I woke up in the middle of the night on March 26, 2018. I had already said "no" to going to Haiti because I had just come back from Mexico and needed time to recover and let everything sink in. The Haiti trip wasn't until May, but the deadline to sign up had already passed at this time. I wrote in my journal that night:
"So I'm sitting here, in my room, in this very moment. It's almost midnight and I can't sleep. I've had an extremely exhausting day. So I'm ready to pass out and I start thinking about Haiti. My soul is longing to go, but my heart is screaming 'No way!'"
So I start to make excuses to why I just can't go to Haiti...
"Haiti is right before camp this year and I could potentially be extremely sick when I come back since that's what happened last year. It's highly unlikely that I can make that amount of money in that short amount of time. In fact, I think the first payment was already due. All these things are going against me going this year, yet there's something stirring within my soul. So much so that I can't sleep. Haiti's flooding my mind and soul. I think I might be going back."
The next day, I texted Pastor Gerald and asked if it was too late to sign up. He had only a couple more days before it really was too late, so I prayed and talked to my parents. I decided that Friday I was going and signed up. It was Good Friday. Three days later, on Easter, the day Jesus arose from the grave, someone handed me a check for all $1,250 I needed for that trip. My debt was paid and I was going to Haiti.
Day #1
We woke up at 1:30am to get to Pastor Gerald's house by 2:30am. We left from his house to the airport and got everything done. I will admit that this time I was going to Haiti, I had no idea why I was leaving everything I loved again.(I wrote that, but I really did know why I was going. Jesus told me to!) We did not have a direct flight to Haiti, so we stopped once. Our first flight went by smoothly and then we landed and had to wait two hours before our second flight. That flight went by smoothly as well. As we flew into Cap Haiten, excitement consumed me. I remember why I was coming. I love the people of Haiti, I want to see those I love to come to know Christ. When we got into Haiti, they charged us $300 for a generator part we were bringing in and gave us a hard time. After an hour and a half, we were finally able to head over to the mission house. We headed over and now we're here.
I'm longing to see Alexandria. I haven't seen her yet. We had a delicious dinner and then hung out on the porch. We then decided to go out and share the Good News with the community and so we took turns. I know that there was a lady who came to Jesus and possibly five children. We prayed for the lady specifically and then we prayed for all of them. It was really neat that I got to play a part in their salvation. We came back and took showers and then had church group time.
We talked about what we're looking for this week and then we went to bed. I am extremely homesick. It's really different when there's no other ladies on the trip. I feel like I'm kind of on my own. So, I have a few things to share for how amazing our God is! So first things first, when I packed my money I planned on bringing $40 to spend and $10 to give. Well, for some reason, I felt the need to put in an extra $10. When we went through customs and they charged me $10. Immediately, I was dumbfounded. It was unexpected, but God expected it so he made sure I packed it! So awesome.
The second thing was my implant charger. (The generator wasn't working when we arrived, so when they fixed it, I immediately plugged my charger in so that I could charge my batteries. Well, it wasn't working. Somehow, while in the airport, it got twisted the wrong way and the wire got all messed up.) It unexpectedly broke and one of our team members was able to fix it for the whole trip at least. He fixed it with a Band-Aid. I thought things were about to get really bad. (I wasn't going to be deaf for the whole week! Yay!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ESBBy6W6q0&t=329s
Day #2
I woke up at 6:00am after going to bed around 8:30pm. I slept great, but was extremely homesick. I'm okay now. I was able to give Alexandria her photo (I brought a picture of her and me to give to her.). I saw that sweet girl in school. I showed the schoolmaster her picture and he went and found her. So I gave her a hug and then hung around her a lot. She held my hand and smiled. Before that, we cut all the wood we needed for the benches and I think we will be sanding them later today. I know why I've come to Haiti. Well, sorta on my part anyway. I've come because of Alexandria. I've really missed her. Well, we have yet to eat lunch and go to the orphanage!
