Looking at the faces of God [Part 2]

III. The face of God on a woman selling pâté poule

There once was a charismatic woman who sold food just a few streets over from where we did ministry. She could always be seen wearing a pink hat whilst frying the local delicacies (chicken and cabbage empanadas, plantains, etc) and was sure to make her presence known from the moment anyone turned onto her street. On the first occasion that we met her, she called us over to her fryer so we could talk. Within minutes she was making up little baggies for us so that we could sample her food. There was no payment required; she just wanted to bless us. As we enjoyed her delicious creations she attempted to teach us Creole. She would shout the same Creole word three of four times, making us repeat after her, and then would always throw a big celebration once we had perfected our pronunciation. However, that celebration was nothing close to how excited she’d get over yelling the name Jesus. I kid you not. She would scream at the top of her lungs “Jesus”, and we would yell his name back at her. She only knew a handful of words in English, so we weren’t even able to tell her what brought us to Haiti; but the cool thing is, somehow she already knew. From the first time we met, and every time after that, she made a point of praising the name of Jesus, boldly and loudly with us. Teaching me what it really means to be unashamed of proclaiming his great name. In what ways is God calling you to be unafraid to shout his name?
 
IV. The face of God on the children of Haiti
 
There are many stories to be told here and in fact, I think these ones are the hardest to articulate. For some of the children their gesture was as small as a smile, but for some reason, in that moment, it was an action so powerful I know my heart will never forget it.
 
I have never been so compelled to kiss and love on children as I have here (and for those of you who know me that is a big statement to make because I am madly in love with all children).

[the boy on the far right is my friend….he is doing the eye trick I taught him]

There was this one boy who always seemed to show up when I thought I couldn’t take anymore. I mean literally every time. There was this one time I was weeping in the church and next thing I know I am getting tapped on the shoulder from my little friend. He looked up at me with his big eyes full of hope, just waiting for me to really see him. He is the first child I have ever prayed over and I knew in that moment that he was royalty.
 

[my bottle cap friend is the boy in the white shirt standing to my left]

There is this other boy that I only encountered for a fleeting moment but our meeting has lingered on my mind. That morning I had decided to collect bottle caps that were strewn about the street. I figured I could make jewelry out of it or some alternative type of art so I would have something to remind me of Haiti when I got home. As we went door-to-door advertising for the school, I added to my collection. By the time the afternoon hit, I was pleased with my plastic bag full of caps and figured I had enough to make whatever my heart desired. As we continued on our way, our group went down this one side street that held a small community of families. From the moment we walked into their compound, I could feel that something was different. My words left me and all I could feel was this yearning to really love on the kids that were staring at me in curiosity. But I didn’t know how. I had nothing but a smile to give these children; but apparently that was enough. I disappeared into one of the tents for a little bit to pray for one of the men in the compound and when I came out one of the older boys was there to meet me. He handed me a pile of washed bottle caps that he had collected. How did he know? I certainly hadn’t told him (that was way past any ability I have to communicate) and I didn’t even know he had seen me carrying the bag. This boy had really seen me and here I was trying to make sure he felt loved. As he handed me the caps he kissed me on the cheek and I was overcome with adoration. I am favored!
 

Ok last but certainly not least are my two little toddlers James Lee and Rebecca. Ah my heart begins to soar even with just mentioning their names.

[Rebecca is the spirited girl on the right (obvi) and her parents are pictured in the background]

Little Rebecca lived right across the street from the church, so I got to see her quite often. And every time she caught sight of me she would either start jumping up and down or she would run to me with her arms opened wide. I would crouch down and embrace her the way a mother does to a daughter; with all my mite. Rebecca had the cutest way of repeating her name. When she spoke it, it sounded as if the heavens were opening. At first I didn’t even understand what she was saying but my heart still jumped for joy at her voice.

 
James Lee was Rebecca’s neighbor and he had an even bigger attitude than Rebecca. In fact, ninety percent of the time he ran around naked. At first we thought it was because he didn’t have any clothes, but then we came to find out he just preferred it that way. He was the town’s baby. I never quite figured out where he lived because he could be spotted outside just about anyone’s home. But he always found his way back to us. He was a man on a mission and I knew God was just crazy about him (even more than we were, which is hard to imagine).
 
So as you can see this month was a month of favor for me. I saw God in everyone and everything. I want to hold tightly to the confidence I have in him right now because far too often I start to doubt him. Some were overcome by darkness in their time in Haiti, but all I could see was a blaring light. Our Lord is present and moving in this country and he loves it as if it were his child! He has always pursued me just like he has pursued Haiti, and it’s about time I praise him for that.
 
“Teach me your way, O Lord that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O lord my God, with my whole heart and I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:1-12
 
Side note: Thank you all so much for your prayers. I was one of few in a house of 19 that did not get sick and I KNOW that is the power of your prayers at work. My team and I feel so loved and adored by all of you and I just can’t thank you enough. I am happy, safe, and just delighted to be a part of this experience. Let me tell you, our God is so good! I speak this out to all of you: he makes a way out of no way. His love never fails! He pursues us through anything. He makes all things work together for our good! Wow, aren’t we lucky? I love you all so much. You are in my thoughts and prayers all the time. Keep spreading His kingdom!