Posted by Chris Brennemann with Blessing Hearts International for Dee Dorce':
Dee has traveled to the states to bring their three children and her mother Reta back to Iowa. It was just best for their safety and well-being to get them to the states for now.
We sent e-mail updates to everyone on our mailing list, so please send me an e-mail if you want to receive those updates: cbrennemann@hlg.edu
Keep praying and believing.
Following is a narrative written by a college-age mission team member who visited Haiti and worked with Dorce' Ministries and plans to return again this year:
HAITI
Wailing fills the streets for days on end. The stench of death permeates the air, an unnecessary reminder of the tragedy here. Ruins all around. What little they had is now gone. Some have fled the city. But some are so terrified, so traumatized, that they cannot bring themselves to leave the remnants of what they know. So they wait. They stay with their “belongings” and wait for someone to come rescue them. They wait for someone who will not come.
Those cities, those streets used to be filled with noise. Car horns honking as they blaze through on a one-lane road. Music blaring, lively and full. Buying and selling at the market ... the streets were packed.
Although these are an understandably sober people (their lot in life has never been easy) … hints of joy could be found; smiles lighting up simple faces. Shouts of joy, songs of praise, claps of excitement ... But not today. Not since that day. Where once there was shouting, now there is silence. A thick, heavy silence. The people don’t know what to do ... They are lost and scared. They were long forgotten before this disaster.
Now with the earthquake, eyes have turned to the people of Haiti. We have responded as we should, flooding relief organizations and missions with funds and supplies. We have raised up the people of Haiti in prayer at every church service, every small group, every prayer meeting. We even held ceremonies in honor of those impacted by this tragedy.
Now – two weeks after the initial 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Port-au-Prince to its core – it’s easy to forget again. Life in the United States moves on. We continue about our business as usual again – wake up, eat breakfast, get the kids ready for school, go to work, eat lunch, pick up the kids, get home, fix dinner, homework, housework, bedtime ... But may we not forget what we have seen and heard. May we never forget our dear brothers and sisters in Christ living in Haiti. We must not turn away again.
For perhaps ... Perhaps we were saved - we came to Christ - for such a time as this. To bring our brothers and sisters before Him. To pray for revival to overtake this country. This is what it’s all about – being a family, bearing each other’s burdens, praying for the lost and scared and dying.
Haiti waits in quiet unrest, an eerie hush. The silence is deafening ... Can you hear it? Do you care? Will you help?
by Carrie Thompson, HLG Mission Team 2009/2010
© Blessing Hearts International, 2010
Blessing Hearts International
5923 CR 324
Palmyra, MO 63461
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Steadfast, Unmovable
Posted by Chris Brennemann for Dee Dorce' and Blessing Hearts Intl:
Dee was able to e-mail some pictures. They are taken both from their mission compound-turned-tent-city-refugee-camp and from Port-au-Prince. Wilckly and several of their staff have made numerous trips to the capital city to check on friends and churches and orphanages and to urge people to leave the city and seek refuge with them in Carries. So many are hesitant to leave because they are still grieving their loss and they are confused and scared. Pray more people will abandon the city and make their way to the Dorce’s.
We are still rejoicing in the successful return to Haiti of our two young ladies and short-term Dorce' missionaries, Shaina and Chris ("Crash"). Your overwhelmingly generous, quick financial response helped bring much-needed relief to the Dorce’s, and your earnest prayer support carried them through uncertain travel arrangements.
I asked Shaina if I could share excerpts from her latest e-mail update:
"I am still astounded at the events of Thursday and Friday...God definitely wanted us to get here because there were plenty of obstacles to keep us from it. But every time it seemed a door was closed, He opened another, until almost before we knew it, we were on our way across the border into Haiti. We did not see much of the devastation because the roads are all re-routed around Port-au-Prince to keep people away, but we were able to view several smashed buildings on our way to Carries.
At first, except for some leveled buildings and piles of debris, not much seemed different. But as we drove back to Carries, we noticed a silence, a solemness, that is abnormal for this country. There was less traffic on the roads, not the usual honking. blinking lights and loud music playing through each town. Everyone was going about their business as quietly as possible, as if they were fearfully anticipating something...and rightly so. We heard there was another aftershock just the evening before our arrival, so by now the Haitian people think it is never going to stop.
