The Choosing of the Seven

Good evening from PAP!   Janese shared a verse with us this morning that was powerful and a nice way to start our day....Acts 6: 1-6 - The Choosing of the Seven.  As we all looked around the breakfast table chatting, we were reminded that we are all here to serve and within each of us is our own gift we bring to Haiti that God has graciously given.  We want others who have never been on a mission or to Haiti to be encouraged and reminded that we don't have to specialize in something like medicine, teaching, etc., but that we each harvest our own special and unique qualities that are needed here.  As we looked around the table at the 7 of us, it was evident that we were there for a very purposeful reason that God has planned.

We made it to the church/children's home this morning with an incredibly flexible and unbinding plan of action for our day. Janese and Erika worked on finalizing their teacher training and performed day one of three of the curriculum training.  Rick & Micah evaluated a variety of needed construction projects to assess cost feasibility and which could be accomplished on our trip.  The rest of us gathered up shovels and buckets and hauled away rubble and rock from the church's grounds where they will eventually pour concrete.  It was amazing to see the help that assembled after we gathered up our tools and started working.  Moise said it had been a struggle to get volunteers to help him move the rock, but when they all saw us dive in, 7 people turned into at least 12!  God is good!

After lunch, the guys went on their trek to get supplies that we'd put on the list.  Janese and Erika worked with the teachers for about and hour while Kelsey, Tami and myself went to go meet the children and play with them!  OVERWHELMING JOY!  These children were SO excited to see us!  They flocked to us and were so excited to hug on us and hold our hands! We got the bubbles out and kicked the balls around for awhile.  We had a few of the children sit on our laps for about an hour just wanting me to hold them, rock them, and love on them. The love these children have in their hearts is indescribable. It's amazing what quality time and attention can do for our hearts and theirs. It was an amazing first day of discovery, increased awareness, and the challenges and blessing we will have the privilege of experiencing this week!

Psalm 119:35 "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."

Good night and God Bless!
Ashley