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 love Kreyol. I speak it every day. I often go days without hearing or speaking English. Sometimes I forget English because I speak it so much. There are many reasons that I love this language. One of the biggest reasons is that it allows me to form and grow relationships with so many that I wouldn’t be able to if I didn’t speak kreyol. I look back and can’t imagine not being able to communicate with people who I now consider to be some of my closest family and friends. I love that sometimes I dream in a language I didn’t grow up speaking. And, of course, I love making jokes in kreyol, particularly when it’s a play on words. It is such a beautiful language with interesting phrases and I have learned so much while learning the language, things way deeper than just a 2nd language.
Kreyol often lends itself to shortening words or phrases, contractions and such are very common. For example: “Bondye” means “God”, but you can also simply say “Dye” for God. This is one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, example of kreyol playing on words. Because both “Bondye” and “Dye” can mean “God”, you can say “Bondye se yon bon Dye” which means “God is a good God”. If you do not know or understand, you think someone is simply saying God is a God. But it’s so much deeper. God is a good God, Bondye se yon bon Dye.
This is something that I of course already knew, but I feel like it hits harder for me in kreyol. And I have certainly been learning more and more that God is a good God. His timing, His will, it is good. Everything He made is good. His plan is good. These are “common sense” things but so easy to forget. Each and every day I need to remind myself of these things, I need to remind myself that He is good. That everything surronding Him is good, everything He does and makes is good. And (shockingly enough) His plan and timing is ALWAYS better than mine.
But in kreyol, it’s so simple to say, so simple to remember. I don’t have to say “Bondye se yon bon Dye” every time I want to remind myself that “God is a good God”. I can simply say “God”, “Bondye”. “Bondye” meaning “God”, but ” bon Dye” meaning “good God”. What a great, simple reminder.
I’m thankful for kreyol, for the fun I have learning it, for the laughs that comes from joking around in kreyol, for the relationships that I have been able to have because of kreyol, for the reminder the God is a good God. I am thankful that Bondye se yon bon Dye.
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?
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.
Life is hard, for all of us. Finances are getting hard, for all of us. Things in Haiti keep getting more and more expensive. I paid $6 a gallon for gas a few weeks ago. I often try not to think about how much I am paying for groceries as I know they are necessities. What is even harder is that so many others are in need and because things are more expensive for me, too, I can’t always help them. I am thankful for those who want to continue to support me in my ministry here in Haiti and thankful for those who may consider beginning to help me. I ask that you think and pray on if you can support me on a regular basis. If not, believe me, I understand. Please continue your prayers for me, they are needed. This fundraiser is going on until Christmas, consider purchasing a shirt to help with the ministry but also as a way that you can minister to others as you wear it, it can be a conversation starter that can lead anywhere. Thank you.
It’s been another month! It’s crazy sometimes to sit back and reflect on how quickly things are happening and how much has gone on. I started the month with a super fun sickness that was going around. Several of my friends and others that I know had it as well. That put a damper on a lot of the plans that I had for the first week or so. I am thankful for those who helped nurse me back to health as well as those who were patient with me as I kept having to cancel work trips.
While I was not able to get done everything I had originally planned, I was still able to travel for a day or two and work on some upcoming videos. There is still a lot of work to do on these but I am already so excited to see how they turn out. During the 3rd week of the month, we were able to have a small team visit for a few days. This group represented three different sister churches. It was wonderful to spend some time with them, my RMI coworkers, and those in the communities we visited.
Having a team was such a pleasure. We are thankful that these 5 people trusted us when we said it was safe for them to come. You can see from all the smiles that everyone involved was blessed. We were able to visit with 5 different communities in just 3 short days. This made for very long days with a few hiccups but all in all our RMI Haiti staff made it work flawlessly. I am always up for a day or so on the road. Of course, I quickly made friends with some sweet kids.
