Just Love

This week, I have really felt like God is leading me to write this post.  Many people have been pretty shocked to hear that I am willing pack up and move to Haiti for three months.  Yes, it may seem shocking and hard to understand for a non-Christian.  However, I believe that as Christians this shouldn't be quite so shocking.  We are called by God to be servants...to love "the least of these".  God does not care how beautiful and large our church BUILDING is if we the church BODY are empty and lukewarm.  In talking to people about going to Haiti, I've heard many people say, "Well, better you than me.  I'm glad there are people out there who want to do that kind of thing."  That breaks my heart.  Anyone could do what I am planning on doing.  I am nothing special.  I struggle.  I doubt.  I mess up.  But, Jesus hung on a cross and gave up his life to save mine.  My broken and pitiful life is worth THAT MUCH to him. 

So, for me going to Haiti is an easy choice.  This is what I signed up for when I gave my life to Jesus.  All I want to do is serve Him.  That is what we should all want for our lives.  Maybe your calling is not to travel to another country.  What is important is that you listen and obey His calling for your life.  God has HUGE plans for all of us.  I read a quote from Louie Giglio, "I hope my dreams don't come true simply because they were too small to begin with."  Personally, I couldn't be more thankful that my "dreams" didn't come true.  They were nothing compared to what God has planned for my life.  So, stop dreaming and watching other people serve God.  Just go do it!  It's not hard, and you don't have to travel to the ends of the earth.  Just love others.  Plain and simple.  Show others Jesus by showing them love in ANY situation.  Whether they are friends or enemies...just show them unconditional and uncomplicated love.

1 Corinthians 13

 ¹ If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;^[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
 ⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
 ⁸ Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages^[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! ⁹ Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! ¹⁰ But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless.
 ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. ¹² Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.^[c] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
 ¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Safe

Check out this great blog post!!  Safe

About me!

Hi guys!  I'm Katie.  Thanks for reading my blog and supporting me in this crazy thing called life!

I am doing my best to be more like Jesus each day, but I mess up...a lot.  On my worst days, I am moody, self centered, materialistic, spiteful, stubborn, and selfish.  On my best days, I am compassionate, giving, empathetic, selfless, and loving.

Things that I love: children, puppies, Haiti, tea, The Bible, sleeping in, TOMS shoes, The Office, music, summer nights, laughing uncontrollably, the beach, sweatpants, sunshine, road trips, reading blogs, sweets, serving others, hammocks, traveling, learning new things, a good thunderstorm, games, arts and crafts, speaking Haitian Creole, visiting new places, campfires, making friends, singing in the shower, hiking, relaxing, a good book, driving with the windows down and the music turned up, rain boots, lazy days, my dog Jake, my family and friends, and most importantly GOD!

Things that I am not so fond of: tomatoes, ending a good dream, cheaters, winter, getting my socks wet, selfishness, alarm clocks, lukewarm Christians, goodbyes, waiting, being alone, seafood, poverty, living in fear, buying gas, cigarette smoke, washing dishes, getting out of bed in the morning, wastefulness, "the American dream"

I am so far from perfect.  I'm not "put together" and I don't have it "all figured out".  I thank God for His forgiveness and I ask for it daily.

2008 Haiti Mission Trip Video

This video is old, but I wanted to post it because it includes many photos from Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue.

I am going to Haiti!

Sometime in September, I will be traveling to Haiti for long term mission work. The exact date has not yet been decided, but I am DEFINITELY going to Haiti! Right now, the general plan is to leave in September and come home in December with a possibility of returning.

I have been in contact with Dorothy Pearce, a missionary there. She runs the "Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue" in Port-au-Prince. I met her two years ago when my church group went to Haiti, and I have wanted to go back ever since. As quoted from Dorothy's blog, "Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue is a Christian organization founded in 2005 in Port au Prince, Haiti to take in sick and malnourished infants from poor families who have no other hope. Whenever possible, we return children to their families when their health has been restored." Dorothy usually has about 20 or more children under her care at any given time. Many of these children suffer from things like HIV, tuberculosis, Hydrocephalus, clubbed feet, etc.

In addition to helping to care for and love the children, I will be responsible for teaching them. I am VERY excited and nervous. Dorothy has suggested that I brush up on special education for young delayed learners and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language). She mentioned that she has some materials, but no specific curriculum. So in addition to trying to learn Creole, that is what I will be working on this summer before I go!!

In order to stay in her home, I will need to donate at least $250 per month to Christian Light Foundation. In addition, I will need spending money for any other needs while I am there. Dorothy and I have not had a chance to talk specifics yet about what I should try to bring along. Right now, I know that I will need a laptop computer to stay in contact with all of you at home, teaching materials/curriculum ideas, and money. When I know more about what is specifically needed, I will be sure to post again. Thank you all for your prayers and support!!