{rice, beans & love}

All four years of college I lived four hours away from home, only seeing my family once every two months or so. Living in Haiti now, knowing that an ocean separates me from all the ones that I love, can be overwhelming at moments and makes me miss my family more than before. I was use to having my mom on speed dial, but now I have to sit in a certain place on the stairs to get a good connection to call home. 

After two months, my family finally came a week ago this past Sunday and we have been having a great time together. Last Friday we were able to have a day at the beach. It was so refreshing to be able to relax and “be still.” I reflected on the past three years and all the amazing things that have happened in our families’ life here in our new home we call Haiti. We also continue to plan great things to come in the future.

After weeks of asking “is Papi Dell coming today?” Jeffte was so excited to see everyone. This is everyone’s first time meeting Lovenson, too, and they have quickly fallen in love.

My “to do” list for the family has kept us pretty busy. We started painting the new school building, Luke and Ethan built new school benches, we have made the final plans for the school’s kitchen, and have taken lots of new pictures for the sponsorship program. We spent an afternoon delivering presents to children who are sponsored in our program. More than ever, I see purpose and meaning in our work to love and serve the people of Simonette and surrounding villages. 

When my dad took us on our first mission trip to Haiti three summers ago, I never would have imagined that this would be my life. I was quite content going about my selfish ways as a 20-year-old, but Haiti changed me. And now, I’m so blessed to be a part of a family whose mission is to be Jesus’s hands and feet. Beyond that, I feel even more blessed that my family can be so involved and supportive in the calling I feel in my life to serve in Haiti.

Grandma may not be able to speak the same language as her grandchildren, but we sure are one big happy family.