Your turn!

i am: at home

i think: too much

i know: God loves you and me

i want: to go back to Haiti

i have: been blessed

i wish: my boys were at home with us

i hate: injustice, evil, sin

i miss: my family

i fear: failing

i feel: intensely but privately

i hear: very well

i smell: my puggies

i crave: a big tall glass of ice water

i search: the internet and the Bible

i wonder: what heaven will be like

i regret: some stuff

i love: God, my family, Haiti, those beautiful children at the O

i ache: because my family is not together

i care: deeply

i always: am amazed by nature and God's creation

i am not: always positive

i believe: in miracles, santa claus and happy endings

i dance: like a fool

i sing: because I have to....can't help myself :-)

i cry: fairly often and easily and privately

i don't always: speak my mind

i fight: when pushed

i write: when & what God gives me to write/share

i never: take the gift of life for granted, since the day my mom died

i listen: for a living

i need: God's grace, love, mercy and guidance

i am happy about: my life.



to anyone who reads this, now it's your turn!

Back To School Harvest!

This is taken from the Three Angels Children's Relief website (http://www.threeangelshaiti.org/)

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Haiti is a Caribbean country occupying the western third of Hispaniola, sharing the island with the Dominican Republic. It is about the size of the state of Maryland, 50 miles from Cuba, and 600 miles from Florida. It is only an hour and a half flight from Florida yet is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Haiti has historically been poverty stricken due to a variety of reasons including historical factors such as war and war debt, occupations and dictatorships, isolation and racism that are still impacting Haiti today along with current economic and environmental factors such as international aid sanctions, internal political conflict, deforestation that leads to soil erosion and flooding, hurricanes, etc.

The average Haitian earns less than $1 a day, and there have been estimates that 1 percent of the country's 8.1 million people controls nearly half its wealth (Mozingo). More than half of Haitians eight million people lack access to clean water or sanitation. Fifty percent of the population is undernourished, with one in five children underweight or under-height for their age. Twelve percent of Haitian children die before their first birthday, and one third do not make it to their 5th birthday (globalsecurity.org).

According to a 2004 U.N. report, Haiti ranks with Afghanistan and Somalia as one of three countries of the world with the worst daily caloric deficit per person with 2.4 million Haitians unable to afford the minimum 2,240 daily calories recommended by the World Health Organization. In addition, only 1 in every 10,000 Haitians has access to a physician (globalsecurity.org). A 2005 report declares Haiti the second worst place in the world to live (Moyes). Haiti is the fifth most corrupt nation in the world for 2005, according to Transparency International, a global watchdog group who publish an annual list of corruption levels in 159 nations. Haiti was tied for the most corrupt country in 2004.

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The Bible tells us: "These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields. " (Luke 10:2)

I'm writing to let you know about a SIMPLE way that you can help. Maybe you can't adopt a child. Maybe you can't travel to Haiti to work on construction projects. But there is something you CAN do...read on for more info.....

Visit here to help today! Please consider sponsoring a student.

http://www.threeangelshaiti.org/sponsorship.htm

Three Angels Children's Relief opened Three Angels Christian Academy (TACA) aka Institution Mixte Chretienne de Petion-Ville in 2005. TACA serves nearly 400 students in a 2 room building on the Three Angels Campus. There is a huge need for inexpensive, quality schools in Haiti. Well over half of the adult population is illiterate. Most of the children currently attending would not have the opportunity to attend a school without TACA opening and granting scholarships. Without an education there is no way out of the cycle of poverty.

Children in Haiti are starving. The students that attend TACA are hungry too-and you can help! Many of them do not get regular meals at home. At this time, TACA provides 1 meal of bread and peanut butter. For many, this is the only meal they get in a day. The goal is to get sponsorships for all the students, so that a full meal of beans, rice and milk can be provided. The only way that this goal can be reached is via the student sponsorship program. For less than $1.00 per day, you can change the life of a child, and change the world. What better way to change things that to feed and educate a student. For $27 a month you can help end the cycle of poverty.

To learn more about this program (it's very simple to do) visit http://www.threeangelshaiti.org/sponsorship.htm

$27.00 a month

Imagine the difference that $1.00 can make in the life of these students! It would not be hard to figure out a way to give up something that costs less than a dollar a day to help.

Matthew 6:19-21 says:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
God's calling-the harvest is great and the workers are few. Will you answer?

Visit http://www.threeangelshaiti.org/sponsorship.htm

to make a difference TODAY!

We are the body....

Yesterday, I was reflecting on my recent trip to Haiti during some quiet time. Actually, I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep and not succeeding because too much was going on in my head.

