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We are excited
to introduce you to our new Executive Directors of Robin’s Nest
Children’s Home, Joel & Angie O’Dell of Des Moines, Iowa. They will
be at the Nest the month of July, return home for training in August
and then start full-time at the Nest. Please remember them in your
prayers as they go through this transition. We are very grateful to
Andy and Laura Chapeau for presently filling in as Interim Directors
and to Michelle Robinette, our founder, for following God’s call 12
years ago to begin this ministry. To God be the glory!
ANSWERING GOD’S
CALL
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On September 14th,
2008 God changed the O’Dell household forever…
Joel and I
have been married for nearly 19 years and have been blessed with 3
beautiful children. God placed many hills and valleys along the
way. In 2008 the valleys were great: financial difficulties,
depression, and a feeling of emptiness as we didn’t understand what
God had in store for us. Well, as we sat in the sanctuary of our
church on a September day in 2008 we heard echoing from our Pastor:
“Christianity is not just a journey it is an adventure. Are you
living that adventure? When your life is over will you have “lived”
the life God has “gifted” you and “called” you to? Are you using
your spiritual gifts and talents?” Have you taken a real “leap of
faith??” After the sermon we felt God’s spirit telling us, “No, we
are not on the “adventure”. Therefore, as the road went on we
decided to follow the path God was asking of us.
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Here is our story:
Joel has wanted
to go on a medical mission trip to Jamaica for many years.
There always seemed to be an obstacle. God had lain on my
heart that September day to take a “leap of faith” and send Joel to
Jamaica. I decided to give Joel a birthday gift he had always
dreamed of. So, with no extra money in hand and lots of prayer
I took a “leap of faith” and began secretly emailing all my friends
and family, took on a part-time job, and saved every penny to
raise the funds to surprise Joel with this trip. Well,
within 1 month we had enough money to surprise him with this trip.
HE WAS GOING TO JAMAICA!! God had started our
“adventure”.
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In the
following weeks God kept working. Two weeks after we raised the
funds my parents had me over for dinner. They had sensed I was
exhausted and just needed a night to myself. During that dinner
they handed me a card and inside was an amazing gift; it was a
ticket to accompany Joel on the mission trip! Not only was I going
to be able to surprise Joel that he was going on this trip, but I
would get to go too!! I just couldn’t believe it! God was now
building on his plan for our lives.
On January 31st,
2009 we began our travels to Jamaica to serve and every aspect was
amazing. God kept placing people in our paths while we were there
that would change our lives forever. We served at a church for most
of the time. Our team of 13 quickly became a team of “many” and
Joel and I felt so very blessed, however little did we know that the
blessings we were experiencing now were just the beginning of what
God had in store for us.
On the last
day of our trip, February 5th, 2009, we had the
opportunity to visit Robin’s Nest Children’s Home. We delivered
some amazing children’s quilts for the children from our church.
Our church had known about Robin’s Nest as a couple adopted a child
from there and some of the members in our group had visited the home
two years ago.
Leading up to
this day was hard for me. We had never had the opportunity to visit
any place like Jamaica before and the last day of the trip was
supposed to be our “fun day”. A part of me really wanted to stay at
the resort and just soak up the sun and waves. I was so frightened
to go because I knew it was an orphanage and I knew I might fall in
love with every child and have a very hard time separating myself
from them. Joel was convicted about going and he convinced me into
going with the group. He reminded me we were on an “adventure” with
God and we must not stop now. During the drive, which was an
adventure of its own, I remember thinking why did I decide to go and
I was feeling a little angry about my submission. Well, as soon
as we arrived on the “mountain top” and I stepped foot on the
ground, God answered all of my questions and eased my fears. As
soon as we walked in the doors I felt a sense of “home”. We were
given a tour of the place and I just tried to figure out why I felt
so at ease. I asked about their needs. They mentioned they needed
new directors. Suddenly I just felt a sense of peace. I knew at
that moment why God had led me here. Now the next part of this
“adventure” would be to tell Joel what just happened and that wasn’t
going to be easy, or so I thought. As we traveled back down I was
fully engulfed in prayer. Upon arrival, we went on our own to
process the trip. Joel asked me, “So, what did you think of Robin’s
Nest”. I simply said for the first time ever, “No, I won’t talk
first this time; you go first and tell me what you thought.” At
that moment Joel just started to laugh. I thought he was laughing
because I had told him to talk first but the words that came out of
his mouth next were so amazing we both started to laugh, then cry,
then laugh some more…..
