Baby Timothe...

Good Evening Friends and Family,

So much is happening; but first I'd like to share with you Baby Timothe's story.  The photo above left is of our dear Baby Timothe.  As a part of our community outreach we have taken on his family as his mother (top center) gave birth to him; he being her 6th child.  His older sister (top right) is one of the five siblings he has and is very malnourished.  The mother had a very bad infection and was unable to breast feed Timothe.  So we saw the need to help in any way we could while trying to empower this family.  We proceeded by discussing the need for cleanliness, educating them, and providing them with formula for Timothe.  I was just given the terribly sad news that Baby Timothe has died.  It is hard to say if it was from sickness or malnoutrition (as they possibly could have sold the formula to buy food for the rest of the family or maybe giving it to all of their children).  I took this news very hard as I'm the one who named him and my husband and I were even asked to be godparents.  It brings the harsh reality of life for those less fortunate in our world.

As it relates to our lives, ministry, etc.....; there have been many changes.  We applied for a tourist visa for my husband shortly after we were married so we could travel together to the US and apply for his residency; but he was denied.  I was told by the US Embassy in Haiti that the best method would be for me to come out to the US without him and apply for his marriage visa; so I did.  The day after I arrived into Atlanta we found out the wonderful news that we are expecting our first child.  We are estatic; but also asking God to direct our every step.  While my husband is continuing our ministry in Haiti; I am here in Atlanta receiving prenatal care.  We are hoping he will be able to join me a little closer to delivery here in the US and then we plan to return to Haiti as a family after the birth of our child.

My pregnancy is going well and I'm now 11 weeks.  We are so thankful to have God in control as we take the many twists and turns of life.  I'm heading back to Haiti in a little over a week to spend a couple weeks there with my hubby and catching up on all that is happening in ministry.  I can't wait to get back home to where my heart is.

I pray God's blessing and love down upon each one of you!  Don't forget to smile and show someone you care!

The Joy & Pain of Transition!

Good Friday to everyone!  Let us all remember the suffering that Jesus went through for us so that we could live and lead others to His Father in heaven.  I can't even begin to count the ways God has blessed me even since I awoke this morning; from my first breath to the clean water that we carried from the well.

So I keep being asked how married life is going.  Well it is going very well!  There are many changes for both of us as there are anytime two individuals begin living under the same roof; especially considering those two individuals are husband and wife.  I will say that Saintilaire has been and is an amazing person to be making that transition with.  He’s very patient and loving; for which I’m so grateful.  I absolutely can’t wait for everyone to meet my “Boaz!”

There is actually another transition happening in our lives at this time too.  I can’t really say that it’s larger than the marriage transition; however it is pretty significant as well.  We feel that God has directed us to transition in ministry.  We’ve been praying for quite a while regarding this transition and have also been receiving counsel from our mission’s pastor under our mission: Commission to Every Nation (CTEN).

I am extremely sad to be leaving everyone at HCH (especially all of my babies); however we are so expectant and excited about what God has in store for us in this beautiful country we call home.  We have felt a definite direction and leading from God in making this decision.  We initially will be working alongside a ministry that has a scholarship program for impoverished children.  During this time we’ll also be working to get things in place to further advance the vision God is planting inside of us.  We covet everyone’s love and prayers during this time as we transition.  God is so faithful and to be completely honest it is difficult for me to contain the joy and peace that He has filled me with during this time of many transitions!     

Otherwise, we are working towards getting Saintilaire’s visa for travel and my residency completed for Haiti. I love you all and thank you so much for being a part of our journey of ministry here in Haiti.  I pray God’s blessings down upon each of you as you serve in each of your mission fields wherever you are.  Stay Blessed!

The Blessing of Marriage

So, Saintilaire and I have now been married for 6 days.  It seems that time is flying by already!  Our wedding went well and we were so blessed to have friends and family here celebrating with us; and most of all God's presence.  It was such a blessing and we already are looking back at the pictures with joy and memories.  Thanks to each of you for making this day a memorable and blessed one.

