My heart is so full and happy right now. I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be at this time in my life. And that feels good.

I think about Haiti and the orphanage in Gonaives every day. Praying for them. Trying to find the part of me that I can bring to them, hoping to bring a part of them home with me. I think Haiti will plant itself in my heart in a way that I can't even imagine now. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. And found out yesterday that there will be many more opportunities to go over the next 3 years so I'm already trying to figure out a way to go back.

Travel preparations are underway. I'm expecting my passport to arrive any day now. I saw my doctor today and got my first Hep A vaccine, a prescription for malaria meds and something to help me stay calm on the plane. Still need to pick up a decent backpack and a good pair of walking sandals.

~be happy~

Haiti Day Four: Church and Kaliko

So I'd like to invite you to church with me. We'll be in a large open air concrete building, no air conditioning, no fans, near 100 degree temperatures. You'll be sitting hip to hip on hard wooden benches with no backs and at least one or two kids hanging on you or sitting on your lap. The service will be almost entirely in Creole. Oh... and it will last 3-1/2 hours. Any takers?





That's exactly what we did Sunday morning and guess what? In spite of every thing I've just told you, it was wonderful and one of the high points of this trip. The music and singing were lively. Everyone clapped and lifted their hands and danced. And they were very prayerful. And they wore their Sunday best. And it was packed. And when we let out, there was another group waiting to get in for the second service.

I wish I had pictures, but I just didn't want to disrupt the service and the worship. These people have a heart and a love for God like nothing I've ever seen. They may be the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, but they are rich in spirit and I admire them for that.

After church, we left Gonaives and started the long drive back to Port au Prince. We had early morning flights to catch. We drove for nearly 4 hours and stopped at a place called Kaliko Beach Club.

It was beautiful and on the Caribbean Sea. It was hard to believe we were in the same country of poverty and destruction and garbage everywhere. We walked in the sand, some went swimming, dinner was a wonderful buffet. We had our final bead ceremony on the beach. I caught myself almost feeling guilty. But I think this stay was intentional, to teach us something. Haiti was once called the Pearl of the Caribbean. It was a beautiful, lush, tropical paradise. And there are a few places where you can really get a sense of how beautiful it could be there again with the proper care. Haiti is a country full of contrasts.

Haiti has been used and used by others until it is now seemingly all used up. It's time to give back. Time to take care of the people there. Time to take care of the children there and raise up a new generation who will love God and will love their country and the people there and who will fight to rebuild and make it what it once was.

I have been blessed to be a part of this team that went. It was hard. Probably the most difficult thing I've ever done. But in my weakness, God can do great things. And He did. He did a great work in my heart and I know I will never be the same. I thought I was going to Haiti to work and give, but I truly received so much more. We went to love the children, but the love they gave us was immeasurable. Haiti, in spite of the poverty and destruction and trash, is a beautiful, soulful place.

And God is there.

I'm certain of it.

I can't wait to go back.

What I Know

I know that God has created me in such a way that my heart breaks for those in our world who don't have enough to eat, those who live in abject poverty, the oppressed, lost children, those who are marginalized. He has given me a gift of mercy that draws me to the down-and-out people of the world, whether their problems be physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental. I'm a caretaker.

I know that God's heart also breaks for those who are poor, oppressed, fatherless, and widowed. The Bible is full of passages telling us so. He also instructs us to care for those who are considered "less than."

I know that the country of Haiti is made up of a people who have been oppressed for a very long time. Oppression by other countries as well as their own government. The general population lack the very things needed just to survive, much less so the resources necessary to effect any significant change in their country. When your daily focus is on making sure you and your family have enough to eat or a safe place to sleep, you can't really spend energy considering how to improve your quality of life beyond that.

I know that my time spent in Haiti was brief, but in that short time there, I fell in love. I don't want to go back so I can show them a better way. I don't only want to give them the things that they need. Is it too bold of me to say that I want to go back because my desire is to change Haiti? As a country? Was David considered "too bold" to go out on his own and slay a giant? Many thought so. But he did it because his heart was focused on serving God in whatever way he was called. I don't seriously presume that I will be the one to slay the giant that lords over Haiti right now, but I can go and hold those children so that they know that in this world, they were loved by someone. I can do my part to ensure they are given an education and perhaps taught a skill so that they will be able to have jobs when they become adults.

