Good News / Bad News

Well it's been a long time since I provided update.  My last blog was a few days before dad passed -   several times, since Lance was injured, I have pondered just how much of a man's heart beats for his children.  I'm so glad that I had the chance to better understand dad's love for me during the last year of his life.  I would never have felt the degree of compassion, or been able to appreciate John F. so much, had I not experienced the "great sadness" that wanted to become my constant companion.  (great sadness-reference from The Shack)

Today, March 28th, marks 16 months since Lance was injured.  I always deal with an unwarranted amount of emotion when the 28th of each month comes up on the calendar.  Today seems different; it is so busy and Lance has had three successive days of fun developments.  In fact he has had three and a half weeks of excitement since arriving at the Shepherd Center.  In the first three hours after his admission so much happened.  Dr. Elmers and her team were busy listening and sharing ideas; their knowledge of him was astounding due to the excellent reports they had received from his outpatient therapists as well as Cardinal Hill.  Gena and I later compared notes on our feelings; she experienced alot of emotions just walking down familiar hallways and remembering Lance's status when we were here a year ago.  I did not have those flashbacks until I started bumping into staff members who had provided care for Lance with so much affection.............provided support for us, his family, when we were so fragile.  To each of them I will be forever grateful.........................  Each of us have the chance to help others along their journey; while you cannot always be ready to jump in and help.....keep your eyes wide open as there are so many people fighting hard battles.

I promised myself I would be brief, so I will just hit the highlights.  Gena and I enjoyed the first week with him in Atlanta as our wonderful team provided assessments and began giving input and put together a plan of action for Lance.  We had fun times as he started laughing more often when funny things happened.  Still the travel had been tiring and now he had to quickly get accustomed to a new group of people, new schedules, and new surroundings.  The trip itself would have caused anyone to become disconcerted; Lance slept in four different beds on four consecutive days during the transition.  Friday - Vanceburg, Saturday - Knoxville, Sunday - Atlanta but not the hospital until Monday.  We were able to help him begin his birthday celebration.  Other birthday visitors were the Dunaways-Chris, Deah, Noah, and Lance's buddy Grant.

Jill and Grandma Betty were with him during week two. This week was challenging with Lance having a Baclofen pump surgically placed by Dr.Frankel on Thursday.  This allows medicine that helps to control muscle tone to be delivered, site specific to where it is needed, in his spinal cord.  This, as well as all other coordinated efforts, are precursors to him being able to walk.  In order to avoid post-operative problems he had to stay in bed, relatively flat, for 48 hours after surgery.  All has gone well and we are starting to see benefits.  (This will be a long term medical device for Lance; many deal with similar devices such as pain pumps or insulin pumps.)  I underestimated the recovery time but he now seems to have that behind him.

Sue Jane Bane and Brock were with him a couple of days while he still didn't feel well, early in week three.  Gena finished out the third week;  Friday was a troubling day as Lance had a light seizure soon after wake-up.  She was in room helping him get day started when the episode occurred.  The rest of the day and the weekend was spent closely monitoring him.  There were some immediate medicine adjustments;  some meds,  typically used for patients like Lance, have seizure risks.  No other similar occurences have been observed since then.

Chelcee and I arrived for week four and have enjoyed our time with him.  By Monday it seemed that he was much stronger and there was a new difference.  He was laughing at TV shows, at me, even at himself.  The laughter doesn't have the volume that you who know him would miss.  However, the laughter is spontaneous......and there is a twinkle in his eye that is beautifully familiar.  I've missed so much for so long........this has been a wonderful blessing.  Much re-training is occurring.  He seems to embrace learning, just as he always has.  His attitude is outstanding as it has been through the journey.  Next week he is going to have surgery on his Achilles tendons; they were stretched during the months in which he was in a coma - to a point where walking, running, bicycling in a normal way would be impossible.  He understands and is willing to go through yet another tough procedure / recovery to obtain the best possible outcome.  I'm thankful to be in such a place of hope, a place where big dreams are dreamed and realized.....by avoiding low expectations.

