So many of you know that my plan was to be here at much ministries for just 4-6months and then come back for graduate school at KU in the fall. however before i left my 2 closest girlfriends both separately challenged and encouraged me to really think about getting my MSW and if it was really where my heart was. i really felt like it was from the Lord as they had not communicated and they know me very well. at first i was very surprised and felt confused as in this world it is the most logical thing to do next. work in the real world doing a 9-5 for awhile, travel and serve, do an internship and then buckle down and get letters in front of your name so you can get a better paying job.
however the more i was down here working with much ministries the more i realized that i didn't really want to be in debt for letters in front of my name. i don't want to live by the logistical things of this world, but be in the world with a kingdom attitude if that makes since to anyone besides me. so i actually started praying that i would get rejected because i was about 95% sure i didn't want to go anymore...and didn't really want to make a decision because i can be pretty indecisive. but if that was the case then what would i do next?
well i spent time talking to mama Kathy, and lots of time in prayer. And they are so excited for me to be on board long term with much ministries and in terms of me covering things financial the Lord also answered a prayer. i have been praying to fully rely on him and that i would see money as a tool for his kingdom not for security and safety. God didn't call me to a life of security, but an adventure that includes picking up my cross and carrying it daily. with that comes risks, but He also says that i am His beloved and to cast all my cares upon Him, to not worry for today has enough trouble of its own, that His yoke is light...and he will take care of me. He knows what is best for me better than anyone else on this earth.
so last week the letter came...and i was not accepted into the MSW program at KU. at first i was like well sad day i feel a little dumb, but then i remembered that's a lie straight from the enemy's mouth and that my God has created me and i am beautifully and wonderfully made and He has plans to prosper me, NOT to harm me. then i laughed and was like...this is what i prayed for...
so then i started really feeling like i am going to be here for awhile. there is still potential for a much ministries/market place kansas city one day, but i am thinking that it will be longer than a couple years.
i am starting to feel like i am going to just jump in down here and really make a move. my belongings have been scattered for gosh...years. i am ready to be settled somewhere for a long time. i haven't lived in the same space for longer than 11 months since i was 18 or 19 years old and i am 27 not. i am feeling like this is the time for me to settle for at least 2-5 years. and i am really confident about this decision, there is much peace in my heart and within the much ministries community. they are all very excited i am going to be here longer.
i feel much ministries is in a big transition as lots of things are happening as well. it really still is a new community...going on 3.5 years. there is still so much to work on and so much growth at each door. Casey will be back soon and we have talked a lot about what a wonderful team the two of us will be. for those of you who haven't kept up- Casey is with Dorothy right now...but was doing much of what i am doing here before, we sort of in a funny way switched places) but i think the two of us will make a great team tackling big projects from the cool stuff store, to loving and mentoring people that God brings our way.
Much Ministries also didn't get the grant that we applied for to build transitional housing in the back of the market place...but we feel good about that. Kathy and Beavers prayer was that they didn't want it if it wasn't the best fit. so God will provide means in another way.
so being here longer has much in store as i will be apart of the team that does this wonderful thing called life together/ much ministries. kathy said today 'work is the excuse to be together' that we don't want to be seen as a organization, but as a community living life together. oh and i loved this... that our practices would be congruent with our ideals...we talked about that the other day. we want to grow, but still have the small things in mind...still keep the heart. its good. i love being a part of it. it fits me so well.
some books we are really challenged by and encouraged by in our world here lately are:
THE IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION by Shane Claiborne (this one was life changing for me years ago and its refreshing to read it again)
EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE by Brian MacClaren
perhaps you all should read them!!! i highly recommend them!!!!
well that was lots of info...i really am not very good at short blogs...its partly because i haven't been great about keeping it up. forgive me.
well i really should go...
blessings to you all.
lovex3
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
the heart of the matter
so where do i begin to explain the emotions and the revelation that this event and this situation in our world brings to me. its big and the change needed is huge...and it will happen. i believe that our God is big. when people remember that we are all one human family and that what happens in Uganda, or Haiti, or Cambodia...all is connected i believe the world will be more peaceful. We must not live in a bubble, but recognize the authenticity of life...good or bad. awareness is where change begins and these events are first about giving people a window so that ignorance can no longer exist. one of my favorite quotes by Margaret Mead says...
