Abide

Woah. I am almost speechless about the last year. Yesterday marked ONE YEAR since we arrived to the country we now call home. One year of mostly learning, one year of acquiring language, one year of adjusting to lifestyle differences and culture shock. One whole year of trying to process all the new things and the failed expectations. 

It was a good year- but it was tough.

We both have so many thoughts and things to process from the year still but its coming. On the way home, I said to Alex, "We will never be the same."

And we won't. In some ways its hard but there is so much beauty in transition. There is beauty in letting go of what was and letting transformation happen. Through this process we have been refined and we have grown. Butterflies don't just happen but instead they must endure a complete change within themselves and emerge something completely different. Meaning transformation is the beauty of the trials of transition. We have had to let go of simple comforts like air conditioning, normal amounts of power, hot showers, and learn to find comfort in the ultimate Comforter. Some of the things we dealt with were so minuscule (not flushing toilet paper or clothes air drying) and then some were truly difficult  (watching a grandmother drink some sort of voodoo powder and proceed to beat her grandchild). We are challenged daily to completely rely on God for provision and for solutions. We are not a solution to Haiti (Haiti does not need a solution), we are not a solution to the "Orphan Crisis" (which really points to POVERTY issues), we are simply not a solution...[KEEP READING]

However, we are happy to let Jesus be the solution. We have realized we cannot move the mountains ourselves but we know The One who can. We moved to Haiti a year ago to teach others to ABIDE IN LOVE, and although this year will look very different in how that happens we still feel God's calling to continue on in our mission.

I want to encourage you Dear Readers, to continue to Abide in the one who will bring you through whatever challenges you face, whatever heartache that breaks you. This is our heart, for those we encounter to ABIDE.

Stay tuned for big changes coming our way and to see how the Lord continues to move through us in Haiti. We will continue to be obedient to what He asks of us while we continue to trust and rely on Him. 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED US THIS PAST YEAR! We couldn't have done this without all of you <3