I know that I'm not alone on this. Everyone on the team that went is feeling called to do their part. I know that we have the leadership of the church supporting us. I'm so thankful for that.

I believe our congregation will be supportive as well and that many will also want to go and do their part.

I don't know what our ministry in Haiti will look like. I'm not sure where in Haiti we will be serving. I'm not sure how long it will take to get something established there or where the funding will come from or who else we may partner with. I don't even know how long our involvement with Haiti will be.

But I don't really need to know these things. Yet. God has shown us the next step to take and that's as far as we need to see into the future. We'll be having meetings and conversations with those who accompanied us on the trip, also with those we met along the way. We will probably need to send teams 3 or 4 times over the course of the next year to also catch the vision and do research. My prayer is that this time next year, we'll have a clearer vision of our calling.

Heal my Heart

Before I left on my trip to Haiti, one of my prayers was that my heart would be open to give and receive and to allow myself to feel what ever emotions my experience conjured up without shutting down. I didn't want to close myself off to what I was seeing just because it was hard and hurtful to see. I think that's what compassion is - allowing yourself to feel the hurts others are experiencing.

When I came home, my heart was full and I needed to find a way to express what was there.

Brokeness and pain, yes.

But also healing and hope.

And Love.

This series of heart canvases is the result of that. There are others still there, waiting for the opportunity to come to live with canvas and paint and text. These are the ones I've completed.

If you want to see more details and closeups, please click on My Art page. I'll continue to update that page as new pieces are completed.

Thank you to all who take an interest. Feel free to contact me if you want to make a purchase or have any questions!

Peace and Grace,

Pearle

Is There Any Hope for Haiti?

Many believe there is not, that they are a lost cause, that the country as a whole is in the predicament it is in because of the practice of voudoo and that God has forsaken them.

But I saw the hope and felt the presence of God there. In the eyes and smiles of the children, in the day-to-day drudgery of people seeking out their basic needs, in the worship songs of a church service, in their prayers, and in the discussions with others who have commited themselves to working there.

A friend from Global Orphan Project forwarded a link to this article. Read it and then tell me, do you believe there is hope for Haiti? And what is your responsibility now that you know of their needs?

Thoughts of Haiti

We had a Haiti team meeting last week, the five from our church and two from another church we partnered with on our trip. It was great to get the seven of us back together to share stories and laughter. But we also got to the business of voicing questions and searching for answers in one another's thoughts and impressions. Haiti is so complex. We've all talked about the many, many layers of issues and the too few resources and lack of leadership needed to resolve any of them. Who are we, this small band of God-seekers, that we think we could possibly have any impact on a country that has been living in abject poverty for so very long?

What I heard in this meeting is that we all feel our hearts have been pierced with a vision of hope for Haiti. Our hearts have been broken over the beautiful faces of children and mamas and pastors. We have been encouraged by others we have met along the way who share the same vision. Our hearts are open to God's Spirit and we are willing to go where he leads us, wherever that may be and in whatever capacity He may call us. Our hearts are full, we have fallen in love and we won't be discouraged. We are committed and we know it will take many other hearts and many other hands and feet to go and stand behind us and pray to make this happen.

We watched the video during our worship service in church today. I've watched that video a dozen times and I still sob every time. I want to go back. I need to go back. I'm ready. After church, we had lunch with Wes, an amazing young man who has partnered up with Global Orphan and has made the committment to live in Haiti. He shared about some of the difficulties he's encountered in living there a few weeks now. Listening to him only made me want to be there all the more.

Please pray that God will prepare a way, that He will go ahead of us and lead us. Pray that we would keep our hearts broken and yielded to Him. Pray that others will hear not just the words we share but that they will hear our hearts and God's voice and that they too will catch the vision.

Peace to you.

