The End is Just the Beginning

My six month term at HATS-Haiti has come to an end. Back in October I would have never thought time would go by so quickly or that I would feel like I had so much more to do and learn.

I am so so thankful to everyone who made this trip possible.

To my employers for giving me a six month leave of absence.

To my local church’s who have supported me financially and through prayer.

To my family and friends who kept in contact and encouraged me throughout this time.

To the people near and far who sent me encouraging notes and letters.

To my parents who willingly let me go to follow the calling God had placed on my heart.

To Luckner, Roselore, Keif, Joan, and everyone in Haiti who helped me to learn and grow.

And a special big thank you to my Haitian Mama, Karen. All the lessons you taught me and the late nights sitting up talking and the moments where we wanted to cry but ended up laughing through the frustrations. And those moments when we did cry, and we just held on to each other. We dealt with a lot during the last six months, but we made it through, only by the grace of Jesus. All the tears, and frustrations, and pain we faced, Jesus was our comfort through it all. I couldn’t have done it without you. Love you tons.

Over the last six months I have learned so many lessons. Lessons about living in Haiti, lessons about raising kids, and lessons about how big and great God is. I have done so many things it’s difficult to remember them all. People often ask me what I did during my six months and I reply with a smile and say “Everything!”. There isn’t much I haven’t done. Teacher, hairdresser, cockroach-killer, accountant, star soccer player, organizer, preacher, seamstress, constellation-finder, cook, nurse, counselor, pharmacist, chauffeur, and many many other jobs. Every day there was something new. No two days were the same. But I loved it. The craziness and chaos of it all was challenging at times but it was all worth it.

Leaving HATS is one of the hardest things that I have experienced. It’s hard to say goodbye to everyone, all the kids and employees, and to realize that you have to leave it all behind. As the day of your departure draws closer, you start thinking about doing things for the last time. The last walk along the canal, or the last game of soccer you’ll play with the kids, or the last time you’ll drive down the road to go visit friends. To give your kids one last hug and kiss goodbye just about breaks your heart.

One of my biggest worries before leaving Haiti, was the reintegration into North American culture. To leave the country full of poverty yet full of beauty and strength and go back into the country full of selfishness and the culture of “more” and “stuff” and “never have enough” was a bit overwhelming. The thought of going back to that being the norm was slightly terrifying and I wasn’t sure how to adjust back to that. I have been home for a couple weeks now and I am slowly getting used to it all once again.

As I sit here and write in the living room of my home in Nova Scotia, I think about my kids and what they’re doing right about now. I miss them terribly. I miss the hugs and the hollers of “Jooocccceeelllyyynnn” every time I step out of the house. I miss the hockey games and the evenings on the roof. I miss the walks along the canal and playing musical chairs after a birthday party. I miss eating coconuts and colouring in the afternoons with my kiddos. I miss the little ones falling asleep on me and snuggling until bed time. I miss it all, even the crazy moments that often occupied each day.

There is no doubt in my mind that my heart is in missions and in Haiti. It always has been and prayfully always will. God continues to amaze me with the ways He works everything out. His hand is in everything, we need only trust Him.

For me, the end of this term at HATS is just the beginning.

Below are pictures of some parts of my life in Haiti over the last six months.

Joce