Posting Clarification

In keeping with our desire for transparency, we want to clarify some information about the position we posted yesterday.

We realized today that some misunderstanding had arisen.  Mainly, several concerns came to us regarding the added expense of  “hiring” a teacher for the twins' schooling.

This is a VOLUNTEER position! 
It also requires relocation to HAITI.

While we are excitedly looking forward to their graduation, after years of hard work through many learning issues…the completion of Em & Liv’s education is not an additional expense for us! We have set aside a relatively small amount that should cover the duration of their education on the field.

The local missionary schools, which cannot meet our girls’ learning needs, run approximately $8000 per child per year. For our girls - $16,000 total.

Wanting to be good stewards and use resources that we already have on hand: curriculum, airline miles, housing & food - the cost for their teacher is no more than $500 for the year.

Attending MTI helped us realize some of our girls’ personal needs, and introduced us to many amazing, godly young women that were excited about missions. Through both this solution arose!

We anticipate the position to be a unique opportunity for a young woman who is seeking to use her skills in the ministry of teaching.

It will also afford the girls a little more freedom and security as they adjust and enable us to have time for our own language study and a smooth acclimation to our ministry responsibilities.

Please join us in prayer as we navigate the applications coming in and seek God’s wisdom as to the right match for Em & Liv’s needs.

Details about the position are available  here>.

If you or anyone you know is interested please have them contact us directly.

email: ted@worldorphans.org or tenmilliontoes@gmail.com
 phone: 972-546-8599

 

Together for Adoption video...

A year ago we attended and helped staff the World Orphans display at the Together for Adoption conference in Austin. This year with our move drawing near, and the conference being in Arizona, we weren't able to attend. However, we are thrilled to share this fantastic video that Dan Cruver presented, of our work through the OVC program in Haiti.

Gain a better understanding of the ministry and the churches that we are working with and the hope that God is bringing to orphans and their new families since the earthquake. 

Maternity Care in Haiti

Part of holistic orphan care in a place like Haiti is being able to provide access to maternity care and parenting support. No small feat to find... good care during pregnancy, delivery and early bonding periods can help prevent children from being orphaned or abandoned.

As a maternity RN, mom, sister, daughter & friend I have a passion for women everywhere to have access to such care. In Port au Prince, there is an organization called Heartline Ministries that is working to do just that.

Read a recent post by Tara Livesay sharing the urgency of providing Maternity care for the women of Haiti, here>

"Can you imagine taking your very pregnant sister, friend, or wife to a hospital only to be turned away, verbally abused, and/or neglected?

Can you imagine being in a hospital room with dozens of other laboring women and only two nurses to work the entire room?

Can you imagine a hospital without consistent electricity, basic supplies or equipment?


Until I was exposed to the harsh reality of what the statistics looked like in the flesh, none of the things I had heard about maternal health moved or affected me... continue 

Whether you are part of our ministry with World Orphans, would like to hear more about the needs of women in Haiti, or just want to understand my passion for future ministry as you follow along, I encourage you to read on!

Let's all keep our eyes open and educate ourselves on the needs of others around the world. In time it WILL make a difference that we know, and keep us ready for the many service opportunities that God bring into our lives. 

 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the  least of these... sisters of mine, you did for me.’

(Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40 niv)

Blessings, Rebecca

No longer "homeless"!

I think that all of us would agree that selling our family home & moving out in May was one of the big challenges of our journey to Haiti. God was faithful in gently sliding us into this stage of "homeless-ness" by providing the RN position with a small apartment for 3 months over the summer in FL. Since late July though, we have been on the road - living in the homes of generous family and friends, or at MTI living in community with over 40 other adults plus kids. While the fellowship has been a huge blessing, living out of our suitcases & car has gotten old. 

Yesterday as we began our goodbyes from dear new friends and co-laborers in Christ, and our 3 week "home" together in CO, a very exciting email slid into the inbox. The completed rental contract on our new house in Haiti!! We are so blessed by God's provision of a place that is fairly close to the guest house, and that is just having it's construction completed.

Here is a sneek peek:

With at least another month of travel before we arrive in Port au Prince, it is a relief to know that God has already prepared a place for us...there! 

Side note for those of you that are planning to visit - there will be plenty of ROOM!! In His miraculous provision of this house, we have more than we could imagine. While we may have a renter for one room, there are 4 spacious bedrooms & 3 baths...so, LOTS of space for company.

We also learned at MTI that it is good NOT to visit home for the first year to 18 months as you settle in, but that it IS good to have others visit US!

So, who wants to be our first guest??

Change of plans!

I am sitting here this evening at the end of another successful and eventful trip to Haiti. But this trip wasn't supposed to happen, at least not with me included. Our family was half way through our month long road trip and visiting a good friend in Washington DC when the phone rang. The World Orphans team leader for the next trip to Haiti could not go because his first baby was going to be born early and at any minute! The team that he was leading was in the greater DC area and would be flying out the next day. Would I be able to make the flight and lead the team? Less than 24 hours later I was on a flight out of Dulles while Rebecca, Tynan, and the twins were continuing the drive to Texas. Whew!

Of course God's plans are perfect! There are so many reasons that I should be on this trip. I was able to lead 4 guys from Harvest Church to meet their Haitian church partner and the kids in the OVC program for the first time. They left today, their heads full of ideas about how their church can make a difference in the lives of these precious children! I was able to visit with Pastor Gaston and see him in better health than the last time I saw him, his face beaming with love and pride as he watched the team play with "his" kids. I was able to visit a family that I last saw in May. The first time I met them, "Falon", a 12 year old girl met us at the door of a flimsy tent next to a small metal shed used as a kitchen. This week I was invited into their new cinder block house; one with a foundation, metal roof, and electricity. Simple but elegant and strong. My heart was glad as I thanked God that another organization came to Haiti to provide them this wonderful home. 

There are many other blessings from this trip too. I have been able to help with a medical situation with one of our local staff. I have been able to shop for a car and look at houses while I am here. Many other things as well. Of course I miss my family and would have loved to been with them while they stayed with family in Chickamaug, Georgia, visited a dear supporter in Atlanta, stayed with good friends and enjoyed fabulous hospitality in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I just found out that they have made it safely back to Texas tonight. I will fly to meet them in Dallas in a couple of days.

As a good friend recently told me, these events are "milestones" along the path. A way for God to confirm to us that we are heading in the right direction. God always "knows the paths He has for us", and will "set our paths straight" when we trust Him!