Home From Haiti Again

I am home from Haiti again. This week has been one of the most difficult and rewarding weeks of my life. It was both physically and emotionally draining. A week that makes you appreciate what you have and where you live. It makes even the most difficult and trying times I experience at home and in my life so trivial. I saw people with no homes, only the clothes on their backs living on the streets or in the park areas, taking baths, naked on the street in broad daylight, standing in a long, long line just to get a bottle of water to drink, or a bag of rice to eat, what a humbling experience. I saw shelters built from sticks woven together to form a "house", a stick on each corner and across the top with a sheet or something similar spread over the top to make a roof, just to shelter them from the sun. In PAP it was extremely hot. In the midst of this, the people were singing praises to God, thankful for their lives, because basically that is all they have left, their lives and the greatest thing that they could ever have, the love of God. I saw greater expressions of faith from these people who have nothing, than the people here at home who have everything.
The time spent at GLA was very different than when I was there before, the Haitian nannies had such sad eyes, everyone of them had lost family members and or their homes. Some had found their children and had brought them to the orphanage to live with them. On the morning of the 6.1 "aftershock" the sad eyes where even more evident, it was just one week before that their lives had been turned upside down. Through it all they were trying to keep calm for the sake of the children. They would periodically break out in songs, praising God for His love and protection.
The love, caring, and concern the Haitians have for each other was exhibited as a lesson to be learned. Oh how privileged and selfish we are. We need to put aside all hatred we feel and love one another, our lives can be turned upside down in an instant, life is too valuable and short to spend time hating one another.
My prayer is that we never have to experience what the people of Haiti are experiencing and that we would show the love for one another that I have seen the Haitians show this week. I praise God that He allowed me to be a part of their lives for a brief period of time and that He brought me home safely.

I praise Him for His love, protection and a lesson learned.


God Bless You!For He shall give His angels charge over you,To keep you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11 NKJV

I will post a little later to tell you a little of my experience at the orphanage and helping to bring the children, who were coming to America to live, home to their "forever" families.

I am back in Haiti

We just arrived at the orphanage just a few minutes ago. It was an incredible day. I will try to post info about the day later. We were totally safe, brought in a plane load of supplies.

Looking forward to a night of rest and will start another full day tomorrow.

Keep me and the Haitian people in your prayers.

Mary Jo In Haiti (Praise God)

Haiti and Earthquake

The above picture is of the children sleeping outside because of the aftershocks being felt.

I know that you have been hearing about and watching the devastation experienced by the country of Haiti as the result of the earthquake. Watching what has transpired in Haiti has weighed heavily on my heart. My prayer since Tuesday, day of the earthquake, has been, God what can I do?. My prayer has been answered and I am heading back to Haiti and in particularly to God's Littlest Angels Orphanage. Praise God for opening the doors to allow me to go and offer my support for the people of Haiti, and the Children & Staff of the orphanage.

I will be in Haiti on Tuesday of this week. Praise God! I will post if possible while I am in Haiti.

If you do not see a post, please know that we are in need of additional prayers. I have been told that the supply of food, water, and fuel is extremely low. All water is brought into the orphanage by truck, normally they receive at least 10 truckloads in a week, this has been compromised as a result of this earthquake. Their food supply is also very low and is being rationed. Pray for some relief concerning these matters.

The orphanage building is intact, still experiencing aftershocks, which I understand are a little unnerving. The children are all safe and as of this morning all of the Haitian Nannies have been accounted for. Some have lost family members and some have lost their homes. Pray for them, please.

This is information provided by Dixie Bickel, director to the orphanage:

If you would like to help, here are some suggestions:
We are collecting donations now and will be sending a shipping container to Haiti as soon as we can. For the orphanage, we always need powdered formula, diapers, baby wipes, baby cereal, infant tylenol, infant and childrens vitamins, and baby care items such as lotion, powder, baby shampoo. We also hope to be able to assist the surrounding community with clothing, medical supplies, household items, hygiene items such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, blankets and towels. We have also set up a fund for earthquake relief for our staff and surrounding community. Many of our staff will need assistance with home repair and funeral expenses. Donations should be sent to:

God's Littlest Angels2085

Crystal River Dr.

Colorado Springs, CO 80915

Financial donations for earthquake relief can be sent to the above address, or via Paypal on our web site http://www.glahaiti.org/, (Canadian donors should use the Canadian Paypal button at www.glacanada.ca) or through the following link: http://godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org/ and click the "Chip in" button.

I thank you again, as I go, for your prayer support.

Saturday in Kentucky

Oh, wow, where to begin.

I guess I need to let everyone who has been following this experience with me, know that I am home, back in Kentucky. I had a safe and uneventful day of traveling. Praise God for that.

I must say that I did not know that tears could flow for over 2 thousand miles, but I could not seem to make them stop. This was the cause for a lot of stares in the 4 airports that I was in on my travel day.

I feel that I left my heart and soul in Haiti and I need to go back and get them. My prayer today is that God will allow me to return, after all He is the one who asked me to go in the first place. Am I being a little pushy, if so I pray that He understands.

