Arizona

Here I am in Arizona working like crazy to try and get donations rolling in so that we are able to go to Haiti and do our part. While people have already been kind, we need more than that. Haiti needs people more now than ever. In order for us to go down we need a very large amount to be able to do good and not just hand out bandaides.

If you can't already tell I am very frustrated and ready for something more to happen. We do have some promising fundraisers coming up, however, the longer we take to raise the money the more likely children in Haiti are dying. So naturally I am very frustrated with the time it takes to get things secured.

Aside from that, I am doing well and really enjoying time with Paige. Paige lived in Haiti with me and has truly been a blessing as we are going through the same waves of emotions! We both have strong connections to Haiti and wish we could be there. We will be there but hopefully sooner rather than later to offer some assistance.

The Lord is great though in that Fritzner is fine and the children at Espwa are doing well too. I cannot say that all is good because their country has suffered so much loss and devastation, and its only beginning.

Keep praying for Haiti, it will need it for years to come!

Message from a friend

I just got this message from one of my first friends in Haiti Pierre. He and his family live in a mountain village outside of Port Au Prince. Please pray for them!

hello Amanda,

Things are terrible in haiti.In grand-boulage people lost their houses and sleep out the night.

more than 500 of people lost their houses in the all area.

God bless you.

One day at a time

These past few days have been busy. I was so relieved to go to church today and be in a 'normal' situation surrounded by caring people. I have been thinking back to my days in Haiti so much lately. The kids faces keep popping up in my head and memories of times we spent together are always on the back of my mind. I have been so distracted from everything else like work and club volleyball, but I cannot help it.

Fritzner and I have been talking more lately which is truly a blessing! Just to be able to hear his voice is more than comforting. I wish I could be there for him more, more supportive. But a telephone conversation is hardly what I would call being supportive for someone in his situation. I am praying that we are together again soon and that he can be here with me.

Here are a few pictures of my time in Haiti

Difficult to Hear

Watching the news constantly, checking every social media connection I have, and emailing friends in Haiti has not been easy. My love for Haiti and the people there is great, and this earthquake is beyond belief. Never had I imagined that an earthquake of any kind let alone this size would happen there. The pictures keep coming in, the stories are endless of wounded and trapped people with no help possible. Everyone has been affected by this and is reaching out to help if they can.

I sit here, feeling helpless, trying to raise money and re-connect with the people in Haiti. It is so hard for me to watch this on tv and not be able to help, I cannot imagine being in Haiti and seeing all of this happen before your eyes. Not being able to go home or sleep because you are afraid for your life. Wandering the streets to see if you find anyone you know...

Please pray for Haiti, so many people are reaching out to help and it is wonderful, lets just pray that the help can get to Haiti and start working.

Links to stay connected with

Please look at Global Family Philanthropy's website to see what I am currently working on doing to help in the earthquake relief!

EDUplus is another website to check out if you are able to make monetary donations.

If you have facebook please join our group Haiti Earthquake Relief for more updates and how you can help.

An easy way to stay connected is to become a fan of Global Family Philanthropy on Facebook

Thanks for all your prayers and continued support!

Haiti Earthquake

I am sure all of you already know about the earthquake and how devastating it is. I am deeply saddened and horrified by all this is still taking place. So many people have lost lives, so many brothers and sisters are missing. Family is frantically trying to find each other. Most of the people I know are safe, however there family is not. Some of my contacts in Port Au Prince are not. I just received an email last night from a friend in Port Au Prince describing the horrors around her as she tried to get home and help people along the way.

Please check out these sites that I am recommending, so much has happened and the need is great.

EDUplus - organization I am with

Global Family Philanthropy - organization I am working with

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/earthquake_in_haiti.html - lots of pictures, warning some are graphic

Thank you for all your prayers and please continue to keep the people of Haiti in your prayers for months to come as they try to find loved ones and seek out medical care

Welcome to 2010!

I hope everyone is enjoying their family and ready for 2010! I was able to spend some time with my friends from camp and have really enjoyed looking back to our summers together and catching up!

As I look back at my life and try to imagine the future, I think of Haiti. I think of the kids, what they are doing now, they things that we have done together and things that I would like to teach them and do with them. I have truly fallen for Haiti and really don't know if there is any way that it could ever be taken off my heart. I so often think of the kids and the things that I could be doing there that I know I will forever be connected to Haiti.

This month looks to be very busy and I am hoping and praying for God to direct my path and help me to figure out where He wants me to be right now. I thought that I knew up until the past couple of days. Lord hear my prayer and help me to follow your guidance.

God Bless!

Amanda