I went on my first mission trip to Haiti in 2011 with Jesus in Haiti Ministries. This beautifully broken country captured my heart in so many ways. I was in love with it all. The smell, the beautiful landscape, the little black children, mangos, the way they worship Jesus, the heat, the brothers & sisters I served with, etc. Specifically, God burdened my heart for the orphans and less fortunate children.
God had given me an unexplainable love for Haiti and planted a seed that I would someday return. I was convinced that if I were to so do, I'd go for longer than a week.
To fast-forward through a lot of learning and patience, I had the opportunity to go to Haiti for a month in the summer of 2013 as an intern with the same ministry. During that 5-week stay, I was able to deeply serve alongside the ministry, build genuine relationships (both with missionaries and Haitians I served with), become a familiar face to people in the villages, consistently love on specific children, and to attain a better understanding of the missionary life in a third world country. The way I experienced God working in my heart and through the ministry was indescribable. I experienced God’s compassion for His children, that He’s good in the midst of trial, how He works out everything for the good of those who love Him, and that everything is perfect in His timing. This internship also showed me that this is a place I would like to serve for a longer period of time in the near future.
Shortly after my internship, I was having a hard time being away from Haiti, and had a deep longing in my heart to be there. In the midst of that, a dear friend/supporter asked me how I was doing. I shared with her what I was feeling and that I wanted to go back this year to visit the school (which was out of session while I was there serving over the summer). The next day, she and her family invited me to join them on their trip in January 2014. FULLY PAID FOR. It was almost as if God was asking me to go himself! There and then, I decided to go to Haiti for the third time.
This trip, however, would be very different. I would go with the intention of scoping out my future there. I went with the expectation that God was going to show up and answer my prayers. Did he want me to live there? If so, when? Now? Later in life? Would I just take frequent trips for the rest of my life?
This trip, however, would be very different. I would go with the intention of scoping out my future there. I went with the expectation that God was going to show up and answer my prayers. Did he want me to live there? If so, when? Now? Later in life? Would I just take frequent trips for the rest of my life?
Let me assure you, when you put full trust in God to show up, He will. During that week, I knew in my heart that God wanted me to live there. There was a job for me starting in August, there's a friend my age living there already who I could live with (a soul sister, partner-in-crime type friend), I have nothing major tying me to the states right now, and God kept growing my desire to be there.
God affirmed that I'd be living there through multiple people, through prayer, and through his Word. I remember reading verses and stories that pointed to the fact that I belong to Jesus, and this life is not about me. He has called me to be a living sacrifice for His name's sake.
After spending 3 months raising money (praise the Lord), I currently live in Haiti full-time working on staff at Grace Emmanuel School with Jesus in Haiti Ministries.
After spending 3 months raising money (praise the Lord), I currently live in Haiti full-time working on staff at Grace Emmanuel School with Jesus in Haiti Ministries.
