Stateside

My second semester teaching in Haiti was quite the busy one (so much so I never updated the blog). Here are some highlights from the past few months:
*Missionary Retreat where we learned about understanding cultural intelligence. Photo courtesy of Rob Thompson





*Visiting my sister church Petit Trou with The Bayou team Image may contain: 14 people, including Casey Hilty, Tony Rainwater, Joslynn Stakes, Sara Taylor Donohue, Ricky Gutierrez, Patricia-Patty Naquin Rainwater and Alexandra Flores, people smiling, people sitting and indoorImage may contain: 14 people, including Casey Hilty, Tony Rainwater, Joslynn Stakes, Sara Taylor Donohue, Ricky Gutierrez, Patricia-Patty Naquin Rainwater and Alexandra Flores, people smiling, people sitting and indoorImage may contain: 14 people, including Casey Hilty, Tony Rainwater, Joslynn Stakes, Sara Taylor Donohue, Ricky Gutierrez, Patricia-Patty Naquin Rainwater and Alexandra Flores, people smiling, people sitting and indoorImage may contain: 13 people, including Joslynn Stakes, Sara Taylor Donohue, Tony Rainwater, Patricia-Patty Naquin Rainwater, Ricky Gutierrez, Alexandra Flores and Casey Hilty, people smiling, people standing and outdoorImage may contain: 13 people, including Joslynn Stakes, Sara Taylor Donohue, Tony Rainwater, Patricia-Patty Naquin Rainwater, Ricky Gutierrez, Alexandra Flores and Casey Hilty, people smiling, people standing and outdoor

* Co-leading the team with Josiah Nunemaker Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling

*Celebrating the 11th anniversary of my 25th birthday. My students threw me a surprise party and gave me a coffee thermos as a gift.

*Watching soccer at a stadium in Les Cayes. The player we were watching is the son of my neighbor's house help.



*Image may contain: 26 people, including Janae Stork, Kathryn Messner, Sean Christensen, Jona Francisque Lazarre, Joslynn Stakes, Heather Moore, Tina Eisenberger Nunemaker, Trinity Walder, Becky Brower Thompson and Dawn Faith Shoemaker, people smiling, people sitting and indoor Casey and Heather leading the Women's Conference and using their gifts and talents to encourage the missionary women. Photo courtesy of Becky Thompson.

*Visiting a waterfall
Making water rockets as a science project

 *Visiting fort ruins from when the French ruled Haiti.

*The last adventure of the "J Team". Josiah will be returning to the States this fall. We spent four hours on 4wheelers exploring Haiti and getting muddy!


Along with all the fun times, there were some no so fun times as well. I said good-bye to two of my students as one moved back to the States with her family and the other one returned to Germany with her family. There were lots of tears but also partying and thanksgiving for God and their parents allowing me to be their teacher.

In the midst of it all, a decision for next year had to be made. Would I return to teach another year, or would I come back to the States and pursue other endeavors. After much prayer, conversations, and wise counsel, I decided to return to Haiti to teach for another year. This past year, I taught 6th/7th grades for the entire year. This upcoming year, I will be teaching Middle and High School Bible, History, and PE. I am excited about the opportunity to use my knowledge of these subjects across these grade levels. 

That being said, it means I will be fundraising this summer for my return. My goal is $15,000 for the year. If you are interested in supporting me for this upcoming year, you can go here to give online; or send a check to RMI with Joslynn Stakes in the memo line and send it to Reciprocal Ministries International
5475 Lee St., Suite 301
Lehigh Acres, FL 33971

    

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