Hope in the Dark

"When Jesus commanded up to care for the widows and orphans, He wasn't speaking in metaphor. He really meant it. In Africa, that's the greatest thing anyone could do."

I think that goes for Haiti too.

One death is one too many.

If you want to know the pulse and strength of Haiti, spend a day with the women of a village. In the midst of deep suffering, domestic abuse, societal and poverty constraints, the women are the stability of Haiti. They will carry the buckets upon their heads, touch the wounds of the sick, accept the burdens of helping the villages survive - and all the while, they will be singing praises to God.

Everybody smiles in the same language.

The longest journey is the journey inward.

There is such tragedy and yet such beauty at the same time. Overwhelmed by the insanity of their broken world, I find it difficult to understand how the pieces of it all fit together. The same earth an hold the fragrance of a field of flowers while also occupying the stench of urine on hot concrete.

I smile because they are beaming with promise. I cry because they have lost their parents to AIDS. I ache because their hope will be stolen from them. "Who will care for me now? Who will show me love?" they ask. I hope the answer has something to do with you and me.

I have not forgotten you

I know none of you will read this but I wish you could. To all my dear Haiti friends and to the people I have yet met. I want you to know that I have not forgotten you. I want you to know how I am sharing my story, your stories. I am showing your beautiful faces to everyone that I know in hopes of changing their hearts to care more about others in this world. To show them that you all have dreams and goals just like we do. I am going to teach Sunday School this Sunday and talk about my trip to Haiti. I will talk about you and I pray that they will hear the passion in my voice. I hope to sparksomeing deep within their hearts that will overcome their apathy and become motivated to care, to act, and to stay devoted to helping the ones around them.

I will never forget you. Never. I miss you with all my heart and think of you daily. My mind flashes back to Jonas in my pink sun glasses. To Noah pointing out that the cat in on the chair. To Steven dancing for the first time. Angela painting in my room.Fritzon's enthusiasm, Mia's attitude, Alixson's loves for cars, Jimmy's singing, Bethany's laugh, You-You's orange quilt. I remember the dirty looks I got for my muched loved haircut, the girls sitting outside every night saying hello. The old women we would always pass who didn't have any teeth. Popcorn, pasta, movies,soccer, and swimming in the road.

I am caught up in my life right now working at the church. A lot has happened and I have a lot of responsibility. Yet every chance I get I travel back to Haiti in my mind and tell people about the amazing people who live there.

I miss you, I love you and please know that I have not forgotten.

a new chapter

This week is the beginning of a new chapter of my life.

I'm working for the Riverside Presbyterian Church this summer being their youth intern. The senior high youth group came up to montreat for week one and I've been spending all my time with them. It's been a blast so far and it's nice to get to know them on my turf before I go to theirs.

Last night the youth were looking to dig deeper and some questions came up that directly related to my story. ......so I jumped in and shared a bit about my story and calling. Most of the youth cried at this because they are at the point where I began, unhappy. They are lost and searching for their calling. I gave them hope to hold onto as well as my hands to hold. In God's time you will know your calling, have faith! It was kind of scary to share my struggles with youth that I don't know yet but they were so hungry for my story.

The theme for the conference this year is turning the page, (your story). As I reflected about what I had shared I realized that I not only told my story but the story of Haiti. It's now one in the same. Haiti's story is now mine and mine is apart of Haiti. While I tell my story I'm also tell the story of all the kids at the O, you-you, St. Joe's boys, Jimmy and Junior, and the parents waiting for their kids in the states. We are all connected. I love this thought. I have a responsibility to share what I have learned and it's not only what I've learned but is now a part of my life. It is very humbling and an honor to speak for the people of Haiti. The truth and passion rings true and loud from my heart. This summer I will talk a lot about Haiti for my theme is Global Issues.

Now I start this new chapter in my life. I've very excited to work with the youth, to flip their world, to educate and empower them. I just pray that the people of Haiti will one day understand how much I care and love them.