Heart left in Haiti.

For those of you who don't know, I recently got back from a trip to Haiti, where I got to meet and teach 450 kids at VBS, feed them lunch, perform a skit, paint their school, and much more. Many people have asked what I learned on this trip, and how it changed me. This is my answer.  

Hait taught me to be joyful always. These kids walked miles in the blazing heat (and I mean BLAZING heat) just to come get a small meal and hang out with us, always with goofy smiles on their faces. They knew how to be content in anything, and expected nothing. They danced without hesitation, laughed with no reservations,  and loved without abandon. I wouldn't be outside for more then a minute before a little girl would come and grab my hand (usually by the name of Esmika), not wanting anything but to be close to me. These kids were simply happy, and it was beautiful to see Jesus in each one of them. Not that they were all angels, oh, they tested our limits more than once. But the joy they had was infectious, and stole my heart immediately. 

Haiti taught me to trust God, not me. During those 10 days I was stretched beyond what I was capable of handling. Whether it was a crying baby, conflict within the team, spiders, or just exhaustion, each obstacle made me see more and more I can't rely on myself. Because man do I blow it! But everytime, God pulled  through when I relied on Him. Despite my stubborness, He loves me and took care of me. Cuz He's amazing like that. :) 

And lastly, Haiti taught me to be more mission minded. I never saw myself as being hugely involved in misisons, and seeing what these kids go through day to day made me realize it's something I always want to be a part of. Whether in the future that looks like mission trips, adoption, locally serving, donating to missions, etc, I don't know. I DO know missions is now a passion in my life that I have never had before. The gospel isnt' something that we should be selfish with. In fact, it's something we should be constantly sharing with people. Because lets face it: when you believe that a Holy God loves inperfect you enough to send His perfect Son to die just so you could be with Him, it changes everything. <3 font="">

That's my Haiti Story, and I am forever changed.I'll leave you with some pics from the trip, these little ones are two sweet not to share. :)