As you may have read in previous e-mails, we are all now camped out at the property in the village because all the people are terrified of sleeping indoors, and they feel much safer when they are near Pastor Kiki and Mdme. Kiki. These people are dazed, confused, scared, and wanting life to go on as normal, but it can't, because everyone has been affected in some way by this tragedy.
It is a lot different to be living in the village...though there are walls and gates, just as at the beach property, there is much less privacy, especially since we aren't allowed to go indoors unless necessary. But I have noticed already that it makes a difference in the way the people treat us. They seem to be more accepting of us since we are sleeping out in the yard with all of them, and living with them. Also, the fact that we came back during the disaster while everyone else is fleeing has had quite an effect on them...the Dorces' driver, Elves, even told Crash: 'Crash came back twice, Shaina came back once...everyone else is leaving. Haiti is bad...why do you want to come back?'" (from Shaina)
So, yes, Dorce' Ministries and Berea Christian Schools are being redefined daily in the wake of this earthquake. The concept of day-to-day survival has taken on even deeper meaning. Life right now is about meeting the most basic of human needs. One thing you can be assured of is that Dorce' Ministries will adapt and find ways to minister to the people and bring them help and hope.
I have spoken with Dee, albeit usually very briefly, and I can attest to the fact that they are weary, but not discouraged ... burdened, but not deterred, heart-heavy, but not disheartened. In so many ways even now, we can see how God has been preparing them and so many around them "for such a time as this." Your responses have been overwhelming, incredibly generous, and no doubt, sacrificial. We ask for your continued support and prayer and patience. Communication is difficult under normal circumstances in Carries and the neighboring villages, which calls for patience and faith and perseverance on our part as well.
Through tears of amazement and praise, Dee asked that I send along their thanks and deep appreciation for all you've done to help the people of Haiti. Dee and Wilckly have been ministering together in Haiti for over 16 years. They've seen embargos and hurricanes, and a sometimes daily parade of desperation, but these are even darker days for the country and the people they love so much. With great devastation and bewilderment comes great opportunity to share Christ. We ask that you pray for revival in this country, that the centuries-old stronghold of Satan might be bound and defeated and that many would come to know the Savior.
Many of you have expressed an interest in adopting orphans, in taking a team to Haiti to help the Dorce's, in shipping materials, and in other creative and generous methods of support. I ask that you remain patient as we assess the situation to see what avenues of ministry and support are possible and the most beneficial.
So what can you do?
PRAY ... for revival in Haiti, for Haitians to be receptive to the Gospel, and that Dee and Wilckly and their staff would remain healthy and focused.
CONTINUE TO TELL THEIR STORY and encourage others to support the Dorce's.
CONTINUE TO GIVE. Now, more than ever, we need consistent support.
STAY TUNED ... for more opportunities to donate, to support, to pray and perhaps even to visit.
Specific prayer needs:
** Continued, consistent support.
** The ability to safely transfer funds to the ministry.
** Safe transportation of relief containers* ... from the states to Haiti, and from the port at St. Marc to the mission.
**Good health and wisdom and perseverance for the Dorce' family and staff.
* We are assessing the situation to determine what materials are most needed. I will update you about donating items to fill the next container as soon as possible.
" ... be steadfast, unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (I Cor. 15:58)
Blessing Hearts International
5923 CR 324
Palmyra, MO 63461
memo: Dorce' disaster relief
Chris Brennemann
573-822-0611
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The work at hand
posted by Chris Brennemann, Blessing Hearts Intl forwarding agent:
An immediate call for help -- With the financial institutions in physical ruin, wiring and transferring money is not an option and may not be for several weeks.
We have two short-term missionaries returning to Dorce' Ministries in Carries, Haiti next Thursday, Jan. 21. Any monetary donations that they can bring with them would be most beneficial.
You can be assured your donations will be hand-delivered to the Dorce's and used entirely for disaster relief under their direction.
