Haiti

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 31:20

I had the opportunity to spend some time visiting orphanages in Haiti this week with some other pastor wives. This is my first time here and the living conditions simply took my breath away.

At one orphanage in the slums of Port au Prince they minister to children through the gift of music. An out of tune piano and drum set played with markers never sounded so beautiful playing Israel Houghton's Alpha and Omega.  He would have been so honored to hear them.

I got to put my mom skills to work when I helped two toddlers spoon their food into their mouths at the same time. And I was un-phased when one of them vomited their entire meal onto their plate. God was prepping me last week when one by one my entire family (except me, by the grace of God) passed a stomach bug around. I saw it coming like a pro.

As my husband and I processed my experience together, he preached a little sermonette to me. He said I can have basically 1 of 3 responses...

• Greed- I go home and go back to living my comfortable life and do nothing with what I have seen.

• Guilt- I go home feeling guilty for the amazingly blessed life God has given me.

• Generosity- I go home and invest in opportunities to give generously to the works that I have seen. I can give generously of my time, my resources, and my commitment to get others to give generously as well.

So I will head home this week charged be generous. And I will ask the Lord to open my eyes to the needs those closest to me as well.

Hopefully more pictures to come from day two.  Have a great day, you're almost to the weekend!

Comments

[Becky]

Love how you were able to use your mom skills while in Haiti and help care for the little ones as well as how God was preparing you for your experience. The pictures of the children are adorable. Wish I could just go hug them all. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

[Lauryn]

Thanks Holly! I just shared this entry with our team that returned from Honduras a month ago. I pray that generosity will continue to be our response to what we saw and experienced!

[Marsha Carsner]

Beautiful smiling faces! We prayed over your group last night at the Mullins small group meeting. Can't wait to see what big plans God has for those whose lives you are touching with His love.

[Rhonda Jones]

Ms. Holly,
Thanks for sharing some details about how your week is going in Haiti! I am praying for you and all the others you are with! May God continue to use you as a vessel in sharing His love!

Although, I do not know you personally (I hope to one day!) I have witnessed through your sermons and your blog that a generous heart comes very natural for you. Having said that, I am praying that your generous spirit will be an example for others as they watch you give so graciously!
Have a great day Ms. Holly!!!!
~~~rhonda~~~

PS...I particularly loved the pic of the kid wearing the Superman shirt...this must of made you feel right at home! So cute!