His determination seems to be coming from inside him and not only from those who surround him.  Pictures will display casts that are being used on left arm and leg for muscle extension.  These are treatment techniques that he has experienced before but now with new goals.  He advocates ardently for the Louisville Cardinals with anyone who brings up the Final Four.  Visitors during the Cards-Gators game on Saturday included Mike and Jenny Ginn, Chuck Perry, and the Hyatts-Todd, Megan, and Parker.  He attended the Atlanta Hawks vs. Utah Jazz game Sunday night thanks to Fleming Countian and fellow Uof L alum Derrick Crump, who works for the Hawks.

Dad and I always enjoyed good news/bad news jokes. So did Lance and I.  On Monday afternoon Lance and I were sitting outside on a 75 degree Atlanta spring afternoon.  I had carried out the plastic dish with the last three oatmeal cookies that mom had sent with us.  I gave him one and kept one for myself.  A few minutes later I opened the top and held it so Lance could look inside at the sole remaining cookie.  I said there's good news and bad news. The good news is there is a cookie left; the bad news is...".  He interrupted saying, "and it's for you."

Today we called to tell Gena about the upcoming surgery; I wanted to use the good/bad idea again so Lance could tell her in a fun way that it was going to involve not just one, but both ankles.  I started, "Tell Gena the good news about when the surgery is scheduled."  Lance said, "Next Thursday."  I followed, "And the bad news is.........".  Lance finished, "......and it's on me!"  It was so fun that he improvised, away from the script, and said something that was much more humorous. 

Last night he told me something that was bad news and good news, but not a joke.  Chelcee and I had just finished helping him with a shower - no small task for a man with two casts.  I looked at him and observed a grimace on his face as he shifted to get comfortable on his pillow.  I asked, "What's the matter Lance?"  His reply, "My neck is hurting." was the greatest complaint these ears have ever heard.  Sorry as I was to hear him describe pain, I had just witnessed a complete sentence spoken spontaneously - his first.  To some this will sound too simple to dwell on.......until you ponder all that has to happen for this God given communication system to work in our brains, our bodies.  Let's pause a moment and give God praise for many things that we can so easily take for granted.

As we move toward Palm Sunday - Holy Week - Easter, let's pause for longer periods and ponder BIG things that God has done for you, for me.  You think God seems far-away, elusive?  Start obeying what God is telling your inner self to do..............God will be much closer than you thought.   

-John

03.16.12

This is going to be a quick one. 
The following link is to email Lance:

http://www.shepherd.org/about/how-to-reach-a-patient

Also, I wanted to show everyone this picture of Lance, on his birthday. The girl with him is Jennifer. She's amazing. I took a picture of her and Lance last year when he was at Shepherd. And one day, if its ok with Lance I will post it.

Lance had a minor surgery yesterday. They inserted a baclofen pump. This will help with the muscle tone is his left arm and leg. They predict that he will be to take some steps once the medicine starts working! As a result of the surgery, he has to lay flat for 36 hours. However, he is dealing with it like a champ. Therapy has been working him really hard the last 10 days. Mom is hanging out with him now, Brock will be going down over the weekend. and I am going 7 days!!!

That's all I've got for now. I'm in between lab and a quiz. :)
God is good.

march madness

March is always a little hectic in my life. Lots of basketball and almost everyone in my family celebrates a birthday.  Its a good time.

This March is no different.
Mom had a birthday last Thursday. My dad is celebrating his today. Brock will be 23 tomorrow, along with Peyton turning 9. Lance will be 26 on Friday. My Aunt Christa celebrates on Saturday and Shauna at the end of this month. Its crazy. I'm usually out of money by the end of March and definitely sick of birthday cake. (Notice that I didn't include ages of those who are older than me :))
Our cousin, Bopper Stenzel was voted 10th region Player of the Year. He plays for George Rogers Clark, and they will be playing in the state tournament next week. GO CARDS!

For those of you reading, who aren't in Kentucky, the weather is crazy!
Last Friday, tornados ripped through our state and demolished several small towns. I was in a hallway for 2 hours during a tornado warning while at school. My good friend Kayla lost her car and her parents home in Frenchburg. Counties south of Morehead, which is where I work, were leveled. Unfortunately, not only were homes and business destroyed, but lives were lost.
On Monday, we had snow - 6 inches in some places. This was taken in Morgan Co, by my good friend, Brandon Beasley.

Please keep the people of Morgan and Magoffin County in your thoughts and prayers. 

Today, its 70 degrees. Crazy.

ok, lets see, what else is happening. Oh yeah, Lance is back in Atlanta!
Yay! we are pretty excited. He headed out on Saturday, spent the night in Knoxville, and got to meet our cousin, Shelby for breakfast on Sunday morning at Cracker Barrel.

On Monday morning, he began the grueling admission process. Several nurses and therapists that he had over a year ago came in to see him. And of course, they were thoroughly impressed with his progress. His new doctor immediately began assessing and tweaking his medications. The therapist team evaluated to see what to try next on the left leg. Its improved greatly in the past couple months. But still needs work. They have decided to try an intrathecal baclofen pump to treat the spasticity. As always, we are completely amazed with The Shepherd Center, the hope that you feel as soon as you walk in the door, and the intensity of the program itself.
When Lance was discharged from this facility last year, it was with the intent to come back as soon as he was ready. Even though we see huge improvements in Lance's progress, its still surreal that he has advanced out of his 'comatose' state and is now ready to try whatever they throw at him.
It a humbling experience to be a part of.

Here is a picture of myself and my handsome brothers on Saturday, before he left for Georgia.

prayers for strength, healing, and peace.

Sorry, folks, this one isn't so much about Lance.
He is still doing great, and he is still in Kentucky. We are playing the game of waiting on a bed and insurance approval at the same time. Last week in therapy, he was able to go from a sitting position to standing, while only holding on to the parallel bars, 10 times. So, yep he is getting stronger all the time.

Because many friends, family, and even strangers read this blog, I'm asking you to say some prayers for some friends of mine.

My friend's daughter, Autumn will be having surgery tomorrow (Feb 7th) at Cincinnati Children's. Its going to be a complicated procedure. Comfort is needed for her sweet momma and the rest of her family.

A lady that use to work at the hospital with me, lost her daughter over the weekend. Another one of my very good friends is living a nightmare that I was so close to living myself, 14 months ago. She lost her brother in a car accident yesterday.

These three ladies, who I adore are facing scary times this week.  So, as you go about your busy life and take a minute to scan this blog, please say a prayer for each of them.
Also, count your blessings and hold them tight.

Thank ya
-Chelcee

Shepherd? Sure!

On February 17th, Lance traveled from the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to dad's house in Vanceburg. That was almost a year ago. His doctors, nurses and therapists didn't say goodbye when he left, they said we will see you later. They all had high hopes and expectations, as did we, that Lance would continue to make huge strides in physical and cognitive development. And would someday be able to go back to the Shepherd Center for an intense therapy program. 


Throughout this past year Lance has been to Cardinal Hill, in-patient and outpatient, receiving therapy. As well as, Kings Daughters Outpatient Center. They have all been excellent in helping Lance work to regain strength in every aspect. Lance's normal week involves him being on the road for more than 13 hours just to travel to and from therapy sessions, so it was time to look into a program where he wouldn't have to travel but could still get the hard work-out that we know he needs, and wants. 


So, insurance and bed availability pending... Lance is on his way back to the Shepherd Center!
We are so excited to see the nurses and therapists that helped Lance and us make it through those first very critical weeks of rehabilitation. We don't have the specifics yet, still many things to work out, but chances are he will be heading south within the next 2 weeks. As soon as we know the details, we will let everyone know. 
Hopefully, Atlanta offers some warmer weather, or at least some more consistent weather :)


-Chelcee

Happy 2012!

It's been a little over a year since we started blogging. For a long time, we didn't upload pictures. We shared stories, some probably made you laugh, some made you cry. 

However, a picture is worth a thousand words and as most of you know, my busy schedule has doubled this month, so here ya go:

My dad and Lance have been boxing each other. This helps Lance work on his arm extension as well as his aim, as he moves his fist towards my dad's face. or mine. Perhaps not the best form of therapy. 

