Haiti

My trip to Haiti was so good. I had a wonderful time and I really want to go back! It is a beautiful country and the people there are so nice and they all need so much. I still have culture shock or as Steve put it "missions trip let-down" and have a hard time going back to my mundane work here at home. As my dad reminded me that "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31) I am reminding myself of that verse as I go along in my work day.

I am seriously ready to go back to Haiti or go to another country. I so loved serving other people and forgetting about myself. It's amazing how good you can feel when you aren't thinking about yourself. I am so glad I went on this trip, it was better than anything I could have imagined for this month. I learned a lot and God totally changed my heart towards His people, missions, life, and people in different countries. My favorite moment in Haiti was seeing the Haitians and Americans worshiping the same God. All we were singing was Hallalujah but it was so beautiful. I thought of the verse where every tribe and tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I was with people who mostly didn't speak my language but one day in heaven we will all speak the same language, isn't that awesome?! I was blown away with that and humbled, too.

Some first time experiences:

Going to Haiti :)

Riding in the back of a grain truck all the way from the Port au Prince airport to the mission (this is standing up and holding on for dear life with luggage piled everywhere)

Swimming in the Caribbean--so wonderfully warm

Eating goat meat and liking it!

Having spaghetti for breakfast and cream of wheat/oatmeal for supper

Hiking to a church in Sunday clothes and hiking back up the mountain

Tasted Haitian coffee (very, very sweet coffee)

Eating freshly cooked crab--oh sooo good!

Hearing and speaking a little creole

Reffing a soccer game for the first time in my life!!!

Some memorable memories:

Grabbing clothes off the line at camp while it is pouring down rain and then running in the rain

Riding in the back of trucks and having the wind blow your hair

Not getting sick or Haitian Happiness :)

Eating different foods and trying them all and liking most everything--that was exciting!

Waking up hot and sweaty and going to bed hot and sweaty

Swimming--so refreshing and such a blessing from the heat (I couldn't wait for swim time to come!!)

Talking with the Haitians and learning about their lives

Reffing a soccer game--craziness!

One day I was reading my bible out by the sea and little Elisabeth Lieb came and just sat by me, she didn't say anything just sat right next to me, it was so precious and sweet

Singing "Chante pa nou" (I don't think that's how you spell it, oh well) at all the meal times. And singing it back and forth from the guys and girls cabin late one night. That was all thanks to Dave Way.

Many other more memories that I can't remember right now! When I do remember them I'll write em down.

Life this week has been ok. I think I caught some sort of bug or something because Sunday through kinda yesterday I didn't have any appetite and I was super tired. Today was the first day that I actually felt like really eating!! Hopefully I'm getting back to normal now. The trip was wonderful! I'm ready to sign up for another one and go out on the mission field! :)