Glwa pou Bondye! (Glory to God)

We got an early start Thursday morning and headed to Guillaume’s orphanage near Cite Soley (Soleil) As we approached the orphanage gate we could see the children were wide eyed at the gate waiting for us!! Their embrace melts you. We walked through their rooms and were reminded of the run down indescribable conditions the kids lived in.  It was incredibly humbling and sad for me. The kids loaded onto the bus some holding their bibles that were being held together with layers of tape nothing else other than clothes.

As the bus entered the gates to their new home you could hear singing voices. Forty beautiful lives moved into Grace Village on Thursday! It was an amazing and emotional experience. The sweetest innocence, the sense of contentment and joy filled the rooms today as the children settled in. The new playground set the stage for the day’s events. They swung for hours!! When it was time for them to get ready for bed they grabbed their baskets and towels and marched off to take their first shower. They enjoyed the shower SO much that they took two. As the day was drawing to a close, they sat in their beds with such satisfaction on their faces! I went to say bonwuit (goodnight) and saw a sweet boy reading his new beautiful Kreyol (Creole) bible out loud. I thanked and praised the Lord for all the incredible moments we got to witness as His plan unfolded. How faithful He is to these sweet kids and they are so thankful!

Today Gary drove the Kubota from the guest house to Grace Village with FanFan. He was in his glory.  When we arrived many of the boys gave Jeff sweet letters.. I wish I could better understand their thoughts and experience. One child said it was like paradise. They loved to be held and touched. I spent time with the oldest girl today and as I rubbed her back she slowly moved closer and closer with the sweetest smile. They are truly amazing kids. Allie and Lindsay don’t want to leave, we love these kids so much mom, they say! We are so blessed and humbled to spend Christmas at Grace Village.

Glwa Pou Bondye!

Becky Nelson

Healing Haiti Team Lead

The power of an embrace: Jessica Burmester

MY PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE….this was the title of my daily devotion this morning and how fitting it was especially for today.

Today I was blessed to be able to be apart of the most amazing experience; moving the orphan’s into Grace Village-their BRAND NEW HOME. It was the most incredible site to witness these children seeing their new home for the first time. The anticipation of where it would be and what it would look like was so evident on their faces. I had the opportunity to ride on the bus with all 40 of them up to Grace Village and I can’t even put into words the joy and excitement that filled the bus. Through their singing songs of praises, smiles and laughter, and pointing at all the big buildings/villages as we drove by them wondering if that was their new home, I could not stop smiling and my heart was overflowing with joy for what they were about to experience and see.

As we drove up to the gate the kids were yelling and cheering and practically jumping out of their seats to get a glimpse of their new home. As I sat back and watched each child try to get out as fast as they could I was filled with so much joy and excitement for each one of them.

As we showed the children their rooms it was beyond a doubt that they were so thankful and happy. Seeing their faces as they each found their own bed along with a bible, and little beanie baby on it was better than any words could describe. Watching them lie on their beds, hug their beanie babies and open up their bibles melted my heart.

With as much joy and excitement that filled the rooms there was also those few children who weren’t quite sure what to think. Wislene was one of these little girls who was feeling extremely happy but yet a bit overwhelmed-we could see it in her face. Fanfan asked her if she was ok and she said yes, but I knew she wasn’t. As the others cleared out of the room I climbed up the bunk embraced that little girl in my arms and told her, Mwen renmen ou, which means I love you. I just held her and kissed her and told her I loved her and as I started pulling away she wrapped her little arms around me and held me tight. As we continued embracing each other and rocking back and forth I couldn’t imagine what she was going through nor did I have the communication to talk to her but I knew that all this little girl needed was a loving embrace. As I started to pull away again she pulled me in closer, my heart just broke for her. As others came back into the room, we released each other, I told her I loved her, kissed her on the forehead and showed her that her name was written in the front of her bible and she gave the biggest smile ever. Later on the playground as she was swinging, I walked by her and smiled and she told me, Mwen renmen ou. They were the best words I had heard all day.

