My one month anniversary in Haiti

Today is my one month anniversary serving in Haiti.  Much like a new marriage there has been challenging times of adjusting to a new life and there has been moments of pure delight that remind me of the vow I made.  My memorable experiences have been:   the Haitan workers and kids laughing as I struggle to hand wash my clothes the Haitan way (I looked pitiful, so they all helped me), it was very humbling to have those 9 years old and under do what I could not do.  My times with the teens on the roof, in my room and on walks have been precious.  Seeing the kids from the community at the feeding program accept Jesus in their hearts just amazing.  Movie night with the staff was just what I needed to relax more.  Worship time with the teens in the girls home always makes me feel very much at home in the presence of the Lord.  There are so many more experiences in Haiti that I treasure in my heart.  I do feel like family here amongst the Haitans and the Child Hope staff.  I am very grateful to God for using my life this way.  I am so blessed and I have a lot to celebrate!!!

Haitibound

As I prepare to move and serve in Haiti on Saturday, August 1, 2010 I think about the evening I got baptized.  I was so thankful that Jesus gave me a brand new life.  I captured this special event in a photo wearing my white dress symbolic of purity.  There is so much joy in my heart as I begin a lifelong journey in Haiti.  On January 4, 2010  I made the decision to leave the 9 to 5 (permanent status) work environment to have a more flexible schedule that would allow me to help communities, families and individuals.  This was just 8 days before the earthquake that took place that year in Haiti.  I was unaware of the details of my calling but knew I was called to a great work for the Lord and His Kingdom.  I love how God works.  He is so purposeful in His ways!  I am so grateful that God presented Haiti to me and has chosen to use me in this way.  My journey to Haiti has been an amazing experience.  I have met people that have poured into my life, invested in me and were inspired in some way by acceptance of the call to Haiti.  I have connected with family and friends that added to my personal and spiritual growth.  All I can say is “WOW” I haven’t landed on Haiti soil yet and already my life has been soaring with God’s powerful presence.  I will forever love and be grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has made it possible to live the life I now live.

Be a part of my story

There are people who have been a part of my life story and ministry calling.  I am grateful to those that have sowed into my childhood and my adulthood.  As I prepare to serve in Haiti I am asking you to personally be a part of the continuation of my story.  I want you to prayerfully consider becoming one of my monthly sponsors that will support my services in Haiti.  God and I are looking at your heart not your amount.  I am encouraged by all who have decided to give and all those that God is inspiring to give.  I am including a link for online giving, which has the option to select monthly support.  I want to thank you in advance for your prayers!!!

Sponsorship

Time to share more

As I am preparing to share in public settings this month about my journey to Haiti I am constantly inspired by God and His Word.  I can feel God’s heartbeat when I think of the children in Haiti.  This is a very special time in my life.  I am able to see how this journey to Haiti began almost 24 years ago when foreign mission work was first placed on my heart.  Life experiences and years of service in ministry have seasoned me for such a time and for such a call as this.  What an awesome and amazing God I love and serve.  The sharing begins this week!!!  Praying God inspires those that have an ear to hear!

The moment your life changes

I remember my salvation experience in 1993.  It was a night that I had serious questions.  It was at that moment that I knew there was more to life than what I was living.  I made a lifestyle decision that night which led me to a passion for the Word of God and service in Jesus name.  I have never regretted my decision to give my life to the Lord.  My recent decision to live and serve in Haiti was much like my salvation experience.  I found myself asking God how do you want to use my life.  I cried out to Him as I longed to be used in a greater way.  I desired to be purposeful in my living.  I felt called to serve in another country in my early twenties.  Throughout my life I went on short term mission trips to Mexico, Ireland, South Africa and Hungary.  I remained prayerful about the timing and location of my permanent home abroad.  One wonderful evening in April 2013 my Pastor’s wife Inga-Lill Guzik invited me over for dinner in response to my request for prayer about serving in the mission field. I felt a strong presence of the Lord as she spoke about Haiti.  Tears of joy fell as my heart said the word “home”.  From that point on things began to move and very quickly.  I went to the Haiti Celebration at Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara that next day and met the staff and missionaries from CHILD HOPE in Port au Prince.  With each conversation and video clip that night my heart looked forward to serving there.  My friends Angelo and Mary Saragosa immediately invited me to join them in Haiti, we left 6 days later with hope and excitement about what the Lord was going to do on this trip.  My first impression at Port au Prince airport was how lovely that a Haitan band is playing for the travelers as they get off their flight.  My heart was leaping and dancing.  I noticed the extreme poverty right away and knew there was a place for me.  The children moved me to compassion and automatic commitment of service.  The staff became my instant new family and the local missionaries an extension of that family.  My journey began when the Lord heard my cry and answered my prayer.