{Friday Favorites} - May 4

Well...It's been a while since I've updated you! So here they are...

1. Working with the Nations: One of the coolest things we do here, is have mission groups from other countries come and work in Haiti. We just spent two weeks from a group from the Czech...they worked so hard and were great to work with...but boy can they eat :) 

2. One night last week, we got together with the staff of OLTCH and had a night out to eat...after some of the staff wanted to play games...some of us didn't, SO...Brett baked us some wonderful Blueberry Muffins!!

3. Maxo's Family: I write about them often, but seriously, I love them. Could these kids be any cuter. 

4. Crafting: I love to craft. When I was home, I was able to buy some canvas's and paints. I made some cool new signs, in effort to make our room a little bit more homey, not that we are getting married. I loved how they turned out... (Don't give me credit, I totally got these ideas from Pinterest). I loved using the wood frames and buying chicken wire to put behind them...I also have been crocheting every night...my new thing is wash clothes. 

5. Maxo's School: I am seriously in love with these children...who wouldn't be!! They are so precious. We had a great day yesterday, just playing with the children and loving on them...

Her name is Ashlee too!!

6. Bethany - Bethany has been serving along side me for two months. It has been so much fun to watch her grow in her weaknesses, to be challenged and to totally embrace the people of Haiti. She has loved on the least of these!! She leaves tomorrow and I will be so sad to see her go. This picture is with her and Madam Christian, last week, with Sally's help they descavied that orphanage!! 

Well..we are off to the beach!! Have a great day!

Day 14 & 15 - {25 Days of Christmas} - Laura & Rodner

I apologize for not posting yesterday. It seems as if time got away from me. I know I have wrote about her on my blog many times, but that goes to show how important of a friend Laura has been to me here in Haiti. We do Bible study together, share the good and the bad days. Laura thank you for being a great friend, for supporting me, for praying for me and for all of the fun times we have had.

I know this picture is small and dark, but today I took Rodner to the Eye Doctor. Over the last couple of months Rodner has had cataracts removed from both of his eyes. He has been so brave through all of this! He told the doctor today that he could see much better. Hopefully, he can get a prescription next month and then see in the classroom as well!! We are so excited for Rodner. Thank you Dr. Ryan Price for helping us!!! 





Hope you have a great day!!!

Day 3 - {25 Days of Christmas} - Crafting

I spent the day, having a catch up day. It started out with a load or two of laundry. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate laundry, especially now that I do it by hand! Then I cleaned the house, lit some Christmas candles, turned on the cheesy Christmas movies (I love these), and got to work on the computer. It was a blessed morning.

I finished early and decided to do some crafting... I found this great pattern for a hat and it only took an hour to make. I'm excited to wear it at Christmas, when I'm in Minnesota. I also took an old wine bottle and wrapped it in twine...now to find some Christmas flowers to put in it.

I also stopped by the orphanage today...What a surprise, the were all dressed in their Christmas bests to take a picture...here's the youngest, Elijah...Laura had him dressed perfectly!!!








Have a great night and Merry Christmas from the kids at OLTCH.

Day 1–{25 Days of Christmas}– The children of Haiti

Well it’s back…from last year anyways…the 25 Days of Christmas. Hopefully this will help give you a better understanding of how I spend my time in Haiti. Although, I won’t have any groups so it won’t be a completely fair observation.

One of my favorite things to do when I am having a rough day or have been super busy, is to escape to OLTCH an orphanage we partner with. It is an escape to hold a baby, play ball with the boys, or sing and braid hair with the girls! Today I got to play and hold these too precious boys…Amasiah and Elijah. The are staying in Laura and Ayla’s room. Both are so precious.





Here is a little video for you from the girls of OLTCH!!!! Merry Christmas!!!

Joy to the World

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to start by wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for this year. I am so thankful for you, your prayers, and your support. Your prayers help me get from day to day. I am so thankful for what God has given me and the journey He has me on. What a blessing to follow a Savior that not only has redeemed me, but allows me and wants me to be part of HIS work.


I am thankful for my family. They have given me unconditional love.  One of their greatest gifts this year was letting me go and supported me with my move, and giving me their blessing to do what God has called me to.

I am thankful for what God is doing in Haiti through our organization and through our partners.

I am also so thankful for my friends, who have "went" on this journey with me, who continue to write, call and skype and help me stay "connected" and still part of their lives. 

This month has been filled with training teachers, vision trips for groups and preparing for the busy group season ahead. Last week we had a group of pastors from Minnesota and we were able to do a olypmic day for the kids at the orphanage and also build some school benches for Maxo's school. It was so fun to see the kids playing, competeting and just having fun! The orphanage also welcomed a new little one into the world last week. Baby Elijah. He literaly came so fast, He was born on the rocks. 



We even got to have thanksgiving here in Haiti last week, on the 18th. What a blessing to get to celebrate the holiday with others. 

Please pray this month for...

1. Continued strength
2. That my language skills would continue to develop. 
3. That I would continue to have time to invest with the teachers. 
4. For our plans to start Community Health Evangelism (CHE) with Haiti Health Ministries in the Reserve Area and possibly Maxo's school. 
5. For our partners that God would continue to work in their ministries. 

Thank you again for your support and love. I pray you have a Happy Thanksgiving with your families and that you enjoy this holiday season. 

Ashlee

{Friday Favorites}–November 18

Today is a holiday here in Haiti. On November 18, Haiti won their independence. Today we celebrate. Since, there is no school and no governmental offices open, we are celebrating; only as expats we are celebrating Thanksgiving. On this holiday, here are a few of my favorite things happening…


1. OLTCH Field Day: Jasmine, Laura and Ayla did a great job planning this day for the kids. I was blessed, because I was able to bring our group over for the day to help. The kids were able to play “carnival” games and win prizes. At the end their faces were painted. Here is Friztline and Anne or should I saw the Zebra and the Giraffe. I have so many great pictures of this day. Please go to my facebook page and check them out.



2. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: Thank you mom and dad for bringing me a can of pumpkin and chocolate chips so I can make these. They are my favorite Can’t wait to share them at our thanksgiving meal!





3. Christmas Tree: I know. I know…It’s not even thanksgiving. However, I was shopping at Mega Mart and they had a Christmas Tree. I had to buy it. It’s starting to feel like the holiday’s hear in Haiti!










4. Elijah: A new baby…a new life, full of hope. This precious one was born at the orphanage on Sunday. Our prayer for him is that he will be a servant of God.







5. Scarves: In preparation for my visit home at Christmas, I decided I needed a scarf with me when I arrive at the airport so I don’t freeze. They aren’t easy to buy here, so I made one. It is an infinity scarf, mustard yellow, and I love it…I wish it was a little thinker, but I ran out of yard…what can you do!!









Have a great Friday

{Friday Favorites} - October 14

1. Laura  Is a dear friend of mine here in Haiti. She works at OLTCH an orphanage we partner with. She and I have become close friends...We have already had some very funny moments. I am so thankful for her and that we can walk through this part of our lives together. It is great having someone that understands what you are walking through who is also walking through it at the same time! Laura, thanks for becoming a great friend.

2. Teaching Teachers....One of the main reasons I felt called to Haiti was to start developing and discipling teachers. Up to this point I haven't had much opportunity to do so...school wasn't in session and I have been busy working with groups. This week we had our first session. It went great and totally reaffirmed what I felt God was calling me to do. I went back to the school the next and witnessed on of the teachers using some of the techniques we talked about: Bubble Mapping!

 3. Paper Lanterns: For those of you that have been over to my Florida house for a dinner time meal, you may have noticed one of my favorite decorating accents...Paper Lanterns. Two weeks my stuff out of that house and I could just not let them go into storage...so I brought them to Haiti. They add a nice element to my home here and make it feel a bit softer...My home here is starting to feel homier. I just need to paint my TV stand and get an coffee table...One thing at a time though.

 4. Crafting: Ok, I'm not gonna lie. I have a slight addiction to pinterest.com and this is one of the projects I saw. It didn't come out quite the same (I don't have chicken wire here, so I improvised with twine). Also I have tacky white hooks, but give me a little break, I live in Haiti. Thank you Jacque and Kelsey for providing me with the frames! I really want to add some flowers, so I am going to crochet some small ones, but if you are coming to Haiti, I would love some scrap fabric.

5. Homemade Granola: Thank you to the Mann family, who I stayed with in April, for sharing this recipe. I have made it for my family and they loved it. However, I thought once I got to Haiti I wouldn't be able to make it. After all, what are the odds of finding Graham Crackers and Wheat Flour here. But, I found some yesterday at a store in Petionville! I was elated and made a fresh batch this morning. All that is missing is the chocolate chips (which I found and added after)...For those interested, here is a simple recipe!!

Granola

10 Cups old fashioned oats (Don't use quick oats)
4 Cups wheat flour
2 Cups brown sugar
1 cup coconut
3 cups graham crackers (14 whole crackers)
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup maple syrup (I add a little more - I like my granola clumpy)
1 bag chocolate chips.

Mix everything except choc. chips. Bake in oven at 375 degrees until nice and brown, stiffing often (every 15 minutes) for 30 -45 minutes. Put choc. chips in after baking but while still moderately warm, depending one how mixed in you like the chocolate (Not you could also substitute in dried fruit if you want a healthy version, but I love the chocolate).

Use a large turkey roaster or throw away tin pan..If you make a half batch it fits nicely in a 13x9 pan. When it looks golden brown, it is done!


Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

{Friday Favorites} - October 7

1. Our group this week is from Calvary Church, MO...They have been so wonderful; working in extreme conditions, never complaining and always have a great time. This week they provided two new homes for two families that were so gracious. Both of these families have children that are living at OLTCH. What a blessing and privilege it is to provide shelter for those in need...We praise the Lord that He choose to use us.

2. Laura - I am so thankful for this girl. She lives at OLTCH and teaches English to the children. She has become a great friend. Last weekend we spent the weekend together. We went to the beach, watched movies, almost ran over animals, and had a lot of laughter. Thank you Laura for coming to serve, it is a honor to serve along side you!

3. Bible Study - I have missed this so much! Studying Gods word with other Women. Last week Laura and I started a Beth Moore Study. I am so thankful to have this resource here in Haiti and to have someone to study God's word with!







Off to the beach with the group!! Have a great weekend!!

Doctors Without Borders

One of our partners here in Haiti, is Operation Love the Children of Haiti (OLTCH). Jasmine and Gregg run a wonderful orphanage and have an amazing story. You can read it here. One of the little boys, Franski has club feet, TB, and many other health concerns. He has been at Doctors Without Borders for a couple of months. On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to go visit him. He is doing so much better. Here are some pictures.

While we were at Doctors without Borders, we stumbled upon the Neonatal room. There was a women that had just had triplets!! She let us take pictures of her babies!!