My Mom – Guest Blog

Tomorrow morning my favorite missionary flies back to her home in Haiti.  It has been such a JOY to have her here for the last two weeks (which have flown, by the way.)  My heart is filled because it is such a privilege to know that your child is, not only doing what they LOVE, but what they are called by God to do.  Selfishly…WOW…do I miss that girl when she is gone.  Don’t tell her that though.  It makes her cry. 😉

THANK YOU, dearest friends, for partnering with Emily as she cares for and loves on the people of Haiti.  God put this passion for Haiti and its people in Emily’s heart.  She daily seeks God’s guidance for the best way to share His love.  Emily is well aware, as are we, that this is a team effort.  Your love for Emily, and for the children of Haiti, for Christopher, Anicia, Derlain, Herson, Marie, Djino, and so many more is so evident in your prayers of blessing and protection.  We have been overwhelmed with gratitude at your generosity with gifts of blankets, burp cloths, baby clothing, toys, books, socks, shoes and finally, financial support, so that Emily can remain in Haiti.  YOU MAY NEVER LEAVE THE STATE IN WHICH YOU LIVE, BUT YOU ARE HELPING TO REACH UNTOLD NUMBERS WITH YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT.

Many have asked how they can reach how they can reach Emily to encourage her and for the best way to send support.  To write and encourage Emily:

Private message Emily on facebook or email eks4haiti@hotmail.com

Letters and packages can be mailed to:

Emily Smith
3170 Airmans Drive
Unit 2081-GLA
Fort Pierce, FL 34946

(Please note that packages will cost Emily an additional $1.50/lb over the cost of shipping)

To support Emily and receive a tax deduction you must give through God’s Littlest Angels.

glahaiti.org > Donate > country from which you’re donating > Missionary Support > Emily Smith

To give with your credit or debit card through GoFundMe (convenient, but GoFundMe keeps 7%):

https://www.gofundme.com/2nbzaff8

100% of your gift is given straight to Emily if you mail a check to her home address.  We deposit it for her and she then has access to it:

Emily Smith, 4991 East 800 South, Markleville, IN, 46056

 

Emily is called by God to be in Haiti.  She receives no compensation for her work there, but relies completely on the support of those who believe in the work she is doing there.  I can testify to the fact that Emily has never doubted for a moment that God will provide for ALL of her needs.  She simply doesn’t worry about from where resources will come.  And, she will remain in Haiti for as long, and only as long as God calls.  Thank you for walking this AMAZING journey with her.  As her mom, I personally couldn’t be more grateful for each and every one of you!!  Mary Smith

 

 

 

 

 

Love is Painful

​Love is so painful. I flew back into the States, yesterday, for my brother’s wedding, and I’m completely torn in pieces. Below is a post from one of my good friends, a fellow missionary in Haiti. It explains a little of what I’m feeling.

“So here I am again sitting in an airport halfway between Haiti & Canada.
People ask me if I’m going home, & when I get to Canada they’ll say welcome home, & I’ll smile & say thanks cuz how do I explain something I don’t really understand myself? Canada no longer really feels like home, other than that my family is there. I feel more comfortable in Haiti now. Sure Canada has things like AC & hot water but I’ll take dripping sweat & cold bucket showers any day.  I feel so much more alive in Haiti. I feel God so much more.
I guess I have 2 homes, at the same time I feel like I have no home, forever wandering back & forth. But one benefit from this- it keeps me focused on the only permanent home I have, my heavenly home.
“For the world is not our home, we are looking for a home yet to come.” -Hebrews 13:14
💗 #thoughtswhilesittingonadisgustingairportfloor”
– Aggie

Yes, I’m “home,” because my family is what makes a home. But I miss my other home. I miss where I live my life, now. I miss my babies. I miss my bed. I miss my routine. I miss my friends. In the same way, when I leave to go back to my other home, I’ll be leaving friends and comfort and the other piece of my heart – my family.

I’m also hurting, thinking about southern Haiti, which was recently smashed by Hurricane Matthew. Most of the homes washed away; all of the gardens gone. Just now, a week after the hurricane passed, are we able to infiltrate the more remote areas, and the devastation the missionaries are finding is horrific. Many more lives have been claimed, than originally thought. Absolutely no clean drinking water. No food! Cholera has appeared and claimed at least 5 lives, so far, and this is just the beginning. And I left them! I flew into the United States – a first world country where we throw out tons of food, every day, because we can’t eat it all. Where we use clean water to shower, wash dishes, flush toilets, water gardens, bathe pets, and on and on and on. I’m not saying these things are wrong! But we take them for granted.

(Photos borrowed from http://www.maghaiti.net/ce-nest-pas-la-syrie-cest-la-ville-de-jeremie/. There are many more pictures showing the devastation.)

As I lay, crying, in the bed my siblings gave up for me, I know I need to enjoy my time here. I know I need to focus on recharging so I’m ready when I go back. And I will. But my heart hurts.