As I sit back and reflect on the moment I had with Wislene and the power of a simple loving embrace, I think I needed that moment and embrace just as much, if not more, than she did.

An excerpt of my devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, for the day reads: “Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My Strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles—and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight enables you to see My Glory.” Today was an absolute miracle for these children and everyone involved. This is the beginning of something amazing for each one of these children—GOD’S PLAN FOR THEIR LIFE.

Sounds of Glory

Voices squealing.

laughing, clapping.

Voices praising God in worship.

Cheers echoing from heaven.

Feet crunching.

Children racing.

Swings squeaking.

Legs reaching to touch the sky.

Voices praising God in worship.

Garlic crackling.

Oil splattering

Plates shuffling along the table.

Popcorn popping.

Toilets flushing,

Showers dripping.

Bare feet slapping as they walk by.

PJs rustling.

Kisses smacking.

Pages turning.

Voices praising God in worship.

Hearts breaking to say “goodbye”.

By Julie Sexson

My Plan For Your Life

MY PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE….this was the title of my daily devotion this morning and how fitting it was especially for today.

Today I was blessed to be able to be apart of the most amazing experience; moving the orphan’s into Grace Village-their BRAND NEW HOME. It was the most incredible site to witness these children seeing their new home for the first time. The anticipation of where it would be and what it would look like was so evident on their faces. I had the opportunity to ride on the bus with all 40 of them up to Grace Village and I can’t even put into words the joy and excitement that filled the bus. Through their singing songs of praises, smiles and laughter, and pointing at all the big buildings/villages as we drove by them wondering if that was their new home, I could not stop smiling and my heart was overflowing with joy for what they were about to experience and see.

As we drove up to the gate the kids were yelling and cheering and practically jumping out of their seats to get a glimpse of their new home. As I sat back and watched each child try to get out as fast as they could I was filled with so much joy and excitement for each one of them.

As we showed the children their rooms it was beyond a doubt that they were so thankful and happy. Seeing their faces as they each found their own bed along with a bible, and little beanie baby on it was better than any words could describe. Watching them lie on their beds, hug their beanie babies and open up their bibles melted my heart.

With as much joy and excitement that filled the rooms there was also those few children who weren’t quite sure what to think. Wislene was one of these little girls who was feeling extremely happy but yet a bit overwhelmed-we could see it in her face. Fanfan asked her if she was ok and she said yes, but I knew she wasn’t. As the others cleared out of the room I climbed up the bunk embraced that little girl in my arms and told her, Mwen renmen ou, which means I love you. I just held her and kissed her and told her I loved her and as I started pulling away she wrapped her little arms around me and held me tight. As we continued embracing each other and rocking back and forth I couldn’t imagine what she was going through nor did I have the communication to talk to her but I knew that all this little girl needed was a loving embrace. As I started to pull away again she pulled me in closer, my heart just broke for her. As others came back into the room, we released each other, I told her I loved her, kissed her on the forehead and showed her that her name was written in the front of her bible and she gave the biggest smile ever. Later on the playground as she was swinging, I walked by her and smiled and she told me, Mwen renmen ou. They were the best words I had heard all day.

As I sit back and reflect on the moment I had with Wislene and the power of a simple loving embrace, I think I needed that moment and embrace just as much, if not more, than she did.

An excerpt of my devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, for the day reads: “Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My Strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles—and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight enables you to see My Glory.” Today was an absolute miracle for these children and everyone involved. This is the beginning of something amazing for each one of these children—GOD’S PLAN FOR THEIR LIFE.

A letter to Alyn...

Do the heavens open for you to see all that's happening at Grace Village, Alyn? Surely they must, for when I stand on that hill, I am certain it is the place that heaven touches the earth.

Your creative, God-given imaginative fingerprints are everywhere there. How it must bless the Savior's heart to see those gifts living on through the many who continue to come to carry on the work He started here through you and Jeff.

I imagine you... when the heavens part... beaming from ear-to-ear as you catch a glimpse of Grace village... for I could feel you smiling down on us all day long!

I can't tell you how much I miss you dear friend, but, you are with me today! :o)


Written by Julie Miller