Follow Me

“Walking in the deep woods wasn’t what I thought it would be. But I learned something about myself. I went with a map. I went with plan. I had a focused destination and I walked fast and determined. When I got to where I was going, I was disappointed. It wasn’t what I thought it would be. But there was a clearing and a bench, a place to sit and rest and reflect. As I sat there pulling spider webs off my arms and plucking sticker burs off my socks, I realized this is how I have lived most of my life. Planning, charting my course, going my own way. The result is rarely satisfying. Yet I continue to do it again and again.

God speaks and I listen to His quiet voice: “Follow Me.”

Yes, Lord. I need to follow your path. Follow your way. I need to seek after you and bring my needs and my desires to you and trust you. Your way is always the better way.”


One week before the trip to Haiti, I took a 24-hour personal retreat at a place called Shantivanam so I could prepare spiritually. This lesson was one I felt God wanted me to remember for the trip. It certainly rang true while we were in Haiti. It turned out that the plans we thought we had were not God’s plans and I admit it was difficult to accept that at first. But I remembered this lesson and prayed. I felt my spirit, my heart surrendering to Him and His plans. Because His way leads to Everlasting Life. His way leads to salvation. His way brings peace to those who follow.

Thank you Lord for showing me how much you love me by preparing my heart for this trip. And not only for this trip but for the rest of my days with You.

Haiti September 2010: Video

This video is was put together by Jonathan Klee. He's a great photographer and videographer. He loves the Lord and the children of Haiti. It was a blessing to accompany him on this trip.

Haiti Project - Sept. 2010 from Perception Funding on Vimeo.

Jonathan has a ministry called Perception Funding and works to help those called to do God's work raise the funds needed to carry out their mission.

Haiti Day Four: Church and Kaliko

So I'd like to invite you to church with me. We'll be in a large open air concrete building, no air conditioning, no fans, near 100 degree temperatures. You'll be sitting hip to hip on hard wooden benches with no backs and at least one or two kids hanging on you or sitting on your lap. The service will be almost entirely in Creole. Oh... and it will last 3-1/2 hours. Any takers?

That's exactly what we did Sunday morning and guess what? In spite of every thing I've just told you, it was wonderful and one of the high points of this trip. The music and singing were lively. Everyone clapped and lifted their hands and danced. And they were very prayerful. And they wore their Sunday best. And it was packed. And when we let out, there was another group waiting to get in for the second service.

I wish I had pictures, but I just didn't want to disrupt the service and the worship. These people have a heart and a love for God like nothing I've ever seen. They may be the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, but they are rich in spirit and I admire them for that.


After church, we left Gonaives and started the long drive back to Port au Prince. We had early morning flights to catch. We drove for nearly 4 hours and stopped at a place called Kaliko Beach Club.

It was beautiful and on the Caribbean Sea. It was hard to believe we were in the same country of poverty and destruction and garbage everywhere. We walked in the sand, some went swimming, dinner was a wonderful buffet. We had our final bead ceremony on the beach. I caught myself almost feeling guilty. But I think this stay was intentional, to teach us something. Haiti was once called the Pearl of the Caribbean. It was a beautiful, lush, tropical paradise. And there are a few places where you can really get a sense of how beautiful it could be there again with the proper care. Haiti is a country full of contrasts.

Haiti has been used and used by others until it is now seemingly all used up. It's time to give back. Time to take care of the people there. Time to take care of the children there and raise up a new generation who will love God and will love their country and the people there and who will fight to rebuild and make it what it once was.

I have been blessed to be a part of this team that went. It was hard. Probably the most difficult thing I've ever done. But in my weakness, God can do great things. And He did. He did a great work in my heart and I know I will never be the same. I thought I was going to Haiti to work and give, but I truly received so much more. We went to love the children, but the love they gave us was immeasurable. Haiti, in spite of the poverty and destruction and trash, is a beautiful, soulful place.

God is there.

I'm certain of it.

I can't wait to go back.

Haiti Day Three: Lutheran Church, MaPou and Fayeton

So after spending the morning at Bienac, we headed off to another area of Gonaives. We visted a parcel of land that is owned by the Lutheran Church in Gonaives and who is working with Global Orphan to establish another orphanage in the area. This is a large lot with plenty of room for the planned clinic, houses for boys and girls, church and school and possibly a trade school. That seems to be the model for Global Orphan and I think it's a good one. If there are going to be lasting changes made in Haiti, it needs to start with the children, giving them a healthy life, giving them a good education and teaching them a trade in order to support themselves and provide for their families. Teach them about God and have a church that will reach out to the community and draw others in.

