A Flame Rekindled

the older children's classroom

the school buildings at the camp

To begin, I want to go back to May of 2013 when I had the privilege of going to Haiti with a team from my hometown.

We spent one week at a school in Port-de-Paix in the northern part of Haiti and one week in the southern part of Haiti in Peredo. By the end of those two weeks, I felt so sure that God had called me to serve in Haiti.

in Peredo, Haiti

in Peredo, Haiti

I had fallen in love with the country and the people. My friend and fellow teacher at the time, Angela, had a passion for Haiti and before she passed away from cancer she told me that God had shown her I'd be working with Haitians. God closed the door at the time for me to move to Haiti.

the young ones having school in the
church building

Fast forward a few years to today. God had other plans for me. He drew me to the same island, but on the Dominican Republic side. After two mission trips and a lot of God preparing me, I began teaching at Santiago Christian School. I fell in love with the Dominican people, the culture, my school family, my students. I can't imagine teaching anywhere else at this time. But the fire God had placed in me for Haitian children never died. Today I experienced God rekindling that fire in me after visiting a small Haitian school just a short drive from SCS.

I was able to see the different classrooms and hear from a couple staff I went with about the positive changes that are taking place in this school. When we first arrived the children were at recess.

Smiles and laughter filled the air. We were greeted by young preschoolers saying "Hola!" and wanting to shake our hands. The school is in a church that is surrounded by small Haitian "homes". I didn't see any of them home, but I was told Tuesday was market day, so everyone was probably gone at that time. We went late morning, because I wanted to see classes in session. After recess the students were called back inside for drink breaks before beginning their classes. It was so humbling to get outside of my classroom, where I have everything I could want and need, to see what so many others experience on a daily basis.

Oh, I wanted to stay the rest of the morning! God reminded me of how alike the environment was to another place I'd visited three short years ago. A place that captured my heart in its simple beauty.

greeted with happy smiles: Peredo, Haiti

I don't know how God is going to use this desire of my heart in the future, but without a doubt I know He reignited that fire that He placed inside me many years ago for the Haitian people, in addition to the Dominicans I'm blessed by every day. In my mind I kept hearing this won't work. It won't fit in my schedule as a classroom teacher. I am not equipped for this ministry. But in my heart, God whispered softly saying that if it is His will, He will make the way. He will equip me for the things He's called me to do. I can't wait to return. For now, I will simply continue to follow where He leads, and be content right where He has me.