Radical Hospitality....Come Lord Jesus

A rainy Saturday night. I found myself in a dimly lit chapel when my mind begins to wonder. I couldn’t understand what the priest was yelling about. But MAN was he convicted. I didn’t need to know every word he was saying to understand he loves Jesus. I asked myself over and over again, how much do I love Jesus. Do I love him enough to let others know that without every opening my mouth? 

I relate to Peter in so many ways. He denies Jesus three times (John 18: 15-27). I probably deny him three times an hour. Maybe not verbally but in other ways. 

Did I just walk past someone waiting on the bench? 

Did I Just place my dish in a sink and expect someone else to wash it? 

Did I complain about getting up early, how long was was, or how it is? 

But because Jesus is merciful, he allows me the opportunity to tell him I love him over and over again, just like Peter. By washing breakfast dishes, sitting with the woman I walked past even if I don’t know what she’s saying, and praise Jesus for a rainstorm even though I’m soaked. 

Throughout this short period of time in Haiti I’ve fallen deeper in love with Jesus. Wanting to know him in a more intimate way (a few weeks ago that word creeped me out). But now I recognize that it isn’t always easy. 

It’s an opportunity for growth. 

It’s an opportunity to deny and then reclaim the victory Jesus has already won. 

I desire a place of radical hospitality for Jesus in my heart. But as I remember from our Life Teen Missions Rule of Life (check it out here:http://www.lifeteenmissions.com/rule/) this simple thought on radical hospitality. “Hospitality, rather than being something you achieve, is something you enter. It is not something you do, but something you become. You try. You fail. You try again.”

I slowly find myself back back in that dimly lit chapel, in a small quiet town in Charlier Haiti. Jesus spoke into the depths of my heart at a moment where I didn’t expect him to. If I invite him, he will enter. 

COME LORD JESUS! 

Happy Advent!

What's the Number for 911 in Haiti?

Here I jot down my thoughts during a recent trip to the local Hospital. Two of our teens needed to visit the doctor. Nothing was an emergency, but they were hurting and we wanted to help.


Sensory overload.

Babies crying. 

Three women in blue outfits.
Five women in white.
Eight women trying their hardest to get the height and weight of a screaming baby. 
All eyes in the room turned to them. 

Families pass by with bags filled to the bring and pots empty that once held rice. 

Hard wooden benches. 

No clean air to breathe. 

Is the room getting smaller?

The babies are now screaming as one. Like a roaring orchestra, ascending into a crescendo of one of Bach's famous Overtures. 

A mother moves closer to me, as the sweat starts to pour off my brow. 

I can't believe this is the life I live. I wouldn't change it for any opportunity in the world. 

This life. 
My life. 
I'm so blessed. 

Time seems to go by slower when you don't really know what's happening around you. As I struggle to learn Creole, I try to pick up any word that I can. Try to sympathize with a young mother who has a screaming baby with a fever. But I don't know what that's like. That's not the cards I was dealt. I've been brought to Haiti to love, to serve, and to give as much time and energy to these beautiful people that I call family. 

It's not easy. But it's worth it. 

Hitting the Road....again

I'm currently sitting in my old college dorm. Literally the same room I spent my entire senior year growing, learning, exploring, laughing, crying and figuring out what I'm supposed to do with my life. The same room that I first realized what Jesus wanted me to do with my life. The room that I got "the phone" from Life Teen Missions asking me to join them.

And now here I am. Two years later getting my stuff together to jump on a plane to head back to Haiti. The country who has stolen my heart. I'm fearful of what these next two years are going to hold for me, but I'm trusting in Jesus.

I've had an incredible past month. It started with a road trip with my Mom and Best Friend from Atlanta, GA back up to New York. Spending a few days on Long Island, a quick day trip to Boston to witness the marriage of Nate and Kiera. A bunch of doctors appointments to figure out why I'm feeling all sorts of crazy. Another quick day trip up to Pennsylvania this time to watch my Dad be a NASCAR driver! Loads of family time, boat time, and time with my favorite American foods. The trip wrapped up with a 16 hour car ride to Nashville TN with my Mom & Dad, dinner with one of my favorite teenagers, surprising my best friend, seeing my sister and sorority sisters and mass at the Abbey one last time.

