Birthday!!

This past Sunday was my 3 month mark in Haiti and my birthday! Lots to celebrate. I had a great week with the EBC worship team and Rockpoint women's group, both churches so special to me. Very eventful!!

About a week after I returned to Haiti from the outerbanks my toe/foot continued to bother me so I decided to get it checked out, turns out that it was broken from my time in the obx and it just needs to be taped up for support. Dr. Sem our doctor at Grace village was kind enough to tape it.

Last week everyday was busy whether running between the two teams, working with some new ministry opportunities but also going through some key improvements that will be happening at the guesthouse.

It was so nice to have Saturday and Sunday be fun days. Saturday was the concert at grace village with the worship team and Sunday was birthday celebration on the balcony.

Having lived in Haiti for over 3 months I've definitely had moments where I wander what I'm doing here and why God has me here. There's a few things I'm beginning to understand: 1. God knows the right message/email/person that I need to encourage me and strengthen my faith. 2. When I get frustrated I need to seek God and make Joy an intentional part of my life because if I don't make it intentional I will be the one that suffers, as well as those around me. 3. I am able to work with some of the most hard working/dedicated individuals. Last week 3 board members were in Haiti and man were each of them busy! Honestly I have been so blessed by just observing them and watching as they serve.

I know it's not always easy to communicate my thankfulness to all those that continue to cover this ministry in prayer and support. I am grateful and I wish there were more hours in a day to tell everyone how encouraging they have been. As I learn to be ok with not getting everything done in one day, I will get better at communicating. To friends and family that I have been lacking know that I love you and know how truly thankful I am for you!

Blessings

Elisa Laura

Restore week

This was my first week of restore and I was able to take my 3 month break to the states. I flew into Virginia to meet family and then drove down to the outerbanks NC for the week.

It has been so nice to be quiet, rest and see family. Such a blessing! We enjoyed lots of family meals laughing and joking as well it was nice to have Christine and Michelle visiting. Breakfast in bed was a plus thanks to the boys for cooking! What a bonus to have the hot tub as the first few days were pretty chilly for this Haitian girl. We all were introduced to hibachi for the first time and even celebrated my birthday a little early.

I feel so blessed to be able to take a break and feel refreshed :) I am eager to get back home to Haiti and am definitely missing everyone. Goodbye beach house...now for some real beach weather!

This week I am reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us. Not because he deserved the punishment but because WE did. What an encouragement to know that the God of this universe cares for each one of us. Whether we have $5 in our bank account or $5 million God came and died for each one of us. I encourage you, myself included, to show that kind of love to the people you interact with. God has equipped all of us with the ability to love and cherish one another. May you enjoy this characteristic and choose to love even when it's difficult.

Hope everyone has a great Easter!

Blessings

Elisa Laura

Sister sister

So happy! I had so much fun having my sisters in Haiti :) they were both such troopers willing to help out in every way.

Some highlights: Caroline's initial response to Haiti her shock and blunt expressions were priceless.
Sophia's ability to get sunburn every time she goes to the beach ;)
Caroline's willingness to help during the week--from daily chores at the house to setting up/cleaning up for a party her last night.
Sophia's patience and endurance as we moved several pieces of furniture into the upstairs of guesthouse 2.
Caroline's love for Haiti was so evident and I was so blessed to be witness to her---what a proud sister I am of the woman she has become and the blessing she is to me.
Sophia's heart for the children of Haiti-from the start she said that she really desired to work with orphans in Haiti. How neat to hear about her wanting to return and bring more family members!

I am so humbled by the grace and love that both the girls showed over the last two weeks. God has been so gracious and kind--truly blessed

Elisa

Working with boys

We have had a busy week in Haiti! It was so nice to take a break for a day, last Thursday, we drove to a small town near Jacmel to look at a water pump. The technology used doesn't require any gasoline or electricity--what a blessing!! So the only repairs need to be done are post storms (Hurricane Sandy). The water provides clean and safe water to a school as well the surrounding area. I didn't understand The entire process completely but that's why God gives different gifts to each person!


The drive up the mountain was beautiful and a little bumpy. The view though was gorgeous--mountains and all the vegetation! It's just a beautiful part of Haiti. One of my favorite moments was trying to cross this little strip of land that was damaged from Hurricane Sandy. After measuring our tire's width and the width of the road we decided to go for it!


