7/13/10 was a wonderful day!

The day started off with breakfast duty at 6am! =] Cleaning, and prep for breakfast. After eating a huge bowl of frosted flakes, and making 2 peices of toast, Walter (our great cook) came in with a lovely surprise...CINNIMON ROLLS, not just cinnimon rolls, but HOMEMADE cinnimon ROLLS! After clean up around 8am, I headed off to a prayer meeting for eyes of hope, getting the vision of God for this idea of God's. We will be praying daily for all God's plans for "eyes of hope"! Around 9:15 we headed off to the tent city! =]

Emily Rice taught on the Father Heart of God and did an amazing job! It was so personal and relational. Dani, Emily and I did a few songs of worship. I think it'd be awesome to learn some Creole worship for them, so they can understand the words. The girls loved to play hand games!

We got back for lunch, chicken, beef, or PB&J sandwiches. Then an hour after, 2pm work around the base. I ended up being on the group that loaded the truck with wood and a bunch load of metal poles. Phew we were showering in our sweat. I loved it, I love working outside like that, it reminded me of past mission trips I used to go on in high school with the youth group. We headed off to unload at a church. When we got there no one had the keys so we were going to head back unload ALL we loaded and than re-load it tomorrow. Well, we waited and a man came up, and J asked him if he had keys (while we were praying) and thank God, he had them! So we started unloading, and after unloading about half it started to rain! It was such a nice cool off gift from the Lord! Today was the first real rain since we have been here! On the way back to the base I had my first ride in the back of the truck. In case you don't know, the driving here is crazy, my parents prob. would have gone a bit crazy, but it was great! I love being adventurous and out of the box!

We got back, and I missed the children because I didn't get to see them all day yet. It's like I'm missing something if I don't go visit and play with them everyday! Well I walked to the hallway and saw the boy, I cant remeber his name since there is 120 of them, I'm working on it. Anyways, he is in a wheelchair and can walk, only if he's holding someone's hand. There is nothing better than blessing someone and unexpectedly being blessed back. That is the Lord for ya!! This little boy was so happy to get up, he started bopping his body, later I realized he was trying to jump! =] It was so great to see that unfading joy!

A bit after hanging out with the kids, I started doing my laundry and 2 orphans, Jefferson and John came up and wanted to do our laundry. We weren't doing it right...haha...they saw our laundry on the line and said bad, there was still dirt on it. Boy, they ended up doing Emily AND my laundry! It was bright clean. I tried doing it with them, and they laughed because I didn't know how to perfectly do it the way they do! =P haha

The night ended with AMAZING Holy Spirit filled worship. We did "He Loves Us", "Sing of your love forever", "Open the eyes of my heart", and so many good songs! Hearing all the children sing is an experience of faith and hope right in front of you. It's funny though because the young children fall asleep, no matter how loud it is! So cute!

=] Alrighti, ending this night with a nice shower to clean off all the dirt from today!

God always has the better plan

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Today we had our whole day planned out. We were going to a tent city for our first teaching on the "Father Heart of God". Emily was going to speak and we had worship planned out. Well, we loaded up in the van squished and dripping sweat. =]

We arrived there and found out they were having food distribution so we were not able to do what we had planned. So, we waited for a bit as Lucy, the director's wife of this base made a few calls. My team got permission to go to another tent city and spend time with the people and children living there. Oh how fun it was to hang out with them for a few hours! =] Right when we got there a 18 year old boy who looked like he 14ish freely offered to give us a tour. We got to play with the children, and take pictures after we hung out for a while. There are some beautiful beautiful people here.

I'm so thankful God knows what is best for us, and does everything for the good of those that love Him!

Random Stories of the first arrival

Story #1:

We went on a prayer walk on Saturday. On our way to our destinations we got into a car wreck. Our car kept giving out and the gears wouldn't change. We were headed up a hill with 18+ people added onto our team of 11 people. The car gave out and we started rolling back and before you know it we hit the car behind us. A policeman came up to the driver, I'm not sure exactly what happened but we never saw him again after we prayed and declared "Lord, help us get up this hill!"

The hospital in Port-au-Prince was pretty intense. One of my team members saw a baby be covered and taken away. In that moment, a life just ended. There were many families there. It looked like a lot of single mothers with month old babies. We got to pray with them, and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead us on what else to do. We didn't have a translator for everyone so it was a bit difficult to make a good connection with a person.