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens CAN change the world indeed, its the only thing that ever has."
so all that to lead into us and the small group of citizens making an impact for change in the world...
before we set out for the three hour journey to Tallahassee papa beaver prayed for us and said something that is sticking with me...
not to be afraid to weep and mourn for this situation because its the heart of the Father. i am paraphrasing as he worded it all really beautifully. but essentially saying when we mourn we are showing Him we care and care with Him. these child soldiers are His children and if my heart aches...i cant even imagine how much His does. I do this...i go after...we go after it because every good thing in us come from Him and i long to please him...
in this world today i feel its trendy to go green, to be an activist...and that is beautiful, but in 10 years it could just be that with not much change. i say this because if the heart of the matters we are fighting for our not rooted in the Heart of Jesus...His restoration, redemption and peace it too can turn into something that doesn't end up being productive or real. i am NOT saying that someone who doesn't know the Lord wont make change, but i feel for people that are followers of Jesus...we must get to the heart of the matter. our intention should be to please our Father in heaven...to cry out with Him...not just to be a trend.
i feel like i might have to write more on this later as my thoughts seem to not be making sense and i feel there is lots more to say about this, but cant wrap my thoughts around it quite yet. i know that mama Kathy and papa beaver are extremely excited that we have gotten involved and are feeling that perhaps one day Uganda will be added to places much ministries are taking a part in. who knows...brainstorming is always going on here as God is Big and they are never afraid to take on something else...for with Him ALL things are possible!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens CAN change the world indeed, its the only thing that ever has."
so all that to lead into us and the small group of citizens making an impact for change in the world...
before we set out for the three hour journey to Tallahassee papa beaver prayed for us and said something that is sticking with me...
not to be afraid to weep and mourn for this situation because its the heart of the Father. i am paraphrasing as he worded it all really beautifully. but essentially saying when we mourn we are showing Him we care and care with Him. these child soldiers are His children and if my heart aches...i cant even imagine how much His does. I do this...i go after...we go after it because every good thing in us come from Him and i long to please him...
in this world today i feel its trendy to go green, to be an activist...and that is beautiful, but in 10 years it could just be that with not much change. i say this because if the heart of the matters we are fighting for our not rooted in the Heart of Jesus...His restoration, redemption and peace it too can turn into something that doesn't end up being productive or real. i am NOT saying that someone who doesn't know the Lord wont make change, but i feel for people that are followers of Jesus...we must get to the heart of the matter. our intention should be to please our Father in heaven...to cry out with Him...not just to be a trend.
i feel like i might have to write more on this later as my thoughts seem to not be making sense and i feel there is lots more to say about this, but cant wrap my thoughts around it quite yet. i know that mama Kathy and papa beaver are extremely excited that we have gotten involved and are feeling that perhaps one day Uganda will be added to places much ministries are taking a part in. who knows...brainstorming is always going on here as God is Big and they are never afraid to take on something else...for with Him ALL things are possible!
The Rescue
So yes Uganda...
I wanted to update this sooner as i am sure there was probably one in Kansas city and you all could of gone to it, but its been a busy week.
its been a busy week because i loosely organized a group of youngsters(16-22yr olds-i feel like i can say that now since i am officially in my late 20s!)to go to the rescue. some of you know i have been involved here and there with an organization called invisible children over the past 5 years. 3 young men started it 6 years ago when they filmed what was going on in northern Uganda...the longest running war in Africa. its going on 23 years and thousands of people die in displacement camps each week and children are abducted to be soldiers in a war that is not theirs to fight. for more info go to http://www.invisiblechildren.com/
the rescue is an event to raise awareness and encourage leaders to stand up for justice. the rescue event is happening in 100 cities all over the world. the event that we went to was in Tallahassee, FL as it was the closest one happening to waynesville/Brunswick GA. the protest was saying that we are abducting ourselves on behalf of thousands of children who have been abducted and are going to wait until someone in leadership comes to the rescue to make a stand.
Tallahassee was rescued and we had a representative for Allen Boyd come out and about 6 other letters from congressmen and so on encouraging the cause. however many more cities have not been rescued and we want all 100 to be rescued...because we LONG for this war to end today!!!
so yes...uganda...God cries out for the suffering that is going on there...and because Much Ministries is about doing Kingdom work and because they see this sort of event as full of the heart of Jesus...we sponsored a group to the event. we had a group of 6 girls and 6 boys. and it was wonderful to be with them. they are our future leaders and they are already going out to change the world. its really beautiful.
so there you have most of the logistics...i am going to go play stuck in the mud with Rebbecca and her friend Victoria...but then i hope to get on and post more of how my heart felt about it all...what amazing things the group did and how it is really fitting into much ministries...
still curious go to the website...there is live feed on the event. http://www.invisiblechildren.com/
I wanted to update this sooner as i am sure there was probably one in Kansas city and you all could of gone to it, but its been a busy week.
its been a busy week because i loosely organized a group of youngsters(16-22yr olds-i feel like i can say that now since i am officially in my late 20s!)to go to the rescue. some of you know i have been involved here and there with an organization called invisible children over the past 5 years. 3 young men started it 6 years ago when they filmed what was going on in northern Uganda...the longest running war in Africa. its going on 23 years and thousands of people die in displacement camps each week and children are abducted to be soldiers in a war that is not theirs to fight. for more info go to http://www.invisiblechildren.com/
the rescue is an event to raise awareness and encourage leaders to stand up for justice. the rescue event is happening in 100 cities all over the world. the event that we went to was in Tallahassee, FL as it was the closest one happening to waynesville/Brunswick GA. the protest was saying that we are abducting ourselves on behalf of thousands of children who have been abducted and are going to wait until someone in leadership comes to the rescue to make a stand.
