Want Your Heart Blessed?

Just days after the devastating earthquake struck in Haiti a little "heart" project began here in Texas.

An art teacher had a vision . . .

What if we made hearts, and sold them for a $10 donation to help the Red Cross help Haiti?

It was out of this thought that HeARTs of Hope for Haiti was born.

The lesson for the students would be this --

EveryONE of us can

make a difference, but

T-ogether E-veryone A-cccomplishes M-ore.

And so the TEAM began to make hearts . . . teachers, students, parents, administrators-- everyone doing their part. Brogie came home to tell me that the Kindergartners had the most important job. They were the ones chosen to roll the tiny balls of clay that would jingle inside the heart once it was fired. Just what were these little balls of clay? The love of course! Yes Brogie, I do believe you were right -- a heart without love inside is nothing.

Other classes spent time rolling the clay and cutting out the hearts, as older children, teachers and parents worked on assembling them. Then there was the glazing or staining . . . the firing . . .

the hang tag printing and cutting (the music teacher made this her job) . . . the ribbon tie-ers (my favorite job) . . . the promoting . . . and finally the selling of hearts! Once people heard the cause and saw the hearts the little symbols of hope pretty much sold themselves!

It became a group effort of supply and demand--with the art teacher, her assistant and others working weekends to keep up . . . and as the hearts went out, the money began to come in!

With approximately 610 children (Pre-K thru 5th grade) enrolled in the school, the art teacher set a goal: To sell 61o hearts, one for each student -- this would bring in a nice $6,100 gift for the Red Cross.

The demand continued to rise . . . hearts out . . . donations in. Within a very short time the goal was in sight. And as quickly as the goal was reached (hurrah) the goal was surpassed! The heart-o-meter began to stretch down the walkway. Word was out, and around the $7,500 mark the TV News crew came and did a great story.

Soon another big milestone was hit . . .

Tears of joy flowed at the amazing goodness that was happening in the midst of such sadness.

It was around this time that the earthquake in Haiti "took on a face" for our family . . . and tears of sorrow would find themselves mixing with the tears of joy.

This is why . . .

Our church works closely with an orphanage in Haiti. At Christmas time we fill personalized shoeboxes for the children. Very near Christmas they got word that the orphanage had received new children . . . four more boxes would need to be filled. When Taylor heard this, she and Frankie immediately offered to sponsor all four children-- twin five year old boys, and two adorable five year old girls. I remember Taye's excitement over finding the cutest little basketball outfits for the boys. One green, one blue. Of course there were toys and treats, and many pretty things for the girls as well . . . most importantly those boxes were filled with love. Love for children who needed all the love they could get.

And then the earthquake struck.

The orphanage, situated away from the city, was spared. Yet for reasons unknown to us, sometime before the quake these four babies were moved to Port-au-Prince. All four perished.

Four beautiful five year olds who had no father to call their own, now dance with their heavenly Father, forever. Taylor and Frankie made their donation to the Red Cross with the purchase of four hearts. Identical blue hearts for the boys, and delicate pink and white hearts for the girls. A precious reminder of four of Haiti's most beautiful little faces.

(This is the heart I chose for myself-- a little"broken" with a tiny

crack on the outside, yet still full of jingling love on the inside!)

Weeks in -- and the teamwork continued, tired hands motivated by hopeful hearts! A new goal had been set-- to reach $12,200, doubling the original goal. As the Valentine's Day cut-off neared, the donations continued to roll in. The new goal was soon met!

The making of hearts continued, and the money kept on coming . . .

the heart-o-meter was proof as it continued to grow . . .

and grow . . .

and on February 17th, the "little school that could" . . .

gathered to celebrate-- and to make an amazing presentation to the Red Cross representatives who had come! To say that the auditorium was buzzing would be an understatement, somewhat like that original $6,100 goal.

Speeches were made, and thank yous were spoken as paper hearts waved in the air!

The children were reminded of just what can be accomplished when teamwork, done with your heart, is the goal! (I do believe that a huge lesson in serving others was an added gift they gave themselves!)

As the excitement grew . . . the drum-rolllllled . . . and the check written out to the Red Cross took center stage.

Cheers went up, and the little auditorium full of people came to it's feet! Tears of joy flowed once again . . .

and one teacher's vision, along with many, many, many people's help became a $16, 482 reality!

Which has since grown to over $17,000!

Hope born out of tragedy, in hearts full of love, for a people far away.

Father, please hold closely all those in Haiti who are hurting so desperately. Love on them Lord, be their provider and above all, please bless their aching hearts. In Jesus name, Amen!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

* To Mrs. Heier, the art teacher ~

Thank you for dreaming big. Thank you for believing the dream!