He said,
“Angie, something happened while I was I up there today. I don’t
know if you noticed but I really bonded with the place. I was
thinking how I could help the handicap kids with their physical
therapy; I knew I could assist them with their maintenance projects,
etc. I just felt God telling me that all of my spiritual gifts and
talents could be used here. I don’t know it just felt like home.”
We just sat in
awe at what God had just done in our lives. We knew that God was
asking us to take that leap of faith and live the adventure. We are
humbled and on our knees with God’s call in our lives. We know the
task ahead of us is great but with God leading the way it will be
the adventure and blessing of our lives!!!
“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “
…..with God
everything is possible”
Matthew 19:26
Blessings to all,
The O’Dell Family
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4th Annual Benefit
to sponsor the
Robin's Nest Children's Home |
SPONSOR A CHILD
FROM THE "NEST" |
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in memory of Jacob Anderson
Thursday, June 4th
Axel's at Prestwick Golf Club
955 Wedgewood Drive - Woodbury, MN
Click
below to download
an informational flyer |
Click
below to download
the registration form |
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In
2006, we began a new program, “Sponsor a child.” We are so
grateful to the many of you who have faithfully given to this
program which helps us to provide board and room for our children.
For only 50 cents a day or $15 a month, you can help the children of
Robin’s Nest. If you desire to be a part of this program or
want more information, please fill in the area concerning it on the
gift form (click
here for the sponsor form).
You are free to choose any of the children listed on the
Children's Page.
We are so grateful to have Cindy
Anderson now handling the sponsor a child program, so please contact
her at
canderson12@marykay.com.
Please note: We would like to do this program
primarily by e-mail
and automatic deduction.
However, if you are unable to do this,
please do not hesitate to sign up.
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WHAT IF ROBIN’S NEST RECEIVED A DONATION EVERY TIME YOU
SEARCHED THE INTERNET?
OR WHAT IF A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR ONLINE PURCHASES WENT TO
SUPPORT US?
We are registered at 2 search engines;
www.goodsearch.com
and
www.isearchigive.com
You can also shop at
www.goodshop.com
a sister site of goodsearch or
www.igive.com
a sister link of isearchigive. It takes just a few seconds
to go to these websites, select your charity, and then take
a search or click through to your favorite store and shop as
usual. Last year we used goodsearch and received a check at
the end of the year. Either site works good to use as your
home page.
If you do happen to make a purchase through iGive within 45 days of
joining, they'll donate an EXTRA $5 to your favorite cause!
With 732 stores in the iGive Mall and the new
iSearchiGive.com search engine, it's easy to find the things
you need AND raise money for a good cause. |
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REPORT FROM THE NEST
by Andy & Laura Chapeau
May, 2009
(Andy & Laura will be
ending their time as interim directors in early June. We pray for a smooth
transition to the new directors and for Andy & Laura as they look for jobs
and continue their education. We are MOST grateful for their time of
service and sacrifice to the children of Robin’s Nest. Praise God for their
commitment.)
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Dear friends of Robin’s
Nest,
It has been a busy month
at the Nest, no two days are ever the same.
Our Nest family
continues to change. We no sooner were able to send some of our children to
their adoptive or foster homes when we grew by receiving 6 children all in
one day. All 6 of them are 3 years and under and then shortly thereafter,
we received another one. It has been a
blessing to see our new little ones blend in so well. They are beginning to
bond with their pod parents, and their growth is visible on an almost daily
basis. Each of the children is a blessing. Similar to any family having a
new child, we experienced some growing pains, but our staff is wonderful at
accommodating to the children’s needs, and being flexible. A team recently
made very cute kid-size picnic tables for each of the porches, which have
been a fabulous addition as our pods can eat as families, and use them for
reading, coloring, play dough etc. We have also moved bedtime to the
porches and adjusted the staffing so the “babies” fall asleep on blankets on
the porches with their Pod Moms. I am very grateful to our staff for
working as a team and assisting in the ideas and implementation of these
changes. I am daily in awe of the love our staff has for our kids.
God has seemingly
opened the floodgates of Jamaican support for Robin’s Nest!!
Two resorts
have both stopped by this month. We have not heard of their final decision
for support, but both tours went well, and both representatives seemed very
impressed. When the representative came, she brought a small mission team
for a tour that comes yearly to do projects on the island and is looking for
a new place. They mentioned that they will be contacting us as well.
Praise God!
Our church has also
begun to take Robin’s Nest under their wing. They are very inviting of our
children, and have been wonderful to them in Sunday school and the church
services. The Pastor came to visit the home with several leaders of the
church, and stated that she was very impressed, and the home was unlike any
other that she had visited. Soon after that another church leader called to
talk to us about being a ministry that they visit on a weekly basis.
Starting next Monday they will visit weekly to read and disciple our older
kids. What a blessing to have strong Christian males being examples to our
children.
The beach often leads
several inquiries about the Nest – we are constantly thankful for Doctor’s
Cave and their support. A man who runs a business in the states stopped us
to ask about the kids. His dream is to build a playground – God you are a
miracle worker! He stated that he will call the Nest and hopes to visit to
explore this possibility at our home. Please keep this in your prayers, and
pray that God will move His heart. We then met 2 Peace Corps workers, who
are still trying to figure out what they will be doing and where they can
spend their time. They played with the kids and were impressed with their
behavior. After further conversation, we learned that one of them is a
Civil Engineer, and his experience is in water! I explained the water
project and he is very interested. Please pray he will follow up as he said
he would.
We have hired and
trained in several new staff who are doing wonderfully. God is good. There
is also a new taxi driver in the area that drives safely! We have been
working him in to driving as many of the late night and weekend shifts as
possible. While it isn’t perfect yet it’s coming along, and taking some of
the pressure off of our drivers. Our new driver is an enormous blessing.
Even as I type this he is out playing with the babies in the swings, and
often when he isn’t driving he helps the staff with the laundry and the
ironing. I cannot say enough about his integrity and character. – Thank you
Jesus!
There continues to be
endless struggles with water. We just went about 10 days without any.
While this is very difficult, our staff has stepped in and is doing laundry
by hand, while Glaston is bringing water up by small tanks. Please keep
this continually in your prayers.
Last Sunday we ate our
first chicken dinner of chickens that we grew ourselves. As it is planned
we will never have to buy frozen chicken again!!! Our farmer is wonderful,
and enjoys his job. He is continuing to bring two big bags of produce in
from the garden every other day; our corn is almost ready as well. He and
another of our workers told me that they wanted to teach our big boys to
roast corn like the Jamaicans do. We are looking forward to that day. We
don’t want our kids to grow up without those skills!
It is clear that God
is faithful. While our time here continues to be a challenge, we find that
when we continue to follow God’s leading and His will, He always prevails.
This is God’s home and these are His children. “Thank you Father for
allowing us to participate in a small part of Your work here. Thank You for
Your faithfulness and guidance while we have served here.”
Thank you, supporters,
very much for all of your continued support and prayers for the mission and
ministry of Robin’s Nest. Blessings, Andy & Laura
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TRIP
REPORT (by Jill Bjork)
I had
been to Robin’s Nest twice before. Each time was a great
experience but this time was different. I was with women my
own age that I knew I could learn from. We started out with
a relaxing time at Negril, great conversations and nightly
devotions. I could already tell there was a purpose for me
being on this trip.
