Talk'n about my Haiti

As everyone who knows me knows, I LOVE talking about Haiti.  Since my first trip when I was 17- like over 10 years ago-until now, Haiti is forever the topic of my heart.  I can blab for hours about the poverty, yummy food, gorgeous seaside, the clothes washed by hand bleaching in the sunlight, the worship and prayers of a people who KNOW their not forgotten, bumpy roads, the recent devastation, God's agape love shown to me in the form of a child with Downs, spiritual warfare, construction, the beautiful begging street children, the basket balancing mama's and motorcycling papa's, the bounce of ribbons in little girls hair as they walk to school, the mile wide smile of little boys who touch your wrist wondering "where your color" went, chubby-cheeked breast fed babies, sky skimming mountain tops with thunder rolling down their sides, my little friend Via who I completely adore, the heartbreak of those who haunt my dreams, little Tobias, Haiti sisters, tarantulas dropping from the trees, bottled water,  Haitian prayers bringing me to my knees, being humbled by a boy who ate our trash, my first, second, third, and fourth trips, I could go on forever!

How could you NOT talk about this forever?!

That is why it's not so surprising that when I was asked to speak to a Baptist women's Bible study group this last Tuesday, I jumped at the chance, prayed, packed my Haiti bag full of props, studied the word, and spent an entire hour and half blabbing away about "my second home."  To be honest, I was a bit nervous. God gave me a specific word to share with them and I couldn't quite believe I was supposed to as the women I talked to were quite seasoned in their lives and probably already heard what I was about to say a bazillion times. So, I began questioning, Who am I to tell such things to women who have studied longer, read more, and spoken life to others over and over?  Of course,
1 Timothy 4:12 rang out loud and clear through my spirit and in the gentle "go get 'em girl" from my brother Bry, reminding me,

"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you love, in your love, in your faith, and your purity."~1Timothey 4:12

So, I prayed a quick prayer asking for strength and wisdom, picked up my G-Ma, and headed to her Bible study. I was greeted by several women who were ecstatic to give me hand-made dresses for the little girls we will meet,  bags full of supplies like notebooks, pencils, stickers, toothpaste, articles of clothing, and most importantly, they gave me their time. An hour and a half, they listened to my overjoyed soul at the testimony of God finally opening the door for us to return. They listened sympathetically as I teared-up at the struggles I went through last year during the earthquake knowing it was not our time. They laughed when I told stories of Nick making fast friends, his nervousness of preparing to teach, and the ability to pick up the language while we're there and forgetting it the moment we step on U.S. soil. And if I can say, they we're encouraged when I told them the story of Via and how God saw my pain and sent a little bit of Haiti to me. But most of all, they prayed.

God's little gift of Haiti sent to me

They prayed over our trip, the members of the team, the funds that still need to be raised, and the people of Haiti. I can't tell you how I covet the prayers of our friends, family, and strangers. I believe we wouldn't be where we are if it wasn't for the prayers and blessing prayed over us. I'm reminded of our Papi giving us this verse as a form of encouragement and I would like to share it with you:

"Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may grow in your knowledge of God."~Ephesians 1:15-17


Know we are forever thankful and blessed by you. Please continue to pray for us as we prepare to leave for Haiti on June 4th, our time there, and the weeks after coming home. Some of our hardest battles are fought during that time. Please know that we "never stop thanking God for you" and are lifting you up in prayer as well.