I remember being so overwhelmed at first. The sites, the sounds, the smells, there was just so much to take in. People have asked me if it was as bad as I expected. I'm unsure how to answer that question because this was my first mission trip I didn't really know what to expect. The reality of Haiti was worse, so much worse than I expected. And, at the same time, it was also so much better than I expected. The poverty, the despair, the pain, the suffering, the need...everywhere I looked I saw someone who was in need. Real people. Real need-not just for comfort but for survivial. And at the same time, I saw people praising and worshipping God with their whole hearts. I saw people praying and reading their Bibles. I saw laughter and joy in their eyes. I saw beauty. I saw love. I saw hope.

During the first day or two, I remember having a conversation with God about my feelings of being overwhelmed and thinking about what I am doing here-feeling doubtful and inadequate. How could I, in one week make any sort of impact on the huge need in this poverty stricken place? Where people don't have enough to eat, don't have clean water to drink and where most are barely surviving. People are sick, children are dying. The need is so great-it is truly overwhelming and hard to comprehend, let alone explain. Words are inadequate.

I felt overwhelmed and like I was kidding myself into thinking that I could make a difference on this trip or change/save the world. I'd like to tell you that I had some awesome insight or that God spoke to me clearly and explained everything. But that is not what happened. As is more often the case, for me, anyway, God revealed Himself to me bit by bit. And somewhat after the fact. Maybe I'm just a slow learner.

Looking back, I recall some of the American's we met. There was the group that stayed at the guest house with us. They were working on a project to get solar (free energy) cookstoves to the women of Haiti. There is a lot of cancer in Haiti, in part because they cook over open flames and spend hours each day tending a fire. There's also concern about what the cutting down of so many trees for fuel to burn is doing to the environment and concern about food poisoning from improper cooking/handling techniques.

Then there was the lady we met at church and at the airport, who was there to work with pregnant and nursing women and newborns to teach them about breastfeeding. Apparently there is some stigma and superstition associated with breastfeeding among Haitian women. I learned that the rich women in Haiti use formula, and the poor women use flour and water, because it looks like formula, and their babies get sick and die. Ugh.

We met a family at church that were taking their adopted children home from another orphanage. We had one adoptive mom, and an adoptive big sister as part of our group-each adopting two children from Three Angels. Do you know that almost all of the 30+ children currently living at Three Angels have forever families? They are just waiting to go home, while their adoptive families wade through the paperwork and process.

There were the pastors at the church we attended. There were the young Haitian teens who came to the orphanage and led a church service, complete with praise & worship music for the children on Saturday. There was also another large group at the airport when we arrived-all wearing blue tee shirts that said something about God being the God of justice and had images of the island printed on them. There was another group of short term missionaries from the east coast that overlapped with our visit to Mother Theresa's hospital. They visited with the children there, and were on their way to another city to help with the problem of sanitizing the drinking water. There were brochures and information on child sponsorship from a couple of different organizations at the guest house.

Then there's Kaitlyn, a college aged woman who is spending her summer living at Three Angels and ministering to the children, playing with them, holding them.. She's not there because she has to be, but because she wants to be. And Sandy, the orphanage/house manager who also lives at Three Angels and keeps things moving-working with the nannies, and all the staff, organizing the supplies, entertaining the children, teaching the children and so much more. And there are all of the Three Angels board members and volunteers in the United States doing so much for the children through the Orphanage, Three Angels Christian Academy and the Halos Medical Mission.

There were the 23 of us. A painter, a nurse, college students, high school students, postal workers, hair stylists, salesmen, business owners, a counselor and so much more. People with very different careers. People from all walks of life. People from different churches. People from different states. Very different people all united by Jesus Christ. Brought together by God to do His work. To play a part in His plan.

As I was reflecting on the trip and all of these people, God revealed several things to me. First, IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. Clearly, I am inadequate for the task at hand, but God is more than enough, more than capable. (2 Corinthians 12:9; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Phillipians 4:13) And He cares-He cares deeply for all who are lost and all who suffer. (Matthew 25:40; Matthew 25:45) I have a part to play in God's adventure and I must do what I can. Jesus said if you love me, obey me.

Second, the Bible tells us that we are the body, Christ is the head (Romans 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Ephesians 4:4; Colasians 2:19). We all have a part to play-and that was clearly demonstrated in the variety of missionaries I met and the variety of projects that are being worked on to improve life in Haiti. What a cool thing, to be able to see the Bible in action-a real life demonstration through a diverse group of people united by their desire to serve Christ by helping and loving others.

