Finally in Haiti

This Blog was writen Last night! Will post about today soon!

So this blog is a drastic change from my last blog. I am actually in Haiti right now. Its true! I can’t believe it but am I finally here. I know what your saying… I wasn’t suppose to go until Feb 10 and then my flight got cancelled! I know. 

Friday night while I was out with Lorena checking out the ministry centre where I am holding my fundraiser dinner, I got a call around 4:00pm. Cheryl was trying to get a hold of me to see if I was able to be on a flight out of Trenton at 5:30am this morning! Whoa GOD!  So I had to cram 2 weeks of packing into 8 hours.

We left around 1am this Saturday morning for Trenton and headed to the Canadian Forces Base, I was riding on a military cargo plane. It was quite the experience. There were seats on both sides of the plane.  I happened to be sitting beside a 3900 pound jeep like vehicle. We ended up not leaving the runway until about 8:15.  A few minutes after we were in the air the pilot came over the speaker system and announced that they would start the on board meal momentarily! NO WAY! This was not at all what I expected. They gave us each a box that had, a sandwich, two juice boxes, a fruit cup, cookies and an apple. I arrived in Haiti and my luggage did not! I gave a lady my name and number and a description of my bag and they are going to contact us when they locate it. We think it went to California as there was another plane going to California from Trenton leaving soon after our flight did. 

Long story short, I was needed in Haiti and we had to make the most of an opportunity when it came.

Prayer requests:
-Pray that God would give me the wisdom to know where I am needed to be a help to the van der Marks
-Pray that my luggage would be found
-Pray for Ana and Mina’s adoption to keep moving forward.  

Love, Blessings Haitian Heat!

Leeann

   

Perfect in his time.

Very shortly after I wrote my blog last night I found out that American Airlines flights into Port au Prince are cancelled until mid-late feb, not sure the exact date.


Needless to say I have many emotions once again! In a matter of minutes I went from feeling so close to leaving to what seems like forever away. I am heart broken as my body is here and my heart is in Haiti already! 


Yet another way God is in control of every part of this trip ! I know he is in control of everything and his timing is perfect but sometime things just don't make sense or don't go the way I want them to go or planned them to go. Its frustrating but I am going to try my best to trust that God has a plan and he is teaching me patients! 


This is a short blog, I will keep you posted!

2 Weeks and Counting

As the trip nears, I am finishing up shopping and getting stuff together. As I look around my room it is over flowing with things that I need to start putting in a bag. Its going to be like a jig saw puzzle as I put things in the bags to make the best use of space as I only have two 50 pound bags and a 40 pound carry-on for 5 months worth of living supplies. 


As the trip nears I have many emotions, I'm excited to finally get there, meet Ana and Mina, to see Cheryl who I haven't seen in about 7 months, play with the children at the Hope House, experience the Church of Hope, move into my first apartment, and just to meet and share the love of Christ with the people of Haiti. I'm nervous, about moving to a new place, not sure what the next 5 months holds and its a new experience. I'm sad, to leave my family and friends, 5 months is a long time and I've never been away from home that long before. But over all I'm excited!!! 


"I don't know what my future holds but I know who holds it"


God knew that there was going to be an earthquake when he called me so I just need to trust that he has big plans for me in Haiti and be ready to be obedient to him.


I am in daily contact with my friends at Mission of Hope and am very excited about the relief efforts they are doing in Haiti. They gave out their Millionth meal as of Saturday and continue to do medical clinics. 
To read about what Mission of Hope is doing or to hear stories from the Staff at mission of hope click on the links to the right under 'Favourite Links'. They are incredible people who are obeying Gods call for their life by being his hands and feet in Haiti. Please pray for them as they are physically, mentally and emotional exhausted from what they are experiencing. 


If you would like to support my 5 month adventure to Haiti please read the blog below and see the Financially support info on the right side. Also I am having a fundraiser dinner... see details below.

Leeann's Haiti Fundraiser Dinner

When: Saturday Feb 6th at 6:00pm-9:00pm

Where: The Sanctuary Ministry Centre 2009 Wycroft Rd Oakville

What: Good food, 50/50 Draw, Cake Auction and More!

TICKETS: $25 per person

All funds raised will directly support my mission work at the Mission of Hope in Haiti.

Please let me know by phone or email if you are interested in coming as we have limited seating and need to let the caterer know numbers as soon as possible!

Thank you for your love and support as I begin this adventure!


Love and Blessings,


Leeann

Haiti needs help more then ever!

As many of you know I will be leaving for Haiti on February 10th for 5 months. How did this all begin... well...


After an emotional summer in the First Nations reserves I came home struggling with what I was going to do with my life after graduating from Travel and Tourism in June. I soon realized God had big plans already in place.

As some of you know I have been working at a Chiropractors office part time during school. The owner and Chiropractor of the clinic moved with her family to Haiti a year and half ago to administrate a mission hospital at the Mission of Hope(www.mohhaiti.org) which also houses an orphanage, a church and a school.

On November 1st Dr. Cheryl posted a mission opportunity on her blog. ( As many of you know this was shortly my grandmother passed away and I was dealing with the emotions that go with that) The thoughts of going to haiti consumed most of my waking thoughts even through this emotional time. I felt God’s tug at my heart to pursue this and after much prayer I decided to email Cheryl and get her thoughts if I would fill the need. Cheryl has 3 children of her own and recently adopted two beautiful twin girls who stole her families hearts after meeting them very sick and malnourished at another orphanage. When Cheryl left for Haiti she took a teacher named Diana with them to home school her 3. Since then another family has joined the team and they have 4 children. This leaves Diana currently teaching 9 Students, in 5 different grades including the twins who would be considered ESL students. They realized they had come to a point that it had become difficult for Diana to give the kids the attention they need to give them a fantastic school year and they were looking for a teachers assistant for her.

The opportunity that I know is Gods plan is taking me to Haiti for 5 months leaving the second week of February. I will be working mostly with the twins and preparing them to come to Canada (when Dr. Cheryl and her family are called back home), I also hope to spend time with the children in the orphanage. Currently I am taking a ESL course and volunteering in a grade 1 class to prepare myself.

As this is a mission opportunity I will need to raise my own support, Prayer and Financial support. Firstly Prayer is most important. Pray for safety and health for me and my team and also the people of Haiti. Also I am told my expenses will be $1000 USD per month, (which includes, housing, electricity, food and other living expenses and all cost related to my mission work in Haiti) plus my flight. This is where I’m praying you will be able to help me out, either with a one time donation or monthly donations. Every little bit help and is very much appreciated. Administration of my funds is being handled by FTC Canada and all donations over $20 are tax deductible. 

I will be keeping a blog while I am away to keep you updated on all my adventures! I can’t wait!!!

Thank you all for your continued love, support and encouragement.

-I feel called more then before since the earthquake. Please join me in praying for this hurting nation.-

If you have any questions feel free to email me at leeannverbeek@hotmail.com


Much Love and Many Blessings
-Leeann