Giving Hope

So when I left off in the story, I had just arrived in Haiti......

Talk about culture shock!  This was NOT any airport that I had ever seen.  The Port au Prince airport is....an experience to say the least.  I had been told what to expect, but trust me, words cannot convey what was going on.  

As you step off the plane, you are ushered back outside and onto a bus.  This bus (CRAMMED FULL of people) then takes you to a make shift baggage claim which is essentially an old plane hangar.  I am greeted by a Mariachi band of sorts which is a bit odd.  As you step into the building the first task is immigration.  Not too difficult.  Then many, many, many overly eager and friendly Haitian men are there to help you in any way possible.  The problem was I just needed a minute to get my bearings and figure out what was going on.  They do not give me the luxury of that minute!  I quickly figure out I am going to need a luggage cart.  $2 and its mine.  I then approaching the baggage belt and don't see my very large, very heavy bags.  I eventually take one of these men up on their offer to help.  He very quickly finds my bags and I am thrilled to hand him a few dollars in exchange.  So here I am, petite little white girl in a hustling, bustling, loud, and unfamiliar place where for once in my life, I am the minority.  Uncomfortable doesn't even begin to describe it.

I had been told to wait in the airport for two gentlemen that would be escorting me to my vehicle.  I had their photo and their names.  I eagerly looked around for them.  I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but every man there looked the same.  Same skin tone.  Same haircut.  Same red shirt and black pants.  How was I supposed to find Renault and his buddy?  I wasn't even sure of how to pronounce his name!

Somehow I ended up out on the street in front of the airport with my luggage cart of insanely heavy bags.

I knew I wasn't safe.  I knew I wasn't supposed to be here.  How had this happened?  I am frantically calling my friend in the states trying to figure out what to do.  She simply said, "GET BACK IN THE AIRPORT!"  I don't know how but this fish swam upstream (literally uphill too) with a huge cart in a fenced walkway not large enough for two people to pass, let alone one with a cart.  Haitians were very eager to tell me in their own way that I was NOT going the right way.  I didn't care.  I knew I had to get back to the building.

As I got to the top, I simply began asking for Renault and showing his picture around.  Suddenly a heavenly voice began to holler "Jami, Jami" with a beautiful Haitian accent.  It was the best sound I had heard all morning.  It was Renault.  Whew!  He began to tell me that Heather was running late.  I should sit on the curb right where I was at and wait.  I did just that.  Now I finally had time to process what had just happened and I was wanted to cry-to bawl like a baby- but I knew I couldn't.  I was filled with fear.  Satan was attacking, "What do you think you are doing here?  You should just turn around and go home now.  These people don't want you?  Who do you think you are?"  I suddenly remembered Pastor Willie George preaching a sermon on when his daughter fell and got a blood clot on her brain.  He had said he quoted scripture to keep Satan's thoughts away.  I couldn't think of a scripture for the life of me.  However, I did remember one of my favorite songs.  "The Lord is my light and salvation.  Whom shall I fear?  Whom shall I be afraid?  I will wait for you.  I will wait for you." My fears calmed.  I could breathe again.  Then the fears began to speak to me.  I began to sing.  My mind went back and forth for quite a while as I tried my best to look calm in control of the situation.  About an hour later, Renault reappeared to tell me Heather was there to get me.  Now I really wanted to cry!  I was rescued!

I climbed into the vehicle to join Heather, her friend, a missionary, and a young Haitian man who would act as translator.

As we drove through town, I became SICK.  Not upset tummy sick.  But INSANE motion sickness sick.  Haiti roads ARE NOT American roads.  There are no traffic rules.  There are not lanes.  The road is shared by tap-taps (Haitian taxis), motos, and pedestrians.  The one rule in Haiti: if you hear honking, get out of the way.  Even more importantly: If a bus is headed your way, MOVE FASTER!  There simply are not words to express the experience of Haitian travel.  I will attempt to take video on our next trip.

After taking some time to stop at a market, we finally arrive at the creche (orphanage).  This picture was my first view of the grounds.  It was full of children's laughter, chatter, joy, and some crying too.  But truly there is one word to describe the sound: "PEACEFUL".  I was exactly where God wanted me to be!

I was shown around the two-building facility.  I first entered the baby house.  Wall to wall cribs and pack-n-plays.  All full of babies.  Gorgeous, dark-skinned, big-eyed babies!  I was in love!  Then I was shown the terminally ill nursery.  It was ...hmmm...I don't even know what to describe.  I had been told that the babies in this room would surely die in just a matter of time.  Some looked healthy and normal.  However, two of the babies had hydrocephalus.  This is a birth defect that causes fluid to build on the brain.  It happens here in the states too, but we have the medical advances to deal with it immediately.  In Haiti, this diagnosis is pretty much a death sentence.

