What a Year!

Hi Everyone!! As 2011 is coming to an end, I think back on this past year and truly am overwhelmed with joy and love. Starting Travel4Souls in April of 2010 I had no clue what to expect for my future and the future of this program. I am forever grateful to those of you that have been a part of this journey with me and look forward to everything that 2012 will bring!

 My travels (for work) in this past year included:
 

Honduras



India


Hong Kong, India, Haiti, Honduras, Haiti, Peru, Haiti, Haiti, Dubai, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Costa Rica, London, India, Haiti, Haiti, and Honduras.



Costa Rica



It has been an incredible journey that I could never have imagined in a million years. And to be honest 2011 was just that...a journey. The "newness" was over, the exhaustion building, and the long emotional battles and controversial opinions were heavy. Was what I was doing helping or hurting, are short-term trips positive or negative in long term impact, could we be giving more or was being safe and organized more important? Those are a few of the topics that I struggled with from April to November---and struggled hard. When I took the job I took it because I wanted to use my life to make a difference and had a passion to help others and enable those around me to help others too...the travel was an added bonus..and a huge one at that.

Tanzania Soccer

It is my dream job---Right now in my life I can not imagine wanting to do anything else. In this past year this is what I have learned--nothing of this world is perfect. There will always be people who disagree and question what you are doing, health issues that won't be solved, people who you let down, people who let you down, children that suffer, guilt and regret that prevent fearless futures. But I have also realized during all of this that Love brings JOY! I personally know that Jesus loved me and you so much that He would do anything for us to experience His love...and that love is what overflows from within each of us to care about others...we are not ever going to be able to "fix" this world, but we should all die trying..by sharing that love with those around the world and in your backyard that need it.

Everyone is different, and for that we should be thankful. If we all tried to do the same thing the same way--we would have no freedom or joy. People may say that what I am doing is hurting an economy or that short-term trips are just a way for Americans to feel good about themselves. They may tell me I am hurting myself by continuing to travel when I am sick or that I should not stress or worry so much...and I have realized..those people are probably right in many ways.

But I know that my stress and worry for those kids is why I'm okay with "dumping aide" so orphans and needy children can have protection for their feet that in other cases they would not have. That 83% of long term impact in developing nations(organizations, missionaries, micro-lending, etc. etc. etc.) started because of someone participating on a short-term trip. I know that Americans do feel good about themselves when they go--because they are sharing joy and love--and even if it is for one week or one second-it has the potential to make an impact that could change a life. And for all of these reasons that I get to see first-hand in person and then the ripple effect when I return...makes the exhaustion, illness, logistical frustrations worth every single second. Because I am able to give that joy that is overflowing from me to others and in return I receive more and more. I know I am where God has placed me for a reason, I know what Travel4Souls is doing is making a difference because I get to see the proof..and to me that is more important than to be fearful of all the mistakes I will make a long the way.

As we venture into 2012 I have no clue what to expect. I know that in 2011 Travel4Souls grew far greater than anyone imagined or was prepared for. Now we have Emily, who is also in the right place and when I say the PERFECT fit for this job..I mean it. She is passionate, motivated, hardworking, and the most kind person I have ever met. We hope to continue to grow and share joy with so many others.




Costa Rica

 

Reunion Dinner in San Fran

I am thankful for my family...who gives me unconditional love--yes, we are crazy and stubborn and it really is the most entertaining way to show love--but somehow it works and I love them more than anything! I am also thankful for my friends...so many support me in prayer, participating on trips, making me be social when I would rather sleep, treating me like a princess(which I assure you can be annoying) and so often just understanding and listening. Finally, I am thankful for my co-workers, partnering organizations, everyone who received shoes and of course trip participants. All who work incredibly hard and have so much passion to keep making a difference and spreading joy. My passion is not to just give shoes, it is to give joy so others will do the same--and because of all of these people I am able to fulfill the passion God has given me.

Ruth and Rycksa- "joyful adoption tears"

 There are so many highlights of my year from these trips and this blog is already getting so long..so I might do that next week, but for now that one piece of advice that I want to share with you is what Cecelia (Honduras November-- a 76 year old going on 19) told me when I asked her what the secret was to longevity. She said, "Just be yourself. Be proud of who you are and what you are doing and don't waste your time and energy trying to be something else."

Thank you all. Thank you for loving me the way I am. For being patience and loving me as I continue to learn and develop this program and myself. I told the trip participants in an email earlier this week: how thankful I am for everything..the big things and the little things. The success of this program is because of joy. The passion of so many people wanting to make a difference and sharing their joy with others. I appreciate each of you reading this and what you have done to promote what we are doing and sharing about it with those around you. Please continue to share joy this year as it truly does make the world a better place.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

XOXO,

Katie Lentile

Peru