The World Race will often bring heartache. It will bring moments where you are uncomfortable, moments when you have no idea how to take a step forward. It is not the trip of a lifetime and it will most likely leave you exhausted at the end of the day.
Today was day 2 of ministry and God has already taken me to places where stepping out in faith is the only way. We have been working with a Haitian school in the area and my heart has been broken more than once when our ministry host told my team the history and some of the heartache these kids face. And today… Today was heart wrenching.
As we made our way to the Haitian school, I was feeling excited to see the kids again. Then we were hit with the news that today was the 6th anniversary of the Haiti earthquake that destroyed these kids’ homes and forced them out of their country. But that wasn’t all. We were also told about a pair of siblings, Caleb and Bermane, who had lost their little sister in the earthquake.
Before we saw the kids, we stood outside as they finished singing in Creole but I was able to tell what song they were singing. Immediately my eyes began to tear up.
“Amazing Grace.”
To hear a group of children singing this song, knowing what today meant for them was so moving and touching. I couldn’t stand in the class so I had to take a moment and step outside. It took me back to that day when I heard of the news that Haiti was hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake and the death toll kept rising. The people without homes was 300,000, and I stood in front of my church and asked them to join me in prayer for this country.
Six years later here I am surrounded with these beautiful children and amazed at how strong they are. Six years later it still doesn’t seem real that I get to stand in front of these survivors. In front of the children who were just babies when this earthquake hit and God’s amazing grace saved them. God has placed a calling on their lives and these past two days, these kids have taught me so much.
Their strength is astounding and it only makes what I think is the worst thing ever like a simple problem. TODAY I learned that sleeping on a sleeping pad in one room with three other girls, walking to and from places, and playing through the exhaustion is completely worth it when there’s little children smiling back at me. When little hands come running toward me, grabbing my hands, and seeing their bright eyes looking at me… Smiling and giggling just because I am there just to be with them.
I want to take time to thank all those who have supported me in any way possible. The journey has only begun and I tell you this: GOD IS ABOUT TO DO BIG THINGS!
Please continue your prayers for my team and I as we continue to love on these children and continue to bring the word to hospital and prisons and to the people who surround us daily.