Sarah, Brock's girlfriend, got Lance a pair of boxing gloves for Christmas. 

great fun :)

For as long as I can remember, Lance has been involved in the music for the Christmas church service. This year he wasn't playing, but he sang in the choir. 

:)

Lance goes to Ashland and Lexington every week. He is in the wheelchair and strapped in seven different ways inside the van. Back in the fall, my dad took him for a ride in the convertible. His second ride was in my car on Christmas day from mom's house to dad's house. 

:)

He is determined. He is so very strong. Here he's standing, balancing himself by holding on to the parallel bar and stretching, just like Ami and Susan tell him to. 

Leslie was really sad she missed work this day! 

Happy 2012 Everyone! 

Miracles Happen! 

every. single. day

Our Papaw, John Fleming, is in his new home.

Most of you know, our papaw John passed away this past Saturday and as my Aunt Christa said, he is in his new home, moved in at 7:36 with a clean bill of health and a brand new body.
We will miss him greatly.

John Fleming O'Cull moved on to his eternal reward on Dec. 10, 2011, surrounded by family, which he cherished.

He is survived by his wife Lois Marlene (White) O'Cull; they were married July 16, 1952. They have three children: John D. O'Cull (wife-Eugena) of Vanceburg, Christa Beth Little of Tollesboro, and Kimberly Sparks of Maysville. They have been actively involved in the lives of their six grandchildren: Chelcee, Lance, and Brock O'Cull and Bethany, Shelby, and Lucas Sparks. Step-grandchildren are Shauna (Larry) Spencer and Deah (Chris) Dunaway. Great-grandchildren include Maddie and Peyton Spencer, and Noah and Grant Dunaway.

His final breath, in this life, occurred in the Tollesboro home he and Marlene had occupied since Christmas 1953. This was also the home of his childhood - having been reared there by grandparents Leander and Matilda Applegate Trumbo, as well as his father, Charles Barnes O'Cull. This history unfolded because John's mother, Elizabeth Trumbo O'Cull, died three weeks following his birth on Dec. 27, 1928. Charlie Barnes remarried Virginia McCarrihan. She then was step-mother to John, and later grandmother to John and Marlene's children.
After graduating Tollesboro High School, O'Cull continued his education at Morehead Teachers College/Morehead State University where he received his Bachelors and Masters Degree, then a Rank I and Principal Certification. His 42-year career, in the Lewis County Schools included teaching math at Tollesboro High School, then serving as principal of Garrison Elementary (10 years), Lewis County Central (seven years), Tollesboro High (two years), and Tollesboro Elementary (nine years).
John served as elder in the Plumville Church of Christ where he and Marlene have been members since 1998. Previously, he had served in leadership at Tollesboro Christian Church. Additionally, he was a 60-year Mason and was a member of the Tollesboro St. Mary's Lodge No. 240.
Marlene and the rest of the family wish to celebrate John's life, his commitment to God, and his loving kindness during a visitation to be held in the Tollesboro Christian Church on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5-8 p.m.
Services will be the following day at 11 a.m., also at Tollesboro Christian; visitation also Wednesday from 8 a.m. until time of service.
Interment will follow in Lewis County Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lance O'Cull Trust, Bank of Maysville, 20 West Second Street, Maysville, 41056.
Barbour and Son Funeral Home is assisting the family.


Read more: http://maysville-online.com/news/local/obituaries/article_ea2b609e-c728-57ca-acf4-03859bc19b14.html#ixzz1gMJI31hx

Peace....and Strength

2011 Thanksgiving weekend was much different than 2010; I guess we are changed forever as people and events affect change around and in us.  This year, as the weekend ticked by, I could recall most every hour from Thanksgiving last.  There were similarities as well as stark contrasts.  Thanksgiving Day included a visit to my mom and dad's in Tollesboro. Dad is in a battle with colon cancer that has been diagnosed about 3 months.  I have wondered what role the stress that we have endured in the past year has played in dad's disease process.  Lance made this trip; when dad and Lance are together it is interesting to watch.   These two men are much alike in many ways - both are well read and can recall/discuss materials that were reviewed at anytime in their respective pasts.  Both have mathematical minds and love a wide variety of music genres.  Both can make a dollar go farther than the rest of us could imagine.  When Brock is in the room, the three most important men in my life are assembled.  On that day as dad and Lance held hands and gazed into the other's face, I realized that two of the three main men in my life are down.  "Dear Lord, I pray for Your strength."

On Black Friday we had nearly 30 gathered at our house for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was fun, but different than 2010.  Dad didn't feel up to attending, sister Kim stayed with him.  Lance is in a wheelchair; last year he ran 7 miles before we sat sown to eat.  Things change.....sometimes alot in a year....sometimes alot in a second.  During this weekend two of my wonderful boyhood and lifetime friends are hospitalized - Mike Ginn and Bill Barbour.  "God, please send me Your peace."  I need something that passes understanding cause I cannot figure it all out.

On Saturday and Sunday, I spent lots of time with Lance and enjoyed every minute.  The weekend counted down the same as when I drive the road between Vanceburg and Morehead - as the miles click by my heart pounds, as Poe described in the Pit and the Pendulum.  As I got closer and closer to the Sunday evening anniversary of the crash, I figured others could hear the violent pounding in my chest.  I did have one total meltdown on Friday night; it was a time much like old times, with lots of people in the house staying over.   Grandkids were watching movies - Maddie, Noah, and Peyton with Gena and Chelcee - Grant with Brock and Sarah,  Lance was asleep.  I crashed in bed for an hour and a half - laying on a tear-soaked pillow, knowing what blessings and heartbreak really mean.  "Thank you Lord for teaching me so much in the past year - thanks for putting around me people filled with Your love, Your compassion."

Monday, the 28th; this is the actual anniversary of Lance's second life.  On this day I accompany dad for medical consultations in Lexington; it is a long, dark, rainy day and the reports are as dismal as the weather.  Since this day Kim, Luke, Shelby, Christa, Chelcee, Mary, and I have taken turns staying the night with mom and dad.  "Please Lord, Keep reminding me to 'Fear not!'"

On November 29 Lance made his regular pilgramage to Lexington for Lokomat walking therapy.  That night he sat at the kitchen table and ate chili and a grilled cheese sandwich while seated in a regular chair.  This was a first time accomplishment and a huge feat.  For me.......I recall 11-29-10 as I watched his broken and swollen body in a hospital bed.  There was so much equipment I could not even be close to him.  The respirator was inflating his lungs as we, full of fear, watched monitor readings: intercranial pressure, heart rate, blood pressure, so much more that I did not understand.

The following Saturday, Lance had his longest day since the crash.  During the morning hours we listened to LCHS Jazz Band play and attended breakfast with Santa.  During the afternoon Lance visited with Pappaw John, then returned home for standing therapy and a shower.  The evening event was traveling to Morehead to listen to Brock as he and the Celtic Band of the MSU Traditional Music Program performed at hometown holidays.  "Thank you Lord for blessings abundant.  Thank you for this season which commemorates your great gift to mankind - Jesus Christ.  We are forever grateful for the grace He brings....to each of us who accept the gift."

Daniel 10:19 "The angel said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not!  Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!"    The angel, the voice of God is still saying that to me........and to you.

-John

one year ago...

One year ago this very second, I was laying my bed trying to go to sleep. 

My dad was leading worship at Vanceburg Christian Church, so most Saturday nights he would be on the piano, practicing. Since Lance was home for the Thanksgiving weekend, he was going to play the guitar and accompany dad on stage at church the next morning. 

I can't remember what I had done that day, maybe I had been at work. maybe I had just eaten a lot of turkey. Either way, I was tired and wanted to go to bed early. 

As dad was on the piano, Lance was bouncing around playing his guitar. They were playing and singing Days of Elijah. At the end of the song, it says, 'There is no god like Jehovah" and its repeated about 50 times. 

I remember even after dad quit playing the piano, Lance was still playing his guitar right outside my door and quietly singing over and over... there is no god like Jehovah, there is no god like Jehovah, there is no god like Jehovah.... 

he was probably dancing too, knowing Lance. 