Tallahassee was rescued and we had a representative for Allen Boyd come out and about 6 other letters from congressmen and so on encouraging the cause. however many more cities have not been rescued and we want all 100 to be rescued...because we LONG for this war to end today!!!
so yes...uganda...God cries out for the suffering that is going on there...and because Much Ministries is about doing Kingdom work and because they see this sort of event as full of the heart of Jesus...we sponsored a group to the event. we had a group of 6 girls and 6 boys. and it was wonderful to be with them. they are our future leaders and they are already going out to change the world. its really beautiful.
so there you have most of the logistics...i am going to go play stuck in the mud with Rebbecca and her friend Victoria...but then i hope to get on and post more of how my heart felt about it all...what amazing things the group did and how it is really fitting into much ministries...
still curious go to the website...there is live feed on the event. http://www.invisiblechildren.com/
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
ministry center
so i want to talk about the ministry center more in detail...
its pretty much like a food pantry and they have a thrift store down the road as well. Wednesdays they distribute the food that gets sorted and packaged throughout the first days in the week. Wednesday is the day people can come and pick the aid up. however BMC is SO much more than the food.
Bill Thomas, the man that started it, is really a phenomenal guy. He lives in waynesville, regular customer and dear friend of Beaver...they meet, i think, almost every morning for coffee at the market place and share their lives with one another. anyway he has had many jobs in his life...but has finally found his purpose i guess you could say.
he has really transformed lives. just a few for example...our master Chef who cooks on the weekends, Chris (his story soon to come- i have asked him and a few others that work at the MP to write their stories so i can post them- good for them, and good for you to see how Much Ministries is changing lives). Then there is a woman that just read your story to me from her notebook last week...she literally was workin the street, and bill pursued her and loved on her until she got out of her situation. now she isn't working the streets and is going to get her story/journal published...still struggling here and there, but doing well...she is such a sweet heart. i was so honored that she felt comfortable to share her life with me.
I'm so glad Beaver asked me to go there on Wednesdays because its really wonderful. sometimes its a little out of my comfort zone not because of the area or the people, but because i am not one to sit down with someone and ask them if they know Jesus or not within minutes of meeting them. i am more of the love you...build a relationship...get to know you and then let you ask me why i love Jesus so much. but God is stretching me in that and i am learning how to present it in a way that is very comfortable for me and others...i tell them up front how i feel about it...
see because what happens is that if its someones first time getting aid from the ministry center they have to fill paper work out and we also sit down with them and present the gospel. i have been going for about a month now and last Wednesday was the first time i sat down with someone by myself.
i didn't want to do it..as i would rather just hug them, get them their food and say...have a blessed day mam, but Bill encouraged and i went. i was really honest. i asked if i could ask her some spiritual questions...she kinda laughed a little and said yes...i then proceeded to tell her how i would much rather get to know her first and then she could ask me the questions...but that we were doing this ministry because we loved Jesus and just wanted her to know that. i asked her to share some of her story with me and it was beautiful.
an alcoholic, but going on 3 years of sobriety, but didn't have a job and was struggling to make ends meat for her and her daughter. she had just had surgery and was going to start school again, what a courageous woman. she already knew the Lord and we had a wonderful time of prayer together. i think i was more blessed by her than she was by me, but that is usually the case. I've learned to expected that in my years of serving those in Haiti and in the urban core of America. now i am learning first hand that the same stuff exists in rural America. I've always know, but now I'm amidst it.
Bill often sends people to Beaver & Kathy at the MP to get out of situations that are not healthy where they are coming from. therefore Much Ministries and the ministry center (BMC) have a wonderful partnership centered by Gods grace and provision.
isn't it amazing...i'm so blessed to be here...to be a part of it...
thanks to all you who love and support my deep desire to be a missionary to this world...who knows maybe the next place will be Uganda... which brings me to my next post...
its pretty much like a food pantry and they have a thrift store down the road as well. Wednesdays they distribute the food that gets sorted and packaged throughout the first days in the week. Wednesday is the day people can come and pick the aid up. however BMC is SO much more than the food.
Bill Thomas, the man that started it, is really a phenomenal guy. He lives in waynesville, regular customer and dear friend of Beaver...they meet, i think, almost every morning for coffee at the market place and share their lives with one another. anyway he has had many jobs in his life...but has finally found his purpose i guess you could say.
he has really transformed lives. just a few for example...our master Chef who cooks on the weekends, Chris (his story soon to come- i have asked him and a few others that work at the MP to write their stories so i can post them- good for them, and good for you to see how Much Ministries is changing lives). Then there is a woman that just read your story to me from her notebook last week...she literally was workin the street, and bill pursued her and loved on her until she got out of her situation. now she isn't working the streets and is going to get her story/journal published...still struggling here and there, but doing well...she is such a sweet heart. i was so honored that she felt comfortable to share her life with me.
I'm so glad Beaver asked me to go there on Wednesdays because its really wonderful. sometimes its a little out of my comfort zone not because of the area or the people, but because i am not one to sit down with someone and ask them if they know Jesus or not within minutes of meeting them. i am more of the love you...build a relationship...get to know you and then let you ask me why i love Jesus so much. but God is stretching me in that and i am learning how to present it in a way that is very comfortable for me and others...i tell them up front how i feel about it...
see because what happens is that if its someones first time getting aid from the ministry center they have to fill paper work out and we also sit down with them and present the gospel. i have been going for about a month now and last Wednesday was the first time i sat down with someone by myself.
i didn't want to do it..as i would rather just hug them, get them their food and say...have a blessed day mam, but Bill encouraged and i went. i was really honest. i asked if i could ask her some spiritual questions...she kinda laughed a little and said yes...i then proceeded to tell her how i would much rather get to know her first and then she could ask me the questions...but that we were doing this ministry because we loved Jesus and just wanted her to know that. i asked her to share some of her story with me and it was beautiful.
an alcoholic, but going on 3 years of sobriety, but didn't have a job and was struggling to make ends meat for her and her daughter. she had just had surgery and was going to start school again, what a courageous woman. she already knew the Lord and we had a wonderful time of prayer together. i think i was more blessed by her than she was by me, but that is usually the case. I've learned to expected that in my years of serving those in Haiti and in the urban core of America. now i am learning first hand that the same stuff exists in rural America. I've always know, but now I'm amidst it.
Bill often sends people to Beaver & Kathy at the MP to get out of situations that are not healthy where they are coming from. therefore Much Ministries and the ministry center (BMC) have a wonderful partnership centered by Gods grace and provision.
isn't it amazing...i'm so blessed to be here...to be a part of it...
thanks to all you who love and support my deep desire to be a missionary to this world...who knows maybe the next place will be Uganda... which brings me to my next post...
Monday, April 20, 2009
I'm neglecting my blog
I am sorry because I have realized since i have been down here working with much ministries that i have slacked on updating my blog. I think that partly it has to do with a lot of the things i am learning internally. I feel like there isn't as much day to day stuff that there was in Haiti.
However, despite all my personal internal revelation and learning, i could still inform you all of the amazing things that much ministries is doing and some of the day to day stuff i do do.
And update you all on the amazing things that happen here. So i think we finally have a schedule for me to kind of go by, but as in Haiti...you must remain flexible for it could changed in a blink of an eye.
Mondays mama Kathy stays home and does school with Rebbecca and i get to the market place around 7:30-8am and help with everything...restaurant, business center, garden center, thrift store, gift shop...whatever i can do to help get things done until closin time. Tuesdays me and mama Kati switch places.
Wednesday i go to the baptist ministry center in Brunswick from 9am-2pm. the ministry center, which is really a whole other post in itself.
Thursday i meet with Ashley, Rachel and Kandace in Brunswick and we do a little bible study, quality time...lovin on those girls. Ashley works at the market place you may have heard me talk about her before. then i am hoping to also add meeting with another young woman who is just learning about what is looks like to follow Jesus. i wanna love on her, encourage her, give some discipleship...may every good gift from God guide me there.
Then Friday i work again and mama K stays home.
oh and by the way I've picked up some south mannerisms so if i say mam or sir... or mama and papa for that matter...its just lingo, ya know...plus pretty much everyone calls Kathy mama Kathy...and well then it just defaults Beaver to papa Beaver. well and because God has really gifted them with mothering and fathering skills for everyone...isn't it great! they joke about how they have 7 children, (Rebbecca, Sam, Cory, Taylor, Brandon, Whitney daughter in law, Kervens Haitian son), BUT really they have like 77!
Big families are great. i think they can remind us that the whole human race is really our family...that the world doesn't revolve around us...
anyway i went off on a little tangent...sorry
Friday night & Saturday nights usually i am working at the restaurant for dinners. our weekends are amazing. we have a master chef and live music...sometime i will post one of the PR emails I send out for our weekends.
Saturday i go with Taylor and Sam and a much of other teenage/early 20 somethings to worship during the day. it is always amazing...God shows up. I am always humbled and in awe of His glory. this generation is So in love with HIM and ready to change the world...FOREAL...not just saying that.
then Sunday is church...which we go between, Bethel in Waynesville, north island on st. Simon's, and street church(ministry center) off of Norwich street. they believe and i don't disagree that life is church...the actual building or center for worship doesn't matter as much. church is really all week. of course we also do resting, its needed...'keep the sabbath" such a good command!
so there you have a bit of what i do throughout the week...really everything i do is my job here...Kathy says i went from being a missionary in Haiti to a missionary in south Georgia and it sounds good to me!!!
i hope you all are well.
blessings...
more posts soon i hope...
no more neglecting...
However, despite all my personal internal revelation and learning, i could still inform you all of the amazing things that much ministries is doing and some of the day to day stuff i do do.
And update you all on the amazing things that happen here. So i think we finally have a schedule for me to kind of go by, but as in Haiti...you must remain flexible for it could changed in a blink of an eye.
Mondays mama Kathy stays home and does school with Rebbecca and i get to the market place around 7:30-8am and help with everything...restaurant, business center, garden center, thrift store, gift shop...whatever i can do to help get things done until closin time. Tuesdays me and mama Kati switch places.
Wednesday i go to the baptist ministry center in Brunswick from 9am-2pm. the ministry center, which is really a whole other post in itself.
Thursday i meet with Ashley, Rachel and Kandace in Brunswick and we do a little bible study, quality time...lovin on those girls. Ashley works at the market place you may have heard me talk about her before. then i am hoping to also add meeting with another young woman who is just learning about what is looks like to follow Jesus. i wanna love on her, encourage her, give some discipleship...may every good gift from God guide me there.
Then Friday i work again and mama K stays home.
oh and by the way I've picked up some south mannerisms so if i say mam or sir... or mama and papa for that matter...its just lingo, ya know...plus pretty much everyone calls Kathy mama Kathy...and well then it just defaults Beaver to papa Beaver. well and because God has really gifted them with mothering and fathering skills for everyone...isn't it great! they joke about how they have 7 children, (Rebbecca, Sam, Cory, Taylor, Brandon, Whitney daughter in law, Kervens Haitian son), BUT really they have like 77!
Big families are great. i think they can remind us that the whole human race is really our family...that the world doesn't revolve around us...
anyway i went off on a little tangent...sorry
Friday night & Saturday nights usually i am working at the restaurant for dinners. our weekends are amazing. we have a master chef and live music...sometime i will post one of the PR emails I send out for our weekends.
Saturday i go with Taylor and Sam and a much of other teenage/early 20 somethings to worship during the day. it is always amazing...God shows up. I am always humbled and in awe of His glory. this generation is So in love with HIM and ready to change the world...FOREAL...not just saying that.
then Sunday is church...which we go between, Bethel in Waynesville, north island on st. Simon's, and street church(ministry center) off of Norwich street. they believe and i don't disagree that life is church...the actual building or center for worship doesn't matter as much. church is really all week. of course we also do resting, its needed...'keep the sabbath" such a good command!
so there you have a bit of what i do throughout the week...really everything i do is my job here...Kathy says i went from being a missionary in Haiti to a missionary in south Georgia and it sounds good to me!!!
i hope you all are well.
blessings...
more posts soon i hope...
no more neglecting...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Dorothys Update April 18, 2009
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus laid down his life for us. By his resurrection he defeated death and gave us a way to have eternal life (John 3:16). Join us in praising God for his immeasurable love and in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
News update
Hooray for the US Navy. The Navy medical ship Comfort was in Port au Prince last week with an amazing number and variety of medical specialists. They will provided medical care and surgeries to hundreds of people. We praise God for this wonderful gift!
Friday Poutchino was privileged to see a pediatric lung specialist. She can't say whether he has had TB or not but she is certain that he has lung problems due to aspiration of food and liquids. He doesn't swallow properly, probably due to neurological damage caused by hydrocephalus. Poutchino needs a feeding tube inserted into his stomach to keep him from aspirating any more food for a while --- this is to give his lungs a chance to clear out the junk and recover. Given his neurological problems it is too risky to do on the ship. The surgeon who couldn't do the surgery on the ship wants to do it in the states when he gets back to his practice. We have started the process of getting Poutchino a passport and visa. Please pray that the hospital will agree to allow the free surgery and that all the things that need to happen to make this possible DO happen!
The clinic we visited was in Cite Soleil, one of the worst slum areas of Port au Prince and the former (we hope) stronghold of some of the worst gangs. Luckily Karen Bultje is familiar with Cite Soleil and drove us to the clinic. The clinic wasn't where it was supposed to be - we got to the hospital and no one knew where we should go. We ran into a Haitian carpenter Karen knew and he told us to try the wharf. We drove around a while, asked pedesterians for help, and finally found a compound surrounded by bare concrete block walls topped with razor wire. There were no signs but inside the partially open gate we saw lots of people. It was the clinic! We are still thanking God for guiding us that day and covering us with his protection.
About a hundred people were waiting outside an inner gate, clutching tickets which they had obtained locally the previous week. There were people bent over in pain, people limping on bent or broken bones, people with huge tumors, emaciated, sick, desperate people. It was heartbreaking to see them but heartening to know they would get help. Most impressive was the respect, gentleness and kindness shown to these suffering people by the Navy personnel. We didn't see any Navy people who were not actively working to guide and comfort confused, frightened patients. What a blessing!
Lovensky saw an opthamologist from the USNS Comfort. His right eye is too badly scarred to be helped but his left eye is in great shape. Thank you Lord!