The biggest thing that this group came to do was inaugurate and dedicate a church. The first time I went to this area, there was nothing. Now, thanks to GOD working through a sister church and using RMI, this area has a church, a 2 story school, a huge water cistern, and a very nice solar system. This is an area that had never experienced electricity before. Amazing! The locals shared how they had prayed for a church for years, one morning a group of ladies were in prayer when our engineers and masons showed up to begin measuring. They stopped praying right then and started praising. You could tell how excited everyone was. MEBSH President, Pastor Napo, shared a message emphasizing that it isn’t the house (temple) itself, but what or who ( the Holy Spirit, as well as the members) are in it.
In between it all, I got to spend some time with some good friends. The little one I met on a church visit and instantly came to me. The beautiful lady in the other photo is a close friend (my Auntie), I am so thankful for her and her husband, the blessing that they are in my life. Of course, I also snuggled with my sweet babies. Otis and Lucy are inseperable. On the last Sunday of the month I got to go to a baptism, a close friends cousin was being baptized as well as about 25 others. A wonderful reminder.
I just want to give a shout out to this girl. My makome, my soul sister. Sabina has been a blessing to me since moving to Haiti. She is one of my closest friends and is who stays with my fur babies when I am away. I am so thankful for her friendship, the love she has for God, and the love she has for me. No matter what is going on, she is always there for me. I thank God for Sabina.
As we go into October, please keep me in prayer. Ask God to continue to keep me encouraged. I know that I am where He has me. I know that I am doing what He wants me to do. But discouragement can still creep in. Please pray for the HFKz team as we will start our busy travel schedule during October. These will be long, exhausting, blessed days. Please pray for RMI Haiti, that we can continue to show others the hope that God provides. Please pray for Haiti… I don’t even know what to say, just pray, please. God knows. If you are not one of my local people, please pray for my hometown. They were hit hard by Helene last week. Many have been greatly affected.
Goodbye for now, here’s hoping you find a friend who loves you as much as Otis loves Lucy.
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.
What does the school year look like? A typical school year should follow the general schedule that we follow in the states (different holidays, of course).
Why is my kid not smiling in their photo? This is just cultural! I promise we are begging them to smile but it is hard to do something you are not used to doing.
You’ve been teaching English to RMI staff? Yes! When we have the spare time, we try to make good use of it.
How does the grade level system work in Haiti? Haitian children start school at age 3 for their 1st of 3 years of kindergarten. The national system goes to 13th grade. Different schools and different areas offer varying grade levels.
What are class sizes like? I have seen as small as 25 and as large as 50+, it all depends on grade level and location.
Why do you not share more photos of peoples homes, living conditions, etc.? I do my best to try and be respectful. There is a fine line between sharing in order to help people understand and sharing in a way that is not appropriate. And I am learning it really isn’t that fine of a line. I used to be the team member that took pictures of anything and everything, not thinking about those who were in the pictures, just wanting to show people in the States. I would take pictures without asking first. I have learned to ask, always ask my coworkers and those who are involved. And sometimes I don’t even ask, I just don’t do… I try to put myself in that persons position, would I want someone I don’t even know taking photos of me living my every day life, of my home? I am coming to terms with the fact that God called me as a missionary to Haiti, to Haitians…if I am doing something that makes Haitian uncomfortable, I am being disobedient to God. So, I will take less pictures and just be better at describing things.
How is my area affected by the things that happen in and around the capital? Thankfully, we have not experienced much of the violence that is in the capital. However, chaos there does affect our area due to roadblocks between the area I live in and the capital where everything comes into the country.
What are your work hours? RMI Haiti is open 8-4 M-Th and 8-12 on Fridays. But that does not necessarily mean that those are my work hours. During HFKz travel season, when we have teams, and other busy times of the year hours can almost be 24/7.
What is MEBSH and how are you connected to it? MEBSH stands for Mission Evangelical Baptists of Southern Haiti. This is the church association that our ministry (RMI) works with.