Then I meet an amazing and precious young baby boy.

As I take this child in my arms, I ask his name.  I am told he is not named yet.  He has just been rescued.  You see this baby was 10 months old and weighed 8 pounds.  Take a moment and process that.  My daughter was over 8 pounds at birth!  Look at his leg compared to my fingers.  I asked if I could have the honor of naming him and was told yes.  I needed time to get to know him first, but I decided on Daniel.  You see, this child had already been to the lion's den and he had survived!  Yes, his name is Daniel.

I was loving my experience, but I was still in wonder of why God had brought me here.  When would I find out?

Why Haiti part 2

So we left off with "Go."  That is all He said to me.  "Go."

Honestly, I was a bit afraid to tell this to Paul, my hubby.  I just knew that his overprotective nature would say, "Whatever!"  But I knew it is what God had spoken to me.
I bottled up all my courage and spoke with Paul.  I told him that I was supposed to go to Haiti alone.  To my astonishment, he agreed.

So, upon this revelation, I emailed the orphanage letting them know that I would still be coming.  I didn't know why I was going or what I would be doing. I didn't know if the Lord had another child waiting for me there or if I was to learn something about myself while visiting.  I just knew I needed to be there.  They okayed the situation and sent me a picture of who would be picking me up at the airport.  
Next step was to book flights.  I had budgetted a certain amount of money for flights in my original plan of travel.  To my astonishment, when I pulled up the airlines, the flight prices had Doubled!  This threw a huge kink in the plan.  How would I get another LARGE sum of money in a matter of a few days?
I began to pray again, doubting the message I had heard from the Lord.  I know he was just laughing at me.
I received a phone call from a very dear friend.  You see, she had already given a very generous donation to my trip.  She called to say the Lord had been prompting her to give more.  The amount she wanted to send to me was the exact difference I needed for my flight!  Funny huh?  Know you see why I said the Lord was laughing.  It literally brings tears to my eyes as I type this.
It was official.  I was going to Haiti--alone!

A few weeks later, there I was.  All packed up and headed to the Tulsa airport.  I had all my needed items in my pull behind pilots case along with a blanket and pillow in a small duffle bag.  I then had two large suitcases stuffed full of toys, diapers, clothes, and formula-each 50 pounds.  I checked in, gave my family kisses and set off for the adventure of my life.
My flight plan looked like this:
Tulsa to Dallas; Dallas to Miami; sleep (ha) in the Miami airport; bright and early flight to Port au Prince, Haiti.
As I arrived in Dallas, I found a yummy meal to fill me up.  I didn't know what food was going to be for the next week.
As I got on the flight to Miami, I just knew there was a mistake.  My seat was 6A--first class.  I had bought the cheapest ticket available.  First Class!  I have NEVER sat in first class.  The flight attendant immediately brought me a goblet of warm nuts.  REally?  Who heats up snacking peanuts?  She then proceeded to ask what I would be dining on this evening?  "Nothing.  I just ate a hamburger."  "Really?  Nothing?  How about I bring you a warm chocolate chip cookie?"  
Shut the Front Door!  They have an oven on the plane?  I never knew!  I really had to laugh inside.  Here I sat in first class among men in full suits with their laptops, ipads, sound cancelling headphones and other gadgets.  Here I was in my ripped up jeans and t-shirt with a simple notebook and pen to write my thoughts during this experience.  God really does have a sense of humor!

The night in the Miami airport was less than pleasant.  I only had about 5 hours to catch some sleep.  I found an area that was open without chairs.  Another family had camped out there so I thought I would join them.  Let me just say that the Miami airport is kept at a steady temp of -20.  They also have this "pleasant" voice that comes over their intercom every 15 minutes to alert you to the time.  Not the best sleeping arrangements.

Morning came and it was time to board the plane to Haiti.  I was litterally ill with nerves.  Sick to my stomach.  I bought a pastry before getting on the plane-hoping to eat it on the way.  I stepped onto the plane to notice again I was seated in first class!  You have got to be kidding me!  I was offered a luxurious breakfast.  Upon mentioning my nauseau to the flight attendant, she kindly offered a dry bagel and some ginger ale.  Perfect.  Again, I know the Lord was really getting a kick out of this!

An hour or so later, we landed.  I looked out the window to see men working in a field just outside of the airport.  I saw devestation from the window.  Shacks.  Tents.  and People.  People.  People.  EVERYWHERE!  I took a deep breath and prepared myself mentally for what I was about to encounter.  

The next week changed my life.  Changed who I am.  Changed who I want to be...

