The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Some days in Haiti are beautiful and some are filled with tears and frustrations. I am here to tell you that working in another country, let alone living in another country, is not always the smiles, laughs and cute kids that are posted on social media. Some days are hard. Some days we wake up and wonder why God has us here in the first place. Some nights we go to bed laughing at the fact that we got absolutely nothing accomplished. But, through it all, God gives us these glimmers, these little rays of sunshine in the darkness, to remind us that He is the reason and He is our strength.

I want to tell you about one of these darker days. One of the days where I felt like no good was coming out of being here. A day when it seemed like there was too much darkness to make an impact here and that there was never going to be change. Do you ever have those days when the world just seems to be winning the battle? This was one of those days.

I woke up not feeling so well. Living in Haiti has its constant rotation of sickness going around and I guess it was finally my turn to be hit. I had my normal Monday meeting with our staff here and worked on getting us all on the same page for the week. Then our Haitian driver Fred was going to drive me to go pick up some supplies we needed from one of the street markets. I got in the car and the first thing he did was hand me his phone with a video playing. "Randa, you have to see this. See what someone did to this baby."

See what someone did to this baby?

I had no idea what I was going to see when I looked down at his phone. My heart sank when I saw. I saw a tiny new born baby laying in a pile of trash. Someone threw a baby out like trash. Someone decided that this little life wasn't worth a burial. Someone decided that they didn't want this baby. Someone decided that his little life was not one that deserved a chance. As I sat there looking at Freds phone screen I couldn't find the words I wanted to say. I was furious. How could someone do this? 

Fred began to tell me how someone had thrown him from the bridge by his house and that they just left the baby laying there in the piles of trash. Thrown out. Left. Abandoned. This is when I remembered the one person that will never throw us out, He will never leave us, He will never abandon us. God is who will be our strength. He is the one who gives us life. What a sweet reminder that even when death is all around us and when people disappoint us, He is constant and ever loving. 

What is your Haiti?

Why am I in Haiti?

I am in Haiti to serve Jesus. Many would say you can serve Jesus anywhere and I couldn't agree more with that statement! I tried my best to serve Jesus well in North Carolina, just like I am trying to serve Him well here in Haiti. I am in Haiti to serve Jesus. 

Why am I in Haiti?

I am in Haiti to tell people about Jesus. Many would say you can tell people about Jesus anywhere and I couldn't agree more with that statement! I try my best to tell as many people about Jesus no matter where I am. I want people to come to know Jesus. I want them to have a desire to have a relationship with Him. I want them to find true and full life. That life only comes from the One True God. I am in Haiti to tell people about Jesus.

Why am I in Haiti?

I am in Haiti to love on the people of Haiti. Many would say you can love on people anywhere and I couldn't agree more with that statement! I believe that each of us as believers should love those around us. To love someone is to show them God's love for us. Is there someone that you need to love a little extra? Someone that might not be lovable? Someone that needs to know God's love for them? I am in Haiti to love on the people of Haiti. 

Why am I in Haiti?

I am in Haiti to be obedient. 

I am in Haiti to learn and grow.

I am in Haiti serve. 

I am in Haiti to make disciples. 

I am in Haiti to tell people about Jesus.

I am in Haiti because God gave me a heart for this nation. 

What is your Haiti? Is it North Carolina? Texas? Your school? Your work place? Your soccer or volleyball team? The kid sitting by themselves at lunch? Your cousin? Be intentional about finding the places and people that God has put in your life to tell about Him. It probably won't be easy, but telling people about Jesus is worth the effort. 

#BANNERBUTT

Meet #BannerButt...

Banner is a 4 year old little boy that has been staying at our staff house for the last 2+ months. He is joy. He can make anyone laugh, smile and feel loved. Around the staff house when anyone is having a rough day we just say, "Go have some Banner time" or "get a hug from Banner". 

He is a light in our lives and radiates Jesus love. 

When I first met Banner I fell in love. I also fell into "mom mode". I wanted to help him. See, Banner is 4-years old and doesn't yet walk or talk. You could just tell he wanted to. He wanted to get up and chase after us or tell us exactly what he wanted. But he couldn't. So I decided to reach out to a few people just to see if anyone knew any clinics in the area that we could go to. A lady I use to work with who is a nurse told me about a free clinic at Respire. It was the first of its kind. A special needs clinic with Physical and Occupational Therapists being the main focus.  So off Kendra (a girl I work with who has loved Banner so well over the 2+ months that he has been with imME), our driver Fred, Banner and I went. 

We had to leave the house at 6:40am to get to the clinic in time. Well this is Haiti so we left around 7:00am and got to the clinic around 8:20am thanks to some help with directions from a moto driver in the area. 

After we arrived at Respire we waited to get registered before we made our way through the stations. We went from station to station getting Banner weighed, learning about nutrition, a sensory station, a therapeutic ball station, we met with a doctor to get a lump on his neck checked out (this is also where we got his diagnosis of CP), got him tested for anemia, got him meds for worms and then the grand finale was getting to meet with the occupational therapist and physical therapists. 

There was a lot of waiting between each station. Banner was a real trooper! I can't imagine sitting in a doctors office for 4 hours with any other 4 year old. 

We walked in the room and Banner immediately started to show them what he is made of. He was a complete flirt and played with all of the doctors and helpers. After some tests were run they decided to fit him with some sweet AFOs (Ankle Foot Orthosis). 

With some help he took to the walking. You could see his face light up as he started to get the hang of it. He seemed to almost light up. Like, he saw this sense of freedom that he was getting.

After he got fitted we started our journey home to give this kid a much needed break. We were told to come back in 2 days to get his lump on his neck checked and to get his walker. 

Banner did it. With the help of his walker HE WALKED. He was strong enough to hold his own body weight. He was brave enough to take that next step. 

{Can we say that we are brave enough for whatever the next step God has for us is?}

I don't really want more time; I just want enough time. Time to breathe deep and time to see real and time to laugh long, time to give You glory and rest deep and sing joy and just enough time in a day not to feel hounded, pressed, driven, or wild to get it all done-yesterday.” 
― Ann Voskamp

These were Banners amazing nurses, doctors and therapist. They are amazing people. I had never really seen the medical side of missions before but was amazed at how God can use this occupation to touch so many lives. Although they were only here for a short time, the impact they made is lasting. I can not wait to be able to reach out to them one day and show them Banner walking on his own two feet. 

Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds  and glorify your Father in heaven."

Class of 2016

The Class of 2016

I have been so blessed over the last two years to serve as a high school youth leader at Salem Baptist Church in Apex, NC. I am thankful that God gave me this opportunity to pour into these young adults lives. {they aren't kids} Not just this Senior class but all high schoolers. From Wednesday night youth group, to Sunday morning BFGs, lock-ins, summer camps, mission trips, VBA (Vacation Bible Awesomeness), community groups and just the opportunity to meet for lunch or coffee and talk about what God is doing in their lives. 

They pushed me outside my comfort zone and taught me to trust in where God has me. That could be in North Carolina or in Haiti. Be content in all circumstances. Trust in Him. Serve where He has you.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." 

{Matthew 28:19}

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps." 

{1 Peter 2:21}

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." {Psalm 143:10}

Dear Class of 2016,

I am so proud of you and who each of you have become. You all have had such an impact on my life and I can not thank you each enough. They way you have supported and encouraged me over the past two years has been way past your years. I am confident in how God is going to use each of you for His glory in the future. But just remember, you don't have to be old, graduated from college, have a family, or a ton of money to be able to serve Him and live your life for Him. Continue to do what you're doing and telling your friends about the One who you believe in and chase after. 

I love you guys! 

Randa 

Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:33-34

Don't you worry 'bout a thing

Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama

Who would have thought that a Stevie Wonder song and Matthew 6:34 would say the same thing? "Do not worry". We have all told someone this at some point in our lives. "Don't worry, I can get that." "Don't worry, it will all work out the way it's suppose to." Or even, "Don't worry, God will take care of it all". We say these statements so often, but how often do we actually believe them and live them. 

We have been doing a study in the college/young adult group at my home church about determining what the will of God is in our lives. It has been an awesome time of really digging into scripture and seeing what it says about this. 

I have wanted to know what the will of God is for my life for a long time. Some people do not want to know, or at least say they don't want to know. I however, 100% would like to know. I have never had one of those cool stories where I just knew God wanted me to do something specific. But, what if I decided to just live everyday for Him? Then it wouldn't really matter where I was, what I was doing or any other excuse we try to give for not going and doing right this minute!

So is it Gods will for my life for me to be in Haiti? I am not sure. I do know that scripture gives us a perfect picture of what Gods will is for our lives...

"go and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19)
"to look after the orphans and widows." (James 1:27)

"love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31)


Make disciples, care for orphans and widows, love those around us. Can't we do that anywhere? In Apex, North Carolina, at our work, Africa, Asia, in our schools, within our family or even in Haiti. 

There is no need to wait to find out what Gods will is. He has already told us. 

So...GO...CARE...LOVE

Glimpse

Here is a small glimpse into what my views, life, friends, family and supporters will look like while I am in Haiti. I am excited to head back and start my time in Haiti with IMME. God has some amazing things in store and I am ready for whatever that may be. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me financially up to this point! I am still in need of some more people to come alongside what God is doing in Haiti and support my time there! Click the link on the side or top to find out more about how you can support me. 

A Day in the Dominican

{Mark 16:15 "He said to them, "Go into all the world 

and preach the gospel to all creation."}

A few weeks ago I got to go to the Dominican Republic with some amazing adults and high school Juniors and Seniors from my home church, Salem Baptist in Apex, North Carolina. This was my second time serving with SCORE Int. in the Dominican. The first time, I was on my Junior/Senior trip. It was that trip that I first truly felt like God might be calling me out of my comfort zone and out of my North Carolina bubble. It was amazing and such a blessing to spend the week with these students and see God lay that same desire on their hearts. 

{here is what i love}

I love being able to do life with people in another country. I love being able to see people in another country worship the same God as me. I love being able to hug little kids and throw them in the air. I love airlines and all the complications that come with that. 

 I love seeing high school students drop all hesitations and jump out of their comfort zones to serve God. I love crafts, puppets, music, drama and anything VBS related. I love seeing people get who Jesus is and what He has done for them. 

I love little babies. I love teenage moms. I love parachutes and laughter. I love sweet hugs between new friends. I love teenagers from different countries with different languages being able to play and laugh together. 

{But want to know what I love more than that?}

I love Jesus. I love seeing Him at work in the lives of others. I love being able to serve Him no matter where He has me. Whether that is North Carolina, the Dominican Republic, Panama or even Haiti, I can serve Him and live my life for Him. 

- - - and so can you - - - 

{Isaiah 6:8 "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 

"Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"}

So if any of you have thought about going and doing life somewhere. Go. Don't hesitate. Take a leap of faith and know that God will take care of all of the details. Do not wait for some big revelation from God, because we have already gotten that. 

{Matthew 28:16-20 "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."}

So if anyone is interested in GOING to Haiti and serving there click here and get all the info you need. Or shoot me an email at randa.gay@imme.org and I would love to get you some more info. 

Why Not?

As a 23 year old, single female moving to Haiti for the second time I often get the question, "Why?". Everyone wants to know "why?". Why I would leave behind all of my friends and family, coffee dates with a group of friends, English church services, a paying job, my dog, oh and an amazing group of high schoolers? 

My answer is simple. It is all because of Gods great grace. I have heard people say over and over again how they felt like God can not use them because of X Y and Z, those are lies. All lies. God can and does use anyone and everyone that is willing to do what He has called them to do. 

So here I am, headed to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti in a little over a month. Why? Because that is what God has called me to do. That is what he has called us ALL to do. But that is where He wants to use me. So I will GO.

{Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.}

Matthew 28:19