Back to Life

I am back in America. No I am back in California. After spending the night in Miami airport, boy am I glad to be in Cali. If you never have to do that I would recommend not doing it. First of all it's freezing in there, secondly there is no where to lay down accept the ground, and thirdly they announce the time every 15mins. Luckily a kind worker stopped by and said, "Hey girl" as I was trying to sleep and threw a blanket & pillow packet at me. He walked back and said, "That's for you". I was so thankful!! God is good :)

As soon as I got in to LAX I found my dad waiting for me. Then we drove straight to my parents house for our "Christmas" :) I wanted to take a normal shower once I got back, but the party had already started. I threw on my pajama's and was ready for family and good food! I think Bryson was one of my favorite parts. He was SO excited for gifts...really he was!! I mean I would be too if I was a 3 year old ;) 

Bryson got lot's of Thomas the Train stuff!!

 Opening gifts is his favorite!! 

I gave him these sweet looking Cars light up shoes!! As soon as he opened it he banged the two of them together to see them light up. Such a smart cookie that one :)

It was nice to come back to family right away so I didn't have to be sad to leave Haiti. I mean I am sad that I left, but I remembered what I missed at home...family!! I love them so much!! It's like I have a family in Haiti and a family at home :) How awesome is that!!

Today I did a lot of nothing. I looked through about 700 plus photos of my Haitian holiday. Rotated, fixed, cropped and smiled at the memories. They are almost ready for viewing. I will have a photo post soon. And I am sure they will show up on facebook as well. 

For now I will leave you with the best boy band ever...The Backstreet Boys are BACK!!!! Holla,  oh yeah :)

Wow!! Look at the time...Happy Birthday Seth!! My little brother is 20 today, time flies when you are having fun :)

Bitter Sweet

Alas...it is time. I am leaving Haiti tomorrow. I am sad, yet I kind of want to come home. I don't want to leave all of these wonderful kids. Can I take them with me?!? I have loved getting to know the kids even more and building the relationships. God I pray for this nation of Haiti. May YOUR light be shown!! 

A Haitian wedding...oh my!!

I am so thankful to have participated in a Haitian wedding!! I never thought I would be able to experience the joy, excitement, flow of cheesy music, a crowd up at the front for a kiss, OR my favorite a "Total Hottie" balloon. It was AWESOME!!!! (to say the least) I wish I had my pictures ready, but sadly I don't. They will come and you shall see the awesomeness of it all!! The bridal party walked...no danced down the aisle. Haha, I love it!! AND I forgot, when we were leaving to go to the reception I jumped in the back of one of our green trucks. I didn't even realize that I would be sitting, no hanging on to the back of the truck...at night...in Haiti. [Whoa!! Fireworks are going off as I type this...yikes :)] Anyways the ride to the reception was pretty sweet. Nothing like being in the back of a truck with 10 other people on a bumpy road. The party was rockin' with tunes and we waited for the bridal party to arrive...I mean dance in. Oh goodness...it was amazing!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!! And to all a good night ;)

Linus: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

Linus: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Big Heart

I just came from a wonderful time of prayer and worship at the boy's home. Can I just say how awesome it is to see little ones all out in worship for God?!?! I love Haitian's and how much passion they have. I was watching MarKendy play the drum and then he stopped to raise his hands in praise to God!! I almost cried watching Davidson as he put his little hands over Anderson as we prayed for him. I could hear him praying in creole with all that his little heart could pray. For those of you that know Anderson, a younger brother of his passed away so please keep him in your prayers!! I just love them so much!!

The past couple of days have been kind of random and fun!! I went to "Eagle" the supermarket here with Matt and Erta. A typical run to the store...in Haiti. I have actually been there before and they have a lot of stuff you could find in America. As we left there was a big BANG!! I hope that was a tire...eh it's all good :) Earlier today I helped with the feeding program...kinda. I hung out with the kids!! BUT we also went over the positions for the program AND passed out tickets. Yikes we barely got done at like 6pm. A little crazy, I mean how do you keep 80+ kids under control...in Haiti?!? We did what we could :)

I have also been working on Christmas stockings for the kids!! Wow they are going to LOVE them and the surprise inside them :) Yesterday I went to church with Cindy, Brooke, Lauren and Erta at Quisqueya Chapel. It was good and I saw Ruth, Scott, and Marc there too!! God is good!! Oh we also went out to dinner last night to Karibe. Fancy shmancy and just amazing, but in Haiti?!? Really?!? It kills me that these places exist at all. It was a nice dinner and we had a grand old time thanks to the Canada team!!