Where do you go to church? I go to a local MEBSH church…the big church on the corner for those who are familar with Simon. You can watch live on Facebook or Youtube at Tabernacle MEBSH Simon
How long do you plan on living in Haiti? I have no idea. I moved to Haiti on a 9 month contract in August of 2018 and I am still there. I never thought I would live there and now I find it hard to think of leaving. I will follow as God leads…
Are you ever scared to live there? I truly am not. I can go on and on explaining how far I am from the unrest, how we have security guards, the rules that I follow to keep me safe, how careful we are, how much we keep up with what is going on, the close relationship we have with a police officer, etc, etc… but it doesn’t really explain the why. All of these things are wonderful and do help others to feel better about my safety. As for me, God has given me an unexplicable peace about being in the place He has sent me.
One of my favorite albums is Life After Death by TobyMac. I remember listening to TobyMac when I was younger, even going to see him in concert at Wild Adventures. I always thought he was so cool and loved the music. But I don’t think it was until I was older that I really understood exactly what the meaning of these songs were. This album came out in 2022 after his son died. It can be a hard listen. It’s good for grief, challenging yourself, but also enouragement. One of the songs on the album is called, “Life On It”. Check out the chorus:
I’ll put my life on it Willing to die for it No matter what they say, if I ever go MIA They took my life for it I’ll put my life on it I’ll put my life on it
I’d rather live for somethin’ than to die for nothin’ I’mma live for somethin’, I’mma live for
I feel like God has been asking me lately if I would really lay my life down for Him. Am I really willing to give up everything in order to serve Him?
A few months ago, a young missionary couple living in Haiti was killed. They lived in a dangerous part of the country and knew what the dangers were. I don’t know exactly what took place that led to their deaths, but I have been impressed with the stories that I have heard. It is important to note that there are many stories swirling around this event and the family has stated that not everything on the news is true. The family even said that they do not know and will never know exactly what happened. But they have said that even though they knew how dangerous this area was, they felt that God was calling them to stay there with their Haitian brothers and sisters, to serve God alongside them. But that isn’t what really called out to me, it was this quote from their missions Facebook page (Missions In Haiti, Inc.), “The whole time Davy kept preaching to the gangs and telling them that God loves them and will forgive them, quoting scriptures and telling them the plan of salvation. They would tell him to shut up and he wouldn’t, so they would hit him. He was told by one staff to please be quiet and just lay there, but Davy said he couldn’t, that these guys needed to hear about the Hope of Jesus, and the plan of salvation. When the second group came with over 100 guys all shooting, Davy was seeking shelter in our house at the other end of the property. The staff and kids in the big house could hear him from the house doing the same thing. Telling the gang guys about the love of God, quoting scriptures, and telling how to be saved and forgiven and have a home in Heaven some day. They said he did that until they killed him.” The entire time that the entire thing was going down, this man chose to preach the gospel. He would not be detered from what God’s call on his (and all of our lives) is.
Sunday, I spoke at my home church First Baptist of Pinetta. While there, I learned that my childhood pastor, Brother Tommy, and his lovely wife, Mrs. Ann, were supposed to be there Sunday night. I have shared before what a big part Bro T played in my journey to where I am now. I have not seen them in several years and was excited for the opportunity. Of course, it was wonderful to hug them and chat with Mrs. Ann some about what it is like to live a life of 24/7 ministry, but I was also excited to hear Brother Tommy bring the message. He shared about a friend who had grown up in Uganda. This man grew up in a time period where anyone opposing the government was persecuted and killed, especially Christians. He had shared that he remembers the special forces coming through his village in the middle of the night and shooting up homes. He remembered his sister and her kids being forced to watch her husband, a pastor, executed. But he also remembers the crowds at church being bigger after each attempt to discourage the Christians.