Guesthouse 1 has been empty for two weeks since there has been only one team. We have been able to work on a few projects around the house. To me it seemed like the boys needed an excuse to dig a big hole and play with some rocks :)


Salsa--Maxim and Jourbert have been helping with night security which means they are also able to engage in some late night salsa lessons! Jourbert, who is a construction supervisor and Jean's brother has been such a joy these past few months. We are excited that Guesthouse 2 is almost complete!!


Today Caroline flys into Haiti! I'm excited to see her and spend the week with her. The following Saturday Sophia will be coming for her spring break as well. Looking forward to showing them Haito and the blessing it is to me.

Elisa Laura

Babies.Baptism.Blessings

I am so grateful for the blessings of friends and the warmth they have shown me during my time in Haiti. Family is so important to me and so I'm grateful to know its important to so many in Haiti as well :) Madame Keslet works in the guesthouse and is always such a positive personality. She continues to surprise me with her new English phrases and watches for my shocked face so that she can throw her head back and giggle in accomplishment of a new phrase! What a joy she is!! Last Saturday was her day off but she brought her youngest, Roseminka into the guesthouse so that I could meet her! I loved her beautiful face and her smile is just like mom's. We enjoyed some snacks and coloring!


That same day Natacha--who has been such a blessing, asking and answering all sorts of questions about Haiti, food and life--brought her son Kennedy so that we could meet him as well! A shy little boy that is learning English and just so adorable. However he did pose for a picture with mama Erika and sweet baby Oak :)


Baptism time! Maxim whom always has a smile on his face was just glowing at his baby's baptism! She looked just like a cupcake in all white from head to toe! I wondered how warm she was in all those layers... She looked great and her family was so proud, as we are of princess! Erika and Oak came along for the event which was great since the entire service was in Creole I was so blessed to have her there to help decipher how the service was playing out:) Nickenson, a translator/driver at the guesthouse was the god-father and so it was especially nice to see everyone dressed up!


I am blessed to be able to work with so many people that care for me both here in Haiti but especially in Minnesota. What a blessing it is to know I am supported on all sides:) I know that as God called me to Haiti he provided/still provides the right people at the right time. Jesus Calling, the devotional has been such a blessing when I need a daily pick me up, God has the exact phrase that I need which only strengthens my faith in a powerful God.

Blessings!

Elisa Laura

Happy valentines from Haiti!

As of yesterday I have been officially in Haiti for one month! Man has time flown by! I am still in awe of what God is doing here. Everyday here amazes me: the fact that I still need a daily reminder for rest, God seems to bring exactly the right people each week, words of encouragement when I need them and gentle reminders during the day of His presence. I've been reading the devotional Jesus Calling and have just felt over these last few weeks God pulling out words or phrases that I needed exactly for that day. Everyday hasn't been easy and as anyone can imagine there are some difficult days but the reassurance that God has called me to Haiti not to serve the people or even this great organization but that I am here to serve Him, that's what gets me through the tougher days.

Last week Jean, our director was in Minnesota for Healing Haiti's Sweetheartball. I'm so glad that he was able to take time off even if it was pretty cold. My respect for him grew as I saw just a glimpse of what a week was like in his shoes and man was I glad to have him back! Thank you for the prayers and words of encouragement last week. As well as a shout out to the St Michael team as they were all so gracious throughout the week. :)

We did have some fun though too! After all it is carnival in Haiti:) The Monday Jean left the guys and I put together several access donations for cite soleil that the guys brought in to bless those living there. I'm so grateful for the hearts of our workers and their willingness to spend extra time to deliver all these items! The following night we had a surprise ice cream birthday celebration with Joubert who had been supervising construction at guesthouse 2 along with security for the week.

Wednesday is always a great day as the ladies are able to go home early because we have pizza! Since it has been so beautiful outside we even enjoyed eating on the porch. The boys stayed for some pizza which also meant they stayed and helped to clean the dishes, they continue to amaze.

Carnival isn't celebrated by Christians in Haiti but we found some costumes in the guesthouse and decided to dress up just ourselves. Dressing up was a big part of last weekend in Minnesota for the sweetheart ball. What a blessing to have a packed house of 500 people! Thank you to everyone that attended for their willingness to open their hearts and minds to what God is doing in Haiti.

These past few days I was able to spend more time with maxim while he was doing security all week and driving me to security meetings. I am so happy to know him and am honored to work with him. Really a great man with a huge heart for kids. I was even able to visit his home and hold his two youngest girls such a joy and such a proud papa!

Yesterday was valentines and did we celebrate! We had pink napkins watermelon pink Tampico juice pink heart shaped pancakes and a special pasta and green salad. Yummy!! Hope you all had a great valentines day!!!


Elisa Laura