Still In Bercy...

So it looks like i wont be leaving Bercy until Wednesday, that's the tentative plan as of now considering everything in Haiti needs a little flexibility. It is really exciting because it means that i get to be with the people that i have seen grow and develop for 2 weeks instead of one. i thought i would only be here a few more days, but Dorothy cant come get me tomorrow to go to PAP because she doesn't have insurance on her car yet and getting stopped here is a bit more of a hassle than in the US.

The group from Florida is leaving Tuesday and I might get to PAP then, but Rusty thought it would be more fun to be able to have Cheryl and their daughter come with and get to spend some time with Dorothy, maybe even get a burger at this place called epi-odr. LOL...funny name, but when you don't get burgers often they say it good!

I am learning creole a tiny bit and its fun, but i have to admit it has been a struggle and i ha vent even been here two weeks yet. for some reason i put all this pressure on me to learn it, but PRAISE to God Mama Cheryl reminded me that I am not here to learn a language and if i never learn it is okay. I'm here to serve my LORD & KING and the beautiful children of Haiti. I am so humbled and blessed to be here. I need to remember I'm called here to love as Christ loved all of us and bring justice to those that too often are forgotten.

Today my sponsored child, Mrytha accepted Jesus in to her heart and i was able to be there, a huge blessing. she is up against so much, a story in itself for another day. we went to the Mountain community Terre Noir, my third time going up there since I've been here. God is so great too, because when we left to start walking i was exhausted and didn't think i could do it...then on the way down i was laughing and running and having so much fun...the whole way i was praising and feeling right at home. Surrounded by the banana leaves, dirt, thorns, sun, clouds and Sarah the daughter of the missionaries, Wilguens who is fickle in his love, but he has stolen my heart, and Wilfred a strong Christian man who all the Haitian women want ;). it was just a wonderful day.

i wish you could all be here when i look out and see God's glory in his creation of the sun and sky, the mountains and the ocean, and the smiles of all these children and Haitians that just melt my heart.

i miss you all, thank you for the prayers, the letters in my scrapbook, and being a part in this journey God has me on.

LOVE LOVE LOVE
tasha rae

Wireless...what?!

So I am in Bercy...and there is wireless...its so crazy. i swear every time i have come down in the last 6 years (this is my 4th time) so much improvement happens. PRAISE GOD for that. Its so exciting. it is so great to be here. i have already thought a couple of times...6 months that's too short, of course that is mainly when I'm thinking about trying to learn creole. i am so thankful for all your prayers and support and cant wait to be with Dorothy, but i really am glad to be here in Bercy for now. The children are beyond beautiful...you cant really explain for real what it is like, but one day maybe i will be a fabulous writer and express it through my words. today we went up to a village called tierre noir. its probably 2-3 miles away from the orphanage compound and they have to walk to the well to get water by the compound. its so bare up there...they truly do not have much at all. we had the opportunity to help build a church consisting of corigated medal, nails and wood. we also had the opportunity to go visit and pray with the people in the village. it was amazing. there is a man, pastor nathan...he came with and he has such a heart for the LORD and passion for his community and improving Haiti. it's a blessing to meet him. well i really should go...but hopefully i will be able to post something soon again. the team i came with leaves on tuesday and then its me with the missionaries and another group then off to PAP with Dorothy.

love to all. miss you all. blessings. t

this is it!

So tonight is my last night in the states before i begin my journey. you know its funny because this whole past month i was suppose to be preparing and all that stuff, but i feel like not really until Sunday did i realize that I'm really going. that i really have to say bye to the community i love so dearly. it was really hard for me to say bye to Jacobs well. its one of the biggest blessings in my life. the community and life that is lived by so many there, what God is doing through the body there never ceases to amaze me. my cup runneth over so much and i will truly miss going every Sunday. They had a prayer pop corn pow-wow sorta thing in the chapel and it was beautiful. to be with Sarah Beth who is coming on the mission trip the first week and with Tim & Mimi, Philip, ed & ansie, Marcel, Garth, Kate, Bea...so many. you know it is truly a blessing to have people pray for you. its SO humbling and a truly honoring gift to receive.

anyway..i had dinner with Bea tonight...funny i was craving a salad and then forgot to order one...then felt high maintenance b/c i changed my order...anyway. from tomorrow on its gonna be mainly rice and beans i think...oh and Pb&j! so when you eat these things think of me. i don't know when I'll get the Internet again...but know that i am ready for my journey. for the Lord has gone before me and i am so excited to join Him and many more of His servants who are already working to make a difference in Haiti. thanks for all your prayers. see you in 6 months, but talk to you soon, very soon.