We will be taking a 1 to 2 month sabbatical  now and staying at our home in Thomassain for this time.  We are following the advice of some spiritual elders whom have recommended for us to do so; as marriage is a big adjustment.  It will be somewhat difficult as I'm already missing the kids so much!  I'm already asking when we can go for at least a visit.  I know we'll be much better for it though in the end.

Thanks again for each of you whom have been such a blessing and encouragement to both Saintilaire and I.  I can't wait for everyone to meet him!

Grace & Endurance

Good Morning Fam,

So, the days are winding down to our wedding and only 5 left.  It is coming so fast; yet the days seem to go by so slow; if that makes any sense.  It is a such a blessing and also a bit of a challenge blending two cultures together; and we know this is only the beginning. 

One funny miscommunication we had.  So Saintilaire told me some weeks ago that his pastor was giving him "let" to give the pastor of the church where we're getting married.  I understood this to mean "milk."  I found it a bit silly that one pastor would give another pastor milk to allow him to use his church; but just signed it off in my head as "Haitian culture."  Yesterday Saintilaire mentioned to me that he had the "let" for me to give the pastor.  I asked him who was bringing it in and where I should store it.  He mentioned that our cousin already gave it to me.  It wasn't until then that I realized "let" can mean "milk" but also means "letter."  Silly me ;)

So, the kids are getting all of the excited vibes in the air.  We were all hugging this morning as I shared that they each give me a very special kind of hug and nobody else can hug exactly like them.  They found this very exciting and proceeded to flood me with more. 

Melissa Woodman is gracing us with her presence once again.  She is flying in today to be a help during this busy time.  Then my brother flies in on Thursday and 2 more friends on Friday.  It is a very busy and exciting time.  Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Be Blessed!

Critter Attack

Bonjour Tout Moun,

So, I"m up getting a lot done this am; mostly for my wedding.  We were blessed to go to a friend's church of Pastor Massenat's yesterday.  The kids loved their music and enjoyed it very much.  It was my first experience taking communion in Haiti; but it was a pleasure to do so with my wonderful friends here. 

A couple days ago I noticed some excitement up in the front yard as the guys cleaned out the shed.  They told me it was a very big snake.  I immediately left the area; and came back once it was declared dead.  It was a Boa!  Oh my goodness...so I've went to sleep the last few nights wondering if Mr. Boa has a brother!

We found out a few days ago that our friend Melissa Woodman is coming back the week of my wedding to help out.  This is going to be an incredible help and the kids are very excited! 

Everyone is getting adjusted to Grandma Pat, Pastor, and SeDa being back and enjoying them so much.  Michael is even back visiting for a week!  We are enjoying his presence and the kids are estatic that they have a new playmate. 

So off to do some more preparations!  Have a great week!



Soon to be Madame Saint-Hilaire!!



Bonswa,

Yes, it is almost that time!  17 more days and I'll be a married woman!  It's kind of weird to think about when you've lived one way for all of your life (32 years to be exact) and now you are about to change that dramatically.  I know that God's blessings are upon us already and will continue to bless us as we begin our lives together.

As I previously mentioned help is here and I'm finally getting a break!  I've been told that I look exhausted and drained by several people so I guess it's time to get some beauty rest!  The kids continue to be wonderful and help me countdown to my wedding.  They enjoyed pool time with Grandma Pat and SeDa today and loved it!

Many of you have asked of how you can send wedding gifts.  The easiest way is to go online to: http://www.gogift.com/.  We are registered under Sharon Hellmann and/ or Pierre Drick Saint-Hilaire.  Thanks so much for your love and thoughtfullness.

Have an incredible rest of the week!



Help Has Arrived!

I'm happy to announce that help has arrived!!  Woohooo!  Thank you Jesus!  I have to say that my niece Massenda has to be the most adorable of all the the help that arrived!  I'm sure they'd agree too. 

