Humble Servants 3/25/14

The first day on the mission field is the most exciting and anxious you can feel during the week.  Waking up I had no idea what to expect, but to let Jesus bring peace and just keep it Holy.  I figured the least I could do was be willing to serve and see what God does to change things.  The breakfast was amazing as we have the most incredible staff cooking for us.  The layout and options of food were excellent.  They cook for a vegan, a gluten resistant, and traditional food all in the same meal twice a day.  These Haitians are bombastic servants with nothing but smiles to offer.  Thank God for joy and lovers.

We started the day with a stop at the home for sick and dying children.  Upon arrival I could see & feel the burden of the families in distress.  I could see the longing in the parents faces knowing they can only see their children a couple hours a day before entrusting their child's care to the talented and anointed staff.  The oppression was real and it was thick in the atmosphere, and it became really clear to me how important it is for these teams to continue to be consistent with visits twice a week to encourage these families and children.  They need the love of Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit to conquer hopelessness with fulfillment and purpose.  The harvest field was so close and evident and I was encouraged to be a part of that situation.  

We had a chance to not only hold the children and play with them, but to help feed them.  The food they ate was a bean sauce (protein), rice (carbs), light cooked veggies (potatoes and carrots), and chicken (depending on the age).  My baby never ate food like these kids.  I couldn't move the spoon fast enough for this precious little two year old.  She almost swallowed the spoon, she was lapping so fast.  The hardest part was the "orevwa" and listening to the children call out for our attention.  Being there serves a great purpose even if the work feels insignificant at times.

Next we made our way to the "Apparent Project".  This is a market place thought up to put over 200 Haitians in a paid position to take care of their families.  The pay is above average and the work is not laborious, just long and tedious.  We had a nice tour and they looked happy with their friends while on the job.  They make beautiful jewelry out of cardboard and glass displays from recycled bottles.  The whole concept is truly something to witness, and I couldn't have pictured a more perfect way to ease some suffering.

I had a chance to talk with a few of the men that worked there, and they are completely satisfied with the job.  It's a good job to have in the city.  The story was the same with many of them, since the ones I talked with spent time in the states and the learned English well.  They went to high school and were deported afterwards when they tried to land a working position or apply to school.  The paperwork was not correct, and they had to come back to Haiti.  They all have kids now, and they can't afford the time to come back to the states unless they have a guaranteed job and money to take care of their families.  The wives don't work in these situations, and the children are very young (infants).  The story seems hopeless, but thank God for a business willing to set up in this economy and find an avenue for success.  Pray for more to come and help rebuild a desperate culture.

Finally, we made a stop at Juno's orphanage.  This man has a great story to share and I was so blessed to have had an interpreter to interview him.  He has 16 orphans under his care now.  He has split the building in half with women and men's bedrooms on one half, and the schools rooms (three in all) spread around the front and side of the building.  He has two teachers and himself that have taken the time to work with these children to make sure they are not illiterate.  Juno found these children on the streets in his village with dead parents or abandoned at birth.  His heart was moved by Jesus to fill the void with friendship and give these children a chance to have careers when they graduate school.  He also teaches them about Jesus, and the power of the resurrection.

We took two hours to play with the children, bringing coloring packs, paper airplanes, frisbees, soccer balls, jump ropes, and snacks.  We had a squad rush the top top (our vehicle) as soon as pulled into the parking spot.  They couldn't wait to play and again the anticipation of our arrival so evident on their faces.  They desire friendship outside of their little home.  I doubt they get out much since they are home schooled and have no families to turn too.  The reality set in when I found out from Juno that the only food that comes to them is from the Healing Haiti Manna Packs.  These children eat once a day or every other day to conserve food between deliveries.  Thank you for participating in this journey to be their supply chain that literally saves their lives every day.  Your partnership matters and they love you.  I have the pictures of the drawings to prove it.  :) 

My time with this MN family so far has been quite an experience.  This is a family of servants like no other.  The selflessness I've seen exhibited on this day alone draws tears of joy from our God.  I know because a love God finds worthy is taking care of orphans and widows.  This life seems so useless and purposeless if love is not at the center of everything.  I'm encouraged by the love of God in Haiti and even more so by this teams willingness to concede to God's will so that love can abide over hopelessness.  Blessings to you all!!!