support for beautiful bellies.

We recently accepted more women into our program. 

• two pregnant mommas.

• one mom & new born baby. 

They are beautiful. Their hearts are beautiful. 

Their stories are beautiful. 

 Their life is beautiful. 

When a women comes into our program, majority have only delivered at home. 

They are married, in a "committed" relationship because having a wedding is to expensive, or unfortunately this is the story for many, was left by the baby's daddy and faced with going through this journey alone. 

It is either their first pregnancy or they are very experienced. 

What is the benefit of being apart of Espwa Berlancia's Pregnancy Partnership Program?

- These women have support. not just from us but from the other women who they spend every thursday with. 
- They are able to receive check ups for free instead of having to worry about paying at a clinic
- They receive nourishment each week with prenatal vitamins and a food bag. 
- They are educated about what their bodies are going through, healthy habits & child care.
- Regular check ups at the local clinic
- They deliver at the local clinic where there is a doctor who knows the history of each woman
- A place to stay after delivery if needed.
- Support 6 months after their baby is born for them and their child. 
- Relationships that will last forever 

What YOUR support will provide these ladies.
- Food bags weekly which include rice, beans, spices, meat, powder milk, eggs, fresh veggies & fruit. We buy all of this at the local market to support local Haitian women & farmers and put money back into their pockets for their produce and goods.
- Clinic fees will be covered for appointments & when its time to deliver
- Giving the momma your supporting a comfort knowing that someone is praying for her & her family
- A friendship & experience for her to meet you & your family 

{{ These ladies come into our program, wether they are in their first trimester or last trimester. }}

Please pray for these women. For their continual strength. 

The sweet child that is growing inside of them or that is in their arms. Their families. Their bodies. Their health. 

If God is putting on your heart to be apart of these ladies pregnancies and mother hood, will you consider supporting them monthly at $75. The sponsorship goes from the time they enter into the program and it goes for the first 6 months of the childs life. You will receive detailed information about their family, life & pictures. 

You become a part of their stories & their children's stories. They will in turn receive information about you, your family & photos so that they can pray for you and YOUR family. They will become apart of your story & your life. 

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

 James 5:16

We can not do this without your help. Medical care is expensive here. Delivery at the clinic is $300 US alone, which may seem inexpensive but to a Haitian, they will do everything they can to avoid having to go to the clinic and pay this fee with the money they need to feed their family. 

[[ These women are special to me. They encourage me to work harder at my creole, at my midwifery classes, to pursue my dream of being able to personally deliver their children in an environment that is relaxing and comfortable. ]]

They are helping me grow in my trust with God. That He is in control. That He has plans already set in stone. That there is always a beginning of a journey and that I need to trust Him to get me through the ups and the downs. 

" Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand." Psalm 73:23

See our beautiful women that are apart of our lives. If one catches your heart please fill out the form and we will send you the info of this women who you will be going on this journey with. 

In Christ's Love,
Emily Elizabeth

Famsaj.

Famsaj. Midwife. partería. obstetrícia. ebelik. 

{{The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical care or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures. The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and child care. 
A midwife may practise in any setting including the home, community, hospitals, clinics or health units.}}
- International Confederation of Midwives

TODAY. today marks the start of the rest of my life, taking a journey that I can only give God all the glory to. 

I officially signed up for my midwifery classes through Midwife to Be. 

to those who believe in me, support me & pray for me. 

THANK YOU. because I could have not done it without you. 

This is only the first step. 

I pray that you will continue to follow this path God has me on. To be apart of these women's lives here. To support them in ways that you never knew you could. You are apart of this ministry that God has put into my heart. I still need your support. I want you to be apart of the changes God is doing here. I want you to come and visit our sweet mommas and babies. 

[[ Yesterday, I had a conversation with a new momma who is 4 months pregnant. In creole, which I most likely sounded like a 2 year old, I was able to get her information, and I got it all mostly right : ) I took vitals, measured bellies & loved these women the best I could in that moment. ]]

This is going to be my life from this moment on. 

