Why yes, I am writing a blog post simply to brag about my training experience! I’m on the plane headed home from training now and I can’t help but get emotional about my last few weeks.

When they told me I would make life long friends at training I never could have imagined what actually occurred. What I didn’t know is that I’d fall in love with so many people in different ways.

First off, the instructors were amazing, sweet humans, who made difficult topics and hours packed with information fun and understandable. They do not treat SkyWest like a job, but a vocation and passion to which they throw their whole beings into.

Now for my classmates. LOVE LOVE LOVE. My heart has never been so full with quick bonds that I know will last a life time. I’m so so thankful that God put the MOST AMAZING people in my life. I love you guys with my whole heart, you are truly my soulmates. From daily good morning calls to the late night study sessions, I wouldn’t change a second… we created the most beautiful bubble of never ending, unconditional support.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for making 32 of the most stressful days of my life also the most impactful, crazy, and fun. And thank you SkyWest for changing my life forever and welcoming me into your incredible family!

**Excuse me while I wipe the tears off of my phone because I know we will be together again SOON and I will see you all in the skies! 🤍✈️💙

2020 was a year of trials for everyone and each person had their own “flavor” of difficulties that they were going through. For me, it was facing an overwhelming feeling of being stuck. I was stuck in a town that I never pictured myself living in, and most of all, I was stuck not knowing what I could do that would combine my passions and also pay the rent…

What brings me the most joy and fulfillment? Helping others in any way that I can. Traveling and meeting people from different cultures. Learning about the world by speaking with people who have different life experiences than me. Sharing God’s love throughout it all.

After lots of consideration and prayer I found something that I believe will check ALL of these boxed and was actually hired only a month into my search. Then came COVID-19. I was assured I could continue my journey, but the journey would have to WAIT. Not easy when I was already feeling stuck.

Finally, TODAY, I was given the call.  On February 9th, I will start my journey by training for a month in Salt Lake City, UT. I have been hired by SkyWest airlines as a Flight Attendant.  Please pray for my journey, my training period, and the placement I will receive after I (hopefully) successfully complete training. It could be St. Paul, Colorado, Utah, Seattle, Texas, New York, California, or a couple of other places.

The journey starts now. I am studying, praying, and mostly just preparing my heart to be a helper in the air.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”   Isaiah 6:8

Thoughts on purposeful travel

Since I am traveling again but in a very different way, I thought I would share something that I have realized or learned about myself recently.

Traveling through Europe is incredible because you get to witness so many different cultures and experience new fun things at every turn. This is a rare opportunity and the chance to do this with long time friends is even more incredible.

At the same time though, it has now been almost 6 months since I was forced to leave Haiti early and I miss it with a fierce intensity. The only way I can describe my time on the island I adore, is that it was both the best and worst experience of my life. I learned of and formed the greatest love for the families of Haiti that I was blessed with getting to know. I also formed what I know are lifelong bonds with the incredible ladies who I worked alongside at Middle Ground. My heart is absolutely full. On the other hand, I felt deeper sorrow than I knew possible as I helplessly witnessed several children with so much more life to live, lose the fight against malnutrition.

I honestly don’t think that I have even still fully processed this life changing time, but I would not trade it for the world.

Should I actually feel helpless to this cause though? No. I can pray to my Lord and Savior. Through all things He can work through organizations like Middle Ground, as they help and take steps toward a sustainable future for the families of Haiti. I can also continue to work toward a degree that will allow me to go back to places like Haiti with knowledge that will help me contribute in any way that I can.

What am I realizing about myself as I spend my time traveling through incredible new places? That no matter how great this is, it can’t compare to my time in Haiti. What else? That time in Haiti is not over forever. Maybe not in the near future, but I will find a way back.

In the meantime though, I will continue to support Middle Ground from afar, and it would mean so much that if you feel so called, you would too. Either through donations, prayers, or both, this place is doing God’s work and can use any and all support possible.

Thank you thank you thank you. For all of the prayers as I made it home safely today. There is no truer blessing than to have an incredible support system full of prayer warriors.

