“Lord, I pray for you to work through me and to set a fire so bright in my soul everyone has to stop and ask me what I have. I pray through this trip you teach me to be thankful everyday, not just on the good days. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me!”
WHO DO I WANT TO BE:
- Someone who isn’t afraid to lay down my life for God
- Someone who is caring and compassionate
- Someone who is loving toward everyone
- Someone who is slow to anger
- Someone who makes a difference
- A mother Teresa
- Someone who is thankful and eager
- Someone who has self-love
I was reading my journal entries from my first missions trip and those popped out at me. I prayed for those statements to be fulfilled after my first day in Carrefour, Haiti. Reflecting on it now I still have a long way to go; but I am an even longer way from who I used to be.
On that trip I realized that God has a purpose for my life. His purpose is much better and much bigger than I could ever imagine and all I had to do to realize it was say “yes.”
My life changed the day I said yes and I am incredibly happy with the way God is molding and shaping me to be.
My trip to Carrefour last June was the hinge on the door that the lord has opened for me.
This August, by God’s grace, I was able to go back to the place that stole my heart. This time the trip was different. Different in many ways. For starters it was supposed to be more of a bonding experience before I leave for 9 months– my sister Gabby went with. Turns out it was much more. I will forever be thankful for this trip. Gabby and I now share a bond that nobody else has. It’s so hard to describe how much joy I felt watching her fall in love with Carrefour the same way I did.
Last summer I was apart of a building project and I made many relationships I will never forget, so when I went back this August I was filled with joy to see my friends. Many of the kids I played bo bo ski waton taton and london bridges falling down with remembered who I was, which made me feel like the happiest person in the entire world.
(little girl mama last summer and this summer)
The whole purpose of this blog was to share about my experience in Carrefour this August… so I am going to try to explain some of my favorite moments there.
This year the team I went with was given the opportunity to help build a new home for a family in the church. Our job was to carry bricks, cement, and rocks up a very very steep mountain. It was no simple task. We were also able to help out with VBS.
Each day I got up around 5:30 and watched the sunrise on top of the roof. It made me realize God is vast and has a plan for everything. He is thoughtful and incredibly creative. He is the ultimate artist.
Each day we were given a fantastic breakfast made by very lovely ladies (our cooks), then we would head off to work. This year I personally focused more on building relationships. I tried to engage by picking up on some creole words (not going to brag or anything but in 7 days I learned numbers 1-20, colors, and a few other phrases along with some other random words) and taking more time to listen instead of talk.
One day riding on the tap-tap I was offered some “fish” to try. I ate it thinking it was actually fish. It was spicy and very very very chewy. Turns out it wasn’t fish. It was lambi. Lambi is from a conch shell. It’s a snail. I ate a snail.
On Sunday we had church, it was amazing and I couldn’t even understand a word that was said… the place was filled with the holy spirit and I felt completely at peace. There’s no words that can really describe the exact feeling. We worshiped for a good two and a half hours. After church we went to the beach. I played a lot of basketball, swam, got stung by a jellyfish, had snails crawl on me, ate great food, played cards, and watched my sister get baptized.
But the highlight of my trip was definitely “no pants”
A little back story… last summer there was this little boy (couldn’t have been older than 4) who would show up at the church/worksite each day without pants on. He had no underwear either, just a raggedy shirt. The 7 days I was there he didn’t smile or talk. Not even once. I picked him up, tried tickling him and nothing.
This year, low and behold no pants walks into the church, a year later…still no pants. I pick him up, give him a kiss, ask him if he remembers me… and nothing. So I put him down and go back up the mountain to work. The next day VBS starts. I walk into the church where VBS is being held and the first thing I see is “no pants” wearing pants! He sees me and runs to me with the biggest smile and begins lifting his shirt and pointing to his new underwear, pants, and belt. In that moment I’ve never felt so much joy. I will never forget the look on his face that day. I love that little boy so much. My heart aches knowing I won’t get to see him for another year. I am so thankful God let me witness “no pants’ ” joy that day.
This trip was truly the opportunity of a lifetime that I will treasure forever as it further solidified my calling and choice to dedicate my life to the Lord. I now have so many precious memories engraved in my heart and friendships to last a lifetime. I know this trip was one to prepare me for my next season in life… the world race.
Thank you all so much for your support, please continue to follow and lift me up in prayer as I embark on this journey!
