I’ve been home for three weeks and I miss a different aspect of Haiti each day. I am grateful that I am able to learn the heart of the organization, and grateful to be able to walk this path at all. Somewhat conflicting at times, but I am confident that there is purpose in it.
Haiti has completely changed my perception of worship. I can no longer sing songs like “You make beautiful things out of dust…”, thinking of my life, my circumstances, or not even just how great God has been to me (and He has been GREAT – in all caps); but only of an Almighty God who continues to create beautiful stories out of nothing.
Literally.
He created Danita’s Children out of only the deep anguish in a woman’s heart.
He changed the lives of almost 500 children by providing them an education that will in turn begin a cycle of prosperity within their families.
He is creating the medical center, which will act as a light house in a world where there are no options.
And the best part
is that Danita’s story is not the only one, the best one or the biggest one.
Simply the one that I am watching unfold right now.
God is creating beautiful stories everyday. Out of nothing. All over the world.
It’s not all about you. About me. About America.
He is saving children and governments and single souls who simply ask.
I walked away from Haiti feeling like a better missionary. But not because I went to Haiti. But because I learned more about compassion and grace.
I feel like a better missionary because I see hurting and desperate people in a different way – in the grocery store, the post office, the beach – whether it’s because they can’t provide for their family, they are disabled and homeless, or just young, insecure and desperate for attention. I see them with my heart, and if this journey ended today I would be grateful for that alone.
I would be grateful for new vision.
Grateful for new worship.
Grateful that every time I sing “you make beautiful things out of us…” I am reminded of how such a beautiful journey came out of the chaos that once was my life.
So in the mean time, I’ll wait for an illuminated path.
Although waiting can be frustrating, I feel encouraged and hold a great sense of contentment.
God certainly has a plan.
A plan for my journey and for yours, and for all the kids in Haiti that I now know as hilarious – girls who love “Justin Beaver”, singing and making up dance routines, watching old 90’s dvd’s like “Saved By The Bell” and “7th Heaven”, and have the same insecurities that I had at 15 (weight, boys, fitting in, dressing cute). Boys who want to prank, play video games, play with toy cars (aka “machines”) and do anything and risk everything to get a mango down from the tree.
Although working stateside isn’t the exciting part of a missionaries work, it is still a necessary part of keeping the work of the kingdom moving. The part that makes it so much easier are those who have a place in their hearts for the work that is being done and partner with missionaries – in the field and stateside – to ensure the continuing execution of the job.
Even more so are those who are the greatest encouragement by reading and commenting on my writing and covering our work in their prayers and support.
I am excited to have the opportunity to work stateside for Danita’s Children, advocating for a group of kids who each have a beautiful story that could have so easily looked differently.
Truly bloomed out of the dust.
Thank you to those of you who have sacrificed for the difference.
The Roaring 20s 