It is hot in Haiti. As I am writing this I tried to wear my hair down today because we had some free time and man it is melting. It is 89 degrees here and it is lovely. I had more goodbyes this morning as Anna and Charlotte headed back to their homes and man I wish lessons were not painful. Still more goodbyes. I feel like a broken record but I also am feeling the weight of obedience. I miss the snow and snuggles and hugs from family and friends. I have 2 weeks left in Haiti and I am 2 weeks in. I have learned a lot about their culture and I have mastered the art of explaining the World Race to short term missionaries. We are bonding with interns and staff as well as the drivers and interpreters and it feels like home.
I feel safe again. I might not know exactly what the day will look like but I know the rhythm for what it will look like. I trust the people responsible for my well-being. I am at home and I like it. I mean yesterday I was even blessed with a strawberry milkshake…. I mean real ice-cream and delicious American goodness. I have adjusted to the Haitian culture, I am rolling with the fact that half the time the guys around me speak english and half the time not. Whole conversations happen and I have absolutely no clue what was said and it doesn’t phase me. I roll my eyes and keep going. Though I love when they pretend to not speak english. They think they are so funny. (Well they kinda are.) Usually the translators explain 🙂
What I have found the most amusing though is people’s reactions to 11 months. I am still apprehensive I mean I don’t know how it will feel to load on a bus on Valentine’s day and drive to the boarder but I know I am being obedient. Hearing the stories from all the short term missionaries of their experiences to get here and the calls God has placed on their lives has been so encouraging. Hearing about mission work all over the states and the sacrifices people are making for the Gospel is crazy. Watching people light up about their loved ones at home and the things God is doing in their lives. I have made tons of new friends and it is beautiful. I know people all over the US now 🙂
I love talking about what I was doing before the race it makes me feel closer to home. Yesterday I showed one of them all the photos Tammy has of the gift giveaway. I loved my job you guys and I miss it. But, I also love this. I love going out into the different villages. We have been to 4 of them so far and they are all so unique and different. I love meeting all the kids and playing clap games. This week I got claimed by a little boy who was helping us with the construction and every time one of the other little boys wanted to sit with me or play with my stuff he would take it back and tell them no. I also made a few new friends closer to my age and I learned a new skill. I learned how to tie my bracelets and make a sliding knot so that they wont have to be worn everyday. I was also gifted a bracelet by my friend BNS who got to show off his skills. Haitians are very friendly and I have found they are quick to form friendships and attachments. They are very gracious with their time and willing to talk about anything with complete strangers.
While all the playing and bracelet making was happening though we were working on a construction site Tue-Thurs. On Monday we did strategic village time and met more locals in Titanyen. The bright lights for Jesus that we met in their community warmed my heart. We sang with a local worship leader. Met a women who was recovering from a stroke and still praising Jesus. We also met a women who thought we were going to be her savior. She saw us and only saw what she could get from us. She said she was so happy that she thanked the Lord when we came around the corner but then when we weren’t handing out anything but prayer she got disconnected and didn’t want to really talk to us anymore. It was hard to talk and pray with her feeling like she was disappointed in us. But that is not how the majority are. Working the job I had in the states I was often reminded of that and as in any culture there are always the people that are just looking to get something. Then I met another women the next day and as a dear friend would say it was a line item conversation. It snuck up while I was busy doing something else. I was sifting sand for plaster and this women came up the hill with her son. She started talking to me and the translator that was helping me Alix, worked while we sifted. I got to hear about what was going on with her life and about how she was relying on the Lord for her provision. I got to pray with her at the end. She wanted me to come see her house but I was not able to. When I asked her if we could pray though she lit up and was over joyed. She talked about how in heaven we will all be united one day. I was able to pray for her husbands salvation and for work to provide for her family.
Their reliance on the Lord here in Haiti is such a precious and encouraging thing. I don’t know exactly what I was hoping to gain from the Lord this month. I went into it expecting something. Whether I was looking for some revelation or divine appointment I am not sure, but the lesson seems to be just BE ME. My team laughs at how easily I make friends with the missionaries. (And they share all their delicious snacks with me. GUYS I AM BLESSED!!) The kids swarm and want me to play games and give them attention. (Hugs, handshakes, silly faces and games!) I have laughed more in the last 2 weeks (mostly at myself) then I can remember in awhile and it just makes me feel alive. I even got to use my Mom look and BNS laughed when I tried to explain it. He then proceeded to try and make me mad so that I would give it to him. He almost pinched me just to make me mad. (Head shake) The translators greet me by name and I get hugs 🙂 one of my favorite things. My teammates have embraced my silly chatter and are loving me well and I have peace. I am not sure what the next 11 months hold or even what tomorrow will look like besides that we get to go to the beach!!!!! But I know God is showing up and I know that just being me is enough.
