MESI ANPIL HAITI!!!!!!!!

On Thanksgiving we are reminded to be thankful for the many blessing in our lives.  I am so very thankful for numerous things, but one of the greatest joys and blessings in my life is the ability to work in Haiti.  It has changed my heart forever and I can't even imagine my life without my Haitian firends and family.  Truly blessed!

* I am thankful that over 4 years ago God led me (and my husband) to Haiti and began a work that has changed my life forever.  I am nobody and HE has given me everything!
* I am thankful for Pierre Alexis who is our amazing partner in Haiti, but more importantly has become  my friend and family.  He is unshakeable, unwaivering and one of the most special people I have ever had the pleasure to know.
* I am thankful for my Haitian "son" and "daughter", Jimmy and Katia, who sacrifice more than I can ever imagine to care for the 60 kids at Zanfan Lakay day in and day out as if they were there own.
* I am thankful that 60 beautiful children in Haiti call me Mother, a title I do not deserve but cherish more than words can say.
* I am thankful for Angie Koch who serves tirelessly in Haiti but always does so with a smile.  She is a warrior!
* I am thankful that we have new land and a plan to build a new home for some of the sweetest, most gentle hearts I have ever had the chance to meet.  
* I am thankful that 15 and 16 year old boys are experiencing a childhood that they never were able to have on the streets, soaking up activities such as reading simple chapter books aloud and coloring projects.
* I am thankful that 30 children are in school this year and are getting an education that will surely impact their futures and the future of Haiti in incredible ways.
* I am thankful that the Lord has led friends and family and others to join us in this work.  We couldn't do any of this without HIM or YOU!

* I am thankful my finger has been held by the cutest 6 fingered hand ...

* I am thankful for the Maison orphanage, who cared for my son and daughter with so much love, and have cared for hundreds of orphans over the last many years.
* I am thankful for ZANFAN LAKAY!  There is hardly a place in the world that is better than this place. My whole heart and soul has been captured by my "House Kids." I LOVE YOU:  Emma, Timothee, Steeve, Guerwinsky, Patrick, Samuel, Reginald, HB, Badaud, Ti Manmi, Aly, Ti Blanc, Kakabendja, Africa, Isaac, Fenickson, Junior, Ti Potay, Jacky, Emerson, Clivens, Ridje, Emmanuel, Ti Ge, Guy Marie, Steissie, Pierre, Steven, Sebastien, Salo, Steven L, Mustafa, Boul Tet, Mardi, SonSon, Boul Natet, SonSon Jr., Mazorat, Ti Toutou, Jackensia, Gigi, Kervens, Isaac, Jackenlove, Jodaline, Ti Radi, Noukwe, Yvnet, Koukou, Baby Kervens, Peter, Saviana, Mickense, Peter, Baby, Peguy, Nickenson, Moise and Jinksy.

* I am thankful that I am in no way equipped or worthy to do this work, yet God provides everything needed to do it.  His provision is unfailing and His love overwhelming. Mesi! Mesi! Mesi!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS!

JWAYE NWEL!

JWAYE NWEL!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

It is only November, but our annual Christmas drive for Zanfan Lakay, Maison des Efants de Dieu and Brilliant Side Baptist Church is well underway.  It is one of our favorite programs and last year we were able to deliver over 250 gifts to kids in Haiti.  No building walls or painting for this trip!  It is all about the kids and celebrating!  Christmas in Haiti is as fun as it gets.  The kids are full of joy, not only about the gifts (of course they love them), but they love to celebrate.  Singing, dancing and laughter is plentiful.  How amazing it is to stand in a crowd of children dancing, singing, shouting and celebrating in honor of the Good News of the birth of Jesus.  This is the day we don't cry or talk about how hard life in Haiti is, we just jump in and celebrate.  The kids can just be kids - pizza, cake, gifts, crafts, stories and so on.  It is party time!  We walk away more blessed just for being a part of an innocent and true JOY!  If you have been to Haiti, you know with some things it is GO BIG OR HOME!  If you have prayed Haitian style, you know what I mean :)   Christmas in Haiti is one of those times and we can all learn from this:  Celebrate what you have, not what you don't!  The greatest gift is Jesus and that should bring you so much joy that you break out in song, dance and more!  Treasure every moment!  Yep, Christmas in Haiti seriously rocks. Don't miss your chance to be part of it.  We still have a few kids that need to be sponsored and we could use your help!  Email carrie@grangou.org to find out how.  It couldn't be easier... You get a super cute picture of the child you sponsor, a Ziploc bag and directions.  You shop for this specific child (no more than a Ziploc bag full), throw in a few dollars to help with shipping and party costs and in a few weeks you get an update with pics and drawings from the kids.  JOIN US!!!!!

