Lizzy's Footprints

Here is a short update.... Today was our sleep in morning!  I got to lead morning devotions which were very nice.  We had a guest for breakfast which was nice.  He told us about different things from the community and his own personal story.  Then we did the leadership webinar and our team split up into groups.  Each group secretly completed a challenge and my group actually won!  It was a good bonding experience.  Then we all went to jump off the bridge.  After lunch, we went on our way into another Haitian community.  I have absolutely loved doing bible and food distribution! Now it is evening free time/ dinner prep.  Some people are playing cards, some are playing magic and overall the house it very loud. I love you all so much and can't wait to tell you all every detail and story!

I can not believe that it is already Thursday.  We spent our whole day in Blackwood today.  Many of us taught ESL, played with the children, and did food/bible distribution.  Personally, I was on the food/bible distribution team.  I can't even put words to how amazing it was to get to talk to the adults and truly experience the culture.  Even though there was a major language barrier with some of the Haitians, overall it was amazing to talk to each of them.  Praying for them and asking them how we could pray for them personally brought such sweet smiles to their faces.  One of the ladies towards the end even jumped for joy at receiving a bible in Creole.  Walking through praying over individuals and handing them food brought so much peace to my soul.  My heart broke for all of their different situations but getting the opportunity to listen to them share their personal struggles and prayer request is what strengthened...

Here are some photo from the week thus far: Mama D and I at glass window bridge We were pretty excited to spend a day traveling.  Airport group photo We're just an exciting group in general  Eating lunch as we fixed a flat tire Getting on the very small plane heading to Eleuthera  Glass Window Bridge Glass Windo bridge rock climbing Evening free time craziness Ferry ride to Eleuthera  Ice cream night Me, Anna, Mama D, & Savanah Plane from FL to Nassau 

Sadly it was storming this morning and we didn't end up going over to Blackwood for our morning session to teach ESL.   Instead half of us work on donations distribution and the group I was a part of prepared our skit for Saturday's youth group.  It was a productive morning even though it wasn't what we originally planned.  We had quite a lot of free time at lunch to explore the island.  Walking along a sand bar out into the ocean.  We took the 3:00pm ferry to Eleuthera.  Our afternoon was full of playing with the children.  The weather cleared up and the afternoon was absolutely beautiful.  All of the children ran over to us.  Hugging us and instantly starting to play games.  I got to play volleyball against six of the Haitian girls.  Let's just say I lost... majorly.  However, it was extremely fun to play with them.  After the intense volleyball game, one of the younger girls grabs me by the hand takes me up ont...

A day full of adventure from the very beginning.  We went out to Northern Eleuthera explored and experienced the culture.  We also did a lot of directing and planning sessions to prepare us for our first day in Blackwood tomorrow. After our 9:00 ferry from Spanish Wells to Eleuthera we ran into our first adventure.  Our cars that we rented had not arrived so we bonded as a group on the dock and got to meet some islanders as we waited.  The day's adventures continued with the arrival of all the sketchy cars.  Our first stop was the glass window bridge.  After that stop on of our tires popped and went flat.  We climbed rocks and went to Queen's bath.  Then we took an adventure to the grocery store.  It was like a big warehouse and nothing was very organized.  It surprised me that they advertised thanksgiving sales and the huge price difference.  After the store, we got VERY lost trying to find the Blue Hole. ...

It has definitely been a very long day full of traveling.  We were at the airport by 9:30 this morning and quickly got through all of our flights and travels.  It has been a smooth adventure so far with no major difficulties.  Today has mainly been a day to get to know one another and to getting settled in our home.  We won't get into the Blackwood community until Wednesday.  I'm looking forward to experiencing going into Eleuthera and exploring at the beginning of the trip instead of at the end. As we flew in I was surprised by how badly the hurricane hit the island.  It was worse than I personally expected.  Pray for continual recovery from the damage.  Coming on the island everyone is already excited and happy to see our team.  I look forward to seeing what God will do! Today is our least eventful day since we were mainly traveling, but I do look forward to sharing plenty of details in the days to come.

As we hit the road early this morning the excitement continues to build for the next adventure I get the blessing to take part in.  It has been a dream of mine to get to return to the beautiful Blackwood community in the Bahamas since I had to painfully say goodbye the individuals there in 2014.   Click here to read the post from my last trip!   Now my brothers and I have gotten the opportunity to go on this trip.  It is even more exciting for me to experience this trip with my brothers, since before I know it I will be going off to college.  Eagerly anticipating walking back into the Blackwood community, which almost feels like home to me.  Memories are filling my thoughts.  I am beyond excited to see what God is going to do, and all that He has done since I was last there.  My church has given us 150 dresses to donate to the girls of Eleuthera.  That is a tremendous blessing and a wonderful God-thing that has graced me...

As  you take steps through life you can always get lost.  Even the strongest and best relationships can begin to wander off the healthy path.  We are only human after all.  We have this stubborn need to stray from the path and dive into the thorny bushes.  Even when we see the thorns and know that it will hurt like hell.  Maybe we just have to learn the hard way sometimes.  Mistakes can knock us down and make us weak but in that moment you can decide to face the mistakes and be bigger than the problems.  That is when you gain true strength.  The thorns almost feel more painful as you pull them out, then they did when they first punctured your skin.    When you are walking in any kind of relationship both parties may come to a point where they fall off the path.  They fall off for separate reasons and in no way is it because the other person caused you to fall.  Every other time you trip that person was the one who...