Over the past several years, God has been preparing my heart for a big change in my future. In November of 2009, I went to Haiti on a short term mission trip. My heart was transformed by my experiences and I knew I would return to Haiti. In January of 2012, I had the opportunity to go back to Haiti with an organization called Healing Haiti. My experiences were life changing. How can people who have so little, be rich? How can they have hope when their life's situation seems hopeless? The people of Haiti have a love and hope in God that is so pure and true. While in Haiti, our team delivered clean water to Cite Soleil, cared for children at the Home For The Sick And Dying, sang with the children at Gertrude's Orphanage, and played with the children at Grace Village.
At Grace Village, the children sang songs and had smiles that stretched from ear to ear! What a joy to hear them sing praises to God. While in Haiti, the children touched my heart. Their joy was contagious. I knew that God was calling me to return to Haiti. I prayed about returning to Haiti for the summer, but God had other plans for me. The more I prayed, the more I felt a tug on my heart to go to Haiti for a longer period of time. God has a plan and a purpose for me in Haiti. In July, I will be moving to Grace Village. I will be teaching the children English at their school, and I will also be caring for the children at the orphanage. I'm sure I will be wearing many hats in Haiti.
This weekend I packed many storage bins to send in the "container" to Haiti. The container will be shipped to Haiti and should arrive in a few months. While packing, I spread out teaching materials all over the living room floor and packed everything strategically. Those of you who know me well, know that I love to organize...so I enjoyed packing. Wow! In a few months, I will be able to use the materials to teach children in another country. It amazes me how God has a plan for everything. 10 years ago, when I first began teaching in Minnesota, I didn't know that my garage sale finds would be shipped across the ocean to Haiti. What a blessing it is to know that the resources I have been blessed with will now be a blessing to others.
I am excited to return to Haiti this summer. I know that I will be challenged and stretched in ways that I could never imagine. I am excited to see how God will use me to bring Him glory.