Please be praying for the Christmas program and everything that is involved with it!!!!!!!!! Mesi anpil :)

I am here, I am here, I am here!!!!

Can I just say that I am finally in HAITI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I am so excited to be back. It has been the most wonderful day too. Cool breeze, yes COOL breeze, happy faces and just awesomeness!! :) I am so beat though from traveling. I left LAX at about 7pm and got to Haiti the next day at 9:30am (6:30am our time). Yikes talk about lack of sleep. It's okay I will sleep very well tonight!! In the cool breeze :) I helped put together some clothes "packets" with Erta and Scott...fun times!! Alright gotta sleep. Peace.

One, Two, Buckle my shoe

It's the end of November...can you believe it?!? Which means it's almost December!!!! I am SO thankful for all of the wonderful things I have been able to do recently!! I am so blessed for everything...Thank you Jesus :)

I was able to go one of my favorite places Oak Glen!!!!

(See the 7 photos below)

Pumpkins in the shadows at Los Rios Ranch. 

A favorite stand of ours!! Mom's :) 

My future home...haha!! Maybe?!? I love this house :)

Fall leaves!! 

 I like this!! Sun peeking out of the fall leaves :)

 Corn. Maize. Beautiful :)

Looking down the path...where does it lead?!? 

My poor kitty had the cone...the cone of shame :(

She had surgery for a battle wound caused by a fellow feline. She is doing better now :) 

My Thanksgiving plate!! Yum-O!! :) I love my family!! 

Every year I make this "Pumpkin Surprise" dessert...it's fabulous!! You should try it!! Delish :)

I really am so THANKFUL for each and every person in my life!! "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 118:1‎

It's Official!!!!

I. AM. GOING. TO. HAITI. :)

I am pleased to say that I will be going to Haiti for Christmas!!!!!! I cannot even contain my EXCITEMENT!!!!

Keso pants and his grill ;)

Ti-Bo and Kenny crazy as always!!

 Clifford, Evans and me during Christmas Eve service.

Dana and the some of the girls...haha!! Crazies ;)

Adeline is a monster...haha!! Love her <3 

Katiana, Cherley, and Isguerda...one real smile and two fake ones ;)

God is so good and I am very happy that I will be able to celebrate Christmas with the kids at MdL. From the earthquake to hurricanes to cholera, these people are so STRONG and I have nothing but great respect for the Haitian people!! 

Today is 10/10/10...kinda crazy if you think about it!!

This past weekend I was able to go to Stanford to visit my little brother. We also got to experience the excitement of a Stanford/USC game!! Talk about EXCITING and intense!! They went back and forth with the touchdowns the whole time. In the end Stanford took home the win.

Stanford Campus

 The Stanford mailboxes!!

 Pre-game festivities

 The Stanford band is hilarious!! One guy has a sink :)

 Ready for the TD!!!!

 The final score...wow!!

 My mom and I in the stands.

 Check out the crowd on the field!!

 Dad is a proud supporter.

 The parents love Stanford too!!

 My brother and me :)

I remember how much fun college is. It was such a growing experience for me and I know it is for my brother as well. I wish that Biola had an awesome football team. I wish I was still in college. Sigh.

Speechless

It's been a month now since I came back from Haiti, but I am still having a hard time putting my experience into words. How can I put in one page all that God did?!? I am always worried about who really cares. Did I say too much? I have so much in my heart to share and I want everyone to share that with me, but somethings you just have to experience to understand. My fellow teammates and friends can attest to this!

What I can say is that "God is good"!!!! :) We climbed a mountain together, we built community together, we prayed together, and we just lived life together...in Haiti!!!! Through the rain, mud, cold weather, sickness, and spiritual warfare we were able to lean on God. Without Him nothing would be possible. I have not had that much faith to date. God was definitely testing my faith and I know that He is always going to be there for me!! Thank you!! My life is in Your hands.