I have also been a part of a womens bible study group this summer. So far, I have only been able to participate online but I am hoping to be able to be there in person soon. It is an eye-opening, encouraging, challenging (seeing a theme?) Bible study written by a local friend. I have been blessed so far by it. (If you are a woman and interested, let me know!) Last week, one of the passages of scripture we looked at was 1 Peter 4:12-19. If you’re following along with me here, I don’t even have to explain it… you’ll see as you read these verse.
12Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. 13Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. 14If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. 16But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 17For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
18And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
19So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.
Pulling all of these things together, I really feel like God is asking me that question, are you willing to give your life for Me? And giving my life does not necessarily mean to be a martyr, it means whatever it is that I am holding back, can I give it to Him? We are all holding something back, unwilling to let go. I know I am. But when we let go, that’s when we can fall into the arms of Jesus. When we finally agree to die to self, that is when we truly live. A verse in the song that I mentioned earlier goes like this: “I never thought for a second when I asked You to save me, That I’d ever be steppin’ into the waves that would take me, To the valleys we’ve crawled or the peaks that we’ve run, From the blessings poured out, to me losin’ my son, You’re my way and my truth, I’m a disciple of You, Through the highs and the lows, my heart will always stay true, They could put me in chains, they could lock me away, They would slay me in vain, I will always remain.” I never thought that I would be where I am today. I had to give up control. It was something I clung (still cling sometimes) to. And I had to give it over to God. Allow Him to be in control in my life. Allow myself to know that He had been in control all along. And now I am thankful for that, for Him forcing me to overcome my fears. I pray that I will always remain. I pray that I can truly say I put my life on it. That I am willing to die for it. I pray that I can deny myself, that I can truly say it is no longer me that lives, but Christ in me. That I can follow Pauls example and know that to live is Christ and to die is gain.
I started writing this post right after my last update went out in mid March. Well, I should say I wrote the title. At the end of every month, I changed the title. But I never did start writing because I don’t know what to say or how to say it.
When I think about the post I made at the end of January and what was planned for the upcoming months, it seems like a lifetime away. I can honestly say that absolutely nothing these last few months has gone as I expected them to go. After Mama’s visit in January, I was getting ready to have a very busy spring with several teams coming and a full HFKz schedule. That all quickly changed.
Due to insecurity in the capital, teams have not been able to come. We have been blessed with continued safety and have been actively traveling getting things done for HFKz. So much has gone on but it all runs together.
These last few months have been a whirlwind. I got to see one of my closest friends ordained as a deacon as another close friend was voted in for another term. I visited with Niolita’s sweet little boy who is all giggles. I hung with some of my favorite coworkers, getting work done but having fun doing it. I visited many, many schools getting retakes for the season. I was able to be there for a friend as his father passed and encourage he and his wife in the aftermath. I got to meet Rameau’s new grandbaby. I took way too many pictures of Otis. We celebrated Rameau’s 74th birthday. I ate delicious street food with Sabina’s help. Spent a lot of time with a friend who is sweeter than honey. Enjoyed sunrise Easter service with other missionaries on the rooftop before going to Easter service and participating in communion with my Haitian brothers and sisters. I enjoyed walking around Simon with a friend during annual MEBSH convention. Made Rameau and Niolita sport more than one pretty flower. Enjoyed looking at the starts after long days. Planted a breadfruit tree in honor of national agriculture day. Got in good snuggles with a silly puppy. Started working on some major video projects for HFKz. Met all kinds of people with incredible stories. Obsessed over how nice my yard in looking. Celebrated the 60th wedding anniversary of a missionary couple who have spent almost 50 years in Haiti.
All in all, it has been a very busy few months. Things have not gone as I planned, maybe not even how I wanted. But they have gone exactly how God has wanted. I am thankful to have been able to spend these last 4 months doing life with my Haitian family as well as the other missionaries. We may not know what each day will hold but we know Who holds each day and that is more than enough.