We need checks by Tues., Jan. 19 to give them time to clear the bank so they can be cashed.
Blessing Hearts International
5923 CR 324
Palmyra, MO 63461
Thank you and God bless.
An immediate call for help -- With the financial institutions in physical ruin, wiring and transferring money is not an option and may not be for several weeks.
We have two short-term missionaries returning to Dorce' Ministries in Carries, Haiti next Thursday, Jan. 21. Any monetary donations that they can bring with them would be most beneficial.
You can be assured your donations will be hand-delivered to the Dorce's and used entirely for disaster relief under their direction.
We need checks by Tues., Jan. 19 to give them time to clear the bank so they can be cashed.
Blessing Hearts International
5923 CR 324
Palmyra, MO 63461
Thank you and God bless.
WE ARE SAFE !
Posted by Blessing Hearts International on behalf of Dee and Wilckly Dorce'. This is the first e-mail Dee was able to send out on Thursday afternoon.
PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR HIS PROTECTION AND WATCHCARE OVER US. PRAISE GOD FOR COMMUNICATION! FINALLY!
We are all fine at Carries. No injuries and no deaths this far out, just walls that have fallen or cracked. Praise God Marc was not in PAP that day as he many times is. He was with Wilckly and I and we were all at Verette checking on the things for a ladies'seminar (which of course has been postponed). We felt the quake enough and long enough to move out from under the porch where we were sitting. Other people were running. In a few moments we felt it again. We headed back to Carries praying everyone was safe there as we started to hear the horrendous reports being given on the radio. The palace broken in three pieces and the list continued, at the end of every sentence the word broken. Finally, the announcer said in exasperation, "Haiti is completely broken, finished!" Our hearts were heavy and we thought we would never arrive. We were relieved to find all of our people were fine. Of course it was dark and we were still feeling the tremors from time to time. We quickly loaded everyone and headed to Carries. We camped out on the ground on mattresses, straw mats and chunks of old carpet. Many people from the area came to join us to pass the night which we did, singing, praying and thanking God for our safety. People kept coming and coming until I lost count.
It wasn't until morning we were able to walk around Carries and assess the damage there. There were about 10 houses that the walls fell in which didn't take much as they were only made of sticks and mud yet it was all they had. The walls laid bare the ingredients of the homes. A bed, a chair, a table, some dishes and a few clothes hanging in the midst of the rubble. Of course the people were upset but no one was injured or killed and they were truly thankful especially as we continued to receive news of PAP.
The situations we are hearing about are unbelievable. People went to look for their families in PAP. Everyone has somebody in PAP. Many send one of their children to stay with family in PAP in hopes of sending them to school. Those returning were telling stories of walking over the dead to find the dead. They were physically sick everywhere they looked but desperate to find their own people. I know the things you are seeing on CNN are devastating but imagine those in the middle of it, walking through it.
God give us the strength to minister to them. They need our truck to carry their dead from PAP. They need our assistance for those who have been hurt. Some of those who came already I couldn't help them. I had to send them on to the nearest hospital an hour away to get x-rays and medication. It is one thing to be in a situation trying to help those around you. It is another thing to know that no matter what you do and how many you help it will not be enough.
We want you to know we are safe and still receiving news of Wilckly's family in PAP, our schools and churches there. People have already come from the country and mountain churches to see if we are okay. We are and God has reserved us for such a time as this. Pray that we will be capable with His help, His grace and His provision to comfort the grieving, care for the hurting, feed the hungry and that many would come to know Christ through our efforts that are only possible because of you supporters who are behind us. Pray, Pray, and Pray again. Give as you feel it in your heart to give and we will be His hands and His feet to do what we can here. Thank you for praying for us as we knew you would all be concerned at the disturbing news and sights provided to you by CNN. We love you and we thank God for you. Take courage as we faithfully stick to the task.
We will need food and water to share with the people, at this point we don't even know to what extent. We don't know what our role will be or what resources we will have or where they will come from. We will need clothes and shoes to share with those who have lost everything. The food and water situation worries us the most right now as everything has been totally demolished in PAP. One Stop Market where we get groceries was flattened. Everything along, Delmas, the main road we travel in PAP is demolished. Nothing is functioning including phone service obviously. We are praying they will work to restore it soon. We will let you know as soon as we know how you can help.