Please do not let your prayers end but continue to raise them up for those who are still in Haiti. For those who are fighting for their lives and fighting to be heard. For those who are now lacking the most essential resources such as clean drinking water. For those who are mourning deaths of loved ones and for those who live in fear for what the day will bring. Do not pray for this conflict to simply end, but for it to be resolved. For the people of Haiti to not just find peace but for them to have a future that does not call for such terrifying circumstances. Please continue to pray for this beautiful country filled with incredible souls who deserve a life without this unimaginable pain.

Love,

Sophie

It has almost been a month since I returned to Haiti for my second stay of 6 months. I am not going to try and pretend that my first month back has been easy because it has not. Working tirelessly to motivate people to believe in Middle Ground’s mission enough to donate monthly is something I am passionate about. But when you are constantly pouring out this passion with little results, life becomes discouraging. We are slowly receiving more support as people join The Coalition, but this is not enough.

Throughout the month that Middle Ground’s doors have been closed, we have had at least 3 families come to us seeking care for their children. We are forced to send these babies who are starving due to circumstances beyond their control to far away places for help. The Haitian people know that Middle Ground is somewhere that they can go for support because we care for their children as if they were our own. Now though, we are having to tell them that we don’t have the means to help them. This. Is heart shattering.

Working in the center’s office with 8 other passionate women who keep me motivated is a blessing. But the walls the used to echo with children’s laughter are now silent. As of right now, we receive $11,517 monthly. We need another $8,483 monthly to reach our goal of $20,000 and be sustainable enough to teach our families that same value. I have faith that our doors will open again. The only question is, how many families will suffer before we are able to do so.

I can’t help but think about how much my time in Haiti has changed my perspective on life. Just last year I was an ordinary college student who thought grades and my social life were the center of my world. I now see so much more. I only want to offer everything I have to these families who are starving. They are starving for knowledge and the glimpse of a future where they don’t have to struggle to feed their children. Even through all of these trials they maintain faith, so I will do the same.

I have faith that God has a plan for not only my future, and the future of these families, but for the future of Middle Ground. I follow His words through the darkest of nights.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

*There is a link above that will allow you to become part of the coalition of monthly donors to Middle Ground.  Please consider joining our fight!

As you can probably guess from the title of this post, I am heading back to Haiti! I am beyond excited to go back in the sunshine with the incredible people I met, and to resume working at Middle Ground fighting for a cause that I believe in with my whole being. On the other side of things though, I have loved this break that has allowed me to spend time with my friends and family.

When getting ready for my first stay in Haiti there was a lot more emotional and physical preparation that I needed to go through. This time though, I know what I’m getting into so the main obstacle that I face while awaiting my return has been getting donations and working to pay for my stay. As I likely have said before, I have no way of earning money while I am in Haiti except through donations. So, for the month and a half that I have been back in Minnesota, I have worked as much as possible.

During my time at home, I have been given the incredible opportunity to work as a special education para professional at the school where my dad is a teacher. In this position, I got to know some truly incredible high schoolers who made it feel nothing like a job. This past week, I spent the majority of my time with the ESL (English as a second language) students who each have their own story to tell. It was a little entertaining as I tried to pull as much Spanish as I could remember out of my pocket.

Even though most of them have a great grasp on English, when they sit in a class there is very little time to figure out language as they are learning new subjects. They are so dedicated to learning and doing well even with so many obstacles in their way. I have been blessed with an amazing opportunity to meet them, and I even earned money at the same time! I was even allowed to present about our work at Middle Ground!

I have also been blessed with both prayer and financial support from my family and friends. I think the last time I posted, I still needed $1500 for my trip. That number is now down to $800! If you feel so led, click the menu on the top of my blog to see a support tab. I would be grateful for your support, both financially and in prayer. Most of all, please pray for my travels on Tuesday.

A big big thank you!

Words cannot express the amount of thanks I have for your continued support through prayer and donation. God has led me to experience so many incredible things throughout my time in Haiti. Middle Ground’s mission is as follows… “Every child deserves to thrive. Join us in fighting for the vision of a country where every child can thrive at home with their family. From our malnutrition treatment center to our sustainability training and maternal health program, we are committed to family preservation in every way possible. We are dedicated to those we serve with the humility and love of Jesus Christ.” I have grown to respect and love this statement more than anything.

