Prison and Voodoo

Yesterday we got to go to the Federal Prison in Port au Paix. It was interesting to go into such a hopeless place with the intentions o f sharing the greatest hope of all, Jesus. We went from cell to cell, talking to the prisoners and sharing a short devotion with them. We got to pray with them. It was so awesome and I can't wait to go back!

Today we went to Ansefelor, the voodoo capital of Haiti. We climbed up to the monument and got to see where people come to burn sacrifices for their voodoo gods. We went to their high place and called down the name of Jesus on the city. It was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. We then drove by the temple. It looked like such an average building but it was extraordinary. At first it was shocking to think that people actually deny God in a place like this. Then I realized that I deny God on a daily basis in my home, at my school, with my life. But God's grace overwhelmed me and made me clean again. And I have come to realize that that is the true message of what I'm bringing to Haiti. That despite this entire Marion's denial of Christ they can be redeemed. How awesome would it be if we could say that Haiti used to be slaves to voodoo and spirits yet now they praise The Lord God as a whole?!?! I think God has some seriously amazing things planned for this summer. Can't wait to see what they are! Here is a picture from the mountain.

Also Presney told me that I was his sister. It made my day! So happy to know him!

Prayer Requests:
Our staff is feeling much better but your prayers for health are still very needed.
We also have our teams coming in soon so you could pray that God would prepare the hearts of those team members for His service.
Also pray for the people we would come in contact with. Pray that they would be receptive of the truth of Christ.


Thank you for your prayers and I hope to share more soon!

With love,
Emily

Bus Rides

So today was a long day!!! We woke up early for devotions and breakfast then we left for Beauchamp and La Baie. The bus ride was tough. The unpaved roads were a little difficult to get used to. Once we got to Beauchamp we played with some of the kids that were at the school. It was funny watching the kids try to understand "Simon Says" and "Father Abraham." We were given lunch by the local campus director and then hopped back in the bus to was to La Baie. Once we got into La Baie we started playing with the boy orphans who live there. We played on their swing set and took plenty of pictures with them.

We hopped back on the bus to head back to Saint Louis du Nord. We started telling embarrassing stories and funny moments in or life. It made the ride so much better and we really bonded as an intern staff. We got back and I went over to the orphanage and spent some time with the girls. We played paddy cake games and cuddled. I don't speak creole but we have boxed so much lately over just being together. I let them do my hair if I'm feeling adventurous (it hurts a little so I'm cautious) and just loving on them. It is so sweet to e walking in the courtyard and hear my name. They pronounce it "Em-oh-lee." It warms my heart to know that they just want me to say hi to them. I'm so in love with these girls. They come from such broken pasts but they are so sweet and are so in need of the gospel. I hope to have a continuing relationship with them.

I think it so interesting to see the orphans and compare them to our spiritual lives. We are orphans with broken pasts and scars on our spirits. God chooses to bring us in and give us a new start. He gave up so much for us and sacrificed beyond comprehension to take in all these lowly, broken, weak, and hungry orphans. But we are made new and given new spirits just like how the orphans are given food and clothes. F

We did worship and now we are all in the staff lounge watching "The Bachelorette." I'm so thankful for the great people God has placed around me. There is so much need for Christ and I'm so ready for  what God is bringing in the future for this summer.

Please be praying for our staff. We are battling sickness and exhaustion. We are ready for our teams to come in on June 3rd. But we have to be healthy for that. Also please pray that we stay focused on our goal. Please be in prayer for a local family. Their son passed away so keep them in your prayers. I miss America and my family but I'm doing well. Thank you for your support. And keep reading fr more updates.

Love you guys,

Emily

Sand fleas, Brothel Women, and Tortuga

All the other interns came in so it's much less quiet. I had to move out of my dad's house into the girls' dorm. I got eaten alive by sandfleas the firat night. But now it's all better. I am really looking forward to the relationships with the girls this summer! I hope we get close throughout this time on Haiti together.

Yesterday morning we got to hear some amazing stories of voodoo from pne of pur bosses, Jody. She told us that Before the churxh that is across the street from the mission was built there Were some Haitians Wanting to practice voodoo on that property but the mission wouldn't let them. So the voodoo people came and some of the women went down to stop them. The voodoo people could have easily gone around them but they wanted to bully the Christians into leaving. 3 women began to sing every song they knew with the name Jesus in it. The voodoo people threw snakes and rats and even urine on the 3 woman but they didnt break the line. Young children from the Nutrition program at the mission knew the songs and went up to join the line. The voodoo people threw rocks at them but the Christians were never hit. Every Haitian who was there will attest the truth of that story. The voodoo people never weakened the Christians' determination to not break the line.

Yesterday we tried to go to Bonneau and Ansefelor but the bus broke down (#haitiprobs) so we went through the market and the jail. We got to go into the local jail and pray with the inmates. Most of them asked us to pray that they would get out of jail. It was interesting to see their open desire for God now that they were in jail. I spent the rest of the day with the orphanage girls in their rooms, playing with babies, and braiding hair.

Today we went to Tortuga and took a tour of the island. We then spent time labeling mattresses. I walked over to the orphanage and spent some time with them and baby Moses. He was left by a river to die with his feet sliced open so he would die faster. A woman found him and brought him to the mission and now he loves with the orphanage "Mama", Madame Robert.

Overall this summer has already been amazing and it's only been 5 days. God is so evident here and people are so thirsty for him. I'm really excited to start getting teams in next week! Gonna be an interesting few days!

Well, I made it to the mission. It was an interesting ride. First we hop on the ever familiar "Boeing 757" then we hopped onto a very small 5 seater from Port au Prince to Port au Paix. We then rode in a car to the mission. When we got to the mission I immediately got a tour and met all of the Miriam Center (special needs center)  children and the Gran Moun (elderly orphanage). I was introduced to our Aquaponics center and the orphanage. I met all the little girls and boys and they wouldn't stop hugging us and chanting our names. It wasn't a very eventful night. We just relaxed in the staff lounge and bonded a little. Today started bright and early. About 6:15am I woke up and went to breakfast at 7. We then sat and talked until it was time to go into town. I made a new friend named Presney, he is an 8 or 9 year old Haitian boy who went along for the walk into town. He told me that we were friends and lead me through the town. If there were rocks he would lead me around them and if there was someone coming down the road on a moto (slang for motorcycle) then he would tell me to stand to the side so he could protect me. He even fended off all the beggars for me. We stopped by the brothel so I could meet the prostitutes that the mission works with. They were sitting outside with their children. While we were there, Presney pulled me closer to the wall so that I could be out of the sun. He never left my side and never let go of my hands. Now he tells me where he is going so I can find him. We just finished lunch and now we are just doing some housekeeping things until later when we get to play with the kids in the courtyard after nap time. 

It is amazing how evident God is when you are out here. It is also evident how much these people need Jesus. I am so looking forward to the summer!

Last Day in the States

So I woke up today with some weird banging noise coming from my door. I look up and realize at 8am my dad decided to grab another suitcase out of our attic. (The attic entrance is in my bedroom). So I eventually rolle out of bed and walked into the kitchen. There I ate some pancakes and drank some apple juice. Then we all started packing like mad men! Now we are off to WalMart to buy some MORE supplies.

God has been preparing me over these last two weeks. I can see how God is purging me of impurities and giving me a stronger desire for righteousness as I head out to Haiti for the summer. My last day in the States is bound to be eventful (and will probably include more than one trip to WalMart).