Life is good.

2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

For those of you who read my blog, you would have read earlier that I was headed off to Haiti. Well I went, and I am back, and let me tell you life post-Haiti kind of stinks.

I had an absolutely amazing time while I was in Haiti, and God was sooo unbelievably amazing! I saw some amazing things happen in the lives of my group members, the lives of the people we worked with, my life,and most importantly the lives of the people of Haiti.

The children were just so receptive to what we had come to do. Our ultimate goal was to share the Love of Christ Jesus while we were there, and I think I can say 'mission accomplished' :)

Let me start from the beginning, and give you a little background information. Since January of 2010 when the earthquake hit Haiti, my heart has been broken and definitely always feeling for Haiti. I really wanted to go and help and make a change but I really didn't have the way or the money to go. A little over a year since the earthquake, I was given the opportunity to go on a missions trip with a Christian organization out of Texas to serve my God and help the people of Haiti. I was super hesitant to go because I really didn't think I was ready to help others, heck I was still struggling with a lot with myself. But being the faithful(for the most part) Christian that I am, I decided to follow God's commands and apply to go on this missions trip. I knew that if it truly was the Lord's will that I went on this trip, that he would make it happen and I would get the funds. And what do you know, God provided the funds for me to go and definitely prepared my heart for what I was about to experience. So from May 13-23 I ventured for the first time out of Canada to the beautiful country of Haiti.

Now, let's get to the good stuff! When we left for Haiti, I was continually praying for the Lord to prepare my heart. I was sure that I was prepared for what I was going to see, however, it wasn't until the plane was landing that I realize I wasn't completely prepared. I remember looking out my window as we were preparing to land and seeing all the house that were built that don't have roofs. My heart instantly broke and I found myself crying like a child on the plane. I was definitely not prepared to see and experience what was going to come over the 10 days, but I had to keep remembering that the Lord put me on this trip for a reason, and I was going to glorify him in all I was going to do on this trip.

We started off by just settling in and getting to know one another on the team. My team was absolutely amazing, and it was pretty easy for us to get to know each other. We warmed up to each other great, and acted like we had known each other for a while now. Isn't it great how God can put people in your life, and have it seem as though you have been friends for a while? That's what this was like. Don't get my wrong, it took a little bit to break the ice, but once we got to Haiti it was pretty much smooth sailing :) My group consisted of 20 University/College aged(and some a little older) missionaries, and 1 project director, so 21 in total. 19 of them were from various states in America, and 2 of us(including myself) were from Canada(Ontario)

For the most part our trip consisted of construction in the morning and ministry in the afternoon, and then just hanging out with the group, and the other missionaries on our base at night after dinner. For the first day(monday) we did construction at a camp area that had homes for people to move into when the flooding got bad. All of the houses were donated by Samaritans purse and we helped to paint the bathrooms and clean the area up. It was so fulfilling to be able to do just the smallest task at this area, knowing that someone would be able to live in these houses. Although they weren't the most ideal houses to us Canadians and Americans, but just to see how happy the people would be living in these houses is amazing. The great thing about Haiti is that people are so thankful for the smallest thing ever. A house that has 4 walls and roof and a bed makes them happy, why can't us Canadians and Americans feel the same way? I guess that we will never know.

The second and third day of construction we went up the a lady named Eve Rose's house. She is an absolutely amazing women of God and definitely has a heart for children. This lady was so full of God and was truly willing to do whatever God has called her to do. She used to live in Haiti, but then had the opportunity to move to America and teach french and at University. After sometime of that and having 12 miscarriages in her life she felt the Lord calling her back to Haiti. Once she moved back to Haiti, and the earthquake hit she adopted 20 kids who were left homeless and had no parents. Wow, amazing. Seriously, how many of you would adopt 20 random kids that you didn't even know. Now that's some serious heart she's got going on :)

The organization we worked with in Fond Parisian-Victory Compassion was helping to build her home bigger. While we were there, for the 2 days we had the opportunity to help build that house. We did simple tasks like digging so they could build a rock wall, pour concrete and level out areas to make her home safer for the children that she had at her orphanage.  It seemed as though, no matter what the task, big or small, Eve and her family were soo thankful, and that was super fulfilling. God was so good and used us through the smallest task and I think that's amazing.  The two days we did construction at Eve Rose's house in the morning, we were able to do ministry at the schools that she had down the hill from her house. It was amazing to see the kids face's light up when we walked in and got ready to do face painting, skits, games, songs, and share the good word of Jesus with them. Even though they were young and were desperate for love, they were very receptive to what we wanted to say.

The last few days that we were there we did a lot of ministry at schools. We went to elementary schools, middle schools and even highschools to share the good word. We found ourselves usually doing the same sort of service for all ages, but to see the way the kids react and to witness salvation amongst the kids was great. The first couple days we witnessed a lot of salvations among the younger kids, but once we started to do ministry with the older kids, the amount of salvations was less, but still amazing!

The amount of oppression in Haiti was HUGE and to see atleast some kids get saved, we knew we were doing what the Lord had called each and everyone of us to do. Our job was to share the Love of Christ, and witnessing kids being saved and accepting the Love of Christ was fulfilling and meant a lot us all.

While we were in Haiti, I encountered various people who Blessed me and changed my life completely. The people of my group changed my life. They showed my so much compassion and love that I hadn't recieved in my life. The people of Haiti changed my life while I was impacting them. Some of the other American's that lived on base for us were so encouraging and super inspiring. I will forever remember the people that changed my life, but I want to share with you four people(that I haven't mentioned above) that completely changed my life and will forever stick close to me.
 

 This boys name is Ethnol. He is one of the 20 children that live at Eve Rose's orphanage. While we were doing construction he was playing soccer and broke his arm. It was intense to see this little boy go through so much pain, and was definitely a situation where I wished it had of been me who broke my arm instead of him. He was such a trooper and acted so strong throughout the whole thing. I'm pretty sure this little boy knows about the Lord, but after breaking his arm, and having us pray over him, I think the Lord was something he held onto to get him through this tough time. Before he left for the hospital, one of the guys in my group have him the cross necklace he was wearing. It was inspiring and encouraging to see that Ethnol was still wearing the cross necklace Matt had given him before he left for the hospital. Through this little boy I learned strength and to always rely on the Lord, no matter what you are going through.

 The second person who completely changed my life was a little girl named Audrey. She was American and was apart of the missionary family that lived on the base we lived at. Throughout the whole trip, she became acustomed to me, and I definitely grew to love her. She is 10 years old, full of spunk and loves the Lord. She was super encouraging to me because she reminded me a lot of myself when I was her age. Although we grew up in completely different styles of home, her love for people, and desire to see the world is like me. Throughout the trip, her presence reminded me of why I was on this trip, and the people that I was meant to bless. Before I left for my trip, I would always wear a braclet that say WWJD(what would Jesus do) and it was a reminder that no matter what I do, rely on the Lord, and if Jesus wouldn't do it, then neither should I. I knew that I was going to give that braclet away, and I didn't think it would be to an American. This little girl blessed me so much, and I know she is going to great things in life, but giving her my WWJD braclet will hopefully help her to remember that no matter what she does think about what Jesus would do, and let me tell you, she is definitely living that command out.

The third person is a little girl named Vanessa. Throughout the trip I was determined to find the perfect little Haitian child to play with and love. I didn't find this little girl, instead she found me. I can remember just playing with another little girl when she came up to me and just huged me. In that moment I knew this little girl was going to change my life. She was an orphan and had to parents, and just longed to be loved. The whole time we were at this minstry site this little girl layed in my arms and just hugged me, and looked into my eyes, as if she were to say, "hold me and never let me go". That is exactly what I did. I didn't want to say goodbye to this little girl, but if she taught me anything while being with her, it is Love. She taught me just how to Love others, and how to Love the way the Lord has commanded us to.

The last person is my project director Belinda.Wow, this lady was an amazing person and so in love with the Lord. She was super encouraging and definitely challenged me to go deeper in my relationship with the Lord. She was hilarious, so full of life and was a great PD for my first missions trip, she definitely made my life in missions enjoyable. Throughout the trip I found she was super easy to talk to, and she just knew exactly what to say when I needed to hear something, even if I didn't want to hear what she had to say!

She was the type of person that always wanted us to be happy, and in good comfort.

Over the trip the love that she poured out on the Haitians was inspiring, but the love that she poured out on me was unforgettable. She showed me love like no one has ever showed me before. For my whole life I was longing for something more, for someone to love me life I deserved. She helped me realize that no matter what I am loved, that I have a purpose on this earth, and that I AM worthy of living and being loved. I am SOO thankful that she was my PD, and I wouldn't have asked for anyone better.

Overall, my time is Haiti was amazing. God showed me a multitude of things,and changed my life forever.

My prayer for the people of Haiti is that the Lord would continue to bless them emensly and that he would provide people to continue to share the Love of Christ to these Haitians.

 I definitely have a heart for Haiti, and will return there someday. When the Lord calls me back, I will be ready. When the Lord calls me to missions I will be ready. I am so ready to be used my God and to continue my life in missions.

Haiti changed my life, and I will be forever thankful for that.
I will never forget this opportunity.

Remember, God loves you, so love others like he has commanded.


Love you all.
Stephanie :)