Long ago, God planted a seed in my heart. This seed has finally sprouted. Thoreau said, "Live the life you have imagined." I am taking him up on that challenge! I am so fortunate to have been born in a country where, even though my family had very little, I was able to make something of myself and survive - even be successful and independent! Part of this life that I've imagined includes making a difference, leaving a positive impression on the world and I believe now is the time. I discovered God's Littlest Angels Orphanage while watching a program about adoption and fell in love with the idea of volunteering there after visiting their web site: http://www.glahaiti.org/. (Careful, if you visit the site you may be called to go too!)
I will be spending a little over three weeks at the orphanage this summer. Each day I will be assigned several children to spend time with: playing, taking walks, and providing important opportunities to bond (research shows that infants who bond with someone-anyone-when they are little increases the chances dramatically that they will bond with adoptive parents later). As this is a missions trip, the entire thing must be self-funded: plane ticket, room and board, and transportation. The estimates of the costs are as follows:
Room and Board: $30 per day for 23 days = $690
Transportation Fee: $50
Plane Ticket: $760
This adds up to $1500!! Since I am an elementary school teacher (second grade) I'm obviously not rich :) Please help in any way you can - every little bit will help me reach my goal! You can send money directly to God's Littlest Angels Organization in my name (they will send you a tax receipt!) The address is:
God’s Littlest Angels
% Mrs. Jean Bell
2275 Waynoka Dr Suite D
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
PLEASE be sure to make your check payable to God's Littlest Angels, and CLEARLY mark that it is meant to help pay "for the support of Emily Hume-Vaughan at GLA Haiti in summer 2010."
Thank you thank you thank you and I promise to keep you all updated on my progress as well as my trip!
Lots of love,
Emily
"When a needy person stands at your door, God himself stands at his side." (Hebrew Proverb)
Emily, your story sounds the same as mine. I, too became interested in God's Littlest Angels while watching the Adoption Stories on DHC. I also went straight to their website and learned as much as I could about GLA. I was blessed to be able to go to Haiti in Oct/Nov of this year. What a blessing, it was the greatest experience of my life. Pleae know that you will not want to leave Haiti and will for sure want to go back as soon as possible. I kept a blog of my journey, maryjobarbour.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteIf you have not had your shots, don't forget to add that expense into your budget. I was surprised at the expense occurred by them.
My prayer is that you will receive the funds and prayer support needed to complete this very worthwhile mission.
May God Bless You!
Hi Mary Jo! Thanks for your email!! I am so happy to hear from someone who has recently been to GLA. I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind answering them!
ReplyDelete1-Did you have access to a computer/internet? Did you bring your own laptop or did they have a computer you could use?
2-What was your arrival at the airport like? Was it difficult to find your ride? (Arrival is the part I'm most nervous about!)
3-How much spending money did you find you needed? Did you take cash?
4-How far in advance did you get your shots, and did you go to your regular doctor or a travel clinic?
Thanks for any advice/info you have to offer. I'm so glad you were able to visit GLA. Thanks for following my journey there!
Emily
Emily, happy to try and answer your questions
ReplyDelete1. Access to computer. I chose not to take my computer, as I was traveling alone and had too much to keep up with. There are computers available for volunteer use at the Main house (this is the house where you go to spend time with the babies). There are 3 and I had no problem with availability as everyone is considerate of each other in usage.
2. Arrival at airport. I have traveled outside of the US several times, and found the arrival to go smoothly. After arriving and picking up your luggage, you will go outside to a fenced in courtyard and there will be someone holding a card with your name, just follow him and do not let anyone, except the person with your name help you with your luggage. He will take you to the car, also in a secured parking area. I had no trouble with my arrival.
3. Spending money, I think that I had around 300.00 cash with me. Did not spend all of it. I only had one opportunity to leave GLA for shopping, bought a couple of paintings, and a few souvenirs to take home. I had no trouble carrying the cash. I actually used some of my money to sponsor a child's education.
4. I did not start my shots until a month before departure, but found that I could have done that earlier. My doctor referred me to a travel clinic, he felt that they would have the knowledge and the meds that I would need for Haiti. I still have one more round of my Hepatitis A and B to take. The have to be spaced out over a 6 month span of time. So I will be getting the last of those in March.
If you can learn a little of the language before you go, it would be helpful, although, English is spoken by so many that you can always find a translator. I bought the Wally Turnbull CD and book, suggested by GLA and found it to be helpful. Still had trouble understanding their language.
The people there are so wonderful that I am sure you will fall in love with them. I know you will fall in love with the children.
Thank you so much for your advice and information Mary Jo! I am happy to know you traveled alone, since I will be also.
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
:) Emily