Ripe Mango Chronicles

It’s been a long time since I’ve written anything about the earthquake, and in a way I hate to start again now, but the truth is January 12th, 2010 is a day that forever changed me. The Earthquake itself was scary of course, how could it not be when you your cement house is wiggling like jello and things are smashing all around you? Yes, it was scary, but the earthquake isn’t what changed me. It was the aftershocks, the things I saw, the screaming, the wailing, the smells, the blank stares, the cracks everywhere, so many cracks. A few days ago I was described as “fragile”. Not as a put down, but as a matter of fact statement. “I know you are fragile Rachel, but you don’t need to worry.” I wasn’t really sure how to respond to this, but after spending some time reflecting I realized that it is true. I am fragile. I also realized that it’s ok. My house has visible cracks, the walls, the ceiling, the stairs, the patio, the railing…you can see them all. You know the house was

Tonight was an exciting night. Pastor Patris has started a Bible study with our kids 12 and older on Thursday nights, and I decided it would only make sense to have a Bible study for the little kids at the same time. I started leading a Monday Bible study with the ladies on campus a few months ago and have really enjoyed it. We’ve gone through Crazy Love and Forgotten God and it’s been so great. We’re about to start another Francis Chan DVD book study called Who is God? Leading the study is so far out of my comfort zone, but somehow I’ve come to really love it. And so now, again I have once again stepped out of my comfort zone and started a Bible study for the kids. I was pretty nervous about it, but thankfully I know the kiddos love me and knew going in if I messed up horribly it would be ok. Tonight we talked about creation and it went so well. The kids were excited about the study and were answering questions and wanting to be involved. We learned tonight that everything God c

I received a letter this morning from one of the little girls. This isn’t anything out of the ordinary, our kids are very thoughtful and send me letters almost every day. This letter however, was a little different. Here is the translation: “I love you Rachel. Thank you because you didn’t let me die in this hurricane. Thank you because you helped me. When I was sick you took me to the hospital. In the earthquake you didn’t let me die and you gave me food. I want to say thank you very much Rachel. God Bless you so much Rachel.” All I could do was hug her and tell her I love her. Rachel

One of the best things about living in Haiti is having the opportunity to serve along side AMAZING people from all over the world! We currently have staff here from Canada, the United States and Japan! There is a special bond between staff here. You go through a lot together, the good, the bad and the ugly. Living in community can sometimes be a challenge, (working together, living together, eating together…). However, it can also be super fun; dance parties, dinner parties, movie nights, TV show marathons, Bible study, sweatfests, meltdowns, giggle-fests, celebrations and of course kickboxing at 5:30 in the morning. We go through it all together. As my fifth year comes to an end I am looking back and thinking of all the people I have met, the bonds I have made. So many people have touched my life. So many people have helped shape who I am today. So many amazing people have crossed my path, some just for a week, some for a year and some, I’m sure, for a lifetime. I have been blessed be