When did you first feel God’s call to the mission field?

When I was 10 years old, I attended a Wesleyan Church in Puerto Rico.  During Vacation Bible School, our teacher told the story of Hudson Taylor.  Everyday she shared a couple of chapters with big flash cards.  I remember enjoying story time more than arts and crafts, snacks or games.  I would sit glued to my pew hanging onto every word.  At the end of the week, she prayed for all of us.  I remember telling God that one day I would be a missionary.

Years went by and I forgot that prayer until I went to Haiti 23 years later as a Spanish interpreter for a team of doctors to the Dominican Republic.  When the mission was over, the team decided to cross the border to visit Haiti.  As I crossed the border that day, my heart began to pound and I recalled a trip I had made to Haiti with my father at the age of 11.  All my life God had been preparing me for the work I would do in Haiti.

Tell us about your early days in Haiti.

The early years were priceless.  That is when I learned how to walk in the presence of God on a daily basis.  I was so alone, yet His presence was so real and sweet.  I had to pray about everything because I did not know where or how to begin.  So much was against me; living in a foreign country, not speaking the language, being single (when everyone thought I should be married), no prior missions experience, and little income.  But it did not matter at that point.  The Lord had me where he wanted me-- I was empty of myself and completely surrendered to God.  I would do anything.  I would go anywhere, because I trusted in Him.

How has God expanded your ministry to orphans since you have arrived?

In 2004, I felt really good about how things were running in the ministry.  We had approximately 40 orphans in our care and a school with a couple hundred of children.  I was comfortable where I was at and did not want to receive any more children in the orphanage at that time.  But one day, I received a call shortly after the hurricane that completely devastated and flooded a town called Gonaives in Haiti.  A group of pastors called me and asked me if I could help take some of the orphans.  Together with my team, I took a school bus and drove to the other side of the island to rescue these children.  I returned with 26 orphans in the school bus, ages 1-8.  I did not have space for them at that time, so I placed 26 beds with mosquito nets inside of our church and we held our church services outside under a tree.  As soon as I was able to get a doctor to check the children for any contagious diseases, I slowly moved them in one by one into their new home.  The incredible thing about this story is God’s provision.  With no advertising and only a simple newsletter, our income doubled that year.  Taking care of the orphan is truly our Father’s heart.

What are some of the biggest challenges you faced in your work?

Life on the mission field is unpredictable.  Everyday is different.  The need is so great, you quickly can become overwhelmed thinking that it is your responsibility to meet everyone’s need and solve everyone’s problem.  There is sickness, disease, poverty, and suffering everywhere you turn.  I have had to learn to say no at times and focus on our mission and vision which is to “Love and care for orphans and impoverished children in Haiti, meeting their needs physically, spiritually, emotionally and educationally. 

At any given moment we must be prepared to live without running water or electricity, fuel shortages, 3-5 hour drives in an effort to attain good medical care, and political unrest.  There have been many difficult moments of uncertainty, but as we have heard it said before – “God will never lead you where His grace cannot keep you.”

What are some of the greatest joys you have found in your work?

There is no greater feeling than waking up very morning, putting your feet on the ground, knowing that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

I will never forget December 24, 1999.  I had been in Haiti for almost one year and I had just rented a home to start an orphanage.  I did not have any furniture except for 20 beds that I had prepared for the children the Lord would be sending me.  I used an ice cooler as a table top and sat on the floor as I ate my Christmas meal of fried chicken and plantains. 

After dinner, I reached for my Bible and a candle and I laid my hand on each bed, praying for each child that would be sleeping there. 

Even though it was Christmas Eve and I was far from family and friends, I felt such joy…I was filled with anticipation for what He was going to do.

Ten years later – it has been my joy to see 76 children grow up in our home and over 500 children running on our school playground. 

Can you tell us of one example of experiencing God’s supernatural power in working with the children?

In April 2006, I locked myself in my room and spent the day in prayer.  I remember telling the Lord that I was overwhelmed and I could not do one more thing.  Do you see me, Lord?  Later in the afternoon, I decided to go downstairs for just a moment to check my emails. When I walked outside, a woman was waiting for me with a 6 month old baby named Lubenson.  I was stunned and tried not to act shocked as I looked at a horrific tumor in this baby’s mouth the size of my fist. 

Immediately, I started to think, “Who could I call?”  “Who could help this woman?”  It certainly would not be me.  Did I not just tell the Lord that I was overwhelmed and I could not do one more thing?  I decided to have one of the missionaries and my personal assistant, Karris Hudson, take him for an evaluation 5 hours away.  While she was gone, I whispered a prayer, “Lord, I told you I could not do one more thing, but if it is your will for me to take this child to the United States for surgery, I will walk through every door you open.”