Tuscaloosa (Behind Enemy Lines)

Yep… you read that right I’m in enemy territory. Lol. Ok not really but as a Tennessee fan I would at least consider this hostile ground for me. Just think about how many Alabama fans I am surrounded by right this very second. I bet there isn’t another Vols fan for 100 miles!  So Celeste what are you doing there?

Well everyone knows on April 27, 2011 the southeast was hit by dozens of tornadoes devastating several states and Tuscaloosa was hit the worst. That same day one of my best friends was hit hard and this disaster struck tragedy in her family. It broke my heart to see how heartbroken she was and there was absolutely nothing I could do but pray. So I did. I prayed for her, her family, and the great loss she had experienced. I prayed for Tuscaloosa and the way the tornado tore through homes and lives. I wanted to do more and I knew one day I would be able to do my part to help.

Google Earth view (tornado got up to 1.5 miles wide)

Many of you already know of my love for Samaritan’s Purse…. and they were down here the very next day helping victims of the tornado remove debris from the homes and collecting anything that may be salvageable. The damage was very much noticeable and even 18 months later, Tuscaloosa is still scarred by this devastating day.

This is where Darlene's home was

This week I have been helping to rebuild Darlene Starkling’s home. She is a mother of 2 and a grandmother of 2. She is such a sweet hard-working lady. When the tornado hit, her entire home was wiped out but she was just thankful no one in her family was hurt. Darlene wasn’t able to rebuild her home but through Samaritan’s Purse the Lord has provided Darlene with a new home.

I feel so privilege dto be able to help this precious lady with her home and to be a light to those here in Tuscaloosa. I am staying another week and I am so excited to watch the progress continue on Darlene’s new home.

All the SP staff and other volunteers have been such a blessing too! 

The Least of These

Over a year ago I took my first trip to Haiti with Samaritan's Purse. This trip opened my eyes to how much need there was it this devastating country and service, we as Christians, could really be doing for the world. What is even more interesting is how much more this second trip opened my eyes to the needs of children in Haiti and the role I can play in helping to fulfill those needs.

Of course like most trips I take, this one was not any different. Hannah and I met in Haiti last year helping to rebuild an orphanage in Leogane, the epicenter of the earthquake in 2010. My heart melted the day I met the sweet children, of what is not called the Greta Academy. Back then it was still known as the Lamb Center ran by two former orphans adopted by an American. By chance, Hannah and I were both from Tennessee and we kept in touch after the trip. The children at Greta Academy stayed on my mind a lot after that trip.

I prayed for them, I plastered pictures of them on my computer, but it was still not enough. I wanted to see them, to hug them, and be able to show God's love to them. I knew one day God would allow for an opportunity for me to return. Just a couple of months ago, I saw Hannah was raising money for shoe for the orphans in Haiti and I chipped in. A few days later I saw she had raised money for 50 pairs of shoes. She mentioned needing some "helpers" to take supplies and clothes down and I jumped on the opportunity. I had been struggling with my job situation and this trip became one of many that popped up in a matter of a few days. I knew is was God opening doors for me to serve. He had been preparing me for this over the last year.

So there I was, my truck packed to the brim and driving away from all the amazing people I had just met in Mobile. I drove back to my parents house dropped off all my junk and headed to the Chattanooga bus station to meet Hannah. We decided to test out this idea of riding the Megabus (which is awesome btw).

From there Hannah and I took a bus to Atlanta and flew to Ft. Lauderdale, slept in the airport and after almost 24 hours of traveling made it to Leogane, Haiti. I was back; completely excited and exhausted.

The Greta Academy Now..almost done!

Hannah is moving to Haiti for a year in January and she needed to take some supplies down and also check out her home for the next year. We were able to bring 2 suitcases full of clothes for one of the orphanages. I am hoping to take down lots more next year in April.







Day 2: I was back at the Greta Academy! I couldn't believe I was actually getting to see those sweet faces again. The building I helped with went from a few batter boards to being almost completely done. I couldn't believe that either. Hannah and I spent the afternoon with the kids just loving on them and playing around.

The same day we stopped by another orphanage Hannah had worked with in the past. This one was in much worst condition. There were 26 kids and most seemed malnourished with swollen bellies and skinny arms. They were all so sweet and it was hard to see them that way.

Day 3: Hannah and I got a car which gave us much more mobility than riding around on tap-taps and motorcycles (which made me nervous to begin with...as those things are crazy and pretty dangerous). We stopped by an orphanage that morning to drop off some clothes and then after being inspired by the Kings and Queens video by Audio Adrenaline, I wanted to stop by the Hands and Feet project to check out their ministry and look for possible projects with them for the future. We had no idea if they would even let us in their complex, since one, the didn't know us and two, we just showed up unannounced.

Fortunately, they did let us in and we were able to talk with Angie and Michelle, two missionaries with the Hands and Feet Project. They were very warm and welcoming. We talked for a couple of hours about their ministry and the role they play in the children villages there in Haiti. After a wonderful and encouraging morning, we headed for the beach for lunch. We then stopped by to visit a sweet lady who couldn't walk (Hannah was able to get a wheelchair for her!) She was so sweet and it was such a pleasure meeting her and family. It was a successful day full of great conversations, wonderful people, and potential ministry sites.


Day 4 and 5 were very similar to our second day. We were able to stop back by the Greta Academy and swing by an orphanage with 110 kids. The needs at this orphanage were just as great. Tattered clothes and dirt covered these children melting my heart even more. This trip was much more eye-opening as Hannah and I discussed the needs to the country and the orphanage issue.




She mentioned how most of the children were not true orphans, but had parents who were unable to take care of them or could not afford for their children to go to school, so they were abandoned to orphanages. The issue of this country is not the number of children without parents but the number of parents unable to care for their children. Haiti does not need more orphanages but a way out of this problem of family. A country with little to no foundation in God or family.


I would love to find a way to empower these parents to be able to take care of their own children. To feed them, clothe them, and send them to school. I pray I will open my eyes and heart to the hurt and needs of this cause. I want God to break my heart for what breaks His.

Haiti needs a platform to build their country up through faith and fear in our Lord and through Christian family as seen in Deuteronomy 6:1-3, "These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the Gd of your fathers, promised you."

Adopted

For starters, I just want to thank the Lord from His grace and provision. He is mighty! He is my strength and I want to praise Him all of my days.

Secondly, is anyone else as excited about Audio A getting back together?! If so check this out! ----->

Audio Adrenaline - Kings and Queens (Exclusive Music Video Premiere) from audio-adrenaline on GodTube.


After watching this video, I checked out the Hands and Feet Project. I am definitely going to be looking more into this ministry for the future.

I can't believe my first trip is less than two weeks away. God is good. My first trip to Haiti is fully funded!

I am so blessed to be able to go back to Haiti again. This trip is very unique. This will be the first time I have ever been able to return to a place where I did mission work. The precious children at the Greta Center pricked my heart last year. They are all precious in the sight of God and I want nothing more for them to know they are not orphans through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  If I could, I would bring everyone of them home with me. (One day I probably will bring one or two home...one day!)

I

If buses could fly...

This trip's focus will be one bringing some much needed supplies to several organizations in Haiti. Hannah Sterling, who I originally met in Haiti last year with Samaritan's Purse, contacted me about a month ago regarding this trip. After a year of praying for God to open a door for me to return to Haiti, he provided this opportunity to join Hannah for a brief trip as she prepares to move to Haiti to work with the Kore Timoun. We will be connecting with several organizations that she and I have both worked with. Our focus will be to supply has much help as possible during this short trip.

Hannah, me, and Nadege

Continue to pray for me as I prepare for this trip and also for an opportunity to return next April.

