Home again!

I'm home!  Getting back to Haiti has been a whirlwind:  Two flights, sleeping overnight in the airport, a third flight, and then riding in the back of the truck to Gonaives...in total 31 hours in transit!

I'm finally here in Gonaives safe and sound, however, I still feel a bit like I am in transit.  At the end of last school year, I decided to move to a new apartment with a friend.  Currently, most of my belongings are in boxes and bags at my old apartment waiting to be moved.  So, that means I'm living out of a suitcase and in lots of unorganized clutter temporarily until I can move and unpack all of my belongings.

Being back in Haiti with all my Haitian, American, and Canadian loved ones has been great!  Most of us just arrived back from our summer breaks in the U.S. That means there is lots of catching up and story telling to do, not to mention a wedding celebration tomorrow for Chris and Grace!  It has been great to see all of my students' smiling faces in Jubilee and get lots and lots of hugs.  I made the rounds today in Jubilee and stopped in to visit several families near the school.  They all made sure to give me a hard time for being away too long.  It is nice to be missed.

I'm trying to keep up with all the excitement and changes.  On top of that, my body is trying to adjust to the Haitian summer heat and humidity.  The heat index today was a whopping 135 degrees Fahrenheit.  With such intense heat, simply walking around feels like it requires so much energy and you drip in sweat even when you're sitting still.  

 Craziness aside, it is oh so good to be home! 

Why I do what I do...

Transition time is always difficult for me.  When I need a pick me up or a reminder of why I put myself through the torture of saying goodbye to my American friends and family each year, I just look at these faces as a reminder.

It is impossible to not want to return to Haiti when I know these precious ones are in Jubilee waiting for school to start!  I can't wait to hug my kids and see how they have changed over the summer months!

Letter to My Loved Ones

Dear friends and family,

I'm writing this letter express to you how angry I am at all of you.  How dare you make my transitions from the US back to Haiti so difficult?!  You just can't resist being so darn kind and loving.  I go off to Haiti for months at a time and whenever I come back, you just keep welcoming me with open arms as if I never left.

You make me laugh until my stomach hurts.  You give me advice.  You listen to my crazy stories and emotional rants.  You are generous and kind.  You make me smile all summer long.  You invite me into your homes and treat me like family.  You let me crash on your couches, floors, basements, or wherever you have space.

Do you have any idea how much all those things hurt me when it is time to leave??  After three years of living in Haiti, I would have hoped that by now I could come and go easily, but you just won't let that happen!  Each and every goodbye hurts in a place deep inside of me, and it is all your fault.  You make me feel so loved and blessed that it physically pains me when its time for me to return to Haiti.  How dare you do that to me!  I will miss you all more than you know, even if I am mad at you ;)

Love,
Kate

Almost time!

Hello friends!  It has been quite some time since I've found myself writing a blog update.  To those of you who frequently read my posts, I apologize!

This summer has been a crazy whirlwind for me.  I arrived in the US at the end of June, and I'm already packing up to return to Haiti.  I have been living with my very dear generous friends for the past 8 weeks.  I've been spending my days working with kids at a therapeutic day camp and my evenings with friends and family.  Some of the highlights from my summer were quality time with my family,

spending time with my best friend, her husband, and their daughter,

running a 5K Color run,

boating with friends on the river,

seeing a Phillies game,

and uncontrollable laughter with good friends friends.

This week is my last week in PA so I will be trying to enjoy every last second with my loved ones.  One thing that Haiti does is make me appreciate everything about beautiful Pennsylvania and my little hometown.  I will certainly miss it more than words can say!

Next Tuesday, I will travel to Nebraska to spend a week visiting friends, including the principal of my school in Haiti.  On August 27th, she and I will fly back to Haiti together to begin the new school year!  Prayers are welcome as I'm not sure if I'm ready to take on the new school year yet!

I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that my summer has come and gone so quickly.  There just never seems to be enough time.  There are still a number of friends and family that I wish I had time to see before I leave.  If I did not get to see you during my time in the states, please know that you are loved!

If you are interested in supporting me financially, please click here  or email me for more information!  I'm flying back to Haiti with a one way ticket and only 20% of the money that I will need for the year.  I'm doing my best to remain faithful and trust in the Lord to provide!

More updates are soon to come!  I pray that you are all well and had a wonderful blessed summer!