What do you think?
Rate this book
Becoming Mama: How I Found Hope in Haiti's Rubble
A Courageous Yes
When Yvrose fled her native Haiti for the United States, she couldn’t imagine she’d return. After suffering multiple miscarriages, she struggled to build a new life. In a desperate moment, she finally met Jesus—uttering her first “yes” to God. That one yes became many when she couldn’t forget the faces of the children she saw in a recurring dream. Finally, a trip to Haiti brought her dream to life when she became Mama to the many children left with no home after a catastrophic earthquake devastated the nation. Becoming Mama tells the incredible story of one woman who had the courage to lay everything aside in answer to God’s call.
You will be encouraged by God’s overwhelming faithfulness to Yvrose’s every yes to God, and learn you don’t have to sell everything or travel to far-off places to make a difference. All you need is an open heart ready to say yes to His call.
When Yvrose fled her native Haiti for the United States, she couldn’t imagine she’d return. After suffering multiple miscarriages, she struggled to build a new life. In a desperate moment, she finally met Jesus—uttering her first “yes” to God. That one yes became many when she couldn’t forget the faces of the children she saw in a recurring dream. Finally, a trip to Haiti brought her dream to life when she became Mama to the many children left with no home after a catastrophic earthquake devastated the nation. Becoming Mama tells the incredible story of one woman who had the courage to lay everything aside in answer to God’s call.
You will be encouraged by God’s overwhelming faithfulness to Yvrose’s every yes to God, and learn you don’t have to sell everything or travel to far-off places to make a difference. All you need is an open heart ready to say yes to His call.
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2019
4 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 11, 2025
Yvrose’s testimony is powerful and convicting. It’s hard to read this book as an American. I was at Walgreens waiting in line for a flu shot, staring at the packed shelves full of medicine, trying to imagine what my life would be like if an earthquake reduced everything to rubble. The things we take for granted…
Yvrose and her family live in total reliance on God's provision. Some days, they go without food, but they always trust in God’s sovereignty, and while it’s rarely comfortable, they experience the surpassing peace and joy of God every day.
Yvrose also makes it a point more than once to explain how she treats her ministry like her family instead of a business.
My first job out of college was with a church that emphasized how they are obligated to treat their ministry like a business. They have to be fiscally responsible because they have limited resources, so their ability to help people in need within the community was limited. They don't have the resources to pay the rent of everyone who comes through the doors looking for help.
This attitude is very different from Yvrose’s, and I think that's the point she was trying to make. Should our ministry be treated as a business or as a family? I don't know one way or the other, but it's worth considering that Yvrose might actually have more freedom to answer God’s call in the poverty of Haiti than churches do in the wealth of America.
Yvrose does criticize (albeit gently) how comfort and security can “insulate and isolate us from the needs of others.” It really drives home Matthew 19:24… “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
So while Yvrose’s story is beautiful and thought provoking, I also found it discouraging. In light of the world’s suffering, how can I live with myself as a wealthy American Christian just trying to get by each day?
God has not given me any miraculous dreams for guidance as he gave Yvrose. And while Yvrose assures her readers that God doesn't hide his calling for our lives, that his call is simply for us to partner with him and resist being lukewarm, I still find myself at a loss. Is it enough for me to partner with my church, which Yvrose might consider too business minded?
I am once again reminded of my spiritual inadequacy. May God help me navigate through my confusion, show me opportunities to help my community, and rely on him above all. I think that's the message Yvrose wanted to deliver. But it still leaves me feeling like a disappointment.
Yvrose and her family live in total reliance on God's provision. Some days, they go without food, but they always trust in God’s sovereignty, and while it’s rarely comfortable, they experience the surpassing peace and joy of God every day.
Yvrose also makes it a point more than once to explain how she treats her ministry like her family instead of a business.
My first job out of college was with a church that emphasized how they are obligated to treat their ministry like a business. They have to be fiscally responsible because they have limited resources, so their ability to help people in need within the community was limited. They don't have the resources to pay the rent of everyone who comes through the doors looking for help.
This attitude is very different from Yvrose’s, and I think that's the point she was trying to make. Should our ministry be treated as a business or as a family? I don't know one way or the other, but it's worth considering that Yvrose might actually have more freedom to answer God’s call in the poverty of Haiti than churches do in the wealth of America.
Yvrose does criticize (albeit gently) how comfort and security can “insulate and isolate us from the needs of others.” It really drives home Matthew 19:24… “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
So while Yvrose’s story is beautiful and thought provoking, I also found it discouraging. In light of the world’s suffering, how can I live with myself as a wealthy American Christian just trying to get by each day?
God has not given me any miraculous dreams for guidance as he gave Yvrose. And while Yvrose assures her readers that God doesn't hide his calling for our lives, that his call is simply for us to partner with him and resist being lukewarm, I still find myself at a loss. Is it enough for me to partner with my church, which Yvrose might consider too business minded?
