Last I wrote you, I was telling you of a revival that our team was preparing for. We helped host a short term U.S. team and were able to work together with them and some Haitians to put on the event. I had never been to a revival before, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I suppose I imagined it would be like something I had seen on television, where a massive stadium is filled to the max with people. However, this revival was a much smaller gathering and even though it was, I believe that the Lord brought in exactly who He wanted to be there. More than 30 people committed their lives to the Lord and quite a few Bibles were given to people in their own language. Even if one person in all of the three days committed their life to the Lord, I would have said it was worth it. Thank you for your prayers.
While being in Bon Repos, I received some heart wrenching news about one of my precious children from the orphanage I worked at in Mexico.
When I first went to the mission a couple years ago, she was a brand new addition. She had come to the mission around the age of 7 and in her short life, she had already been brutally abused and was severely malnourished. She looked so fragile that I was afraid to hurt her by holding her in my arms. She had different health complications that she struggled with the entire time she was at the mission. I am honored to have been able to spend that time with her, living with her and taking care of her. Though she was so often feeling such discomfort in her body, there was something so insanely special about her contagious little laugh that bursted out from deep within her every once in a while. I found out while in Haiti, that her intestines had ruptured and was unable to make it to the hospital in time to get help. It hurts my heart to feel so disconnected with my Mexico home. It hurts as I question the suffering of this child. But I am thankful that her last couple years of life were able to be spent in a place being covered by immense amounts of love. I am forever changed by knowing this little girl. A few days after I heard the news, I was laying on my sleeping mat about to go to sleep, and a teammate was playing a song on the Ukulele and it was all about heaven. As I laid there, I let the tears fall from eyes and was truly comforted as I imagined Diana standing before her King with an unbroken body and her beautiful giggles bursting from her joyous heart. She is finally home in her heavenly dwelling.
Soon after the revival ended, my team moved for the third time in Haiti to another ministry. It was an orphanage with around 25 kids. Though we were only there for a short time, I fell in love with the kids. We spent the days playing, trying to understand each other, and laughing. We ended up leaving the orphanage right as the children returned home from school. We said our goodbyes and as we left, I realized one of the boys was missing. As we drove down the street, I heard “Kenzieeee!!!” and there he was, running after us, big smile on his face, waving his arms until he was out of sight. Of course that made me cry as I watched the dust rise from the ground behind us. This is never easy but it’s always worth it.
“If we deny love that is given to us, if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss, then our lives will be empty; our loss greater.”
I am now in Browns Town, Jamaica. I am living with a sweet pastor and his wife up in the hills, just a short walk from town. We will mostly be helping with construction projects. It is peaceful here and I love it. The air is cool and clean, the land is green and lush, and the people are friendly. This is the perfect place to end this journey. This is month 11, the final one. 23 days left until I return home. Prayer warriors, I need you. I need you to intercede for me as this season comes to a close, with a new one on the way. I’m not sure that even know what to ask for prayer about. But I know this transition is going to be difficult and I need your prayers and support. My appreciation for you is endless.
Always love.
