BIG CHANGES AHEAD (but exciting ones!)

“Maybe you had to leave in order to really miss a place; maybe you had to travel to figure out how beloved your starting point was.”

— Jodi Picoult

Well in case you haven't noticed, I failed TERRIBLY at posting an update once a month. Somehow I posted 1 month into being here and now here I am a week over 5 months being back in Haiti. Let me try and briefly summarize the past 4 months.


August: experienced my first heart-wrenching death at the malnutrition center. bought a full sized bed. made new friends. found a new house.

September: moved into a new house. traveled to Oregon.  traveled back to Haiti. very close friend visited for 2 weeks. settled into a new routine.

Yep got pretty burnt at the beach. 

October: set up cable. watched a lot of college football. set up internet. worked a lot of hours. changed job roles at Espwa Berlancia. found a wonderful nail salon.

November: traveled to Arizona for Night of Hope with Chances for Children. traveled back to Haiti. worked a lot. slept a little. met new friends. celebrated thanksgiving (Johnny's first Thanksgiving!). got very burnt at the beach.

December: bought a Christmas tree. listened to Christmas music. had a sleepover. put up Christmas lights. got offered a full time job at C4C. accepted said full time position. mentally prepped for the cold when I return to Oregon.
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I got to take a few of the older kids from the crèche on a special outing.

If you are paying attention to what you are reading, you read that right. I was offered a full time position in Kenscoff at Chances 4 Children which means that there will be some adjustments to be had. I will continue to volunteer my time at Espwa Berlancia one day a week - as I fully believe in what they stand for and do, but I will be at the creche (orphanage) much more than I have been the past 5 months. I am so incredibly excited about this opportunity that I have been given. I will continue doing the role I was doing previously with C4C - help with managing adoptions but I will take on added responsibilities such as managing adoption invoices, paperwork and helping the staff at the creche.

Because little nuggets in rain jackets are way too cute! 

I have been blessed to be receiving a small pay for my work at Chances 4 Children that will help with my expenses and finances extensively. I know I have many supporters who have donated money and continue to donate monthly. As I will now be paid a stipend by Chances 4 Children, I will have my basic necessities covered. If you are monthly donor and choose to discontinue your monthly donation, I completely understand. However - if you feel so called to continue your monthly donation, I would greatly appreciate it as I would like to be making larger payments on my student loans so maybe someday they will go away! Also I will have some added expenses in the next year (to be announced - but I'm sure you all can imagine!) so any extra dollar counts. PS. For all of you who are wondering, Johnny and I are doing great. We are learning and growing together - learning to love one another through a new season in our lives.

I have had amazing support over the past 5 months and I could not have survived without the financial support of some very special people. I am extremely grateful for the paid role at C4C starting in January and I look forward to continue to volunteer a little bit of my time at Espwa Berlancia.

Johnny and I posing at a friend's wedding. 

On an added bonus, I'm headed home in just about a week - to spend the holidays with my family. If you have any housesitting, babysitting or random odds and end jobs that you need help with, send me a message! I am looking for added work! :)

I love my community and I could not be doing this without everyone.