GROOVING HAITIAN ANGELS

Dear Friends and Family,

I’ve been sitting here for a while now, not knowing where to start.  So after disturbing a few patrons in this coffee shop with an open-mouthed (almost to the point of drooling), blank stare on my face, I will start with a spirited “Thank You”!  If you are receiving this letter, it is because you have prayed for me and my family, you have supported us through many trials and triumphs, you have inspired us and given much of yourselves and your story, or you have expressed an interest in the things that light a fire in me and all of these have been poured out and sprinkled over my life as richest more valuable than anything this world can measure.  So thank you from the deepest places of my heart and soul.  

I will try to make this brief.  I’ve been living in a safe, little box for much of my life and it took some painful experiences to shake that box up and dump me out onto the terrain of a deeper faith.  I’d be lying if I said I don’t often try to crawl back in the box on a regular basis, but I keep finding that I no longer fit in it.  God is funny like that.  Earlier this year, a friend and I were talking about getting a passport and seeing the world.  We talked about where we might go and what we would like to do, but I wasn’t sure how it would all happen or where I would end up first.  I just knew that I was supposed to get out there and watch God’s plan evolve from there…following the lamplight.  Given my current circumstances, this idea didn’t make a lot of sense.  “Rational Karen” chimed in immediately…”How is your broke ass going to do that?  You can barely get to work, let alone get out of the country.  HA! HA! HA! HA!”  Thankfully, “Rational Karen” doesn’t have much clout in the magical amusement park where my Entelechy resides.  And no sooner did I put that intention out in the world was I brought to my knees by a photograph.  It was from a Facebook post from Helping Haitian Angels (HHA) of a young Haitian girl, wearing a bright, colorful shirt with happy sentiments on it, yet her face reflected something very different.  The post read:  

“We were blessed with a precious new Angel yesterday. Her name is Loudridge and she's 12 years old. Loudridge is our Bendys Younger sister. This is where Haiti is hard… Loudridge was a Restavek. A restavek is a child slave. Loudridge came to us with bruises covering her body. We are grateful that God brought her to us to heal. She is back with her brother and now has a huge family who will love and respect her. We are asking that all of you please pray for Loudridge. Heavenly father we ask you to bless precious Loudridge with peace, comfort and faith in you that she will now know her future can be bright.”

I could not have been more “over” if Lenny Kravitz had walked into the room and asked me to tour with him (doing what I have no idea…playing cowbell maybe).  A week later, I was meeting with one of the founders of HHA and we were making plans.  It is all coming together now and my passport is perched on my nightstand, awaiting our first adventure.  The trip is set for December 13 and I will be spending much of the time dancing with the children at the orphanage and a nearby school.  I am both terrified and thrilled.  Thrilled because I know of nothing more beautiful, joyful and human than dancing with other human beings (especially children) and sharing the freeing power it holds for all of us as a universal language and experience.  Terrified for the same reasons…because I’m getting what I asked for…and, because I know how God rolls…I know I will be getting much more than that.

I find it important to share that within a week or so, there were more posts of Loudridge and within that short span of time, her countenance in these photos had changed considerably.  There was a light that had returned from her eyes.  Though I have never met her, I use the word “returned” because we are all born with that light…but life can cover it up.  It cannot snuff it out, try as it may.  It can only cover, like dirt on a diamond.  HHA had loved that darkness out of the way and revealed the light would not be denied.  That is the power of God’s Love being poured out on His children by His children. We can overcome anything…ANYTHING…when we know we are loved, understood, supported and that we are NOT ALONE.  Darkness doesn’t have a shot in Hell when the Light shows up.  HHA is a blinding light in the middle of a dark night and I find myself bowing down in humility at the opportunity to enter into the light of this ministry and every beautiful soul involved and add to its power.  

What is also very exciting to me is that both of my daughters have now been inspired to go as well!  Audrey is not old enough to go yet, but we are praying about Rachel’s first trip, which we hope will be this Spring, if not sooner.  I don’t know exactly what God’s plan is for all of this, and I don’t need to know.  All I need to know and all I care about is the fact that He has a plan and He has given me and my daughters the honor of being a part of it.   We are all called to different passions and journeys.  Wherever you are and whatever your calling, I salute and support you and I ask that you take this journey with me, with my daughters and with HHA.  Whether that means donating money or supplies for this trip (listed below in this letter), prayers, hugs, reading the updates as we move forward and sending good vibes, etc., I thank you in advance for allowing me to take you along on this adventure.  Now…shall we dance?

Beauty for Ashes,

Karen King
[email redacted]

Here is a list of some supplies I would like to bring to on this trip to enhance the experience of speaking the language of music and dance.  These items will become the property of Kay Anj for the children to continue using on a daily basis.   To learn more about HHA and upcoming opportunities to help/serve, go to: http://www.helpinghaitianangels.org

Drumsticks 
Hand drums 
Kahona
Egg shakers
Tambourines
Colorful, dancing scarves (nothing fancy - these can be purchased through sites like Oriental Trading Co)
Finger lights (LOTS and LOTS of them)!