Baby Rosetaina doesn't need a feeding tube anymore. She is doing as well as can be expected for a child with advanced AIDS. We pray she will get treatment that will improve the quality of her life in addition to prolonging it. In the meantime, my main concern is to assure her comfort as best I can. She often looks like she just feels miserable. We can get her to laugh sometimes, though. Pray for her comfort, please!
Madeline is another new child. We were told she is 2 yrs old but think she is more than 3, possibly even 4. She only weighs 14 lbs. and is pitiful to look at. She is lovely, though, with the longest eyelashes! She smiles easily and seems grateful to have enough milk to drink and food to eat. Another Haitian beauty! Praise God for bringing her here!
A mother and uncle brought a two month old baby boy to the gate. Ricardo Joseph weighed less than 5 lbs. and was very dehydrated. His mother said she couldn't breastfeed him anymore, that her milk had dried up. He was in bad shape. I gave him 10cc of half strength formula and gave them money to take him to our best children's hospital where he will be treated for free. Thank you, Lord, for a Christian hospital to treat poor children.
Haitian Senatorial elections will be held tomorrow. We are told to stay home. Private vehicles will not be allowed on the streets. We stocked up on generator fuel and food so we can stay in for a few days if necessary. Please pray for peace in this very young, fragile country.
Blessings to you all, and may the peace of God be upon you.
Dorothy Pearce
Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue
http://dorothypearcehaiti.blogspot.com
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13
Mailing address:
Dorothy Pearce
Agape Flights PAP 15297
100 Airport Ave
Venice, FL 34285
(Contact me before sending packages)
Donations:
Christian Light Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 23881
Jacksonville FL 32241-3881
Memo: For D. Pearce, Haiti
Telephone: 011-509-3529-1962
News update
Hooray for the US Navy. The Navy medical ship Comfort was in Port au Prince last week with an amazing number and variety of medical specialists. They will provided medical care and surgeries to hundreds of people. We praise God for this wonderful gift!
Friday Poutchino was privileged to see a pediatric lung specialist. She can't say whether he has had TB or not but she is certain that he has lung problems due to aspiration of food and liquids. He doesn't swallow properly, probably due to neurological damage caused by hydrocephalus. Poutchino needs a feeding tube inserted into his stomach to keep him from aspirating any more food for a while --- this is to give his lungs a chance to clear out the junk and recover. Given his neurological problems it is too risky to do on the ship. The surgeon who couldn't do the surgery on the ship wants to do it in the states when he gets back to his practice. We have started the process of getting Poutchino a passport and visa. Please pray that the hospital will agree to allow the free surgery and that all the things that need to happen to make this possible DO happen!
The clinic we visited was in Cite Soleil, one of the worst slum areas of Port au Prince and the former (we hope) stronghold of some of the worst gangs. Luckily Karen Bultje is familiar with Cite Soleil and drove us to the clinic. The clinic wasn't where it was supposed to be - we got to the hospital and no one knew where we should go. We ran into a Haitian carpenter Karen knew and he told us to try the wharf. We drove around a while, asked pedesterians for help, and finally found a compound surrounded by bare concrete block walls topped with razor wire. There were no signs but inside the partially open gate we saw lots of people. It was the clinic! We are still thanking God for guiding us that day and covering us with his protection.
About a hundred people were waiting outside an inner gate, clutching tickets which they had obtained locally the previous week. There were people bent over in pain, people limping on bent or broken bones, people with huge tumors, emaciated, sick, desperate people. It was heartbreaking to see them but heartening to know they would get help. Most impressive was the respect, gentleness and kindness shown to these suffering people by the Navy personnel. We didn't see any Navy people who were not actively working to guide and comfort confused, frightened patients. What a blessing!
Lovensky saw an opthamologist from the USNS Comfort. His right eye is too badly scarred to be helped but his left eye is in great shape. Thank you Lord!
Baby Rosetaina doesn't need a feeding tube anymore. She is doing as well as can be expected for a child with advanced AIDS. We pray she will get treatment that will improve the quality of her life in addition to prolonging it. In the meantime, my main concern is to assure her comfort as best I can. She often looks like she just feels miserable. We can get her to laugh sometimes, though. Pray for her comfort, please!
Madeline is another new child. We were told she is 2 yrs old but think she is more than 3, possibly even 4. She only weighs 14 lbs. and is pitiful to look at. She is lovely, though, with the longest eyelashes! She smiles easily and seems grateful to have enough milk to drink and food to eat. Another Haitian beauty! Praise God for bringing her here!
A mother and uncle brought a two month old baby boy to the gate. Ricardo Joseph weighed less than 5 lbs. and was very dehydrated. His mother said she couldn't breastfeed him anymore, that her milk had dried up. He was in bad shape. I gave him 10cc of half strength formula and gave them money to take him to our best children's hospital where he will be treated for free. Thank you, Lord, for a Christian hospital to treat poor children.
Haitian Senatorial elections will be held tomorrow. We are told to stay home. Private vehicles will not be allowed on the streets. We stocked up on generator fuel and food so we can stay in for a few days if necessary. Please pray for peace in this very young, fragile country.
