Halie Wetherington reporter@greenepublishing.com
Growing up in Madison, Pinetta and Lee, Tessa Andrews always wanted to travel to Haiti after observing her mother going on mission trips throughout her childhood. In 2017, the dream finally became reality with Andrews going on her first trip to Haiti and loving it just as much as she thought she would. Even though she loved the trip, she had no intention of living in the country. “God had different plans for me,” said Andrews, “He kept hitting me on the head with the reality that He had called me there.” At the knowledge of only herself, Andrews applied for a missionary school while in Haiti and saw several signs telling her to follow through with this plan. From her mom already okaying the move to Haiti without having knowledge of Andrews’ plans, to her professor telling her class to follow through with their ideas, “whether it be teaching, mission work or whatever.” Her pastor also helped in her decision to begin this journey, as he believed Andrews was being called to take part in that work. “I was already feeling called, but these things truly made me realize that I was doing the right thing,” said Andrews.
“When I visited again in March of 2018, I knew I would be moving down that following fall,” and that is exactly what she did. Andrews moved to Haiti in August of 2018, to begin a new chapter of her life. She taught for two years and proceeded to begin a new job in the summer of 2020, where she is now working for Reciprocal Ministries International (RMI) in the Hope for Kidz department, which handles child sponsorships. “I love it and I could see myself there for the rest of my life, if that is how the Lord leads,” she stated. “I know that people see things on the news that scare them or turn them away from Haiti, but if they could see the beauty and wonderful people that I do, I know they would understand.”
Now that she is home for the summer, Andrews, her family, and the churches around the community are helping to raise funds for her trip back to Haiti.
On Sunday, June 26, at 11 a.m., she will be speaking at Cherry Lake Baptist Church, followed by the First Baptist of St. Pete. On Sunday, July 3, Andrews will be at Concord at 11 a.m., followed by Lee UMC on Sunday, July 10, at 9:30 a.m., and Hickory Grove at 11:00 a.m.