My new reality

Well one week of school down and a successful week it was.  Monday we started school and met all the kids together.  Troy and Tara came to kick off the week and prayed with us.  There are 5 children total; Hope (14), Issac (14), Noah (11), Phoebe (9) and Lydia (8) and each one has their own personality.   They are such sweet amazing kids which has helped make this transition even more fun!  Their energy partnered with their love for school and love for each other makes the days go by quick. I am teaching the older three and Hallie is teaching the younger two. We spent much of this week coming up with a schedule and introducing some new ideas. Overall everyone is doing well and enjoying each other. 

Besides school everything else is going well. I am not going to lie... I will say the first full day was hard for me; all I wanted to do was cry.  I was hot, scared and didn't know what I had gotten myself into.  But once school started all that changed.  Hallie and I spend the afternoon and evenings doing a few different things.  I have already read one book and I am on my second which for me is huge.  We have cooked one meal which was yummy and made guacamole with this amazing avocado. 

The avocados are huge when in season and only cost $1.00 USD.  

We have ventured out of the gates twice to the little market on the corner, while dodging motos.  The market is nice and has lots of different things we may need.  This week was special and after school Tuesday, The Livesay's had a little party for us and invited other Americans living here in Haiti over to meet Hallie and I.  It was a fun night and I enjoyed getting to know more about Haiti and others who live here too.

Fun Facts from the week: 

1) Each day after a hot day...never has a cold shower felt so good!

2) Deodorant application happens about 3 times a day

3) A rooster wakes me up every morning and it is just like the movies

It is finally starting to set in... This is my new reality.  I am thankful for this opportunity and those that have supported me.  It's rewarding to know that this is my life and I have been removed from my comfort zone.  I am being stretched and know that with God all is possible.  He has me here for a reason.  I know it will start to feel more normal and until then I will take each day as it comes. 

Heartline Academy School building

The Crew

My Apartment

Year 4 or shall we say Senior Year!

January 2016 marks my 4th year to visit Haiti with my church.  Over 5 years ago when this idea was discussed I never thought I would have visited Haiti much less be living here for 6 months.  The week is something I look forward to each year.  During our time in Haiti our team teaches the children and adults of the village, plays different sports and shares the love of Christ.    

This being our 3rd time to this specific village things start to feel more comfortable... You recognize faces, Faces recognize you, the landscape changes and new development happens.  It's amazing to see how each year this village is more welcoming and loving as the year before.  If you know me you know that my favorite part is coming and playing with the children, however I do have a favorite person... Her name is Chesna!  She is my sponsorship child and I have sponsored her for 2 years now.  Her house is at the bottom of the hill (mountain to me) that we hike down each morning.  Each day she is outside of her house waiting for our arrival.  This year was extra special because she really remembered me and spent most days hanging out with me or just helping me.  She was always by my side.  I may not have my own child but she sure does feel close enough.  I hate that we don't speak the same language but facial expressions and sweet touches make my heart happy.  

During this trip each year I love seeing my other friends "teammates" smiles just as big as mine when they see their special friend from years gone by.  There were some special, sweet moments that happened each day that have been engrained in my head the last few days.  I tried my best to capture each one and wanted to share them with you.

 










 

Haiti or Bust

Yesterday was a one on the hardest days of my life.  I was not expecting this wave of emotion but it hit me like a ton of bricks.

As we got halfway to the airport it hit me, I am leaving for 6 months.  I am leaving everything I have ever known, everyone I hold dear to my heart and all of my comfort zones.  As we pulled up to the airport...my parents dropped me and my 4 bags off to say our last goodbyes.  We cried a little bit but it wasn't until I walked away I lost it.  What am I doing?  Why are you doing this?  I cried and hugged my sweet friends that were with me.  The tears cleared up quickly when I selected 4 bags on the bag check and the total appeared.  It was $565.00, I laughed and said to myself, well it has to get there. As I walked away I slowly took drop breathes and was reminded by a few keys things as I start this adventure.  

1) Stepping out on faith and your comfort zone does not mean it will be easy.  

2) It's okay to be scared... The unknown will quickly become familiar to me.  

3) Part of the adventure is getting to share the story and see how God works in your own life.  

So today as we headed to the village for the first visit it began to sink in.  Driving through different towns, hearing the horns and seeing the hustle and bustle.  I thought to myself... What did I get myself into?  Am I going to make it here?  In 4 days my sweet friends will leave me and I will start a new adventure.  But I was quickly reminded that He has a plan for me.  He has opened this door and I never once looked back.  It was a blessing to be back in Chadirac today and see familiar faces.  My heart was quickly cleared up and I felt at home.  Here are some memories from today!

Final Countdown!

It's the final countdown... It's the final days of 2015 and today marks one week until I leave for Haiti. I head out with my team from The Bridge Fellowship on Monday, January 4th. We will spend 6 days in Chadirac where we have spent the last few years. I am so excited to see Chesna (my sponsor child) and all of the other adults and children we see each year.  We will teach school, play sports and have lots of fun.

On January 10th the team will head back to the States and I will stay for my new adventure.  If you missed it I will be teaching school for Livesay Family at Heartline Missions. The Livesay's have 5 kids and I am so excited to meet them.  I will post more about that soon.

As I continue to count down the days it's becoming more real to me. I have gradually said "See ya Later" to a few friends but nothing too major yet. Tonight I finished the majority of my packing and just laughed because I am such a typical American girl.  As we close out 2015, my prayer is that you would ask God to move in your life. I know that looks different for each of us but I pray you will be bold and brave with your request. My hope is that 2016 is the year you will see God move mountains, take you deeper than you could ever wonder and that you would long for more of Him. See you in 2016!

New Beginnings

     Welcome to my blog, A Brave New Page!  I always told myself I would never start a blog because I am not a good writer and I never had much to share.  Well that has changed, well only part of that has changed!  I am still a bad writer but my life is changing so I decided to start this blog to share my journey with you while in Haiti.  So with that being said, please do not have high expectations here.  It is simply for family and friends to see what I am doing and how God is working in and through me.

     If you have known me for the past few years you know that my heart for Haiti gets bigger and bigger each time I go.  I have always wanted to go and serve there for an extended amount of time but never thought it would be possible.  I looked for opportunities multiple times but gave up about 8 months ago. I realized that I was trying to make it about my own agenda rather than what God wanted for my life.  

     Fast forward to Sunday, September 27th, I was laying in bed about to shut it down for the night when I saw an Instagram post from a family I follow who lives in Haiti.  They were seeking a teacher for 6 months starting in January.  I immediately got excited, read the requirements, took a screen shot and texted a few friends.  My mind went crazy for about an hour and I could hardly fall asleep.  I woke up Monday and started to pray about the opportunity.  This was a huge move but something I had always wanted. I knew that if it was meant to be the Lord would open that door.  I collected all the required information and sent it off.  A few weeks later I was able to interview via Skype and meet Tara while asking lots of questions about what to expect.  I immediately felt comfortable with her and could feel my fears and insecurities rolling away.  After a few more weeks her husband, Troy flew to the US to meet me.  We spent a couple hours just asking each other questions, talking about family and Haiti.  I left there that night not knowing what to expect.  I was nervous... It felt right in my heart but the stupid chatterbox inside my head kept telling me I wasn't good enough.  I got home and a couple hours later Troy called and offered me the job. I was overjoyed.

     Now here we are approximately one month from today I will head to Haiti with The Bridge Fellowship on our annual trip.  I will serve for one week with the team and then begin my journey in Port-Au-Prince with the Livesay's!  I have a roller coaster of emotions but I am thankful for friends and family praying for me and encouraging me.  If you want to keep up with this "new page" in my life then you are in the right spot!