final countdown.

Welp, this is it. Our last day with our kiddos in Port-de-Paix  has finally arrived. I can't put into words just how hard the days leading up to this one have been, much less the final number in our dreaded countdown. Hugs and kisses will be constant, smiles will be unending, and I'm praying that everyone is on their best behavior so that Teesh and I don't have to get our we-mean-business faces + tones on at all today (a girl can dream, right?). I don't know when the next time the Lord will prepare a way for us to come back again, so you can bet that we'll be soaking it all up all day long. I'll probably journal ten times just so I don't forget a single thing! Videos will be rolling non-stop, as well, because as much as I love pictures, I love having their voices along with their faces even more. May the Lord's goodness be evident today as I fight back tears and hand out smooches from dawn until dusk.

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.

mister fix-it.

Cevens is one of the older boys at Hope Vision Ministry, and he is the craftiest, makin'-est thing I've ever seen. We constantly see him walking around looking for materials to make his next masterpiece. We got a glimpse of his workmanship back in November, but we've been able to see a lot built from start to finish over these past five weeks. Haiti Gospel Fund wrote a segment on him last month, and you can read it here, but Teesh and I loved to simply watch him work. He avoided the camera a lot of the time, but I didn't mind getting right into his business in order to show off his work to the world. Though he has built many small things, especially creations out of rocks, he did make two big items that I thought were beyond awesome.

First, he made a sail boat that we had the honor of watching him make + release into the great unknown:

Then, he made (drum roll please) A CAR!

He had many helpers along the way who were eager to watch him work and be his personal assistants, which made for a precious sight to see. He'll probably be a professional by the next time we see him!

face game.

This, my friends, is a little something I like to call the face game. It's the best way to turn a frown upside down!

distant shores.

You said, "Ask and I'll give the nations to you. O Lord, that's the cry of my heart. Distant shores and the islands will see Your light as it rises on us.

*You Said, Shane and Shane

"And God said, 'Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.' And it was so. God called the dry ground 'land,' and the gathered waters he called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good."

-Genesis 1: 9-10

lovenson.

This handsome young man's name is Lovenson, and he is the newest family member here at Hope Vision Ministry! He is ten months old, and he shares a birthday with Teesh. I guess that day is reserved for only the cutest fellas, huh? Everyone is elated to have a new adorable baby to play with, especially our girls. Holding him makes the reality of us leaving in less than a week even harder to come to terms with. Loving on all these kiddos has made even the most unbearable days a blessing to behold, and Lovenson's stunning eyes and teeny fingers and toes only adds to our desire to stay + our thankfulness.

Seriously, just look at that face, y'all. So, so precious!

reminiscing.

The kiddos were spoiled rotten last week with constant hugs and snuggles, and I've got plenty of proof of it. Laughter and smiles were shared between everyone, and they're still giddy from all the fun they had. These are just a few of my favorite moments captured on camera.

Teesh and I were so blessed by this team and how hard everyone worked to further the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

-Proverbs 16: 3

wiggin' out.

Haven't you heard? Silly is the new cool.

laundry.

Today is Monday, which means it's our laundry day! This lovely girl's name is Nehemie, and she helps me every week. I'm certain that we wouldn't have clean clothes without her. She has shown me the ropes, and I thank the Lord for her every time I change my clothes. I'm thankful to be thankful for the small things, like suds and bubbles. They really do mean the most. Especially when you enjoy the company. :)

Y'all just wait until we get home; my arm muscles are going to be explosive! Laundry is no joke, people.

ephesians 2:13.

Words can't express just how awesome and filled-with-favor yesterday was! It started early when the men left out to go pick up all the supplies that had been shipped from America several weeks ago. We have been praying and claiming all week for them to arrive while the team was here so there would be plenty of help for all that they entailed, and the Lord provided as He always does! The best part about them coming? Hope Vision Ministry now has a generator that provides power to the entire facility, not just a small part of it. YAY! We even had Shane, who just so happens to be an electricity genius, here to help set it up properly. Pastor was so excited, as evidenced by his huge smile below!

We did a few maintenance jobs early on, and then hung out with the kiddos for the rest of the day. Everyone wanted to get as many hugs as they could on their last day here in Port-de-Paix, and the little ones ate up every second of love and attention they got. Then, at the end of the day, we feasted. Out menu was incredible: chicken legs, fried plantain, rice, beans, and...fried goat. You may think we're crazy about the goat part, but it is gooooooooooooooood.

After dinner, everyone gathered together as Kurt, Doug, and Rich told the story of Jesus Christ to all Hope Vision kids and staff, as well as many kids from the neighborhood that we invited in to enjoy food and fellowship with us. It was an incredible time of truth and reflection, and the Lord proved Himself faithful once again. Rich invited anyone who had never confessed Jesus as Lord to do so. Eight people walked forward, and Rich knelt down with them as they prayed together. Eight more people are now kingdom-bound because of the grace, love, and mercy of our Father God and the selfless sacrifice of Jesus on the cross! My heart is still about to pop with joy for my new brothers and sisters in the faith!

The best part of the night? Six of those who are now hidden in Christ were some of the Hope Vision's own. One staff member, and five children! I hope that you are jumping up and down as you read these words, and that you shout "AMEN!" and "HALLELUJAH!" in thankfulness to the Giver of life everlasting! Right after I gave each of them a huge tackle hug, I asked them to give me the biggest smile they had so that I would never forget anything from the evening of September 21, 2013.

Two of the children who called upon the name of the Lord Jesus were two of Pastor and Madame Pastor's children. The last girl you see above? That's our Fredliene, who we have sponsored for over two years and I have had several conversations with about Jesus, especially over the last few days. Praise Jesus for His perfect timing, and for touching us and calling us by name into His abundant goodness. Salvation is HERE!

"But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."

-Ephesians 2:13

tortuga.

Yesterday was a day filled with sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ on the island of Tortuga, located just past the shores of Port-de-Paix. We explored a small piece of the island, joined hands in prayer at the site for Pastor Andy's next church plant's location before beginning outreach, and then went house-to-house telling people about Jesus. TJ and I were in a group with the Stoners, Walt, Brent, and Shane, and Pastor and Madame Pastor came with us as translators. We were blessed with about a dozen children following us the whole time, and we had the privilege of meeting and praying over numerous brothers and sisters in Christ who attend the church there that currently meets on the land under some trees. It was such a special time, and I count it an incredible privilege and honor to have been able to meet new friends while praying for the Lord's goodness and favor to be upon them.

Tortuga, both the island itself and the people who live there, was beautiful. These pictures don't begin to do the things we saw with our eyes justice, but they do give a glimpse of all the wonderful sights we beheld. 

The crew.

The island.

The location for the church plant.

These kiddos followed us around like shadows, and it was so great.

This handsome lad's name is Kevin, and I will never, ever forget his precious + loving self as long as I live.

We got to see two newborn goats just seconds after they were born.

And meet a mom and her newborn baby girl who was just born a week ago.

The best part was praying over so many people in the powerful, mighty, and risen name of Jesus Christ.

There were four groups evangelizing, and there were multiple salvations between all of us. Praise God for the Holy Spirit being present with us as we set out to reach this area for His glory and fame! We may never see the new friends we met again on this side of eternity, but it pumps me up for there to be more faces for me to recognize when Jesus takes me home.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."

-1 Peter 1:3-5