“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from you heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after.” Deuteronomy 4:9
After I came back from a trip to Haiti three summers ago, this was one of my favorite Bible verses. When being thrust into an environment and culture so far from anything you have ever known, all of your senses feel extremely heightened. As soon as I stepped onto that foreign ground I felt the sun pounding on my shoulders, I heard the sounds of a foreign tongue, and the air smelt stale and of livestock. They warned us that we may experience culture shock, but my culture shock didn't hit until we landed back on U.S. territory. My heart was forever changed by the happy, loving people I had met in Haiti and as soon as I stepped off of the plane and saw pavement, greenery, cars, etc, I felt extreme guilt for the life I was blessed with. I couldn't even walk into a Walmart for over a month. I was sad, but I was more so angry. It took me a while to realize I was wasting my time feeling those things. What I really needed to do was use what God had blessed me with to bless others.
God had opened my eyes and set my soul on fire with a new passion; to live a life serving those less fortunate than I. I knew I wanted to finish up my nursing degree and then either go back to Haiti, or someplace like it. I even dreamt of one day stepping foot on African soil, but never thought it would happen. God is great, because come June I will be traveling once again to unknown territory to spend three months volunteering in Arusha, Tanzania. Six weeks will be spent doing nursing work in a maternity and pediatric clinic, the other will be building relationships while caring for children and young adults at a special needs orphanage.
Even though this will be an experience of a lifetime and I am so excited... I am also scared. Africa is the unknown. Will I be safe? Will I be healthy? Will I be homesick? All I can do is trust in God and ask for the prayers and support of my loved ones. I still have a lot to do to prepare for my trip. Only a little more than four months away! I also still have a great deal of money left to raise. If you feel led to help me out in any way possible, I would be greatly appreciative.
I invite you to follow me on this journey!
Until next time! <3
