Coffee with Kristan and Tra

Staff Spotlight: We’re starting a series of articles on different staff members and their reasons for working in wildfire recovery.

Kristan, Tra and Bella Hay are part of our team serving since June in Happy Camp, California, the most recent volunteer rebuilding project for HCRN.  They joined the HCRN family in 2019 at the Middletown Dorm and volunteer teams enjoyed their hospitality and Kristan’s meals.  When volunteers are not in camp, Kristan and Tra join construction manager Bill Johnson on the worksites.  They have all been part of renovating the Happy Camp Assembly of God Church buildings into volunteer housing.

Kristan said she enjoys both sides of serving as part of her position.  “For me, I have a passion to see the volunteers be served, letting them know how appreciated they are and honoring them for the time they are giving up, I love it.  It’s especially important for our youth teams and AmeriCorps to let them know that what they are doing is important and I’m so proud of them.”  She said that working with homeowners and being able to see hope and restoration brought back to their lives is amazing.  She said “Yes, they get a home in the end, but the transformation in their heart and life just makes it so worth it.”

Tra’s job responsibilities include construction site work and maintaining the property.  “My passion is serving people,” said Tra.  “It puts joy in my heart and I know it’s from God.  We are so thankful to be serving others with Hope City.” 

Their story starts about ten years ago in Tra’s native Cambodia.  Kristan was serving on a short-term mission assignment when mutual friends invited them both to a day at a local amusement park.  Since Tra is not a fan of carnival rides, he didn’t enjoy the activity very much, but it was the first meeting for the two.  Later that summer, they would work together at a camp.  Kristan would return for another mission to Cambodia in 2012 and in 2013 the couple married. Their mission work would lead them to host a university student dorm for young people from outside the city seeking degrees.  Miss Bella would arrive in 2016.  They would come to the U.S. in 2018 for immigration reasons.

Our Entertainment Director, Bella, turns 5 this month and is in kindergarten.  She earned her title because of her friendly interaction with our volunteer teams.  She’s always up for a game, or a bicycle ride and she’s even been part of karaoke night! 

And there will be a new member of the HCRN Family by spring, as Kristan and Tra are expecting their second child!

How have the first few months gone in the new town?   “Since we first came to visit, we’ve been noticed as new people in town, but they are welcoming and I feel like they are open to us.  But then when we tell them why we are here and more about our work; many people are almost speechless.  There is a lot of brokenness here, but it’s good to be part of bringing hope to this community,” said Kristan.

The first step in renovations is completed with the kitchen in the church expanded and new dining area ready.  Our staff is working on completing the interior work on the metal building that will include bathrooms, showers and sleeping rooms for volunteers.  HCRN has also be awarded our first home rebuild, so there’s work to be done in Happy Camp.  You can serve in Happy Camp by contacting Volunteer Coordinator Travis Cox at 574-333-7728 or [email protected]