Wow! It's (almost) Time to GO!

What a privilege to be able to return to Haiti again to serve the staff and children at God's Littlest Angels! I will get to renew my friendships with the staff-both the American/Canadian staff and the Haitian staff. I will be able to love on some kids whose parents I have come to know very well through the amazing technology of the internet.

But most importantly I will be able to share the love of Christ to the older kids of the orphanage and to the nannies who care for them. Even though GLA is a very good orphanage run by competent staff (and is a family in it's own way), there are still a lot of kids there who feel the need to compete for attention. My prayer is that our being there to give these kids extra attention and at the same time sharing the gospel with them, will have a life-long impact on them.

This will be my fifth trip to Haiti (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and now 2008). I have had people ask me how I deal with the poverty I see in Haiti. I usually have a few answers for them. First, I think that while I have not become immune to the poverty in Haiti, I am able to see past the poverty and truly see the people and the culture. The people of Haiti are generally friendly, happy and content. Second, I need to remember what are our 'rights' or needs as human beings? Clean water; clothing and shelter to keep us safe from the elements; and enough food to sustain life are the top three that come to mind that are crucial. Having a car, TV or other material possessions are not needs to keep our life going, they are luxuries that we want to make our lives easier. In Haiti there are many people who do not have these 'rights' met and that is where most of the ministries in Haiti focus their attention. We will see and meet many people who have their needs being met but have very few wants or luxuries that would make their lives easier.

I am eager to show the team the Haiti I know and love. It often feels like my second home, as I suppose it should since two of my children were born there. I am eager to explore another ministry that operates in Haiti, namely the Sous Espwa (Source of Hope) which is run by the CRC in Haiti. I met the Seegar-King family last year while I was in Haiti. The CRWRC and CRWM work together in Haiti under the same 'umbrella'. One of their ministries involves serving pastors in Haiti.

The support of Hillcrest has been amazing in bringing us to this point. Prayer support, monetary support, and notes of encouragement have all been felt and appreciated. Tonight we are packing 22 suitcases full of supplies and donations. It should be an interesting time!
Until then, Cheryl.