When I flew back to the states in late April I didn’t know just how long I would be here. I was wandering around with no plan at all. If you know me, you know how much I long for a plan. After a few weeks, we decided to turn this into my furlough. I started reaching out to churchs to get plans together. Now, furlough is over and I am currently on a plane flying back home.

This summer, I was able to meet my niece for the first time and spend a lot of good quality time with her and the rest of my family. I was also able to meet a lifelong friends sweet baby boy (nephew?). It was a blessing to get to spend time with good friends. I visited several churches and was able to share with them about the work that I do with RMI and Hope for Kidz. I also was able to teach a local ladies Bible study. This was something totally new to me but I enjoyed it. At the end of furlough, I was able to attend the wedding of some sweet friends. I remember getting the text that they were engaged last fall and the bride asking if I would be able to make it. Like most things, I was unsure if I would be able to attend. I am thankful I could go and support them as they start their lives together.

Ducky and Linda were glad to have me in the states, but I sure am ready to see Otis and Lucy (and everyone else). I am thankful for the summer, for God’s protection, and for my many blessings. Now I am ready to get home.

Sometimes you plant the seed. Sometimes you water it. Sometimes your the sunlight shining on it. Sometimes you’re the one picking the weeds out from around it. Sometimes you’re the one enjoying the harvest. Sometimes you shovel with someone else. Somtimes you hand someone the hoe to till the ground. Sometimes you pay for the shovel. Sometimes you pray for the ground, or the rain, or the sun, or the tools, or those using it. Sometimes you are different parts, and rarely are you the one doing all the work alone. As long as we remember who the One who gets the glory is, I think that’s quite alright.

That may be an understatement. It has been since October 2024 that I have shared a legitimate update. In my defense, I have tried several times.. time just gets away from me.

I am still not quite sure that this will be a good update, either. I am sharing some of my favorite pictures from the last few months. Sweet times with friends, mama visiting, my spoiled animals, beautiful views, and adorable kids. These last months have been busy with life.

Some days it all runs together. Living life in ministry sometimes you don’t have the time (or energy) to stop and think about what all is happening. I am thankful for this life that God has blessed me with. I get to see Him work each day. I love the people that I am around, I love the country that I live in, I love the job that I get to do, and I love the God that I serve.

For now, I am in the states on furlough. I miss my Haitian family so very much. I miss my home, my church, my friends. I long to be with my work family, on the road to another church or school. I miss those sweet Otis snuggles and silly Lucy adventures. I am thankful for the time that I get to spend with my family and friends here in the states and am looking forward to opportunities to share about what I am doing in Haiti.

All in all, maybe I am a little torn between two places. Se la vi.

Please, keep me in your prayers. And let me know if you want to get together while I am stateside!

I have gone back and forth about writing this. Many, many times. After writing, I have gone back and forth about posting. I am struggling with knowing that some things just need to be said but also know some may get their feelings hurt. But, here I am, I have decided that it is worth it to stand up for those you love. So, here are my thoughts..

In the last few months, maybe even a year, I have been totally disturbed by things I have seen people write or heard them say. I have become physically ill just reading what others have said about a people and nation that I love. One thing I have learned is that you can be around people all the time for years on end but that does not necessarily mean that you have a relationship with them. I consider myself blessed to have real relationships with Haitians. Each time that I read something negative about Haitians or hear others speak negatively about Haitians, I feel as if someone as stabbed me directly in the heart. What is worse is when I look at who is saying these things. People who claim to be Christians, people in political power, people who may be considered celebrities, other missionaries. Missionaries to Haiti who speak in a way that would make you believe they hate Haitians. And I am supposed to sit back and smile and act as if this is okay.

I have sat back and stayed silent far too long. I can no longer allow people to speak about my friends, my family, in such a way. I have quietly cringed as I listened to people describe Haitians (and emphasized all) as stupid, as worthless, as unaware. I have watched as someone spent an entire day bashing Haitians and saying they are dirty and annoying and then give them a tract and say “Jesus loves you!”. I have watched as politicians have mistook information and allowed a social media frenzy that speaks poor of one single people group. I have heard and read things that truly make me want to vomit just thinking about them. I cannot imagine the gall that it requires to describe an entire nation as “less than people”. I have witnessed some of the worst racism and just total dehumanizing that exists.

I cannot even begin to write this blog post without tears in my eyes. Those who say and write these things may not see Haitians as people, but when they say it I see so many names and faces flash before my eyes. People that love me and care for regardless of all of my faults. People who amaze me day in and day out.

Here are some adjectives that I would personally attribute to Haitians: loving, caring, beautiful, intelligent, wise, patient, compassionate, family oriented, trustworthy, forward thinking, innovative, resilient, considerate, aimiable, determined, helpful, sincere, unique, funny, willing, resourceful, devoted. I could go on and on and on.

Something I have said recently is that the more time I spend with my Haitian friends, the more I get to know them, the less I want to be around anyone else. They are so real. It hurts me to hear their hurts. It hurts to hear how they have been mistreated or spoken poorly to. I feel a profound sadness whenever I imagine that anyone can think negatively of them.

I am not naive, I know that I am surronded by good people. I know that not all Haitians are the same. Just like not all Americans, Canadians, Europeans, etc etc etc. I know that there are Haitians that are not good people. But I also know that there are Haitians who are incredible people who will truly change your life. To put them in one group just because of their nationality, totally ridiculous.