We will keep you updated.
Serving Him who specializes in the IMPOSSIBLE!
Wilckly and Dee Dorce
PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR HIS PROTECTION AND WATCHCARE OVER US. PRAISE GOD FOR COMMUNICATION! FINALLY!
We are all fine at Carries. No injuries and no deaths this far out, just walls that have fallen or cracked. Praise God Marc was not in PAP that day as he many times is. He was with Wilckly and I and we were all at Verette checking on the things for a ladies'seminar (which of course has been postponed). We felt the quake enough and long enough to move out from under the porch where we were sitting. Other people were running. In a few moments we felt it again. We headed back to Carries praying everyone was safe there as we started to hear the horrendous reports being given on the radio. The palace broken in three pieces and the list continued, at the end of every sentence the word broken. Finally, the announcer said in exasperation, "Haiti is completely broken, finished!" Our hearts were heavy and we thought we would never arrive. We were relieved to find all of our people were fine. Of course it was dark and we were still feeling the tremors from time to time. We quickly loaded everyone and headed to Carries. We camped out on the ground on mattresses, straw mats and chunks of old carpet. Many people from the area came to join us to pass the night which we did, singing, praying and thanking God for our safety. People kept coming and coming until I lost count.
It wasn't until morning we were able to walk around Carries and assess the damage there. There were about 10 houses that the walls fell in which didn't take much as they were only made of sticks and mud yet it was all they had. The walls laid bare the ingredients of the homes. A bed, a chair, a table, some dishes and a few clothes hanging in the midst of the rubble. Of course the people were upset but no one was injured or killed and they were truly thankful especially as we continued to receive news of PAP.
The situations we are hearing about are unbelievable. People went to look for their families in PAP. Everyone has somebody in PAP. Many send one of their children to stay with family in PAP in hopes of sending them to school. Those returning were telling stories of walking over the dead to find the dead. They were physically sick everywhere they looked but desperate to find their own people. I know the things you are seeing on CNN are devastating but imagine those in the middle of it, walking through it.
God give us the strength to minister to them. They need our truck to carry their dead from PAP. They need our assistance for those who have been hurt. Some of those who came already I couldn't help them. I had to send them on to the nearest hospital an hour away to get x-rays and medication. It is one thing to be in a situation trying to help those around you. It is another thing to know that no matter what you do and how many you help it will not be enough.
We want you to know we are safe and still receiving news of Wilckly's family in PAP, our schools and churches there. People have already come from the country and mountain churches to see if we are okay. We are and God has reserved us for such a time as this. Pray that we will be capable with His help, His grace and His provision to comfort the grieving, care for the hurting, feed the hungry and that many would come to know Christ through our efforts that are only possible because of you supporters who are behind us. Pray, Pray, and Pray again. Give as you feel it in your heart to give and we will be His hands and His feet to do what we can here. Thank you for praying for us as we knew you would all be concerned at the disturbing news and sights provided to you by CNN. We love you and we thank God for you. Take courage as we faithfully stick to the task.
We will need food and water to share with the people, at this point we don't even know to what extent. We don't know what our role will be or what resources we will have or where they will come from. We will need clothes and shoes to share with those who have lost everything. The food and water situation worries us the most right now as everything has been totally demolished in PAP. One Stop Market where we get groceries was flattened. Everything along, Delmas, the main road we travel in PAP is demolished. Nothing is functioning including phone service obviously. We are praying they will work to restore it soon. We will let you know as soon as we know how you can help.
We will keep you updated.
Serving Him who specializes in the IMPOSSIBLE!
Wilckly and Dee Dorce
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Happy New Year from Haiti
What an exciting year for us! We started 2009 with Wilckly Josiah in hand. Now he has turned one and needless to say, he is the new Commander in Chief! Shhhh! Don't tell Wilckly. A toddler in Haiti. Now there's a thought. He's a speed crawler and a climber! What a task to keep up with him! He keeps big sisters, Ashley and Kelsey on the move, not to mention Crash, Shaina, grandma Bioude and grandma Reta, mom and dad, all on the move as well.
