When we arrived in Haiti, I questioned whether it rained here at all. We had just been across the border in the Dominican- a land full of lush green and life. The closer we got to Haiti, the more the land seemed to fade. After we crossed the border it was like we were in a new world. The roads are full of dust, which leaves lingering clouds in the streets. The land is dry and the green is faded, if there at all. Everything feels unfinished- houses half built, projects left behind, and faces desperately longing for a smile. I was beginning to realize that we were entering into a life I’ve never seen, a life that no one should have to face.
After a crazy drive (there are no traffic laws, and I have yet to see a stoplight), we arrived safely at our new home for the month. The ministry here is absolutely incredible- blog coming soon with more about that.
One day our group’s ministry was scrubbing the walls in bedrooms and classrooms on campus to prepare them for painting. We began by praying for a productive day full of joy, and boy did God provide. There was years worth of glue on the wall, and we used spoons to scrub it off. It always amuses me how many uses you can find in random things when resources are scarce. We blasted worship music as we scrubbed, and the pure happiness was unavoidable in every room.
Most ministry days are just plain hot. The combination of humidity and sun leaves us in a beautifully, sweaty mess. This day was no different. We were on our last room for the day and I couldn’t stop smiling at how fulfilling the day had been. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, we looked outside to see rain! Naturally, our first instinct was to run and embrace the amazing cool down. Our excitement turned into worship and song as we danced in the gift God was literally pouring on us.
Then, the greatest gift of all came. Sweet Angela is a young girl who lives in the orphanage on campus here. Mental illnesses and disabilities are not diagnosed in Haiti, but they believe Angela is on the spectrum of autism. She is confident, full of energy, and overflows with love for the Lord. She jumped in the middle of our worship session, and with a heart full of fire she began praying for us in Creole. She was joining in every song we sang. It only took her one time to listen to be able to know the song by heart. She placed our hands together and encouraged us to pray, she clapped with the most passion I’ve ever seen, and she flooded our worship with an unforgettable picture of what it looks like to give God your all.
I’ve heard “have faith like a child” countless times, but it took a spontaneous rain-worship in Haiti for God to show me how incredibly powerful living that out can be. Angela had no fear in her, and we all felt how much she believed in what she was saying. The last song we played was Ever Be, and we marveled as the lyrics played “You Father the orphan”. Loving the children here is not always easy. They have lived through unthinkable circumstances. Most have walls up that take time and effort to break down. God is greater than these barriers, and He is teaching me that daily. He is not only an incredible Father to these beautiful children, but He absolutely delights in them and inspires us through them.
I am so thankful for sweet Angela, and how God used her to show me how to worship with fire in my soul.
