So the Journey Continues...

Faithful Friends,

     I'm excited to share how God has been loving big here in Montrouis lately! I was blessed to spend Thanksgiving morning delivering books to a new school I've been building relationships with. As the only free, uniform-less school in the area, God uses devoted, Haitian volunteers to educate children who would otherwise be denied the opportunity. A year ago, God paved the way to provision as He blessed New Vision Ministries with an over-abundnace of French school books. Without hesitation, our New Vision family willingly allowed Kelsea (my roomate) and I to donate the books to my new friends. Without a doubt, I witnessed a thankfulness I've never experienced through turkey before.
     Nevertheless, that evening I shared a Haitian-American meal with all of our kids and staff back at the orphanage. As we sat, shoulder-to-shoulder, flip-flopping between Creole and English, I was humbled deeply. We were family. I can't imagine what my heart would be lacking had I let fear, financial mistrust, and external discouragement keep me stagnant in my journey.
     On my journey, I've learned that peace is seeing each moment through Victory's eyes. I have peace, and now our God has paved the way for me to trust in yet a new way! :) In a chain of events too beautiful to be anything but divine, Kelsea and I now have the opportunity to call Montrouis "home" for the next year. By March, she and I will be moving into a house by the Montrouis market. The location of our home is within equal walking distance form both our ministries in the fishing village (feeding program, bible study, Creole literacy, and English class) and the new school (the founders of which also invited us to participate in their battered-women's empowerment program as well!).
     By living directly in the community, with a closely-mirrored lifestyle, I will hopefully gain a better understanding of the Haitian culture. My prayer is that, by breaking down as many cultural barriers as possible, we will earn the trust of our community in order to live out Christ's intentional, committed, Agape love. As all believers are called to evangelize in our communities, I simply long to answer His call in another language. From December 10th to March 1st, my prayer is for God's continued provision through partnership. Would you pray with me as I continue on my journey?

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account for which I am in prison - that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Colossians 4-2-6 ESV

(Although Haiti is anything but prison for me!)

Right where I belong

     My oh my! Since it's been nearly a month (please, put away your pitchforks) since my last blog...I suppose it's time for a little I update, eh? This past month, I've been learning more than I did in high school and college combined! I was privileged to visit another mission, where I observed several surgeries. For those of you who know me well...let's just say I was the whitest one in the room (as if I wasn't already!). We also had a medical team host a clinic in the village of Mango. I assisted our optomotrist, as usual, but was overjoyed when I realized we survived half the day without a translator! I spent a lot of time with another visiting team who brought much needed energy to our kids at the orphanage. Friendships were made as they invited us on their hiking trip, singing and chatting along the way. :)

     Later this month, I was asked to travel north, to Borel, to assist medical and dental teams for the week. While blue is not exactly my color, I gladly sported scrubs as we extracted nearly 100 teeth, including 3 oral surgeries (with some makeshift tools!). I had the opportunity to serve as a translator for the dental team and also give brushing instructions to patients prior to each procedure. While I've always dreaded the dentist, I have to admit it's much more enjoyable from the other end! Still, I felt God using compassion through my past experiences as I held hands with, prayed with, and comforted nervous patients. The medical team and I packed backpacks full of medicine and hiked a mountain to host a small clinic in KaPiat. While the loaded trek up and down was wearisome, the view was breathtaking and the community was welcoming!
     I had a chance to visit my kiddos at the Pierre Payen orphanage from this summer with even more helping hands! God provided financially so that we might bring them a snack and unexpectedly directed us to a home selling a version of Medika Mumba (nutrient-packed peanut butter for malnourished children)! Unfortunately, conditions at the orphanage there continue to be ever-deteriorating. Even with authorities involved, no changes has been made to their standard of living while we are away. we must not forget them.
     Back at the mission, we're in the process of changing....just about everything! In all sincerity, I would ask for your intercession for the wisdom of the leaders here as they make some very impacting decisions. God has provided again and again, so we're trusting His faithfulness to direct New Vision Ministries toward His will.
     This week, I continued to help with English lessons and Kreyol literacy in the fishing village of Montrouis. I also made connections with a recent Haitian graduate who was led to open a school of his own. I visited his young school, held in his uncle's unfinished, roofless house, where lives are being changed. I also learned about a support group he helped his school's secretary start for physically and sexually abused women in their community. The Lord lit a fire in my heart :) Our faithful God has recently been laying the foundation for my partnership with their ministries......but I will save that for another day. :D

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

Romans 8:14-17