(I stopped writing and then began writing again towards the end of the day)
So we did 90 bench parts, which was A LOT! Alexandria came by in the dress that Pastor Gerald gave her. She was so cute. She hung out with us while we did the benches. I was covered in glue because of the benches, so Alexandria and her friend took turns peeling it off my hands. It was funny. She gave me a lot of hugs. Earlier today we played with all the school kids. I had like literally ten kids on me. I had two children holding each of my hands and the rest held me all over the arm. Anywho, I wanted to say something because I just saw it. I won't ever get used to seeing goats and cows on leashes. Yesterday, when we were sharing the gospel, I saw this guy riding a bike with a big black cow running alongside him. It reminded me of Evynn biking with Thurston. Ha! Anyway, we're going to go past the orphanage tonight to share the gospel again. Hopefully we can go by Alexandria's house! I really want to share the Good News with her!
(I stopped writing again and continued later)
So we went out by the orphanage, or past it, and went and shared the Good News. We were only able to share with one person and they rejected it. It's a good reminder that God's the only one who can save souls. A big chunk of the team couldn't even stay because a wall of rain ran into us. Strangely, it stopped once we reached the compound. I think God was protecting us from something. So we hung out, took our showers, and played Uno. I'm not nearly as homesick as I was yesterday. I think seeing Alexandria really helped. Tomorrow, we're planning on finishing benches and sending them off and going to Fort Liberte. We only have three more nights, not including tonight. That means 3 more showers. Phew.
(I wrote that there were only three more showers because it's not particularly delightful to take showers in Haiti.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZjFrG5vm70
Day #3
Today was an amazing day. I woke up at 5:30am and read the Bible. Around 6:30am I got dressed and ready and came downstairs to eat breakfast at 7:00am. Right after breakfast, we got to work with the benches. Alexandria came by and I thought we were planning on sharing the gospel with her as a team, but it turned out just being me and our team member who spoke Haitian. Long story short, she accepted Christ and now she's my sister. I'm overjoyed and know exactly why I was called to come here. Exactly. Even if it was just Alexandria's soul, it was completely worth it.
We finished benches around lunch time and then loaded them up to go to Fort Liberte and the church near there. We gave that church a few things to give to their community because the truck with the benches hadn't showed up yet. Before I proceed, I wanted to mention that we met a young man by the name E'Leselie (Or something like that). He asked me for my gloves to start out with and kinda made me feel bad and uncomfortable, but we began to have a conversation. He spoke a little English, so it was easier to talk to him than the others. He liked to dance and asked my friend and I for our numbers. Don't worry, we didn't give them to him. We shared the gospel with him, but he rejected it.
We went to the fort and enjoyed the scenery for about ten minutes before it started to pour. We headed back to the compound and we arrived safely, but we were stopped by the police. (It's hard to tell if the police are on your side or not because the government is so corrupt, so it was kind of creepy.) They all had rifles on them, but we are all fine.
(I got interrupted as I was writing. Alexandria had come to the compound and over to the door and asked me to come outside to meet her sister.)
As I was writing Alexandria came to the door and wanted me to meet her sister, Alexandra. She finally told me that her name isn't Alexandria, it's Alexandrie. Ha!!! P.S, her brother's name is Alexandro. They like that name. Anyway, when she visited, she was a whole different person. It was so crazy to witness. Instead of sullen and smiling when I smiled at her to smiling all the time and chattering in English I didn't even know she knew. It's crazy what Jezi Kri can do. We played Uno and I won two rounds out of maybe six games. Today was an amazing day. I still can't believe that Jesus used me to lead Alexandrie to Him. I'm in awe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_ryV6ui3jw
Day #4
I woke up at 5:45am this morning, prayed and did my quiet time until 6:30am and then got ready. We had church at 10:00am, so I was able to stay in my pajamas for breakfast. We went upstairs and played Uno from 8:30am to 9:30am and then got dressed and ready. We went to church and listened. They sang a bunch for Family Day and then Pastor Gerald preached. Afterward, I saw Alexandrie again. It pains me to think of leaving her again. I really don't want to, but I miss my fam. Now we have a break until 3:30pm and then we're going to go to the orphanage.
(I took a break from writing and then came back and continued.)
