Every Thursday night the prompt goes up and #fmfparty slows down. We write. We breathe out our hearts, sharing the hurts and the joys and splitting hearts and words wide open. But tonight is a little something extra!
I’m visiting at Kate’s place via a video hangout with Asheritah. Talking and cameras are *so* not my thing – but the invitation to talk about and hang out for 5 minutes? I couldn’t resist. And hey, they even told me I have a southern accent so #WINNING. Come join us?
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Almost twelve months ago I wrote about the word choose. That word turned to Haiti and told the story of tickets and spur of the moment, very unlike-my-normal-self decisions to choose to go and hope I’ll fly.
I didn’t have anything tying me to Haiti and I had no idea what the country could hold for me. I didn’t know what I could give to her.
But I chose to go.
God is sending me back. In March. Tickets are being purchased, shot records are being requested, and I don’t even have a duffel bag to pack in because the dog peed on and then ate my bags the last go ’round. (Is that TMI? It was a rough moment in Haiti, friends. A real rough moment.)
I’m unprepared and so prepared and then completely a joyous mess because there’s no way to fully be ready. You can never be ready, not really. You can pack your bags and sign the papers and walk onto the plane but you don’t know what God has in store or how every time you try to bless someone your blessing will be doubled, tripled, and poured back onto you.
It’s a glorious mystery.
This time it’s different. I have time to plan and prepare and anticipate. There was no big, rushed decision to choose to go. But I believe deep in my heart that He’s sending me for more.
Haiti isn’t finished with me yet. She has countless stories still waiting to be told. There are faces lit up with joy so sure, so deeply rooted, and they’re waiting to smile and love places deep within me that America tends to soak dry. There are painful, heartbreaking waiting to be told.
He’s sending me. From sharing in one Five Minute Friday post to another, it could look a lot the same. Same country, same girl, same organization. But this time? I’m taking you with me.
We’re going together, friends. To listen to the stories and to hear the singing and the loud clapping that I swear is heaven on earth. To watch the little girls run fast down those dirt roads and to feel their hands slip so quietly and effortlessly into our own open palms.
He is not done. There’s more to the story. Haiti is more than a country living under blue tarps.
They are pure, unbridled joy.
She is the land of the always allelujah.
I can’t wait to take you along.
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More to come… in the mean time, a few stories from my time there?
When God Teaches You How To Read
I appreciate your transparency, Kaitlyn! Even the part about the dogs destroying your bags. :)
It is truly amazing the way God works and amazing what happens when His people follow His plan. Thank you for sharing your story with us and allowing us the joy of seeing Haiti through your eyes. Prayers for your journey.
Can’t wait. :)
Kaitlyn – I am soooo excited for you, and excited that you are “taking us along”! I have never been there; never been “sent” on a mission trip – but I am excited to hear your stories and see the videos. They are a beautiful people and so happy and satisfied with what they have…nothing like us who can’t seem to get enough to be happy…thank you for sharing your excitement for the trip; and look forward to reading the stories!!
Looking forward to taking you along, Barbara. :) It’ll be an adventure and I can’t wait to see what God has for us and how we can be a blessing as well.
God bless you!!! And help you find ways to continue bless the lives of others
Looking forward to traveling with you and reading your stories. Blessings as God prepares you to go, and equips you to be there.
And *I’m* looking forward to tell the stories! Happy to have you here today, Julie.
Oh boy, I have always wanted to go to Haiti. Can’t wait to “go” with you and hear all the stories.
Well girl, I’ll do my best to take you along via blog posts and videos and stories. :)
How exciting, Kaitlyn! And you’re right. We can do all the planning for an amazing trip like that, but only God knows where the steps will lead, the experiences He’ll unwrap while you’re there. I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventure!
Can’t wait to “take you along” on the journey!
I’ll be with you all the way through your journey. How you describe the joy there is wonderful. I’m always amazed, when I travel in places such as Haiti, how very much more joy the people there find – and celebrate – in their world(s). Love how you also picked up on that and reflect that out towards your readers. [It feels like you’re going to be doing something project-based? Hope I’m right….]
The joy there is something so deep it’s hard to put into words. So few material possessions, so much joy in their lives. It is such a challenge to me.
We’re still figuring out details of exactly what will be happening while we’re there. Our focus is to build relationships while also helping them with things like medical care and clean water. They are fully capable and so smart, they just need a little help.
I’m joining the crowd to tag along to Haiti with you!
Yay! It will be an adventure!
Praying for you and the lives you will touch while you are there.
Thank you, Amy. I appreciate every single prayer.
What an exciting Y-E-S! And to be returning so you kind of know what to expect but not really. Please keep sharing about your trip. It’s sure to be a blessing for you and the children.
I’m thrilled! Unsure of what it will hold, but sure that it will stretch me. Looking forward to sharing more of Haiti’s stories here!
What a great adventure He is sending you on! I’m looking forward to following along with you!
What a wonderful calling, I hope it’s amazing! You write really beautifully. :) Wishing you all the best out there. Claire (visiting from FMF)
So glad you visited, Claire! I appreciate your kind words!
I can’t wait to go with you. Your heart and your words are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them both with the people of Haiti. Loved this!
Thank you for writing this tonight, “You can pack your bags and sign the papers and walk onto the plane but you don’t know what God has in store.” My post is a bit similar as He is sending me somewhere else, but I’m fighting it. Thanks for your example and the reminder to choose to go. :) And loved seeing you and hearing your voice via the video for FMF.
Go, go, go! Even in the hard spaces, if it’s where He wants you then it’s the best place to be.
I’m so glad that you’re getting sent back :). May God prepare your heart and your mind for what HE has in mind on this next trip.
ME TOO. :)
Thank You for taking us with you. The stories I’ve heard of Haiti are so deep and rich but yet she is still broken and her story needs to continue to be told. Thank you for letting God send you there!!
That is such a great way to put it, Tara.. Deep and rich but still broken. The stories are waiting to be told!
How wonderful! So excited for you and can’t wait to hear more about this trip!
I will be lifting you up as you prepare for this trip. Thank you for being obedient to God’s call on your life and for sharing the journey with us! Can’t wait to read your stories.
I appreciate every single prayer!
Can’t wait to come and hang out in Haiti with you Kaitlyn :) How exciting! #FMFParty
I can’t wait to see Haiti through your eyes and experience all that the Lord has in store for your trip
Awesome. I can not wait to hear your stories. Hugs, Melinda