When the Call Comes

     Several years ago, I read a book called Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly L. Smith.  This book changed my life.  Before reading it, I had never had a desire to do any type of international mission work.  As far as I was concerned, we had our own issues in our own country.  We had people that had needs here.  We take care of our own first, then we look around and see who needs help next.  As I read Passport Through Darkness, I was transported to South Sudan, where a story of genocide, religious persecution, poverty, and human trafficking unfolded.  In the midst of the chaos and violence are children, orphans, the unadoptable, who have become the target of human trafficking.  As a mother, I knew there was something I had to do.  The thought of these children, who have witnessed so much violence, so much evil, children who are wandering alone, sleeping in trees for fear of the hyenas attacking them in the night with no one to rescue them, was just overwhelming.  I just wanted to rock them to sleep, to tuck them into bed, to kiss them goodnight, and tell them that someone does love them, and would be there to protect them.

         As much as I prayed and tried to work out a way to make it to South Sudan, that was not God’s plan for me.  Then Kevin and I learned of how deplorable the conditions are in Haiti.  I began to think, the Lord is not sending me to Sudan, surly he is sending me to Haiti.  However, every time our church has planned a trip to Haiti, it has not been at a time when I can go.  Kevin and Schanon have made two separate trips, while I stand at the security gate, wave to them, and wonder, when God……  When will it be my turn? 

         After Kevin and Schanon got back from the first trip to Haiti, Kevin begins to tell me his ideas and dreams for Transforming the Map.  As we are talking about his trip, Kevin begins to tell me about this orphanage that is untouched by American influence.  It is essentially one woman who has taken in these children.  He then shows me pictures of these kids and in that moment I realize, the Lord may not have called me to go to Haiti, but he has called me to do everything in my power to make sure these children have the things they need, at the very least, the basic human necessities that we so quickly take for granted. 

         Early on the morning of December 5th, Roody, our Director in Haiti, called and said he had been awaken by a pounding on his compound door.  The children at the orphanage were in a desperate situation, they were completely out of food and water.  Roody told us he needed $500 as soon as possible to be able to buy necessities.  I immediately went into panic mode, the responsibility I felt for these children was overwhelming.  It was in this moment that I realized I did not need to be in Haiti to make a difference. 

         We were able to raise the $500 to send to Roody, my children were fed, we have been able to make provisions so they are all able to go to school.  Maybe one day God’s plan will include me making a trip to Haiti, and then I can rock them to sleep, tuck them in and let them know that they are loved, but until that moment comes, I will fight for them from here.