Tomorrow I jump on a plane into another 3 months of an unknown adventure. Pray for Amy and I for on time flights, no lost luggage and that our bags could be under 50lbs.

GOD WINS
Amanda

Wedding time with Lazer. We serve together in Haiti! 

Some family time! 

Spent the day on Fire Island with these clowns!

Sweet Baby Autumn is getting HUGE! And she's so holy. Just hanging out with the saints 

Hey girl! 

Surprising my BFF by just walking into her house. GOT YA 

A Haitian Summer

I'm two weeks into my 4 week stay in America and I think I'm finally ready to share the way God has been so faithful to me this past summer.

HE IS FAITHFUL BECAUSE I LIVE IN BEAUTIFUL HAITI!

We had  5 American's that lived, prayed and worked with us the entire summer. Giving us the opportunity to continue ministering to the Haitians. 

I live with 12 Haitians and 9 American's. Here are Ginlee and Syngee just hanging out. Being the older sister has been such a fun part of living at camp, and has taught me a ton. 

This is BeBe. She has worked at our base in the kitchen for awhile. This summer she decided that her and her boyfriend of 40 years were going to get married in the Catholic Church! She was baptized, went to confession and was married all in one day.

This is Amy! She's one of the gals that I get to live with and  journey with for the next two years. 

Ricky was one of my campers during my very first summer as a missionary. He just served as a missionary at Hidden Lake, and came down to Haiti to serve with us for a week. 

I was a Confirmation sponsor! Vaniel is our gatekeeper and went through RCIA with some of the Life Teen Missionaries throughout the year.

TiRoro is our cute little grandpa. He plays the bongo better than anyone I've ever met. 

WE HAD SUMMER CAMP IN HAITI! Summer camp is the place that started it all for me. Summer camp in America was where Jesus first made his presence known to me, and really placed missions on my heart. Now, 5 summers later, HE has me here in Haiti serving these teens. 

I could go on and on about the ways Jesus moved in my heart. These few pictures just show a glimpse into what God did in my heart this summer. I'm a woman who is on fire for the Lord and I can't wait to head back to Haiti in just two short weeks. 

New Normal

Welcome to some of my new normals....

Sweat dripping off my body ALL day.

Passing a pick up truck OVER STUFFED with cows.

Falling asleep to the ocean tide crashing on the beach in the backyard.

Running out of water half way through a shower and getting to finish showering out of a bucket.

Crying babies. LOTS of crying babies.

TRUSTING that Jesus is going to provide for my every need, want and desire.

Small children playing with my hair, poking my tattoos, and sitting on my lap just they can KNOW AND FEEL LOVE

The opportunity to STARE true poverty in the face.

A language I can't fully understand yet, but a WILLING HEART to learn and a family will to teach.

SHARING my heart, clothes, food, and bed.

Realizing the words "that's mine" have NO value here.

Coffee....LOADS of coffee.

Bare footed children who just want the OPPORTUNITY to go to school.

Seeing malnourished half naked children sitting next to their mother who is breast feeding another child.

Teenagers who are THIRSTY  for the full truth.

A God who IS FAITHFUL.

I'm not really sure what the word normal even means right now. But I know for this season of my life, these things will become normal to me. The sites I see daily are very different than my daily sights a few months ago. Just three months ago my daily sights were Chick-Fil-A, Target, and Starbucks, kids that were fully clothed and had enough outfits in their closet to not repeat an outfit ever, people who live in excess and loved to gain.

Is the  sacrifice worth it? YES

THIS is my new normal

To be HIS hands and feet

His name is Jeff and he's stolen my heart.

Don't worry I didn't move to Haiti and find the man of my dreams.....yet!

Jeff is a teen that I crossed paths with on the way from the airport to the base. I was trying to communicate with him but he wasn't responding. I thought maybe my creole was just that terrible. One of the missionaries shouted up to me "He probably wont respond, he's mute."  It happened, right there on the side of the road, less than six hours in the country, and my heart already belonged to this beautiful country.