And lastly, God brought to mind that story about 2 friends walking along the beach that was just covered in starfish. Every so often, one friend would stop to pick up a starfish and throw it back into the ocean. The other friend was incredulous and asked why are you bothering with that, there are so many, you'll never make a difference. And the friend who was throwing the starfish said simply "It makes a difference to this one" as he tossed another one back.

So during the trip, I took action. I changed one diaper at a time. I held one (sometimes two or three) child(ren) at a time. I gave one a drink of water or one snack. I picked up one crying child at a time. I rocked one child to sleep. One at a time, one need at a time. One bit of obedience at a time. All for God's glory. Did I change the world? Probably not. But maybe, just maybe, I changed the life of a child. Maybe some day that child will change the life of another person and therefore change the world.

I want the children to know that Jesus loves them. No matter what happens that is one thing that is True and cannot be changed. (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16). I'm grateful to have had this opportunity. And I'm grateful that someone else obeyed and served, and shared this Good News, this Truth with me. And so now, I do my part and serve willingly, joyfully, gladly. (2 Timothy 1:8)

God willing, (Proverbs 27:1) I will return to Haiti soon to play my part. In the meantime, I will find ways to serve and play my part at home.

Pics-Street Scenes-hard to convey the poverty and the conditions.....

This is the view from Three Angels nursery/second floor. And this is the 'well to do' area of town, not the poorest part. Note the contrast, between colorful and drab. See the palm trees and mountains and clouds?

Another street scene. Very pretty landscape-rolling hills, lush, green. I'm not exactly sure where this was, but it was out of town a bit on the day we went to the ocean.

A street scene. People everywhere. There is no work for them. See the truck? That's called a 'tap-tap' and it's a primary mode of transportation in Haiti. There is a tall cap/cover on the back of the pick up, and people sit back there. It's sort of a Haitian bus. All of the 'tap-taps' are beautifully painted and most have some sort of Bible verse or reference to God. They are really very pretty with vibrant colors and awesome artwork.

See the people milling around everywhere? Some children were being bathed in the rain water puddles as we drove through this area. Again, notice the mountains and palm trees.

The trash, oh my, the trash. This is some sort of canal/water way, and it had more trash in it than water. Being somewhat of a 'hippie' or at least not a litterbug (I think the current term is 'green') this breaks my heart so much to see. In the city, there were a few dumpsters, but the gov't doesn't really seem to keep up on it. And out of the city, there were no dumpsters, and so I am sure, no service whatsoever. There are a lot of trash fires in Haiti-we saw and smelled them burning. I can honestly say I've never seen or smelled anything quite like it.

This is another street scene, outside of the city. It had rained in the last day or so, thus the puddle. The term 'shack' is not quite right to describe the structure that the people are standing under/in front of. It's more like what our kids would consider a 'fort'. Really just some corrugated metal and sticks, tied together for shelter.

Haiti is an amazing country. Colorful, beautiful, poor, devastated, happy, full of praise and love, noisy, full of people, varied......The contrasts are hard to miss as are the blessings and conveniences we take for granted every day. How often have I grumbled or complained about not wanting to go to work? Or about someone taking too long at a four way stop sign? ugh!

Father, forgive us for our whining and totally lack of understanding of how the rest of the world lives. Help us to have more compassion and mercy toward your children, worldwide. Thank you!

Pictures

The Parkway Haiti Mission Team July 2008

People from Christ's Church of the Valley and a father/son team from Indiana joined us

This pic was taken on departure day outside of Parkway Christian Church.

The Halos Medical Mission is on the campus of Three Angels and is one of 3 'branches' of the organization-the school and the orphanage being the other 2 'branches'.

This is a picture of the orphanage, taken from the courtyard.

Three Angels Christian Academy (the school)

www.ParkwayChristianChurch.com

www.ThreeAngelsHaiti.org

Home Sweet Home

hi ya'all,

Well, I'm back from Haiti. What an amazing trip! What a blessing it was-great experience. I will write more details later on and pictures and more details to follow....I took a LOT of pics. And I will be getting a CD w/ pics that everyone on the team took.

Thanks for all your prayers and good thoughts/wishes. I appreciate them and they made a difference-I slept great, didn't get sick, had lots of energy and no aches/pains and no accidents.....woohoo!

I did get eaten alive by mosquitos-need to pray against malaria, that's for sure! Appreciate your prayers in this.

Lena

Time Warp!

Well, this is our last evening in Haiti. Wow. Hard to believe. Seems like we just got here, and seems like we have always been here. Both are true at the same time....strange.