Blessings to you all, and may the peace of God be upon you.
Dorothy Pearce
Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue
http://dorothypearcehaiti.blogspot.com
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13
Mailing address:
Dorothy Pearce
Agape Flights PAP 15297
100 Airport Ave
Venice, FL 34285
(Contact me before sending packages)
Donations:
Christian Light Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 23881
Jacksonville FL 32241-3881
Memo: For D. Pearce, Haiti
Telephone: 011-509-3529-1962
Saturday, April 11, 2009
They're HOME!
Kathy and Sam came home from Haiti this past Monday and its been so wonderful to have them back. i had started house sitting a few days before they came home, but was around. Actually Tuesday and Wednesday i looked over the business center so that beaver could take off and be at home with mama Kati. finished house sitting on Wednesday.
it was good for me to house sit and to sort of be in charge for a bit while they rested at home. then Thursday mama Kati, Rebbecca and i went on a bike ride and to the beach. transitioning back into life here has been a bit harder on mama Kati this time than normal. she says she went a level deeper into experiencing Haiti. its good and lots of the things she is feeling about transition i can totally relate. i pray i am being an encouragement.
I bought my ticket to come back to Kansas city for 3 weeks from may 23rd-June 15th. if anyone who reads my blog would like me to come and speak about what i am doing with much ministries and Haiti...please feel free to contact me: t-rae07@hotmail.com.
<3 <3 <3
it was good for me to house sit and to sort of be in charge for a bit while they rested at home. then Thursday mama Kati, Rebbecca and i went on a bike ride and to the beach. transitioning back into life here has been a bit harder on mama Kati this time than normal. she says she went a level deeper into experiencing Haiti. its good and lots of the things she is feeling about transition i can totally relate. i pray i am being an encouragement.
I bought my ticket to come back to Kansas city for 3 weeks from may 23rd-June 15th. if anyone who reads my blog would like me to come and speak about what i am doing with much ministries and Haiti...please feel free to contact me: t-rae07@hotmail.com.
<3 <3 <3
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Dorothy's Update, April 4, 2009
Rosetaina is 20 months old and came to us March 20th weighing 10.5 lbs. She had been released earlier that week from a hospital after treatment for malnutrition. Sadly, she has AIDS. She refuses to take food by mouth so we are tube feeding her. She has gained 1 1/2 lb. in the 2 weeks she has lived here. With a CD4 count of 273 (6.6%) and AIDS wasting syndrome, she needs ARV therapy soon. We enrolled her in the AIDS program and will find out their plans on April 30th. Pray for this precious little girl!
Our landlord has appealed the mayor's decision to take part of our house to widen the street. The government will have to compensate her for her land and they are not in a hurry to give money to anyone, so we won't have to move in April. Whew! We are looking for a new house for when this lease expires in October and hope the appeals process will keep the bulldozers away until we have moved. Please pray urgently for us to find a new home and for this house to remain intact until we have moved!
Casey has been a blessing! Our walls are covered with new artwork. Kervens is enjoying school. I really appreciate the help with running errands, hugging kids, teaching manners, covering us all with prayer, and all the other wonderful things Casey does for us. It will be sad to see her leave in June but I'm trying not to think about that yet. Praise God for our wonderful helper, Casey!
Poutchino’s fingers are clubbed from chronic oxygen deprivation. They are getting worse, not better, with TB treatment. An American doctor who examined Poutchino and his test results thinks the coughing is caused by aspiration, not tuberculosis. It is possible he doesn’t have tuberculosis at all (PPD negative, x-ray not characteristic of TB). We need to have a bronchoscope and culture done on him. I am trying to find a doctor who can do it. This is an urgent need.
Johnny (2 yrs old today) was diagnosed with tuberculosis. It must be treated before he can receive AIDS medicines.
The hospital also decided to treat Lovensky (17 months old) for TB although they aren’t sure he has it. He, too, cannot be treated for AIDS until he finishes TB treatment. TB treatment is a minimum of 6 months.
Johnny (CD4 15.6%) and Lovensky (CD4 25.7%) are both are so sick with AIDS that they qualify for AIDS medicines now. Please pray that they will survive six months of TB treatment.
We have some big needs right now:
Funds to rent a new house, funds to move
Funds to pay staff. They received only partial pay for March
Poutchino needs a bronchoscope and culture. I am investigating prices.
5 ml slip tip syringes - 1 case
60 ml luer-lok syringes - 1 case
30 mg phenobarbitol tablets - a large supply (Poutchino takes 1/day)
zythromicin for prophylaxis for the kids with AIDS
Blessings, and thank you for your prayers and support!
Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue
http://dorothypearcehaiti.blogspot.com
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13
Mailing address:
Dorothy Pearce
Agape Flights PAP 15297
100 Airport Ave
Venice, FL 34285
(Contact me before sending packages)
Donations:
Christian Light Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 23881
Jacksonville FL 32241-3881
Memo: For D. Pearce, Haiti
Telephone: 011-509-3529-1962
Our landlord has appealed the mayor's decision to take part of our house to widen the street. The government will have to compensate her for her land and they are not in a hurry to give money to anyone, so we won't have to move in April. Whew! We are looking for a new house for when this lease expires in October and hope the appeals process will keep the bulldozers away until we have moved. Please pray urgently for us to find a new home and for this house to remain intact until we have moved!
Casey has been a blessing! Our walls are covered with new artwork. Kervens is enjoying school. I really appreciate the help with running errands, hugging kids, teaching manners, covering us all with prayer, and all the other wonderful things Casey does for us. It will be sad to see her leave in June but I'm trying not to think about that yet. Praise God for our wonderful helper, Casey!
Poutchino’s fingers are clubbed from chronic oxygen deprivation. They are getting worse, not better, with TB treatment. An American doctor who examined Poutchino and his test results thinks the coughing is caused by aspiration, not tuberculosis. It is possible he doesn’t have tuberculosis at all (PPD negative, x-ray not characteristic of TB). We need to have a bronchoscope and culture done on him. I am trying to find a doctor who can do it. This is an urgent need.
Johnny (2 yrs old today) was diagnosed with tuberculosis. It must be treated before he can receive AIDS medicines.
The hospital also decided to treat Lovensky (17 months old) for TB although they aren’t sure he has it. He, too, cannot be treated for AIDS until he finishes TB treatment. TB treatment is a minimum of 6 months.
Johnny (CD4 15.6%) and Lovensky (CD4 25.7%) are both are so sick with AIDS that they qualify for AIDS medicines now. Please pray that they will survive six months of TB treatment.
We have some big needs right now:
Funds to rent a new house, funds to move
Funds to pay staff. They received only partial pay for March
Poutchino needs a bronchoscope and culture. I am investigating prices.
5 ml slip tip syringes - 1 case
60 ml luer-lok syringes - 1 case
30 mg phenobarbitol tablets - a large supply (Poutchino takes 1/day)
zythromicin for prophylaxis for the kids with AIDS
Blessings, and thank you for your prayers and support!
Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue
http://dorothypearcehaiti.blogspot.com
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13
Mailing address:
Dorothy Pearce
Agape Flights PAP 15297
100 Airport Ave
Venice, FL 34285
(Contact me before sending packages)
Donations:
Christian Light Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 23881
Jacksonville FL 32241-3881
Memo: For D. Pearce, Haiti
Telephone: 011-509-3529-1962
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
from GA to TX
So this last weekend and this week have been kind of crazy around here as we have had 2 cars stolen from the market place. (to my parents...neither were mine.) the police found the first one abandoned on Sunday morning. then sad to say but one of the gentlemen we were helping get back on his feet...Sunday night fixed a car that was being worked on and took it in the night. today we received word that they found him in Texas. all that to say we had a car go from GA to TX...but God is good and He will work it out.
i just wanted to give that little update as prayer is always a good thing for ministries such as this one. the market place, much ministries is trying to do life differently than the world says to do it and although i know the enemy trembles...there is still a spiritual war waging on. pray for beaver and Kathy, for all the staff here at much ministries and for funds to cover all the wonderful things that are being done here.
from Haiti to the south to Waynesville this ministry is trying to live a life of authenticity and grace. its holistic and challenging, but it is good. the holy spirit is working and moving and i am so honored to be a part of it.
some days i am overwhelmed by what it will take from me to do a much ministries/market place Kansas city, but the majority of the time i am just really joyful when thinking about the possibilities and plans the Lord has for it all. most girls my age (27) say 'oh my 30's coming and i am not excited'...but the wonderful thing is that i am. i am so elated for where the Lord will have me then...the wisdom and love for my Savior will surely only increase...and that is something to be pleasantly awaiting!
hope that's a nice quick update. blessings to you all...as again i wouldn't be able to do this without your support and prayers.
i just wanted to give that little update as prayer is always a good thing for ministries such as this one. the market place, much ministries is trying to do life differently than the world says to do it and although i know the enemy trembles...there is still a spiritual war waging on. pray for beaver and Kathy, for all the staff here at much ministries and for funds to cover all the wonderful things that are being done here.
from Haiti to the south to Waynesville this ministry is trying to live a life of authenticity and grace. its holistic and challenging, but it is good. the holy spirit is working and moving and i am so honored to be a part of it.
some days i am overwhelmed by what it will take from me to do a much ministries/market place Kansas city, but the majority of the time i am just really joyful when thinking about the possibilities and plans the Lord has for it all. most girls my age (27) say 'oh my 30's coming and i am not excited'...but the wonderful thing is that i am. i am so elated for where the Lord will have me then...the wisdom and love for my Savior will surely only increase...and that is something to be pleasantly awaiting!
hope that's a nice quick update. blessings to you all...as again i wouldn't be able to do this without your support and prayers.
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