Ellie (one of the best, scratch that, THE best bus drivers ever) and I playing the hand-slapping game. Thank you, Ellie, for all you do.
Louvens. One of the kids from Pastor Josue's orphanage. I had one of my best moments with him. After not seeing him for three weeks, the moment we saw each other, we ran and embraced each other. Thank You, Lord, for those sweet reminders You place before me.
So I met a really cool girl in Haiti who also lives in Hattiesburg, MS which is where we both go to school! What what! We had the chance to meet up the other day for coffee. Then I went to Petal Harvey to see the rest of the team that came to Haiti. Thank you, Rachel Charpie, for being amazing and introducing our staff to 'Called Me Higher'.
Marlo and I being models....well, trying to be models. Marlo is one pretty amazing person I had the chance to work with. Thank you, Marlo, for teaching me more about Haiti and God's heart for Haiti.
Left to right: Jośue, Caroline, Bethany, Odne, Kathryn, myself, Jovani.
The amazing staff I was talking about. Good grief, I don't know if my time in Haiti could've been as amazing without them. Thank you guys for being servants of the Lord and opening yourselves up to let me learn from you.
Celebrating Fourth of July with Bethany, Caroline, and Kathryn. We tried to get our Haitians to watch fireworks with us but they weren't as interested. Thank you America?
Not really sure of these guys names. But this is at Good Shepherd where Sister Mona has kids from the community come everyday to eat bread and a boiled egg. She's very passionate about Haiti and others seeing the beauty of Haiti. Thank you, Sister Mona, for your heart and the way you fully rely on God because you know that He will provide.
Kaden's in Petionville. Some of the best pizza that has ever gone in my mouth. Thank you, Kaden's, for giving the PPM staff an amazing pizza experience.
Some of the kids in Gressier. One day while out working, another leader and I were taking a water break and these kids were sitting around together, talking about the bible story from the previous day as they sang different praise songs. It was such a blessing to see. Thank You, Lord, for using us to show the love of Christ.
Bethany made American/ Italian spaghetti! We told our Haitian staff they couldn't use the ketchup unless they tried it first. But they were sneaking the ketchup. Thank you, friends, for sharing these experiences with me and encouraging me to keep seeking Him.
Preparing a share service for FBC Terry. Drinking coffee and digging for words to say. Thank you, coffee, for giving me inspiration. #lamecoffee
As my time in Haiti drew to a close, questions I asked myself often were 1) Is this going to be my life? 2) Should I do this again next summer? Something Haitians say on a daily basis is 'Si Bondye vle' (if God wants). I could keep asking myself these questions over and over. Maybe find some kind of answer. Or I could say, 'Si Bondye vle' and trust He has my life in His hands. I've heard that's the safest place we'll ever be. I've tried to understand every single emotion I've felt since returning but understanding will never bring me peace. Not the peace I'm searching for. We, as humans, are always trying to understand rather than simply trusting. Understanding will only leave me searching for more answers. Trusting in the One Who is peace Himself will give me more than I'll ever need.
It's been obvious God has put Haiti in my life for a purpose. He's brought me back for a purpose too. What those purposes are? I don't know. Si Bondye vle, He'll continue bringing back to Haiti. Si Bondye vle, He'll keep me right where I am. Whatever location I'm in whether that be global or local, I am His. I am His follower and that means I continue to make disciples until the end of the age. As American Christians, we are caught up in only thinking "missionaries" go to live in another country. If we think we're not called to go, we breath a sigh of relief and shrug it off. While, that's not exactly biblical. Some people are called to go and live in a foreign country. But that doesn't mean the others are off the hook. We do the same things right where we are. So in the meantime while I'm in Hattiesburg, MS, I will commit to being a missionary here. Until God keeps pursuing me back to Haiti. Or other places, who knows.
It's been obvious God has put Haiti in my life for a purpose. He's brought me back for a purpose too. What those purposes are? I don't know. Si Bondye vle, He'll continue bringing back to Haiti. Si Bondye vle, He'll keep me right where I am. Whatever location I'm in whether that be global or local, I am His. I am His follower and that means I continue to make disciples until the end of the age. As American Christians, we are caught up in only thinking "missionaries" go to live in another country. If we think we're not called to go, we breath a sigh of relief and shrug it off. While, that's not exactly biblical. Some people are called to go and live in a foreign country. But that doesn't mean the others are off the hook. We do the same things right where we are. So in the meantime while I'm in Hattiesburg, MS, I will commit to being a missionary here. Until God keeps pursuing me back to Haiti. Or other places, who knows.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
{pro 3:5}