To learn more about Hannah's ministry opportunities you can follow her blog  at: http://hannahsterling.blogspot.com/

Hannah also sells handmade jewelry to support her ministry. You can check out more about that at: The Paper Bag

We are NOT orphans anymore! We have been adopted. Of course the song, "Orphan" by Ronnie Freeman immediately comes to mind.

Romans 8: 14-17 says," All those led by God's Spirit are God's sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, and if children, also heirs--heirs of God and coheirs with Christ--seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him."

God is good! He has blessed me so! Almost half way there! PTL!

Crowdfunding

All those forks

Hey everyone, so well it's been a looonnnnggg time but I'm finally back with new stories and exciting adventures coming my way. As everyone who has read this you know I spent some time in Peru and since then I have been waiting patiently as God opens doors of opportunity for me to serve Him. God is finally telling me to leave Mobile and GO! 

I have been given several opportunities to go on mission trips around the world. I know God has been preparing my heart for this type of work for a long time. And it seems the time has come! I now have three opportunities to go overseas in upcoming months. I want to share with you the work I will be doing in Haiti, Nigeria, and South Africa.  Last August, I spent a few weeks with Samaritan’s Purse helping rebuild an orphanage after the 2010 earthquake. It was two of the greatest weeks of my life. One of my friends, from the trip, has asked me to return with her November 11-18, 2012 to help with relief and bring much needed supplies to the children. The estimated cost of this trip is about $900. There are currently 60 children living in the Greta Center and they are all so precious. I would love to be able to see them again and serve along side my friend to help meet some of their needs. You can sign up to help too! Just click the picture!

Me with some of the kids in Haiti 

August 2011

These girls are so sweet!

And they love to dance!

My second opportunity is coming through Samaritan’s Purse again. This is a great organization that helps people around the world in countless ways. The Nigeria Hospital Revitalization Project is located in Egbe, Nigeria. I will be there for the last two weeks in January 2013.  Samaritan’s Purse has been working to rebuild a hospital where so many people are in need. They do supplement some of the cost of the trip, but the remainder will cost about $1000. Here is a video link that explains more of what I will be doing: Nigeria Hospital Revitalization

Before photo of the hospital

Nurses from the Egbe Hospital

I have also served as Fuge Camp staff, and plan to be site director at Belmont University in Nashville next summer work. Fuge Camps is a Lifeway ran organization that teaches youth how to engage in intentional local ministry and take it back to their own communities. I have the privilege to be part of a ministry team of former staff in Johannesburg, South Africa starting on March 23, 2013. We will be working with a ministry called the Door of Hope, where they take HIV positive children into their open arms. We will also be doing outreach throughout local townships. This trip will also be partially funded by the IMB (International Mission Board), but I will have to provide my own airfare, which is estimated at $2,000.

A few of the site kids from Summer 2011...they're so funny! Can't wait for next summer!

Twins from Door of Hope (Can't wait to hold these little guys either!)

How precious!

As you can see, all of these trips provide an opportunity to meet the physical and spiritual needs of communities desperately in need. More than anything, I would value your prayers for me during these trips. I believe that God answers prayers, and I’m asking you to pray for safety, good health, smooth travel, and financial support. Just knowing that you will be praying will give me peace as I go to unfamiliar places.

Beyond your prayers, if you are led to join me by financially supporting these missions, I would be grateful. I need to raise about $5,000 for the total cost of the trips....and maybe more if other doors open! I will have to be creative to raise the money, and I want to extend an invitation to you to participate. To make it easy you can just mail checks to: 200 Castle Drive Jasper, TN 37347 or 5563 Vanderbilt Ct. Mobile, AL 36608 as I will bouncing back and forth  between these two locations. I also have a GoFundMe account at Go Fund Me Link. This is a journey that God has called me to and I would greatly appreciate any level of support you are able to offer.

 Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, and if you have any questions, please let me know.
Really good news...I've already bought my ticket for Haiti and I'm headed there on Nov. 11th. It's really happening! AND there is a possibility I could go back to Haiti again in April 2013! Which will be another $800ish so I think I'm gonna shoot for $5,000.  God is good and I'll leave Him room to work!  :)

Matthew 25! And I want to GO make disciples! Matthew 28:19

Crowdfunding

I am so excited for the doors God has opened for me! Bless you all!

