Nicole's Missions Trip to Haiti!

Back before I had a relationship with God, I never understood some of the terms that Christians used. For example, when someone said that they were "called" to do something, there was probably an eye roll inserted somewhere in there and a "yea, whatever, good for them" response in my mind.

Today, things are different. Sure, I may still have an attitude from time to time, and I may not agree with every Facebook friend I have, but I can tell you my heart is different. I started viewing the world differently when I decided to put my faith in Jesus. I am not saying this to boast but my life has changed since that moment and I am so grateful I decided to quit thinking I had all the control to change my life.

Two summers ago, I was called to La Ceiba, Honduras and served with members of my church, Chestnut Ridge Church. The experience is unexplainable but when you just trust that God will provide and is truly putting something on your heart to "just do it", you do. That's the least I could do, right? You want me to be your hands and feet, Lord... I can handle that because of you using your strength through me. Sure, I was nervous but that doesn't change the fact that I let go and just trusted what He wanted me to do.

God has a funny way of tugging on our hearts when he wants us to do something. He starts to be really loud and clear until you just surrender. Thoughts start popping into your head that were never there before, and you begin to hear lyrics in songs that literally hold your heart so tight that you begin to weep.

Recently, a friend said she was heading to Haiti for a missions trip and I was so excited for her! I have felt all those mixed feelings before a missions trip, what  you get out of the trip, and how different you feel coming home so I couldn't wait for her to experience it. But the more I started to see her share her story and what this Haiti trip was all about, I could truly feel God working on my heart to head out to Haiti for a missions trip myself. I doubted the trip and what God was saying to me for a few days. I avoided the truth until it was clear as day. 

You see, God will get through to you when you're not listening, He is actually REALLY good at it, so if you try to avoid it, he will make something really bold and it will totally stand out to your own heart and journey. I was reading The Circle Maker, and I came across a few paragraphs that really stuck out to me that I felt like God was saying, “trust me, go to Haiti to serve Me.” After reading through a few more chapters, I realized He was speaking to me over and over which lead me to my final decision of submitting my non-refundable $100 dollar deposit to save my spot for our April trip.

Now, I am sure you are wondering, what does this have to do with a GoFundMe page? Well, I can't afford to go to Haiti on my own. As amazing as this opportunity is, it will not be free for me or the other volunteers. I need help from those who would like to pray for my group as we travel and embark on this calling together, and I also need help from those who feel compelled to financially support my trip as well.

What is the trip all about? Our group will be traveling to Seguin, Haiti to create raincathers for families who are in need of clean drinking water. As a group, we will be making gutters (raincatchers) that are made from a plastic pipe, tin, and a filter. The raincatchers will help Haitians from walking 5-10 miles a day for water, that typically is dried upon arrival. Not only will be helping them physically but we will also be spreading the love and word of Jesus to the people of Haiti. I can't wait to share my story of faith with others and I truly believe I was called to share His love with others.

Would love to answer any questions you may have and connect with you about the trip! If you would like more information on the RainCatchers organization, please check out their website at http://www.raincatchers.org/

Thank you in advance for all your prayers and support, and most importantly, thank you for reading through my story!

Love,
Nicole

“You are only one defining decision away from a totally different life. One defining decision can change your trajectory and put you on a new path toward the Promised Land. One defining decision can totally change the forecast of your life. And it's those defining decisions that become the defining moment of our lives.”-Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker