friends, graduation, and hard good-bye's

Grace Community high school team in Chambrun

I'm pretty sure I've said it over and over but I really love having friends come to visit and serve here at NVM.  This past week was a visit I had literally been counting down the days for.  Before moving to Haiti I volunteered at my church with the senior high students.  Serving at Grace is still something I miss, so having them here on campus was really good for my heart!  The team arrived in Haiti fully ready to jump right in and serve and love on each person they met.  They were truly the hands and feet of Christ and I loved watching as they processed and experienced each day here.  They started the day early with helping to run an English Camp on campus and would spend the afternoons sanding and painting in the hospital or new children's homes.  I thought they would be too tired to visit Chambrun in the afternoons, but they were unstoppable and would spend the late afternoon playing soccer, painting nails, and chasing around all the kiddos.  These high school students aren't just along for the ride and won't be the type that simply settle for the "American dream"---they are already changing the world and I can't imagine just what all God has in store for them in the years to come.   

Kindergarten graduating class!

Last Saturday was a HUGE day to celebrate on campus!!  Pastor said there are three reasons Haitians really go all out and celebrate (some parents even sell land, animals, etc in order to purchase the needed items for the event): weddings, funerals, and kindergarten graduation.  On Saturday the church was packed as everyone gathered to watch the graduation of the kindergarten class.  The students recited scripture, sang songs, performed skits, danced, and overall just looked completely adorable as they went through the program.  I loved watching the looks of pride and happiness on different family members faces as their students were recognized. The parents for each child chose to make sacrifices in order for the child to attend school.  They chose to place value on their child's education.  This is the next generation of teachers, doctors, nurses, policemen, and the list goes on and on.  I love that the accomplishment of graduating kindergarten is such a big deal. They are being propelled into the next several years of schooling with excitement and most of all a huge fan base of people that are cheering them on and praying for them.  

Mama Eunide (house mom for the children's home at NVM) with Widley and Martino

Widley and Martino (twins from the children's home at NVM) both graduated from Kindergarten and received an award for placing first and second in the entire class!  The NVM staff spent the evening celebrating at the children's home in Chambrun with a huge cake and lots and lots of coke and then of course some more music and dancing.  We went around the room and everyone said what they loved about Widley and Martino.  It was amazing to hear stories about how shy and quiet they were when they first came to the children's home a few years ago and to now see how God is shaping their lives.  I love watching as Mama Eunide cares for each of the children in the home.  She doesn't simply just "watch" them because it is her job, but rather she loves them like they are her own.  

They consumed plenty of sugar!  

Natacha and some of the food she prepared.

After graduation I was invited to my first Kindergarten graduation party!!  For weeks before the party I watched as Natacha prepared her home and heard all sorts of talk about what food she would prepare. She rearranged the table, chairs, and dish stand several times and by Saturday it was all spotless and beautiful.  We were fed some amazing food, along with bottles of coke, and of course there was music and dancing.  After we finished our meal at Natacha's, we were rushed off to another graduation party where we were again fed more delicious food.  The women in Chambrun are amazing cooks and I left the village beyond full!  The village was alive with excitement as everyone went from home to house and celebrated.  I felt completely honored to be invited to celebrate along with our friends and to be a part of this big day for their children.  

Aubree, E'tienne and I

I have been blessed to serve here in Haiti with Aubree and E'tienne.  We laugh because we live, work, eat, serve, and basically all breathe together.  There aren't too many moments that you won't find two out of the three of us together--and usually you will find all three of us together.  God truly blessed me with friends to process and grow with as I learn to live and work in Haiti.  Monday was a really hard day because Monday started the next phase for E'tienne.  As I watched her process and say countless goodbye's I was thankful that God has called me to be here longer.  I know that God has a plan for my friend and that no matter where she is He will use her to accomplish great things.  Campus really isn't the same without her here and we are already counting down the days until she comes back for a visit!

The last few weeks have been busy, but at the same time really good.  God is moving here and He is changing the lives of both the Haitians and volunteers that come to serve with NVM.  I feel blessed to have been called to live and serve here in Haiti.

"We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do.  God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work.  "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)."

