I didn't forget about you!

Wow, it's been almost a month since I last blogged! It has been a crazy month. Started my new job and am busy from 7am-9pm some nights.

Here are some thoughts from my mom about her time here in Haiti.

Notes from MOM,

LeeAnn is amazing and she is amazing in Haiti. It was great to see her and sad to leave her, but I know she is where God wants her to be and that God is flowing through her.

Here are links to our pictures.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=233156&id=666848948&l=b6bf6e68d4

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=233044&id=666848948&l=4ff416735b

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=232971&id=666848948&l=5edb4d4c9d


It was an incredible experience. Sad at times but encouraging to see the happiness in these people even though they live in poverty. The Earthquake has done damage beyond repair and yes they are starting to rebuild, but there are many years of that to come. Everything is done manually there. When I compare it to the trip to Mississippi 9 months after Katrina hit, it really doesn't compare. The US has the equipment and ability to rebuild fast, Haiti does not have the equipment, but their people have pride and are doing what they can manually with sledge hammers and brick makers that make one brick at a time.

When I compare it to the people in our first Nations where some live in 3rd world conditions in Canada , these people who live in 5th world conditions seem to have so much more because they are making due with what they have and are finding happiness, some of the people in the first nations seem to like to compare themselves to the city people and then complain about what they don't have rather than being Thankful for what God has provided. God has provided to each of us differently and we all have something to be Thankful for. Mission of Hope is an incredible organization and they are very much there for ALL the people of Haiti.

While we were there, there was a taptap (Haitian form of transportation, similar to our bus, but not) in the next village. This particular taptap would have probably held approximately 30 people. As it sped through the village it encountered a cow that got stuck underneath it, which in turn made it loose control and hit a cement truck head on. Mission of Hope was the nearest medical clinic to bring these people to. 5 people died at the scene of the accident. ALL the people at Mission of Hope kicked into High gear to try to save the remaining lives. 4 people accepted Christ that night.

The worship at the church held about 750-1000 people and it was filled with the spirit of God flowing out of each person attending as they praised him. They sang familiar songs, but in Creole, so we worshipped together, each in our own language. I was given the privilege to teach Sunday School while I was there, through an interpreter of course and it was an incredible morning where we talking about Shining Jesus like the stars shine in our Universe.

LeeAnn has picked up Creole extremely well and often would go back and forth between English and Creole in one sentence. God is equipping her. When she would introduce us to her Haitian Friends as her mom and dad, we would be greeted warmly with hugs. I would tell them that I was there to bring my daughter home to which they would reply "oh.... NO, we need her here". I kept telling the interpreters that have patiently taught LeeAnn Creole to stop, or she would never come home!!!

When we visited the two villages that were on either side of Mission of Hope God provided me with a personal Child interpreter that I was so Thankful for. The children are so sweet and just want to spend time with the people that visit and like any child, absorb the love and attention that was being shed on them.

ALL the children in Mission of Hope orphanage (Hope House) are incredibly special children, each with their own story, that you can truly see the love of God flowing to them and through them, and we had an amazing time with them all each time we ventured down there. We wish we had, had more time to spend with each and everyone of them.
Mina and Ana (the van der Mark's Haitian twins) that LeeAnn has been teaching for the last 5 months) are sweet growing fun little girls and we were so blessed to get to spend time making cookies with them.

The Johnson's (the family that runs Mission of Hope) are an incredible family and are all, always very encouraging and welcoming. Their heart pours the love of God, out to each visiting team member, each staff member (including LeeAnn) and every Haitian. They make everyone at MOH feel like part of their extended family. Please keep them in your continued prayers.

Me again! I had an awesome week with my parents here... wish they could have stayed longer... they will just have to come back.

I will do my best to try and blog this weekend about the happenings in my last month in my new job...

ALSO STAY TUNED FOR SOME EXCITING NEWS!

Love Blessings and business!

Leeann