When we arrived at Robin’s Nest, we were glad we didn't
have to drag our luggage around anymore and we could finally
settle in for 6 days. We each had 2 suitcases, one with
donations and the other with our personal belongings. As you
can imagine it got to be a bit challenging with such HEAVY
luggage, but we managed to do it which was a God thing in
itself.
It was such a joy seeing the children again. Some of the
same ones were still there, but there were so many new faces
and so many big smiles! For 6 days we were there to help
the staff with laundry (about 7-10 loads a day), cleaning
(which included disinfecting the whole home daily) and
dishes, dishes and more dishes! With 33 children, 7 of us
and 8-10 staff members eating 3 meals a day, there are a lot
of dishes to do by hand, but we also spent a lot of time
with the children. We played with them, swam, sang, and
read to them. We even colored eggs for Easter. I don't think
they had ever done that before and they just had a ball
seeing the colors on the shell.
Some things had changed since I was last there in 2004.
They moved from the city to a beautiful mountaintop
overlooking the ocean and the other mountains. It's quite a
ride getting there considering it's a dirt one lane trail
with many potholes and no guard rails. You don't want to
look down along the side of the vehicle unless you really
trust the driver! Then, add goats, cows and dogs in the
middle of the trail.
They now also have Pod moms which is great for the
children to bond to. A pod mom is a staff member that stays
with a group of children throughout the day. It gives the
children a sense of belonging and attachment that they did
not have before coming to Robin’s Nest. But one thing
hasn't changed. It’s the love and faith there that stays
constant and close to their hearts. The children know the
presence of God and know why God is in their life! He is
there for them and Robin's Nest. What a blessing Michelle
Robinette has been to those children for all these years.
We had the honor of being there with her. It's so
captivating to listen to Michelle as she talks to the
children and tells them stories about the word of God as
they listen so intently! That's about the only time they
are calm and quiet!
In closing, I just want to say, “Thank you, God, for all
my Christian family and friends!”
Philippians 1:3-6: “I thank my God every time I remember
you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers
for all of you. Because of your sharing in the gospel from
the first day until now, I am confident of this, that the
One who began a good work among you will bring it to
completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”
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Robin's Nest
experience
(by Rosemarie Kuebker)
During Holy
week, I experienced my first trip to Robin's Nest Children’s Home.
“God-incidence” was a phrase I learned from one of our team
members. Out team was small enough so we stayed right on site at
the nest, in a small apartment. One reality we faced quickly was the
sparing use of water. In America we would call this going green, but
the conservation practices are very real and needed. Our group was
limited to only 2 of us who could have showers per day. Others took
the pool opportunity to wash off. Toilet flushing was held to a
minimum as well.
On our first
day we had a brief tour of the Nest and then got right to work. We
understood our purpose was to support the pod parents. They are the
Jamaican staff and are trying to give the children a sense of
family. Many children have problems with Reactive attachment
disorder. RAD as it’s called is a condition that is often
misdiagnosed as attention deficit disorder or bi-polar disease. RAD
is the inability to attach and create a trusting relationship with
adults. If children at a young age do not learn to develop trust,
they will have relationship issues for the rest of their life. One
day we were asked to go to an orphanage in Montego Bay to pick up
SIX children under the age of 3. It was very emotional watching the
workers bring the children out, tears in their eyes, as the children
came with us. The Nest now needed even more support from our team,
and then the washing machine broke down leaving us with one washing
machine to use between the 2 homes, 32 children and 3 adults.
Another
highlight was meeting the community. We filled our wagon with items
they could use and traveled down the pothole filled road, and
stopped to greet the neighbors, telling them we were from Robin's
Nest and offer them food and clothing. On Friday Morning
we went to a Good Friday Service. As we approached the bottom of the
hill into Montego Bay, we saw cars stopped in both directions and
many police cars, and police with their semi-automatic weapons.
