When we moved our family to Haiti in 2013, we never would have dreamed we would be here five and a half years later. We love our work here and the relationships we have with those closest to us. This time in Haiti has been simultaneously one of the most rewarding endeavors we have taken on and one of the most challenging.
We read an article recently that summed it up pretty well:
"People who live abroad get broken there. Then they come home and their wounds go unacknowledged. They are heroes. They are brave. They are warriors. Fine (sort of). But guess what? They are also weak, lonely, confused, shattered. Their marriages are damaged, their children have depression, their bodies are fragile and filled with parasites, their resumes have unexplainable holes, their job skills fail to translate. They are lonely, their faith has been pushed sometimes to the breaking point. They have seen poverty and the global realities of politics and their own ideas on these topics have been transformed." (anonymous writer, A Life Overseas)
Although some of you may see us as "brave warriors," the truth is, right now, we relate more with the shattered, weak and confused. We know that in this state of mind, we are not operating in our strengths. We need time to rest and heal, and we want our children to be able to experience some of the things other American kids experience: youth group, dance classes, football teams, seeing their cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents on a regular basis, and celebrating birthdays and holidays with them.
We know that in order for our family to be healthy we need a break from living in Haiti. For this reason we have made the decision to transition back to the States. It has not been an easy decision, or one that has been made quickly or lightly. While our hearts are breaking at the thought of leaving friends and all that we have worked so hard to build here in Haiti, we know that this is the right decision for our family during this next season. We are currently hard at work implementing a transition strategy with our Haitian staff and U.S. team. We will be leaving Haiti on April 15th, 2019, and Craig will continue to serve as Acting Country Director while in the States, and will assist in on-boarding a new Country Director in Haiti.
Please know that we still fully support the work and vision of Extollo. We are exploring several options, one of which is a continued role with Extollo in the States. We appreciate your prayers and encouragement over the next months as we make this difficult transition.
Read the official Extollo announcement here.
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