Today was the saddest day-saying good bye to the children at Three Angels. There were tears all around. We are blessed to have an adoptive mom and a young adult adoptive sibling as part of our group. They added an extra depth to our group. Also, 3 and sometimes 4 of the children that are being adopted into these two families were with us at the guest house. Very cool.

We did get to spend most of the day at Three Angels, which was nice. That is my favorite part of this trip. We gave the nannies some of our things-clothing, shoes, toiletries, etc. It was fun to watch-kinda like Christmas. They were so excited. And generous with each other-they did not fight over stuff but shared it very willingly and openly. Truly a lesson in receiving.

It is hotter and more humid today-everything was more challenging due to the weather. Please say a prayer for our chaperone from Three Angels-Cara, she is not feeling well, probably dehydrated. We need to lift her up as we are all getting onto an airplane in the morning. No fun to travel when you're not feeling well. I pray that she will wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and healthy-better than ever.

I have so much more I want to say, but it will have to wait. I'm still having trouble finding words to describe all of this. It's been an incredible experience, in so many ways. God is great.

G'nite.

I am in love!

I am in love with the country of Haiti-the people, the sites, the sounds, all the work going on. I am in love with the children of Haiti-the orphans at Three Angels and the children (babies, mostly) in Mother Theresa's hospital. It is an amazing place, and I think that every American should visit at least once. Your life will be changed. I know that mine has, already.

I just can't get over the contrasts here....and I will write more on that later.

The hospital visit was very sad, and yet full of joy at the same time. There is so musch suffering...and yet there is love. We can do so little, and yet, we can do so much. We must do what we can.

It was a difficult visit at the hospital-the parents can only visit for a short time. The bell rang, and they had to leave. And then, the serious howling, crying and wailing began. Oh what an experience.

We all did what we could for who we could.....it wasn't enough, and yet it was just enough. What we must not forget is that this is not our work. It is the Lord's work. We all have a part to play, however small, however short. We must do what we can right here, right now to show love to people. God commands it.

I fed two babies...one an orphan, without any i.d. tag. no name, no date of birth, no date of admission. very sad. I also got peed on a time or two. I'm not a big fan of cloth diapers, fyi. And then, I was drawn to a tiny baby boy-his tag said 9 months old. And he probably didn't weigh but 10 pounds. skin and bones. just laying there. I picked him up and held him, and caressed him and rocked him for about 2 hours. So light. ugh. I tried to touch him, because of the 'failure to thrive' syndrome.....I rubbed his back, his belly, his feet, his legs and so on. We sat and rocked and coo-ed. By the end of my time with him he was smiling and pulling on my fingers-quite a grip for such a tiny little thing. It was an amazing time, just being fully present and doing the only thing I could do in the moment. And for this, I am grateful.

We went to Three Angels in the afternoon-and again, the contrast is huge. Took some kids outside and played. Blew bubbles, rode on bikes, ran, played with a ball, simple things really. But the kids laughed and smiled and their faces lit up. Lots of energy there!

Oh, and a 'coincidence' (there is no such thing) the baby I was drawn to hold at the hospital has the same first and middle name of the little one I am in love with at Three Angels and that I want to bring home with me. Permanently. I took it as a sign from God.

God is GREAT! and He is doing great things.....He is also doing small things through me, and I am awed to be a part of it.

Lots of power outages tonight, so I'm gonna go now...

What an Amazing Day!

Just a quick note to say hi while the power and internet are up....

We had an amazing day at Three Angels today. Played w/ the kids/babies, helped clean and organize a supply closet and storeroom, painted, cleaned up in the yard and did a Vacation Bible School lesson, among other things. The team is really kicking butt on getting the labor/work done-the paint crew, the concrete and misc. crews are really working hard and accomplishing a lot.

Haiti really is a country of contrasts. I'll write more about that later, when I return home. But over and over I am struck by the contrasts and differences I see. On Sunday we will go to church and Monday we'll visit Mother Theresa's orphanage. I anticipate that will be a spirit filled day.....


This really is an adventure and we really are doing God's work...it's overwhelming, exhausting and uplifting and energizing all at the same time!

God Bless!


Be sure to visit www.threeangelshaiti.org for info on the Orphanage, School and Medical Mission. You can do a little by simply giving up your lattes or some other unnecessary habit......even $5 or $10 can make a difference. Or maybe God's calling you to do something more, something bigger.....travel here? donate money? sponsor a student at the school? tell others about the work that Three Angels is doing? Pray for the kids? I don't know what you are to do, but I know we all (Americans) can do something! There are so many things we take for granted in the states....electricity, ice cubes/cold water, safe water, air conditioning, water-showers, safe roads to travel on....oh my, I could go on and on. Pray about what God would have you do to help....you can do something.....I know it!

