Pondering

So I have been thinking a lot this morning after posting earlier... it dawned on me how strange it is that I am living something today that I dreamt about when I was a little girl. I don't know why but I have been on the verge of tears for a good portion of today and I realize that I have had so many big dreams for my life. I used to sit in school and day dream about living in another place. Being a missionary like Amy Carmichael or Elisabeth Elliot and wondering how they felt... dreaming about that life. Hoping someday God would use me like that. I wondered if they ever felt lonely... I think they probably did. But I know too I need to rely on God for my strength. In times when I miss home so bad I think I could burst out crying or that my heart may actually break in pieces...

Then I must remember that He is my strength and my portion. That I cannot always be looking at the next thing... but I must learn to live in today. Because today God has a plan for me. Not just tomorrow or in 5 years... but today there is life to be lived. Today I am living a part of the dream. God help me to live in the present and not to hold on so tightly to things that I cannot have yet... things I am sure I cannot imagine or foresee. Help me to love people here and now and to hold those loves from home in my heart. Help me to entrust them to you... knowing you will continue to build and strengthen relationships from a distance. I trust you.

How Time Flies...

I am sorry that I have not posted in so long... A week has gone by and I can't hardly believe it. So much happens in one week. So much life is lived and days come and go here so quickly, or so it seems. And yet when I think about going home in April it seems a lifetime away. It's quite odd.

So in an attempt to update you all on what the last week has been like, please be patient as I give you a bit of an overview. Now lets see... who knows if I'll really get it in order or not? lol. But then you wouldn't know anyway would you? :P

There was one night that we made cookies at Lisa's house which was quite an adventure! The sad thing was we left the chocolate chips and oatmeal at the property so they were like plain cookies and we mixed in some cocoa powder which made it better but not the same as if we had had choc chips. lol. what do you do though? nothing!

The next day we went for a drive to a nearby town called Petit Goave. We make it a habit to ride in the back of truck. It is a wonderful feeling to be flying down the road in the back of a pickup holding on tightly to the back and having the air blowing you in the wind. I love it! On this same trip we stopped by the first church plant in a neighboring town called Tapion. This is a pic of me and Jen standing at the top of the hill in the church building. Sometimes I am blown away by the beauty that is found in this place. Wow. It was a good day.



Saturday Jen and I got our hair braided by some amazing young women in the church. Now the phrase that continued to roll in my mind during the agonizing 5 1/2 hours it took to put the extensions and braids in my hair was my mom saying, "Baby, sometimes it hurts to be beautiful!"

Church on Sunday was amazing. Being able to share that time with the Haitians. I love watching them worship. It is like nothing I have ever seen or experienced in my life. They are so uninhibited. The care nothing for what people around them think. They give God everything that is in them to give. It is a beautiful thing. I often feel like I don't really know what it is to love God and live for him when I watch these beautiful people.

Then on Monday we went for a long and very neat adventure to visit the community of Vallue. It is an amazing little village/community on the top of a large hilltop area nearby, maybe 10 miles away from Grand Goave. You drive up this incredibly large, long, bumpy, steep mountain. The view is absolutely incredible! at the top you find a school, a hotel and an agricultural site. They have a whole other world up there. It is so neat. We discovered an opportunity to be a part of a festival there and will be participating in it in a couple weeks, selling things and promoting Haiti Arise and the school. It is a very awesome opportunity. We did so many amazing things on this trip. We saw how they made jams and jellies and got to try some awesome fresh grapefruit. We hiked when the truck could go no further on the extremely rutted roads. And let me tell you it makes me wish I had taken the time to really get in shape before I came. Whew. It proved to me how OUT OF SHAPE I really am. lol. They are incredibly patient with me. Thank God! :P It was really just an amazing trip. This whole day I was preparing myself, knowing that it was my last day with Jen before she returned home. I was freaking out inside... wondering what I was going to do when she left.

That day ended wonderfully though. We went for a drive to the nearby beach, Taino, that I will visit every Monday night as our weekly treat. It is incredibly beautiful and peaceful. It was so nice to just float and swim in the warm water with Jen. It was amazing to watch change that had taken place in her life this last week. And then I am reminded about how different I could be when I go home. I don't know what is going on in my heart but I truly hope that I don't hold things back from God. I want to go for it and I want to accomplish what I came here to do, but it is a scary thing... being here for 5 months. It's been 2 weeks and I am excited, but there is a huge part of me that misses home, my family and friends and that life. And yet, here I am in Haiti, trying to live life. And when I feel sad, I look around at a prayer service like last night and I am reminded... these people have cause for overwhelming sadness and low times, I am so blessed... and I know there are people that love me. I am fed and clothed and healthy. And my perspective slowly shifts. I wonder what will happen... I have so much inside of me that I want to say... but I will save that for another day and spare you a whole book! :) Thanks if you took the time to read this. I love that it is a way to stay connected with the rest of my world. Blessings...

