Help me serve the families in Haiti!

It's true, I will be packing up my bags here in Charlotte and moving to Gonaives, Haiti in May of 2016!

In some ways, this move feels like it has been a long time coming considering my first trip to Haiti was in January of 2014 and that is when all of the "what if" thoughts started jumping around my mind. But as usual, for every "what if" thought there is a "why not" thought to go with it. God is sovereign over everything and He cares about the details of our lives. And never has that been clearer to me, than now and in beginning this process. I can look all the way back to my junior year of college (which is three years ago at this point) and see where the Lord was orchestrating this move. Isn't that crazy?!

There was a part of my heart that instantly felt at home in Haiti. I will get the privilege of helping with a few things once I get to Haiti, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that one of my favorite "duties" has to do with that sweet little baby at the top of the page. Through a series of events, little Moses ended up in the care of the Brouwer family. He came to the Brouwer family very malnourished and I am happy to say that he is quite the healthy little boy now! I was pretty attached from the first time I held him (how could you not?!) and you can bet that the rest of my trip in January 2015 I had that cute little babe on my hip! He might be the most joyful little one I have ever seen. So when I was told that having someone there to help take care of Moses was a part of their need, I figured I could easily and happily volunteer for that. I think tied for my favorite "duties" will also be home-schooling the Brouwer kids. I had the opportunity to meet them on my last trip and they are the most fun bunch! They were constantly cracking me up and seeing them serve the people of Haiti alongside their parents isn't something I will forget anytime soon.

If you are wondering why I want to move to Haiti, there is one important thing you will need to understand. We all have passions, gifts, and certain things that have come to mean a lot in our lives. I am seeing that all of those things are coming together in this move. I am passionate and believe I am gifted in being able to come alongside the people that are serving so well and serve them in any way I can. What that looks like obviously varies depending on the situation and if you have ever served in any capacity, then you know that it is rarely uncomplicated. I would love nothing more than having the opportunity to move to Haiti and help the Brouwer's serve the Haitians in any capacity. Orphans/Orphan Care/Orphan Prevention is something that has come to mean a lot to me over the years. I guess the realness of it first hit me the summer after my sophomore year of college, so 2012, through a camp I worked that summer. Since then, the Lord has placed a desire to want to be involved in some way shape or form with this, which led to me finding the Haiti Orphan Project in the first place. The Haiti Orphan Project does so much to help the people of Haiti through their education, medical, and economic projects. Yes, they need a lot of practical help like medical care but one thing I have learned in Haiti is that they also just want someone to care about them as a person. So of course, I want to be involved with what they are doing there! The people of Haiti are incredibly beautiful and I can't wait to spend some time with them!

In order for me to move to Haiti, I am going to need a lot of help. Your help! I am asking first for your prayers. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have. Please pray for the preparation that the next months will hold and that the Lord will provide the means necessary to go. Pray for the people of Haiti that they will see and understand the Love of our Father. Pray that I will be able to live out James 1:27.

I also want to ask you if you would be willing to give. Any amount will go a long way. This is not just about me going to Haiti. You can be a part of this. You can be a part of everything the Lord is doing in Haiti. Will you join me?

(Psst, a donation is tax deductible!)

With Love,

Katie Reed

You can read more about the Haiti Orphan Project here.