We went to the orphanage and my heart about broke. I went on the Open Door Haiti website before I left to see their stories. They're all tragic. My heart just broke. We saw Dinaeka and Laura (We saw them the previous year) again. We met Shinaeka, Meela, and some others that I can't remember the names of. (I'm so bad at remembering and spelling names.) They had the most brilliant smiles. I really want to take them all home. Dinaeka said "I love you" to me as we left. She said it to me. I gave her a hug and it truly, truly hit me. The children at the orphanage will always have a special place in my heart. I will always love them. Always.
Anyways, later on we walked to the river and shared the gospel with two boys who ended up accepting Christ. It was a good day. We gained brothers in Christ and we visited the most amazing people. Jezi Kri is amazing. He is amazing. Jesus Christ is faithful. He reigns forever and He is beyond merciful. He's truly amazing. There's no place I'd rather be than here in His love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MogNp7ZCvFc&t=10s
Day #5
I woke up at 5:45am once again and got ready at 6:30am. I did my quiet time and then we ate breakfast. Right after breakfast, we packed our lunch which was PBJ's. We headed out and ventured to places we've never been. We went to a church before starting our trek. They prayed with us and God was there. I felt my whole body tingle with His presence, beginning with my heart all the way out to my bones. It was incredible. We walked and shared. The first person we shared with was a stubborn old man who refused. He wouldn't hear it. Then another stubborn lady. It's not very comforting not knowing where you're gonna go when you die, I can imagine. We visited a sick man and prayed for healing. We hiked up an extremely steep hill. We prayed for the people who showed us where to go. Woodson (One of the people who led us) gave us a lead and interpreted. A whole group of boys came to Christ and a whole group of girls came to Christ. About 10 people came to Jesus today. 10 more brothers and sisters.
We're playing Uno now and chilling until we leave for the orphanage to buy souvenirs. One of our team members is playing a game with a bunch of Haitian boys right now and I'm currently watching him.
(I took a break from writing and then came back)
We went to the orphanage and I got some souvenirs. We said goodbye and I couldn't help but give Laura a real hug. A big one. So, we leave tomorrow, but before I proceed, we talked to the kids in the orphanage about coming to Christ. At least ten of the kids came to Jesus. This has been the best mission trip I've been on so far. I was able to lead Alexandrie to Christ as well as other children. Phenomenal. I feel really full. Christ is in me. He's here. We can all feel it. It's amazing because when we talk as a group, someone will say they felt the presence of God in the same exact moment I did. It's just incredible. I cannot even fathom what Heaven is like. God's presence is even stronger there.
(I stopped writing and began again.)
After dinner, we explored a soon-to-be school and I met a new friend by the name Joolie. He held my hand all the way back to the compound. I'm guessing he was ten or maybe a little older. This week has been so memorable. I'm definitely coming back. I'm excited to go home, but a piece of me will always be in Haiti. Always.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrOqboUSFLc
Day #6
I woke up at 4:50am to get ready by 6:00am to hike to prayer mountain. A treacherous hike lead to a beautiful destination once again. We all did our Bible studies and prayed. Afterwards, we listened to Pastor Wiljean's story and how Open Door Haiti and all the churches he started began. It all began with 50 cents and a faithful God. We prayed for him and then headed back down. I saw a newborn baby horse . It was so adorable. We headed back to the compound and had breakfast which was pancakes. Yum! We got our stuff all packed up and ready to go by 10:30am.
I was actually able to say goodbye to Alexandrie unlike last time. It was so sad leaving her, but I was ready to come home. We said our goodbyes and then headed out. Our flight was supposed to be at 1:00pm, but when we arrived, it was switched to 1:45pm, so we had 45 minutes to spare. I slept! I rested and then we got on the plane and headed home. We had two stops before we reached home, so we ate dinner at the first stop. Once we got through customs and security at our first stop, we went to T.G.I Fridays and ate. Yum!
We boarded the flight that took us home and I was able to talk to Daddy beforehand. (It was my first time hearing his voice or anything really about him for the past 6 days.) The flight was short and we were back home in no time. One of our team members ended up leaving from the airport, but the rest of us went to Pastor Gerald's house. Daddy picked me up and I was homeward bound. I've been home and I'm missing Haiti... Well, the people of Haiti.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5sM5VtV650
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