Looking back to some of the highlights of the year. February brought a reuinon at the home of Dr. Gates in California for many who had been involved getting Lonia to the States, surgeries, and recovery. It was an amazing time for those who had made it happen to finally meet each other. Tammy Wood who had contacted Joe Tebo, the Earth Angel Aviator pilot who was instrumental in getting tickets, airport escorts and expediting Lonia's visa which saved her life, were in attendance. Many from the church family in California were there, not to mention administrators, child life personnel, nurses and doctors from Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento. Everyone enjoyed sharing the story of how they met Lonia or the chance they had to care for her. She turned two in July and is very healthy. She has a sparkle in her eye that we are sure Jesus put there himself. Praise God for this precious little one and the impact she has had and continues to have on many lives.
March found us in Hannibal, Missouri helping the ladies from Hannibal LaGrange College pack their 24 suitcases to the maximum for our return trip to Haiti. We returned with Grandma Reta, Ashley, Kelsey, Josiah, Lonia and myself plus our HLG ladies. It was one amazing reunion as we met Crash in the airport in Port-au-Prince. There are no words to describe it and that's before we got out to the parking lot, loaded up and got a few miles out of town before we had trouble with our vehicle. We spent about the next three hours making a one and a half hour trip to Carries. Being home after all those months was a little short of heaven on earth. There were days I thought that day would never come, but the Lord is faithful.
April and May were spent seeing all the things that Wilckly had been doing in our absence, mainly building walls, walls and more walls around the properties at Carries and the guesthouse. The rest of the time was spent going through things and looking at all the things that Crash had organized. She had really come up with many ideas and forms that have been very beneficial to our ministry. Praise God for her and the blessing she has been to Wilckly and I and our ministry.
June, July and August were back to the grindstone. There's no rest for the weary. I took off with the faithful white van and four kids in tow to tackle camps, VBS, church and Sunday school; anywhere they would give me a listening ear. We shared about the work in Haiti and the vision we have to continue the work He has for us there. We were thrilled to share with supporters, old and new. We thank you for your hospitality. We thank you for your generosity. We thank you for your sincerity and faithfulness to the Lord and to our ministry, without you our mission would be truly impossible.
September found us traveling back to Haiti as a family. Usually Wilckly is in Haiti keeping things afloat. We were thankful when he was able to join us for a month Stateside. Crash was true to her word as she returned to Haiti for a second phase. Shaina Ascone joined us from Macomb, Illinois. She is teaching Ashley and Kelsey, a 10 year old and a four year old. Now that's no task for the weak. She is doing an amazing job and the girls love her, not to mention Josiah.
October was the opening of all five of our schools. We have a new director for our school at Carries and one we are pretty proud of, his name is Petit Homme. It means little man but he packs a big punch. He comes from the church we started at LaSaline in Port-au-Prince, which is still functioning. He and Marc are the main leaders and teachers there. Marc continues to travel by tap tap to Port-au-Prince every other Sunday to help with the preaching and teaching there.
November was a special visit from Denne Duncan from Hannibal LaGrange College. During her visit we made the famous mule ride to Terrible Mountain. Long story short it was a 4 1/2 hour ride in on mules over some of the most treacherous terrain I have ever seen. You are right, it was another 4 1/2 hour ride back out on mules. Do the math! Yes that means NINE hours on the back of a mule! There's good news! There were people back there who have been forgotten by so many others who promised to come. They were so thankful we came that the praise service that was impromptu would have literally gone on for hours if we didn't have to get on those mules and ride back out. No one knew we were staying and there was no cell phone communication back there so we had to head back home. Ten of the women will make the trip to Carries for our first women's seminar that will be held January 15th,16th and 17th, with visiting women from Madison Park Christian Church in Quincy,Illinois that will be presenting our program. Please keep this in your prayers.