Guess who's back!

So I know there are a whopping 7 of you who actually read this blog and are anxious to know what my news is.  So here it goes…

After much thought, debate, personal struggle, weighing pros and cons, prayer, and sleepless nights, I have decided to resign from the Peace Corps. I can’t believe these words are actually coming out on paper but there you have it. If you are reading this I’m already back in the States and you may have even already seen me or talked to me, but nonetheless I feel I should express my reasoning behind this sudden decision.

Some of you may be asking...but Celeste, it’s only two years why not just suck it up and finish? (P.S. I did that once…it was called the Air Force) I thought you were a completest?  I thought you wanted to help people, see the world, and learn Spanish? If you are asking these questions or any other similar question, you are correct. But I have already asked myself these same things about 250 times and lost a lot of sleep doing so.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved Peru and the PC…the people, my host family, my town, the food, the struggle with Spanish, and the view (just to name a few). I also knew some things were missing…like my Christian community, peanut butter, (jk that’s no reason to leave whatsoever no matter how good it tastes.) and most importantly my heart for the program…this was the biggest one by far. I loved my host family and living Peru and heck…even bucket bathing and eating potatoes if it came down to it. But…

I hate it took me so long to really realizing this…but I have never really been interested in the health field (and probably never will be…the rest of my family got that gene I guess) and that’s what program I was in…. health. I thought it would eventually come…a heart for working in health. I thought through training and my passion to help those in need I would find my groove and become an affective volunteer in the health program. But after a month I still cannot find motivation to work on the goals I have been given by the PC. So I have found it to be unfair to my new community, the Peace Corps, and myself. All three deserve to better. I hastily joined the PC and I am swiftly ending it even though this has been a wonderful experience, ultimately it was no the right fit for me. I freaked out to be honest. I had just graduate and all those doors to choose from were one by one closing. Then I got my invite to Peru and what can be more appealing to an adventure seeker like myself than the jumping on the opportunity to live in Peru for two years. All the pros seemed to outweigh the cons. But here I am…back in the U.S. I only have one life to live and I know I shouldn’t waste another minute of it doing something I only enjoy because of travel and my days off. I want passion and heart. I don’t want to ever do anything half hearted again. I did that in the Air Force…I’m 26 I need to find better use of my time.

I am sad and this is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I didn’t want to say goodbye to other Volunteers, my host family, or the amazing travel opportunities I was going to have. But I also can’t spend the next two years unmotivated skating on the gov’t’s dime just because I want to travel, hang out with my new friends in Peru, and experience new things with my Peruvian family. That’s selfish but then again maybe leaving was selfish. It’s like being stuck between a rock and a hard place.  I left a whole community behind that could really use my help. But they deserve someone whose whole heart is in it. I’m not sure if this really begins to explain my heart and intentions but I know when I swore in as a volunteer I did have the best intentions but intentions get you absolutely nowhere. Not a half hearted attempt to just get by but someone who genuinely cares about the health and well being of the community and is driven to do great things in Socosbamba. I will pray one day an amazing volunteer comes along and changes that town forever.

I am also excited and I feel I am making the right decision for me.  I hate I left…I don’t give up. I just don’t. I wanted to finish, I really did. But I don’t want this to be two years I have wasted just because I feel I HAD to finish. This time I’m going to suck up my pride and do what I know I have to…even if it is hard. I know I am human and I make mistakes…lots of them. But I thank my Father for loving me anyway.  

I know God has great plans for me and I will be patient as He points me in a new direction. I already know doors are going to open up for me. Can’t wait to see where life will take me next. I trust the Lord to guide me with every single step.

Don’t unsubscribe to this blog it maybe something totally different in only a matter of time.

Keep pressing…I will be! J

Love you all and this time I really will see you soon!

Celeste