Month: February 2012

Today I caught this tender moment with Asher, Levi, & Mme Nene.

The boys are singing in Creole – I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, – down in my heart!

***

I’ve been sick the last 10 days and as a result have become very anemic and hypoglycemic. I was really too tired to go to Bible Study today but I felt like I needed to since I missed it last week. When I arrived they asked if I wanted to speak. I told them I just didn’t have the energy to stand-up- but I’d love to let them lead.

Mme Nene who is singing above with the boys led us into a 45 minute intense singing/prayer time! I love to hear the women pray and sing. I don’t see how they have the energy to do it for so long with such passion! As she wrapped up this special time – I’m thinking the service is over and it’s time to go! But after that God-Glorifying Session – she asked if anyone wanted to share a testimony of what God is doing!

Several shared but the one that really touched me was a single mother with 3 children. She comes every week. She couldn’t weigh more than 90 pounds.

She began to share – I only eat a few times a week and it has been days since my family has eaten. I don’t have a husband or anyone to help me. I search for work every day so I can support my children but I have no luck. I sleep on my brother’s porch because he doesn’t have room in his house for me and my children. My family owns nothing – only the clothes on our backs. 

Now get this – – And today I  want to give a testimony of how great my God is.  How powerful and benevolent my God is! He has not forsaken me.

She began to sing about people losing hope and going to the witch doctor to find answers. But her hope is in Jesus and He is the answer! This hungry and truly suffering little lady was standing up – singing with all her might – hands in the air!

And here I was….too tired to even stand-up….

So it’s 11:50pm right now and I decided to check on the kids. Since Gigi only sleeps a few hours a night – she sleeps by herself! I went to check on her and made sure she was dry!

The other 6 kids sleep together right next to our room. At this point I only have a flashlight and it’s dark! Now the boys were all together on the floor and the girls were all together in their bed at 9pm.

So I look down at the boys’ bed….and I count 3 people.

I look over at the girls’ bed and count 2 people…

So I’m missing one but at that point it’s still too dark to see which one. They have a tent in their room. I look in the tent and I don’t see anyone in there. For a brief moment my heart skips a beat! I’m thinking that one of the babies has walked outside the house! (They have figured out how to unlock our front door).

So I call for Jose to come here. And he looks around the room for a moment and then flashes his light BEHIND the tent….

Today Jose and I took down the boys’ cribs. I have known for months that we needed to do it. They are like little monkeys and climb out of their cribs as soon as we put them to bed. With the orphanage opening soon – we have decided to donate them. I have to tell you that it was really an emotional thing for me.

Nine years ago – Gigi came into our lives. At 2 years old and 7lbs she needed a little bed just for her! She needed a place where she could bounce around on her back. AND  let me tell you she could bounce two feet up in the air! So we went to a baby store in Miami and got her a little crib. Then we personally put it on the ship that was headed to Haiti.

It wasn’t long after that and Mikela came into our lives. She needed a little crib too! So we bought a 2^nd one.  When we graduated Gigi out of her crib  – it was Rosie’s turn. Then Malaya. Then Gabriel. Then Asher & Levi.

One by one each of my little ones – all 7 of them – slept in those two cribs that Jose just put in the gator and took down the road.

There was a part of me that wanted to just hold on to them – – you know in case we “accidently” ended up with more kids! 😀

Those beds carried precious moments in time that once held my precious little ones. But then I thought about all the little babies that sleep on dirt floors. The little babies who don’t even have a blanket to lay their head on. The little babies who would love to bounce on a soft mattress!

Tonight the boys were so excited to see their new “bed” — which is just mattresses on the floor! They were already jumping up and down –  and falling all around! They have tasted freedom & absolutely love it!

Watching my silly little boys play on their mattresses – I realized something. Somehow in holding onto memories – I was holding my little babies back! They weren’t meant to be caged but to roam free!

As I lay in bed tonight – I can’t help but wonder……

How many other “things” am I holding back…….because I just can’t let go…..