Recently, in a discussion with a fellow missionary who I have a lot of respect for, she brought up the word dignity. Serving in ministry with dignity. Dignity is literally the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. It made me think, how do we serve with dignity? How do we treat others with dignity? When in ministry, we have to treat those we are serving with dignity as well as those that we are serving alongside. This isn’t a difficult thing, it just requires some thought. Not to say that it is easy or comes natural at all, but it is an optainable goal. I want to be known for serving with dignity, among my Haitian brothers and sisters, fellow missionaries, supporters, etc. It brings me back to something I have been thinking a lot about lately, how does dignity connect to basic human rights?

I have been reminded over and over these last few months, either by personal experiences or by stories shared with others, that not everyone receives basic human rights. Not everyone is treated with dignity. And the reasoning is nonsensical. Some big wig will always have a reason for it but if you take one single second to think about their reason you can see that it isn’t a reason at all. Why can someone not enter a church service with clothes that aren’t perfect? Why can I take my friend to the hospital and they ask her one question (and in a judgmental tone at that)? Why do children not have access to silverware and are instead eating with their hands? Why do some not even have food at all? Why does a parent have to choose between sending their child to the doctor or feeding the child? Why is it okay for someone to refuse to sell oxygen even when they know the need is urgent? Why do some not get the opportunity at a basic education? Why is it hard for some to find clean drinking water? Why is it okay for a electric company to not provide power in over 3 years? Why do thousands have to live in daily fear of what could be around the corner? Why, why, why? Many are familiar with Maslows hierarchy of needs (check out below), why are some not allowed the basic ones?

The UN has a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I highly encourage you to check it out, see if you are excercising your rights and if you are allowing others to excersice theirs… https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

It hurts. It hurts to see that many are not allowed their basic rights, are not having their basic needs met, simply because of their nationality. I cannot even begin to imagine how it feels to actually be in that position. I know that I am just a little fish in a big pond, I know my words do not carry a lot of weight, I know that I cannot change the world on my own. But I believe that if I can stand up for what I believe in, someone else can too. The more of us who stand together to fight these injustices, the bigger the waves. I love my Haitian family and I will no longer sit back and quietly listen and watch as they are attacked simply because of the nation they were born into.

It’s October! It is so hard to believe that we are almost at the end of this year. There have been some beautiful views this month (see above). Also I just loved the shirt Rameau was wearing this day.. it fits him so well. Keep reading to see what I’ve been up to this month!

At the beginning of the month I took a very needed break away with a close friend. It was a wonderful day of rest and fellowship at the beach. This is something I don’t get to do very often so I was so grateful. I am thankful for this friend and her love.

Oti and Lucy update! These two get closer and closer each day. You really can’t find one without the other. They eat together, sleep together, play together, cause trouble together, everything. Lucy got “fixed” this month. One major thing off of my running checklist. No kittens here! Otis was very concerned about her during recovery and even gave her a bath. She is feeling all better now and is back running around like a crazy little kitty. Oti is still the sweetest boy, he is certainly getting older and grayer but has the same heart.

I was so happy to have my little friend back for a bit! This girl and I used to spend so much time together when she and her family lived here. I miss our sleepovers and chats so so much. While her family was visiting we spent as much time as possible together. I am so thankful that she missed me as much as I missed her. Otis was pretty happy to see his friend, too.

We went to a wedding this month. It was a beautiful location which may have led to a photoshoot. I would say we clean up pretty nicely. Not sure what I would do without this sweet friend.

School visits have begun! HFKz started our picture taking schedule this month and we hope to wrap up next month. During this time, we visit all of the schools that we work with, taking new profile pictures, adding new students, helping with thank you letters, and meeting with parents and school admin. It is a very busy, exhausting time but also my favorite time of year. Nothing gets me more excited than seeing these sweet faces. I was happy to get to visit with one of my favorite girls while at a school. My dear Ash still calls me Mama after all of these years.

Well, it’s been a while. At the end of June, I flew back to the states for 6 weeks. It was a blessing to get to spend time with family and friends. I was able to share with several churches. While stateside, I kept up with what I could from afar, work wise. I was thankful to get to help throw a shower for a long time friend who is getting ready to have her first baby. How wonderful it was to celebrate her, pray over her precious baby, and spend time with long time friends. We visited a nursery and I, of course, took way too many flower pictures. I spent a week with dear friends in Gainesville and wished I could’ve stayed longer. I snuggled with Ducky and Linda (neither really enjoyed the snuggling) and let them stay inside way more than they are used to. We had a hurriance and I was reminded how I spoiled I am. We had a big family dinner and got ALMOST all of the crew there. And in between everything I spent a lot of good time with my Mama.

But ohhhhhh I was happy to be home come mid August. I couldn’t wait to get back to my people. Otis and Lucy are now best friends. They follow each other around, sleep together, play together, even eat out of the same food bowl (Lucy refuses to eat cat food). The lunch crew was back together again (myself, Niolita, Hernso, and Rameau). Sabina and I had a good time catching up. It was so good to go back to church on Sunday morning and feel right where I belonged. Monday morning when I went to work is something that I cannot even explain. There is just something about my work family that continues to bless me over and over again. We are getting ready for a big meeting tomorrow (8/29) and also getting things together for this school year. It has been very busy and very worth it.