LOVE LOVE LOVE
Tasha Rae

ps. i jus realized a quick way to edit this mug...so maybe there will be better puncuation for all you english major...gotta be proper people ;)

19 days to go...

So i have been living at the Stawarz for about 2 weeks now. i only have 19 days left until i leave and about 16 days left at Bea & Shawn's. i'm getting really excited, but at the same time feeling as though i have lots to do beforehand and am not making any progress. ever get that feeling? anyway its been fun living here. sometimes i think when you live with people thou you forget to make space for quality time. i havent been around that much and feel like i havent got to spend much quality time. however its been fun living with the cute married couple and i'm feeling really at home here! and depsite the puppy training...i love living with a dog.

so christmas is pretty much here and its been really overwhelming for me this year. my church has been doing this advent conspiracy thing(www.adventconspiracy.org)where people are donating money to build a water well in a village in africa and we have been promoting not being so consumer driven, but more relational and worshipful ya know. long story short i'm ALL bout it, but its hard when you are up against so much that tells you gifts gifts gifts, buy buy buy...so its draining. i mean shopping is draining to begin with for me. I love thift store/vitage type shopping, but oh put me in a mall or somewhere more coporate and i feel absolutely exhausted.

i have realized over the years that this is way i can do well living in a developing country because the more options you give me the more overwhelmed and frustrated and indecisive i am. I NEED SIMPLICITY!!!!

Hope you all have an incredible holiday season. i hope your cups are overflowing with love and laughter! <3 <3 <3

the transition begins

So it is sunday and tomorrow i am not going to work. its a little weird, but from here until i leave i'm without a job. however PRAY i have a LOT of tasks that i need to do before i leave. i want to read...and i have a LOT to read. what else i have to organize and finalize details for Haiti. and of course praying and spending time with the people and places i love.

anyone that wants to do lunch let me know...because i can! i will fit you in! send me an email or give me a call and we'll make a date :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE

closer everyday

can you believe i only have like 6 weeks left, its getting closer everyday. its crazy. my last day at cfca is on the 7th and i am so excited for a month to read, rest, hang out, focus and be me in kc without a job taking up most of my days. i hope to be really intentional about prayer and people and enjoying what i love here! i'm also moving in with the newlyweds! Bea and Shawn are being so generous and letting me stay with them while i have a month left. i would stay in stilwell with my parents...but it is very far from jacob's well, all the little coffee shops and places that i will miss so much. so my residence will be at the stawarz, but i'm sure i will be in stilwell often as i love my fam!!!

well its turkey day and i need to get ready to go be with the fam, but i am thankful for all of you and the many blessings you bring to my life.
LOVE LOVE LOVE...T

bittersweet, but for the best!

For those off you who dont know...the first week i am in Haiti will be the regular mission trip that i have taken in the past. i will be in a small village called bercy i think its about 25 miles from PAP. I will be going with about 15 other people including my mom,dad & sister! on the way to the airport they were going to drop me off in PAP with Dorothy and my family was going to get to see where i would be living. however dorothy's daughter-n-law is pregnant with Dorothy's first grandbaby. long story short she is going to be in the states most of the month of january. i am SO excited for Dorothy to have this opportunity...however it is a little bittersweet for my family because they really wanted to see where i will be staying and volunteering. GOD is so wonderful though, because it is an amazing chance for dorothy and in reality the time i have invested in Haiti and the Haitians i know are in bercy. i think in Dorothy being away i will get to stay in bercy for another week. i am really excited about that because i love that community there. so although it is a bit sad for my family...God probably knew my heart would really be sad to only be in bercy for one week and He definitely knew Dorothy needs to see her new grandbaby. so it seems to be working out for the best!!!

God bless,tash

roommate

"Two young women will be living in the house with us for the next several months. Dannae is coming from the U.S. in mid-October to teach at a nearby school. She will share a room with Natasha Taylor who will come in January to work with me for 6 months. Check out her blog. I am REALLY looking forward to her coming." -Dorothy

so i have been meaning to tell you if i already havent i am going to have a roommate while living with Dorothy. i'm excited to have another woman in the house who (i think) is close to my own age. not that it matters, but i was worried for awhile about not having any social interaction with fellow peers because we all know how i love to socialize. But this roommate is just another way that God shows me he will provide.

its getting closer and i am getting more excited everyday. i cant wait for what God is going to teach me through Dorothy, the children and it all.

hope you are all doing GREAT! Oh and just so you know i am done working at CFCA soon. My last day will be Friday December 7th and then i will have a month to hang in kc with all my loved ones, finalize details, move out of the lil apt. that i truly love and has been such a blessing. So please feel free to call me and we can do lunch, or something :)

life...

