This sentence will most likely become a very common saying these next 11 months, so I better get used to it. It is SO hard to try to plan life monthly, let alone on a daily basis. Therefore, it is almost expected to hear the news that I will be doing something else with my time and/or serving at a different location than originally told.
So, I shared my original route with you all in a previous blog but here it is again: Haiti Dominican Republic, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, India, Nepal, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
For those who are unaware, Haiti is in pretty bad shape. They have been experiencing civil unrest for some time, but it has been growing more intense posing a huge safety risk for travelers. Via the US Department of State, they have discouraged travel to Haiti at this time. They state, “Violent crime, such as armed robbery, is common. Protests, tire burning, and road blockages are frequent and often spontaneous. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, and emergency response, including ambulance service, is limited or non-existent. Travelers are sometimes targeted, followed, and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. The U.S. Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport, and it takes steps to detect surveillance and deter criminal attacks during these transports.”
For the safety of us, Adventures in Mission staff have determined that we will no longer be going to Haiti month one. Instead, we will be serving Dominican Republic a month early, yay!!! Our second month is now up to the Lord and I have full faith that He will place us exactly where He needs us, we just don’t know where that’s at yet. I’m definitely saddened by the news because I would have loved to go back, but I fully understand that my safety is important and I (along with my parents) am greatly appreciative for AIM staff making that a priority.
This has no impact on finances or timeline of the Race. I will still be boarding a plane August 7th and returning early July of 2019.
Please be praying for Haiti and their government. There’s some nasty stuff happening and it is affecting so many innocent people. Although I will not be traveling there, missionaries are on the field now and every prayer helps!
I will keep you updated with where I’m going next once I know 🙂
Much love,
~A
