On twitter this week, @PhilCooke posted this thought: “Complaining is like throwing up. You may start to feel better, but everyone around you suddenly feels sick.”

I’m not sure why, but this really resonated with me. I immediately thought of all the people in my life who complain … and in turn make me feel sick. I thought, “if they only knew how this makes me feel”.

For a few moments, it was all about them.

You see I have become “that mom”. You know the one we said we would never become. The one who when their kids complain about the food for dinner says, “Don’t you know there are children in Africa starving that have no food to eat?” The kind of mom that when their child want a soda instead of water tells them, “millions of people around the world are dying because they have nothing to drink”. Or that kind of mom who when their child asks for that next expensive tech gadget says, “You should be thankful for what you have. So many children around the world don’t even have a doll or a simple toy car to play with”.

You know, “that” kind of mom.

I rationalize these responses because in my line of work these examples are not just far-fetched theories. They are based on my real life experiences … on real places I have been – on real children that I have met. And I desperately want my own children to see the world through those eyes and through my experiences. My hope has been that it would make them complain less and appreciate more.

But what about me? I guess I never complain. I guess all my experiences have made me “complaint free”. I guess I keep things in the proper perspective each minute of every day.

Unfortunately, this is not the case.

If I could list here the things I have complained about this week, I would be extremely embarrassed and I fear that you would be very disappointed.  I have complained about everything from the weather, my time, my job, my kids, my husband, little inconveniences … all the way down to my pets. To be honest … I complain a lot.

But, when I receive stories and photos like this, I wish that I could do better. I wish I was better.

Elvia weighed only 44 pounds at 13 years old. Extreme malnutrition had taken over her frail body. Six hours away from help, it took nearly the whole day to reach her and get her back to the clinic. Her condition was so desperate that no one knew if she would survive the trip.

The last two hours of the journey, Elvia began crying and calling out to her mother continuously. She was convinced that she was about to die and she was scared. It is hard for me to even think about the fear this little girl faced … and her mother. The thought of losing her child must have terrified her.

But, five days later, her recovery is nothing short of miraculous. A new life has begun.

So seriously, what do I have to complain about?

You see I believe that the root of complaining comes from simply thinking about ourselves too much … our wants and desires … our problems … our #firstworldproblems . Yet, when we let go of those self-absorbed thoughts, we free up so much time and energy to think about the needs of others and how we can use our lives to make a difference.

As I go about my day today, I want to remember that I have so much to be thankful for and so little to complain about. Life is truly a gift that we have been given. Instead of complaining, let’s use that beautiful gift to change the world.

Children wait in this line spending most of their day walking to get water, waiting to get the water and then bringing the water home to their family. And in the end, this water that they spend so much time to get is still dirty, and will continue to make their families sick.

In Haiti, 70% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water … that means seven out of ten people don’t know what it’s like to drink clean water. And that is why one in seven children in Haiti will die before their fifth birthday.

Last week I was in Haiti … this week I found myself at our local recycling center disposing of all the empty water bottles that my family had recently consumed. It was such a sharp contrast of life there and life here – and such a reminder that I have no idea what it is like to be without water.

But, things are changing. With the help of passionate supporters across the country, we just completed a large water project in Haiti that holds 186,000 gallons of water – simply unheard of in this part of the world. It will meet the needs of hundreds if not thousands of people in the surrounding community. It’s transforming the way of life there and it is saving lives. (Watch my short video here)

This World Water Day, we each have the opportunity to make a splash – to take the plunge – and to literally be the drop that makes the difference! I am pledging with causelife to provide clean water and improved sanitation in places like Haiti and around the world … and you can too. The truth is, providing clean water has never been easier.

Together, we can continue to tell the stories of lives changed through the power of clean water. Water really does equal life!

One by one, she began to drown her children in the river.

I cannot imagine the screams, the kicking, the water splashing. Just picturing this scene in my head makes me sick to my stomach.

A neighbor saw what the mother was doing and ran to help but was only able to save one child . . . one-year-old Jimmy. She brought him to Danita’s Children where he has found a new life. He is now a healthy, happy little boy with so much life ahead of him.

This is just one of the many stories of rescue I could share with you. To be honest, I am simply overwhelmed with rescue stories. Each one more tragic than the last—but each one a complete transformation. And each one—represents a second chance.