This makes my heart thankful, my mouth smile, my soul be filled with joy & 

my mind explode because I don't really know what I am getting myself into. 

"The world focuses on maternal health because saving women stimulates the economy, bolsters communities and strengthens families. Women’s unpaid work equals about one third of world GDP; when a woman dies, children risk of dying within two years increases tenfold."
-The Global Health Policy Summit Report

Again. I can not say it enough. 

THANK YOU------------ to everyone who donated for my classes, who prayed & continues to pray for me, 

and those who continue to spur me in the right direction. 

I am going to be a midwife. 

I am going to bring children into this world.

I am going to love the women of Haiti.

I am going to go through hundreds of pregnancies without being pregnant myself. 

I am going to show these women how much God loves them. 

blessed.

In Christ's Love

Emily Elizabeth

Like Father. Like Daughter.

I love that God has put a passion in my dads heart for Haiti.

Riding to the compound after arriving in Haiti February 27, 2013.
Those sights, smells & sounds are apart of my everyday life here and in a way bring me comfort

The place that I call home. 

 {{ Its been almost a year since I first stepped foot in Haiti }}

since I started living my life 100% for the Lord. 

Since I completely surrendered my life to Him, giving Him control in where He guides me. 

(( I got to experience a healing with my Dad while I was here in Haiti one year ago ))

I am so thankful for that. 

I got to show my dad this new life in the mountains of Haiti. 
I am thankful He and I are alike in how we go with the flow && love adventure ; ) 

- Rode tap tap to valentines dinner. He took me and 2 other friends out to a                 

   delicious Mediterranean restaurant.

- He took me grocery shopping

- He got to see where I am living in the mountains now and the beautiful view I get to be surrounded by everyday when I am in my "office" 

- Meet Rhyan and her 2 sweet kiddos

- Eat at Boutiller or the "look out" which overlooks all of Port au Prince. 

- Enjoy some REBO coffee

- Ride a moto from the mountain through PAP to the airport

Best sight to see. My dad. suitcase strapped to the back of a moto. 

Cruisin through town. 

                                                                                   This is how we do it here. >>>>>

I Love how God works. In our lives, in our hearts & in our family. 





I can't wait till rest of my family can come here and see why I love this country, these people. this life. 


In Christ's Love
E

" Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." 
Exodus 33:13


I still struggle with WHY God did you choose me? for this country, for this calling, for this responsibility. I am learning to trust Him more and more. To be at peace with being at the beginning of this journey. To take it day by day, even when He decides to throw a rock into the calm pond and cause a ripple in my life, I have grown to just Trust. This is a long journey but one that I am so thankful and excited for. 

I am thankful for the support of my family. That I have their  words of encouragement always in my mind. That my mom is always worrying about me which i love, my dad will ride a moto & is continuing to plant roots in Haiti, my sister continues to be a role model in my life, my brother who steps out in faith in his community. I love my family. 

Stand up for Women.

This video speaks for itself. 

{{ We were not created for this treatment. }}

I am thankful that I am called to serve along side women who live this life day in and day out.

I may not know it yet of their circumstances but I know God has put me here to stand by them, listen to their cries and support them in their lives. 

Will you help us in supporting these women here in Haiti?

To give them the voice that God gave them. to Speak Up for their lives. 

www.espwaberlancia.org

In Christ's Love
E

little people. Big things.

God has been reminding me over and over again you do not need to be "SKILLED" to do everything.

David wasn't skilled, wasn't a soldier yet God graced Him with power to do the unimaginable. 

Something that men who were soldiers, skilled & strong were running away from. 

WIth God by his side, he brought Goliath to the ground with a small pebble. 

With that small pebble he made a HUGE ripple in history.

" You come to me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven's Armies- the God of the armies of Israel. whom you have defied." 1 Samuel 17:45

I don't know what God has planned for me, all I know is one of my small pebbles is becoming a midwife. That small thing in my life will make a BIG difference in the lives of the women in Haiti -- that I pray.

