DeKalb County High School graduate Kidman Dawn Puckett had her sights set on the Big Apple. After earning her diploma from U.T. Chattanooga in 2016, she was planning to pack her bags to move in August to her favorite city, New York City. A Homecoming Queen in high school and a fashion/beauty tips blogger, Puckett’s dream was to pursue Public Relations/Event Planning, hopefully in the Fashion Industry.

"I've been struggling with my calling," Kidman wrote on her blog site (http://www.kidmandawn.com/2016/07/his-calling.html) in July of last year, one month before her departure to the bity city. "Should I pursue my dreams? The ones in the city? Or the plans God has stitched together for my life. I believe I am called to be a missionary. To bring light to those who have never heard of God."

Puckett was involved with mission projects and trips while she attended Dry Creek Baptist Church during high school. A member of the Beta Club, she was a strong student academically (3.8 GPA), four year football cheerleader and senior captain, and Vice President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It was also during this time that she felt called to be involved in missions work, but the specific direction was unclear. Kidman began praying for guidance and for faith in God’s plan.

"I should be living for The One who gave His life for me," she told the Smithville Review. "It was something hard for me to do, to surrender. As I grow stronger in my faith, I realize it’s not about us and what we do or how successful we are in the worldly view. It’s about Him and all He has done for us. There’s no way we could ever repay Him, but I know I should live my life trying to. "

Although she says it was hard to do, Puckett surrendered to God’s will.

"I have never felt more at ease or at peace with something," she said. "I knew I wanted to pursue mission work but was really unsure where. Haiti had always been in the back of my mind, but it was something I needed to pray over before I made the final decision."

"Our pastor (Outreach Baptist Church minister Nathan Thomason) once said, ‘Being a missionary isn't crazy. Being called to be a missionary and not, is crazy.’ That stuck with me. It resonated in my heart."

One day when Kidman was working as a waitress at Pates Ford Marina, she received the final confirmation she needed.

"I waited on a table of five elderly people," Puckett remembers. "They were super friendly, and it was their very first time there. Before leaving, one of the men (Gerry Molitor) walked up to me and asked what my plans were considering the marina is only open throughout the summer. I told him my plans of doing missionary work and possibly in Haiti. The man asked me a few more questions and then proceeded to pull out his business card and told me he did exactly that ---missionary work in Haiti."

"I whole-heartedly believe God used him to speak to me," she adds. "It is something I’ll never forget, a complete blessing. I asked for reassurance and God used him to give me just that. I remember being on Cloud Nine, God had just spoken to me so clearly."

The Big Apple would have to wait. Kidman moved to Haiti on January 5 of this year and committed to a year in the missionary field.

Over the past several months, she has taught 2nd-3rd grades at EBAC Christian Academy and Orphanage and English at Universite Chretienne de la Foi (Faith University) and has helped set up a website for EBAC. She does a weekly bible study with the girls at the orphanage.

Her many adventures in the foreign land included a short weekend missionary trip that she went on with Pastor Cebian and her university students.

"We traveled through the mountains and villages to a place called La Sierre," she recalls. "We had no form of power of electricity. We used candles at night. No bathrooms. Although, they did have one outhouse! Everyone showered in the river. We slept on the concrete floor with just a small blanket. The huts and houses were tiny. But the people were full of love. I was so amazed while being at their church. People walked miles to be there and hear God’s word. Their church was beautiful and so were the people. I was able to capture photos of the people, and they were so happy to see their face on the camera screen because I’m sure they haven't been able to before!"

Prior to Kidman’s move, her parents Jimmy and Anita Puckett had some concerns about her safety in the foreign land, but they knew God would watch over her. With the support of her family and church family at Outreach Baptist Church, Kidman says she didn’t have many concerns.

"I just wanted to fall in love with the culture, the people, and be able to share God’s grace!" Puckett said. "It’s definitely a huge transition moving to a third world country and not easy for many Americans, but I have loved every single moment of it."

"Personally, I haven't felt in danger at all while being in Haiti, although I do take precautions and listen to advice given to me from the Haitian people. I always travel with other Haitians, whether that be riding in the back of a tap tap, (A tap tap is a type of transportation many use because most people cannot afford to have their own personal vehicles. A tap tap carries many people places and when you are ready to get off at your destination, you tap the vehicle) or even a motorcycle. My first time riding a motorcycle was here in Haiti. That was an adventure. People definitely drive a little crazier here because not many police patrol or pull people over. I also make sure to not travel or go out after dark because I could be more at risk of being in danger."

Kidman is about halfway through with her year commitment to Haiti, but she never sees herself completely departing from the people there.

"It’s going to be so hard to leave these people," says Puckett. "I definitely plan on coming back every year. I would love to adopt kids here at the orphanage, but it’s a very hard process."

"I came to Haiti to share God’s grace. The funny thing about it is I feel like the people here have taught/touched me more than I have taught/touched them. God is using me but He is also showing me more of His amazing works through each of these children."

Kidman will be speaking at Smithville First Baptist Church next Sunday. Also, a wish list for Kidman’s trip back to Haiti is underwear for boys and girls, sandals, dresses, socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, feminine hygiene products, deodorant and generic brand bug spray – no name brand, please.