I've been thinking for a long time on how to even make this post. Well, without babbling on for days that is. The simplest and most sincere way to put it is this:
We are moved.
Five years ago, Stephen and I made our first trip to Haiti. We instantly fell in love with the people and culture. Since that first trip, it is crazy for us to look back and see that God has been shaping and refining us for the last five years to serve somewhere in the country full time. It wasn't something we planned out, but something that God was planning out for us. Over this past year, God has specifically burdened our hearts for the orphan and the social injustices of the world. As parents it breaks our hearts, just as it does our Father's heart, for the thousands upon thousands of children in our world that have not one person to advocate for them.
Psalm 82:3 says, "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed."
We are moved.
Our family has the opportunity to serve at at a children's village in Cyvadier, Haiti called The Hands and Feet Project. Their mission exists to care for orphans and abandoned children of the world with the love of Christ. The vision is to raise a generation of orphans who will grow into men and women who will have a relationship with Christ and be leaders in their communities. The Hands and Feet Project has a big impact on the community around them, employing 40 + people in an otherwise job-scarce country.
Stephen and I truly believe in this mission and are humbled by the opportunity to join their team full-time. With the burden of our hearts, we are excited to use the skills God has given us to advance His kingdom....in Haiti. Hands and Feet currently has one main site in Cyvadier with 50+ kids and a new site in Grand Goave with 31 kids. Stephen will be the project manager for these sites as well as dealing with daily needs around the orphanage. My role will evolve as we get there including tutoring the kids, working with the nanny's, the many short-term groups that come throughout the year etc. Grady, Ella, and Mikah's role: to be kids, make lots of new friends, and spend more time with their daddy than they currently get to :)
Our move date is October, 2011. Now let me tell you dear friends and family, we of course have some fears! We know it seems a little crazy to move our family of five to the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and the reality of our move is hitting closer and closer to home as our plans move forward each day. With each and every fear though, God confirms to us each day that this is His will for our lives right now. We have had friends, family, and even somewhat strangers ask if they can financially support our mission before we have even launched our funding endeavors. God is good, and He continues to tell us to fear not, for "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). We know in this journey we will face many trials, some of which are currently known and some unknown. But we know where our Hope and future lies, and with that in our hearts we are confidently abandoning our lives as we once knew it and embracing the journey God has in front of us.
Our prayer as you read this, is that you will join us on this journey. We are extremely blessed to have loving family and friends in our lives and we will continue to update this family blog regularly along the way.
Blessings,
Carrie & Family
