My
recent trip to Haiti was a real treat, it’s been a good while since I’ve gone
overseas and I can truly say that I missed it beyond what my words can express.
Being within the unfamiliar and uncomfortable often feels like home to me and
as usual when everyone was ready to return to the mainland, I dreamt of staying
longer. It goes without saying that when God captures your heart for the
nations, the nations become your home.
I’ve
travelled to many places in my faith journey, but Haiti stands different from
all the others. Poverty takes on a new meaning there as it not only affects a
core group of individuals, but the country as a whole. Our goal and our mission
was to bring hope to Haiti, specifically the small mountain village of Fond
Blanc and to spread the love of Christ in such a way that all who we would encounter
would feel His affection and compassion. We came there with both a work team
and ministry team to build and love, but I think that we can say for the most
part, that the Haitians “worked” on our hearts and “ministered” to us, it’s
funny how God’s system works sometimes.
I
could tell you of the many ministry opportunities we had, the VBS, the building
project, and the Spirit led adventures we had in the village, but I have another
matter pressing on my heart…
had the amazing opportunity to preach in their home church in Fond Bland
alongside of the one of the most passionate, and enthusiastic pastors I’ve ever
met, Jean Claude. He’s one of the best translators I’ve ever had and we were
truly a team together at the pulpit. There was a spiritual connection between us
that goes beyond description and I was truly captivated by His heart for his
people, God’s people. As I looked at the congregation, I no longer saw Haitians,
I saw Jesus. Jesus taking shape in the form of men and woman, young and old. Jesus
as an orphan, a widow, a young adult. Right there in that church as I preached,
danced, and sang, I saw the hope of the world as I saw the hope of the Son in
all of them. It was a church service I’ll never forget…
I’ve been learning more and more that
successful ministry doesn’t revolve around me or what I do. Ministry that
succeeds communicates the love of the Father, by the means of the Son.
Successful ministry is when we lay down our right to life and let Christ live
through us. It’s been my heart’s desire to pray and embrace Paul’s words when
he said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ
lives in me (Galatians 2:20).
As the days went by during our short stay in
Haiti, the kids forgot my name… They started by calling me Ben, but by the
end of the week all them would surround me with smiling faces as I carried them
in my arms and they would call me Jesus. I was overwhelmed by the honor of
carrying such a name as I fought back the tears. I was reminded again and again
that when I let Jesus live through me, when I become Jesus with skin on, I walk
into my destiny. The more I become like Him the more I become like the person
He created me to be. I know the will of God for my life, it’s Jesus and that a “name
legacy” is not my goal. If they don’t remember my name after my last breathe
that is completely okay, I want them to remember Jesus, the Jesus that lived in
and through me. A Jesus that was given permission to roam the earth again and
flood it with His love and glory because someone gave up his or her life,
someone let the people of the world forget his or her name…
support me in prayer as I’m embarking on a new journey come September as I have
the honor and the privilege to squad lead 59 young adults on the World Race with
my co-leader Alexandra Squyres, a World Race alumni, but above all, a great
friend. Alexandra and I will be leading I-Squad on their Race for approximately
4 months to the nations of Zimbabwe/Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, and
China.
journey and please subscribe to my blog if you have not done so already. It’s
the best way to keep up with what we will be doing overseas with the wonderful
I-Squad. Thank you and God Bless!
In
His Hands,
Benjamin
Gagne