After we prayed with another teen and got back in the car, I started to ask questions about this teen. His name was Jeff, well that's the name the Life Teen Missionaries had given him. They found him wondering a few weeks prior to my arrival. The people of the local town called him crazy, but the missionaries wanted to give him his dignity back, so they gave him a name. They also found him some clothes, and a family that was willing to watch over him. One of their teens, Boy, said he would take care of Jeff.  Jeff was hit by a car, and already had been living with some mental handicaps. But he had a smile that could make anyone's day a million times better. He has and innocent way of giving and receiving love.

It was week 2 1/2 of adjusting to living here and it had been about 4 days in a row of not seeing Jeff. I asked in my broken Creole, the next time I saw Boy, where Jeff was. He told me that he ran away.  Jeff got on the back of a passing truck and they hadn't seen him in a few days. I was devastated. I  wanted to just start walking the streets calling his name, but that wouldn't have been the smartest thing I could have done.

So instead, I prayed. I prayed someone would find him and take care of him. I prayed that he would find his way back home. I prayed someone gave him food for the day. I prayed Jesus let me find him, alive.

Jeff was burning on my heart when we headed towards the local prison to visit and talk with the men and women who were there. I also knew the direction we were heading in was the exact direction that Jeff had went when he got on the back of a car. I kept my eyes pealed on the road the ENTIRE ride.

I kept praying and then I saw it. I saw his maroon pants, as we sped right past him. I about jumped out of the car. I ran over to Father Louis and yelled "WE'VE GOT TO STOP! JEFF IS RIGHT THERE ON THE ROAD". Father Louis calmly responded "Ok, breathe. Sit back down. We will get him when we come back"

The whole time I was at the prison I kept asking Jesus to keep Jeff right where I had last seen him. Keep him safe, and Jesus PLEASE let him be alive. We piled back in the car and headed to where we saw him last, he wasn't there. My heart started to panic. Then I saw him again, running right towards our car. When he got in our car, our eyes met, and he just smiled. I don't know if at that moment he recognized me, but I saw Jesus in those eyes. I held back tears, gave him some juice (which he chugged), and tried to ask him how he was doing. He looked pretty bad. His clothes were ripped, he was missing his shoes, and his toe was cut up.

We got back to the mission base and first we got him some snacks. Jeff LOVES to drink water, 6 cups later he wasn't thirsty anymore. Meagan and I looked for some clean clothes and were able to find a shirt and pants that were just his size. I knew I had to clean his cut out. A very Haitian way of dealing with cuts is by putting cement in it. So I got on my hands and knees, while Sara got a bucket of water and soap and I scrubbed his feet. He would wince in pain every so often but he never stopped smiling.

As I was fighting back tears, I saw Jesus in that moment. I saw him in Sara, Amy, and Meagan were making sure Jeff had everything he needed. I saw him in Jeff, and I felt Jesus using me as his hands and feet at that moment. I couldn't have done it with out totally, and completely emptying myself, and asking Jesus to take over and use me.

Every single thing I'm asked to do on this mission I couldn't do if Jesus wasn't running through me. I constantly pray for an emptying of self, total self denial, and complete filling up of Jesus Christ himself in me.

Pray for me.
Pray for Jeff.

Know of my prayers for you.

Praying for Nigeria

Today we drove pas the Nigerian Counsel which is on the corner of our block. We literally pass it everyday and I never pay attention to it. But with those girls missing Nigeria has been all over the news. So today when we pass there were people with signs say:

"Where are they?"

"Bring our girls home"

I looked at Nate and said turn this min van around we need to go pray with those people and for those girls. So we turned the car around and prayed with them.

Right there on the street corner. The woman was cray and Jesus was EXPLODING. We just kept praying for courage and strength and for those girls to feel and know Jesus where ever they may be right now.

As we were praying I kept thinking these are our teens. WE are responsible, I am responsible for them. Who's to say Jesus isn't going to call Life Teen or heck, even me to Nigeria.

Love doesn't just wait for something to happen.

Love doesn't just honk their horn and wave.

No.

LOVE turns the car around.
LOVE forgets about the fun place they were headed to.

LOVE does something.


Want to know more what's happening to OUR teens...read this:
http://news.yahoo.com/nigerian-girl-describes-kidnap-276-still-missing-105715569.html

Hesitate

This song is rocking my world right now!

