The Enemy he has to leave, at the sound of your Great Name....

So much has happen so I am going to try and play catch up...
Every time I post something I normally title it with the line of a song... I LOVE music, I LOVE to sing and on pretty much any given day I have some tune running through my head. I feel like music is quite possible the best outlet one could have. Although I am no musician I do love music... So as I started writing this, I turned on my iPod and hit shuffle and one of my favorite songs was the first one on. I just sat there thinking how timing for these words as I begin to write the events that have happen in the past few weeks...

"All the Weak find their strength at the sound of YOUR NAME
Hungry souls receive grace, at the sound of YOUR NAME...

THE SICK ARE HEAL
THE DEAD ARE RAISED
AT THE SOUND OF YOUR GREAT NAME

REDEMER MY HEALER
DEFENDER MY SAVIOR
YOU ARE MY KING!!!"

At the beginning of the summer a wonderful and generous friend offered my family their house in Florida for a week, because of my dad's crazy schedule with summer camps and Haiti trips there was only one week that they were going to be able to go... The last week in July. I had already planned on leaving when we found out so there was no way I was going to be able to be there... I was really sad but tried to put on a happy face of it's all good, no worries. So as the trip approached I got on line and searched for cheap airfare several times. I wanted to find a way to get there and surprise them but as it got closer and closer prices just got higher and higher and there was no way... So the week before I was just really bummed and sad that I really couldn't work it all out, our first family vacation with the girls was going to happen and I wouldnt be there. I know in the grand scheme of things this is really trivial but my family is EXTREMELY CLOSE so it was a big deal to us... So on like on Thursday before they left on Sunday I just but a comment on Facebook about being upset about it and I decided to just give up and be ok with the fact that I wasnt going to be there... That was when God(through an amazing friend) stepped in... In a matter of on hour I was going!!!! The whole thing was worked out and it was going to be the best surprise ever!!!! So all I had to do was not say a word( that was quite possible the hardest thing ever!!!)
So I got to Florida the morning after they got there and they were SOOO SURPRISED!!!! The week was AMAZING! It was so good to see and spend time with my family. We laughed, played and like any Wilson event took TONS of pictures.... So the fam left on Saturday and I got to spend the night with a friend and head out the next morning, that is when it got bad.... Renee, the Director of Communication for the St. Joseph family that lives at Wings sent me an urgent message to get a hold of here ASAP... Those kind of messages don't ever end good, you know what I mean? So at 10:30 on Saturday night I finally got in touch with her only to be made aware that during my absence a horrible illness had found it's way into our home and taken the lives of two of our kids and had 4 others very sick...
I WAS SPEECHLESS... WHAT DO YOU SAY,WHAT DO YOU DO, WHAT DO YOU THINK....
Not knowing what it was or what could happen she wanted to make me aware of the situation and caution me of what I was coming back to. Needless to say I didn't sleep much that night from the shock and pain of loosing these two sweet children, but I knew I had to go back and be strong for these kids and workers. I finally got back to the house about 4 Sunday night... You could see the fear of catching this crazy illness in the eyes of the kids, it was so saddening and my heart just began to break for each and every one of them. The next few days were a time of remembrance for the ones who were no longer with us as we continued to pray for the ones who were struggling to hold on at the hospital...
The house became Fort Knox, there was so much bleach everywhere that I dont think it would have been possible for any illness to live through it.... Our last kid came home 4 or 5 days later and now I an happy to say everyone is well!!! Thanks to Brent and BGM we were able to start everyone on antibiotics shortly after I got back. We are just rejoicing in HIS continual provision and protection. As hard as it is to have to walk through, death is part of LIFE and we have a choice of how we deal with it... Learning to praise God during the storm is hard but an attest to the depth of our faith in HIM!!!
"It's what you do with the pain and suffering that matters the most..."
God brought Richnyder and Carolyn to Wings for a reason, he chose to share his precious children with us and I am so thankful but it was time for them to be with their FATHER, they are no longer in pain or suffering but rejoicing and praising HIM, so we too should share in their REJOICE and PRAISE!!!!

Love you all,
Let your LIFE speak....

Love them like Jesus, carry them to him...

For those that know me I dont get emotional very often but God has a way of turning the hardened hearts into mush and he is working hard on this one well maybe not that hard these days....
This is John he is one of the sweet faces that call Wings of Hope home. John has been a part of the St Joseph's family for two years. John is such as sweet boy but because of the his abusive past he doesn't mingle with others much... John was recently hospitalized, he had a horrible respiratory infection as well as some bowel related issues. Because John wander the streets before he came to Wings, he likes to get in the trash and can be found there if not be watched...
Some the staff members became very concerned with his quick downward spiral so he was taken to the Baptist Mission hospital so he could be better nursed back to the smiling little spit fire we know....
I tell you all that to share with you a very humbling and sweet moment I had on Tuesday night. John had been having a pretty good day, he had starting eating again and seemed to be getting back to himself. It was late in the afternoon and the group of BGM visitors had just left. I was sitting out on the porch and John came up to me and climbed in my lap... I was blown away! John doesn't really do things like that especially unprompted... He spent the next three hours clinging to my neck, cuddling. It was an overwhelming feeling for many reasons...
From the time I felt that God was calling me to come to Haiti I have always said "I want to be a mother to the motherless... I want to be that consistant unconditional love that is there through it all. I want to be there to when they have a bad day or don't feel good and just want to be loved... I want it all the good, the bad and the ugly." Today if only for those few minutes that is what I became for John...
It was a sweet moment to be there but more then that it was a confirmation from the Lord that he has a plan for me and it is exactly that, to Love his children like Jesus and carry them to him...
Thanks for reading guys...Love you all!!!!