December found us frantically typing, editing and printing and typing, editing and printing some more to prepare all of the exams for the school at Carries. Task finally accomplished, we released Crash and Shaina for a couple of weeks to go enjoy the frigid below zero temperatures of the Midwest. It was a joy to celebrate Jesus' birth with our own personal family and the Haitian people knowing that we are serving the Lord right where He wants us to be.
We thank Him for an amazing 2009. We look for another great year in 2010. We pray that many lives will continue to be touched and that souls will be added to the kingdom because of the work that you support here in Haiti. We pray that where ever you are that many souls will be added to the kingdom because you have somehow made an effort to make a difference for Jesus where ever you are.
Love you all and thank you for your faithful prayers and support. Look forward to seeing you here in Haiti soon!
Happy New Year 2010 from Wilckly, Dee, Ashley, Kelsey, and Josiah Dorce' in Haiti!!!
Looking back to some of the highlights of the year. February brought a reuinon at the home of Dr. Gates in California for many who had been involved getting Lonia to the States, surgeries, and recovery. It was an amazing time for those who had made it happen to finally meet each other. Tammy Wood who had contacted Joe Tebo, the Earth Angel Aviator pilot who was instrumental in getting tickets, airport escorts and expediting Lonia's visa which saved her life, were in attendance. Many from the church family in California were there, not to mention administrators, child life personnel, nurses and doctors from Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento. Everyone enjoyed sharing the story of how they met Lonia or the chance they had to care for her. She turned two in July and is very healthy. She has a sparkle in her eye that we are sure Jesus put there himself. Praise God for this precious little one and the impact she has had and continues to have on many lives.
March found us in Hannibal, Missouri helping the ladies from Hannibal LaGrange College pack their 24 suitcases to the maximum for our return trip to Haiti. We returned with Grandma Reta, Ashley, Kelsey, Josiah, Lonia and myself plus our HLG ladies. It was one amazing reunion as we met Crash in the airport in Port-au-Prince. There are no words to describe it and that's before we got out to the parking lot, loaded up and got a few miles out of town before we had trouble with our vehicle. We spent about the next three hours making a one and a half hour trip to Carries. Being home after all those months was a little short of heaven on earth. There were days I thought that day would never come, but the Lord is faithful.
April and May were spent seeing all the things that Wilckly had been doing in our absence, mainly building walls, walls and more walls around the properties at Carries and the guesthouse. The rest of the time was spent going through things and looking at all the things that Crash had organized. She had really come up with many ideas and forms that have been very beneficial to our ministry. Praise God for her and the blessing she has been to Wilckly and I and our ministry.
June, July and August were back to the grindstone. There's no rest for the weary. I took off with the faithful white van and four kids in tow to tackle camps, VBS, church and Sunday school; anywhere they would give me a listening ear. We shared about the work in Haiti and the vision we have to continue the work He has for us there. We were thrilled to share with supporters, old and new. We thank you for your hospitality. We thank you for your generosity. We thank you for your sincerity and faithfulness to the Lord and to our ministry, without you our mission would be truly impossible.
September found us traveling back to Haiti as a family. Usually Wilckly is in Haiti keeping things afloat. We were thankful when he was able to join us for a month Stateside. Crash was true to her word as she returned to Haiti for a second phase. Shaina Ascone joined us from Macomb, Illinois. She is teaching Ashley and Kelsey, a 10 year old and a four year old. Now that's no task for the weak. She is doing an amazing job and the girls love her, not to mention Josiah.
October was the opening of all five of our schools. We have a new director for our school at Carries and one we are pretty proud of, his name is Petit Homme. It means little man but he packs a big punch. He comes from the church we started at LaSaline in Port-au-Prince, which is still functioning. He and Marc are the main leaders and teachers there. Marc continues to travel by tap tap to Port-au-Prince every other Sunday to help with the preaching and teaching there.
