I am madly, head over heels, eat a whole bag of chocolate type of in love, even borderline infatuated, with Haiti. I felt it the moment we crossed the border (which is a story in itself) and have been feeling it ever since.
It’s funny because when I sit down and try describing Haiti or even take pictures of it, I realize it is not what most people would depict as scenic. If I were to describe Haiti at face value, I would say it is first and foremost dirty. There is literally dust and debris everywhere. So much so, that you can’t take a step without dust particles covering your entire body (and lungs I may add). Not to mention, there is trash all over the place. Finding an actual trashcan is as easy as finding a plot of grass…in other words, dang near impossible.
The landscape is full of cracked cement and rusted tin with a usual dust cloud hanging in the air. The “homes” sit on the side of the mountains and look as if a small gust of wind could knock them down. Now I must clarify, that is what the homes look like if you are lucky. For many other people, since the aftermath of the earthquake, a tent is what they call home.
Most of the streets are bumpy, unpaved, and always covered with people. The Haitian women can often be seen carrying anything and everything on top of their head, while many of the men ride around in their vehicles. It is surely not a picture Monet would have chosen to paint. But for me, it is still an expression of beauty.
For this month I’ve realized that God has blessed me with his eyes. For where the world sees poverty, I see God’s favor. And the only sensible reaction I could find for this blessing is to jump up and down screaming in joy. I AM SO FREAKIN HAPPY TO BE HERE!
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to go to Haiti. Even when the earthquake hit, I sent money and wanted to help in that way, but never anticipated that I’d actually have the opportunity to live there.
God is sending me constant reminders that His plan is so much bigger. His refection is the only one I need, and I have a feeling that our living situation this month (a house full of women but no mirrors) is His way of challenging us to look inward.
Here’s to seeing beauty through His eyes!
It’s funny because when I sit down and try describing Haiti or even take pictures of it, I realize it is not what most people would depict as scenic. If I were to describe Haiti at face value, I would say it is first and foremost dirty. There is literally dust and debris everywhere. So much so, that you can’t take a step without dust particles covering your entire body (and lungs I may add). Not to mention, there is trash all over the place. Finding an actual trashcan is as easy as finding a plot of grass…in other words, dang near impossible.
The landscape is full of cracked cement and rusted tin with a usual dust cloud hanging in the air. The “homes” sit on the side of the mountains and look as if a small gust of wind could knock them down. Now I must clarify, that is what the homes look like if you are lucky. For many other people, since the aftermath of the earthquake, a tent is what they call home.
Most of the streets are bumpy, unpaved, and always covered with people. The Haitian women can often be seen carrying anything and everything on top of their head, while many of the men ride around in their vehicles. It is surely not a picture Monet would have chosen to paint. But for me, it is still an expression of beauty.
For this month I’ve realized that God has blessed me with his eyes. For where the world sees poverty, I see God’s favor. And the only sensible reaction I could find for this blessing is to jump up and down screaming in joy. I AM SO FREAKIN HAPPY TO BE HERE!
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to go to Haiti. Even when the earthquake hit, I sent money and wanted to help in that way, but never anticipated that I’d actually have the opportunity to live there.
God is sending me constant reminders that His plan is so much bigger. His refection is the only one I need, and I have a feeling that our living situation this month (a house full of women but no mirrors) is His way of challenging us to look inward.
Here’s to seeing beauty through His eyes!
