Haiti

Like much of the rest of the world, I have watched the coverage of the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. It has been almost unbelievable. Haiti and the people of Haiti hold a very special place in my heart. It was the destination of my first international mission trip (other than Mexico). It is the place where it really all began for me---my call to missions, my call to work and love the "least of these". As I have watched the news and read various reports over the last 10 days, my heart has been flooded with memories of my time there and all that God has taught me since then. One of the things that stands out is the spirit of the Haitian people I encountered while I was there---the joy and hope they had were incredible. To have so little, yet to have true joy and hope in the Lord still inspires me, almost 7 years later.

Here are a few pictures from my time in Haiti...




The following is what I wrote on my way home from Ferrier...it's just a fraction of what I learned that week and continue to learn as I strive to pursue God with everything...

Smiles. They mean the same in almost every language. As I stepped down from the truck on Sunday to begin my week in Ferrier, Haiti, it dawned on me that I could not speak one word of Creole and had no way to communicate with them except though a smile or a hug. God has shown me that by smiling and hugging little boys and girls that I am communicating to them. I am communicating God's love to them. God has also shown me that His strength is perfect. When I didn't think I could carry another bucket of water or swallow another pile of fish spaghetti; He gave me the strength to go on and continue to serve Him. God also showed me that my heart's one desire, my passion, should be to follow after Him with everything. I like to do things my own way it seems, but He's shown me once again this week that His way is so much better than my own. Everything I do should point others to Christ. The people I came in contact with in Ferrier have a passion to serve God and worship Him, and I found myself longing to have the same passion, the same desire, the same smile.