Monday, April 30, 2012

Rachel McNallan

Meet Rachel McNallan: one of the twelve young

 adults traveling to Haiti on our June mission trip!

Rachel helping the kids with their water buckets in Cite Soleil, Haiti June 2011
Rachel loving up the kids in Cite Soleil, Haiti June 2011.
Rachel is a graduate from Coon Rapids High School, and has received her Associate of Art Degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College. She is currently studying Special Education at St. Cloud State and is a personal care asistant for three little boys, all of whom have down syndrome and one that also has autism. She absolutely loves her job with these boys, and attributes her interest in studying Special Education to the working with this population. Rachel hopes to one day be a stay-at-home mom when she "grows-up", but would like to be a teacher before her mommy years. 


I had the honor of serving with Rachel in Haiti June of 2011; this was Rachel's first time traveling to Haiti (and first time traveling to a third world country), but this would not be the last. She hopes to someday serve in more 3rd world countries and share her gifts with all those in need. Rachel has informed me that prior to her first  trip to Haiti, she had always wanted to go on mission trips.  Her mom to told her to look into going on a mission trip through an organization her priest had founded in Haiti. Father Riser, the founder of Reiser Relief, was a priest who dedicated his life to serving those in need and had formed a strong partnership with Healing Haiti before his death. When Rachel had contacted Reiser Relief last year, she received an e-mail form Healing Haiti about a team going to Haiti that had one more open spot. Rachel took a leap of faith and joined the group traveling to Haiti June 2011. During her experience, Rachel fell in love with the people of Haiti.. which happens to many people on these mission trips. She is looking forward to returning to Haiti again this year to serve the people of Haiti. On our trip in June 2011, Rachel's heart for Haiti was evident through the interactions she had with the children at the orphanages and slums. I am excited for her to reconnect with the Haitians and to experience Haiti all over again! 



Please Join me in welcoming Rachel to this wonderful group of young adults! I ask that you keep Rachel in your prayers as she prepares for her return to Haiti. I am so blessed to be able to serve beside Rachel again!!