Earthquake

Barb, Lawanna, Lacey, the children, and caretakers at Ruuska Village are all okay. Praise the Lord for His protection and mercy. The walls around the village have collapsed, as well as the food storage building. They are tending to several peoples' medical needs coming in from the streets. They are in need of supplies such as: medical, diesel, food, etc. If anyone would like to donate directly to Ruuska Village, you may send to: Reach Out to Haiti, 168 Gutbrodt Rd. Melrose, NY 12121 I am also posting a paypal donation link on this blog. All proceeds will go directly toward helping the most urgent needs at Ruuska Village. Haiti will always have a special place in our hearts. God has a plan, and we believe this may be a new beginning for the people of Haiti. Thank you and may the Lord bless you for being so willing to help.

My New Home at Ruuska Village

"The Sweet Brat Club"

I feel like a "mom" for the first time in my life; I love them all like my own! Samson and Jennyka moved into my house, along with Simon, Gracie, and Katyna. It makes me so happy to have these children confide in me about the most simple details in their lives. I know a person would naturally wonder, "How could there be enough love to go around?" Sometimes it's trying, but with God as our Father there is more than enough love! Furthermore, how can we measure or put a limit on God's love? Or our love? How can I question why I am here when every morning I wake up to Marie Grace's giggle coming from her crib, Simon's big eyes looking at me, and Katyna's beautiful dimpled smile? They need me, and I need them. Every day Gracie brings a smile to my face! And THEN there is Samson peeing in his toothbrush cup because he didn't want to wake me to unlock the door! ;-) He actually did that! ha ha

I pray for my babies' safety. I have FAITH God will meet their needs and trust He will direct me in the path of being a just and virtuous woman.

Another prayer for myself is to learn and apply Proverbs 12 to my life!

"Whosoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brutal beast, stupid, and indiscriminating. A good man obtains favor of the Lord, but a man of wicked devices he condemns. A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall never be moved." Proverbs 12:1-3

Another Day in the Village

We accomplished a lot in the village today! It's so exciting! Justin and a friend of Vera's built some shelves in the clinic, so we cleaned all day and organized the medicine! We had to switch some rooms around and it was a pretty big job, but we're almost finished. It LOOKS SO NICE!

We went out for Chinese tonight! I couldn't believe there was such a nice restaurant in Haiti! It was fun, but I came home with a headache; I am guessing it might be from the giardia medication I'm taking.

Gracie had a terrible fever today. She hasn't been feeling good for the past two days. Her cry is different, a real sadness... not just her normal, "I want to be held by .... Lacey!" cry. ha ha Thank God her fever broke! Oh! and both my babies are getting over their diarrhea, I'm so thrilled!

The Woman In Blue

Barbara Walker is a humble woman who has dedicated her whole heart and life to the unfortunate children of a desolate country called Haiti. Giving children a new hope and future for tomorrow, Walker (65), started facilitating adoptions 20 years ago and is still marching onward through the process today. Walker started building homes and churches in Brazil, until her boss felt ashamed because she was working harder than most of the men and told her to sit the next trip out. She called him a "female chauvinist pig" and quit on the spot! Within a week she received a phone call from a close friend and was invited to help start a business in a different country just 700 miles off the coast of Florida, Haiti. Little did Walker know her work as a construction worker would soon be over, and God would open another door to fulfill her life purpose, "Reach Out to Haiti". Living a selfless life in a selfish world is not easy for any human, yet Walker is known all over the world for her joy in helping anyone in need.

"Out of the most severe trial their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability." 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

Barbara Walker explains, "It wasn't by accident I was called to do a paint job at an orphanage where I found neglected, starving, worm-bellied children." Walker returned to the orphanage every day and noticed the pattern of a little baby's life in particular. He was fed one bottle of ceri-milk (which is baby cereal mixed with formula) in the morning and they gave him one diaper change and sat him in the corner. They didn't touch him until bedtime and then they gave him another bottle of ceri-milk and one more diaper change. Barbara decided she needed to find a way to get this child out... and FAST! This was the first of the many successful adoption stories, thanks be to God and the Woman in Blue!


THE WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE~

Manual labor is not a strange thing to the women at Ruuska Village. Washing clothes by hand, carrying water buckets, and cooking over an open fire are just a few of their daily tasks. The women who live there are employed nannies; Barbara gives them food, clothing, a wage, and a place to stay. Some women, who have educations or special talents such as sewing and teaching, are paid a higher salary.

Men are not allowed to stay at the village, but do come to visit or work. Trucks are filled with gravel by hand and mixed for cement to build the perimeter walls, fix potholes, and to add stories to the houses. Young boys also help with this task. They work fast and hard... all day, every day!

"A new command I give you: love one another.....as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34, 35

Barbara Walker

If you would like to contribute to the children and families at Ruuska Village please send gifts to: Barbara Walker, 168 Gutbrodt Rd., Melrose, NY 12121 Thank you!