As IMPACT, we sent 6 gals to Haiti about a year ago and for the last year I haven't really found the words to describe what the experience has been for us as an organization. I still can't tell you where I land on that because there's 6 girls and some IMPACT staff still processing on this end.
But what I can tell you is that relationships are ALWAYS, ALWAYS worth it. The reasons I felt like God was calling us to run the program in the first place were 1) Kerry and Joy (our partners there in Haiti) needed more workers for the harvest and 2) I believe relationships are what change lives - deep, invested and intentional relationships that you can't get on short-term trips. Unless you go back frequently, the only way to do that is to live among the people. I mean that's the gospel, right? That's what ultimately changed each of our lives - a God who was willing to step into our world and enter into a relationship with us. He reaches out and gives everything and we choose the degree to which we enter into a trusting and intimate relationship with him.
We had one intern who gave her entire life to the people of Montrouis, particularly the women in the fishing village. Kelsea immediately had a heart for these women and invested in them 100% from September until July - almost a full year of breaking down walls and building trust. She's even learned Creole. The return on her investment is incredible. She came home just in time for our wedding and told me the day before the wedding, "Bree, I feel like God is calling me to go back to Haiti - no return ticket, just to go and be a full time missionary and love on those women. They've captured my heart and Haiti is my other home. What do I need to do?"
I wept. This is pay day for a year of wondering why we rolled out the program and questioning if it really was the best thing. I asked Kelsea for a bit of her story & a few photos for our newsletter and these are the ones she sent today. I wept again. This is Kelsea and Necillia - this is my pay day and Kelsea's - you can see the depth of their relationship in this picture, you can see the investment and the sacrifice paying off. You can see the gospel being lived out. How beautiful is that!
This is Kelsea with Climaco. His mother, Natalie passed away in July and had become one of Kelsea's dearest friends. Kelsea cared for her in the last weeks of her life - took her to all her doctors appointments, walked with her through her dark sickness and helped her family with the funeral. Her two children moved into the Mission when she died and Kelsea cared for them until she left to come home. Climaco and his sister are one of the main reasons Kelsea feels called to go back full-time.
I am ridiculously proud of this woman who started out as a sheltered, sweet 21-year-old Westmont student who had never left the country but wanted to intern for us two years ago. Here she is today: giving her life to move to Haiti and be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community of Montrouis. God is so good and so faithful.
We are currently working out the plan for Kelsea's "next steps" and will let you know as soon as we have one. We know she will go back and her funding will be raised through IMPACT, tax-deductible. When and how and all of those things? Only the Lord knows. Please be praying for Kelsea in this season of "preparation" for her ministry in Haiti.
In the meantime, you can check here for updates: kelsea's blog
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