How It Started

It was 4:30 AM in Kathmandu, Nepal and I was struggling to wake up. (I'm not exactly a morning person, and for those of you who have had to live through my mornings on some days - I sincerely thank you, Ha!) I digress... I was one of the last on the team to come down the five flights of stairs at our hotel. From the lobby, I could see my team sipping Nepal tea and coffee while eating Nepali pancakes (think dry crepes) in the dining area. We were preparing to go out for the day to share Christ in local Nepali villages. I thought I could sneak in a quick peek at my e-mail and maybe churn out a quick blog entry. As I logged in on January 12, it was late afternoon on the Eastern US and the news was slammed with news of the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. At first, the pictures and blurbs didn't seem to convey the magnitude of the devastation on google news. The death toll seemed low but "expected to rise", which seems the case for most natural disasters. Isn't it odd how that doesn't seem to alarm us sometimes? However, my first thought was, "I have to be there."

Upon returning to the US about 4-5 days later, and sick with a bacterial infection, I was still glued to the events unraveling in a devastated Haiti. My Dad had even written me an e-mail from Miami, FL explaining how he had never seen anything like this before, people were pulling resources together to help and the need was so great. I knew God was continuing to press upon my heart the strong need to go to Haiti, but how? A door would have to open somehow, the airports in Port-Au-Prince were closed due to ravaging destruction. I prayed. A week or two later, a glimmering opportunity seemed to arise.

A friend of mine mentioned he would be going down to Haiti, and I casually mentioned that I wished I could go too. He asked me if I thought I could be in Miami, FL on February 16, and if I could, there would be a strong chance for me to go. I was elated, an answered prayer only God could give. I had already planned to quit my job, so I handed in my resignation, had my last day on February 12th and went to Florida. With ups and downs, it became unclear as to whether or not I could actually go. On February 15, my friend called again to see if I still wanted to join. In a whirlwind, I found myself run out to pick up supplies and was in Miami, FL by 11am the next day, then Port-Au-Prince, Haiti later that night. It was dark when I arrived, so I couldn't see much, however, the next day - it was all so clear. Orphan children with no limbs, fresh amputees, the crying, the hopelessness, the blankness on people's faces, the houses built for warm loving families with dreams were now completely shattered, the search for loved ones under buried ruble, people with no where to go - a scene that carried on for miles. It was hell on earth, but nonetheless, I knew God had a reason for putting me there.

On my way home from Haiti, I knew God wanted me to go back and that Haiti would be a part of my life forever. I never ever want to forget that first time in Haiti, these people were counting on it. After 2-3 months of being home in the US, I mentioned going back to a couple people who were willing to join me on the trip. Then, before I knew it, I was proposing the trip in front of my Life Group at church to see if anyone would be willing to go back to hell on earth with me. What followed, amazed me, and humbled me beyond words. 18 people. 18 people answered the call for God, they stepped up to go for Him to a land that is broken, dirty, horrifying, in despair, ravaged by destruction, hurting, and lost. These people could have taken their time and efforts and gone to the Bahamas or some nice vacation, but they stepped up to go for God. Amazing. If that isn't God at work, I don't know what is. Never in my wildest dreams did I think 18 people would want to come to Haiti. The following months came together with passports, garage sales, vaccinations, buying supplies, and team meetings.

Here we are. It's the night before we leave, and you are apart of our journey also. If you are receiving this as an e-mail, someone on the team has requested you to receive our team updates. If not, I know its a God thing that you have found your way to this note. Please pray for us as we take this journey for our Lord. Be with us, stand in the gap for us. We are your brothers and sisters in the field, and you are here with us. Our team verse is this:

He must become greater; I must become less. - John 3:30, NIV

I challenge you with this question, how are you applying it your life? We will be asking ourselves this question multiple times throughout the trip, I assure you. I thank you for everything, and as this missions eve night comes to a close with mixed emotions and excitement, I say, it is ALL for His glory.

To Make Him Known,
Kristina