I hope that my blog can give a little insight into what it is like to live and work in missions. But, I only have my limited experience and I don’t even understand that. I can’t explain it to anyone because I can’t explain it to myself.

Everyday is a pro/con list of reasons I am sad and glad to be here. The pro side of the list includes things like getting to work in flip flops, experiencing another culture, occasional beach days, and tropical weather. The con side includes things like missing my family, forfeiting my independence, no Taco Bell, and tropical weather.

The pro list always trumps the con list though with one simple line item: Peace that I am being obedient to God’s direction. There is no point in finishing the list after that.

And I am finding so many unexpected pro’s along the way! Most of them are people.

I didn’t know moving here would connect me to a network of other young independent men and women from the US and Canada, all living in Haiti temporarily or permanently because they too felt the Holy Spirit guide them here. Though we come from diverse backgrounds, we are united in our pursuit of Jesus and in that shared experience of obedience to a call. They are my Bible Study friends, pizza-splitting companions, a link to familiarity, and wonderful humans in a general sense.

I have gotten closer to my Healing Haiti colleagues, both Americans and Haitians. To say our work arrangement is complicated is an understatement, for sure! We are a huge conglomerate of paid employees and volunteers from across the US and Haiti, all working remotely and sometimes together to keep the ministry healthy and moving forward. I am grateful for each of them.

I have been blessed to develop deeper friendships with some of  the members of EKS, our church volunteer group. They teach me about the culture here and share their dreams for Haiti and Titanyen.

I am honored by the elders I get to serve. When they ask me if I have children, I joke and say, I have a cat and many “ti granmoun”. That is basically saying little old men or little old ladies, but it is meant to be endearing, not condescending. It seems appropriate as several of them call me mama now.

Unfortunately for my cold heart, many of the children in Cite Soleil have weaseled their way into my affections. I cannot get enough of them, and I love seeing how their community is changing because of the work of the church there.

Many of the children who live at Grace Village have become very dear to me as well. I’m not supposed to pick favorites, but there are a select few that I feel as close to as if they were my own nieces/nephews. We still have communication barriers, but I would do anything I could for them.

I came here as a step of obedience, and I am continuing to take steps. I still have peace to be here, and I have peace that God will continue to provide.

I am back to fundraising as I have decided to stay on another year in Haiti. Many of you know that next year I’m hoping to spend about a third of the year in the states and two-thirds in Haiti, but I will continue to work with the elders and EKS.

I do need money to be able to do it, and I am here as a donor-sponsored volunteer. As of this coming October, I am sitting about $1,000 short of meeting my monthly budget. If you feel your steps being guided toward keeping mine moving, here is my donation link: http://donate.healinghaiti.org/sponsorships/support-katie-missionary

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

Psalms 37:23-24