The Haitian people are so amazing. They are strong, resilient and so beautiful. Their faces, struggles and stories are etched in our hearts. Their faith has impacted us powerfully.
We have had a few days to process and reflect on our experiences in Haiti. To be honest, it’s a lot to process. On the one hand the misery is so beyond description. On the way home, the woman next to me on the plane asked twice, “so is it better now?” I responded the same way both times, “No, the situation is terrible”.
We will never forget the kids. Children should never have to live through the horrors that so many experienced. I wake up every day remembering the faces and voices of people who have suffered terrible loss. I begin my day praying for God’s strength, for His presence with the hurting people of this oppressed nation. The more I reflect, the more I pray for His justice to be brought to a nation ravaged by corruption and neglect.
On the other hand, we felt so privileged to be there to witness the power of God, the hope and joy on the faces of His children. I wish each of you could have been there to worship with God’s people over these past Sundays. How can people who have suffered so much sing with such joy and confess with such faith the goodness of God? This is the work of the Spirit of God. When all you have is God, you have everything. That’s easy to say, but I have seen the power of that truth in the faces and lives of my Haitian brothers and sisters. To God be the glory. I hope and pray that I will hold loosely all that is temporary.
A German missionary friend of our once said that missionaries and their suitcases travel by planes, but their hearts travel by boat. Linda and I sure feel that way. I really feel like I’m not all here. I am with the our team at HQ in Gressier. I am still worshipping with my new Haitian friends. I still see the rubble, feel the tremors and the heaviness of the hearts. And I still see the eyes of hope. Thanks for praying us home. Pray that I never fully return.
Mike