At the end of my last blog post I shared some prayer requests and praises. We continue to thank God for safety in the area I am located. I am thankful for His provision and mercy. He continues to show us grace, which is so undeserved. I continue to be thankful for my Christian Haitian brothers and sisters who tirelessly and passionately serve their Lord and their country. I am thankful to give the update that my friends who were trapped out of the country were able to return. Many who needed to leave were also able to leave. I continue to ask for prayers for the capital and surronding parts of the country. Things are very different there than where I am. My heart breaks when I see some of the news coming out of these areas. So many Haitians are suffering. There was also a news story that broke last week I am sure many of you saw. I will not be discussing that story but will continue to pray for all of those involved. Please continue to pray for Haiti. God is at work here even if we do not see it on a large scale. Peoples lives are changing, one by one. I am thankful to have the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place with wonderful people. My life is touched daily by my Haitian family and friends. Thank you for your continued prayers and concern.
In the past few weeks, I have had several reach out to me asking how I am. I want to thank you all for your concern and continued prayers. It means a lot that you care so much for me, my Haitian family, and my fellow missionaries. I want to share a short update to help put your minds at ease and further explain the situation. This will not be a typical monthly update, one of those will be coming in a few weeks. Please keep in mind, I am not a reporter and do not intend to become one. You will not find hard hitting news here. I will not be sharing anything about the political situation or unrest in the country. I will not be speculating about anyone or anything in the country. Lastly, I will not be sharing my opinions of everything going on. I will share the facts that I know to be true, as well as some prayer requests.
Haiti is a beautiful country full of wonderful people whom I love very much. This week is the 7th year anniversary of the first time that I visited and fell in love with all that Haiti had to offer. It is crazy to look back and remember how in awe I was then, and how in awe I continue to be now. That girl never dreamt she would be living here and have such wonderful relationships and experiences. Thankfully, God called me here whether I agreed to it or not. While I at first tried to fight it, I now could not imagine life any other way. I love Haiti, I love my Haitian family, I love the work that I do, I love the life God has chosen for me.
Many of seen and heard many stories on the news of Haiti over the years, some of which are true and some are not. I personally can have a difficult time discerning what is truth and what is just clickbait. I continue to pray for God to open my eyes to the truth and thank Him for putting people in my life who understand things much better than I do. These last few weeks, Haiti has been a big figure in international news. There are reports that are true, that are scary and sad, and there are also reports that are again, made up.
Here is what I know: I am safe where I live in the South. We have been working and have been able to travel all across the Southern departments to visit schools. In the last two weeks, we have traveled through 4 of Haitis 10 departments. Schools are functioning normally, I can go to and from where I need to safely. I feel safe and comfortable at home, at church, at work, visting friends, shopping, etc. I am thankful that God has continued to protect the Grand Sud. At this point in time, there is no reason for anyone to be alarmed or concerned for my personal safety.
However, there are many problems that we face because of the unrest in other areas of the country. There are no flights, international or domestic. I know several who are trapped either in or out of the country or in other areas of the country with no clue as to when they will be able to travel. The roads from the capital continue to be blocked which means that the food our schools depend on is not able to be delivered to us. These same blocks also keep us from getting thing that many not be local to our area, such as imports from other countries. Many Haitians in these areas of the country are in danger and are fearful of what is happening around them. This is hard to hear and hard to witness, it truly breaks my heart.
Thank God for: safety, protection, provision. He has allowed us to travel and work, He has provided food, electric, and water for my home, He has allowed us to be safe and feel safe. The country of Haiti that He created and the many Haitian Christians who are His children and continue to serve Him through it all.
Ask God for: peace in the country. Roads to open up so that people can travel to and from the capitol freely and other items can be transported. Flights, internationally and domestically, so that those who are not home can be home. Clear direction in following Him and His will, both for me and my Haitian brothers and sisters. Peace in the hearts of my family and friends, both in the states and Haiti.
