IN JANUARY 2010 I sat as a substitute teacher in a third-grade classroom in Lubbock, Texas, while the scratch of pencils filled the room. News of the Haiti earthquake still rang in my head. So many hurt, so many lost.
My pen hit the page and began to fill the lines with the story of an American nurse standing amidst the debris in Haiti wondering where God could be found in the chaos. I intended to turn it into a short story. But it sat in my notebook until I signed up for a writing class in September.
One thing led to another, and the page turned into a chapter, then ten chapters, then a novel. I began to research, watch videos, read books, and interview people about Haiti, the earthquake, and the people there. Slowly I fell in love with a people I’d never met and a place I’d never been. The story built in my heart until it spilled onto the page. Then I waited for someone else to fall in love with what I had—the story of a resilient people, the heart of an American young adult, the hope found in Christ no matter the circumstance, and the love of two people in the midst of struggle.
While I waited, I had the opportunity to go to Haiti with a team from my church. We partnered with Mission of Hope, a ministry seeking to transform lives in Haiti with the power of the gospel. They are educating children, building homes, helping adults establish business plans, teaching job skills, providing health care, and teaching Christian values. And things are changing! Voodoo priests are coming to Christ or moving higher into the mountains. Teenagers are stepping up to lead and share the gospel in their villages. Children are learning that they can dream big for the first time in Haiti’s history. They have a future!
I truly believe there is hope for Haiti. I believe the vicious cycle of poverty, disease, and death can change. I believe young adults can change the world. I believe change happens one life at a time, and I believe Mission of Hope is helping this happen. If you would like to partner with them to help Haiti, please visit www.mohhaiti.org.
I hope you fall in love with Nick and Kaylan’s story as much as I have. I hope the people of Haiti grip your heart. But most of all, I hope you discover the goodness of the God who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us.
Journeying with you,