I am actually a full-time missionary. I can’t believe this is actually my life! My childhood dreams are coming true! There is such a peace and a joy just being here. I miss many of you terribly, but it’s not a feeling of homesickness, but more wishing you were here with me. Even when I’m missing people from home, experiencing cultural misunderstandings, I don’t feel well, or things don’t go as planned, I know I’m right where I need to be.

I have been working very closely with our children with special needs, and have had the opportunity to observe during our special needs class at the Coreluv Myan School. I absolutely adore the teacher! She is so patient and encouraging with the kids and knows very well what each of them is capable of and how to push them further. It’s been beautiful to see the progress several of them have made in the last year, and I know that is partly due to her work with them.

Recently, I had the opportunity to work very closely with a group of therapists that came to Myan, Haiti, to work with our kids. They were able to provide speech, physical, and occupational therapy for our children. It was so beautiful to be able to see them working with our nannies, and see the children learning tools and exercises that will help improve their quality of life. We discovered things that I didn’t even know some of these kids could do! In serving our children, I get to help make sure that the therapy exercises are happening on a weekly basis. I am so excited to see how much this is and will continue to help our children!

I feel quite under qualified for the task of helping oversee therapy and for helping in our special needs class. As I was telling a friend about this the other day, I felt God ask me, “Do you love my kids?” Of course I love your kids! I absolutely do! Then I felt Him telling me that it’s not about what qualifications I have or what I have experience with – it’s about loving these kids and loving them well. It’s about making sure they are well cared for and that they have every opportunity to succeed in life. We often say, “You never know what’s on the other side of your obedience!” Obedience to God isn’t about what you are qualified to do – it’s about loving the people around you and loving them well.

I kept holding kids and thinking, “Oh, I could take you home with me!” Then I realized, they brought me home with them! I am overjoyed to be here, and I couldn’t do that without your love and support. Thank you! I love you all!

Let me introduce you to one of our kids, this is Marjoritha. She was one of the first 14 kids we rescued and brought to Myan in 2014. She was found with her four siblings: Cassandra, Sandra, Inaida, and Carl. Sandra was basically taking care of them at about 7 years old. A year ago, at almost 5 years old, Marjoritha still was not talking, communicating mostly with grunts and gestures. She still doesn’t talk much, but she has learned many words and learned how to better communicate. While she does still have some distance to go, she has come so far, and it’s beautiful to see how much she’s grown in the last year! She is feisty and mischievous and doesn’t know her own strength, but she’s sweet and silly and loves to be loved. I love this child!

In July of 2014, I was here on a short term trip holding one of our kids, and a thought popped into my head. “Why is this not my life?!” I believe that thought was from God, and I am glad I did not ignore it!  That trip set things in motion for me to be here living this life. Are you willing to see what impact a trip will have on your life? Join a Coreluv mission trip and see where God may lead you!

Raquel Fairchild