I Left My Heart in Haiti

39 days. I am heading back to Haiti for the fifth time in 39 days.

I decided to reawaken the old study abroad blog in an attempt to share my journey back to Haiti with more people. So many of you reading this have given so much support prayerfully and financially to make these trips happen and yet, you miss out on the very best part - the stories and the life change.

I thought I would start by giving the back story, sharing where my passion for Haiti has come from and why I am going back for a fifth time.

I grew up in a church that was passionate about serving people. Our pastor has close ties to GVCM (Global Vision Citadelle Ministries), the organization that we partner with in Haiti, and he frequently shared stories about the lives being reached in Haiti and things he had the privilege of being a part of. I saw pictures of the beautiful people and the faces of the children at the orphanage in Fedja stole my heart from a young age. I was intrigued, but it seemed like a far away place.

During my freshman year of high school, my mom signed us up to go on a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico during our Spring break. I wasn't opposed, but I honestly wasn't thrilled about the idea of spending my short break from school working in the heat. I had no idea that it would change my life and stir my passion for people, missions, culture, and the nations. Shortly after that trip, I started dreaming about the chance to travel to Haiti.

It wasn't until the Spring of 2011, during my sophomore year of college, that I finally had the opportunity to go. The trip rocked my world. I fell in love with the country, and especially the children. I was pushed out of my comfort zone every single day, but saw God show up to give us strength when we couldn't find any on our own. I saw His love change lives in incredible ways through a hefty language barrier. I saw people who live in conditions I couldn't fathom worshipping with their whole hearts, praising God for His blessings in their lives. I let God use me and work through me and I was heartbroken leaving my new friends.

Rovensley. My buddy from trip #1.
He painted my nails for me.

Over the years as I have fallen more in love with the country and grown closer to the people there, I have been a part of many amazing projects: VBS, women's retreats, bench building and painting, teacher training, teaching English, throwing birthday parties for the orphans, tarping roofs, delivering TOMS, distributing rice and beans, playing Duck Duck Goose, holding babies as they fell asleep, laughing with the older children, and so much more.

Above all, I treasure the relationships that are built and fostered over multiple trips.

Heading back for my fifth time, I cannot wait to see the familiar and loved faces of the children at the orphanage. I cannot wait to introduce my Haitian friends to my two dear friends coming with me this year. I cannot wait to return to the church in Thomassique and find our little stowaway boys. I cannot wait to see the families that we have gotten to know. I cannot wait to learn more Creole. I cannot wait to worship alongside people speaking a different language. I cannot wait to love on these people and share the gospel with them. I cannot wait to see how God chooses to use me this year.