We have learned so much over the course of the past year! It is almost overwhelming to try and put it into words. Overall we have learned our desperate need to trust our Creator and our desperate need for dependence on Him. Rob and I are not changing anything in Haiti...we aren't saving any one...but we are daily trying to choose to wake up and be willing and trust that whoever we cross paths with during a day.
If you are reading my blog for the first time, and you are hoping to hear a summary of our first year, I am sorry...I can't do it here. I don't know if I could even sit down and recall it for you without leaving something out, smiling with joy or crying my way through other parts. We have rejoiced over kiddos being reunited with their biological families, others going home to their forever families, and others graduating from our programs healthier and heavier ;)
We have cried and grieved and cried out over the loss of precious babes...who left this earth, in our eyes, way too soon...but who are whole and perfect and with our Father.
We have made relationships. Relationships that are raw and real and messy and beautiful all at the same time.
We have learned a language, and are continuing to learn new words and phrases every day.
We have made a home. We call it home. Our kids call it home.
And for now, it feels good to be home...it feel right to be home...
We are confident that God is calling us to be in Haiti for another year. Our roles are changing a little and in other ways staying the same. God is opening the door for deeper relationships and continued opportunities...both with the intent and purpose of sharing the heart of Jesus and fighting for the things that break His heart to be tended to.
Rob will continue in his role as director of operations. He is in charge of all things baby house-nannies, cooks, cleaning, etc. He has told many of you this, but he always said he would NEVER coach girls basketball. Well, he now has a pretty large team of over 40 nannies. That is a whole lot of women in one place :) He does great with it! Laughs with them, listens to them and leads them well. Just today even a nanny hid behind him and jumped out and scared him half to death ;) You all know that he too has done this to her a time or two.
As of Monday, I am now the head nurse of COTP. Sheila has done a phenomenal job for the past year and I have had the privilege to learn so much from watching her, but as she prepares to get married on August 15, she is stepping back from her role as nurse. We are currently in the process of looking for another long term staff nurse. Please join us in praying for that person. That God would help us to find the one he has for us and for the plans and transition into getting them down here on the ground.
The kids are doing great! All three girls in the past week have made a comment about how much they love living in Haiti...Of course in the next breath they ask how many days until they get to go back to Papa's house ;) Even still, I am thrilled about the things that we have for them right now. We are doing reading time with the Willis' every day and the kids started going back there this week for History class. WE are so excited for this school year and just the opportunities we have to do some things together (science, PE, history) and how excited the kids are for new books and new topics to learn and read about.
We don't know the exact plans that God has for us in this year to come, with me in my nursing role and so many of our COTP kids heading to their forever families. However, we do know that this is where he wants us and that HE has a plan for the next year. We are excited about it and doing our best to keep our hearts turned towards it.
We want you to join us on this journey!
WE want the chance to show you that we all are serving a LOVING, LIVING God, who still moves and acts and breathes today.
We need your prayers and support...this past year, it was your prayers, your packages, your notes and messages that spurred us on and pushed us forward. We knew that there was a 'great cloud of witnesses' lifting us up and standing in the gap on our behalf. We are well aware of the fact that your financial support makes this possible for us to be here and we DO NOT take that lightly!
There are three ways you can join/partner with us in the year to come...
1. PRAY-This year, every week I am planning on sending out a specific prayer list and update. Each week we will share with you our "Happys and our Crappys" for the week and the specific ways in which you can lift our family and our community in Haiti up in prayer. Email me at erinvl@msn.com with your email address to be added to this list or comment on this blog post and I will be sure to get your email on our share list.
2. GIVE-We are currently working on raising support for our second year. We have had some VERY, FAITHFUL supporters over the course of the past year that are continuing to walk with us on this journey, but some of the one time gifts we received are not reoccurring. We are about half way to our goal and are still in need of financial supporters. If you are interested in joining the journey by giving financially, you may also email me at erinvl@msn.com with the amount you wish to pledge (onetime gift or monthly pledge) and your email address or you can send your checks to:
Children of the Promise
PO Box 123
Prinsburg, MN 56281
(Note: please mark vande lune on the memo line)
3. MAIL-We LOVE getting mail! And unfortunately or fortunately ;) we were BLESSED to receive a package each week last year from so many different families! If you are interested in sending some snacks, fun things for the kiddos, or supplies-both medical and baby supplies. You can always check with me as to what our immediate and specific needs are. Also, please know/remember that we do have to pay $2/lb for all mail that comes to us. If you do send a box, please considering also sending $ to COTP to cover the cost of shipping it down to Haiti...or, just pack light ;) So, if you are interested in sending us mail please do so to this address:
Rob and Erin Vande Lune
100 Airport Ave E
Agape Flights CAP-27325
Venice, FL 34285-3901
Some staple stuff you can always send:
-healthy snacks (fruit strips, etc)
-beef jerky
-cereal
-poptarts
-coffee
-instant oatmeal
-instant mashed potatoes
-dark chocolate chips
-natural peanut butter
-honey
-summer sausage
-crackers
-trail mix
-chocolate
-soups/pastas
-squeeze fruits
-applesauce
-granola/protein bars
-protein powder
-Chia seeds
-canned pumpkin
-Cliff bars-white chocolate macadamia nut, mint, blueberry are our favs :)
-gummy vitamins
-popcorn
-seasonal treats/crafts/candies
-powdered drink mixes
-canned fruit
-almond milk
-puppy chow
-pepperoni
For school/crafts-
-cornstarch
-art supplies
-shaving cream
-painting paper
-fabric scraps/remnants
-oxiclean
-stain remover
-yarn-my girlies are LOVING finger knitting right now :)
-drinking straws
-yarn-my girlies are LOVING finger knitting right now :)
-drinking straws
Mailed items are not restricted to this list. This is just a guide if you are looking for ideas :)
Alright, are you in?!?! We are THRILLED that you are going to join us! Fasten your seat belt and let's see where it is we are to GO...Please, JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY!
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