Sorry-

I am NOT off to a good start here- I said I would post regularly and here it is one week and I have not posted yet.  But what a week it has been!  Let me explain a bit.....

First of all, you girls all know how people say that if it rains on your wedding day it is supposed to bring good luck?  Well, I have heard that if you have not because it rained on our wedding day.  I actually think it was people's way of trying to make me feel better and to not dwell on things like the weather, but instead look at the big picture- I WAS GETTING MARRIED!  What an amazing day and one to celebrate- not stress over.

Well, that is kind of how things are going right now.  There are a few things happening that are really trying to steal my joy!  Personal things- sad things- things I could let really frustrate me and/or really get the best of me.  BUT....  I have been reminding myself of a few truths that I have learned over the years.  The main one is that when we are growing the most or doing the most to impact the Kingdom, we are often attacked the most.  I told that to Pastor Cornet a few weeks ago when I was in Haiti and now I am having to live out that reality.  I do not think this is just something to say (like the above) to make myself feel better- to me it is a proven truth. 

So.... instead of dwelling on the negatives and frustrations in my life, I will choose to look at the positives.  One of my favorite worship songs (and one that I kind of adopted as my Katrina song after Hurricane Katrina) is Blessed Be Your Name.  There is a line in that that says, "my heart will CHOOSE to say- Lord, Blessed be your name"  That is where I am right now- CHOOSING to cling to Him ad His word and know that He is in control even when I do not see Him working. 

So, I ask that you pray for me- for strength to remain calm in this "storm" but also to rely on Him more and more as I move through it.  He is God.  He is soverign.  And guess what?  He LOVES me and wants the best for me and wants to use ALL my circumstances to show me more and more about Him. 

Thanks- Crystal

PRAISES: 

1.  Obed was able to reschedule his appointment at the US Embassay for his travel visa.  It will now be January 7th at 7:30 am.  Please pray (again) that he finds favor with the officials and will be granted his visa so he can accompany his father to the USA this spring. 

2.  God put it on the heart of a friend of mine to help with the salaries of the teachers in Chaveneau this month.  So, some money is being sent down to Pastor Duval to help him with this.  This is a real answer to prayer and Pastor Duval was extremely excited when he heard someone was willing to do this.  I wish I could be there to see his excitement when he gets the money.  I KNOW there will be much rejoicing!  THANK YOU- 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  On a personal note I ask you to pray for the families of three young men who were involved in a car accident on Friday night.  One is a former student and young man I was very close to.named Steve. He was the driver and was killed.  (His little brother is one of our 8th grade students right now)  Another boy in the accident (Ryan) was also a former student I know quite well.  Really makes you realize how short life can be and how quickly it can change- kinda like the earthquake in Haiti which will be one year ago on Jan. 12th.

2.  Speaking of the Jan. 12th quake- please pray for the people of Haiti as they approach this day.  There will be much to think about for all of them- friends lost, lives forever changed, homes and posessions gone, etc... Please pray that God will work to remind them of what they have lost, but also what they WILL lose if they do not form a relationship with Him.  Think of them as they examine their own mortality and where they stand with God. 

3.  Pray for Haiti as Michael said they will announce today (later) some more about the election results.  There is fear that there will be more rioting and chaos in the country.  There are three teams traveling down from the USA- they each arrive the Monday after Christmas.  Pray that they are able to get to Haiti safely and have blessed trips. 


Thank you- I promise to try to update more regularly-  Have a blessed week and an amazing Christmas... thinking upon how God willingly gave His son to come to earth to save You and Me!  Amen!! 

updated needs-

I was blessed to be able to speak with Michael a few times last week and over the weekend.  As stated before, the Arris family has been "cooped up" in their home since Wed. 12/8 due to the political unrest in the country and rioting.  Please pray that this will calm down soon.  I know of one group of missionaries who is "stuck" in Haiti because they were to fly out via American Airlines and American has cancelled all flights since the 8th to and from Haiti.  I also know of TWO teams who were to arrive - one on the 10th and one on the 11th who were unable to travel to Haiti to minister.  I have another friend on the ground (she was to lead the team coming on the 10th) and she says things are calming down, but another announcement is due to be made today so who knows? 

My main reason for writing and telling you all of this is to inform you of the status of Haiti so you can pray but it is also to ask you to prayerfully consider sending a financial donation to Pastor Jean Duval.  He needs to pay the teachers again at the end of December (in 2 weeks) and he has missed work in Port au Prince SIX days so far since the last time he paid them.  This means he has lost income for those six days but his expenses continue to remain the same.  We are praying he can return to Port au Prince this week to work, but that is still uncertain. 

If you would like to help, please contact us via the form on the website OR e-mail us.  We can help you send money to Pastor Jean Duval and bless this family as they put the children first once again- making sure their teachers and staff at the school are taken care of.  It is estimated that he will need about $500 US to make payroll.

THANK YOU- for your prayers for this ministry!    -Crystal

First Post

 Welcome!  We are glad you decided to visit this blog and pray that it will be beneficial to keep everyone notified about the current happenings with our organization:  Hearts United with Haiti.  Feel free to post comments and/or ask questions.  We hope to also use this blog to post photos and updates from those visiting Haiti.  May God bless you as you care about His children in Haiti!  - Crystal