My squad and I are currently in Haiti. We left the DR on Monday morning and travelled by bus to Haiti. The bus ride was absolutely crazy to say the least – many of us suffered from motion sickness due to the bumpy roads that made the bus literally rock back and forth like a boat for much of the day. There were even times when it appeared as if we were driving through the water because the extremely narrow streets were surrounded by water on both sides.
My team is working with two other all-girls teams this month, which means there are 19 girls under one roof! To be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to this month. However, God is already using these girls in my life.
We are sleeping on our sleeping pads on the floor.
Some are sleeping in hammocks outside.
We have no personal space.
19 girls have to share 2 bathrooms with NO MIRRORS (we’re learned to look to God for beauty and identity rather than the world or what a mirror tells us)
I am truly living out of a backpack this month.
The average temperature is in the 90’s – it doesn’t get much cooler at night.
We have only had electricity for a few hours total since arriving in Haiti.
Our water is currently shut off.
Our food budget is limited.
I am covered in a thick layer of dust most of the day.
However, I’m not complaining about these things.
I’ve only been living this way for a short time, but I can’t imagine living any other way!
It’s amazing to see how simply one can live when all the luxuries and even some necessities are stripped away.
I’m blessed beyond measure because I have enough to get by.
Before the race:
I slept in a warm and cozy bed every night.
I had a room to myself.
I had a full closet and dresser.
I had AC in the summer and heat in the winter.
I showered multiple times in one day if necessary.
I had water and electricity 24/7.
Anything and everything was at my disposal.
Although I had everything I thought I needed and wanted, there was still something missing. I wasn’t living in dependence on the creator of the universe. I wasn’t taking up my cross everyday. I wasn’t praying for the Holy Spirit to empower me in new ways. I wasn’t praying for divine appointments to share the gospel with others. I wasn’t looking for opportunities to pray for others. I wasn’t being stretched or challenged in my faith.
Our contact this month is named Wilnord. He is a pastor at a local church, he runs a tuition-free school, and he is the father of 7 children (ages 2 month – 14 years old)! Talk about a busy man! I have yet to see him without a huge smile on his face. He is truly beaming with the joy of the Lord and the Lord’s light radiates through Wilnord.
This week we have had the opportunity to walk through the streets of Carrefour telling families about Wilnord’s school. Wilnord believes in education and wants to provide a free education to those who can’t afford one. The problem he faces is the lack of awareness; most people in town haven’t heard about his school.
I’ve been deeply saddened while walking through the streets over the past two days. It hit me that an education is a luxury in many parts of the world. Many children who are currently living in poverty will continue the cycle because they can’t afford an education. I’m honored to walk the streets of Carrefour telling families about this amazing opportunity – a free education – which could drastically change their child’s destiny.
We have spent two days walking door-to-door with our translators informing families of the school and enrolling them if interested. My team alone signed up 39 children the first day, and 40 today! Enrolling these children is a HUGE LEAP OF FAITH – while school may be free for the parents, it does require funding to operate the school, provide books, school supplies, and uniforms. Wilnord believes God will provide the $850 necessary to purchase books for 100 children.
It was a blessing to witness the overwhelming joy that many children experienced when they heard they would be able to attend school starting Monday, October 8th!