I have so much more, but I will leave you with some pictures for now.

Welcome to post earthquake Haiti. Emilien told me this was where some of the kids went to school.

Beautiful baby Estaline!! She is the newest to the girls home :)

Willie E and Me, game time!! Team face paint and all :)

Love-able bundle of joy!! Lukenson!! One of the newest boys :)

Haha!! My girls and this is pretty typical of them ;) Oline and her half smile, Katrina, and Frankie. Notice the table with the numerous dishes and napkins.

Love this boy from the feeding program!!

*Please keep Haiti in your prayers!! Mwen renmen ou Ayiti!! Mwen priye pou ou anpil!!

Haiti or bust!!!!!!!!! :)

I am leaving for Haiti tomorrow (Thursday June 24th) and I am SO EXCITED to be going back!! Please keep me and our team in prayer!! Pray for unity and safety. Pray for God to work in amazing ways. Pray that God shows up. Pray that we are a light to those kids. Pray that we are able to give the kids hope!!!

Rebuild, Restore, Revive is our theme!!
Camp-in-a-box 2010: June 24th-July 4th

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pray. Love. Haiti.
~Deja

Camp-in-a-box 2010!!!! :)

Haiti. Haiti. Haiti. HAITI!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I am super excited to be going back to Haiti!!!! And I just wanted everyone to know that :D (June 24th-July 4th)

Oh how precious is this baby Markenson is holding!!!! I hope I can see her again :)


Franky you are beautiful!! And p.s. I love your scream ;)


Chedline!!!! :) Such beautiful faces to look forward to!! <3

"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world...Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God"
1 John 4:4 & 7

Birthday Blessings

I thank the Lord that I have been here for 27 years!! Goodness that is getting up there, but life is good!! :)

I feel so blessed to have so many awesome people in my life...God is SO good!!!!

I had some birthday surprises this morning and a fun-filled evening with friends at the Angel game where we got free "Angel Blankies" which was basically a snuggie. And we apparently broke the world record of "The most people wearing a fleece blanket". No joke it will be in the Guinness Book of World Records!!!

I also got the wonderful news that Camp-in-a-box 2010 is a GO!!!! YES!!! I am so EXCITED for camp and to be returning to Haiti!!!!!!! Please keep this upcoming trip in your prayers as we will need it!! From planning, fundraising, and coordinating...although I know it will come together we need to make sure God is the center of it all!!! :)

We got to bond over decorating our team shirts!!! Allez bleu!! :D

Haha!! Can't wait for this!! :)


My dear sweet Evans and I!!! :)

Hoping, Wishing, Waiting

I miss this beautiful boy Keso!! I am so happy to be in a picture with Keso and I bet you didn't know that just seconds before he was Mr. Grumpy Pants...haha!! I miss all the beautiful faces of the Haitian children I have come to LOVE!!! <3

I really hope to go to Camp-in-a-box 2010!!!!!!! I hear rumors that it is in action and I am super EXCITED about this!!!!!!! Summer can't come fast enough!! :)

Something to smile about :)

I am so in LOVE with Haiti!!!!!!! I am coming soon!!!!!!!!!!

Please go check out the wonderful updates from Child Hope.

Josh Newton Haiti Video from HESCHLE on Vimeo.

Entering the unknown

Have you ever just not known what lies ahead?!? I mean really NOT known?? I am worried that I may not have a place to live for a week. Circumstances have put me where I am and now it gets hard. I was driving home from trying to turn in an application to a new apartment with uncertainty. "If we've ever needed you; Lord it's now, Lord it's now" was coming out of my speakers. It reminded me that God is in control. He will provide...He always does. As I type this I think of Haiti and how there are still people who are homeless or have only sheets as a roof. I am thankful for what I do have.

I read an article by the lovely Soledad O'Brien. She explains some similarities with the earthquake in Chile to Haiti. Interesting.

Did you know that the earthquake in Chile may have shortened our days?? I am talking about microseconds here!! Interesting indeed!!

As I enter the unknown I look above to the one with all the answers. I need to remember to bring it to the Lord...no matter what it is. Hello March!!

Only the beginning

Waking up to more earthquakes is really just incomprehensible...