 

Kiki

Last week we lost a dear friend and amazing servant for orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti. Jean Kuislin "Kiki" Alexis died unexpectedly on Thursday, leaving countless friends and family heartbroken.  He worked every day to help orphaned children unite with their adoptive families (including our own twins) and quietly served in many other ways in his country. 

Today we would like to honor Kiki for his kind and generous heart; for his unwavering commitment and dedication to Maison and children in need; for being a witness to many people and for being a friend.  Thank you Kiki.  We love you and you will be missed!

Zanfan Lakay - One Year Later

A little over one year ago, Grangou (along with our partner Mosaic) opened a home for street kids in Port au Prince, Haiti.  We didn't really know what would happen or how it would go, but we felt these kids deserved a life better than living minute by minute on the streets.  We originally thought we would have about 20 kids and two house parents.  Today we have 63 children.  We could have hundreds more, but we simply don't have the resources or space.  We have to focus on these 63 kids and help them recover from years of heartache and hard living.  We want to help them get an education, build meaningful relationships and learn how to love and be loved.  It is not always easy and we had no idea what this first year would bring.  We have traveled back and forth several times over the last year and seen tremendous growth, but our most recent trip revealed a new hope and growth far beyond what we imagined could be accomplished in such a short period of time.

When we first started visiting the children (when they were all living on the streets), they were a little distant and skeptical of us.  Not really surprising.  We would bring food or shoes or other supplies, just hoping to start a relationship.  We would't stay too long or push anything on them.  We would talk with them and ask them things like, "What do you want for your future?" just so we could begin to understand them.  The typical answer was to go to school or have a house, but the dreams were not really big.  The future was beyond them at that time because they were jusy trying to survive that day.

Today, many of the children go out to school and the others have teachers who come and teach them at the house so they will soon be prepared to transition to school.  Many of the children are learning English (yay - becasue our creole is pa bon) and doing exceptionally well at their studies.  When we ask them what they want for their future now, we hear answers like "I want to be President of Haiti", "I want to be a pastor", "I want to change my country" and so on.  The change is incredible.  They have a new hope and it is so awesome to be a part of.

Another noticeable change is how Zanfan Lakay has become a family.  When the kids first moved in, they were very rebellious.  It seemed like someone was acting out at every moment and Jimmy was having to discipline constantly.  Moving from life on the streets to a structured environment with rules and restrictions was not easy.  But now most of them embrace this structure.  They are eager to help out, they work hard and they support one another.  It is so great to see the older kids loving and guiding the younger kids.  Jimmy and Kathia Bonhomme (our truly amazing house parents) are Manmi and Papi to these kids.  Zanfan Lakay is a HOME and we all are now FAMILY. 

Obviously Zanfan Lakay is far from perfect.  We take a few steps forward and then take a step back.  We still have rebellious kids and troubles on a daily basis.  But we also have growth and hope and transformation.  And that is what this is about. 

We hope you will follow us on this awesome ride that is Zanfan Lakay and working in Haiti.  God has provided in so many ways and we are excited to share the adventures of our ministry with you.  We have been changed and touched in so many ways and are so thankful to be a part of it.