Filming... and the Vision

Today was a very adventurous day as they have been lately. Jen woke up quite a bit earlier than me. I finally rolled out of bed about 7:30 and we got started in our crazy day full of interviews. We started with a very encouraging interview with Steve. He is here as the carpentry teacher for 2 years from Canada. He has a very interesting story to tell about himself and Haiti Arise. I would not be surprised if I come home to Aberdeen and have somewhat of a Canadian accent. I won't mean to but it is very hard to not fall into that simply because every other white person in the compound will be from Canada except for Lisa... but she spent so much of her time in Canada after she met Marc she may as well have been Canadian too!

I made friends with Marc & Lisa's daughter Meesha today! She is so beautiful! I hope that we continue to be friends. :)

Many other things happened today... we must have interviewed like 10 different people. Of course Jennifer was doing most of the hard work!! I do love watching her though!! She is just coming alive. I really do believe that coming here to Haiti does something to a person deep inside. I have been many places in my life... but no place on earth is the same as here... Something breaks in ones spirit... not in a bad way. But something liberating and wonderful occurs in the depths of a person in Haiti. It's something that we (my fellow missionaries and I) have decided no words in the English vocabulary can describe or portray. I will still try from time to time to share the wonderful changes and things deep in my spirit.

I was blown away today by the testimonies of the people we heard today. There were people from many different places in life... but the theme was common through all -- God is moving in this small town of Grand Goave Haiti. It used to be a place that was not known for anything good (sounds a bit like our Grays Harbor, eh?) People would go other places for good things... or for a better life. But now people are coming to this tiny town of Grand Goave to get training and resources for life and their lives are being touched. Many have come to the Lord through this ministry and the reality of God is strong in this place. It blows me away. And to realize that I get to be a part of this ministry is humbling and rewarding. I know that God has brought me for a reason and even though I still don't know exactly what that reason may be... I know that I will find it and God is going to change me forever. Even if I never come back to this place, I get to share about this ministry for the rest of my life. I love it. And I wonder where God would lay my path ahead of me... there is so much to do. And I wonder if God will bring me back here again... I can't go there yet. I need to just live today... and allow God to work the future out ahead of me. One step at a time. Today God is sufficient for me. Lord, continue to work in me... continue to challenge me. Continue to use me to bless these beautiful people.

This is a picture of Jen & I standing in the newly planted church at the top of a hill in a nearby town called Tapion. It is situated so beautifully. The scenery is simply breathtaking!

Happy Thanksgiving ..

Well what a day we had yesterday -- Jen and I agreed when we finally laid down in our beds that the day seemed like it had been 3 days compacted into one. And I told her -- we should probably expect every day to seem as long... Simply because so much happens here in Haiti. We are just taking a quick break now between filming so we can charge the batteries. It is so strange to think that if we were home we would be preparing for Thanksgiving. I would probably be up with mom getting food ready, the house prepared for family... I thought I would be overwhelmed with sadness today... but I am not. YET. I think Christmas will be harder. Thanksgiving is not too big of a deal here in Grand Goave it seems. Life goes on as normal... we visited the English class outside today. The classrooms are being worked on so Jessica and her class are meeting under the church roof. It's so different than one might imagine. Completely different than our North American way of life. But it is so neat to watch what the people are learning and putting into practice here.

I am excited to see what the rest of today will bring. Jennifer is so fun to watch. She comes alive as she works on these interviews and getting every angle for the filming. I just enjoy watching her. I wish I could help more but I do feel so inadequate. It will be fun to see the finished project.

Outside there is much noise! Hammering and drills and saws. There is a group of men working on construction of the 2nd story of this mission house and a 2nd story to the school building. It's amazing to see how much progress takes place every single day. The men work so hard. And it moves along.

I better get back to Jennifer and see what else we need to do today! Keep praying for us. It is fun and exciting but it does take a lot of energy. Pray for the people here as well... that God will continue to strengthen them as they do their work.

I love sitting here in the computer room. I can hear the echoes from down the hall in the kitchen where the cooks Madame Artise and Madame Luc are singing Haitian songs. What a beautiful sound. I hope I find my place soon.

Good morning in Haiti

I almost forgot what it is like to wake up to the sounds of roosters (many roosters) crowing. It is certainly not something you hear in little old Aberdeen. lol. But here it is a continued thing from seemingly 5 am to 9 or so. lol. Stupid birds! I am sure that will slowly get less annoying. A girl can hope anyway.

I woke up this morning still exhausted but at least a little bit more clear headed. My tummy is growling and I hear that Jessica, the girl across the hall, made killer peach pancakes.. That's something new, but I am sure they are scrumptious! I can't wait to try one!

I have no idea what today holds, but I do know that Jen is eager to start taking pictures and moving through the day. For now, I am ready to follow her and do what needs to be done. I feel so much like a little girl unsure of what to do. I know that God has prepared me for this trip... but now that I am here it is so much like starting work at the church and knowing absolutely nothing about what I was going to be asked to do. God gives us strength and I know He will not abandon me here... but goodness...

Lord help me to learn quickly! The language, the skills and the things necessary to survive! I'll post some more pics in the next day or so...