Below you will find the lyrics and a link to listen to the recording of this song.

Jesus has really shown me these past few weeks that he's been preparing me for Haiti for YEARS. He just wants to spend these last few days falling deeper in love with me. Jesus is gently reminding me to come, rest in him, don't be afraid and in 9 days I'll send you to go to serve me in Haiti. Till then, stay close to me. He's also reminded me that he's all I need in the chaos of what's to come. He will satisfy any and all longings and desires.

Hesitate by Judah & The Lion

Come as you are, bring me your heart, my child.
I've waited so long for you to become all mine.
I won't give up til I have all your love.

Don't hesitate when I say,
"Come away."
Don't hesitate when I say,
"Come away."

Come as you are, bring me your heart and find,
I'm all you need. I'm all that satisfies.

Don't hesitate when I say,
"Come away."
Don't hesitate when I say,
"Come away."

Come away with Me.
Come away and you'll see
Love.
Come away with Me.
Come away and you'll see
Who you are.

Hesitate by Judah and the Lion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vis_upY-qPIEdit

9 Days till Haiti

Hey Guys, 

This is crazy, incredible, blessed, hard to wrap my head around BUT in 9 days Lazer, Amy and I will be MOVING to Haiti! God has been so faithful to me in my preparations both spiritually and physically. He has provided so many opportunities for "see ya laters", and experiences in prayer that have helped me become ready for this adventure. On these final few days I'd like to invite you to pray a Novena with me. It's to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and I pray it every time I go down to Haiti. She is the patron of Haiti and our Blessed Mother has been a huge spiritual figure to push me to say YES. The novena begins today May 6th- May 14th. We fly out May 15th at 7:30am! It's really happening. 

Here's the novena:

Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help. Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favor I confidently ask of you.
(Then say three Hail Marys).

Thank you so much for your prayers, financial donations, long phone conversations and encouraging text messages. 

Trash or Treasure

After mass at Holy Family we went down to their "Trash or Treasure" Sale. It's basically a HUGE garage sale. Anyway, after perusing through the coffee mugs, I saw "it". "It" was just laying there screaming my name. "It" was this beautiful little girls dress. I went over to it and got a closer look. At that moment I wished I could be 5 again, and jump into the dress and twirl around. 

Instead, I put it down and walked away remembering I didn't have any cash on me. But then I went back to it, humbled my self and asked Nate to borrow a few dollars. Of course he said yes. I went back to the table, then I saw the perfect little shoes! They matched perfectly with the dress. So I picked those up and found a cute hat sunhat as well.

When myself and the other missionaries went to check out the woman found out I was going to bring the items I was purchasing to Haiti. She said okey well I'm not charging you for anything. 

WHAT?! 

Just from a simple act of humility to ask Nate to borrow a few dollars, led to another woman's hear to give generously to the mission. 

I'm pretty confident this is how Jesus works. I humble myself, ask him for one thing and he fulfills the ask in abundance. 

Check out John 6:9-13 

9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people [a]sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men [b]sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. 12 When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.”13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

Jesus sees that these people are hungry so he provides exactly what they need. And not just crumbs but AS MUCH AS THEY WANTED! 

I dare you today to be bold in your prayer. Ask the LORD for exactly what you need. He will fulfill your desires in abundance. 

Praise the Lord for the person who donated that little dress. A small Haitian child will treasure that for years to come.

That's not my name...

I'm having  a MAJOR identity crisis.

I think my name should be Peter.

I'm talking about Saint Peter!


I'm identifying with Saint Peter in HUGE ways right now. Most times in ways that are difficult to admit.

As a missionary it's often that I deny Jesus. Just because I have the title "missionary" doesn't mean I'm perfect. Some days, I put Jesus last.
"Oh, I got through today on the 4 cups of coffee I drank. Failing to recall the grace that was bestowed upon me during a Holy Hour (some days 2), morning prayer and mass. I put my trust in those worldly, and material things to push me through the day.

Peter couldn't be found at the crucifixion, mostly for fear of his own life. His one instruction given to him by Jesus in the garden was STAY AWAKE.....yup, he failed.

