February 21, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
A DeKalb County woman who began teaching and missionary work in Haiti two years ago plans to return there soon perhaps for a much longer stay.
Kidman Puckett, daughter of Jimmy and Anita Puckett of Smithville and a member of the Outreach Baptist Church in Smithville said she felt the call to do missionary work shortly after graduating from college.
“After I graduated high school I went to UT-Chattanooga and when I completed my education there I worked at Pates Ford Marina and started going to church at Outreach Baptist Church and that’s where I felt called to do missionary work and began thinking about moving to Haiti,” said Puckett.
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“When I was in high school I went on youth trips with my church and one time went to Mobile, Alabama and we did mission type work and I loved it so much I knew it was something I was really going to be passionate about although I had never really thought about doing it full time. Over time missions became heavier on my heart so I began to pray for reassurance in the calling and then on the last weekend we were open at Pates Ford Marina I had an elderly couple come in and they asked me what my plans were after the season was over. I told them missionary work was heavy on my heart. They asked where do you want to go. I said that was something I was still praying about but for some reason Haiti has been on my mind. They said that’s really funny and after talking to them for about ten minutes the man pulled out his card and said he does mission work in Haiti. Once that happened I realized it was an answer to my prayer. After making connections through him and I was able to go with them to Haiti for a week in 2017 and ended up staying nearly a full year from January to October. I went back and visited for a week in July 2018 and moved back on December 28. Although I am home right now I plan to return to Haiti in two weeks with no time limit. It could be for two years or forever,” said Puckett.
As part of her mission work, Puckett teaches English at an orphanage compound and university and also leads Bible studies.
“In Haiti their main religion is voodoo and that is very strong throughout the country but at the same time the people who worship and believe in voodoo know that God is more powerful so usually when it comes to witnessing to the people in Haiti they are very open to hearing what you have to say about it. I teach second and third graders through a state academic program. It is an English speaking school so all of these kids are learning English and they will graduate with an American high school degree. I also teach English at a university in Haiti and do Bible studies with girls age 15 and older who can understand English,” Puckett said.
“Haiti is a third world and very impoverished country with no electricity and it is hard to get clean water but there are lots of wells. Although the people are very poor they are generally very happy,” said Puckett.
“I want to thank Outreach Baptist Church for supporting me every month while I am there. They have gotten really involved and been able to take trips down there with me sometimes so that’s really exciting,” added Puckett.