I met so many wonderful people from all over the world while I was in Haiti, I feel that some will be life long friends. I volunteered with 6 of the most dedicated, loving, Christian young women that you would ever want to meet. What dedication that they would put their lives on hold to serve the Lord. How awesome is that!!!!!!!!

I would ask, if you haven't already, go to the website: glahaiti.org, and read as much as possible about their needs, hopes and dreams. This orphanage began as a result of one woman following the guidance of God and the love in her heart that He gave her for children. They are totally self supporting, existing on donations. Without this orphanage, most of these children would not be alive. Let me tell you that they are very much alive. The most beautiful, loving children that you would ever meet. Children because of Dixie Bickel's willingness to follow God's plan, will have wonderful lives with loving families in comfortable homes, with plenty of food to eat, clothes to wear and an education. These children will go to various parts of the world and I know, after spending time with them, they will make a difference in the world when they become adults. Something that they would never have had the opportunity to become if it had not been for her vision. Praise God for the work being doing at God's Littlest Angels Orphanage in Haiti. As I mentioned they are working totally through donations. I pray that God would lay it on your heart to support them with finances, volunteering, or much needed Christian families who want o adopt. They also sponsor a program to provide an education to siblings of the children who have been placed in the orphanage. For $1.00 a day, you could not only make a difference in a childs life, you would be making a difference in future of the country of Haiti. This information can also be found on their website: glahaiti.org

I pray that you would ask God to impress on you what your roll in this orphanage should be. I just want to warn you that God is in the business of answering prayers.

How Great is our God!!!!!!

As I stated in my last blog!

I HAVE BEEN TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP!!!!!!!!!

Mary Jo in Kentucky (wishing that she was in Haiti)

Saturday in Haiti

If this little girl does not grab your heart, I don't know what will. She is the happiest little girl, smiles all of the time. Very curious, hard to keep her in one place.

This will most likely be my last post in Haiti. I have a free day and plan to spend most of it on the play balcony with my kids. They have just finished breakfast and are ready for play.

This time in Haiti has been greater than I could have ever imagined. No other experience like it. God has given me a heart for this place and I pray that when I return to the U.S., He will give me the adequate words to convey to you what their needs, hopes and dreams are.

Just a little tease to melt your hearts.

I have served with a great group of volunteers while here. Most are from Canada, some from the U.S.

In case you are wondering about my shirt (Not a fan) go to notafan.com to find out.

Request from Haiti

I sent out an SOS by email, but in case I missed you. There is a need for Christmas gifts for the children at the Toddler House. They range from ages 3 to 8yrs old. There are 40 girls and 40 boys. The items need to be small, because they will need to be shipped. The gifts are not to be wrapped, as they would be unwrapped in customs.

I need to be able to ship by the middle of November in order for them to arrive in Haiti in time for Christmas. If you would like to participate send me an email at orphanbear@aol.com.

If you would rather send money that would be appreciated to help cover shipping and customs cost.

Any help with this will be greatly appreciated and God Bless You.

In closing:

I have been to the Mountain Top and was the view fantastic!!!!!!!!

Three things that I have found

a. Discern God's Voice

b. Be willing to do His will

c. Blessings will abound

Until next time

May God be with you

Mary Jo in Haiti

Wednesday in Haiti

Just look at those eyes, don't they just melt your heart?

This is a little girl who is one of mine, she is hard to get close to, she is a wonderful little girl, loves to clean up and organize the toys. I was finally able to get a smile and then a laugh from her, I plan to spend a lot of time with her this weekend.

This picture is just to let you know that I am actually in Haiti.

It is Wednesday morning and I can't believe my time has gone so quickly. Daily routine is the same, but each day holds different surprises. My children know when I walk into the big nursery that I am coming for them, they actually come running to me with their arms held high.

One little girl, probably around 2 yrs old will go and get any of the children for you if you just give her their name. Too funny.

The weather has been great, the food fantastic, the time most enjoyable.

Please continue to send your prayers.

Until next time

Mary Jo in Haiti

Sunday in Haiti

One of my babies, he is only 5 months old, very alert and loves to try to talk to me. He has great hair, so soft and he loves to run his hands through it.

I am at the end of another wonderful day. Yesterday, Saturday, a group of 11 girls went shopping. Quite an experience. I actually felt like I was in Mexico, the vendors followed us to the car still trying to make a sale. I did make a few purchases though and I am very pleased with them.

We were taken to an over look that was so beautiful, hard to describe. This is a view of Port-au-Prince with the sea in the upper corner. Beautiful view.


Today we went to church, we were taken to a private home for an English service, next week we get to go to a Haitian Church. We were served breakfast, pate, maybe I will get the recipe and try on you when I get home.

We had a missionary attend church who will be conducting VBS at the Toddler House this week.
Please pray for her and the children who will attend.

Thank you again for your prayer support, I know that is why every thing is going so well. I have not gotten sick, I feel rested and the food has been great, still don't always know what I am eating, but it is good.

Thank you for continuing to pray for me and the people of Haiti.

Until next time

Mary Jo in Haiti