BUT, Peter gives me hope!

Peter, often known as the most tragic denier and coward, through a God who loves and forgives, grew into the most successful failure of ALL time.

Jesus saw something in Peter other people didn't. He saw a passion for souls. He saw courage for the kingdom. He saw a humble man. After Peter denies Jesus three times, he professes his love for him three times. Then gives over his life completely to Jesus. To serve him and to spread the Gospel.

I want to trust Jesus the way Peter did when he called him out on the waters. My body of water isn't a physical raging sea, but rather a country. A country named Haiti. A country where God has gently whispered into the depths of my heart that "now is the time, and I am the one".

A simple nickname that was given to me in Spring of 2009 when I entered Alpha Sigma Tau has completely transformed my heart and given me a knew way of praying and living life.

Holy Happenings

Guys!

Life is FLYING by.

I leave for Haiti in 17 days.

WOA.

I'm moving to Haiti.

WOA.

It's basically an hourly realization I have. Emotions come and go.
Happy.
Sad.
Nervous.
Excited.
Terrified.
Joyful.
Doubtful.

EVERYTHING!

BUT this past month has been incredible.

I saw some really great friends get married!

Played some Frisbee Golf for the first (and probably last) time ever!

I went home to Long Island and got a beautiful send off from my home parish.

Said hello and goodbye to a new missionary brother!

Experienced Life Teen Women's Retreat with my best friend and group of women who have welcomed me in with open arms.

Experienced God's love through the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Had such a blessed Easter!

Got to visit this kid!

RAN A TOUGH MUDDER!

As my time in America get shorter I just keep eating more and more Chick-Fila, filling my days loving BIG and praying BIG. I know that God is calling me deeper and deeper but, I'm not exactly sure into what yet. I just keep saying YES. 

YES to his plan. 

YES to his teens. 

YES to each person he places in front of me. 

YES to early mornings and late nights.

YES to doing things I don't really want to be doing. 

YES to a house full of missionaries. 

YES to whatever is next. 

GOD WINS. Every. Single. Time. 

GOD WINS

I, Amanda Cassar, have committed to being a Life Teen Missionary in Haiti for the next two years!

Now take a minute, collect yourself, scoop your jaw off the floor and read that last sentence again. Your eyes have not deceived you; it really does say that I will be living in a third world country for the next two years. I starred at a blank screen for a long time before I could even begin to write those words. Our Lord has gently been preparing my heart for many years and now is the time that he wants me to say YES. So I have.

My story starts back in 2010 when Haiti was rocked by an Earthquake.  I can admit this today, but back then I couldn’t locate Haiti on a map, but my heart ached for that country. I got involved at my college in helping to organize a water and clothing collection but I wanted to do more. I wanted to go to Haiti and single handedly rebuild that country. After a dose of humility, and a big reality check I sat in my dorm room praying for the Lord to give me an opportunity to serve his people. December 2012 was the first time I was able to go to Haiti and it changed my life. I started to recognize all the things I took for granted in my life. Material things, but also parents who were married, three meals a day, running water, and the ability to flip a switch and instantly power up any electronic I wanted to use.  Even though my heart was ready to drop everything and move there the Lord asked me to wait a little bit longer before saying yes to Haiti. It has been an important time of learning and growing this year in Atlanta. After my most recent trip to Haiti, earlier in February, God made it very clear that at this time in my life he wanted me to say YES to this call.

This adventure will begin in May of this year and my commitment will last until August 2016. My leave date is rapidly approaching and there are a lot of details and expenses to cover. First, I could use prayers that I continue to allow God to be the center of all that I do. Second, financially this is going to be quiet an adventure but I TRUST that the Lord will provide through the generosity of YOU, my mission partners. Here are a few of the costs that I have coming up and any monetary donation helps tremendously.

Insurance- $800

Books and programs to learn Kreyole- $100

Flights to and from Haiti to come home every 3 months- $1500

You can donate online at: donate.lifeteen.com/amandacassar

Send checks to: 

 Life Teen 

#9 The Pines Ct. Ste C 

St. Louis MO 63141

"Reflection"

I spend a LOT of time in the car.

