PSA to everyone at home: I am alive and thriving in Haiti!
Since we landed in Haiti about two weeks ago, God has not stopped pouring His blessings over my team, our ministry and myself. Since saying good-bye to my family and my friends I’ve been waiting to experience anxiety or nerves or anything of the like. In place of those emotions, God has done nothing but shower me in His overwhelming peace. As someone who likes to be very much in control of my schedule, my finances and my life, it’s pretty much a miracle in itself I haven’t had a complete meltdown yet. I know for sure that peace ain’t coming from me!
As our power is in and out daily and my computer loses battery life within minutes, I’ll try to keep this quick!
We have been blessed beyond belief with our ministry host. Alex is an absolute dream and has welcomed us into her life with open arms. She’s never without her Haitian sidekick, little Hodilove. He’s a menace and a love-ball all wrapped into one. Sidekick #2 would be James, who has been everything from our chef, chauffeur, bodyguard and stand-in dad. Lala is constantly pushing buttons, but has been just as inviting as the rest of them, especially when it comes to her adopted son Uvenji! Above all else, these people have quickly become our second family and created a home away from home in just two weeks.
Adapting to Haitian life has been surprisingly smooth. It consists of early mornings and early bedtimes. Very hot days, but some sweet relief of ocean breezes. Daily counts of new bug bites that vary in different itchiness degrees. Constantly dirty feet. Rice and beans for almost every single meal, which we’re lucky enough to have our wonderful Chef James cooking up by the bucket full. Beautiful children who know no personal boundaries. All set in a city surrounded by mountains on three sides, the vast ocean to the west and where clouds and rain are far and few between.
Ministry can look very different from day to day. Alex has blessed us with unlimited opportunities to do God’s work in Gonaives. We help teach, read and love on kids in Jubilee, the poorest neighborhood in the city. We practice English with adult classes down the street from our home. We play and spend time with kids at a local orphanage run by a fiery daughter of God they call Momma Jan. Helping with classes at Alex and James’ trade school and discipleship school. Through prayer and affirmation, our team has also seen how our ministry in Haiti is also to encourage and uplift Alex, Lala, James and the other men and women of God who are day in and day out walking in obedience for Him. They have truly been such a beautiful testament to what it looks like to fully rely on God and have faith that He will provide. And provide He has!
God can sometimes overwhelm me with His peace. My mom told me to never stop having “AH HA” moments in this life. I pray that over myself everyday, that I would never stop being in awe of God and His great vastness.
Missing everyone at home dearly!
