"Home" I Guess

I have reluctantly returned. I've spent the entirety of my spring break in Port-de-Paix, Haiti on my second trip there. I'm at a loss for words on how to describe it to you. Jesus taught my heart so very much...and one is that He provides. He doesn't need me. I need Him. He does great works and glorifies His name without my pathetic help. As much as I love the kids there, He loves them more. When I am not there to love them, He is. When I'm not there to take care of them, He will be. And He did.

I love working at Sonlight Academy. Essentially, this is the purpose of our trip. We go to Port-de-Paix to work in a school which was started by the family of my leader's best friend. She visits every year and brings a group from her church and other misfits like myself to tag along. We work in the classrooms and school doing whatever they ask us to do. This school and faculty are absolutely incredible, but my heart for Haiti is different. My heart is in the streets. I have a passion to love on the people outside the school, which includes a large group of boys who have stolen my heart. One in particular, is Ben. His real name is Bienel and when I first met him two years ago, he was 9 years old. I have never felt like more of a mom then when that kid was by my side--which was all the time. We were inseparable. He would wait outside for me for hours on end. When we were together, we were either playing a game or he was resting against me. He was always touching me in some way. He craved love all the time. Craved for someone to take care of him. It is something he has never experienced before, and though we could not speak the same language, our hearts are made of the same thing. When I returned this year, I was confident I would not see him. Being a street kid, I thought he would either be dead or would have moved. For two years, I thought of him and my other street friends every day. My kids. Woodsonley, Louvensky, Jamel, and more.

God provided. When I was doubtful, He reassured me these boys are not mine...they are His. And He loves them infinitely more than I can imagine. He knows the hairs on their heads and is certainly capable of taking care of them. Not only did I see them again this year, but they remembered me. They instantly said, "Miss Krysta" and I knew I was home once again. Here are some pictures of two years ago and what my friends look like now!

The sweet baby I held the entire time at House of Hope two years ago!

Look at the mischief in her eyes! Her two years later as a toddler now!

Sam and her buddy Woodsonley two years ago! He's so little!

The first thing Woodsonley asked this year was, "Miss Krysta! Where's Sam?" Broke my heart to tell him she wasn't able to come back this year. He will continue to wait on her.

Louvensky two years ago! I barely got to know him last time.

This year, Louvensky became my second kid.

This is Ben two years ago when I first met him... this picture has set on my dresser for two years.

And this was us this year. He is forever in my heart.

I am forever changed by these kids.

That last picture was one of the hardest pictures I've ever taken. A few extra kids jumped in the picture, but if you look at our boys (Louvensky, Benji, Jose, Woodsonley, Coocoo, and Ben) they are all crying. This was our last night together and none of us could stop crying. They begged us to come back, and I promised I would. And I will. I don't know how, but God will provide. He will provide the money, the time, and the passion.
After Haiti, my life seems fake. Unreal. Haiti is real. These boys are real. And Jesus seeks to show them love as much as He wants to show you you are loved. But they can't understand His love until they know what love even is. That's my job. Show them love so that I can point them to Him. I will again think about these boys and pray for them until I can return and witness the great work of God.
 Haiti is my home.