hi all!! i'm new to the whole "blogging scene", but i'll do my best! i'm creating this blog to post updates for the 3 months i'm in haiti! i'm leaving in 8 DAYS!!!!!!!!! for those of you who don't know, here are the "haiti happenings" as of late...
last november i had the incredible opportunity to go to the EBENEZER GLENN ORPHANAGE in Dessalines, Haiti for a week. it was amazing!! i've been sponsoring 2 little girls from the orphanage for a few years and i got to meet them & love on them in person!it broke my heart to leave after just one week... while pouring my heart out to a 'mentor', she asked me if i'd consider returning for a longer period and so began the process. i was originally thinking that later this fall (of 2009) would work well. then in march i got together with Don & Doris (the 'builders'/'founders'/'mom & dad' of the orphanage) & they asked if i would consider coming at the beginning of april!!! considering my job, finances, etc., my first thought was "that's not even possible!", but by the end of the evening talking with them God had changed my heart & i began to not only see the possibility, but also become incredibly excited about it!! throughout that week i began trying to get myself organized, got my manager's approval for a 3-month leave of absence from work, began figuring out finances, etc. and now, here i am, one week away from leaving!
i'm obviously incredibly excited about going! there are some aspects that i'm nervous about, but am trying to trust that God will take care of everything, give me wisdom (& bravery!), etc. as i need it. i think i'd be fine if i was just going to play with & love on the kids, but the part that scares me the most is that i'll be working in the clinic, BY MYSELF... i.e. without a doctor or nurse practitioner to give me directions, make diagnoses, prescribe meds, etc. and i'll also be dealing with tropical diseases that i'm totally unfamiliar with (i.e. malaria, anthrax, dengue fever, etc.).
so, there's the update and the prayer requests for right now!! i'm going to attempt to upload some pictures of my last trip to haiti & the orphanage as well as a picture of the newest addition to E.G.O. (ebenezer glenn orphanage)! his name is abraham. his mother died in childbirth & he was 7 days old when he arrived at the orphanage... and for those of you who know me well, yes, i have already looked into adoption out of haiti! according to the strict adoption laws there though, you have to be 35 years old before adopting... and i'll only be 31 (i'll actually turn 31 at the end of may while i'm there!)
anyways, i'll do my best to update the blog while i'm there. i'm exactly sure how it will all happen with their internet access, etc. i guess we'll see!
thanks for reading & praying!
love, jill
last november i had the incredible opportunity to go to the EBENEZER GLENN ORPHANAGE in Dessalines, Haiti for a week. it was amazing!! i've been sponsoring 2 little girls from the orphanage for a few years and i got to meet them & love on them in person!it broke my heart to leave after just one week... while pouring my heart out to a 'mentor', she asked me if i'd consider returning for a longer period and so began the process. i was originally thinking that later this fall (of 2009) would work well. then in march i got together with Don & Doris (the 'builders'/'founders'/'mom & dad' of the orphanage) & they asked if i would consider coming at the beginning of april!!! considering my job, finances, etc., my first thought was "that's not even possible!", but by the end of the evening talking with them God had changed my heart & i began to not only see the possibility, but also become incredibly excited about it!! throughout that week i began trying to get myself organized, got my manager's approval for a 3-month leave of absence from work, began figuring out finances, etc. and now, here i am, one week away from leaving!
i'm obviously incredibly excited about going! there are some aspects that i'm nervous about, but am trying to trust that God will take care of everything, give me wisdom (& bravery!), etc. as i need it. i think i'd be fine if i was just going to play with & love on the kids, but the part that scares me the most is that i'll be working in the clinic, BY MYSELF... i.e. without a doctor or nurse practitioner to give me directions, make diagnoses, prescribe meds, etc. and i'll also be dealing with tropical diseases that i'm totally unfamiliar with (i.e. malaria, anthrax, dengue fever, etc.).
so, there's the update and the prayer requests for right now!! i'm going to attempt to upload some pictures of my last trip to haiti & the orphanage as well as a picture of the newest addition to E.G.O. (ebenezer glenn orphanage)! his name is abraham. his mother died in childbirth & he was 7 days old when he arrived at the orphanage... and for those of you who know me well, yes, i have already looked into adoption out of haiti! according to the strict adoption laws there though, you have to be 35 years old before adopting... and i'll only be 31 (i'll actually turn 31 at the end of may while i'm there!)
anyways, i'll do my best to update the blog while i'm there. i'm exactly sure how it will all happen with their internet access, etc. i guess we'll see!
thanks for reading & praying!
love, jill
**the picture at the top of this post is one i took of the orphanage from a distant 'mountain'. on sunday afternoon we trekked up to a fort and it overlooked E.G.O. You can see the big white 'tabernacle' (a.k.a. church!) on the right with a cross on the front... you can also see the 9-foot block wall that surrounds the grounds.
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Very cool blog! You have great taste in templates, I must say!! :) Totally praying for you friend! Can't wait to read your updates and hear all God is doing in, through, and around you!! Love ya!
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteYour story has touched me! You are an amazing woman! I am praying for you during this time in Haiti. If you have any medical questions, feel free to call or e-mail. I would love to help. Do you need any more financial help? Do you need supplies? Let us know.... we will also pray for the possible adoption of a precious baby from there! I know the country's strict laws will make it hard. Try to hook up with a lawyer from there - that will make it easier.
In my constant thoughts and prayers, Brittney Book (remember me?):)