my story.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 

2 Timothy 1:9

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Many have asked, "why Haiti?", "What is it that draws you in?", "Isn't it hard?"; so I figured I would share my story. I've shared pieces but to this point, I haven't connected my world traveling and homesickness to landing in Haiti, just over a month ago. 

January 12, 2010 I was participating in a 30-hour famine in order to raise money to fight world hunger. We were camped out at church and I clearly remember turning on the TV to find the news of a deadly earthquake in Haiti. I knew very little about Haiti but I remember having an instant connection with the country and the people. There have been {and continue to be} deadly earthquakes all over the world, but there was something about Haiti that immediately drew me in. I was connected without ever actually traveling to the country. Fast forward two and a half years and i've posted "I want to go on a mission to Haiti. Someone go with me" on Facebook. This would have been almost exactly a year before ever stepping foot in Haiti and about 10 months before I even knew of the possibility to travel to Haiti. 10 months later I posted "some days (most days) I’d love to drop out of school, quit my job and move to Africa to cuddle little baby orphans. Who is coming with me?". A friend who I had traveled with on a previous mission trip texted me 45 minutes later, informing me that there was a group going from our church and inviting me to come. God was clearly preparing my heart, long before I was even approached about going to Haiti. I committed to the trip and went and it changed my life forever. 

This trip was not only eye-opening for me but I fell immediately in love with the country, the people, the culture and the land. I returned home and emailed the founder of Chances for Children, beginning the conversation of how to set up an internship or long-term placement in Haiti. I knew that is where God was calling me and where my heart was at. Through long discussions with both the staff at Chances for Children and the University of Oregon, I discovered that I could not travel to Haiti to work and receive academic credit for my time due to a travel warning that the U.S. placed on Haiti (and has had on Haiti for the past 10 or so years, off and on). Because of this information, I accelerated my studies at the U of O to finish early so I could embark on this adventure! While there have been a few challenges and things to get used to while I've been here, overall the people have been incredibly friendly and welcoming and have made the transition as easy as possible! 

Watching the kids share their food and feed each other is one on my favorite things. While the kids at our crèche are very well fed, they are still very good at sharing food with others when there is extra. 

Up until about a week and a half ago, when teams and families came to visit, they stayed in a guest house that was in the next little community down the hill from the crèche. It was about a 10-15 minute drive (depending on who drove) and I've probably made that drive hundreds of times in all my time here. A little under a week before we moved guest houses (to now be right across the street from the crèche - what a blessing!), myself and a couple with our handy tour guide, Juvenal, hiked down the mountain. There is something about walking instead of driving that provides opportunities to stop and take in all the natural beauty that surrounds us every day! 

It truly was a special time to appreciate all of God's creation. I have challenged myself since, to be more intentional to take in the beauty, whether I am on foot or car or any other mode of transportation. 

Finally, my little friend, Mr. I (or Kid President as I like to call him). He has become one of my best friends and waits for me at the gate most mornings as we arrive for the day, to then yell "Al-y-son" and LEAP into my arms!