Some of you might be shedding a tear, because you think thats the last time I heard my brother play the guitar and sing. It wasn't.

I heard that song again in church the next morning, Lance playing and singing, maybe even with his shoes off... 

And I've heard him sing those words quite a few times the past couple months. He wasn't standing outside my room, but I was standing outside of his. 

we made the paper! 
Counting Their Blessings - Ledger Independent
Misty contacted us about doing a followup story. She had written about his early stages of recovery and then when he went to Atlanta, this time she wanted a picture and to interview Lance. 
I didn't realize we were going to be on the front page, on Thanksgiving morning! anyway, thanks Misty. :)


Lance can write. 
I remember when we were at the Shepherd Center with Lance, I would hand him a marker and hold a dry erase board out, praying that he would take off writing me a note, telling me his every thought, in his small cursive script. He would hold the marker. he would even twirl it like he always did while holding a pen. He would sometimes put the marker on the board, but then... nothing. well, nothing I could understand anyway. Brock got him to hold a pen and make some marks on a paper one evening. What we think were the makings of an L. However, since then, not so much luck on the writing front... until 10 days ago. 
On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, Lance and I were hanging out at the house by ourselves, I usually have a pen stuck in my ponytail, I leaned over to get something off the floor and it fell out on the couch and Lance reached for it. When I handed it to him, he clicked it on, twirled it around, clicked it off. Then, well, I don't know what he did because I ran into the other room, grabbed the small dry erase board, took my pen, handed him a marker and said, write your name. this is what i got:

So, I screamed, took a picture erased it, and told him to write Brock, then O'Cull, then Chelcee, then Dad, then Mom... it was crazy. I was snapping pictures, texting them to everyone. He didn't need any help spelling, that's for sure. Sometimes he tries to write in cursive. And I think we might need a huge dry erase board, because sometimes his perception on how much room he has is a little off. But nonetheless, it was remarkable! 
here are some more:

and this above... is 3.14
I asked him what pi was, so you know, he told me. I wouldn't expect anything less. 




We have some adaptive tools to help him be able to use the computer. Yesterday morning, I asked him if he wanted to sign in to FaceBook. I put the laptop in front of him and he very carefully hit every letter for his username. Sometimes his fingers will move when he doesn't want them to, so he might have hit some extra keys. But he knew exactly where they were placed on the keyboard. I was impressed. 


Also... Lance has been cheesing. A lot. All of my life whenever we had family pictures done, I had to hold my smile until Lance and Brock got their act together. They would make funny faces, make sad faces, hide their faces, hide my face, sometimes it would go on for an extended period of time. Not anymore, Lance is the one that's smiling first. 

Chelcee, Luke, Lance, Brock, Shelby, Bethany

Brock, Grandma Betty, Lexi, Chelcee, Lance, Jazz, Ian, Kaylee

So... its been a year. Its been the longest and shortest year of my life. We have been so busy traveling to and from hospitals, to and from therapy. Busy with work, busy with school. Busy doing whatever will make Lance better. So, yes in a way, its flown by. 

However, when I think back to a year ago when he was singing and moving his arms and legs freely on the small stage... his voice strong, his hand writing definite, his random texts showing up on my phone, his footsteps quick, and his jumps high, those things seem far away in my past, but not so far away in our future. 

-Chelcee

Hey guys... Lance, Brock and I have a very dear friend, Bekah who will be traveling to Haiti in March of next year. I've talked to Lance quite a bit about this and we've decided to help sponsor her trip. It's an adventure that Lance would be love to be embarking on himself. Please read this beautiful letter, maybe you will find it in your heart to help as well.

Dear Family & Friends & Others Who Find Themselves Reading This Letter:

God is good.  My life is nothing but blessed.  From the people I am surrounded by, to the school I attend, to the health that I have, to the material goods that I cherish and use everyday.  I absolutely have no need to complain about a thing.  And I am not.  But there use to be something missing in my life.  

