Chikungunya.

Chikungunya.

Everyone is saying it these days. I only wish it was some new lingo that all the cool kids are using. It is, however, a topic of conversation for everyone.

This new mosquito born virus is rampantly making its way around Haiti. If you dont already have it, you know someone who does. It is rainy season here which means a lot more standing water and more mosquitos!

Unfortunately I was one of them. Fortunately, I had mild case compared to many.

Fever. Sever join point. rash.

I was out of commission for about 3-4 days. I have heard of others who have been out for up to 2 weeks. There is no medication or vaccination for this. All you can do is rest, stay hydrated and take pain medication and let it runs it course.

I have had the luxury of being able to do all of those things. I say luxury because the reality is most Haitian don’t have easy access to most of those things.

I have the ability to rest without worry about who where my next meal will come from. The reality is for most Haitians, staying at home means you aren’t out working. Not working means no income which probably means no food.

I have the ability to lay in my relatively comfortable bed with a fan to help keep me cool. The reality is many Haitians have their entire family living in a house not much bigger the the room I sleep in, without electricity.

I have the ability to drink plenty of clean water. The reality is most Haitians will have to walk to the local well to get water.

Pray for Haiti. Pray that those affected will heal quickly.

Global Fingerprints

Today was our Global Fingerprints day where all the sponsored kids come and have fun. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend because a little mosquito decided to pass along a little illness to me and I needed to stay home and try to recover.

So what is Global Fingerprints, you ask? Let me tell you.
Global Fingerprints is ReachGlobals child sponsorship program. I know some people have some strong opinions about child sponsorship programs that out there but let me tell you a little about Haiti and how this program works here.

Here in Haiti, orphanages create orphans. What do I mean by that? Orphanages come in with the promise of a roof over the child’s head. Food. Education. Parents cant afford to care for all of their children so they send some to an orphanage. And this is becoming more and more socially acceptable. I cannot begin to imagine the desperation a mother and father face when they consider giving up their children.

I have heard the statistic that about 85% of the kids in orphanages in Haiti are not orphans in the true sense of the word. One or both of their parents are still alive. Their aunts, uncles, grandparents are still around. 

This is one of the ways Global Fingerprints comes in. They are committed to keeping kids in their families. Each child in the program is living with his or her family. 

GF has chosen to work through a local church called Source de la Grace in Port au Prince. Who knows the needs of their community better than those actually living there?! One of their desires was that this program wouldn't be just for their church. About 40% of the children in the program do not attend their church. What an incredible outreach to see the local church reaching out to its community and experiencing the love of Christ through that.

Through this program, the children will be provided with: 

• education (tuition, uniforms, shoes, books and supplies),
  - health care (preventative education, vaccines, clean water, diagnosis/treatment by doctors),
  - nutrition education and supplementation,
  - social development (healthy relationships, Biblical world view, character, boundaries), and
  - spiritual teaching, training and love

About a month ago, I had the privilege of watching two children receive glasses for the first time as a result of the health care they received through the program. Now they dont have to struggle in school anymore.

Change a life. Change a community. Sponsor a child http://go.efca.org/ministries/reachglobal/globalfingerprints 

Dependence

I tend to think of myself as independent. I take care of myself and I think I do it pretty well. I can do what I want and go where I want. 

All of that is irrelevant here. I am dependent on everyone else. I cannot talk on my own. Even though I am taking Creole lesson and am finding that sometimes I am able to somewhat get the gist of what is being said, every time I want to say something, all of the words I do know are some how are no where to be found. 

I cannot go anywhere on my own. 1. language, see above. 2. safety. 3. I have no idea where i would am going (and there really aren't many places to go). 4. traffic in Haiti is like traffic in So CA on drugs. 5. If 1-4 weren’t issues, I don’t even know how to drive a stick shift, which all of the cars happen to be.

I was making banana bread this morning and I couldn’t even get the oven to turn on.

And not to mention there are still things I learning about culture and the way things work around here. Jen has been so gracious and kind in helping me with literally everything. But for someone who is used to doing it all on her own, this is tough.

As I was sitting today with my journal on my lap, I started to write about my frustrations with not being able to do anything for myself and being in this place of dependence. 

And God was saying that is exactly where I need to be. 

Continually.

In complete dependence on him.

He says his power is made perfect in my weakness. He wants me dependent on him so he can work. But I fight it. I fight it by continuing to try on my own. Or by freezing and not being able try at all. 

A sweet, new friend gave me this verse, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having everything you need, you will abound in every good work. “ 2 Cor 9:8

So grateful for a God whose power is not limited by my limitations. He will give me what I need and he will give it to me when I need it. He is continuing to say, keep going. Keep trying. I've got this.