I had the time of my LIFE, and I owe it ALL to YOU....

I thought I would do a little update since I've been back at Wings for a week now... Its been a crazy past couple of days but oh did the kids have a blast!!! I got back last Wednesday(the 22nd) and its been non stop since I got here. The kids and staff were excited to see me as was I to see them... There is a kid named Matt that is here with his mother for a month so I met them and we have been messing with each other ever since... He's a hoot and its going to be hilarious to spend the next month with them. I got settled in and ready for the team that arrived Friday.
Cotting, Wings sister school arrived Saturday. It's always exciting around the house when they are here... they bring a level of excitement that no other group can bring!!! We went down to St. Joseph's for church Sunday am, where I was able to see the massive progress they had made on the new boys house... I also met Michael, the man that started the St. Joseph's, The Trinity House and Wings. He is such an amazing man and I look forward to getting to know him and learning about his experiences.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were spent doing student evaluations and goal casting for next year... One of my new roles at the house is behavior so sitting in on all the meeting helped me evaluate where the kids are now and where the staff would like to see them be. I will be working with the kids in many different aspects... Anger management, socially acceptable behaviors, proper dressing, and all kinds of different things. Its going to be a long process but I think it will be challenging and exciting to see the improvement they will make!!!



Yesterday after countless hours of preparation we packed all the kids up and went to the BEACH!!! It was AMAZING!!! The kids were SOO EXCITED and the had a BLAST!!!! We went to Kalico Beach which is about 2 1/2 hours away but it was worth the drive!!! We spent the entire day there soaking up the sun and splashing in the ocean, each visitor and staff member was paired up with a kid and your only responsibility was to have fun... Ester was my partner and because of her limited mobility we spent the day relaxing in the ocean. The kids that are able to walk got the opportunity to ride a jet ski for the first time ever!!! They were sooo excited to get to drive up and down the shore and wave to all their friends. It was a priceless sight, I was so glad they go to do it. The less mobile ones rode on a boat around the strip of beach clubs but Ester and I chilled on our float and watch(it was great)!!! We ate lunch right on the beach then went back in for a little more water action before we packed everyone up and headed home... Needless to say the ride back was a little quieter then going but we still had our fare share of action as we ran out of gas TWICE... We got home around 8 and I think I was in the bed around 8:15... I was burnt and worn out!!! ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GREAT DAY!!!!


BEACH BUMS....



Today was another fun filled day... Today we finished breakfast and loaded up about 20 of the kids and went SHOPPING!!! The have a designated fund for the kids to be able to go and buy toys and things once a years so the staff decided why not do it when we have a group of visitors who can handle the outing... Each kid was paired with an adult and given an envelope of money. We went to the Eagle grocery store which has a rather decent toy section and allowed out kids to pick out whatever they wanted... Sam my partner got a bag of play toys including two shovels a pale, a dump truck, train, boat and several other things. He then hit the food section to spend the rest of his money... We got crackers, cookies and of course some candy!!! We finished our trip with a visit to Epi'dor for lunch... We got Cheeseburger and fries!!! Most of the kids like to get ice cream but Sam however HATES ice cream so we stuck to a bigger order of fries and a big coke... It was fun to get out and have just a regular ole day of shopping and grabbing a bite to eat!!!



RAGS....TO....RICHES...

Im so blessed to be able to do what I'm doing... hope all of you enjoyed my little blurb about what's going on in my neck of the woods... love you all and please continue to pray for God's provision and blessing on the kids and this country!!!!

Enjoying the Journey
Katie

Im comin Home, comin Home...

Well its officially 20 days till I head back and as always there is much to be done... Every time I come back to the states I always have the feeling of emptiness and longing to go back but it is always mixed with the excitement to see my family so it always bittersweet... Its been great visiting with family and friends but the ticket is bought and I am about to pack the bags...
I knew that my month long stay at Wings would be a time that God would reveal things but I had no idea the level of excitement and challenge it would bring. I am soo excited to say that God is using this next phase of my LIFE as a learning process... I have been privileged to work in many different areas serving many different groups of people and I am honored to say that I have found and now work with a place that provides the up most respect and quality care for a group of children who are deemed "unworthy." Wings of Hope tucked away in the mountains of Fermathe, Haiti is a home to 35 physically and mentally handicap young adults and children. The Wings of Hope house provides children not only a home to grow in but also the education, therapy and medical care they need to thrive in.
As a volunteer there I will come along side the staff and help in any way possible. It can be difficult to raise one special needs child but when you throw 35 into the mix living in a 6 bedroom rental house it can be quite challenging. My desire is to absorb as much knowledge from the staff and children with the hope of bring that same care to more in need. Although this next chapter in my LIFE may not be the easiest I know that God has me here for a reason... To stretch me more then I think I can be stretched, to teach me more then I think I could learn and for me to grow more then I think I can grow... New adventure are so exciting and I can't wait to begin this journey...

"Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city..."
-God of this City, Chris Tomlin

Thanks for walking this journey with me... Without the love and support from my family and friends I could never have done this. Keep praying!!! I will post as many pics and info as I can...

Proverbs 31:8... "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

Lord I want to YEARN for you, I want to BURN with PASSION!!!

Often there are times in life that we go about plans thinking things will go one way but God quickly reveals an entirely different plan... God has shown me this more and more over the past year. On January 12, 2010 I received the greatest call upon my LIFE... One of service and submission. I have known since that day that Haiti is it, God had placed the call on my LIFE to serve here but what does that mean? I have spent most of my time since then trying to understand what that looks like...

I would love to tell you that I know, but I'm not there yet? However, I do know that God has and is getting me closer to that and I am sooo excited! I would be lying if I said I hadn't had some extremely frustrating days in the past few months but I have come to realize something in the calmness of the place I love... The waiting is where we grow the most! How are we able to carry out the task God has called us to do without HIM first preparing us ?? God has perfect timing, he knows the when, the what and the how... All we have to do is wait! Why do we have to make the waiting so bad though? I have to see the beauty in the prep work...
My prayer over the next 20 days has taken a turn... I have to stop asking for the where, the what and the how but the ability to see the right in front of me... I don't need to know what a year from now looks like because today is all that matters. God allow me to soak! I want to soak in you Lord! I am eager to grow in YOU, OPEN MY EYES, OPEN MY EARS, OPEN MY HEART!!!


"How re-freashing to know you dont NEED me, How amazing to find that you WANT me, so I'll STAND on your trust and I'll fight with your STRENGTH until you bring the VICTORY, by the power of Christ in me" - Casting Crowns, In ME

Home is where the Heart is...

I don't know that I can describe to you to Joy I have to be exactly where I am right now... As time led up to me coming I continually prayed that God would prepare me for what the journey he would have me on. I was excited beyond belief that God had opened a door for me to serve but I was also anxious in that I had never met or been to the place I was committing to for the next month...
I say all that to say... Wings is AMAZING!!! The children, staff and directors mesh so well together creating a beautiful enviornment to care and raise these children. I am looking forward to bonding and getting to know each and everyone of these children. They are going to teach me soo much more then I could ever do for them.
Friday are a day of worship, celebration and fun! We spent most of the day danced and worshiped. It made me so excited to see the staff and pastor so passionate about worshiping, but encouraging the kids to do so as well. God is stretching me each and everyday and my hope is that my LIFE will be used in return... After worship we had boutique, which is where the kids get to buy toys and things from the "store" with the money they have earned for doing chores around the house. Gary, the assistant director, and I then proceeded to attempt to play "Jesus loves Me" with these bells... HAHA that was a sight! KC, April and I took five of the kids down to another house down the street for a visit, it was fun to see the kids and how they interact with each other. I think we are going to a wedding tomorrow and to the St. Joseph house for church on Sunday. Monday I will get to see how school and therapy works so I am excited to see how that goes... Until then - LOVE YOU ALL! THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS!

Hold on... Be strong...

So I'm going to try and get this up to date as best as possible... there has so much that has happen since then so I am going to have to summarize some of the things that happen...
The bus that Dr. Bernard was able to get took all the kids and workers to the Guesthouse while Mike Brent Tia Naika Dr.Bernard Claudette and I went to check on the orphanage... We saw tons of destruction, devastation and death... I was speechless there was nothing I could do or say to fix this, I remember just thinking maybe if I just went to sleep I would wake up and all of it would be a dream. It took us about 4 hour to get to the guesthouse once we were arrived they quickly sat us down to eat. We went to our room shortly after and attempted to sleep, there were two after shocks that night. After the first one happen I was awake, I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't so I decided I would start writing down as much as I could... We got up and got ready so we could start on our journey to go back home... Little did I know that this was the start of one of the craziest days. We got to the airport even getting Tia in but little did we know that getting her into the airport wasn't that big of a step there was much more to come...
Up until this point the plan was for all of us to come home together on a private plane but from that point on none of the plans we had in our heads happen, it was all God from here. Mike stayed in Haiti with Tia because he would have gone to jail if he brought her home illegally while Brent and I came home. We had tons of obstacles and first experiences but thankfully after 36 hours and no sleep I was back in Nashville... those 36 hours were the most emotional 36 hours of my life, it all became real. The numbness went away and it hurt. Badly.
I didn't think I would ever come back, I didn't think I would see my family again. but what was harder was in the midst of those emotions the only thing I wanted was to be right back where I had just left. The country I loved and came to help had just experienced the most devastating natural disaster and I left three days after it happen...