November was a special visit from Denne Duncan from Hannibal LaGrange College. During her visit we made the famous mule ride to Terrible Mountain. Long story short it was a 4 1/2 hour ride in on mules over some of the most treacherous terrain I have ever seen. You are right, it was another 4 1/2 hour ride back out on mules. Do the math! Yes that means NINE hours on the back of a mule! There's good news! There were people back there who have been forgotten by so many others who promised to come. They were so thankful we came that the praise service that was impromptu would have literally gone on for hours if we didn't have to get on those mules and ride back out. No one knew we were staying and there was no cell phone communication back there so we had to head back home. Ten of the women will make the trip to Carries for our first women's seminar that will be held January 15th,16th and 17th, with visiting women from Madison Park Christian Church in Quincy,Illinois that will be presenting our program. Please keep this in your prayers.
December found us frantically typing, editing and printing and typing, editing and printing some more to prepare all of the exams for the school at Carries. Task finally accomplished, we released Crash and Shaina for a couple of weeks to go enjoy the frigid below zero temperatures of the Midwest. It was a joy to celebrate Jesus' birth with our own personal family and the Haitian people knowing that we are serving the Lord right where He wants us to be.
We thank Him for an amazing 2009. We look for another great year in 2010. We pray that many lives will continue to be touched and that souls will be added to the kingdom because of the work that you support here in Haiti. We pray that where ever you are that many souls will be added to the kingdom because you have somehow made an effort to make a difference for Jesus where ever you are.
Love you all and thank you for your faithful prayers and support. Look forward to seeing you here in Haiti soon!
Happy New Year 2010 from Wilckly, Dee, Ashley, Kelsey, and Josiah Dorce' in Haiti!!!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tet ansanm chay pa lou!!!!
"Tet ansanm, chay pa lou" is a famous Haitian proverb which is very valuable to insert into Haitian conversation. They are short phrases that really pack a punch! This particular one is one of my favorites. Literally it says," Heads together, load not heavy". Many heads or hands together make the load light.
This week as we prepare for exams it is a perfect example of this put into practice. A few years ago when we started our first school at Carries I ended up typing all the exams in French and Creole, by myself. I didn't get much sleep, my family didn't see me for days, and I think I would have lost my husband if I ever tried to do it that way again. I guess I just want to share with you one of the quirky ways I calculate progress. This year we have a new director at our school, brother Petit Homme. He is an amazing asset to the team here. He is a Haitian, Christian man with morals which is next to impossible to find. He is from our church in Port-au-Prince, at LaSaline. He is solid, intelligent, organized, a good leader and guess what? He TYPES WELL! Yippee!
Okay, we also have Crash and Shaina, who also TYPE WELL!!! Even though they have to type in French and Creole without understanding, they are a big help. When they finish typing, Petit Homme and I edit. I don't think I can justly describe to you even half of what this means to me.
It is such a relief it is not even funny. For example, we told the teachers to have the tests prepared by a certain date and they did it. Now that, is progress. We had them almost two weeks in advance which meant we didn't have to kill ourselves to get it done. Again, that's progress. Having people other than myself to share the load with, now that, is progress.
Josiah has been teething and everything that goes with it. He's grouchy. Sometimes he has a fever. Sometimes he just wants his mommy. He wants to crawl everywhere and is trying to walk so he keeps us hopping. The past few days, Kelsey has had a fever. That takes all of a mom's time and energy day and night. I didn't get much sleep trying to give her medicine and cool her off with alcohol and cool rags. Yesterday we had to take her to the hospital to have tests rund to see what kind of fever. It came back negative for malaria and typhoid and we were thankful. However we spent the whole day at the hospital from 6:30 am to 11:30 am. The main thing was I did not have to panic or call off exams because I couldn't get them typed, because I knew I had a faithful crew working that would get the job done. Now that, is progress.
Tonight as we are putting the final touches on things, finishing grade cards to print and doing the final editing on the tests so they can be printed, I find myself humbled and very thankful for the help the Lord has sent our way. Now that, my friends, is progress. Thanks for Petit Homme, Crash and Shaina and the progress they are helping us make with our mission for His glory. Thanks gang.
Dee
This week as we prepare for exams it is a perfect example of this put into practice. A few years ago when we started our first school at Carries I ended up typing all the exams in French and Creole, by myself. I didn't get much sleep, my family didn't see me for days, and I think I would have lost my husband if I ever tried to do it that way again. I guess I just want to share with you one of the quirky ways I calculate progress. This year we have a new director at our school, brother Petit Homme. He is an amazing asset to the team here. He is a Haitian, Christian man with morals which is next to impossible to find. He is from our church in Port-au-Prince, at LaSaline. He is solid, intelligent, organized, a good leader and guess what? He TYPES WELL! Yippee!