Chile was hit.

Is the Lord trying to shake up the world?!? Is it time for the WHOLE world to finally realize the truth?!? Trying to understand is like asking God how many hairs are on my head. What am I supposed to do?!? PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tout ko mwen cho

Sometimes I wish my life was a musical. Every word would be sung and followed with dancing. Doesn't that sound like so much fun!! :) Except that it's not real...no one would just go around singing what they say...that would be weird.

Please go here to understand what living a musical would be like.

I have also decided that wearing "skater" shoes make me look like a 12 year old boy. And wearing "running" shoes make me look more like an adult. Haha!! A new favorite item from Disneyland is the cream cheese filled pretzel!! Wow this one is a keeper!!

I got to spend some time at Disneyland with two good friends. Not until now did I realize how privileged I am to even own a pass to the "happiest place on earth". How did they get that title anyways?!? I bet they have never been to Haiti. Don't get me wrong I grew-up on Disney so I like Disneyland a lot. But I just think one of the "happiest" places on earth would be Haiti :)

Speaking of Haiti...the rain is coming. Here is an article addressing the need for plumbing and potential new problems arising such as diseases.


It's just crazy and I feel like the problems are so HUGE right now. How can I possibly help...Lord may your hand be upon the nation of Haiti.



Don't forget!! Priye priye priye pou Ayiti!!!

A glimmer of hope

My mind seems to wander back and forth, but I always come back to Haiti. Ever since I left this past Christmas I was thinking and praying for all of the people I love. I first visited Haiti this past summer for camp. The kids were overjoyed with excitement for camp!! The Haitian people are strong and the kids have been through so much. I was so impressed at how much passion they have for worship!! AMAZING!! God is definitely using them to change the country of Haiti :)

My Christmas trip was filled with hugs, happiness, and hope!! Those kids are just so awesome you just have to meet them to fully understand their awesomeness!! God is doing so many great things in and through them. It's weird because I truly do feel like I have a second family in Haiti. I want to go back...I want to be there right now.

I was able to also celebrate the New Year there and I was blessed to celebrate with them. We brought in the new year on our knees praying and giving thanks to God for all He has given us. We also prayed for the coming year! Little did we know what was to come. We left January 2nd only ten days before the quake. Weird.

I first heard about the quake after work when I was checking facebook. I noticed that Lucas posted that Haiti just had a 7.0 earthquake. I thought WHAT?!?!? This is ridiculous!! Of all places to have an earthquake. It was surreal to think that Haiti...the country that I love and had just visited was in turmoil. Needless to say I was glued to CNN for about two weeks whether or not I enjoyed what they were saying or showing. My heart ached for the people and our kids. I wanted to be there to comfort them, love them, hug them. I heard that the country of Haiti has not had a catastrophe of this size in 200 years. At that moment I just wanted to cry...the kids must be so scared right now. They have no idea what it's like to be in an earthquake. I wanted to be there with them and cry with them. It felt like an eternity until we heard back from anyone.

During that first couple of days I was on facebook constantly, hoping to hear directly from someone in Haiti. The very next day a chat popped up from Markenson!! He said "hi how are you today" like nothing had happened. I was so happy at that moment!! God is so good!!

Through out this whole disaster there is a glimmer of hope for the nation of Haiti. Many have asked why did the houses of the Christians stay standing? Why were they protected? Haitians are looking for answers. Jesus IS the answer!! Mesi Jezi!!

I have also discovered how awesome Anderson Cooper is. Really. He is great!! Check out his recent blog about going back...yes going back to Haiti after most reporters have left.

Bondye Beni!!! <3

One Love

Soon and very soon
My King is coming
Robed in righteousness
And crowned with love
When I see Him
I shall be made like Him
Soon and very soon

Soon and very soon
I'll be going To the place
He has prepared for me
There my sin erased
My shame forgotten
Soon and very soon

I will be with the One
I love With unveiled face
I'll see Him
There my soul will be satisfied
Soon and very soon

From the Hillsong United song: "Soon"

Soon and very soon I will be with the One I LOVE!!!!!! One of my favorite lyrics!! It's awesome to know how much God's love for us is :)

Don't forget...the people of Haiti still need our help!!!!

Child Hope International