So where to start. . .

Again, I am starting out overwhelmed at all the Lord has done for me, but one story keeps coming to mind, so I guess that is the best place to start.

My first time in Haiti was Easter of 2008. It was completely by the provision and purposing of God. Even the meeting of the man who chose to take me to Haiti, Hein, was an incredible working of the Lord. There is so much to tell about that trip, but right now I want to tell you about my encounter with Jesus.

In the orphanage where we were staying there were almond trees all over the place. Until then I didn't exactly know where almonds came from! The children were taking sticks and knocking the almonds down. Then to get them out, they had to smash them with a rock. Unlike store-bought almonds, around the shell there is another covering, that when smashed with a rock creates this wet, sticky, purple yuck. By the time the kids had smashed into the actual almond, there was not much left of it. So I decided to help- hoping maybe I could save a little more of the almond! So I start smashing almonds with the rocks, covering my hands in this purple yuck! I line starts forming with all the kids wanting me to smash their almonds! Then this tiny little girl walks up, she couldn't have been more than 6. She looks down at my hands and sees them covered in this stuff and decides that that isn't ok. Remember, these kids have maybe three sets of clothes, which they share with each other. She shakes her head at my dirty hands and picks up the bottom of her dress and starts trying to wipe my hands clean. When she sees it is not working, she takes me by the hand and walks me over to the pump. She holds my hands out under it and runs around to pump the water. Then she comes back and rinses my hands and dries them on her little dress. I have never seen a more perfect picture of Jesus. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.