Back Tracking Haiti~Day 1

We arrived to an overcast Haiti on Saturday, June 4th, around 3:30 p.m.  The first thing we noticed was the airport. Our usual route into the building was a pleasant surprise as we were greeted with smiles, electric powered escalators and air conditioning. We looked at each other in complete shock, was this the same Haiti we visited 2 years ago and whose info structure was completely ruined over a year ago? Apparently, money from big corporations come with specific detailed instructions on how that money will be used. Customs was a breeze, however getting the luggage out to the waiting van, was another story. Lot's of men yelling, grabbing, and throwing gestures in the air was quite overwhelming to our first-time companions, we just smiled and shrugged our way through. It pays to be an experienced traveler sometimes.

Stepping out of the airport is always an emotional roller coaster for us. We never know what and who we will encounter. There is usually a wall that seems to be built just waste high though the faces screaming for money seem twenty-feet high. Arms and fingers grab at the air hoping you will drop something in their dirt-stained hands. This time there was a fence and outside that fence was a tent-city filled with people watching us arrive. It seemed as if they were to tired to beg, ask, plead, move, be denied. They just watched us load up and take off. That first image will forever be burned into our hearts.

After a bumpy two hour drive up the mountain, passing humanity living amongst rubble, we arrived at our friends Dan, Liz, and Joey Carl's house.  Their home is a beautiful sanctuary with views of the Almighty's handy work and creation. Bold fuchsia flowers paint their drive as well as manicured shrubs and fruit laden trees. Little brown geckos slither around as hummingbirds flit from tree top to tree top. The smell of a fresh fallen rain greeted us as well as the traditional Haitian meal laid upon the table, awaiting our arrival. 

As we laid our heads down that first night filled with anticipation for the work ahead of us and the people we would come across, we prayed that God would open our eyes, our hearts, our souls, to what HE wanted to accomplish. Boy, were we in for an amazing trip! Stay tuned for days 2-7....

We're Back!

After spending 6 days in Haiti, we both agree, it is sooooo good to be back home! Coming home was quite difficult as I was sick and throwing up with every step back into the homeland-literally. Nick was amazing as he held me up through customs and didn't bat an eyelash as I turned and barfed over and over into a airplane bag at his side. Not having been able to hold food down for the last 48 hours, I'm finally eating a little here and there, but still very weak. Thank God that He is our healer!

Coming home was also somewhat of a surprise to us as we walked into a totally remodeled front room and re-decorated house.  Our small group/Bible study decided to perform a mini Home Extreme Makeover-Mayo Edition-on our house while we were gone. Opening the door we noticed new hard wood floors, painted walls, crown molding, curtains, furniture, a tree, new kitchen knobs, pillows, bedroom curtain rods, and accented decorations all throughout the house. we were totally speechless! We are SO thankful for this blessing and thank our dear friends for their hard work and precious gift. This is a true example of the body serving each other in love.

As for the trip itself, it was quick, busy, and just plain different. We both are still trying to understand all that we saw and helped with in Haiti. We know it will take some time and look forward to what will be revealed to us in the process. We will be making several post over the upcoming week to share with you all that we took part in-so stay tuned! Again, thank you all for your prayers and support. We definitely needed it throughout the week!~Kassie

Love From Haiti

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.