I am once again reminded of my spiritual inadequacy. May God help me navigate through my confusion, show me opportunities to help my community, and rely on him above all. I think that's the message Yvrose wanted to deliver. But it still leaves me feeling like a disappointment.
July 9, 2020
Yvrose, a Haitian woman, shares her story in this memoir. Yvrose grew up in Haiti, then moved to the United States for 20 years. After many difficult experiences, including abortion, emptiness, and divorce, Yvrose gave her life over to God. She had a dream about starting a school for Haitian children. In the dream, she felt the location was very specific, but she had no idea where it was. And that’s when her adventure and healing began.
Back in Haiti, Yvrose explained the landscape from her dream to her brother. Together, they found the exact location of her dream. She began to set up a school and trusted God with every step, saying, “When you trust God, your appetite for God increases.”
Eventually, Yvrose remarried and God began to build their family. They cared for 37 children over the years, while also serving and maintaining some schools.
Yvrose said, “If we were a business, none of this would make sense. We’d be overextended and under-capitalized, and our budgets would look unrealistic and laughable. But we’re not a business. We’re a family. And families are motivated by love, not profit. Sweat is our main equity. Compassion is our growth strategy. Prayer is our decision-making tool.”
I loved this book. I loved seeing the faith God increased and developed within Yvrose. She was a willing vessel, allowing the Lord to work in whatever way He wanted. He provided at every turn. I have been listening for the Lord’s voice and direction in my life and this book increased my desire to pursue Jesus even more.
I received an ARC copy from net galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Back in Haiti, Yvrose explained the landscape from her dream to her brother. Together, they found the exact location of her dream. She began to set up a school and trusted God with every step, saying, “When you trust God, your appetite for God increases.”
Eventually, Yvrose remarried and God began to build their family. They cared for 37 children over the years, while also serving and maintaining some schools.
Yvrose said, “If we were a business, none of this would make sense. We’d be overextended and under-capitalized, and our budgets would look unrealistic and laughable. But we’re not a business. We’re a family. And families are motivated by love, not profit. Sweat is our main equity. Compassion is our growth strategy. Prayer is our decision-making tool.”
I loved this book. I loved seeing the faith God increased and developed within Yvrose. She was a willing vessel, allowing the Lord to work in whatever way He wanted. He provided at every turn. I have been listening for the Lord’s voice and direction in my life and this book increased my desire to pursue Jesus even more.
I received an ARC copy from net galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 4, 2023
I picked up this book during a sale because I had been to Haiti several times and hoped it would be reminiscent of my time there. It was heartwarming in that sense, since I was familiar with their culture, and I chuckled at some of the ways she described her people because I’ve experienced it. It was a very simple and quick read, but it was tough.
Yvrose has an incredible testimony for the Lord, and with that comes some truly traumatic and awful experiences. I was not expecting her book to be so intense, especially how it starts. It’s worth the read, but be forewarned: she discusses the horrors of the earthquake, primitive abortions, miscarriages, voodoo/witchcraft, loved ones who’ve done drugs, death, and other catastrophes that are hard to read, especially if you have raw emotions regarding some of those experiences personally. She does not go overboard in her descriptions, but she has to describe the scenario enough for the reader to understand what she’s talking about.
Like I said, she has an incredible testimony for the Lord, and I was so encouraged reading what the Lord is doing through her in Haiti. She shares much encouragement in following the Lord, allowing Him to move and provide and communicate as only He does.
Overall, it was a very good yet intense read.
Yvrose has an incredible testimony for the Lord, and with that comes some truly traumatic and awful experiences. I was not expecting her book to be so intense, especially how it starts. It’s worth the read, but be forewarned: she discusses the horrors of the earthquake, primitive abortions, miscarriages, voodoo/witchcraft, loved ones who’ve done drugs, death, and other catastrophes that are hard to read, especially if you have raw emotions regarding some of those experiences personally. She does not go overboard in her descriptions, but she has to describe the scenario enough for the reader to understand what she’s talking about.
Like I said, she has an incredible testimony for the Lord, and I was so encouraged reading what the Lord is doing through her in Haiti. She shares much encouragement in following the Lord, allowing Him to move and provide and communicate as only He does.
Overall, it was a very good yet intense read.
May 20, 2020
INCREDIBLE. I know Yvrose personally and it was so moving to hear this story of her life & faith. Such a timely book to remind myself that Gods plan is always the best plan. He is always there & working in ways we cannot see.
April 3, 2021
I thought this was a beautiful book filled with so much hope!
Trigger warnings: abortion, miscarriages
Trigger warnings: abortion, miscarriages
February 22, 2023
Incredible read, I cried like 47 times.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews