My Passion

Most people have something that they love. For some, it's soccer, football, show choir, art, or academics. For me, it's mission work. Specifically, Haiti. Haiti has this ridiculous pull on my heart. I've been twice, and both times, it has changed me in completely different ways. Haiti has allowed me to realize God's plans for my life. It has helped me become more globally aware. It has helped me to become the person I am. 

I want to be like the Haitian people in so many ways. They are so loving and thankful; they don't resent God, even though they easily could. I will forever love Haiti. Even though I become really angry with God for giving me this love, it is a blessing. I'm thankful for the heart He gave me. I will go back to Haiti.

Here are some pictures of my crazy adventures!

This boy truly shows the happiness and gratefulness of the Haitian people. All we were doing sponsoring a Field Day for Institution Univers. In order to change the world, I have to change individual lives first.

Poverty in Haiti (and all other third-world countries) is nothing like poverty in America. They don't have unemployment benefits, welfare, social security, or medicare. They have no one except for God to help them.

 Little children in Haiti are the most precious things ever. They yell "BLANCO! BLANCO!" at white people because they think we speak Spanish like the Dominicans. You can always tell which kids haven't ever seen a white person before. They always have a scared/excited look in their eyes and they yell "BLANCO!" with more gusto than any of the other kids.

 These are the kids of The New Jerusalem Foundation. We helped these kids the first time I ever went to Haiti. I love them. Donate here: http://www.newjerusalemfound.org/

 This is my best friend. We've had all these Haitian adventures together, and we're going to go to Africa together someday.

Motorcycles in Haiti are taxis. A taxi ride costs $1. At first, I was really scared. You're getting on a motorcycle with an unknown Haitian man, who you are blindly trusting. He could easily kidnap you and do who knows what to you. But they don't. They never do.

 On our last day, we always go and visit Fort Liberte. Our second trip, we had to fit 13 people in a truck bed and 7 on the inside. Extremely entertaining.

On our way back from Fort Liberte, Hugues showed us the scenic route. We got stuck in mud... or poop. The guys pushed us out.

During our work at Univers Medical Clinic, we saw several patients that needed hysterectomies, which is where the doctor removes the uterus. This is a picture of a uterus infected with fibroid tumors. 

 JDUB, our awesome youth minister. I'm so thankful for him. Without Jason, I probably would have had an emotional breakdown on the first night of the first trip.

These are the children of the men that work at Hugues' farm. Hugues is the director and founder of IU and UMC. He has revolutionized the town of Ouanaminthe.

Friends at IU. 

 These kids were ecstatic to see "Save Haiti" written on my shoes. They loved it.

This is my favorite picture of me. Ever. One of the little girls at Alex's orphanage took it. I was so happy.

 This was our first day at The New Jerusalem Foundation. I had made a poster that said "We love you!" in Creole and French. I've never been more nervous. The man in the picture is Alex. He runs the New Jerusalem Foundation. He's the most caring man I've ever met.

This little boy had JUST been taken in by Alex. He was a street kid. Street kids are not looked upon fondly. There are hundreds of thousands of them. I want to help them all.

This was my first time riding a motorcycle in a third-world country. Since, I have done it twenty times. Riding a motorcycle in Haiti is nothing like riding a motorcycle in America though. They beep their horns at people they know, people they don't know, everything. It's a crazy mess. I love it.

On our third day in Haiti, Alex had come to pick us up. This boy was in the back of his truck. Alex had never seen him before, he had no idea how the boy had gotten there. So, we gave him food, shoes, a soccer ball, some clothes, and a toothbrush. Later, I realized that this boy embodied Jesus.

Matthew 25:40.

And last but not least, this is Momma Sheryl. She is the lady that enabled me to go to Haiti in the first place. She is my inspiration, my role model. I want to live my life like she lives hers. She is loved and known by everyone in Haiti. She has such a huge heart. I want to continue her work. I love her so much.