~Oswald Chambers

Around 10 months ago I left for Haiti on what I thought was going to be a year long journey of stepping out in my faith to serve where God was calling me.  Little did I know that this "journey" was just the start of something so much more.  In the beginning I struggled with leaving behind everything "normal" and the reality of having so very many new things to learn.  Adjusting to life in a new country while learning a new language and having everything that was the "comfort of home" removed was quite interesting.  Once I got over the hump of being overwhelmed at the reality of my new life I found that each and every day I started to fall more and more in love with life here.  The things I missed from home started to dwindle (ok, everything but family and friends..that part is still difficult) and instead I realized that I actually couldn't imagine life away from Haiti.

Life here is hard and yet it has so much purpose.  Most days are emotionally overwhelming when I list out the facts of each situation in my head and yet when I step back and let God take over and truly place my trust in Him I am amazed at just how possible each and everything is.  I love that God has put me in a position to meet countless women who are pregnant and others who have a line of children already.  I love that I have the ability to tease and rub on the pregnant tummies and that I get to see that mother month after month in the IDP (internally displaced persons) camp.  After she has had that little baby she comes searching for me, at the next camp, to show him or her off and to also let me know if my prediction of a boy or girl was right.  I feel blessed that God has given me the boldness to look a mother in the eye and say that I know this pregnancy wasn't planned, but that God has a plan for this child, this child is a gift, He will provide, and that I will pray for her and her family.

My favorite moment of each day is when I walk into the village and hear the children yelling my name while they race to see who gets the first hugs and kisses.  My little friends have a way of making me feel like I am the most cherished and special person they have ever met and it melts my heart each and every time.  The women greet me with kisses and are always quick to pull out a stool or chair so I can sit and visit at their homes while the children jump on and off my lap.  I cherish each afternoon I have in the village simply "being" with my friends.  Most importantly, I feel blessed because God has given me a heart for each person He has placed in my path.

For all these stories and so many more I've decided after much prayer that my time in Haiti won't be up in September as originally planned.  I have committed to serving here with Nehemiah Vision Ministries for another year (ending September 2013) or until I am called to serve elsewhere.  As overwhelmed as I am with the reality of living in Haiti longer, I am completely confident that this is where God has called me for now.  In order for me to live and serve here I need your support through prayer and financial assistance.  Below are specific areas where you can help.

*Prayer:  I truly believe God has called me to serve here and that the prayers from you are what not only keep me safe and encouraged but are also making a huge impact on the people I serve.  Please pray for wisdom that through each situation I will step back and allow God's plan to reign.

*Financial support:  I need your financial support in order to live and serve here.
-One-time gift.  Please write all checks to: Nehemiah Vision Ministries (tax deductible).  In the memo line write Intern 3 (my name can NOT be anywhere on the check) and mail to: Debra Smalley 7014 W. Yant St, Silver Lake, IN.  46982.  To make a one time gift online, please read below (monthly support) and follow the directions but instead of selecting monthly you will have the option of selecting one time gift.

*Monthly support:  I am committed to serving here with NVM for the next year, but also know that I will remain wherever God calls me until he redirects my path.  If you are interested in supporting me financially on a monthly basis please go to the following website http://www.nehemiahvisionministries.org/donationtype.aspx?t=missionaries and follow the steps.  Or you can go to http://www.nehemiahvisionministries.org and click (top left of screen) "donate now" and then select "missionary support" from here you will be able to select my name and fill in the remainder of the information.  If you have any questions please let me know.

*How to stay involved:
-Stories and pictures: Through my blog brookesmalley.blogspot.com or Facebook (Brooke Smalley).
-I am also planning to send a newsletter with updates every 3-4 months to keep those of you who aren't able to follow the blog up to date and involved in the work that God is doing through your prayer and financial support.
-In order to personally remain spiritually and emotionally fueled I plan to come home to Indiana every 3 months for a short break.  Serving here is hard on different levels and I feel that taking time to step back and be refueled myself will hopefully help me be better able to serve in the long run..and I have some amazing family and friends that I miss like crazy!  This all being said, I will have time to come and speak with your small group, church, women's group etc. if you are interested.  Please contact me at (brookes_00@yahoo.com) for more information.

I cannot thank you enough for joining me on this journey.  Your support through prayer and finances is what makes it possible for me to serve.  I love that God is using you to further His kingdom here in Haiti!