Okay, we also have Crash and Shaina, who also TYPE WELL!!! Even though they have to type in French and Creole without understanding, they are a big help. When they finish typing, Petit Homme and I edit. I don't think I can justly describe to you even half of what this means to me.
It is such a relief it is not even funny. For example, we told the teachers to have the tests prepared by a certain date and they did it. Now that, is progress. We had them almost two weeks in advance which meant we didn't have to kill ourselves to get it done. Again, that's progress. Having people other than myself to share the load with, now that, is progress.
Josiah has been teething and everything that goes with it. He's grouchy. Sometimes he has a fever. Sometimes he just wants his mommy. He wants to crawl everywhere and is trying to walk so he keeps us hopping. The past few days, Kelsey has had a fever. That takes all of a mom's time and energy day and night. I didn't get much sleep trying to give her medicine and cool her off with alcohol and cool rags. Yesterday we had to take her to the hospital to have tests rund to see what kind of fever. It came back negative for malaria and typhoid and we were thankful. However we spent the whole day at the hospital from 6:30 am to 11:30 am. The main thing was I did not have to panic or call off exams because I couldn't get them typed, because I knew I had a faithful crew working that would get the job done. Now that, is progress.
Tonight as we are putting the final touches on things, finishing grade cards to print and doing the final editing on the tests so they can be printed, I find myself humbled and very thankful for the help the Lord has sent our way. Now that, my friends, is progress. Thanks for Petit Homme, Crash and Shaina and the progress they are helping us make with our mission for His glory. Thanks gang.
Dee
Thursday, December 3, 2009
It's been pretty crazy here in the wild, wild,West Indies! Internet service has been pretty sporadic lately. We just had guests for about two weeks. Our special guest and star of the show was none other than our special little Lonia.
She is two and a half now and very sharp. She sings the ABC song, Kumby ya my Lord, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Jesus Loves Me. Pretty amazing for a little girl that has been through so much.
She is doing well and is staying with Charlie and Teresa Bowen. They want to adopt Lonia. Please pray for them as they begin this process. This trip was just to get Lonia's paperwork renewed so that she could return with Charlie and Teresa for another six months. We were very thankful and relieved to get this paperwork so that Lonia could return to the states with them.
It was amazing how well Lonia remembered all of us. Her favorite line was, "Mdme Kiki, hold me." If the truth be known it was my favorite line too. It was amazing to see her so healthy and happy. Every time I see her I am bombarded with memories of our time together. Most of all, I am overwhelmed with emotion to know that God put us there at the exact moment in her life to orchestrate the miracle that saved her life. It is very humbling to have played such a special role in something so sacred. I thank God for the way Blessing Hearts International was able to bless this little girls life. We pray that she will live to continue blessing the lives of many for years to come, for His glory.
In His Service,
Dee
She is two and a half now and very sharp. She sings the ABC song, Kumby ya my Lord, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Jesus Loves Me. Pretty amazing for a little girl that has been through so much.
She is doing well and is staying with Charlie and Teresa Bowen. They want to adopt Lonia. Please pray for them as they begin this process. This trip was just to get Lonia's paperwork renewed so that she could return with Charlie and Teresa for another six months. We were very thankful and relieved to get this paperwork so that Lonia could return to the states with them.
It was amazing how well Lonia remembered all of us. Her favorite line was, "Mdme Kiki, hold me." If the truth be known it was my favorite line too. It was amazing to see her so healthy and happy. Every time I see her I am bombarded with memories of our time together. Most of all, I am overwhelmed with emotion to know that God put us there at the exact moment in her life to orchestrate the miracle that saved her life. It is very humbling to have played such a special role in something so sacred. I thank God for the way Blessing Hearts International was able to bless this little girls life. We pray that she will live to continue blessing the lives of many for years to come, for His glory.
In His Service,
Dee
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