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

Last week we had two teams--which meant we were very busy but also lots of excitement! I am very thankful for the flexibility of the teams as we were still putting shampoo, soap, food and much more inside the house. How cool to see this field next to guesthouse 1 (in July) and now that it's February a beautiful home that will provide more room for others to be changed by what is doing here in Haiti.
Guesthouse 2 isn't the only house with a new look. Guesthouse 1 also has a new sofa, dining room table and chairs--what a blessing! Thank you slumberland :)
Before we had teams staying in the new guesthouse our friends Julie and Fanfan were here for a visit to help set up the house and were present for the first of many prayers prayers that will take place in guesthouse 2. We prayed over those that would enter the house that their hearts would be softened, for the workers that built the house that they would feel the love that God has for each one of them, those serving Healing Haiti that we would continue to seek after God's will for this ministry and that our eyes would be set on Him. We also prayed over a team member who has been suffering from a headache for over a year and a half, that God would heal her and take away the constant pain.
An intense 15 hours of medical training took place here at the guesthouse. Jessica, Brunet, Junior, Nickenson, Fabrice and myself were all able to participate in the training by an American EMT paramedic that has been here in Haiti for the past few years. LOTS of information but we feel so blessed to be able to hear from his past experiences and gain knowledge on accidents that occur in Haiti.

Happy birthday to my brother Harry!! Hope you enjoy being 26!!

Jean will be heading to Minnesota for the week, which means I will be needing lots of prayer in his absence! Hope everyone is able to make it to the sweetheart ball!! Enjoy

Blessings

Elisa

Extreme makeover: Home Edition

Ty Pennington has nothing on our Healing Haiti staff/crew!! Our Guesthouse is so close to being finished!! What a blessing to have so many people willing to help in anyway possible. Our guests Julie and Fanfan were busy all day cleaning and assembling furniture, Erika from 3seams was such a help cleaning (even baby oak enjoyed some extended naps so mommy had more time to help!) The missions team is still there cleaning the kitchen and hallways. We feel so blessed and are in awe of what God is doing here in Port -au-prince!

My first week in Haiti has been such a joy. As soon as I got to the airport it felt like home. Contentment and gratefulness are my two biggest emotions as I started this adventure and continues to flow through me. God has been so gracious to me and I am so happy to be a part of his work in Haiti.

Highlights from this week:
*staying at a hotel for the night with my missionary girls of grace. What a blessing they are to me for some have been doing this for several months and I have so much to learn from them and also Skye who is just starting her first week as well. Such a nice and relaxing way to begin and know that I have such solid Christian girls right here in Haiti!

*Security with our advocate Don Moe. He has been so great and making sure we are taking precautions and keeping everyone as safe as possible. I have learned so much from him in a few days and am honored to know him. One of his favorite passages from psalms says; a prudent man sees danger and avoids it. That's exactly what our heart and motivation is here.

*Visiting Junior and emmanuellas baby's girl rose. She is so precious!

*The crazy transformation in one week of guesthouse 2!!

Looking forward to an amazing week next week with two teams in our two guesthouses!!

Blessings

One-way

What a joy to be on a one-way flight to Haiti! I am anxious to see God work over this next year and see where he leads healing Haiti and myself. Thank you to everyone that continues to pray for me and the work being done in Haiti. I am daily humbled by the lives that have touched me and the people that amaze me. As I look at this next year and the tasks that lie ahead I am reminded of my life verse from Micah 6:8, what is required of us? Act justly.love mercy.walk humbly before your God. Throughout this year that is my prayer to become more like Christ and less of myself.

All the preparations and planning are complete and here I am about to embark on this next year in Haiti. Thank you for coming along this journey with me and watching as God guides this next chapter.

Blessings!

Elisa

Thank you!

Family and friends what a blessing to see you tonight. I feel so honored to know you! Thank you for coming and especially thank you for your prayers, knowing that I have such a wonderful support team in minnesota makes this entire experience all the more sweet! Thank you thank you!

Bon voyage!

Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight at my house for the going away party! It starts at 5 and will go until the Viking/packer game! Stay after for the game!!