![Livesay [Haiti] Weblog](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PprHQchm36g/UOjPc9yr7vI/AAAAAAAARaw/_5IInXHdAv4/s810/blogheaderB%2526W.jpg)
Ten days ago I added this statement (in red) to the Harbor House tab/page. I also want to publish the update on a new post to be sure we're keeping donors and prayer partners up to date.
**Update October 8, 2012
As of this moment we're undecided about the future of the Harbor House. At this time we ask that you not give financial gifts to this program specifically until we determine if we will move forward with taking in another group of young (teen) moms. The first group graduated on July 21, 2012. We're still working to get each one settled into school or work (a job) depending upon their needs and this has proven to be a much more difficult task than we imagined.
Finding the line between advocacy and healthy encouragement/support and creating dependency and entitlement is one of the most difficult pieces of helping someone. Programs that require reintegration into regular life are much more complicated and culturally tricky. We remain uncertain about the future of this program and we ask for your prayers for wisdom and discernment as we decide what to do next and as we continue to help the original 8 teen mothers find their footing outside of the Harbor House.
Respectfully-
Tara Livesay
Heartline Ministries
We're currently leaning away from doing anything residential again. The 18 months went as well as can be expected with a house full of hormones and new young mamas. Bonding between mothers and babies took place. At least a few lives were preserved thanks to the shelter and provision of the home. For some young women, personal growth occurred. The challenges with reintegration are formidable. As of today we're considering using the house to expand some of the education and crafting programs that happen (Haitian Creations) and we continue to pray and seek direction. Thank you for your prayers. (Follow comments on this post for further information.)
**Update October 8, 2012
As of this moment we're undecided about the future of the Harbor House. At this time we ask that you not give financial gifts to this program specifically until we determine if we will move forward with taking in another group of young (teen) moms. The first group graduated on July 21, 2012. We're still working to get each one settled into school or work (a job) depending upon their needs and this has proven to be a much more difficult task than we imagined.
Finding the line between advocacy and healthy encouragement/support and creating dependency and entitlement is one of the most difficult pieces of helping someone. Programs that require reintegration into regular life are much more complicated and culturally tricky. We remain uncertain about the future of this program and we ask for your prayers for wisdom and discernment as we decide what to do next and as we continue to help the original 8 teen mothers find their footing outside of the Harbor House.
Respectfully-
Tara Livesay
Heartline Ministries
We're currently leaning away from doing anything residential again. The 18 months went as well as can be expected with a house full of hormones and new young mamas. Bonding between mothers and babies took place. At least a few lives were preserved thanks to the shelter and provision of the home. For some young women, personal growth occurred. The challenges with reintegration are formidable. As of today we're considering using the house to expand some of the education and crafting programs that happen (Haitian Creations) and we continue to pray and seek direction. Thank you for your prayers. (Follow comments on this post for further information.)
17 comments:
I am so glad you are finding your way through this. You posted several times with questions and concerns about the direction of harbor house. Particulary poignant was the young girl who was hoping to get pregnant just so she could live there. I am glad for your willingness to change direction and seek guidance with every decision.
Thank you Lori -
Yes ... we have had one girl purposefully try to get pregnant to gain entry to the house ... we have had many hint at that possibility. It is very much an onion (layers and layers to peel back) and when you think you are doing something good sometimes you learn that the good comes with a lot of bad. We want to be honest about the hard parts. As the girls are angry and struggling with being back out in the real world we're just sort of stuck wondering and praying about a lot of things.
So hard and so complicated Tara. Praying that God blows you away with supernatural insight and wisdom.
Thank you for telling the truth about the difficult parts too Tara. We are praying for all of you at Heartline.
This is what makes you so trustworthy and wise: the willingness to admit when things are not going the way you hoped they would and the courage to imagine something else rather than continuing just because it's what people want or expect. Thank you for that. Love you guys!
love you Terri - excited to hug you.
Nothing about Haiti or Heartline's work seems easy, simple or clearcut. I'm sure this was a complicated and heavy decision-making process, and we support you guys! Praying for those girls and their precious babes. -Jen
I love your willingness to step back and examine--and to be honest about that examination process.
I totally agree with all the previous comments. I started reading your blog after the earthquake.
One of the things that has kept me coming back is the way you are open and honest-even if honesty is hard or uncomfortable.
Thank you for sharing your family; for giving someone like me who has never been out of the US a glimpse of life in a third world country; for loving on those girls and their babies; and for not only sharing the love of Christ, but SHOWING it as well.
I'll be praying.
In Him,
Shelly Parker
Been praying for each of those girlies (the grads) and their babies by name each day for awhile. Hard, hard stuff. Thanks for being so honest about the messy work of loving the least of these (or anyone, really).
Thank you Marla -
There has been a few small "victories" and quite a bit of heartbreak ... over the 18 months 12 young women lived there. Three left early by choice, two were asked to leave, seven graduated in July.
Lourdes Milla left at Christmas (decided not to come back) - we have recently learned that she gave her daughter away to someone (not family). That is of course heart-breaking.
Djenie, MarieCarmelle, Ernege, Sergeline, Enisse, Leoni, Joanne, Mirlene, Faphane, Fedline, Alloune, and Lourdes Milla and their 6 sons and 6 daughters all need prayers.
Thanks for sharing so honestly. I will be praying for the mamas and their babies and you as you walk alongside them.
Glenda
great honesty here, guys...speaking from experience of working with poor and compromised people in a desperate situation, the contrast between what they can have with us and actually making good choices to change their lives is too much and we often do end up creating entitlement and paralysis. so much easier for them if WE DO IT ALL and fix their lives. i think this is also common even in America/Canada/Europe or anywhere that a chance for a lifechange occurs. i totally understand that many of these girls could not face their realities again without you. and then they get mad, right? like it was all our fault. sigh. prayers for wisdom and healing for all of you.
i'm praying for clarity for you all as you make hard decisions... like several others commented- it's encouraging to read about the tough stuff and how God is redirecting you. to me it says you are listening to the God nudges & not just running a program! MAJOR props to you for that!
Until I started reading your blog, I didn't understand the complexities surrounding this type of work. Thank you for sharing with such open hearts and helping us all to better understand what is needed and how to pray.
Truly appreciate such a large group of praying people that aren't saying "FAIL!" - but instead are acting like Jesus and responding with grace and love. Thank you.
tara
I second Stephanie's comments. I have learned more from your blog than you'll ever know.
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