The goodbyes at the airport yesterday still sting my heart. I just didn't want to let go of my parents or Jake or Sadie. In rounds I went around squeezing each of them and holding them tightly. I miss them so much already.... but God will strengthen us!

Till later -- time for pancakes!

My first night in Haiti

Oh what an incredibly long day... I cannot even begin to describe what is going on in my heart. I feel like it is a whirlwind of every type of emotion known to man. OK seriously not that bad.... lol. But it is a lot harder than I could have imagined. And it's only the first night. I know that a lot of that might be due in part to the fact that I only managed about an hour of sleep in the last 24 hours...

I know that I will make it. that God will give me strength.

I will post more when I am more awake. Blessings

One Week & Counting

Oh my how life goes by so quickly!! So much has happened today... it was so great!! Sara Norton came home last night to visit for a bit. She stayed the night and it was so fun to just catch up. Then this morning we went out for breakfast at Duffy's. Oh how I will miss the dear old restaurant!

And then Rebecca and Rhianna and I went up to Olympia to Weddings with Joy to try on bridesmaid dresses. Oh how fun that is going to be! I still can't believe my little cell girl Rebecca is getting married!! And I get to be the maid of honor. I feel so blessed!! I am so glad that I am going to be back in time!! Hooray!

Came home and had coffee with my good friend Jessica Hargrove (see -- how weird! All my old friends getting married and having kids! And me and Ash moving to opposite sides of the world! Unbelievable!!). Anyway -- that was fun!!

Now mommy and I are getting ready to go to my last Sensaria team meeting for awhile. Sadness... Hey -- if you haven't checked out my Sensaria site you totally should!! www.sensaria.com/kmasten The premier membership rocks and would really help me if you wanted to know a way to support me while I am gone!! Check it out!

Well, for now thats all... I am sure there will be more to say very soon!!

Goodbye's or "See Ya Laters"

So today was my very last day at Starbucks. What a sad day. There were a few awesome girls that I work with that were quite sad to say goodbye... but as my friend Jake tells me often, "Kim, this isn't 'goodbye'... it's simply 'See ya later'" Unless you plan on cutting ties and having this be the end of your friendship with people ... then it's simply not a goodbye.

This is somewhat of a comforting thought as I prepare to leave... it is so strange to me that it is happening in 9 days... so much has happened already and so much lays ahead of me to do... PRAISE GOD though, over half of my money has come in already!! wow. Incredible really. I still need over $1,500 more dollars though... but I know that God is faithful and he is going to provide...
Tonight was cell group and we celebrated Katie's birthday. OH how hard it is going to be to leave my family there. so many wonderful friends... I have been so blessed. God knew I needed them this year I think. OH man. I can't believe its almost time to go.

I am so glad that I won't be going alone though. Jen is going to go with me and we have much to accomplish in the week that she will be with me. I am looking forward to it! And Sunday the church is going to pray for us... so glad. :)

I am tired tonight... but full of joy and excitement for the next week and what God is going to do!!

Preaching on Wednesday night at GYC!! Yay! That will be cool!

More later...

Shopping for Material, things and other things

I am amazed at all of the "Stuff" I have on my list of things to get for Haiti. It seems so overwhelming and then I think, how much of that stuff do I really need to survive in Haiti? I mean, really... there are so many luxuries I am so used to living with in America. I am used to hot running water any time I want or need it. I am used to a washer and dryer anytime I want my favorite shirt or outfit cleaned. I am so used to electricity anytime I wanna just flick a light on or a phone to call people. I am so used to just calling my friends when I get lonely or just need someone to laugh with.

I am so grateful for my friends and the people that are in my life. I can't believe that my trip is only 2 weeks away. I know it will fly by and I will look back at the post in 5 months and remember the jitters and the nerves sitting here in Starbucks drinking my latte... and oh the memories. I know that this is going to change my life and the lives of those around me forever. But oh how I look forward to seeing what God has in store!

I had a meeting with my good friend Mary who recruited me into Sensaria. What an amazing business and how exciting that I will have a business to come home to in April. :) Thanks to all those amazing women who are going to support me and my business while I am gone. I wonder what is going to happen... *pondering face*

pics of me

So I decided that I should post a couple pics of me... this on is just me in Neah Bay WA last summer with my rents. What a beautiful day on the water.


So this is me at my apartment -- "attempting to be cool" ya. whatev!

Many things to do...

Well, I am new to this blog, but I thought -- what a great habit to get into to keep everyone updated on me...

Life is crazy right now... 19 days left till Jen and I fly out to Haiti. People have been asking, well Kim, how much money do you have? Are you ready? what about this? what about that? so many different directions I feel like life is pulling me, but I know that I have made a choice. A choice to move to Haiti for 5 months. People say "It's not that long." but oh how long it seems. I am excited beyond measure, but scared. This is a huge step ahead of me... and I am praying that God will help me to be ready. There are so many things to do in 19 days.

I will keep this as updated as possible... but tonight, please pray. Kim is tired and a bit overwhelmed! :) Blessings!!