Courtney in Haiti

Two and a half years ago I made my first visit to COTP.  I was finishing up a week of volunteering in Port Au Prince and my friend, Jess, and I wanted to visit another part of the country.  Through the recommendation of a friend, we ended up at COTP.

I fell in love with COTP pretty quickly.  I had read a bit about their mission and vision on their webpage, and could see what excellent care they provided for the kids.  Our first evening here we were in the volunteer house when somebody told us that one of the kids was having a seizure and asked if we could come lend a hand.  That was the first time I met Nikensly, and he became the first kiddo I ever cared for at COTP.

It took multiple doses of medication and quite a bit of time to get his seizure under control.  That evening he spent the night in our bedroom in the volunteer house, so we could monitor him.  I weaned him off his oxygen, medicated him for his fever, and kept a close eye on him for any more seizure activity.  This statement will probably sound weird to most people, but during Nikensly’s seizure was when I first felt God calling me to COTP.  Taking care of Nikensly seemed so natural.  God had been growing my heart for Haiti for quite some time and in this setting I could see how clearly God could use my skill set to care for the kids here.  It was the answer to a prayer I had been praying for many years, God if you want me to serve in Haiti please lead me to the right place.

I had many more opportunities to care for and to love on Nikensly over the next two and a half years.  He was such a cool kid who always had the greatest smile.  He brought so much joy to those of us who loved him.  After many months of illness, Nik passed away in his sleep the other night.

Nik, I am so grateful that I had the chance to know and to love you.  Thank you for the role you played in my story and my journey to COTP.  I am so heartbroken that you are no longer here with us, but also rejoicing that you are healed and whole in the arms of Jesus.  You were loved, you were cherished, and you will be so greatly missed.

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:23-26

Children of the Promise has given permission for the posting of the photos on this site. Photos taken of  the children in the care of Children of the Promise are not to be posted publicly without explicit permission given by Children of the Promise.