To be honest, when I first looked at the list of countries my squad would be in I started ranking them – which ones I was most excited for and the ones I was ‘eh’ for. I’m sure other Racers have done the same thing and even for those who aren’t going on the Race have looked at all the lists of countries and ranked them, or had at least an idea of the country they most wanted to go t and the least.
Haiti was the last on my list. I had done missions for a week here last winter break and didn’t feel called back. Everything reminded me of Ecuador where I had lived for three months. I thought it was because I was called back to Ecuador/Spanish culture and not Haitian. I had a wonderful experience and God worked in me, but I didn’t feel called and had the passion for everything Haiti like some people. So when I saw Haiti was our first country I thought “Good, then I can get my least favorite country out of the way first”. Little did I know what God was going to do in my life through this country.
In a few short days I’m leaving this beautiful country and its wonderful people. It’s going to be a difficult good bye. If someone would have told me I’d be feeling this way by the end of the month I would have called them crazy!
I’ve created friendships with the interns and translators at MOH and some of the young boys and girls at the orphanage on campus. I’m dreading all these good byes. And I have to do this 10 more times and go through this internal pain (the curse of being a relational person!).
I started thinking why should I even make relationships with the people I meet if I’m just leaving in a few weeks. Or why love on this young boy that I’m sitting by during church right now when I’ll be leaving him in an hour. How is loving on people then leaving them going to make a difference? But those are all lies the devil is telling me.
God is showing me how loving on people for a month, week, day, or hour can make a difference in them and me. This young boy who is holding my Bible right now will hopefully remember that a complete stranger loved him, even though she didn’t know him. My prayer is that he experiences Christ’s love. The boys and girls at the orphanage soon realized that we were sticking around longer than a week and are never going to forget them. This month-long friendship with the interns and translators gave us more friends who are passionate about spreading the Gospel. We have been able to encourage one another in our faith and call each other brothers and sisters in Christ.
This might be an earthly bye to some and an earthly cya later to others (I’m already thinking about a time that I can come back to Haiti and see my friends again), but it’s a definite “cya later in eternity” to everyone:) God has told me that the best thing about creating all these relationships with people is that I get to say “cya later” and see them again in eternity!
So I’m going to stop listening to the devil’s lies and instead say “Get baaaaaack Satan!”
Also, I’m going to hop out of my hammock and head to the basketball court to play with some of the young boys from the orphanage…perfect way to spend my Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Hannah
