Makensia

Today is the annual Fall Festival at the kids school.  It's the big fund raiser that they do every year.  Last year, being Anne's room mom, I was in charge of a lot.  This year, I decided to have a vendor booth at the festival and sell the ApParent Project jewelry.  Mom's and teachers are always stopping me and asking me about my necklaces when I wear them so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show it off.  I am beyond excited about it.

I have been putting my stuff together all week.  Borrowing tents, tables, display items, etc.  Last night Jarod and I worked on a sign and I put some strings on a few of the Christmas ornaments so I could hang them on the Christmas Tree I have to display.

I chatted with a friend on the phone about things going on in her life and we also talked a little bit about Haiti and ApParent Project and about how I am going to go in February.  I explained that I knew God was up to something big and that my life would be changed.  The fact is though - my life has already been changed.  That's not to say that God will not continue to work - duh!  But I was explaining to her how I am continually amazed at how ApParent Project has pierced my heart so deeply.  I can't even comprehend it sometimes.  I know that it is a God thing - that's the only way I know to describe it.  God has put these people - these total strangers - deep in my heart.  And they stay there. 

I only know bits and pieces about them.  Facts from the tags on their jewelry or things Shelley posts on her blog and on Facebook.  And yet they are in my heart.  I can't wait to meet them in February and get to know them a little better.  To put personalities with names.  To meet their families, their children.  To learn more about their stories.  To watch them work.

All of that said, I got on Facebook last night briefly before going to bed and Shelley had posted that one of Makensia's baby girls had died.  Last year when I received my first box of jewelry, Makensia and Serlo's beautiful work was in it.  I fell in love then.

Their "second child" was twin baby girls.

Lilliane... One of the twins died today.

Shelley posted this:

Today Makensia's baby girl died. I held her limp body and prayed that somehow this could all be undone, reversed, erased. Her little body lays tonight in a hot tent. Tomorrow she will be buried. Her twin is sleeping with me tonight.

My heart broke.  I can't even imagine.  Loosing their home in the earthquake, working so hard to rebuild their lives, dealing with poverty and hardships that we in America cannot even begin to comprehend, and they receive another devastating blow.  

I have no words.  

I will go out this afternoon, and set up my tables and tell everyone who comes by about Haiti - about ApParent Project - about the artisans who are working to change their lives.  About Makensia and Serlo and Lilliane. 

And I will pray for this family.  Pray for the peace and comfort that only comes from Christ. 

Please pray for them with me......