Made it!

We made it to Haiti. Have had an exciting trip to get here-lots of trials/ups and downs and inconveniences....but none of that really matters. In fact, all it does is solidify the fact that we are supposed to be here...facing opposition and trials means that we're in fact doing God's work!

The guest house we're staying in is quite nice. The orphanage is great too- it is amazing what can be done with so little. The kids are great-I am definitely in love! LOL. Just had breakfast and are headed back to the orphanage-today begins the construction work and Vacation Bible School and of course, more holding & loving on babies and kids.

Haiti is an amazing country-very beautiful, very colorful. There many extremes here-seeing the hope and love and laughter in some faces, and the desperation and despair in others- it's quite a contrast.

Please continue to lift the team and the kids and nannies in prayer.

God Bless.

June 12 Update

Well, we're less than a month from departure. Airfare has been purchased, supplies are being gathered and then separated out to each team member to pack in their checked luggage. Vaccinations, passports, luggage, clothing....details details details!! Transportation to the airport has been arranged....the details are coming together. God is very good!

Continue to pray for the entire team, the children, the staff, and the people of Haiti. We ask for safety and productivity-that we be used for God's purposes.

Here's a new video from Three Angels-it's a slide show, really.

Enjoy. And THANK YOU for your prayers-I could not do this trip without your prayers.

Much love,

Lena

Update

Hi all,

Hope that you are doing well. Quick note to update you on the Haiti mission trip plans....

The trip is on for July. We'll leave Phx on the 8th, go thru Dallas to Miami and depart Miami for Haiti on the 9th. Our return is planned for July 16th.

We will be doing some cleaning and maintenance/building projects for the orphanage/school. And we will be hosting/running/planning a Vacation Bible School for the students while we are there. And of course, we'll be playing with, feeding, and changing the orphans that live on the Three Angels campus. (www.ThreeAngelsHaiti.org)

Praises:

I almost have enough funds to cover my travel expenses. Thank you to all who have donated, I am touched by your generous spirit.

We have been overwhelemed by the small i-groups at Parkway Christian Church (www.ParkwayChristianChurch.com) They have come thru in a big way with the donations of supplies for the orphanage. We will each (22-23 of us) have 2 fifty pound bags/suitcases of items to donate directly to the orphanage when we arrive. Praise God!

With that last one-I have been able to lower my financial goal that I originally set and as of yesterday I am $167 short of my new goal. I trust that God already has the finances on the way. God is never late and seldom early!

Prayer requests:
For the finances to come through
For God to prepare the way for our group-and use us to accomplish His purpose while we are there
For safe travels, no accidents, no illnesses
For the spirit of God to move

Thank you for your support-both prayerfully and financially. This could not happen with out you. I thank God for each of you!

With love,

Lena

PS if God puts it on your heart to make a donation you can make a check out to Parkway Christian Church and put "Lena Wright Haiti" in the memo box. You can mail it to me at PO Box 7328 Surprise AZ 85374

--
Lena Wright

Founder & President
ConnectionsWellnessCenter.com

Update

Hi all,

Just a quick note to send a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have sent notes, prayers, encouraging words and money to me in regard to my mission trip to Haiti. I'm so grateful for each and everyone of you. I continue to seek your prayer support as the date of this trip gets closer. Pray that God's will be done and that the team be used to make an impact for Christ. Hopefully that includes safety and time to reflect. I'm trusting God to carry out His plan and His will through us.

Another update-the team is doing good gathering donated supplies for the children. That's very exciting. I am a little short of my goal-dollar wise. I am getting close but haven't achieved it yet. I am confident God will meet the need.

Thank you again so much for your support, both financially and in prayer. I couldn't do this without you.

Much love,

Lena

Introduction

Hello and thanks for visiting!

My name is Lena and God has recently placed on my heart a desire to go to Haiti and work with children. I am in the planning stages of a short term mission trip to work at an orphanage, school and medical clinic (all on one campus) coming up in July.

I have created this blog to keep those who've donated and those who are interested in my trip updated. I will post periodically-prayer requests, donation updates and other announcements related to this mission trip.

As of today, through the generosity of many faithful friends & family members I am at about 40% of my financial goal. I appreciate your prayers for additional funds and for God's will to be done in the planning and details for the team that is going. At last count, I believe the team was at 26 people.

For information on the church visit www.ParkwayChristianChurch.com

For information on the agency we're going to be visiting and helping at visit www.threeangelshaiti.org

Thanks for reading-and thanks for your support-both financially and prayerfully!

Sincerely,

Lena
http://www.lenawright.com/