Usually when someone says there is something missing in their life, it is God.  Or a spouse.  Or kids.  God...I have.  Spouse...I do not want yet.  Kids...I do not need yet.  This was something deeper.  It was purpose.  It was passion.  I knew God had me where I was for a reason, but the curiosity was killing me, and I was running out of patience in finding what filled this hole in my heart.  

But that missing thing in my life...I found it two and half years ago.

I found it on filthy streets filled with trash and animals and disgust.  I found it in the eyes of a woman who had no way of feeding her children for the next week until she washed my laundry.  I found it sitting in the middle of a orphanage floor with six toddlers playing with my hair and fighting to sit in my lap.  I found it in a silent moment holding a blind elderly man's hand while rocking in rocking chairs.  I found it standing in a brothel looking around at a group of women who held their children who had lost all hope in their future.  I found it in a small church building listening to a city of people praise a mighty God.  I found my passion in a nation that has the most beautiful people who understand what it is to have nothing, but yet have everything.  

Haiti has a part of my heart.  I have no idea why God decided to send me there in June of 2009, but He did, and I will be forever grateful.  Those ten summer days has changed my life in every way.  My perspective of life...of God...of poverty, is completely different.  That trip hit hard.  I felt guilty, ashamed, stupid, uneducated, lost, and like a complete failure.  How did I not know that people lived like that?  Why did I not have faith like these people?

Even though my first trip made me feel absolutely horrible about myself as a human and as a Christian, I had to go back.  I was addicted.  I had to be around those people.  I had to serve them.  After the earthquake in January of 2010, the opportunity arose for a group of us to return in March.  Again Haiti stole more of my heart and I learned more about myself and my God.  After returning once again, I found myself thinking of the country and its people more than I already had before.  They had become my friends.  I was ready to go back and this past March, I did for the third time.

I have been to Haiti three times and I fall deeper in love each time I travel there.  God has taught me about joy, service, and hope - three words I hear everyday here in the States, but have never truly experienced until I walked on the soil of Haiti.  Those people know what it is to have joy when you have nothing else.  They understand that we are called to serve even when you have nothing to offer.  And the Haitians have hope when they have no reason to.  

Here is the point - I love my God.  I love Haiti.  And I will return to serve His people there as many times as He allows.  

In March of 2012, I plan on returning to St. Louis du Nord, Haiti for a fourth time  I am so excited to be able to once again see God's work being done in this Fourth World country.

Not only am I traveling along with a group, but this time I am leading the group.  Yes, I am super excited about this opportunity to lead 34 people on a trip that will completely change their life, but I am also super nervous.  I am beyond humbled and shocked that God is using me to help this group of young people have the opportunity to see what breaks His heart.  It is a huge responsibility, however I know God is going to be with me every step of the way.  

So the bad part - this trip is going to cost $2,136.  Additionally, my trip must be paid off by mid-January.  Yes...that number is big.  But my God is bigger.  And I have seen Him work in some amazing ways to provide and I have no doubt after three different times of having to raise a similar amount, that He will come through in what seems a small amount of time.  

Here is where you come in.  I need help.  I do not have this kind of money.  However, I have been told to return to Haiti once again to serve and to lead a group of people that God has put together to do work for His Kingdom.  I cannot argue with that.  So I very humbly ask that if you can financially support my upcoming trip in any way, I would be beyond grateful.  

I know that not everyone can travel to Haiti...or Africa...or New Zealand...and not all of us need to.  There is mission work that needs to be done right here in our own towns in the United States.  But God's children is not limited to our borders.  Some of us are called to other countries and I have no doubt that I am one of those people.  But I cannot do it alone.  I also know that God uses people like you to help spread His love and HIs truth through your finances. 

If you feel led to help support my trip, you may make a check out to Northwest Haiti Christian Mission.  By making your check our to this mission, your gift is tax deductible.  Please send your check to:

Rebekah Bryant

1828 Foxport Road

Wallingford, KY 41093

I must ask of one other favor.  Please keep Haiti, Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, my group, and myself in your prayers.  God is sovereign and He listens when His people lift their voices.

If you have any questions, or would like more information about my trip or Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, please feel free to email me at rbryant@kcu.edu or you can go to their website at www.nwhcm.org

For Him,

Rebekah Bryant