Living a Story for Haiti

Me and Rosie outside of Saint Marc, Haiti.

This week, God pointed my thoughts towards Haiti in a uniquely beautiful and painful way.  Tuesday was birthday of my dear Haitian sister in Christ Rosie.  Thursday marked the two year anniversary of the incredibly destructive earthquake in Haiti.   I noticed a few social media posts about Haiti this week, but most of the world went on, business as usual. 

Rosie and my other friend Jhon Adams, who work as interpreters for our trips, have had their lives irrevocably changed forever by the earthquake of January 12, 2010.  I know parts of their stories, but I really can't imagine what their daily life is like, living in a post-earthquake Haiti.  I admire their faith and their perseverance...Jhon Adams is studying computer science at a Haitian college, and Rosie is studying to take her English test to get a US student visa.  They are truly some of the lucky folks in Haiti, because they have friends all over the US supporting, encouraging, and praying for them.

Jhon Adams, future computer
 science teacher.

I remember when I first got back in October, how friends here told me it was so sad to hear the stories of my friends in Haiti and the children with disabilities I had served.  "That's so sad, but all you can do is pray for them," I was told.  Honestly, I know this to be incredibly incorrect and a self-centered line of thought.  I have to tell you their stories, I have to show you their pictures, I have to feel heartbreak for them so I don't forget.  I can't keep my love for them in my heart only, because then others will forget.  I have the responsibility to teach others to know and remember my friends, to convict them to pray, help, and consider love outside their comfort zone.  I remember Rosie's favorite verse, Exodus 14:14 "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  Who am I but one of God's instruments to bring love and healing to Haiti?

I'm reading Donald Miller's book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years right now.  He's learning and sharing with his readers what it means to live a great story.  He writes, "A character is what he does," meaning that our actions and how we live out our beliefs, not our internal intellectual and emotional life, shape our story and how others understand it.  There's an 'inciting incident' that changes a character, forces action, forces them out of their security and comfort zone...my inciting incident was definitely my trip to Haiti in September.

I know that God has made Haiti a part of my story for this season, if not for my life.  This wasn't just a 'bucket list' kind of trip, to check 'missions trip' off the list and return to my everyday life unchanged.  My heart is broken for Haitians, for this country, in a very painful, beautiful, and unique way.  So I will continue to love, to serve, to support my friends in Haiti in whatever way God gives me, because my actions speak louder than my emotions.  It's a painful experience, but undoubtedly something very beautiful that I am honored to share with you.

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Prayer requests for our upcoming trip:

1) Ongoing: for partners in prayer and finances associated with the trip.

2) I'm challenged to enter this adventures with no expectations, to be open to the unique experiences, opportunities, and challenges this trip will afford.

3) Safe shipping of our medical equipment to Haiti.

4) Opportunities to fundraise and share my story, and the story of Haiti, with nonbelievers in my life.

5) Health for our team, our individual preparations, and safety with our travels.

6) Revival, renewal, and redemption for all Haitians.