We'd been in Canada studying French for a few weeks, and after sending repetitive emails to various family members every few days, we thought it would be a good idea to just write ONE update, and let close family members check it out with a few photos every couple of days. One country, five followers.
Soon, we had a small group of churches and family members joining our financial support team, so we sent them a link to the blog as well so they could follow along.
And suddenly, here we are today, a million miles from Snow Camp and THIS is our 1000th post. A thousand posts and 4.5 years later, with several hundred hits a day from dozens of different countries, I have to admit that most blogs are still written with our family in mind...Our family has just grown a lot!
In celebration of this 1000th blog, we've decided to do our first ever Haiti giveaway!
From noon on Monday until noon on Wednesday, every single person who leaves a comment after this post will have their name put in the the drawing. Feel free to leave an "anonymous" comment (so that you don't have to log in), but be sure to sign your name after your comment. If you can't comment for some reason, send us an email instead: staceyhaiti@gmail.com.
Tell us how you found the blog, or why you follow it, or what it has meant to you, (or whatever you want) and leave your name!
We'll put all these names in a basket and draw two names on Wednesday evening. We'll let you know who won, and then those two people can send us their contact information and we'll get your Haiti gifts out to you!
The first name we draw will win this gorgeous Haitian bowl, made in Port-au-Prince by a man named Albert Einstein. Smaller bowls just like this one sell for $120 at Macy's:
We have been SO thankful for your prayers, encouragement, emails, love and interest in what He is doing in our lives and here in Haiti...we're excited for a chance to say thanks!
Thank you for reading!!!
yay I'm the first comment! i follow because...i love you, i love your whole family, and i love knowing what the Lord is doing through you in Haiti :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I do each morning just after my devotional time, is to check out your blog. So many days it is just like an extra devotional time. Having been to Haiti many times (and loving the country and people) I feel somehow connected by your blog and your ministry. God bless you in your work.
ReplyDeleteI started reading this because I wanted to keep tabs on my old friend, but at this point, Lisa and I read every post for the connection we feel to your whole family (despite not having actually met three of you!) and are continually amazed by the amazing things God is using your family for in Haiti. We truly hope you continue to feel God's presence closely and deeply as He uses you for even more amazing things!
ReplyDeleteGod's richest blessings to your whole family (both in blood and in Christ)--you're always in our prayers!
I "found" you and Matt through a newspaper article your Grandpa wrote about the two of you in the New Castle News in Pennsylvania. This was several months before you actually left for Haiti (our church was looking for a new missionary to support), and you made the trip out to our church just weeks before you left for Haiti. You gave me your blog information and I have been following your adventures ever since. I always tell you and Matt I am so thankful that God brought us together and I get to be a part of your "extended" family along with our New Bedford church. It so is easy to love you all....
ReplyDeleteMy love and God's blessings.
Lori Smith
You don't have to enter me if family is excluded :)
ReplyDeleteBUT through all my challenges in the past year, your blog has been a steady reminder that the Lord is ALWAYS faithful, that His kindness and goodness reigns, that He never forgets His own, and that He can work miracles through anyone who follows Him.
I also like to check it 42 times a day in hopes of a story or new pictures of my nieces :)
I "found" your blog after my 3rd trip there (and my first time meeting you two). Remember the $400.00 we brought along as "extra" - and remember that you had a student that needed - wait for it... $400.00. You gave Todd, Troy, Trent and I your card and we all started following your blog as soon as we got home. I've found that your blog is the best way for The Grissom Gang to stay current with that which we're almost as passionate about as you and Matt. Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDeleteYour blog keeps me in touch with our field of ministry while we aren't there! I love your insight, your unwavering devotion to Jesus, and your sweet family. Thank you for sharing with your "extended family" the goodness of God as well as the struggles of life. :)
ReplyDeleteLeslie Marie of the Easley Zoo
I found your blog because you sent me the link :) Your blog is the home page on my computer. Not only do I start each day with you guys but multiple times throughout the day. It starts my day out with God, miracles, friends, a smile, a tear, encouragement, things to add to my prayer list, etc. It keeps me in perspective and focused on God. Your family is such an encouragement to me! The Haitian people, although I have not met any of them personally, have become near and dear to my heart. I love you all so much and pray for you several times throughout each day!
ReplyDeleteI met you, Stacey when you guys last visited NorthRidge (I was the one who asked a lot of questions haha). I got the chance to talk to you after your presentation - you're so down-to-earth and you seem so wise. I love to read blogs so reading yours is a breath of fresh air compared to the craft/homeschool/running blogs I normally read. You speak truth and - I agree with Sue, it's many times like a devotional that pulls me closer to the Lord. :)
ReplyDeleteWe read the blog because we love you four - we love the people you work with and write about - we love Haiti - we love OMS - we love the One you serve AND because Stacey, you really are a gifted communicator!
ReplyDeleteps - if we win, we promise to come take possession of the prize personally:)
I follow you because you and Matt are dear friends! And because it's a reminder of God's faithfulness and love.
ReplyDeleteCan't pass up an offer like this! I began following your blog to know how to target my prayers for you. But like another comment said, it is like an extra devo time for me. You inspire me with your passion and heart for Haiti, challenge me through your own transparency and encourage me with how the Lord is working in individual lives. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteStacey,
ReplyDeleteI met you on my second mission trip to Haiti, after the earthquake. I am friends with the Bundys. Angie actually gave me this blog because she said you blog more than she does and I can keep up with the specific needed prayer requests for Haitians and missionaries there. I am simply amazed at how God uses missionaries in such a strong and powerful way. It is such a joy to see couples raise their children in God's work! My pastor Bro. Gary King, Stewart Dawson, and Olivia Logue are in Haiti now working with 4VEH Radio. I just heard latest weather forecast on Hurricane Irene and sounds like it will be north of you all. Praying.
Ditto to all of the above. Just Kidding. We read your blog, primarily, because we miss you. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it makes it worse. Sam.
ReplyDeleteP.S. We don't need the goods, so draw somebody else.
Thanks for a lovely blog, which I can pass on to praying friends here in the UK. Brett gave me your names originally. It's good to hear what our Lord is doing in Haiti. Much in prayer for Saccanville church.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
John Lowther
My wife put me onto your blog - she met you on her trip to Haiti in June of 2010. She and I read on a regular basis in order to pray for you and to stay connected to Haiti. If you draw my name, then - God willing - Melissa and I and the kids will be there this time next year to pick up the prize in person. (We have been officially accepted by OMS and will be beginning to raise support soon!)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all,
Steve Gross
I first learned of you and your family when I went to Namibia with Lisa in 2006. Because of facebook, I stumbled upon your blog, and now I read it daily.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a reminder that God is bigger than any challenges we might face in this world. I use your stories often with my middle school small group.
Thank you for your honesty and for sharing what you are learning about God as he works in your life.
I read your blog because I love and miss you so much! You were a steadfast friend through everything in highschool, and always made me feel things would be okay... so I love reading your blog because it lets me know how I can be there for you now, in how to pray for all of you, and I get to see the beautiful smiles of the Haitian poeple, and wonderful Lily and Sofie.It Keeps me connected to you. I love knowing How God uses you guys, and find it so amazing how you follow Him...it's exciting to see His work through you in every post :) Love you guys,
ReplyDeleteAmber
Stacey and Matt
ReplyDeleteI read your blog every day and continue to pray for you two and the "girls". You and your work are a real inspiration to me. Some days I just wish I could be there to help out.
Love you all
June
I also faithfully read your blog every day and am constantly amazed and humbled by yours and Matt's selfless commitment to our Lord. Many of your posts bring tears to my eyes, and just as many bring a smile to my face (especially Lily's antics!). I also love to read about the Haitian people whose lives you are changing every day for the better, and I continue to pray for your and your little family as well as the people there. I began following your blog after one of your visits to Cornerstone Church, but I've known Matt since his younger days when he played football for my husband Dave!
ReplyDeleteI started following your blog after hearing you both speak at my church. I also have a huge heart for Haiti & I love meeting & keeping up with others who have that same heart. I love hearing about all that God is doing in & through your family & in the Cap Hatian Area...Every summer I say I am going to take a few days to come up & visit you but somehow 2.5 months fly by. You blogs are so inspiring...thank you for taking the time to share your heart :-) Praying for you & your ministry!
