Two weeks from this very moment, I will be in Haiti.
That statement is quite a difficult statement for me to wrap my mind around.
And yesterday, thanks to the generosity of many friends, I met my funding goal.
This is all very wonderful and very exciting, but I must say it does raise a few questions in my mind:
The money I raised - that's a lot of money. Wouldn't it just be better for the country if I just sent that amount of money to a long term missionary in Haiti? Or a trusted organization? Will I just be another mouth to feed in a country that struggles to find food to feed its own? So many people I've talked to have connections with Haiti. It seems like at least half of those I've conversed with have either been to Haiti or know someone who has been to Haiti on a short term mission trip. But have those short term mission trips really done anything? Haiti is still impoverished. How can I reconcile raising that much money just for me to go to Haiti?
I may feel like I'm spending exorbitant amounts of money on this trip, but the large majority of my expenses are going to GLA, a trusted organization making a difference, and they wouldn't be the same orphanage that they are today without all the volunteers that come to serve. If they didn't need volunteers to come, then they wouldn't invest so much time and energy into all of the logistics it takes to get a person to Haiti. I may not make a long term lasting difference, but I am striving to follow God's call on my life and the Biblical mandate to care for orphans. I may not be even remotely close to capable of "saving" the country, but I do have the heart to love babies. And to me, loving babies really doesn't have a price tag, because those children are priceless. God has graciously given me an opportunity to be His hands and feet and show these little ones that they are special, and beautiful, and precious in His eyes.
Two weeks from this very moment, I will be in Haiti!
On another note, if you'd like to contact me via snail mail while I'm in Haiti, this is my address:
Kathryn Wong
3170 Airmans Dr. #2081 GLA
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946
I plan on responding to every letter I receive.
Wow!!! Just 2 weeks away??? That sure got here quickly, didn't it! Congratulations on reaching your funding goal. I'm glad that you have so much support from friends and family.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you need to think twice about whether or not you will be helping the country. You will certainly not be able to fix everything, but you will be providing care and love to children in need. That foundation of love will carry with them as they grow and mature.
Who is to judge what a long lasting difference? I am sure for these children and the full time permanent workers at the orphanage, knowing that someone cared enough to raise the funds and make the personal sacrifices to come to help them and love them makes a lasting difference for those. And by helping people, you help the country.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear from your as your trip gets closer and unfolds. I will be thinking of you often and am so proud of you!
KATHRYN! I am SO excited for you to begin this grand adventure and I'm so glad for this blog. God is going to do something fabulous this year and I can't wait to hear all about it! I'll miss you dearly, but know you're in both my and my family's prayers!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alyssa. Your encouragement and your prayers mean a lot to me. I'll be looking forward to hearing more about your senior year when I come back, and also hearing about how the college decision process is going!!!
DeleteWhoops!! Guess I was still signed into the Fierce Compassion account!! That comment above was from Kathryn...
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