Tell the Story

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][vc_column_text]As the stateside liaison for the Haiti 323 Project, I have the unique privilege and honor to tell you what God is doing in Haiti through this ministry, and in doing so, it is my desire to always give Him all the glory. My sincere hope is that you will be blessed by these stories just as I was blessed in hearing Lonnie Riley's stories about what God was doing in Appalachia. So it is with great excitement that I look forward to telling you how God:

• Changes lives
• Transforms families
• Provides everything we need
• Shows his great love
• Reconciles people to Himself

Just like Steven Curtis Chapman's, "Glorious Unfolding" song, this is just "the beginning of the beginning." Stay tuned - the best is yet to come!

Interested in being a part of the story? Please visit our Needs page to learn how you can partner with us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Haiti 323 Project Is Born

My first trip to Haiti in October 2012 was a remarkable experience. In some ways, it is hard to put into words. I felt both despair and hope. Deep sadness and great joy. Fear and peace. But, more than anything, I felt God's presence. He was there, just as He is here - whether we realize it or not.

I've visited Port-de-Paix three times on short-term trips. By going back to the same location, I have been blessed to become friends with Larry and Diana Owen, many Haitians - both youth and adults - and my fellow "Haiti Mateys" (other trip participants). It was on my 2013 trip that I felt called to do something more, although I wasn't quite sure what.

Through a series of conversations and many prayers, the Haiti 323 Project was born. The 323 stands for Colossians 3:23 which says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

I chose this verse, because it talks about the importance of working for the Lord regardless of occupation. I felt like this verse tied in nicely with the Haiti 323 Project's purpose of  providing vocational training, through sewing and apprenticeship programs, in Port-de-Paix.

The Northwest region of Haiti lacks many educational and vocational training opportunities. This project will help fill the gap by providing much needed training so program participants can secure good paying jobs to provide for themselves and their families. In addition to vocational training, the Haiti 323 Project will continue spreading the Gospel and showing God's love among the Haitian people.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Where I Was Meant To Be

Saturday, October 10, 2012. My life changed that day. It was the day my husband and I saw Haiti for the first time on a short-term mission trip with our church. We flew from Miami to Port-au-Prince, which is about a 2 hour flight. As we started our decent, Port-au-Prince came into full view. In a mix of anticipation and apprehension I started to think to myself, "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

The airport was chaotic. It was only two years after the massive earthquake so it was under construction. We met Larry Owen for the first time, and he waited with us for what seemed like eternity (I think it was closer to 5 hours) for our flight to Port-de-Paix on Tortuga Air. It felt like 100 degrees in the airport. There were a few fans, but no air conditioning.

The plane ride was kind of scary, but I was convinced we wouldn't crash because I believed I was supposed to be in Haiti.

We landed on the Port-de-Paix runway about an hour later. The runway is actually just a wide gravel road that functions as a regular road when planes aren't landing or taking off. It was a surprisingly smooth landing.

Once we landed, we made our way to Larry's little white pickup truck. As we walked,  we were bombarded with kids who seemed genuinely happy to see us. I didn't know who these kids were at first, but later learned they were the Waves of Mercy church kids.

We loaded into the back of the truck and headed to Larry and Diana's home a few miles away. That truck ride was like nothing I had ever experienced. All I remember were cars and motorcycles driving in every which direction and lots of horns honking. I later learned that drivers honk to signal passing.

It was a whirlwind ride. I wish I could remember more about it, but it was such an overwhelming experience that my mind really couldn't process it.

When we reached their home, Diana had silent night playing on a CD player. In the midst of what seemed like chaos all around me, this song calmed my soul, and I knew this is where I was meant to be. I wasn't sure why, but I would soon find out.

The photo above is a group picture in front of the Waves of Mercy church in Port-de-Paix.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]