Today as I traveled I came across many amazing people and many different missionary groups. Sitting on a plane to Haiti you can most likely presume that all of the white people present are either vacationers or missionaries (more missionaries than anything.) Through this you begin to share stories and learn of other amazing Godly people feeling called to the same place as you. I have met countless people today and have heard of great things being done in Haiti, and I've also been able to share with others what I’m doing as well! As an 18 year old white girl, many people are surprised that I am traveling alone and doing things without parents present. I have been called countless things today, blessed many times, and inspired some people along the way. It’s so great to engage in conversation that fully revolves around my faith. Throughout the past couple of days, while getting ready for my trip and while traveling today, I have been able to witness to several people and it has been amazing! I haven't even arrived at my destination yet and God is already proving to me He is in control of it!
When I first took off at Akron Canton Airport it wad really hard to separate from my family, and at that point my anxiety began to kick in. I may have traveled countless times, but quite frankly
airports majorly stress me out! My mom always finds it funny that I’m more anxious about security, customs, and finding my flight than I am of actually going to Haiti alone. All that to be said, going through security after saying farewell to my family was no amusement park. It started out fine, but then my bag was confiscated and sifted through as I had set something off. Add 5 anxiety points. Then as people are rushing around me to get things off of the conveyor belt my laptop is deciding it doesn't want to fit back into my bag, and people are waiting for me to move so they can get there things. Add 2 anxiety points. While all of this is going on there is someone going through my bag and I’m internally freaking out about what happened. Add 4 anxiety points. So at this point my stress level is pretty high, and if my mom would've taken Mia’s equipment and checked my pulse it probably would've been a little high. After what seemed like forever, but was in reality only a few minutes, I was told that my 24 Oz. of Nutella was to be taken. This of course was something specifically asked for, but was over the Oz. limit. (I took a chance not knowing if it counted as a liquid or not.) Fortunately, the security guard also loved Nutella and did not want the precious bottle of goodness to go to waste. So he graciously walked me back out to my parents to return our giant jar of Nutella. Subtract all of the anxiety points. In that one small act of kindness and humor that the security guard shared my stress was relieved and I knew God had this no matter what. After that episode some other things happened, a blistered foot, a gate change and a flight delay, but throughout the day I've pretty much been at peace. I will admit to some fears of the Haitian customs, but that's natural right?
Some friendships I've formed have been quite amazing and I intend to share some of them with you now. I met a husband and wife on my first plane ride, and after answering where I was off to the wife, with her eyes wide says “Haiti! What in the world are you going there for?” Door one opened! I went off on my story and she seemed satisfied after. During my layover in Atlanta I boarded a train that would take me to my terminal. A beautiful college girl boarded at the same time as I did and we both had to stretch to reach the hanging handles. This, of course, was followed by giggles from us both and ideas as to how the train could have built the handles either lower, or retractable, for us short girls! When I finally reached my gate I had about two hours to sit and relax, which was much needed after carrying around my heavy bag with a sore shoulder and a blistered foot. While sitting I observed a somewhat large group of adults come and sit down. One of the couples read my shirt which reads “Mission Lifeline. Helping Haiti’s Children,” and began to ask questions. We exchanged what we were traveling to Haiti for and I learned that they were a big group of doctors going to work at a local hospital. (I later found out that my grandma actually knew the group I talked to!) Upon boarding the plane I have made friends with the two people beside me. Rusty, who is here with a group of miscellaneous people that will be working on outreach, and electric work, and Valerie who is here with a group of girls going to work at Mission of Hope. Neither of them believe I am 18 and are quite impressed with the work I am going to do! It’s great meeting people from around the U.S. who have their hearts set on the same thing as you!
During one of my conversations a husband briskly said “you are one brave woman!” After pondering on it a little further I've realized that in all honesty, I don’t even have an ounce of bravery in me. Ask my friends at home and they’ll tell you I’m a shy introverted girl who only speaks when she feels it’s needed. During my trips, I am extremely outside of my comfort zone. Bravery is not in me, but trust is. Trust that God will watch over me, take care of me, lead me, love me, support me, and speak to me. I am not brave, I am weak, I am shy, I am introverted, I am afraid, I am anxious and I am sometimes lonely. But I know my God is with me, and no matter what kind of state I am in, He will hold me up. Any bravery seen in me is from God and God only!
As I end my blog post for the day I leave you with this blessing my dear poppy emailed to me the night before I left.
“May the sun shine warm upon your face; may the rains fall soft upon your head; may the winds blow gently at your back; may the road always rise to meet you; and when you leave your earthen berth, may God hold you safely in the palm of His hand.”
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