My time in Haiti can’t be contained in a few words. These words will only scratch the surface of what I truly experienced and felt.
Going into this trip I was expectant. God provided like only He could, and Haiti couldn’t come fast enough.
Throughout the trip I was so full. I was walking the streets of Haiti feeling like I was on top of the world. I was living and breathing a dream that God had planted in my heart less than a year ago. I was ready for whatever God was going to teach me. For real, I was “jumping up and down clapping my hands eyes squinted closed” ready. No matter how many times I look back and try to convince myself how ready I was; I wasn’t.
I wasn’t ready to see a little girl pick up vitamins of the dirty ground and stuff them in her mouth. I wasn’t ready for a little boy to repeatedly asking me for my shoes. I wasn’t ready to hear the stories of how parents have abandoned their children.
I definitely wasn’t ready to have my heart shattered while holding a little baby boy in a mountain village. I saw him sitting alone in front of a little cottage. He had dirt caked on the side of his head, and I went to wipe it off. I sat next to him and eventually pulled him into my arms. The whole time he was giving me the side eye, not trusting me, but not resisting me either. I was walking with him in my arms and a woman on my team; Beth, prayed over him. As she prayed I felt something shift. I can’t explain it honestly, because what happened the few minutes after have changed life as I know it. I began crying and praying over the little one who thankfully fell asleep. I wanted to hold him as close to me as possible. I wanted to somehow memorize his face and I wanted him to leave an imprint of his little body in my arms so I would never forget this moment. Still crying I found a shady spot to just hold him and take it all in. I cried for this baby boy who I’m sure was malnourished. I cried because I felt like I had been snatched up in the air by my ankles, and shaken out. In those few minutes holding this sweet boy I realized that all the things I wanted in this life didn’t matter. Going back to a four-year university, getting married, and making all the money in the world paled in comparison to just staring, holding, and praying for this sleeping baby in my arms.
It was in that tender moment that I knew why God had me go to Haiti. I have found my purpose, I have felt my calling, and I have found my joy.
Everyday of this whole trip I saw brokenness, but in the midst of it all my eyes were opened to the beauty. The beauty of hills that seem to cascade over each other while the clouds settled among them. The beauty plastered on the children’s faces as we danced and laughed to nothing in particular. The beauty in the quiet moments rocking a little girl to sleep on the patio. The beauty in just being completely free in worship and singing to my Savior. The beauty that shines from the eyes of those passionate about Haiti. The beauty in watching the people I got to experience Haiti with take it all in and store each experience in their hearts. There is an undeniable beauty on this island that I want everyone I love to experience too. I am blessed.
I’mMe. Thank you. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to experience Haiti with you all. I have never seen or felt so much love and truth in one home. There is a sense of authenticity and transparency that sets I’mMe apart from the others. I pray that the Lord continues to bless you as He takes you higher and higher. He is enlarging your vision, and He is faithful to complete each and every one of His promises that He has laid on each of your hearts. I am “try not to pee my pants” excited to see where God is taking I’mMe!
Haiti. The place where I experienced Jesus like never before. I can’t wait to touch your soil again, to be among your people. I carry you in me, Haiti. Your land holds beauty uncommon to the human eye. I am glad I got to see a glimpse of that beauty. I will be back soon. I can’t stay away.
“They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord, and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.” – Isaiah 62:12
Yesterday, my cup was overflowing. I was just so full of all things good. Things weren’t exactly going our way but we made the most of it. I want to swallow the ocean and dance on ten thousand more mountains. I was feeling Your presence and was so aware of your hand in this nation. I am absolutely, irrevocably in love with Haiti and I’mMe. I am so filled and full of joy and peace. I hope this feeling isn’t fleeting. You brought me here for a reason, and I know that these feelings are no just for here. They are to be spread every where I go.
To see what God is doing in Haiti and with I’mMe, check out their website Imme.org!
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