Have no fear!
I am alive and well! My team, along with the entire squad, has transitioned to another country, and this month we will be serving in Grand-Goave, Haiti. We are partnering with Missions of Hope International by assisting in their various construction projects, and we are tenting on their beautiful compound located along the sea. I’ll talk about the details of ministry and life in the following blog, but I wanted to first discuss the transition to Haiti.
Transitioning from the DR to Haiti was a little difficult, and I’m still processing things from the previous month. I really enjoyed our time in the DR, and I fell in love with the people and the culture. And it seemed as though just as I was getting accustomed to living there, I had to pack up and leave for Haiti. I truly was excited to go Haiti, but change for me is always a little difficult at first. Given that all 7 teams were going to be together in Haiti, too, the whole dynamic of the month would be much different. For example: our team has gotten so close and comfortable with each other that burping, passing gas, and discussing bowel issues is completely normal for us (yes, we’re weird and proud of it!). Since we’re around 35 other people, many of whom aren’t as weird as us, we have to censor some of those things now, haha!
The journey from San Juan, DR to our current location took about 15 hours, and crossing the border into Haiti was quite interesting. Given the high crime rate in the country we had to be extra cautious when going to and fro vehicles and buildings. The drive through the country was also heartbreaking. It seemed as though all I could see for miles as we drove the cities was poverty. Streets were lined with trash, mud, sewage, and building debris, and the smell was quite awful at times. People and street vendors crowed the sides of the streets, and traffic was chaotic. People crammed into colorful trucks known as “tap taps,” (Haiti’s public yet very sketchy form of transportation) would zoom past us. It was a complete 180 from the Dominican Republic. Many of our hearts were feeling heavy at the mere sight of the country, so one of our squad leaders felt that we should sing “God of This City” as we drove through. So, we did.
My heart was crying out for the people. No one should have to live like this – it’s overwhelming. This country desperately needs help still. The issue of theodicy, the ever popular question of why evil and suffering are in the world, seemed much more real when it was right at my very eyes. I know God is everywhere, but while driving through the streets of Haiti I kept wondering if He even there.
Come our first Sunday morning at a church in town, all those stirring thoughts were put at ease. As we filed into benches and began to sing worship songs, peace and joy started to come over me.
The people were singing.
The people were smiling.
They were happy to be at church.
Sure, we were all hot and sweaty and standing on a dirt floor enclosed by plywood, fences, and tarps. None of that mattered, though. It was so evident that people wanted to be there. And when the Haitians sing to the Lord, they really sing. I loved hearing the deep, hearty voices of the Haitian women; it reminded me of being in Gospel Choir at Olivet. My heart smiled that morning as I was reassured that God is in Haiti, and He doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon.
These are His people.
This is His country.
There is hope for this nation.
Since we get internet only once a week this month, I’ll be posting another blog today that will discuss the details of our ministry here in Haiti, as well as the fun, random tidbits about everyday life on the World Race. Thanks once again for the continued love and support. I love you all!