Our wedding countdown is now at 19 days and there is so much to be done.  This will be my main focus of these next 3 weeks.  I hope it all comes together how I imagine in my head.

The kids are doing great and a couple of them have enjoyed Skype conversations with their soon to be adoptive parents.  I'm thankful for technology in that the children and their parents get this priceline opportunity.  Otherwise, they've enjoyed learning how to play jacks with rocks, enjoyed movie times, water play, etc....  They are presently getting set up to go to our local public school here.  I can't wait to see them all dressed up in their uniforms. It will seem extremely quiet on our compound in the mornings once this happens.

This is all for today!  I pray each of you have an amazing week!  Always remember when you are at your end; God always puts out more rope for you to grab on to!!

Stay Blessed!

Help is on the way....

Bonjour Tout Moun, Life is going well here in Haiti!  I feel like every single day is a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me.  As I sit with one of our toddlers, their face sitting in my hands as they say, "Auntie, I wub you so mutch" then all of a sudden that gets interupted with someone screaming, "Shae...(2 seconds later), SHAE, SHAE, SHAE, we need salt, then again in another direction, "Shae, there are white people here to visit", then again yet in another direction, "someone just put a rock in their ear."  I think you can get the picture and it is all "True."  LOL  And all the while I'm thinking, hmmm....I wonder when I'll plan my wedding!

So I'm happy to announce that help is on the way.  Patricia, Massenat, and Melinda are on their way this coming Friday to be of help to me and to run things here at HCH and assist in wedding prep while they are here.  I know that Melinda has already been and will be a tremendous help to me with her wedding have been not so far in the past herself. 

I'm thankful for my friends: Antoinette and Celita who are coming to my wedding as well as my younger brother Daniel.  Big shout out going to them for coming!  I'm also excited that my 2nd family Patricia Smith and Massenat and Melinda Ulysse will be here for this occasion as well.

This is all for today!  Thanks everyone for sharing in my journey!

29 Days and Counting.....



Good Morning Family,

It's a wonderful day here in Haiti; the sun is out and it's breezy.  I love this weather and also love the fact that it is extremely rare that the sun doesn't show itself on any day here in Haiti!  Maybe this is why everyone always seems so happy and full of joy here!

The count down has begun for Saintilaire and I's big day!  We are both very excited and keeping extremely busy trying to get everything in order for it.  We went and saw the reception hall as well as inside the church yesterday.  They are both going to work out great!  We are so thankful for the continued provisions that God is providing in every area as it relates to our wedding and preparations.

The kids are great and ask every day how many more days until Saintilaire and I will get married and live here together onsite with them.  It's going to be so nice having a constant male figure for these children as they are really need of that.  He's already created a relationship with them and they scream excitedly every time he arrives here.

Otherwise, I am told that Cholera has plateaued here in Haiti; but now Malaria is on the rise.  We pray God's protection and healing upon this land and more specifically upon our compound and our dear children.  Thanks for following my journey and our life here at HCH!  Sending our love your way!

Shae Hellmann



Eeeeek.....what just jumped out of my shirt?!



Good Morning Family,

So  I kept thinking I felt something moving on my shoulder this morning; but I kept checking and didn't see anything. Well....I just pulled my t-shirt off my shoulder and out jumped a grasshopper.....eeeeek! I don't mind them; just prefer them not inside my clothes...LOL

Life here is great and it's the most perfect weather this morning!  It's one of those mornings where I'm so grateful for the my God given calling and totally enjoying it.  The kids are all so incredibly precious!  I was greeted with "Auntie Sae...Auntie Sae, I not give trouble d-day Auntie Shae, how many more days until our 4 friends come, when is Auntie Net coming again, and on and on."  You just got to love them.  They are the same as any normal child; except there's 32 of them. 