What is your pebble that will make a difference in someones life, in your city, in this world?

Don't let people look down on you because when you do things in the name of God, which I am discovering takes all the worry away, He can do things that you could never imagine. 

" So David triumphed over the Philistine with ONLY a sling and a stone, for he had no sword." 1 Samuel 17:50

He is showing me that I can do anything with Him.

Almost one year ago I came to Haiti, He changed my life, Forever. 

I never imagined that I would be living here, even more is that I never imagined that He would want me to become a midwife --- delivering babies. WHAT?!

{{{ Amazing what a year can make, what surrendering your life to God can truly do, when you allow Him to call the shots }}}

Espwa Berlancia is still small, yet Rhyan and I know that God has BIG things planned for us. 

We see the seed He is planting in our hearts for serving these women. 

• We will be expanding to another location where we can just see the growth not only in this ministry, ourselves but in the women who God brings into our pregnancy program. This house will be a place of safety for these women who will come weekly to receive check ups, a nutritious meal, education classes & support. 

We have the opportunity to purchase an incredible amount of furniture for an awesome deal that will furnish the whole house. 

-----> This is a small pebble for the ministry that will make a huge impact down the road. <-----

Will you be a David and help us throw this pebble to make a difference in a ladies life by providing a comfortable seat for her?

We need to raise $1,200. 

That will purchase : a stove, refrigerator, water dispenser, 2 full mattresses, a dining room table, living room set, inverter & batteries and various small kitchen items. 

These may not seem a huge deal, but to us it is. We would not be able to purchase these things for this price, and all at once for that matter. This will allow us to focus on allowing more women into our program to serve and allowing God to expand Espwa Berlancia even further. 

If you would like to donate to our Furniture Fund Click the button below. 

Any amount is more then helpful as we can't do this without your support.

As I write this I am sitting listening to our neighbors chatting, the warmth of the sun filling this room, the birds chirping, the green bamboo swaying in the cool tropical breeze. I am grateful for this life. I trust God with my whole heart. I know that He will provide if it is His will. What an amazing peace that He is blessing me with. He sure is placing me, a small pebble, in the right place and I can't wait to see where He will throw our desires and the effects that will come of that.

" Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's Purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

I am thankful that with each sunset I can look forward to a new sunrise. An excitement of what tomorrow will bring. What God will show me.

In Christ's Love
E

Espwa Berlancia.

It has been almost one week of living up in the mountains. 

Life here is peaceful. Clean. relaxing. NOT dusty. Quiet. Cooler temps. 

I LOVE the small town feel. 

" What is more pleasing to the Lord: 
   your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to His voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
   and submission is better than offering the fat of rams."
                  1 Samuel 15:22

Obedience is hard, but with this move it was easy. God revealed to me His plan for my life. 

His calling for my life…. Midwifery.

I want to do this because He wants it for my life. 

{{{ If you know me, you know that I do not like much to do about medical, so therefore this is 98% Him and 2% me }}}

I find so much peace in that. Knowing that I can TRUST Him through every step of this journey because it truly is 

His desire for my life.

He brought Rhyan into my life. Someone who shares a similar vision, desires & excitement for serving the women of Haiti. 

I can not express how thankful I am to be serving along side this woman who God has greatly blessed. She is an amazing friend, support, and mother. I just know I am going to learn SO much from her as I already have in the time I have known her. 

---------------> read more on Rhyans Blog & Ministry Website  <--------------------

Espwa Berlancia is growing. I am apart of this ministry. 

God planned this from the very first step I took in Haiti February of last year. 

My Position:
Prenatal Program Coordinator

Things are changing always, God continues to open our eyes to the immense need of prenatal care here so therefore my position will always be changing in small ways. 