This building, we were told, will be the site of the clinic. here. We seemed to attract the attention of some of the neighborhood children while we were there.

Next, we went to MaPou (pronounced ma-poo). This is a village north of Gonaives. Driving through the village, you could see that it was more rural, actually a very nice area. The orphanage there has several buildings, including this very spacious church/school building.

Some of us stayed inside and colored with the children.

Others were outside playing a little soccer with the older kids.

Some of us got rather attached to one or two of the children. Actually most of us did at at least one of the orphanages were visited. It was hard not to let your heart get captured by one of these precious ones.

Doug fell in love with this tiny girl. Her name was Daska.

It seemed everywhere we went on this trip, we encountered others from the States who were there to help. It was just remarkable how God orchestrated that! The wonderful thing about that is we all were able to share our ministries with one another and encourage one another and commit to pray for one another. Doug happened to run into a fellow who is from the same church as his son in Indiana.

Our next stop was Fayeton which I think is another village just outside of Gonaives, though I can't find it on any map so it could be just the name of the orphanage. It also was very spacious and included large buildings for housing, church and school. I'll just let you look these a few photos of the children there.

This spunky little girl will be a model... she wanted to pose for shot after shot!

Joseph Volcy, the kids love him!

We did a lot of this. Love this shot.

A new friend, Schaun Colin. He taught me what it means to be real and brave.

Marsha Campbell, our leader from Global Orphan. I learned from her as well... a heart full of love, patience, keeping a positive attitude even when things don't go as planned. Love her.

One of the mamas coloring with the kids. Some of them are still such little girls at heart .

Frank with his lap full of children. Frank has taught me what it means to have a servant's heart.

And Dr. Jerry was especially attached to this little guy.

I'll leave you with this final shot. If this doesn't break your heart for these children...

Tomorrow is Sunday... we'll be going to one of the local churches, then traveling back to Port au Prince.

Haiti Day Three: Return to Bienac

Yesterday I shared with you how let down we felt after our visit to the Bienac orphanage. In retrospect, it is by far the orphanage that needs the most work. And it is close to the heart of a couple of our team members. And... it is the place we thought we were going to be spending most of our time. But our plans are not God's plans and that turned out to be a good thing. Still, we were able to go back first thing Friday morning to spend a couple of hours.

We cleaned up the play area and we were able to remove a lot of the scrap building supplies and garbage, picking up things like broken glass and tin can lids. We cleared out some of the big rocks. The kids all helped and so did a couple of the mamas. They seemed glad to do it. Some of the guys who came with us were able to cut some rebar that was still sticking out in a few places making things safer for the kids as well.

After cleaning up we had more play time with the kids. The young man in the photo above is Wes Comfort. I fell in love with this kid as did many others on the team. He just graduated from Baker University and was recently hired by Global Orphan to work in Haiti. When I think of the things most young people his age are doing in their early 20s, he is making a huge sacrifice and is excited to do it.

It is a dangerous thing to wear sunglasses when you are visiting the children. They are fascinated by them and all of them want their turn to wear your glasses.

Then of course they want their pictures taken with the glasses on and its easy to lose track of who has your sunglasses! I did eventually lose mine but they were only cheap $5 glasses so it was only a small sacrifice.

This is the outdoor kitchen.

And these are the young women, the mamas, who cook there.

And this sweet lady is Antoinette Chantille. She stole my heart. She was so child-like and loved playing with the children. She smiled, a lot, at me. And hugged me.

And when she asked me for my earrings, I didn't hesitate to give them to her. Such a small gift made her so, so happy. I'll remember that on my next trip, to bring small gifts for the mamas. They work very hard to provide for these kids.

After spending a couple of hours cleaning and playing with the children, we were able to leave and there were no tears this time. It felt good to give a small something to the kids, cleaning up their play area and making is safer. Playing with them, running and laughing. In that respect, they are just like children anywhere. They love to laugh and play.

Three more places to visit this day.