Here is our tent where the girls sleep at night and where we make soap and have counseling sessions during the day. The wonderful nannies threw some mattresses and sheets on the floor, and it was off to sleep for me. Thank God for those ear plugs I bought at the airport-I slept like a queen!
Traveling around downtown Haiti was a surreal experience. On Sunday afternoon our driver & security man drove us down the tiny streets lined with rubble. Our group was just here in May said the progress already looked much better, but the devastation was is so wide spread. This one photograph is where the house once stood of two of the sisters now at For His Glory Orphanage. The house fell on the parents while the kids were outside. The 1 and 3 year survived for an entire week outside before they were found. Don't ask me how infants survived outside for a week, but they did, and I praise the Lord for the opportunities to share there story. Their spirits are beautiful!
All the kids and nannies are awesome! It is so sweet to give hugs, but sadly there aren't enough! As soon as you pick up one toddler, then there is another one standing there with their hands up. I had one in each hand and three on each leg earlier and thought they were trying to take me down. The kids are exhausting, but I'm having such a good time playing and loving on them. I need to go rest now, because the heat is exhausting.
I know it isn't Friday....sorry I was out of town. To make it up to you, I'll give you a free bar of pink grapefruit face & body soap with any order.
Benefits: Natural glycerin soaps (with real loofah sponges) are handmade by women in Haiti and the profits go back to the women. The natural loofahs offers serious exfoliation,
WHO
I'm going to Haiti with a group of 7 other spirit filled leaders from Chattanooga (led by the Oak Project) to be a Blessing to someone (and hopefully everyone). We have a strategic team of Christian counselors, educators, photographers, videographers, and social workers.
WHAT
To serve the caretakers and the orphans in Port au Prince. We will spend each of our days assisting the many workers in their job duties, cleaning, teaching, preparing meals to give to those in the community, and taking care of the kids to give them a rest. We will also spend a lot of our time encouraging them, hearing their stories and building relationships.
Soap making: I am taking lots of natural glycerin soap and packaging to teach the caretakers how to make loofah soaps. I have a plan in mind, but I'm not sure how I will teach 30 ladies how to follow directions, especially when none of them speak English. Luckily, I have faith and will also have a translator. I'm so excited for the ladies to take a break, enjoy a craft, smell wonderful fragrances, and hopefully make some extra money. PRE-BUY A BAR NOW! Stay tuned for more videos of them making soap!
WHEN
July 24st-31st.
WHY
This team has intentionally been called to Haiti to serve and encourage. Many of the caretakers and orphans are deeply struggling with depression and have yet to tell their stories (not even to a friend). The attitude is sort of like "we all have loss so we don't need to tell each other our sad stories..we all have sad stories so just get to work".
I may not understand grief like the Haitians, but I'm certain that the Holy Spirit wants to use my smile, hugs, laughter, and soap making to bring light back into their dark worlds. My heart is overflowing with light and love because of His amazing Grace, and it would be a shame to waist even a drop!
HOW
Join me on my journey, as I take soap making to a foreign country, and pray for hope to bloom through the ashes!
(Donations for the orphanage & suitcases may be dropped off at my studio, shipped, or I can pick them up. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!)
It's Friday! And that means it's time for another Friday's Fortune.
For our very first Friday's Fortune and in honor of Fourth of July weekend,