i sorta am in a reflective mood, yet not really knowing how to explain what i'm reflectin.

life is funny sometimes, hard often and beautiful always despite the pain or the situations. i hope i can remember this while in Haiti.

i am blessed with so many wonderful people in my life, even if relationships go through times of struggle there is something to be learned, ya know?! conflict is hard, but communication and honesty is what makes relationships work. its not always easy thou...

i hope that while i am in Haiti i can really do well in terms of communicating what i am doing and experiencing. i hope that i also do well about keeping in touch with everyone too.

i am praying for you all and love you all. i will miss being in kansas city with my peeps. you know who you are :) :) :)

T

change of plans

So i know i have been talking about this benefit concert for a LONG time now...but i came to the conclusion last night that i am not going to do it.

i have been sick for the last week or so and i am really tired and overwhelmed. last night i was suppose to have a meeting with people that wanted to help and as i understand why people didnt show...only Beatriz, my mom and mike showed up. i had been contemplating for a few days whether or not i should really do it, but i feel like last night i realized that it isnt really worth the amount of energy.

i thank everyone for all their support and willingness to help, however after talking with Bea and spending a lot of time in prayer i realized that its just too much right now. i would need 4 people to oversee teams and then more volunteers underneath them...plus lots of things to start asap because we would have only had a month to pull it all together.

i realize that any fund raising i can do will be great for Dorothy and the kids, however God has provided abundantly. i have gone far beyond my set goal of raising 3,500 in fact with ALL your support i have 5,000 dollars. THAT IS AMAZING!!! therefore i feel like i am good financially and instead of trying to pull an event together quick and be stressed out...i'm just gonna be me in KC while i am here.

the other thing that made me really want to have this benefit concert was the idea of having SO many of the people i love in the same place before i left so that i could give you my contact info and spend time with you before i left. however its a lot of work for a going away party...so long story short i'm not going to do the benefit concert anymore.

My mom, Bea and mike suggested doing it in December after i get back so that people can hear and see what i did while i was there and what their money, prayers and LOTS of support went towards. so hopefully when i return you will still be up for helping out with an event.

thanks for understanding, being SO supportive and many blessings in my life.

GOD BLESS, tash

METTING FOR CONCERT

Hey everyone...i'm going to have an informational/brainstorming meeting this coming week for people who want to help out with the benefit concert.

i'm thinking either monday or tuesday night at the starbucks off westport road and broadway. probably around 7:30pm i hope people can come to we can start getting this thing more into place.

call me if you have questions. i'll try to send out an email friday to tell you which day for sure.

thanks for everything!
LOVE LOVE LOVE as always

God is good

So after i wrote about my fears of isolation and no social interaction God answered my desires. i was emailing back and forth with Dorothy about logistics stuff and then she wrote me about how she knows i will need social interaction and such. the new house she is renting has room to entertain and not disturb the children. The church that I will be attending with her and the children is a walk away and there are many young adults there that she feels i will become good friends with. :)

with this new house there is going to be a lot more space and i will actually be getting my OWN room...until another apportunity came up and she presented it to me...apparently there is a woman who has worked in Haiti a few times that Karl(the paster at Dorothy's church) knows and she needs a place to stay for reasonable rent. so i will be having a roommate.

at first i wasn't so sure about the roommate thing because i really wanted this journey to Haiti to be one that stretches me. when i lived in jamaica for the summer i had christina. and although i love her dearly and learned so much there, i always had a sidekick so to speak. i mean we volunteered at the same place, lived with the same family, had the same classes together and travelled together. it was a wonderful experience. however with this trip to Haiti i wanted to be stretched more...know that i dont need another person for support. that my strengh would be through God and that I would become a lot more confident in my abilities.

but after much thought and prayer i have realized that GOD IS GOOD. He has seen my desire for social interaction and relationship with peers and provided. this roommate and i wont be doing the same thing constently and i am SURE i will learn from her as every roommate i have had before. in fact for me to tell dorothy i dont want a roommate would be selfish i feel. i mean the rent from her would be an added income to help with things. plus it would be another hand to help around the house and love on the kids.

so to sum it up i'm not too worried about having no social interaction anymore. i'm excited to have new friends and more people to help me practice my haitian creole.

however dont think that means i dont want emails, comments on this blog, myspace, facebook and mail because I DO!!!! you all have to keep me in the know about your lifes and what is going on in KC!!!! plus i will miss you all a ton!!!!

love love love you all!