Read more about my time in Haiti and watch
stories of lives being changed on World Help’s blog >

Watch Dieunie-Love’s Story – Haiti Spring ’13 on Vimeo

Beautiful 4-year-old Dieunie-Love (pronounced “Jenny-Love”) greeted me with a shy smile as she leaned up against her makeshift home in the crowded, dusty village of Oanaminthe, Haiti. We stepped into the first of only two small dark rooms where there were just a few pieces of furniture and some electrical cords hanging from the ceiling. A dirty concrete floor was also home to a few chickens and an emaciated dog. The front door offered no security and appeared ready to fall off at any moment.

A child’s teacup set, intended as a gift to be played with, was still in its box and hung on the wall as if it was a priceless work of art. Gifts are rare in a place like this.

There is no playground in the yard of this house. Instead, it is filled with smoldering trash and stray animals.

It’s hard to really call this place a “home”—but what does home really mean? Some would call a home a residence or a birthplace. But my favorite definition is this—  “safe place.” Isn’t that really what we all want in a home . . . a safe place?

I would be hard pressed to call Jenny’s home a “safe place.” Because of her living conditions and extreme poverty, she was severely malnourished by the age of two. In addition, because she had no access to childhood vaccines, she was also suffering from diphtheria—her condition was desperate. With no access to medical care and simply no resources, her family had given up.

Read more about Jenny’s story and the new medical
clinic we dedicated on World Help’s blog >

Watch Lonique’s Story – Haiti Spring ’13 on Vimeo

Read more about my time with Lonique on World Help’s blog >

In January 2010, a devastating 7.0 earthquake shook the tiny island nation to the core. Port-au-Prince was reduced to a pile of smoking rubble, and thousands of children suddenly became orphans . . . with only memories of a life they would never know again.

I remember being surrounded by mountains of debris when our team landed on the ground. The images of hopelessness will never fade from my memory: I knew our response had to be urgent, immediate, and effective.

For months, we worked with a network of aid partners in Haiti to distribute food, set up tents, supply tools to remove the rubble, provide medical care for the sick and injured, and organize rescue care for orphans.

But we wanted to do more than just give temporary help; we wanted to make long-term, sustainable investments—improvements that would address the deep-seeded problems that Haiti has struggled with for decades.

We immediately went to work addressing some of the biggest obstacles to Haiti’s progress—the glaring absence of clean water, medical care, and a program to rescue children who are suffering from the debilitating effects of both.

On this trip, I’ll have the honor of dedicating two extraordinary advancements to the future of our work in Haiti [ . . . ]

Read more about my trip to Haiti
on World Help’s Blog

I remember coming home from Haiti after spending days on the ground, trying to connect our partners with people in need, and navigating the chaos that had crushed the homes and the hopes of millions.

I tried to describe to my husband what it was like. I told him to imagine an earthquake like this happening in New York City and all the buildings collapsing. Then imagine if all of the survivors set up tents on the streets in between demolished buildings. If you can picture that—the crowds, the chaos, the filth, the unsanitary conditions—then you have pictured Haiti after the quake.

In any disaster, the children are always the ones who suffer the most. And they did:  At least 1.5 million children were affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

While I was there, I met a little baby boy was born two days after the earthquake. His father was killed in the disaster. Out of total desperation, his mother did the best thing she knew to do—she gave her son to one of our partners in Haiti, Danita Estrella-Watts.

Danita is one of the bravest women I know.  In 1998 after seeing the plight of Haiti’s children firsthand, Danita packed all of her belongings, said goodbye to her family, and moved to Haiti by herself.

Through her partnership, we’ve been able to build several clean water wells and filtration systems through causelife, sponsor hundreds of  orphaned children,  and continue to serve the needs of some of the poorest people in the Western hemisphere.

Danita also a passionate advocate and leader, and joined me in 2010-2011 as a featured speaker for Tour of Hope  events all over the nation.

Back to my story: Eventually, Danita was able to convince the baby’s mother to stay with her child . . . miracle number one.  I remember seeing  her eyes light up with hope for the first time. She decided to name her precious baby boy Josiah, which means, “God will save.”

Standing in Danita’s children’s home, a sanctuary for so many orphaned children, I held baby Josiah in my arms. Tears filled my eyes as I realized I was holding this tiny little survivor—miracle number two.

But the crisis of Haiti’s children didn’t start with the earthquake . . . it’s been going on for years.  In Haiti, one in seven children dies before their fifth birthday. Even before the earthquake, 60 percent of children lacked even basic health care.

That’s why this year; we’re expanding our Operation Baby Rescue efforts in Haiti even further—to reach hundreds, maybe even thousands of children who are in danger of dying from malnutrition, waterborne illnesses, and the crushing effects of poverty. Danita is right at the center of this life-changing work, sometimes even risking her life to reach these desperate children.

