Let me introduce the people my team and I have been blessed to partner with while in Haiti.
Alex is our main ministry host for the month; she has been living here in Haiti for over two years now but originally from Texas. We celebrated her two year anniversary on January 21! She has the absolute biggest heart, loves blessing and serving others and sees the beauty in everything. She is extremely focused and driven person but listens to everyone. She has immersed herself in the community of Gonaive and Jubilee, if you ask someone if they know Alex or Lala, the answer 99% o f the time is yes. Alex lives in Jubilee, which is where the poorest of poor live and is influencing the community and making it better. Her and her roommate, Lala, love each and every kid in Jubilee wholeheartedly while showing them they are precious and loved in God’s eyes. To say that Alex has welcomed us with open arms would be an understatement, she has literally done everything and more to make us comfortable and have us feel like family. We call her “mom” because she picks us up, drops of off, makes sure we have food and literally does anything else we need.
(Alex and Hodilove on her motto)
Lala. Oh goodness where do I start?! She is a rebel rouser and likes causing problems in the best way. She has the best sense of humor and just has a heart for kids. She has adopted a son down here, Uvenji (definitely not how you spell it but oh well). She runs the school in Jubilee and is doing an amazing job at it. Her heart is for the kids, teachers and community to experience the love of God through everything she does. She has been living in Haiti for 8 years and is totally a native. She is your go to girl at the school can be be and do anything needed.
James. He is a local and has been our chauffeur, cook, dad, brother, comedian, guide and friend. James is Alex’s right hand man, they are a wonderful team. James has a servant’s heart. He is the happiest and shines the brightest when he is serving and loving others. He makes the best food ever (oh how I am going to miss his cooking)! He doesn’t speak the best English but do you think that stopped us from communicating… HECK NO! He has made me laugh, taught me, helped me and just all around been there for me whenever I needed him.
(from left to right: Uvenji, Lala, Hodilove, James and Alex)
Mama Jan. She is the one who started the orphanage that we have the opportunity to go to and do not have enough words to describe the respect and honor it has been to meet her. She is truly loves and seeks the lord with everything she has. She is a shining example for each kid she pours her heart out to, she is so patient, kind, genuine, funny and all around just an amazing woman of God!
(Mama Jan, our team and all the kids in her orphanage)
Hodilove. He is the boy Alex has been taking care of it. He is my partner in crime. This boy has the biggest heart for his people, he is one of the first ones to give a helping hand and give what he has to others. He is a trouble maker, jokester 7 year old boy who hasn’t had the easiest of life but doesn’t let them stop him from also being the most loving, comedic, active and authentic person he can be. There is nothing I love more than hearing him laugh and scream as I chase him down the hallway playing or when he is on my shoulders and we both are messing with others. He is fearless and curious about everything. I absolutely love that about him.
Uvenji. He is the adopted some of Lala and has the most tender heart ever. He also hasn’t had the easiest life at the beginning but looking at him you wouldn’t be able to tell. he can be a little rebel rouser, just like his mother, but also the softest and most caring boy at the same time. he makes me laugh without even trying and is so funny without having to try. He would always say hi to me every time he saw me.
I have met so many other missionaries down in Haiti and love to see that each and every one of them are walking out the call God has put on their heart and are true followers of Christ. It has been my extreme pleasure and honor to see how God is using all of them uniquely and for His purpose. Though they don’t all work together or for the same cause, they all come together to support and pursue each other. They all support and help each other. It has been an example of how the community of God is to come together to pour and invest into each other so they can then go out into the world making disciples of all nations.