I started as the very first intern at Middle Ground but not long into my stay, the communications coordinator went home so I took over her duties. This came with an incredible learning curve, but through the help of those around me, I slowly became accustomed to my daily life. I loved every part of the job, even though it came with some hard tasks. My daily life at the center consists of posting on social media, fundraising, writing newsletters, and taking photos of adorable babies as they go through every stage of growth.

My favorite part is taking photos of the babies. As I watch them grow and take photos of their milestones, I also form relationships with them so I am able to capture the sweetest smiles. The difficult part of the job also has to do with photos and is something that I hope no one else must experience. The photos that I take of each stage of a child’s development are not just for fun, they are for records. So, if a child passes away in our care, I am required to take photos of the body. This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. It is a horrible task, but also, I must enter the room where a mother is mourning the loss of her child.

Even with the difficulties that I face, I would not replace a single moment or memory of Haiti. I have taken the good and the bad in a way that has changed me forever. I know God has been watching over me as I have gone through this journey. A verse that has popped up around me for years is, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8. I know that in Haiti, I am following this verse. This is why, when I was offered to stay at Middle Ground for the first 6 months of 2019, I did not hesitate. I will continue to take college classes online so I will not fall behind in my degree, but I know that this is where God is calling me to do his work. I cannot wait to see what the next chapter will hold on the little island that has captured my heart.

Of course, this comes with a financial need as I am responsible for my own room, board, and transportation. Until I leave mid-January, I have been working as a para-professional at a local school to help raise some of my own support for my time in Haiti. However, I have an immediate need of approximately $1500. If you are called to assist, you may click my donations tab on my blog, or send a check to me at my parent’s home. If you would like to follow my journey more closely and have not yet, please check out my blog, sophies-heart.com. You can also learn more about the malnutrition center where I am working by going to the website middlegroundhaiti.org.

With love,

Sophie

These are the little things that keep my heart full of fire and passion throughout my time in Haiti and at Middle Ground.  Noticing that a child has dimples because he is finally smiling big enough for them to show.  Feeling the tiny arms of a little one wrap around my neck because they just need some cuddles, and then feeling those arms slowly loosen as they lull into sleep. Hearing the happy squeal of a baby who wants to play and play and play, after being too sick and uncomfortable to move for so long.

The past few days I have not been able to leave the Thomassin area where I live and work, due to protests that grow in violence and unrest each day. The roads are blocked, most public transportation is not running, and all stores are closed. I am safe, but so many others around Haiti are not. It is frustrating and heartbreaking to have to check my phone each morning just to see if it will be okay to travel today or if more people have been injured or become casualties to the cause.

What is the cause? To my knowledge, people are justly angry. They are angry because of the corruption in the government. Even more so though, they are angry because of the lack of intervention that the government has taken when hearing about recent deadly gang violence in rural parts of Haiti. People are scared and this fear has turned into determination to create change. When voices are not being heard, protest is what the people turn to.

I pray that the unrest is resolved soon, and for the safety and protection of those who have been effected. I also pray that the sweet little things like those I experience each day at the center continue to shine through the pain that is so evident throughout Haiti right now.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 

Last week I went to my first ever Haitian wedding for one of the sweetest nurses at Middle Ground. It was so fun to get dressed up with everyone in the office and see her looking AMAZING in her wedding dress. I have been learning creole throughout my stay but this entire wedding was in french… meaning I understood probably 10 words throughout the entire 4 hour ceremony.

I did understand though, when the everyone in the church sang Great is Thy Faithfulness. The words were still in french but it was an incredible feeling to be able to connect by knowing the tune and then sing along in English. This is why I love music so much. It has no true language so you can always connect to someone, no matter how different, through song.

This part of the wedding was my favorite not only because the song that helped me connect to this group of people. It was overall a powerful moment because of what was happening as everyone sang. There were several pastors at the wedding who each had a different role in the ceremony. But in this moment, they all came together, surrounding Phedeline and Junior in prayer. Throughout the entire experience you could just feel the love and encouragement in the room. It was truly powerful.

We had almost every person working in the office at the wedding. There were also a few women employees who were in the wedding party. This just further enforces to me that Middle Ground really is a family, always supporting each other.