- I will be doing lots of growing in the financial area as that is a responsibility of mine. This is good for me : ) 
- Creating/seeking out a variety of weekly classes for the women enrolled in our Pregnancy Partnership Program.
- Doing home visits for our new mommas seeking to join the program as well as mommas who have delivered. 
- Assisting in prenatal check-ups weekly
- Assisting in baby check-ups weekly
- Updating those who sponsor our mommas & seeking out individuals/families to sponsor new women who come into the program
- Assisting deliveries
- Fostering malnourished babies

I feel like there are several other things but I can't think right now! Who knows what God has planned for Rhyan and I but all i know is that I am SO excited to begin my midwifery classes…. 
which I can do them now because of YOUR support this month of February. 

THANK YOU

It feels SO great to be back working. to be using my mind towards something that is close to my heart.

Its been almost a year since I had a full time paying job.

I wouldnt trade this for anything. I wouldnt trade living in Haiti for anything. 

My life is here. I can't wait to see how the Lord continues to move in my life.

First things first, Midwifery classes & learning to speak creole. 

( I pray everyday that God would just flip a switch in my mind, He can do it right?)

[ I love the freedom, independence & feeling of life up here in the mountain ]

Submission to God is what I am focusing on. To really work hard. To submit to what He has planned for me. To put all my energy and strength into my classes, into these new relationships, learning my surroundings, trusting God for protection, seeking His voice, allowing Him to mold me, understanding this culture.

This is an everyday challenge as life has a way of distracting us. 
Yet, God knows how He is going to capture us each and everyday. 

I am submitting to this calling. I am honestly ready to settle into why God has called me to Haiti. 

If you have ANY questions please email me

>>> emily@espwaberlancia.org <<<

Rhyan and I would LOVE for you to come and partner with us by supporting us and this ministry monthly. We have pregnant women everyday asking to be in our program. We can't do this without funds for these women to be able to receive care from us, the local clinic, food bags weekly and anything that comes up unexpectedly. 

Will you pray about joining us monthly? Wether its $5 or $100 or whatever God puts on your heart we would love for you to be apart of not just these Mommas journeys, but our journey as we are discovering how God wants to use us here in more ways.

{{ You can donate by going to the Espwa Berlancia website and clicking that cute little face on the right }}

From my first trip to Haiti Feb 2013.
God Captured my heart and never imagined
That I would call Haiti my home.
Blessed with His sovereignty in my life.

Thank you to all who support me, who are praying for me 

& following this unexpected journey 

which started almost exactly a year ago,

that God has me on here in Haiti

Soon I will have title of midwife (that will be a while but atleast I am able to start it!!)

In Christ's Love
E

goodbye full of peace & trust.

Last week I said goodbye.
(Who says goodbyes are easy)

to a sweet girl, who captured my heart, gave me many firsts, allowed me to be a mom, taught me selflessness, and made me giggle uncontrollably. 

Christella spent 1 month with me. 

I am so thankful to God for bringing her into my life. For her to be my first foster kiddo. 

I didn't know how it was going to be but when momma came and held her I knew that it was time. 

God sweetly whispering, 

"Emily, I will protect her, my angels will always be with her. 

Trust me. Have faith in Me." 

He has graced me with a peace. 

This girl stole SO many hearts. I am thankful. She stole mine. 

I want to say thank you to everyone for the continual prayers.
To those of you who financially supported Christella. 
For all the support and encouragement that I received.

I could have not done it without you. 

Christella is going home weighing a healthy 15 pounds. 

Still has a ways to go but I trust that Momma will feed her and nourish her in many ways as she grows up into a beautiful girl.

Over the next 6 months, Momma will be supported with a food bag each week. 

>>>>I am needing $50 per month to be able to provide continual nourishment for momma and Christella. <<<<<

Will you please pray if God is putting this on your heart to continue to support Christella. 

• I have February Covered. But the next 5 months is up for grabs. Wether its a $10 donation or the full $50, any amount will be more then helpful

If you would like to support financially towards Christellas continual growth. 

Click HERE and follow directions for a one time gift donation

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

Romans 15:13

In Christ's Love
E