Now that the wedding is over, the apartment is all settled into, and summer is in full swing I've been doing some reflecting on life, just thinking about the last few years, the present, and the future. It amazes me the journey each persons life takes them and how God can use and shape every interaction we have, no matter how small, and use it for His great purpose.
September will be two years since Brian and I started dating. In the course of two years I have gone to Haiti twice, started dating Brian and subsequently married him 21 months later, and have helped two wonderful teenagers graduate from high school. There have also been many ups and downs during those two years, both personal struggles and struggles within our family. One of them being losing my grandfather in April, just 1 month before the wedding. During that time I wondered what God was doing and why he didn't allow my grandfather just one more month. It doesn't seem like a lot to ask for and I don't know the answer to my "why's" but I know that God is sovereign and I know that my grandfather is no longer suffering.Some of you know how much I love Francis Chan. When I listen to his sermons and hear the stories about how God has answered his prayers I grow amazed at how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. I also feel a discontentment stir within me as I long to have those experiences as well. I find that it's easy for myself to live day to day and get so caught up with work and life that I fail to see God at work all around me. Yet God is moving and working all the time!
As I reflect back on the last two years I've realized just how much God has been working in my life. Two years ago next week I boarded a plane to Haiti. I didn't know anyone there, I had a few facebook conversations with some of the people at Tytoo and was given lots of advie from the gentleman who had connected me to Tytoo, but other than that I was heading on my first international trip alone, not knowing who from Tytoo would be picking me up at the airport or what would be in store for me once I was there. You see, I was not supposed to be going to Tytoo that year, I was supposed to be going to visit missionaries from my church who used to live in Haiti. However, about a month and a half before I was to leave for Haiti to spend two weeks with them their daughter had a medical crisis that brought them back to the states. During this period of uncertainty there was much questioning of God as to why it seemed He was leading me to Haiti and now it seemed He was closing that door. There was also much praying and I distinctly remember praying and asking God to bring someone into my life that I could serve with. Bring another person who loved serving God as much as I did. Someone who had similar passions. I remember just crying out to God during this time of uncertainty and frustration and asking for a friend and specifically telling him that I was not asking for a boyfriend, just a friend, someone who I could do life with. Someone who would want to travel to Haiti and wherever else God might lead. And God brought me Brian. Even though I didn't know what I needed at that time, He did.
In the every day simple details as well as in much bigger ways that I could ever imagined God is ever moving and working. I love seeing how God works things out in miraculous ways, Last year I had the opportunity to go to Haiti again and meet Tausha Pearson and work with her organization Haiti Mama. I've never seen poverty to that extent and yet to see and hear the hope that the families who are a part of Haiti Mama have is both humbling and amazing. Since my return from Haiti last year I've been able to hold a fundraiser for Haiti Mama and join their board of directors. I am so humbled and amazed how God used a family at my church who followed God to Haiti and had to cut their stay there short to lead me to take the step to go to Haiti and ultimately through God's providence end up working with two amazing organizations, Tytoo Gardens and Haiti Mama.I know I have much work to do to be a person who is constantly aware of how God is moving and working in my life and to be willing to continually take that step of faith and walk on water with him (so hard as I love my comfort zone!!). My current journey has lead me to places I've never dreamed of, places that would never be on my five or ten year plan if I had one. Right now, I am learning to trust and lean on God in EVERY circumstance. Currently I am working on fundraising to help provide a steady income for Tausha so she and her family can continue to stay and work in Haiti to ensure that children are not living on the streets, families are empowered, and children with disabilities are not being neglected in orphanages that are sub par at best. I am so passionate about supporting Haiti Mama because I have seen their outcomes and I know that they are making a difference, I hate asking people for money (it's so awkward sometime and out of my comfort zone) but if anyone is interested in supporting Tausha and Haiti Mama I would be happy to share more with you. Or you can check out these websites to learn more: http://www.haitimama.org/tausha and http://www.haitimama.org/. Or join their facebook page to learn more and see how God is working and moving in Haiti through Haiti Mama: https://www.facebook.com/haitimama/?fref=ts
Please take two minutes to watch the video below to learn more and then check out the links above to learn how you can help:
I'm thankful for the good and bad in my life because I know God has used them and will continue to use me as He sees fit. I'd love to hear how God is working in your life or if there is something I can be praying for you for, Please feel free to message me. Also, if you'd like more info on Haiti Mama I'd be happy to share more about that as well. :-)
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