The letter you've all been waiting for:

Dear family & friends,

I can’t believe I’m finally writing this!

I sat down in my room to start writing this and kept thinking, “Yep. Wow…it is finally time to do this!” It seems so unreal to have waited for three years, and now the Lord has allowed the time to come…I’m moving to Haiti!

Some Background: The desire to stay at least a year in Haiti hit my heart in ‘08 when I spent the summer working there with a friend. Though I was more than willing to return immediately, it was clear that the Lord had more work to do in me before going. So I wrestled to obey, stayed in DC, enrolled in a leadership development program at my church, and have been working there the past two years. He has been faithful and I have been made more ready for this task!

The Details: This summer I’ll be moving to Haiti for 12-15 months to volunteer with a Christian relief and development NGO called World Hope International. I’ll be working alongside a ministry partner, Kerry, who is going with me to build relationships with the local Haitian church community. We’ll be facilitating teams of doctors from the U.S. in WHI’s mobile medical clinics and growing their child sponsorship program. In addition, we’ll be helping the Haitian church and WHI pilot new development programs. We’re excited to see the church grow in their ability to meet the physical needs of their community and share Christ’s love in some really practical ways.

Your Prayers: What I most greatly desire are your prayers. I can’t imagine going forward in this without them, and I’ve never been more aware of this need. I won’t be walking into a very healthy church upon arrival – the church where we will be is tired right now. So I ask for your continued prayers while I’m away. I need His grace to cover me and fill the gaps in my shortcomings. And in times when we’re leaping forward in Christ’s strength and provision, I’d love for you to be able to rejoice with me!

The Finances: I’m confident that God will bring in the funds needed in order to go serve Him in this way, and I think He has chosen to do that through His church. There is about $20K to raise, but we serve a mighty God, and it is the Lord who provides! I'll soon post about how to donate. Please prayerfully consider whether making a donation is one way that He would have you be a part of what is happening in Haiti.

The goal is not to ‘fix’ Haiti. The goal is to build strong friendships, share the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed, and be a light in the darkness! The goal is to see more brothers & sisters whose hope lies in Christ, our light & our salvation, knowing that they are loved by the King of kings and created for His glory.

I’ve never been more excited to watch the Lord work!

With love and a great hope,
-Rachael


“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” – 1 Timothy 4:10