So now I'm off to figuring out why there's still water dripping from our roof as well as getting out food, cleaners, etc... and then hmmm.....well time will tell what will be next.  One motto I've decided that is best for Haiti is, "don't make plans; because they will get changed." 

Have a wonderful day folks!



Going Home......

Bonjour Tout Moun,

It is time for me to go home; that is back to Haiti Children's Home!  I miss those kids so much and all I can do is keep looking at their pictures and videos on my phone.  I was exhausted; but now I'm rested!

God truly blessed me.  As I just went to pay for my stay here at the guest house I was informed that it had already been taken care of by another guest.  God is so awesome!  What the guest did not know is that I really couldn't afford to come here; but knew it was crucial for me to have a break.  I had planned  to take from our wedding money and Saintilaire and I had discussed that we'd just trust God to replace it and HE DID even before I had to give it.  God is so amazing!

I don't have a whole lot to say this am; but just wanted to share my praise report and of course some more photos of our babies.


Much Love!!!



Taking a Rest

 
Good Morning Family, so I've decided that a rest is necessary at this time.  Being on the compound 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is no joke and bit exhausting.  I've found that when I can have 1 entire day off every week I can more easily manage through the other 6; but that hasn't been possible here lately. I'm breaking at a mission house on another orphanage property, "NewLife4Kidz."  They have been gracious to me here.  I've enjoyed seeing a little bit more how they run things on their compound with their 120 children and how they are similar/ different to us at Haiti Children's Home.  Seeing their kids however makes me really miss mine at HCH (photo above). 

Overall, life is going well here in Haiti.  There was calm after the reading of the electoral candidates.  The new election date is set for March 20th; the day after my wedding.  We are all anxious to see what that will bring.

 So, some of you have seen my post regarding Saintile's brother Renald (photo above).  Renald has been suffering from what we think is pulmonary edema.  They were able to remove some of the fluid from his lunges and he returns on Monday to get more removed.  Continued prayers appreciated!

Wedding preparations are coming along; slowly but surely.  I miss you all!
 

So, it has been a long productive day starting at 5:20 am.  I saw our guests off, got out the daily food and cleaning supplies, passed antibiotics, vitamins, protein shakes, creams, and cholera meds to both children and adult, boiled med cups, cleaned the house, baked a cake, ironed kid’s clothes, cleaned the yard, spent time with the kids, answered emails, drove to the bank, and did some more wedding planning.  Whew!  Now you understand why I’m ready to go to bed so early.

Brittany’s baptism went wonderfully the other night and the kid’s were so excited to join the ceremony on a blanket on the front yard.  We were so excited to be a part of this time in Brittany’s life.

It is pretty warm here as I sit here sweating; however I’m not complaining.  I prefer the heat over the cold.  I am considering getting an AC in my room though in the near future!  This is all for tonight!  Be Blessed!

My Life In Haiti!!

Well, here we go.  So, long after I have arrived into Haiti I finally have a blogspot.  I will be updating this spot hopefully at least twice weekly.  I hope that this will be a place where all of my friends and family can come to feel a little closer and a part of my life here in Haiti.  So overall everything is going well here at Haiti Children's Home.  The kids are doing great and keeping Auntie on her toes as all kids seem to do a good job of this.  

We are preparing today to have the baptism of one of our volunteers who is a new believer and expressed her desire to be baptized in Haiti!  We are so blessed to be a part of her life and this joyous occasion!

I was estatic to get the news today that my 21 month old nephew does not have cancer; but only had a bad virus. I hadn't realized how much that had been really weighing on me until I got the news and felt 1,000 pounds lighter.  God is so good! 

So, Saintilaire and I are on the countdown to our wedding date on March 19, 2011!  We are so excited; but I'm also stressed as I try to get everything done for that along with running an orphanage.  My fiance is such an awesome man of God and I can't wait to have him on site working with me on a daily basis! 

This is all for now; but I look forward to sharing my life with each of you!