Long Days

My dear friends!,

     So much has happened in the last week I forgot I blogged a couple days ago and I was worried I hadn't filled you in in a long time, but since I did I mainly just want to share some photos with you. I hope you enjoy them. It is impossible to capture what I have been experiencing, but maybe you can get a small idea. 

 Surveying in Luly

 Haitian washing machine

 Dinner time. Notice the 'chair' and environment; fencing, etc.

 Gorgeous ladies I ran into while surveying

 The children are more friendly than I can explain!

A couple shots from a drive through Port Au Prince.

 Crumbles left after the earthquake destroyed this, once beautiful, catholic cathedral. 

          There is a new lesson everyday and through ways I never thought I could be taught God has opened my eyes to new thoughts! He has changed things I never thought would be changed and has brought things from my life to the light that I never even considered. The last week of my life has been filled with amazing miracles that only the God of the universe can create! 

     Love you!

Quality Time

Loved Ones!

     I have gained ten PHENOMENAL friends from Tennessee this week and am, once again, amazed with the surprises God has presented to me!  I have been filled with tears of awe all week and can't express how happy I am that I met each and everyone of these people! I learned the first day they were here that I am in need of Haiti a lot more than I have realized. Haiti has helped me overcome a lot of struggles that I have held onto in my life and I am over-welmed with how much I have been able to learn.
     Monday and Tuesday we (the interns) worked on the survey, which has been an amazing hands on learning experience! I have learned that among the 15 or so people I have surveyed that about 50% of them can read and write. Today I spent the day in Tree of Life and Renee actually taught one of the girls there how to write her name (Kimberly). Renee told the story and said the look on Kimberly's when she saw her name was priceless. The children's home doesn't have record of all the kid's ages so I am not positive how old Kimberly is because when we asked we received three answers; the first time she was 9 and then 6 and finally 7, so I am estimating she is 8 :D Now try to fathom this: Kimberly is at least 6 years old and she learned to write her name today! As far as I remember one of the first things any child is taught to write is their name and I believe it was close to the first thing Kimberly was taught to write as well, however, one big difference is Kimberly learned late and not because of a learning disability or abuse or any other unfortunate story other than the fact that there isn't anyone around to teach her.

 Angelina and miss princess! 

 Casie expressing her love!

Matt performing 'magic tricks' with the children!

     My heart has began to understand the needs of Haiti and I am struggling to understand how I should respond to the poverty because I want to help and provide aid to the people, however, I don't want to do it in a way that hurts them. Giving is not the right way to help because jobs need to be provided for the country of Haiti to be able to sustain itself. It is not an easy task and it will take a lot of work, but I know with hope and prayers it can be done. God can heal all wounds and cure every disease; I only pray that we can help the people of Haiti learn that!
    That is all I can share now. Love you all! And God bless!