Which means I naturally know every new hip song on the radio...LIES!

Most of what they play on the radio is trash....sorry not sorry.

So I listen to CD's. (if you ever want to send me a mix CD I'll give you my address) Normal people would have a large collection of CD's in their car and change them every so often. Again...not me. Which in this case is a good thing.

We have the mixed CD called "Missionary Car Jams" made by a fellow missionary. In the early stages of listening to this CD I was putting Taylor Swift and Mumford on repeat. Then I had enough, put the CD in the glove box and forgot about it. Some how it wound up back in the CD player and PRAISE THE LORD!

During this intense time of discernment the Lord has been using very interesting things to help direct my heart to the ways he is trying to love me.There is a song on the CD called "Reflection" by Urban Rescue. The chorus of the song goes:

"I wanna burn bright like a star in the night. Sing wild, believe like a child. I just wanna be your reflection"

BOOM! 

My heart exploded with JOY the moment I heard that. 

That's it! 

That's exactly how I want to live my life. 

If I want to have a dance party,  jump on a couch/bed, jam on my guitar, sing off key and REALLY loud...THEN DO IT! 

Jesus wants me to share in the JOY of being HIS child. 

As I continue to reflect on this little verse I think about how I want Jesus to just hold me close, and rest in his arms. I imagine him just smiling on me, shouting to all who will listen "THIS IS MY BELOVED DAUGHTER, WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED" (Matthew 3:17)

I don't have to prove my worth, he already knows it. I can't make a wrong choice in my discernment IF I am seeking something that is going to benefit the kingdom. 

Pray for me as I head to Haiti on Sunday to continue on this journey of constantly saying YES and discerning the will of God. 

I'm praying for you. 

January Update

Today is a snow day in Atlanta! All of my northern friends and family have got to be laughing at us today. Yesterday we were blessed with about an inch of snow that left hundreds of people stranded, it took us five hours to drive 4.5 miles, but we made it.  Below you will find a little bit about the way God has been moving in my life. It’s impossible to capture the JOY, the restlessness, the peace and over all excitement happening in my heart in just a few paragraphs but here is my best attempt.

We arrived in General Cepeda, Mexico on January 2^nd after driving for 21 hours! From the moment I arrived at the Mission Base God was calling me to TOTALLY and COMPLETELY trust him and the plan he had for me that week. It was such a blessing to have my Dad experience the Mission in Mexico with me. Dad and I were able to build a roof at two different houses, share meals together, play with local kids, go to mass and pray with people from different small ranchos around General Cedpeda. I saw the Man of God that my Dad is becoming. I got to see God move in the hearts of my fellow teammates, and the JOY that was brought to young Mexican children by just dancing with them.

Throughout my time in Mexico God rekindled the fire in my heart for foreign mission. Through deep prayer, conversation and surrender I am going to be visiting Haiti from February 9^th through February 17^th to better understand the desire God has placed on my heart.

It’s a time of “Maybe” with a ton of graces to understand the way God is moving. Maybe I am supposed to enter into a foreign mission field.  Maybe the gifts and talents he’s been building up in me will be used in Haiti. Or maybe, I’m supposed to go to Graduate School and use what I learned in Missions there. Maybe, I’m supposed to stay with Life Teen Missions in other roles, or at a different base away from Atlanta. I’m not really sure yet what God wants. I do know that our God is faithful. He will not leave me abandoned, or miserable, and he will fulfill the promises he’s whispered in my heart over and over again these past few years.

Here are two ways you can help:

1) I ask that if you feel called to help get me to Haiti you consider making a donation to the mission.  Follow the link www.donate.lifeteen.com/amandacassar

2) Pray for me! There is a novena I will be doing to Our Lady of Perpetual Help starting on February 9^thand ending on February 17^th.  She is the patron Saint of Haiti and has been a very strong intercessory for clarity during my time as a Missionary.

Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help. Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favor I confidently ask of you, that there be peace, clarity and confidence in God's plan during Amanda's time in Haiti. Lord, make it clear to her where you desire for her to be serving you and your teens next year. Amen
(Then say three Hail Marys).

Let me know if you have any specific prayer requests. 

Praying for you!