Experiencing Haiti

About nine months ago I started thinking of going to Haiti to visit my sponsor child Jordine in Anse Rouge. Almost everyone was discouraging me, they all thought Haiti is dangerous if you are a blond, young woman who is traveling alone. But I was determined to go, for I believed that God wanted me to go and was also guiding me along the way.

I booked the ticket in faith, before I even knew where I was going to stay or even before my visit was confirmed. The next day however, the visit to my sponsored child was approved. Still I had no place to stay. A few months later though I ran into an American girl in Holland who knew people in Haiti. Christian people, who had a guesthouse where I could stay according to her. Seriously, how often do you run in to Americans in Holland who know Christian Haitians? A meeting arranged by God if you ask me… Well, I contacted the family she was talking about, they were very friendly and welcoming me for the time I was planning to come to Haiti. I was so happy that I didn’t had to stay in some random hotel!

I started emailing with Dula, the lady of the house and I took a look on their website. They appeared to have several ministries in Haiti as ‘First Fruit’. I really wanted to see for myself what Haiti is like, get to know the people and also to see what is really needed. Dula promised me I could come and see a few of their ministries while I stayed at First Fruit Guesthouse. I was so happy, because this was really an opportunity for me to learn more about the work of First Fruit! E-mails I got from Dula were closed with ‘we are praying for you’. I almost couldn’t believe that strangers at the other side of the world were really praying for me, but the minute I got to know family Estinvil, I knew that it was true that they had prayed for me.

I stayed 5 days at the guesthouse, which were maybe the most incredible of my entire life. I was treated like a daughter and got the best food available. I even got black beans when I told Dula I really like them, although in Haitian culture it is not common to give black beans to guests. We talked about a lot of things, I felt like I could talk with them about anything. The pastor and Dula took me to church, to one of their schools, to their farm and they told me a lot about other ministries they have. Also they have big plans for the future, things they want to do for the people in Haiti and other ministries they want to start. The community is safe in the hands of the Estinvil family, they are a true blessing for the people around them. I was blessed to witness that for a couple of days, and there was never a moment that I didn’t feel safe.

Almost immediately when I arrived home in Holland again, I started thinking about when I can come back. I still have not figured out what gift I have to give to Haiti or what talent God wants me to use to help the Haitians. I miss Haiti so much, I really hope I can come back soon. I hope I can visit First Fruit Guesthouse again! In the meantime, I cherish my memories and my pictures and I am trying to be patient, trusting God that He is going to let me come back one day.

Many, many blessings, Krista

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