from edinburgh to port-au-prince

This summer was great. I really felt like I was a vessel to be used by God to minister to people here, in Scotland, and in Haiti. (And fortunately---ministered to).

My trip to Scotland was awesome, I really knew that it would be. Before going I had so much excitement and anticipation at the opportunity to go and at what God was going to do. I made a few great and key relationships with some girls and I can see how God is beginning to slowly plow the soil of their hearts. That's sort of how Scotland works. Our motto there was they must belong before they believe. They needed to know that they could trust us before they cared what we had to say. That, at times, was frustrating, but in a good way, I believe, because instead of rushing through things, it taught me to do all things in love. It caused me to check myself and my motivations. Anything I do, if it is not done in love, is meaningless. Thank you to God, who loves Scotland, for teaching me that seeds don't always grow as soon as they hit the soil. Thank you for teaching me to love patiently. Thank you for showing me what you can do when I trust you even when its scary. Thank you for breaking my heart for your people.

Haiti dug deeper the well of compassion inside of me. Such poverty and corruption in the government was heartbreaking. To see such wide-eyed people, eager to learn and grow...but a government not willing to help, is very sad. Children end up selling mangoes for a fraction of a penny on the street instead of going to school. The government's own police system doesn't get paid enough to support their family (so they kidnap foreigners for ransom) while the UN workers live a life of luxury, yet never even learn the language of the nation they are "serving". It's sad how for some people, in Haiti or anywhere, your family status determines your future. (Think about the caste systems.) Thank you to God, who loves Haiti, for teaching me to walk by faith and not by sight. Thank you for giving me hope for the hopeless. Thank you for teaching me that little children can lead people to the Lord and lay hands on the sick for them to be healed. Thank you for breaking my heart for your people.