Why Haiti? part 1

So I often get asked how I got connected with the orphanage in Haiti.  Here is my crazy story:

I had a Scentsy event (craft night to be exact) at my house one evening in October of 2011.  I had a newer team member attend.  As I was getting to know her, she began to share with me that she was working on adopting two children from Haiti.  I thought that was just great as we have experienced the growth of family through adoption.  While I thought it was sweet, I was not at all moved by our conversation.  She proceeded to tell me how she had never had the priviledge of meeting her children yet and she would be traveling there in December.  Again, sweet.

Well, December came and went and she did in fact visit her children.  I was anxious to see what a Haitian orphanage looked like so we scheduled a coffee date at Starbucks (surprise surprise) to look at her photos.
As I sat there looking at the precious faces our these angels, I was astounded.  You see, I know there are less fortunate in the world out there.  I do have a television.  I have seen those "Feed the Children" commercials but this was closer.  My new friend had been there.  She had first hand experience.  Still, no movement on my part.  This was "her thing" and I would support her however she needed.
At the close of the coffee date, she said, "Hey, I am taking a group with me in March.  We have plans to do blah, blah, blah."  I say "blah blah blah" because whatever she said at this point was insignificant to me.  I was going!  All of a sudden, I blurted out, "Okay, I'll go with you!"  She was a bit taken aback.  I don't know if it was from the fact that I was volunteering without being asked or if I had really just screamed that in her face.  Either way-I wondered who had just said that.  "I'll go with you?"  Did that come out of my mouth?  No.  I can't go to  Haiti!  I need my daily shower.  I need my makeup.  I need my hair dryer.  I need my comforts.  I walked away confused--really confused.  What had just happened?

Well, I was in it now.  I had obligated to do this.  I can't go back on that.  So the fundraising began.  I sent out letters to my closest friends and family.  I figured I needed about $2500 to be able to go.  The money slowly started coming in.  $50 here.  $20 there.  $25 there.  (Interestingly enough-my "living comfortably" friends sent some but my "live paycheck to paycheck" friends sent more and more and more as their budgets would allow from week to week.)  Before I knew it, I had the full amount needed an MORE!
About this time, I start getting reports that some of the other trip members are backing out.  We are not going to be able to do what we want.  Then my friend told me she wouldn't be going either.  It was a paperwork issue.  She needed to wait to travel until her dosier (adoption paperwork) was ready for hand-delivery.
So here I am.  Money in hand.  Ready to go.  And everyone else backs out?!?

"Lord, what am I supposed to do?  You called me to step out of my comfort zone.  I did!  I asked everyone I know for money and you prompted them to give.  What do I do now?  Send the orphanage the money I raised?  Get another group together?  I can't do that on this short of notice.  What do I do?"

He replied with one word-"GO!"

...to be continued...

Pour a Cup!

Well, it is really happening!
The Lord has been prompting me for a while now.  I have finally listened.

You see, I have always had a deep down desire to share things with people-lots of people.  I thought I was crazy.  Who would want to listen to me?  What would I tell them?  What if they thought I was "that" crazy person.  Maybe I am, but here it goes.

It goes way back to when I was a little girl.  I have always wanted to be the center of attention.  I spent time on stage.  I would sing.  I performed in pageants-not the Toddlers and Tiaras kind, but the kind that helped pay my way through college.  I always had to be the life of the party.  I dress different.  I have crazy hair.  But it was never enough.  The Lord kept prompting me that there was more.  More to His plan.  

More recently, I have spent a lot of time deciding what I want to be when I grow up.  I love my job with the Scentsy Family more than any other job I have had (and I've had plenty!)  It still isn't what I was created to be and do.  

When I think about my future, I am brought back to an event in my recent past in July of 2011.  I was asked to speak at the National Scentsy Convention in Ft. Worth, Texas.  WHAT AN HONOR!  I had a blast.  I was at home again on the stage only this time I didn't have music to fall back on-only words.  I really feel like I am just like any other good Scentsy consultant.  I don't feel like I have magical words of inspiration or out of this world ideas, but I do know what has worked for me and I was happy to share it.  I am starting to believe that that day in July is what has lead me to my plan.

You see-I want to travel and speak to people.

I have had a few other opportunities to share Direct Sales knowledge with other Scentsy groups around my area.  I have also had an opportunity to share my love of Haiti and orphan care with my Scentsy Family.  Both of these topics spark a fire in me that I cannot explain.

So, here I am sharing my fire with you-the world.  I really don't know how many people will read this and I don't know where my journey will lead, but I am glad you are here for the ride along with me.

I hope to post a few times a week.  I plan to write on several different things I am passionate about and that bring me joy: Scentsy, Haiti, scripture, adoption, orphans, crafting, and who knows what else.

So, pour you a cup 'o joe and hang on tight.....It's gonna be a crazy ride!

I Corinthians 2:9 tells me I cannot even imagine the plans that God has!  It is bigger than I can even imagine.