As World Racers we are told not to have any expectations with anything that will occur this year, but let’s be real. Whether you realize it or not, you have some expectations going on a trip. As we left Dominican Republic and entered Haiti I felt the Lord continue to lay on my heart that this month would be a challenge. My expectation was that our ministry would be a challenge due to the voodooism; well, that expectation was shattered because our ministry is not door to door and I have yet to see a voodoo church anywhere.
As the first few days came and went nothing major happened, but sure enough that changed. God began to open my mind to how selfish and controlling and jealous I am in life. (If you are reading this and not believing it, it is because it is all internal.) I was trying to focus on my ministry here and helping build God’s kingdom, but as all of this was being dumped on me, I found that He had different plans for me. We have a decent amount of down time and He is using it to break me down, build me up even stronger, and draw me even closer to Him. I like to call this time a Beautiful Mess because it sucks. It’s hard and messy, but God’s love is all over it and He will never let you fall out of His gracious hands. He will use any and all methods to draw you and me closer to Him. Although this process that I am still walking through is nowhere near over, and I feel uncomfortable and worn out, I can see God’s hand in it all. Other trials, you really have to pray with intention and you still may not find an answer at all.
During this time I wanted to press into God more and more but I just didn’t know how to press any further. One night a few other people in the house and I woke up around 5:30 am because we all heard some kind of movement in the house; but for some reason no one got up. Once we all did begin to wake up, my friend asked me if I had moved her computer because she could not find it anywhere. For some reason I felt the urge to go down and check where my computer was and as soon as I could see my stuff, I knew it was stolen. I instantly went into a haze; it didn’t seem real. I had used my computer the night before and then it was gone. Five of the seven members of my team had their computers stolen and in total 7 computers, 4 hard drives, 2 iPods, a camera, and a purse with a wallet and passport were taken; of this I lost my Mac, my hard drive, headphones, all my copies of information as well as letters my friends gave me to open every month. In an instant, it was all gone.
14 people were all asleep when 1-2 men broke into our home for the month and stole not only our personal items but our sense of security. We are all very blessed that no one was injured. But it still hurts.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you…”
-Genesis 50:20-21
People all over the country and all over the USA were praying for us and it was truly a humbling experience. It’s moments like this where we have to continue to pray that God is still the same God. He is not punishing us for anything, but He did have a purpose behind this crazy event. I ask Him every day what he wanted me to learn from this but I still cannot hear his reason; and I may never know and I have to be ok with that. If I ever find out the reason, I will be sure to share it with you, but as of right now, I am still praying that God will return all of our belongings because I believe He does have that ability. I am not giving up hope but I still have to continue pressing into the Lord with everything I have and move on in life. His plans for His children (aka- you and me) are perfect and good. Scripture even tells us so.
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
–Jeremiah 29:11-13
I am still just over $2,000 shy of making my next deadline of December 1st, I would love for you to join my support system as well and be a part of this crazy adventure with me. Additionally, as you are keeping us in your prayers, please be praying for the people who stole our belongings; we don’t know who they are or what their circumstances are, but we want to love them as Christ does.