In just a few days I’ll be headed to Haiti to dedicate a state-of-the-art children’s hospital that we’ve worked with Danita to build. It’s one of the only facilities of its kind in all of Haiti. We’ll be introducing another extraordinary advancement in the fight to save lives—a water cistern and filtration system that will provide clean water to the entire campus of Danita’s Children, the hospital, and the people of the surrounding community. These preventative measures, in conjunction with our growing OBR program, will save thousands of little lives every year. I want to invite you to join me on this unforgettable trip starting March 11th by subscribing to my blog today. You’ll get daily updates sent straight to your inbox of the incredible things will be happening on the ground.  It’s the perfect way to get a glimpse of how you can be a part of what God is doing in Haiti.

Be sure to follow along on Twitter (@nyeatts) and Facebook for more updates in real-time.

I hope you’ll join me.  It’s going to be an unforgettable experience!

I have to say it was one of the most appropriate and inspiring things anyone has ever said to me before I get up to speak. People always try to say encouraging things or pray with me and all of that is very needed and important.

But, when you do the work that I do, you want to challenge people and motivate them to get involved. And sometimes, you need to be motivated and challenged yourself -  and you need to be reminded what your work is really all about and why you do what you do.  In that moment, I needed to be reminded that it is all about saving lives.

If you are a Grey’s Anatomy fan, you will recognize this phrase as something Dr. Derek Shepherd says every time he goes into surgery. But, I think I am going to borrow this from “Dr. McDreamy” … because the truth is, every day is a beautiful day to save lives.

I am reminded that each and every day our partners around the world are working tirelessly. Their work never stops. They don’t go home and take a break. The needs can be overwhelming and there is never a shortage of lives to be saved. Here are a few stories of rescues that are happening right now … children who are struggling to survive … and hope that is slowly being restored:

2-month-old baby boy: At the time he was rescued he weighed only 4 pounds. His mother is just 14 years old and she had her first baby when she was only 13 years old – she lost him to malnutrition. As our partners were traveling back to the rescue center, they had to stop and pray that this little boy would make it. His condition was that serious. His young mother, kept saying, “please don’t let my baby die I already lost one and I don’t know what I will do if he dies”.

Luis: Luis is 5 years old and has suffered from malnutrition for the past 3 years. The effects on his tiny body have been devastating. He no longer has muscles in his legs and cannot walk. Through extensive therapy, we are hopeful that he will learn to walk again, but it will be a long and painful process.

Henry: I met this little guy on my last visit to Guatemala. He is 2 years old and has been at the rescue center for many months. No one believed that he would live … but he is slowly proving them wrong. He has only gained 1 pound since he arrived and the doctors have done all they can for him. But, Henry continues to fight and we continue to pray.

These are just three of the hundreds of stories that I could share with you. These are real children fighting for their lives right now.  The truth is, sometimes we begin to think that there is little we can do to help. We live thousands of miles away. We can’t hold these children, we can’t feed them and bathe them. We can’t hug them, comfort them and rock them to sleep.

But, we can do something. We can be their voice. We can be their advocates. We can fight for them in ways that they cannot. We can join the rescue. And we can remember … It’s a beautiful day to save lives!

But if you’re anything like me, it’s so easy to let the loudness of life—the perpetual busyness, the multi-tasking, and the to-do list a mile long—to overshadow the moments that make our journey through life worth it in the first place.

Sometimes I have to see to remember. So I began looking through the images that were captured from last year’s travels—from conferences and colleges in the U.S. to the impoverished communities of developing countries all around the world.

With each photograph, a flood of memories washed over me. Beginning with Operation Baby Rescue (OBR), I thought of the dozens of babies our team helped rescue while in Guatemala—each one of their little faces lighting up in my mind, each one with a story.

I saw their young mothers weeping with joy and relief. I saw the tired eyes of a father come to life as a nurse leaned over to say, “She’s going to make it.”

From the bright lights of a stage, I saw the faces of hundreds of college students from all over the country eager to become a part of this extraordinary movement that is saving the lives of children.

I saw small groups sipping coffee and excitedly planning Rescue Nights. I saw advocates who were passionate about the destitute and about bringing justice for the marginalized and forgotten.

But the impact wasn’t just limited to rescuing babies. I saw stay-at-home moms joining forces with young professionals, grandparents, and elementary school kids to find ways to fight poverty from a world away. This Christmas, they generously gave to provide chickens, fruit trees, clean water wells, and so much more through Gifts of Hope . . . gifts that transformed families and communities alike.

LOOKING BACK ON 2012, I SAW THAT EACH AND EVERY MOMENT MADE UP AN INCREDIBLE PICTURE OF WHAT CHANGING THE WORLD REALLY MEANS. IT’S THE LITTLE MOMENTS THAT COUNT.

Although I’m involved in so many projects and causes, it seemed fitting that the year began and ended with my eyes on Operation Baby Rescue. With your overwhelming support, we finished the year big—raising the funds to rescue 347 children suffering from malnutrition, disease, and abject poverty. And the world is taking notice.

The January/February issue of Christianity Today highlights the miracle of OBR in a featured story entitled “The Great Tiny Baby Rescue.” It’s a look back to OBR’s remarkable 2012 chapter, with a glimpse of what’s in store for 2013 . . . The perfect way to reflect on what has truly been “A Year of Hope” in the lives of so many children.

I’m taking these moments and all these unforgettable memories with me into 2013. With flashes of creativity that propelled us through challenges, moments of kindness given and received, tears shed, laughter shared, and lives changed . . . it’s these moments that stay with us.

That’s why remembering is so important. It makes us move. It makes us invest. It makes us hope.

What will 2013 look like for you? Are you ready to make it memorable? Start by making a difference in someone’s life today. Even if you forget . . . they never will.

MAY 2013 BE YOUR BEST YEAR YET!

I am a blogger, and a stay-at-home wife and mama of four. This last October I had an opportunity to go to Guatemala for Operation Baby Rescue, with World Help and Hope of Life as a blogger with several others, too. It means we went there to experience the mission, and then share our stories with you. You can read our stories here.

Stories like Lady and Alicia, now 9 and 10, who were rescued when they were 4 and 5. They were reduced to thin skin and fragile bones. They lost their parents and were left to their grandmother. Though, she should have been their caregiver, offering love and protection, she was not and did not. She would leave the girls home alone, but not without tying up the girls each day — to a bed or table leg. When she was home, the abuse toward them was unspeakable. But they were rescued, and 5 years later still have a hope for their future. Lives transformed.

The very last night we were in Guatemala at Hope of Life, we had a fiesta — a joyous celebration. For a short part of it, I had to pull away. All the experiences of the week pouring out in tears right then. So I went to a nearby pool, and sat on the edge. I sat there and wept and prayed for almost a half hour. While I was there I could hear Carlos Vargas, the founder of Hope of Life, on the microphone. I could hear the life and joy in his voice, and I sat weeping.

How does he do it? He’s been able to be see the suffering, and still embrace life. He’s dedicated his life to the rescues, to give the thirsty, the hungry, the sick, the dying — a hope for life. He’s been able to do it without losing his joy.

How do I that? How do I embrace life and enjoy it while there is still suffering and death all around. Especially, now that I’ve touched it, and it’s touched me. And these questions I offered as prayers, and they did not go unanswered.“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

It seemed as if I had God’s attention in that moment. I heard it whispered strong and true, “You cannot dwell on death and have life. I am the Life. Dwell on Me.”

Maybe Carlos, and his family and the staff — they’ve learned the secret is focusing on the lives that were saved.

If I only dwell on what the enemy has done to kill and steal and destroy life, then I might believe there is no hope and do nothing. The need is great and will always be. Yet, there are people, everyday, not withholding what is in their hands, doing a good work all around the world to give a hope to the hopeless, and God is blessing it.

I want to be a part of it, too. Even though I am a stay-at-home wife and mama? Yes. I can do my part from home.

I brought it all back with me to the states, straight to my family. I brought the stories, and the experience, and the change. Little by little I am beginning to see my family change, too. The focus is changing to giving to those in need, and by giving we are changing. Even in the wake of a Christmas that was filled with abundant blessings, our dialogue has been about giving, and giving to rescue the babies. Babies that are now affectionately called “my” babies around the house.

We, personally, as a family committed to giving this Christmas to Operation Baby Rescue. The money that would normally go to an abundant lot of gifts under the tree, is going toward baby rescue.

Now that Christmas day has come and gone, I am beginning to understand more, the life to the full that Jesus promised, is not just found in the getting — it is found in the giving. This stay-at-home wife and mama of 4 is learning with her family, it truly is more blessed to give than receive — it’s evident in our joy.

Giving to the rescue is truly giving a hope of new life. Join with us? Click here to find out more.