The Power of One

One is the loneliest number? But what if "one" could turn your world upside down and change your life?

One smile: It's a sweltering afternoon in Ferrier, Haiti and a small girl in a purple crushed velvet dress wanders into the guest house. Her hair is full of blue bows; part of her school uniform from earlier in the day. Her thin body wanders over to where our group is meeting and takes a seat on the bench next to me. I look over and she looks back up at me and gives the most beautiful smile. Her white teeth stand out against her dark skin as she shyly says hello. Jeniflo. Her smile melted my heart and from that moment on, she was my buddy for the remainder of the trip. I visited her during recess at school and afternoons were full of talking, learning Creole, singing and drawing on the front porch. One smile was all it took.

One week: It's only 2% of a year, but it can affect the other 98%. One week was all it took to confirm my love. One week of dirt roads, cold showers, laughter, the cutest children, solar panels, extremely hot weather, water pumps, tears, worshiping, giant bugs, riding all forms of transportation (motorcycle, walking, bed of a pickup, horse, airplane and hitchhiking), different foods, spotty electricity, new friendships and serving. One week of living in Ferrier stole my heart forever.

One person: A servant's heart that brought the Kingdom to earth. Gave up his comfortable life in America to serve "the least of these" in Ferrier. An inspiring heart and willingness to serve every single day, despite how he was feeling. His dry, witty and sarcastic humor provided laughs throughout the entire trip. Absolutely losing it in a fit of tears from laughter at lunch in Turks and laughing at me as I was escorted away for more security checks at the airport. Seth Dorrell. A life that ended too soon, but ONE that impacted MANY. One person can change the world and his life is proof.

One month: One month back in the United States. Crazy how fast time flies!! And a lot has changed. The little things I never gave a second thought to before are now blessings. Clean water from the sink to brush my teeth. Air conditioning to keep me cool. Hundreds of options for food. Things I think are necessities, but are actually luxuries for most of the world. One month later and life is uncomfortable in the U.S. Some people say this feeling and emotions will eventually wear off, but I hope it doesn't. God broke my heart and I fell in love with the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Which brings me to a big announcement:

Upon arrival at DFW, my mother immediately knew I was different. "God told you you were supposed to be in Haiti, didn't He?" She was, and is, SO right! Last week I started the process of becoming a full-time missionary. I don't know what the time table looks like for this, but I have signed up for a TESOL class to get started. This would certify me to teach English as a second/optional language overseas. I also had a lunch meeting with some friends who are home on furlough and they gave me wonderful advice and information. While in Haiti, God revealed I could use my passion for empowering women and providing clean water. I am in the process of researching agencies who focus on these issues while spreading the Gospel. Please be in prayer that God would guide me in selecting an agency/mission board, provide the financial means for this new life, give me patience for the process and for my family. Thankfully my immediate family is very supportive of this!!

One smile, one week, one person, one month and one decision changed my life. But one person made this all happen: Jesus Christ. He began molding my heart for this years ago and now it's coming to fruition. While this is an exciting time, I'll be honest, it's also very scary. A lot of things will change. I'll have to give up things I never thought I could. My life will be radically different, but I'm so ready to see what God has planned. Thanks for reading and I hope you will be my prayer warriors and support system through this process! :)