Story #2:

There was a tarantula outside of the main house here. Someone killed it with a rock. =P

Story #3:

Here in the orphanage there are a couple girls that capture my heart. One is Isabella. I'm not sure what problem she has but she is very stiff and has to be in a wheelchair or laying down. Every single time you smile and say something to her she grins the biggest smile of joy and doesn't allow it to fade very easily. I wanted to hang out with her yesterday so I rolled her around for a bit and sang to her. Than when I took her back I wanted her to be able to swing, so I picked up her stiff body and brought her over to the swings and we swung for a bit. She loved it! I get so much joy out of bringing them happiness! I'm so glad we don't have regulations on hanging out with them!

Talking about it makes me want to go check on her, I haven't seen her today yet! =] Catcha Later! =]

Country of Hope

7/9/10

We arrived to Port-au-Prince, Haiti yesterday. It was about an 8 hour drive. We left around 4am thursday morning! So almost everyone slept the whole way, even our driver....the WHOLE ride he was bobbing his head, and his eyes would close every other second. Thank the Lord for HIS protection! Wow, and all the prayers from you guys! I think the worst part of that is that our driver had to go all the way back to Santo Domingo that same day.



My team and I were praying most of the way there, if not all the way. Crossing the border was crazy. Cars, food, tables, chairs, more cars, mopeds, food, drinks, traffic, police men, and on...
They didn't even end up checking our passsports, but we had a few people we had to give money to in order to cross the border. The Lord's favor was on us the wholeeee way! We ended at Petterson's house, it was beautiful inside and outside. Nothing that I expected to see. Petterson is head over this Port-au-Prince base. When we got to his house, he just told us an introduction. He mentioned God spoke to him in Nehemiah, just how God spoke to me to come here for outreach. =] It was just a little whisper of God's voice, reassuring me that He has plans for me in Haiti. We relaxed at Petterson's house for a while in the air conditioned room. After a bit, we packed our bags on the truck and a few ended up riding in the bed of the truck with the luggage and the rest in the van. We arrived at New Life's Children Home, where our home will be for the next three weeks! =]

We set up our 3 tents. Boys on one side, girls on the other with huge white cover's for our luggage and stuff. The weather is not as humid as Dominican Republic was. It actually gets a little cooler at night here, which is nice. The orphans are sooo fun. Right away they loved our company. Some of them, it takes a bit of time to get comfortable, but I'm sure by the end of three weeks they won't want us leaving. There are two babies--John, and Kevin. They are beautiful. There are many orphans in wheelchairs, and a lot with medical problems. Half of the orphans are from the earthquake. There are about 120 in all. We have free range into the orphanage at anytime except bedtimes. It is so nice to have the freedom we have. I love to be able to actual have real relationships with them.

7/10/10

One of the most touching moments for me was their night worship. They were watching and singing with all their hearts to a Michael W. Smith (live) DVD! I haven't felt the Holy Spirit like that since before we were in Dominican Republic. Overall, this is a very humbling experience. I'm always asking myself, if I was in their place what would I want from a visitor. I try to live out the command "do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

My team and I will be teaching this week to tent cities. I'm excited to see lives changed. We will be teaching on the "Father Heart of God", "Hearing the Voice of God", "Prayer and Bible", "Holy Spirit", "Relationships, "Obeying God's voice", "Intimacy with Christ" and more. I am teaching on "Prayer and Bible" with Jorn. My goal is to bring them to realization of how important Prayer and Bible is to your daily walk with the Lord.

We Made it to Dominican!

Here is a quick update on things:

We had 11 hours in the air, a five hour lay-over and about 30 min. ride to the YWAM base here. We are still recovering from jet-lag. =] We like the food here better than the food on the base! haha. =] It's good! We only have designated days to get on the internet, it's a rule on the base. Being photographers, we have only been allowed to take pictures, and have only 2 photographers for the whole group. It is for safety purposes. It is hard because it's our passion and we see all these awesome things we want to take pictures of, but the Lord knows our hearts, and He also knows the best for us.

=] The driving here is very adventurous! I love it! People don't use the lines and you feel as if you are going to crash but then right before you hit the car, the driver puts the breaks on! haha. =P There are always people selling things on the street. For expamle, they sell cold water, snacks (like wafers), cell phone chargers, newspapers, sunglasses, and more! =] With the driving, comes the honking, haha, I still do not know why they honk? haha =]

This has been awesome so far. We will be leaving for Haiti on thursday or friday depending on whether we find a ride or need to rent a car.

Today we went to a leprosy colony. Most of them were in their old age. Many of them did not have all their limbs. We went to encourage them. We played and sang 2 songs for them, shared 2 of our testimonies, and shared a teaching on "Hearing the Voice of God". They said they enjoyed it very much.

This is Julita:

There were a few people who touched my heart. One was Julita, she didn't talk very much, but for some reason my heart went out to her, so I tried to communicate with a translator. There was another lady, 75 years old, I cannot remember her name at the moment, but she was so joyful and the only one really to show her excitement towards us. She loved to dance and sing. Jorn would play the ukelele and we sang to her how beautiful she is and she would join in and add-lib to the song. It was awesome!

Yesterday we went to help a church feed the homeless. I went with Hannah to help in the kitchen as the others went and invited people to come. We made beans, rice, salad (I tried a piece, it was very good!), and fried meatballs! It was so hot in that kitchen, frying the food, I would not stop sweating. As I stepped outside, there was a temperature difference, and I thought it was cool outside! =P phew I enjoyed it soo much! I bonded with a girl named Yesther. She was about 14 if I can remember correctly and these people were just so sweet to us.

We will be going back to both of these places to help again when we get back from 6 weeks in Haiti. I can't wait to get some pictures, stories of hope, and testimonies of what the Lord keeps doing!

Please keep praying for us! Love you all, Elizabeth

POUR down

The Lord has sent rain to Hawaii, right now as I am typing. It has not poured like this in a while, I have heard. It is coming down pretty fierce. =] After spending time in the prayer room reading a bit of Nehemiah. The Lord has told me to rebuild Haiti. Rebuild their hearts for God and their country for God. To rebuild their schools, their religion, all of Haiti. =] Well it started sprinkling and I went to my room at that point.

My roommate asked me if I wanted to go play in the rain, she didn't even finish her sentence and we both put on some clothes to get wet in! =] Take up this opportunity we won't have for the next 3 months, nice, cool rain on our skin! While we were splashing and laughing we made our way to the fountain and Emily started walking around the fountain on the blue tiles...she said the wall of Jerico and the next thing you know we are marching around 7 times declaring restoration of rebuilding Haiti. Jerico is found in Joshua, where the Lord had led me earlier in study in His word. God is so good. The Holy Spirit truly unites each follower of Christ through love. It is so cool. =D I know I will sleep well tonight, it is still raining, but no longer POURING. =] Thank you Lord.

"but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name." Nehemiah 1:9

"But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. There fore you did not desert them..." Nehemiah 9:17

Haiti is the Lord's.

Has it really been 9 weeks already!?

Woahhh. God has been so good. Here my life is changing. My mind is being transformed by a new way of thinking. I have not experienced the Lord like I have here in my life. I love to people watch, and especially here because when I see that true passion, it makes me want to dive deeper in my intimacy with the Lord.

I know it has been a while since I have written or updated my blog. Time has never flown by so fast in my life as it is now. Thank the Lord I am spending it with Him!!! Haiti is in 18 days! I still need outreach money. Over 1,000 dollars left to raise. If I cannot raise my money, I have to go home and not complete the DTS. Outreach is part of the 6 month DTS. I have complete belief that the Lord is going to provide the money. It is His money, and the Lord is just giving me peace. I know He takes care of my EVERY need. Phil. 4:19! A couple weeks ago, the Lord sent a little 5 year old girl, named Ariel, to come and ask if she could pray for me. Her mother told me she wants to pray for money. That child has no idea that I needed money, but the Lord gave her insight, and her faith (faith comes from hearing, and she definately heard the Lord) influenced my faith! I love how the Lord knows the desires of our heart, and loves to delight in us. A child coming to pray for me completely humbled me. Lord, you are good and your mercies endure forever!

Out of several things, one thing the Lord is teaching me is my family's importance in my life. I was blessed with AMAZING parents. They sought after the Lord, and raised me in the word, to be not of this world. Teach a child in the way he should go and he shall not depart from it. So true! My sisters, both super loving to me. Thank you Lord for my family, pour out your favor and blessings on them Jesus.

I love you all and miss everyone back home in a healthy way, haha, I can't express how much it means to me to know you all are by my side through this journey!