Haiti with Caris

I can not put into words adequately what it meant to get to go to Haiti with Caris and see all of the incredible work that they are doing.  It is absolutely astounding and humbling and exciting on every level.  They are the most incredible people bringing healing and life all over the country.

We got to go on a helicopter ride and see the other side of the island where Caris is also located in Cap Hatien and it was breathtaking.

And of course the pilot ended up loving mom so much that he came to see us leave the next day ha!

The Cap-Haiten branch did presentations for Mom and Christopher to show all the incredible work they are doing and I just was so humbled to hear their incredible work.

 Then we hiked up to the Citadel and it was just beautiful. 

 Then we got to hear the incredible presentations of the Port au Prince side of Caris and it was incredible.  We walked into this incredible surprise party with signs and balloons and skits that showed their work, a song they sang in french and english, many people who spoke, cake, pizza, popcorn and so much more.  It was just amazing.

We saw a rainbow on our helicopter ride and it was breathtaking.

I can never thank Caris for having me and hosting me and I will never forget this trip or all the incredible work being done in Haiti!

Caris Foundation

Just wanted to share some of the amazing work that my mom and her colleagues are doing with the Caris Foundation in Kenya.  

It is just truly incredible how they are changing the lives of the single mothers and orphans in Kenya and meeting medical needs.

Her love for this work and the commitment that Christopher, John, Jim, Laura, Jane and all of the other teachers, doctors, helpers and staff is just so inspiring.  The way that their program has grown and the amount of people they are helping is so moving.

Thank you Caris for the amazing work you are doing all around the world.
The first video is about the single mother's school and the second is snapshot of a medical trip that they did in Kenya.

Praise the Lord for His love and for those who love Him and love others so much that they give their time, jobs, and lives to helping His people.
To God be the Glory.

Caris Foundation

My mom and my party planning cousin, christopher, work with a foundation called the Caris Foundation.  Together with their team, they are doing amazing things all over the world.  they are amazing people and i am so proud to know them, and be able to pray, and in a small way, be apart of their work for the Lord.  they are truly glorifying God by practicing James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."
my mom and christopher go to all parts of the world to support, encourage and just see how every part of their team is doing.  they are very hands on, and a huge part of why this foundation is able to do the work that it does.  their job requires so much wisdom, self sacrifice and true love for the Lord and His people.  
some parts of caris include:

-people who live in haiti and work with babies who are contracted with AIDS when they are born

-a school for single moms in africa (where we sent headbands earlier this year)

-they do dental work, cleft palate, cataract, and general surgeries all over the world

-they have an orphanage in china

i could go on and on but, i feel like i can not begin to do justice ecplainging the way that God is glorified and working. So, check out their newly vamped website and see for yourself.   you will be moved and amazed as you watch the work they are doing and the lives they are changing.

Caris Foundation at www.carisfoundation.org

Haiti bound

my really awesome (and cute and single, i might add) brother is going to haiti today with my mom's foundation. he is such an incredible example of what it means to love people and i can't wait to hear about his trip. i know that he is going to be such light there, and i know that they are going to be such a light to him. there are so many amazing people who live, support others and are still busy cleaning up there. the amazing couple that live there and work with my mom's foundation are incredible people, as well, and i know he will love working and seeing them.

michael, we will miss you and we are praying for you. we are so thankful for your sweet heart and longing to serve others. come back soon!!

headbands in africa

these arent very good photos, but i just thought i would show you what my mom just sent me from africa of some of the girls (and one director) wearing our headbands!! they are so sweet to wear them and we are so excited!!

these are some of the tailoring girls wearing their headbands. arent they so gorgeous!

and this is margaret and she is the foundation's spiritual advisor for the girls.

and this is jim. he works with the foundation too and lives in africa and is obviously not aware of headband etiquette.

sorry the pics arent so good- we are just so excited to see them!!

and on this same note, i was reading flower patch farmgirl (who is just amazing) and saw these necklaces that are made by women in africa to help support their families and i bought one. you can read more about it here. she found it through this girl who is really just amazing. i read her blog and just cried and cried. she lives in uganda where she works with (or started?) Amazima ministries that give 50% of the proceeds directly to feeding the women and children, is a member of their little community and loves and teaches everyone about the Lord. its just amazing. her outlook on life is just so incredible and grateful and reminds me how important it is to keep my eyes up and my perspective on the Lord. and im just so thankful to be able to do something, even if it just so small.

thanks for always listening, reading and encouraging us. we are so thankful for you guys and so thankful for the opportunity to share our lives with yall.

hope you guys have a great tuesday!