What a site!! Now what!! As we got closer, we were waved through,
without being stopped or checked. Another GOD-INCIDENCE! I
wondered why I was going to church, when we should have hauled the
laundry to town and gone to a laundry mat, but as our theme got to
be: “NO WORRIES, JUST SITUATIONS!” Prayers were answered and the
washing machine was working again, another God-Incidence! On
returning to the Robin's Nest, Good Friday services and song were
being played on the radio. School was off for Good Friday, so all
the children were home. That evening some neighbors stopped by with
oranges and greetings for the children. We sat with the children
and watched a video from a kid's perspective on Jesus trial and
condemnation to the cross. These kids know Jesus!! One of the
things I've learned in supporting Robin's Nest is that we are
helping to raise strong faith-filled Jamaican children, that will
grow up to lead their culture in the same manner. All glory and
praise to God for a faith-filled journey. |
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March/April Greetings from the Nest,
Things are always changing at
the Nest, there is never a dull moment! Over the last month
we have had several children go to adoptive homes or foster
homes, while we miss and pray for them, we know that it is
in their best interest to have a "Forever Family." One went
with his adoptive family who lives here in Jamaica and then
came back to visit and even though he enjoyed visiting the
staff and children, his bond to his new mother was obvious
and wonderful to see. Four others went to foster families
as well. While we do not know the families, we trust that
"our kids" are safe and enjoying their transition. For a
couple weeks the house seemed quiet, and we were missing the
children. Not long after we got the inevitable call that we
would be sent 6 new babies and toddlers.
I recently went with a couple
volunteers to pick up 6 children under three years! Please
keep all of the children in your prayers as our whole house
is adjusting to having new little ones, the babies are
having trouble sleeping, the staff are busier, and other
kids are adjusting to new kids in their pods. But every day
is getting easier! We got two new little girls both are
about two years old. There are also four boys, from 8
months to about 2 and a half. One has hydrocephalus, so we
are trying to work quickly to get him into a hospital for
surgery as he does not have a shunt yet. Please pray
specifically for him as the longer he waits the greater the
risk of it permanently impairing his cognitive functioning.
We are very excited about the
several self-sufficiency projects that we have going on. We
now have 70 layer chicks and 100 broiler chicks. Both our
layers and broilers will be big enough to start producing
eggs/eating in about one month. At that point we won't have
to buy frozen chickens or eggs again! The children also
enjoy helping with the chickens, and are excited to feed,
water and hold the babies. This summer it will be the boy's
chore to collect the eggs every morning! We also have two
gardens producing a large garbage bag full of
vegetables about 4 days per week! We have also had
individuals donate more fruit trees, so we will be getting
an additional 40 banana trees and 20 assorted fruit trees
including mangoes, papayas, cherries and coconuts. Once
these start producing it will be great skills for the
children, and fruit for everyone!
We are in the process of
building a water reservoir for Jake's House. This will
catch the run-off of the rain that can be used to supply
Jake's House with water, and provide water to the garden and
chicken coops. It has been tough going so far as the ground
is all rock, but after a couple days with a jack-hammer they
are finally deep enough to start building.
We are more than grateful to
those of you who have visited us recently, helped with
projects, and those of you who consistently pray for and
support Robin's Nest. We keep all of you in our prayers as
well, and pray for the struggles that many are facing during
these difficult financial times, both in the U.S. and around
the world. One year ago a U.S. dollar equaled $71 Jamaican,
today it is 1 to $88JA. Please keep our staff in your
prayers as they are also struggling to make ends meet and
support their families.
It has been beautiful weather
here in Jamaica. The kids had the whole week off school for
Easter. We did art projects, played outside and in the
pool, and just enjoyed the time. Our cook made us an Easter
ham and we have been talking all week about the meaning of
Easter. The new kids are getting better adjusted every day,
and we are thanking God for the gift of His Son during this
Easter Season.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers!
Blessings,
Andy and Laura Chapeau
Interim Directors
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