ReplyDeleteIt was coming up on the one year anniversary of the last big Haiti earthquake and we were talking about it at our church and continuing to pray for Haiti. One couple in our church who had been in Brazil for six months with OMS forwarded to me your blog as you wrote about it. I was hooked. I signed up right away. I have been personally challenged by your commitment and the depth of your insights. I have shared several of your blogs with my church to challenge them as well. When several emails come in at the same time (a common occurance!) I save yours for the last since it's always the best! I thank the Lord for you. Because of your blog I deeply desire to visit Haiti and EBS. I have never met you but feel such a close connection because of your blog.
ReplyDeleteWe have always followed your blog because we miss you! This is our way of connecting everyday. It is also important that Nico knows ALL of his family, near and close. We wish we could be there right by your side.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we love Lily and Sofie. We love the sound of Nico's voice saying "MATT, Yil-yee, Tatey, and baby".
Love you all!
DE Ayars
The most poignant and significant blogs I read right after the earthuqake happened in Haiti were your postings, Stacey. Working at the OMS Hamilton, Canada office, your blog postings are an encouragement to us all here and I love to suggest to people to read your blog postings. It keeps many, many people connected to the pulse of what's happening in Haiti. Praying for you all!
ReplyDeletexo Cathy Zavitz
This is fun! A Haitian giveaway! I love to read your blog because in the same weird way as facebook, it makes me feel like I am still close to you guys and part of what's going on there, and what I can pray for. I also think you are a gifted communicator Stacey (and Matt too--butSatcey is the one writing the blogposts and adding the descriptive word pictures and actual photos). I have a heart for Haiti just through your amazing renditions of what's going on in your lives! I love your whole attractive family and miss you guys something awful. Please keep me in your prayers too! God is working in my life through hard circumstances but I have confidence He has plans for good!
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXO Elisabeth
I heard about your post thru Matt’s dad Keith back in 2009. I worked with Keith at Autoport and I was pregnant at the same time you where pregnant with Lily. Keith would tell me how your pregnancy was going. You had your baby 1st , Keith was so excited he showed me your Blog that had Lily’s picture. Shortly after I had my lil girl named Riley. I check your blog everyday to see Lily grow up like my lil girl. I feel like I’ve known your family forever and I have never meant you. I love the work you do over there in Haiti. I pray for your family often. I love to read the passion and love you have for Haiti, family and GOD. Thanks for inspiring me to be closer to God.
ReplyDeleteCat Smith
I'll comment! As Lisa's friend and old Chicago roommate, I would hear your amazing stories about what God is doing in Haiti (plus about your 2 beautiful daughters). She introduced me to your blog, but I continue to follow it and am continually inspired and encouraged by what you share.
ReplyDeletemuch love and prayers,
-laura
Stacey and Gang,
ReplyDeleteI started to follow your Blog right after our return home in June 2010. Katie and I missed you and Lily so much after we came home. I quickly realized that you were so busy that sending you emails just added to your to do list! We still miss you guys so much and LOVE watching Lily. We feel so blessed to have had the chance to meet you guys and dream of someday returning to Haiti for a visit and see all of you once again. We continue to pray for Haiti, your mission and your family. Keep up the great writing Stacey...your gifts are a true blessing to all you reach.
Love from our home in Canada to your home in Haiti.
God will continue to bless you and yours,
Love, Kelly Yungblut and Family
I started reading your blog after I saw you speak at Cornerstone Church. I keep reading it almost daily for signs of miracles in day to day life and to see how you are doing.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Reading your blog is part of the evening routine for the Sunderland family. You are such a gifted writer that we feel blessed to read your blog. Then too, after two trips to Cap Haitien, it makes us smile to see photos and hear about familiar names and faces. We are thankful for your friendship and continue to pray for all four of you and your ministry! --Robert, Jane, Luke, Anna, and Isaac Sunderland
ReplyDeleteI love hearing about you guys and what you have been doing about teaching the people in Haiti. God has watched over you so great. I love seeing pictures of Lily and Sofie and of course you! Love you! Love, Lydia Billingsley:)
ReplyDeleteHi Matt and Stacey! It's been quite a journey since that first blog post in Quebec, hasn't it? Like many others have already commented, I've really enjoyed following your journey through the blog...your reflections often challenge me and it's always encouraging to know someone else is working through many of the same things we are out here! We think of you often and pray for you! Love, Dale, Flo, Caleb & Joel
ReplyDeleteHi, Stacey, This is Lisa Aurand's mom. Remember me from Asbury days. I follow because I love to hear what is going on in Haiti and I love your writing and spiritual insight.
ReplyDeleteSheri