We arrived in Haiti on Oct 1st and rode in the back of a large cargo truck to our ministry site in the city of Grand Goave. As we drove through Port Au Prince I witnessed the slums. The small shacks were made of tin, wood, and plastic tarps. Small creeks ran through the middle of the tent cities and contained piles of trash, people bathing, and an occasional pig.
This is poverty like I have never witnessed:
-I am struck by the immense size of this area and covered with sadness by the thought that these are people’s homes.
– The dogs and livestock I see are malnourished and starving. Haitians have a hard time finding food for themselves and their children and aren’t able to care for pets or animals around them.
-Every afternoon I look out near our temporary home and see many men standing in the same spot in the ocean about 10 feet out. They stand and throw their fishing line with a hook out a little ways and then pull it back in with their hands. They have no reel, only a piece of plastic the fishing line wraps around. They stand for hours at a time in the hot sun, hoping to catch a small fish or maybe a few so they can eat or provide for their family.
My first response to seeing the poverty here was to feel incredibly blessed for what I have. I have material possessions and a car that are waiting for me once I return. But as I think and look to the word of God I find what scripture points to as true blessings.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5: 3
The poor in spirit have gotten rid of the yearning inside of them for things. They have replaced that longing for a yearning for Christ and have done so by not fighting their urge for things, but by surrendering. They may now be looked at by the world as poor, but in reality they possess all things, they possess the kingdom of heaven.
I pray that God will continue to take away my desire for things on this earth and fill it with an all-consuming fire for more of Christ.
