A New Chapter of Life

If life is a journey, God seems to take us down little paths and then turn us onto a different road at some point. Sometimes we don’t understand at the time, but He sees the big picture.

I have entered into a new chapter of my life. I am now a sophomore in college and an International Studies major. God has continued to give me new experiences on the mission field. I have spent a week in Mexico, a week in Haiti, and 4.5 weeks in Guatemala City. In early 2015, I hope to travel to Ecuador for 10 days. In late 2015, I hope to return to Haiti.

I have been thinking a lot about the Hope Hill project. God used that initiative to teach me SO many things! And since returning from Haiti, I have raised over $25,000 for La Montagne. But lately I’ve been sensing that God is calling me personally in another direction. I believe He has wired me to work in different cultures, in different seasons of my life.

I also believe that right now He is calling me to focus on my studies and the mission opportunities He’s given me. With that, I have decided to close this fundraiser and website for now. All the funds that have been raised for Hope Hill will be entrusted to A Child’s Hope—the organization I have partnered with in Houston, which is preparing to build the orphanage and academy that is so needed in La Montagne. I may still post updates from Haiti on this blog, but it will be about what A Child’s Hope is doing down there.

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has prayed for and financially contributed to this project! God is working in Haiti, and I can’t wait to see what He does in the next few years. You can learn more about A Child’s Hope here: http://www.achildshope.org/

God bless y’all! Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. J

God's Plan > Mine

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD.

‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

Isaiah 55:8-9

I was supposed to go back to Haiti this summer. It was the second year in a row I had planned to return. But God closed the door again. I don’t understand why He hasn’t allowed me to return to one of the countries I love so dearly. But I have peace knowing my God does nothing without reason. I trust that one day, in His perfect timing, I will return to my beloved Haiti.

2014 Summer Mission Trips

As many of you know, I am helping lead two summer mission trips to Haiti for A Child’s Hope this summer! I have posted some of the details below. If any of you are interested in going on one of these trips, please let me know ASAP!

Where: La Montagne, Haiti

When: August 3-8, 2014 and August 11-16, 2014

What: Construction projects, sports ministry, VBS

Cost: $1,800-$2,100

Commitment Date: MAY 1^ST, 2014

A Child's Hope

The second annual “A Child’s Hope” charity gala went well! Instead of writing up another post, you can go here to read all about it! J

Upcoming Gala!

It’s that time of year again! The time for the 2^nd Annual Charity Gala for A Child’s Hope! At the inaugural event last year, an incredible amount of funds were raised, and it was an all-around smashing success.

I would encourage any of you who are able to, to attend this gala! You’ll have the opportunity to learn about what’s going on in Haiti on La Montagne, discover the vision of “A Child’s Hope,” and more!

Gala tickets can be purchased here!

Christmas Update

It has been far too long since I posted an update here. Please accept my sincerest apologies! There are not good excuses.

 

This past year has been full of surprises for me. I thought that I would have surely returned to Haiti by now. I thought I would have helped lead a short term missions team there through A Child’s Hope. I thought I would have finished raising the money for Hope Hill. I thought ACH would have broken ground for their academy already.

 

But I am so thankful to serve a God who is omniscient (all knowing.) His plan is always better than mine. My understanding is finite!

 

So what is happening in 2014? I continue to raise funds for A Child’s Hope. So far, $25,000 out of $70,000 has been raised. We’re only $10,000 away from the halfway mark! Even though the fundraising has gone slower than I expected, God has continued to provide.

 

I also hope to return to Haiti this summer, if God keeps the doors open. He so clearly closed the doors this past year. But I trust that He has burdened my heart for a reason, and I am willing to follow after Him wherever that leads. I am praying that He leads me back to Haiti sometime this year. J

 

A Child’s Hope continues to press on in their fundraising efforts. The money raised for Hope Hill is ultimately going towards their effort in Haiti, because we are working together for the same goal. ACH is planning their 2^nd Annual Fundraising Gala in Houston, TX for April 4^th. If you are interested in attending, you can visit their website and purchase tickets here.

 

Thank you all for your continued prayers for this initiative! I cannot wait to see how God works in 2014.

Update on the Gala

Talking about the Summer Missions trips through A Child’s Hope with some of the guests at the Gala.

Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers for the gala this past weekend! It was so clear that we were covered in prayer. First, we did NOT get lost driving through Dallas and Houston. We made it to Houston on time, and to the ballroom where the event was being held on time. We were able to get everything set up and have a happy reunion with the missionaries a few hours before the gala started. :-) It was SO good to see them both again after so many months!

 

I was a bit nervous about how things would go, but the gala was a smashing success. We had over 300 guests, and the amount of money raised for A Child's Hope far exceeded our hopes and expectations. God is so good!

 

I also had the opportunity to talk with a fair number of people at my booth about our summer missions trips. Please pray that God would continue to raise up people who will come and serve with us on the ground in Haiti.

 

I'm afraid I don't have time to give a more detailed update, but I thought you'd like you know how things went (you can read more about the gala by clicking here.) Thank you so much for your prayers for this event!

 

Gala Coming Up

This past month has flown by, filled with preparations for the upcoming fundraising gala for “A Child’s Hope.” As the trip coordinator, I have been quite busy completing a number of projects in preparation. I have communicated extensively with travel agents, the missionary, the President of ACH, and others to calculate the cost to send teams down to Haiti. I have also designed a brochure to promote the trips, and created all the forms people need to fill out to apply for our trips.

Even though there was a bit of stress and adrenaline in trying to complete all of that in just 3 weeks, I had so much fun doing all of it! I enjoy being so involved with Haiti while still being able to stay at home and keep up with my homeschool studies. I am also really looking forward to being back in Haiti this summer!

So please be in prayer this weekend for the gala. Pray that many people would come, many would apply for our two trips this summer; that I would be able to answer all the questions that will come my way, and that the fundraising aspect would be a success. And that we don’t get lost in Houston. J I look forward to posting an update sometime next week!