PICTURES...FINALLY!

Sorry it took me so long to get back to the blog. Hopefully some people check it.

Last Week

I don't really know what to say about this last week. My heart is heavy, but the joy I have is deep and strong. These children have been such a blessing in my life. They have taught me so many things. There were many tears at our closing ceremonies yesterday. The little ones put on all their peices of armor and sang "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho". PRECIOUS! A group of the girls sang a song to Keri, Lisa, and I thanking us for all that we did. Yes, phew phew, tears. My class performed their skit, there was a dance, and a rap, and some stories kids wrote. And one last time, we all recited Ephesians 6:10-20 together.

I said I have learned a lot, a lot about a passion to learn. Who in the states would ride in a tap-tap (taxi) for two hours here and back every day to come to camp?? Yes 2 hours, a 14 year old and her brother who is 11. AND NEVER a complaint! I have learned about joy and peace and strength from little Emmanuel and his smiles. His face radiate and this after so many losses in his short life; his mother to AIDS, caring for his baby brother, living in an abandoned warehouse with his grandmother, and not able to go to school. I can't even begin to tell you all that I have learned. Each beautiful face represents a story, a life, many of which we will never know all of the details. But what we do know is that we were here...here to open up the gate and welcome them in with a hug, a touch, a smile, and love every day for 6 weeks. God only knows what that means to them. And now we leave them to "stand firm" together. And wish a reminder that God continues to wait for them "at the gate" every morning to hear their prayers and to meet with them. I know that for me each hug was a touch from God to my soul. Jesus loves the little children, this I know! I have no more words.

I will probably continue to blog here a few more times but I'm not sure I will keep it up too long. Thanks for all the support and love. I'll be on my way back to the states tomorrow afternoon. I will post more pictures when I get home.

"rapping" up

This Sunday our camp kids are performing a few things they have learned. We hope to get most of the kids to church. We will be reciting our camp verses, Ephesians 6:10-20 in English. The older kids will be performing the RAP they created. The little ones will be yelling out our theme phrase "my God is so BIG, so strong and so mighty, there is not one thing my God can not do for you and you and you". They are so cute. And then we will all sing "Come and Go with me to my Father's House" in English and Creole. Next week is our last week of camp. We will be giving out backpacks full of school supplies on Friday to each kid. Their parents will come for a closing ceremony and each class will hopefully have something prepared to perform. Mine is working on a skit about Paul. Not sure I have any star actors so it might be a struggle. Anyway, hopefully this weekend will be a restful one because we are all dragging badly and so exhausted.

BIG NEWS and more

First of all, I want to tell everyone about Wandy. He is a 13 year old boy who my friend Keri brought to the states last year for surgery on his head. He was severely burned when he fell at the market into some boiling oil. If all goes smoothly with paperwork Wandy will be flying out of Haiti with Keri and I when we leave on the 12th. So, here is where you all come in. Keri has personally taken on the cost of helping Wandy. I would love to give her a gift of money from anyone who feels like supporting this cause. Wandy's medical visa costs around $200 we think and his plane ticket was $500. If anyone would like to give money it would be best to write a check to me and send it to Sara Frantz 3148W 1050N Milford, IN 46542. Mom, I guess this would be one more thing for you to put in my pile of mail for when I get home :) Anyway, I just wanted to put that out there.

SO, now to the other BIG NEWS. I have mixed emotions on many levels about what I am telling you all. I recieved a personal email about two weeks ago asking if I was interested in a job. The job is a temporary one year position in the Wawasee School Corporation, where I grew up. They are looking to hire a full time school psychologist and need someone to take care of business until they can hire someone. Being the person that I am, I let life come to me, and I feel God opens doors for a reason. So...I said yes. It will be a great opportunity financially as I will be able to stay with my parents. But I am deeply sad not to return to Indianapolis. Living with my parents at 26...hmmm, that does something to the pride as well, but luckily, my parents are great! I just have to trust that God knows what he is doing and jump on for the ride. I will miss GG19 to death and I love you all. I will be coming down to indy soon to see you all, don't worry :). I do however start my job two days after I return home so it might have to be over a weekend. So anyway, camp is coming to a close and I am starting to feel that sad closure lump in my throat. I just love these kids! Can't wait to share more later.