Our First Haitian Wedding

Ron and Vanessa Watson are a godly young couple that we just adore!

Ron is the World Orphans OVC program Director and Vanessa serves as one of our interpreters for short term teams that visit. It has been a joy to watch their relationship develop and mature over the past year, and to be present for their special day.

The couple wanted to symbolize their support of the merging of cultures through their wedding ceremony, and both Emma and Natalie, along with another American friend, Jenny were among the bridesmaids for Vanessa. Ron's American friend, TJ, stood up as best man. 

All of us learned a great deal about Haitian wedding traditions, and the girls experienced it first-hand.

Here a few highlights of the beautiful event:

We all enjoyed a fancy night out together celebrating the newlyweds. Ted was videographer for the event, so watch for the video posting soon. SPOILER: the couple's musical talents are impressive!         

"Everything belongs to God"

Today is...thursday. Two days before Ron and Vanessa's wedding. Everyone can feel the excitement building for these two godly young people as they join their lives and hearts in a life of ministry to their people. It is a blessing to watch them use their talents for God.

It has been a difficult month of re-transition here in Haiti for us. Things seem better lately, but we still have a ways to go... I am hoping that we can at least get the place furnished with adequate beds and closets soon. I feel so behind on language acquisition after being gone, so am trying to make that a high priority. It seems like we are going to have too many people living here for the summer, so am also asking for an ounce more of the Lord's guidance and grace.

Devotions for today:

"This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need, but shuts off his compassion from him- how can God's love reside in him? For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another." (1 John 3: 16-17, 11)

Living here is a constant challenge in preventing a desensitized heart. People walk up to us every time we are out and ask for money. They ask because we are "blan" (white). They ask because they are in need and because they believe that we have an endless supply. What they don't understand is that they are very wrong. While many Americans do have money and compassion to hand it all out when they are here on a short trip from the land of plenty; Americans are not the source! A recent team here provided stewardship training, it began with the fact that Everything belongs to God. So it is Him that they should be applying to for unmet physical needs. I have to learn that here as well. I would love to hand out food with every last dime that we have, I would love to be able to help the people get started in a business that keeps them going long term, I would love to come along side and work with those that are trying to rebuild their lives or to get to a point where they can just "breathe".

The fact is, I live here on the provisions of others, more importantly by the provision of God. So I must trust Him to provide as well. It is Him that I must go to when in need. And I must love the people here even when they ask constantly for the resources that we have. I must be patient with them as they grow and mature. I realize that they may not even have that relationship with Him that affords them an understanding of the power of prayer, so I must share His love and salvation with them whenever given the opportunity.

We are ALL human...what would you or I do in their circumstances? While I must give even from my supposed "poverty" (by American standards), I must also remember and trust that it ALL belongs to God and that He will replenish our resources as we are faithful to live a life of love. No man is in true poverty when he walks in & with the Lord.

I must also keep in mind that the resources he gives us are not meant only because He loves us, but also because He loves others through us on a daily basis here...! Lord, thank you for your example of sacrificial love that sets the lifestyle for me. Help me as I walk in your spirit to always remain generous and to be open to your prompting to provide spiritually and physicaly for others each day. Help me to continually and fully rest in your faithful provision for us all in Haiti and abroad. Amen.

There’s No Place Like Home…

…because, well…there is just nowhere on earth quite...like...Haiti!!

We are extremely grateful to be home, after an unexpected two month Sabbatical in the states to help Olivia with some health issues and transition her back to living in the U.S. for the next year or so. We returned to Port Au Prince, disoriented & trying to decide whether we were worn out or refreshed from our time in the states. So much of our life now is a mixture of thoughts, experiences and feelings.

While in the U.S. we did get to spend time with all of our busy kids, including Ana, who flew in and introduced Oliver to the rest of the family - so precious!! We also got to catch up with a few friends, Ted’s family and attend his sister’s very special 50^th Birthday bash! We also reveled in hot showers, In-N-Out Burger, fresh veggies & fruit (especially blueberries!!), smooth roadways & cheap gas (yes CHEAP, Americans, compared to prices here)…this particular list is rather long so I’ll just stop there.

We intentionally took a temporary break from blogging until our return & then had to postpone it a little longer when we arrived to no electricity (during our waking hours) the first two weeks, head/chest colds, fevers, a few bouts of Haitian “happiness” and an expanded family “zoo”.

Fast forward to the present and we are just now feeling back on our feet again. Life has become somewhat familiar & routine once more. We’ve reconnected with friends and ministry partners and are gearing up for interns & our summer schedule. Next week we start up formal Kreyol lessons in hopes to finally gain ground on communicating better with our Haitian friends.

I usually post this on our ministry team page, but I’ve been asked multiple times the past few days what we need prayer over, so I’ll add it here this once.

Praise God with us –

• Our home is back in “working order” – running water & regular electricity are really “awesome”!


• For some great new friends that moved to Haiti recently – Sue Spinney & Jessica Williamson


• We had three small, but fantastic, teams of friends & family here a week after our arrival.


• For the privilege of helping our WO guest house cook take her niece for cleft palate surgery this week with Smile Train. The family was so thankful to God for this opportunity!


• Events this week & God’s provision led us to find a good hospital nearby for medical care, if needed. This was a big relief for the RN in the family! We have new friends there now, too.


• Emma has completed a record 6 subjects in school since January, thanks to Natalie’s help & her own hard work. She is finally becoming an avid learner and really thriving in her lessons.


• We had an excellent time catching up, brainstorming & fellowshipping the past few days with a WO partner team from NorthRidge Church near Detroit, Michigan. It is so exciting to see how God is using them and the local church to strengthen faith, families & communities here.

Seek God with us –

• For continued protection & health in our daily lives & work


• As Tynan and Anna, an intern from our home in Poetry, TX, travel to Haiti this week.


• In lifting up the final preparations for Ron (Haiti program director) & Vanessa’s wedding on Saturday, and for His presence and blessings over their new home, life & ministry together.


• As we daily look to walk in and with Him and for continual guidance in the work He provides.


• Over our first set of interns and a busy summer schedule of partner visitation & follow up.


• While we start to unveil opportunities for sustainability projects & holistic preventative care. Specifically for Rebecca in developing plans for maternity care in each community & Ted as he identifies & develops assets in each family & community towards stability & self-provision.


• As we follow up on the many “free-time” ministries that we’ve been assisting in at Kanes Village, Diakonos Orphanage and our friend Pastor Emmanuel’s church & orphan home in Archaiae.


• For a divine measure of aptitude & memory as we begin active study of Kreyol and try to quickly get up to a functioning level of communication.


• That both the guest house and our home will both continue to be places of ministry respite and refreshment.


• For the WO guest house calendar to fill up now that we are back & provide additional stability to our orphan ministry programs throughout Port Au Prince.

We are absolutely blessed to have such a great team in the U.S. and abroad alongside us in ministry through prayer, finances, physical & emotional support. This past week God seemed to be showing us every single day the wealth of love, resources and sacrifice in His community and the amazing span of His orchestration & provision before we even know what we need!

Here are a few photo highlights of our time in the states w/ Liv: