A Beautiful but Sobering Breakthrough

Kenzie and Heather here! We wanted to update all of our followers about the events of late. To begin with mornings, we have been awakened daily at about 4:30am by the same obnoxious rooster. As I'm sure you can imagine we have taken turns describing how we could slaughter it ;) haha! So we rise early, and to a wonderful breakfast because our Haitian caregivers have agreed to make all of our meals which we were in no way expecting! They have been great help to us. This morning a family staying in our guest house joined us on our expedition to build beds in the orphanage. They were very sweet and helpful. Today was our last day of actually building the beds because our men were so efficient!! We were able to present the beds to the children today, explaining to them that the beds, which were topped with beanie babies and Creole children's Bibles, were representative of God's love for them. The children bombarded us with hugs and "thank yous" as they slowly realized that EVERY child would have a bed! They were so excited by the presentation and amazed us with their feedback. When asked what they favorite parts about the gifts we gave them, they overwhelmingly agreed that the Bibles were their most treasured gift. This surprised and touched our team so much... and we know that tonight those kiddos are all tucked in reading away (to the extent that they are able) in their new Bibles from Sweet Sleep! Thank you everyone who made that possible! Even though today was the big bed presentation day, it was also a very challenging, sobering day for all of us. We grew closer with the children today and had many emotional breakthroughs that were very rewarding. Children who had been withdrawn began to smile and play. Some said "I love you" for the first time. Each of us bonded with different children and have spent the last few days trying to invest in relationships with them, building trust. However as we grow closer with the children and see more of their beautiful hearts, we also hear more of their stories and the hardships they face. Many team members today felt the heavy weight of reality fall on us as we learned more of the suffering that many of these kids experience on a daily basis. We had to collect as a group at the end of the day and share prayers and tears as we realized that this situation is much bigger than ourselves or anything we can do in a week. We had to give it back to God and trust that His greatness can override any difficulty that we see in the present. We believe that this time with the children and the hope and comfort provided for them through the beds will impact them eternally. That faith has been our stronghold as we have to continually remind ourselves that we ARE making a difference even when the situation looks grim. Please join us in prayer for these kids- they face more pain than most of us will ever see. On a happier note, we (Heather and Kenzie) have continually conversed today about how much we love our team!! They are truly incredible. Each member has such different gifts that they bring to the table... we truly need eachother. If even one person was absent, the whole team would be less effective because we all edify eachother and meet the needs that have arisen on this trip in unique ways. Plus, we have a blast! This is such a crazy, witty and easy-going bunch. We could have not asked for better people to serve alongside. Thank you all for continuing to pray for us and our kids- it is desperately needed. We love you all!! We will post pictures and video as soon as we return :) Kenzie and Heather

God knows what He's doing (Kristi Marshall)

Friday April 15, 2011

It is amazing how God puts together a mission’s team just like a puzzle. We just spent an hour hanging out with one another after a great day at the orphanage talking about the victories and challenges we have experienced. There have already been a lot of laughs and a lot of tears as we serve alongside each other here in Haiti. We are a team of 7 women and 3 men. Let me just start with the men…Jim, Todd and Chet. They have done most of the bed assembling in the past 2 days. They had a period of time this morning where they had put together all of the beds that had arrived (2 flat tires on the vehicle slowed up the delivery a bit). When I say these men worked- I mean they worked! Not only have they assembled 12 triples bunks (36 beds) but today during the time between bed deliveries, they built stairs, they did something involving plumbing, and something up on the roof. None were content resting or even sitting. They literally poured blood, sweat and tears into their work today- and for that…I am thankful. For those of you that know, love and support Jim, Chet, and Todd- you are blessed to have such Godly men in your life. They each left a part of themselves in the orphanage today- each proving worthy of the calling they have received.

On to the women on the team. Kelly, Mary Virginia, Laura, Heather, Katie, McKenzie and myself (Kristi). We are a mix of introverts/extroverts, girly-girls/tomboys, singers/dancers (or neither!)—and we are each drawn to different children in the orphanage. I could not be in better company. We have sheets on all of the beds (girly ones on the girls’ beds) and boy “ish” ones on the boys’ beds. Today in crafts each child made a cross that Mary Virginia so carefully hung on each child’s bed. Kelly and I spent time with some of the other girls painting nails (the girls painted ours blue- call the nail polish company b/c we have renamed it “Sweet Sleep Blue”) and we painted all of theirs pink. Kelly let them braid her hair (OUCH!) as we spent intentional time connecting powerfully through the art of human touch. Mary Virginia is just the master- never flustered she personally tattooed probably 50 kids today (they are fake-no worries) and in her sweet voice made sure each child heard the words “Jesus loves you.” Laura spent quality time with many of the caregivers today. You know Laura cares because she is so expressive with her face, her hands, her entire being…she loves and she loves fully. Side note: Laura is also known at the orphanage for the rap music on her iphone! Katie took the time to play basketball with the older Haitian boys….sweating like she was trying out for the WNBA- not intimidated in the slightest that these boys that were much taller than she is! McKenzie is another one of those young women that just never seems flustered. She is “young”, only 18, with the wisdom, passion and maturity of someone three times her age. It sounds funny- but she wiped noses today! I know that seems weird to write about, but she did so with the tenderness of a mother…and that’s all I have to say about that. Precious. Heather has connected with so many of the children here. Her face just lights up with every child that crosses her path and the kids/teenagers know that she is so genuinely interested in them and what they have to say.

If you are reading this, you likely know one of these amazing women. I can honestly confirm what you already know, which is that your life is better and richer for knowing one of them….as is mine. God knew what He was doing when he brought the 10 of us together from 3 different states to serve in this time, in the place, for this reason. We intend to finish assembling the beds tomorrow that each of God’s children may know a sweeter night’s sleep. Thank you for reading...we are all humbled that you would care enough about us to pray, love and support what we are doing.

Sleep Sweetly,
Kristi Marshall

Internet for a minute!! (Day one---Kelly Stanley)

Thursday April 14, 2011

WOW! Well, we were up at 4:30am, on our plane at 7:00am and stepping off in Haiti around 8:30am. I was amazed at “baggage claim.” It was total chaos. We were warned, but it’s just not the same until you are there. There were people standing on the conveyor belt throwing luggage. There was no, “excuse me, let me get my bag so I can get out of your way.” It was like a bull in a china shop. But all 20 bags made it, praise God, and we boogied out of there.

We made it outside and waited on our ride for about 45 min. The landscape in Haiti is very mountainous and very beautiful. I noticed immediately that it is very loud. The Haitian people “holler” when they speak to each other. My children would have no problems here. It would kinda feel like home to them.

Our ride pulled up. We met our Haitian Sweet Sleep contact person, Ron. Super cool Hatian. He brought us a luxurious “Tap Tap.” It looked like a big red caged mini flatbed truck. We rode in back to the place we are staying for the week. As we rode, we did get to take in all the sights and sounds of Haiti. No question Haiti is like you imagine. There were lots of crumpled buildings and thousands of people lining the streets selling anything from whittled sticks of sugar can to Kleenex. There are makeshift homes made of tents as far as you could see in some areas. It was a humbling sight.

Driving in Haiti is a mess. There are no rules or laws or even common courtesy. People honk constantly-CONSTANTLY. This little boy, we didn’t catch his name (it’s hard to understand them, I think), but this boy was probably 10 but looked 6, jumped on the back of our cage and said A-lo! We tried to make him get down, but instead he hustled us out of crackers and some chocolate. I would have given him my shoes because he didn’t have any, but you have to stop.

We finally made it to the orphanage. It was great to see all of them…FINALLY! They all ran to the edge of their balcony. They were jumping up and down, waving, so happy. We were a little overwhelmed. Tears were welling in my eyes. I took a deep breath and asked the Lord for His strength.

These children were living in squalor. I don’t think our team had any expectations so we all walked around as Madame, the main “mama” showed us the conditions. There was raw sewage inside the building and more cockroaches than you could count. The smell was so, so bad. BUT, the children were joyful. Our team, who totally rocks, pulled it together, went outside and began to meet the children. Two of the guys, Chet and Jim left with Ron and got bleach and scrub brushes to clean before we started to build the beds.

The children were beautiful! They were full of energy, they were awesome. They wanted to know us and teach us things they know. They took turns jumping rope, coloring, they didn’t ever fight. I was totally shocked over that. They all got along very well. I got out a little notebook and crayons (Jen Gash gave me that tip) and sat over in a corner and began talking to a girl who was more quiet and to herself than some of the others. I asked her to write her name and her age down. She wrote, “Delenda 9.” I wrote, “Kelly 36.” Her eyes got real big and she, too, could not believe how young I looked for my age. I wrote, “I love you, and Jesus love you.” She wrote, “I love you and I love Jesus.” Delenda laid her head in my lap and quickly fell asleep. As the attention faded, a little boy, Angelo, who I could have put in my pocket, just laid down on my lap and fell asleep, too. As I sat there, I watched Laura, our team leader, make her way over to a mentally handicap boy-really cute boy named, Jean. He looked up and smiled and she sat down and put her arm around him. They both began singing Jesus Loves Me. Then she pulled out her bible and and began reading Psalm 139 to him…”O Lord you have searched me and you know me….you hem me in-behind and before, you have laid your hand upon me….For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…” Jean just rocked and listened. It was a powerful moment for me and I know for Laura and Jean. God works on all of us all of the time.

I am so thankful for Sweet Sleep. We were at this orphanage for four hours and four children fell asleep on me. I am so thankful for this team and getting to know these awesome people. We have Kristi, the passionate, down to earth, therapist. Mary Virginia, the energetic, sweet nurturer. Heather, the beautiful, kind-hearted singer. Laura, the veteran, and lover Haitian boys (she is adopting 3). Kenzie, the amazing, righteous 18 year old. Katie, the wickedly funny, smart senior in college. Chet the humble builder. Jim the dry, super cool teacher of the Word, and Todd the guardian of us all. I am humbled to be a part of this group. We all have our own different strengths and God has put us all together for a reason. We all want to bring glory to His name. I am going to stop writing now and go to bed. Love to my family and friends and prayer partners!

Kelly Stanley

Haiti Team Update!

Our team is having some Internet issues in Haiti so I wanted to give everyone a quick update!

The team is doing great! Half of the beds were finished and installed yesterday and the guys should finish up the rest today as the ladies spend some time leading the kiddos in fun activities.

The team has asked for prayer... The conditions in the orphanage they are serving are quite intense -- it is overwhelming but the team is extremely thankful to be meeting some crucial physical needs and to be sharing the Love of Christ with the children as well. More updates coming soon!

Thank you for your support of our work and prayers for our team and the children they are serving...

Jon Merryman
Director of Communications and Church Partnerships
Sweet Sleep - A Bed For Every Head
www.sweetsleep.org

All Aboard!

After a long night for our Arkansas team members, everyone made it safely to Miami for their dark-thirty flight to Port-Au-Prince. Right now everyone is probably full of excitement and trying to peer out their cabin windows to get a view of Haiti from the air.

Thanks for praying for these ten team members:
Laura & Todd Ramey
Chet & Mary Virginia Frist
Jim & Katie Osment
Kristi Marshall
Kelly Stanley
Heather Schnoor
Mackenzie Jackson

Our fabulous team of 10 will be working with about 120 children this week...loving them, leading them in worship, fun times, Bible stories and giving them beds, bedding, mosquito nets and Bibles! There are many children here whose lives were forever changed by last years earthquake. All have been living with trauma as a result. God has provided two counselors on the team who will be able to work with some of the children and educate the caregivers in ways to help the children long-term.

A couple weeks ago I received a phone call from a missionary in Haiti who was in tears. She had just been at the orphanage our team will be serving this week. Her heart was broken by the sights and smells of these children not having enough safe, clean places to sleep. She thanked me for the new beds we would provide and said we couldn't get there soon enough.

Our Sweet Sleep beds will indeed be clean, safe and smell good. More importantly, the team will tell the children about how these very beds are reminders to them about God's love, protection and purpose for them. They will tell each of the 120 children that when they lie down at night and pull their covers up around them, it's like God giving them a hug. They will share stories with the children about how God lovingly created them and how He desires great things for each of their lives. It's going to be an incredible week.

Thanks so much for the support you've shown to the team and to Sweet Sleep. Our team will be blogging stories, pictures and video each day. I encourage you to check back. Or, save yourself a step and "subscribe" to this blog. You'll receive an email alert as soon as a new post is made.

Thanks again!

Sweetly,
Jen

Join Team Sweet Sleep!

Do you love to run, bike, walk or even skydive? Do you have a heart for orphans? If so, you can combine your passion for both by joining Team Sweet Sleep to help orphans sleep sweetly. You can even sport an awesome new Team Sweet Sleep jersey!

Here's how:

1. Select your event (marathon, skydive, etc.)

2. Go to www.firstgiving.com/sweetsleep to create your fundraising page.

3. Message your friends and ask them to support you as you run, bike, fall from the sky, etc.

4. E-mail emily@sweetsleep.org to let us know about your event and find out where to pick up your Team Sweet Sleep jersey!

End result? You're awesome and orphans get new healthy, comfortable Sweet Sleep beds, bedding, life-saving mosquito nets and Bibles in their language!

It's that easy!

For more information, contact Emily Colledge at emily@sweetsleep.org

"Mom and Loving it!" teams up with Sweet Sleep!

We’re excited about teaming up with two inspiring women who are out to change the world, one mom at a time! Check out these awesome moms who have committed to do more than simply survive motherhood, they want to enjoy it!

“Mom and Loving It!” is all about providing hope for families by encouraging them and equipping moms. The idea started with two sisters, Laurie Lovejoy Hilliard and Sharon Lovejoy Autry, who wanted to share the hope of Christ with moms who have shared their struggles.

These two sisters and their families spent four years touring 40 states, promoting their books and music, but finally settled down in North Texas. Soon they will hit the road again to share the message of Christ’s hope with moms across the country. As they speak at different conferences and events, they will also be sharing about how to impact orphans around the world through the work of Sweet Sleep.

The women of “Mom and Loving It!” will be giving Build-A-Bed coin collection boxes to each family they meet, encouraging them to raise money to build beds for orphans. They will also be encouraging families to become “bedheads” and give $30 each month to provide beds, bedding and Bibles for orphans.

To find out more about the work of “Mom and Loving It!” visit momandlovingit.org. To bring this duo to your city, visit their contact page.

Announcing Sweet Sleep's next trip to Haiti!

Hello friends!

I'm excited to announce the date for our next Sweet Sleep trip to Haiti: April 13-19, 2011. This trip is open to anybody, so please send this email to your friends or post the information on your blog, Facebook or Twitter…whatever you’d like!

More information is as follows:

Sample itinerary:
Depart for Miami: April 13th
Spend the night in Miami
Depart for Port-Au-Prince April 14th
Arrive PAP and go to Petionville/team house. Petionville is about 30 min outside PAP.
Drop off gear/Collect supplies/Go to orphanage

Each regular day will consist of the following:
Team breakfast and devotion
Day at orphanage installing beds/working with children
Dinner at team house and team time
Additional opportunities for a mission project or seeing downtown PAP is also a possibility.

About the orphanage:

A Haitian pastor and his wife run this orphanage which is located in Petionville, Haiti. Petionville is a beautiful mountainous area with incredible views and, sadly, now thousands of people living in the city now in tents. At last count, there were 120 kids ages 3-17 living in the orphanage; including several who lost parents or family members in the earthquake. 30 children sleep on the floor. There’s a new addition to accommodate children who came to the orphanage after the quake which is located on the back of the orphanage. There are roughly 18 girls sleeping on cinderblocks and plywood in that room. Also the orphanage has a few shanties in the front of the orphanage. They put a bunch of babies in one crib because they only have 1 mattress.

Applications and a $500 deposit are due to Sweet Sleep by Wednesday, March 9, 2011. Checks should be made to Sweet Sleep. All checks must have this note in the memo line “preference for 0411HT (and then your last name)”. The trip cost is $1,950.00 and includes airfare, hotel, insurance, lodging, transportation, food and all other in-country expenses. You will only need additional money for the items you purchase at the airports or for souvenirs.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
• Your passport must not expire before October 19, 2011.
• Sweet Sleep must have your EXACT name as it appears on your passport as well as your date of birth at the time of your deposit in order to book your ticket.
• No vaccinations are required to enter Haiti. The recommendations for vaccinations can be found on the CDC website: www.cdc.gov.

Team meetings will be a mix of in-person and conference calls. You don’t have to live in or near the Nashville area to be on the team.

All other questions can be answered by Sweet Sleep by contacting Emily Colledge at emily@sweetsleep.org

Sweetly,
Jen

HAITI: A Report From Sweet Sleep’s President and Founder, Jen Gash

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake forever changed Haiti and the lives of those who call it home. It also changed the work that Sweet Sleep does there.

Sweet Sleep’s work in Haiti began simply yet in response to an emergency. In 2008, Haiti suffered from one hurricane after another. As a result of hurricanes and driving rains, a mountain on the coastal town of Jacmel essentially slide into the earth below---burying an orphanage that sat in its shadow. The call for help went out. Sweet Sleep responded by giving beds to a dozen little ones that Christmas.


Scarcely more than a year later, the unimaginable happened. The lives of, and ministry to, the people of Haiti changed forever. Immediately, Sweet Sleep mobilized itself and---with the help of friends and partners like you---our swift emergency response provided 5,400 pounds of food; 2,111 Bibles; 5,574 articles of children’s clothing and shoes; over 7,400 medical items; 12,236 baby wipes, 16,268 diapers and 6,034 bedding units.



Today marks the first of many hard anniversaries yet to come. It also marks a milestone where we can look back and see the impact Sweet Sleep is making in the lives of the country’s youngest survivor’s.

Sweet Sleep has been diligently working to show God’s concern for the orphaned children in Haiti. Dozens of people joined Sweet Sleep’s teams last year. Countless numbers of you have prayed for Haiti. Through our monthly prayer updates and in churches across the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia children and youth have been led through our “Build-a-Bed” and “INSOMNIA” events, which we’ve customized for Haiti.





In post-quake Haiti, Haitians struggle to find jobs in order to provide for their families. Sweet Sleep has two Haitian staff and employs a handful of other Haitians who manufacture our beds. Empowering people in the communities where we work is one of our core values. In Haiti, it’s not just a value; it’s a necessity.


Within the first two months of the earthquake, Sweet Sleep provided 6,034 beds. As children have resettled into newly rebuilt orphanages, Sweet Sleep has provided an additional 1,585 beds, bringing the total number of beds we’ve provided to orphans since the earthquake to 7,619.




We welcome you to join us as we continue providing beds to the thousands of orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti. Our work will be marked by many milestones yet to come. Be a part of it. Join us on a trip to share love, hope and comfort to Haiti’s orphans. For trip dates, click here. To provide comfort, health and love by giving an orphan a place to sleep, click here.

Thank you for your continued support of our work in Haiti. Together, we're rebuilding children's lives in Haiti.

Sweetly,

Jen Gash
President and Founder

P.S. As we remember Haiti today, I invite you to join me in a time of prayer this afternoon. Our friends and partners at the Christian Alliance for Orphans have put together a one-hour virtual prayer gathering beginning at 3 pm CST (4 pm EST). Anyone can attend – so tell your friends. We hope you’ll join us from the comfort of your own chair as we help guide you through different areas of prayer for Haiti. Registration is required, and you can do so here. You’ll be given a simple user code to sign into the online prayer time where you’ll find resources for this time of prayer which we’ve prepared. If you're not around a computer or phone, please be sure to take a moment to lift up our friends in Haiti in prayer today.

Haiti: A Time of Prayer

Next Wednesday marks the 1-year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake.

Whether or not you are a person of prayer, so many times it is our human nature to reach out to God in our desperate times. For many in Haiti, THIS is still their desperate time. They've been reaching out to God for months and need you to intercede on their behalf.

Below is an opportunity for you to take part in a "virtual" prayer gathering next Wednesday afternoon. You don't have to go anywhere or do anything, besides "click" and then be still.

Last February, in response to the quake, The Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) organized the Haiti Orphan Relief Team (HORT). As a member of HORT, I traveled to Haiti to assess the needs of the orphaned children and implement a long-term plan to meet their needs. Several of those advocates, including myself, will be leading you through this time of prayer.

I hope you can join us. Read on for a word from CAFO President, Jedd Medefind and then follow the link to register (registering will enable you to have the web address to go to for the event).


Virtual Prayer Gathering
Written By: Jedd Medefind, President of The Christian Alliance for Orphans

January 12th will mark one year since the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Those few moments and their aftermath took hundreds of thousands of lives, left many more homeless, and affected countless children in profound and permanent ways, including leaving many as orphans. The eye of the media has largely moved on to other stories, but the need in Haiti remains as pressing as ever.

Of course, there are as many unique callings and places to serve as there are Christians in the world. We certainly should not feel guilty that we can’t all focus on Haiti. But still, if we felt ache and anguish in the days following the earthquake, we would do well not to quickly forget. To do so merely mirrors the world’s sad and harmful pattern: to feel deeply yet act little and persevere even less.

The true disciple of Christ consistently matches compassionate emotion with both loving action and loving perseverance, just as the Good Samaritan both cared for the wounded traveler and also promised to return later to cover his future medical bills. Even if our primary calling is to Russia or Cambodia or foster youth in the U.S., we can remain faithful in prayer to Haiti.

I’m tremendously thankful that Scott Vair and the others at World Orphans felt a desire to gather Christians virtually on the earthquakes’ anniversary to pray for Haiti. We invite you to join with us and others members of the Christian Alliance for Orphans community on January 12th, 2011 at 4:00pm EST for one hour via “webinar.” Led by a number of orphan advocates, we will be praying together for the country of Haiti, for stability and integrity in its government, for ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts, for the Haitian church, and for the children of Haiti we all care about so much.

Registration is required, and you can do so today here.


Thanks, friends. If you have questions or problems, call our Sweet Sleep office at 615-730-7671 and we'll help you.

Sweetly,
Jen