Meet Julie

I've posted before about New Life for Haiti. Our 3rd Annual Chicagoland Gala is rapidly approaching, so my free time (along with many others') is pretty much consumed by auction items, menus, RSVP's, dinner requests, etc.

In this time of last-minute planning, several members of our church community took a quick trip down to Haiti to help move our full-time missionary couple into their new home, Kai bo Rivye (house on the river), which will also serve as housing quarters for work teams. One of our church members, Todd Pierson, who is an amazing photographer, was on the team to take photos for use in the NLH materials and at the banquets. Five others, including an electrician, were on the trip as well.

Sometimes it's important to slow down the activity and remember exactly WHY we are focusing so much time and effort on one small village in Haiti.

Meet Julie.

From Todd's blog:

Julie is a special needs girl I met last week in Haiti. She has a cleft palate and is in the need of surgery to correct her condition. I currently have a campaign running to raise the funds to help pay for the procedure which is only $1000 U.S. and can be done in Port au Prince. She is so sweet and was waving to use (after she got over her fear) as we shot her photo. Her mom is currently overwhelmed with buying formula and trying to figure out how to pay for it. This is one chance to make a difference in one child's life. We can't fix it all, but this one is right in front of us. It was pretty emotional to be there on Friday afternoon knowing by just shooting these images, this child has a shot at growing and developing normally. If you would like to help, shoot me an email and tell me how much you are donating. The check should be made out to "New Life for Haiti" and sent to with a note indicating it's for Julie to this address:

New Life for Haiti

PO Box 33

Plainfield, IL 60544

(815)436-7633

Julie is only one beautiful little girl living in the village of Marfranc. Sometimes, though, it's easy to get caught up in the masses and forget that the masses are made up of individuals. In trying to make life better and bring the love of God to this village, we often forget that they have real, pressing life issues.

Dearest Lord of the poor, as we work to bring Your love to a country so ravaged by poverty that day-to-day needs are not being met, please help us to remember all of the Julies living there. The sweet little children who truly are the future of a good and beautiful Haiti. Touch our hearts, as we work to touch the lives of this tiny country.