delayed in coming to meet me. He will do what will give Him the greatest glory and me the greatest joy. AMEN!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Passover

Last night was passover. I joined some friends for a passover meal. One of the 4 cups of wine is the cup of sorrow or blessing. The Jewish people remove a drop of wine for each of the plagues that the Lord sent upon the Egyptians before the Exodus. They do this because it is a sad thing, and not a thing to be celebrated when justice requires suffering from the hand of God. We celebrate that He has been glorified and is victor, but not that any have been harmed. As we removed drop by drop for disease, boils, infestations....tears burned in my eyes. For once I can actually imagine what it may have looked like, just a little glimpse, because of what I have seen in Haiti. I do not stop praying for Haiti!

For my friends and I at dinner we were also remembering the night as it was the last meal and act that Jesus took part in before His death on the cross. The very last cup that is taken in is the cup of glory/celebration. The Jewish people will say, "This year in Jerusalem, next year in the New Jerusalem." We of course said, "This year in KC, next year in the New Jerusalem."

Thinking of the Lord's last supper, I am also thinking of my last evening with the children and their families in Haiti. Our last day together was full of teaching so that the caretakers would know how to care for their children once I was no longer there to care for them. I went around giving gifts and notes that I had written. We said goodbye to two of our families who were ready to leave that day. Then we all just played and waited for those who had gone off to the hospital that day for pin/cast removals.

When the van finally returned there was a slight dissapointment to see two of the girls still with pins and cast. As I watched them pile out I also noticed that Louise was not on the van. They had kept her in hospital! This was painful for me because not only was she left there all alone, but I would not get to say goodbye to her! I was holding Jean in my arms and I began to cry. I went inside and tried to pull myself together, but when I looked down at Jean I just cried more. But I knew I had to stop because we had been waiting all day to have our last Bible Study and now was the time before it got dark.

We met under the mango tree. As we began to sing the same 3 songs we always sing, I looked around at all the kids doing the motions and singing out. I lost it then again. I couldn't sing or stop the tears. I kept trying to laugh it off. Thankfully Reghi(my interpretor) knew all the songs and kept on for me. I managed to quietly get the words out and continue.

Our topic that night was Heaven. I read promises from scripture about Heaven, the mansions being prepared for us and how Jesus wouldn't lie about it. I read that there will be no more sorrow, tears or death. I told them I know they had all just been through so much death and sorrow and goodbyes and that now we have to say another goodbye, but that in Heaven there will be no more. We read that this is for those who chose Christ. And then we daydreamed about the fun that it will entail. I told them that in Heaven I will play soccer with Francellot. Right now on earth I am very bad at soccer, but in Heaven I will be really good! One day I may recall that I have not seen Nancy for 500 years, so I will go and spend 300 with her. We all laughed at these ideas. We talked about the great celebration when we will all be together.

The night before a couple others on my team and I muddled through making a batch of brownies in a Haitian kitchen (a whole nother story!). So after our Bible study I passed out brownies and gave each person a whole coke. Though it was quite a treat, I told them it was still the teensiest portion of what will be our feast in Heaven. Before passing out the treats, it was time to close in prayer. Nancy's uncle shouted out (as is his habit in our times together-and I am glad) saying that since it is my last night they should pray for me. All of them prayed at once, of course I cried again!

It was a sweet last night. So full of joy! A few of the girls stayed up with me until almost 10 pm, which was soo late for all of us! I will always treasure that night and look forward to the New Jerusalem with my new family!



Monday, March 29, 2010

Life in Port au Prince

Hello anyone still following :)

It has been nearly two weeks now since saying goodbye to Haiti and its children. It has not been the easiest two weeks, but Jesus is so good in His caring for me. I would not trade the heart ache for never having gone and loved those darlings! Now my joy is to pray for them as I also pray about the next step the Lord has for me to take on this walk with Him. I trust that I have not for a moment stepped off the path he has prepared and planned for me.

I just found a short clip from NPR depicting life in PAP. All of a sudden I was there again. They really did well to paint an accurate picture of how Haiti is getting back to "business." Hope you enjoy! (Also check out the sight because there is a full showing of PAP online or on air PBS Tuesday March 30th.

Sorry, for now you'll just have to cut and paste this website because I don't know how to put links on this thing!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/haiti/view/economy_tent_city.html

Friday, March 19, 2010

A Little Bit of Life Captured

Oh man! I miss these kids immensely! I dream of them, I think of them, I ache for them. Here are some pics so you can put faces with names of those you've prayed for and learned about!










From top to bottom:
Dev and her Dad: The most amazing father in the world caring for his 2 year old girl as they wait for their miracle. Pray a hospital takes her for her surgery, or that even better, the Lord miraculously heal her heart!
Shikira and her family: She is 3 with an amputated lower leg. Her mom dedicated both her babies to the Lord on the day she was discharged from our ward!
Jenni and Windgi: Jenni broke her leg and had pins to hold the bone together. Her brother was not hurt, but came with the package:) They are both darling! Windgie lights up everyones day! Jenni now has her pins out and is pushing others around in their wheelchairs! I was also told that last night she was dancing!
Marie: She is now out of her cast. I think at one point I may have mentioned she was orphaned, but her aunt and uncle and baby cousin have since come to us. They are very loving and she already calls her aunti "mama", and her cousin "sissi." She is out of her cast now, but still gaurding her arm like it's her infant!
Daniette: Being held by our dear Sarah who's now back in Arizona. Daniette and her mom left with tarps and a bag of food (and a box of lysol cleaning supplies that her mom mysteriously aquired and I imagine will sell.HA! I am glad for her) Daniette is a cutie! She will mimic all that she sees. If you stroke her back, she'll stroke yours. If you dance in worship, she dances too! She came along way at our little post-op.
Rudy is 4 years old. His left leg is broken out of his hip socket. He walks with a limp. Continuing to pray that the Lord perfectly mend his broken bones and make him to walk straight!
Carlandia is 7. She is a spunky delight! She went "home" two weeks ago with her parents and older sister. They will live in a tent city. They were all bright lights in our ward! Continuing to pray that her leg grow to match the same length as the other.
Louise: 11 years(?)-She is a darling with the best smile and cute big dimple! She has been through too much suffering! But the Lord has given her great joy in life! I don't want to see her growing up an orphan! I pray that she always know the Father's love in a very close and personal way!
The BOYS! Jean is smiling and Keven is sleeping in this photo. They are little buddies! Jean is 5 months old and Keven 3 months. Both are bigger now than when this pic was taken.
Francellot: The brightest little 6 year old boy I know! He has a great personality and is very artistic. He wants to be an orthopedic doc when he grows up! I have no doubts he'll do it!