Haiti is nothing like I expected. The dry dusty ground juxtaposes with the majestic mountainous terrain and endless shades of blue water. The people here are even more beautiful than the views. Their dark skin propels their white smiles directly off of their faces and into your heart.
Worship services feel like home. How crazy is it that church so far from home is the place my heart feels like it’s finally found its place. The ranges of skin tones, ages, culture, and languages around me paint a perfect picture of the nations, divided by landmarks, yet united before our Father in heaven. It feels right. 90% of worship is in Creole, but somehow I always feel like I know what they are saying.
One night at church I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit heavily. I praised my King full heartedly during worship and spent the sermon eyes closed in prayer. I felt Him calling me to pray for burdens to be removed. The image of struggles being carried on people’s backs came to mind. As I prayed for him to take the weights from the people around me as well as myself, I sensed these burdens not only being heavy to carry but nailing us to the floor, unable to move. I prayed God would unhinge the nails holding us down like chains and instead nail them to the cross. I prayed for the whole congregation to be brought to their knees in surrender. Immediately I heard the preacher speak English for the first time during the message. He prayed that God would lift the burdens of depression, discouragement, etc., and free them. Amazed at the possibility I just received an entire message in a language unknown to me, I opened my eyes. To my disbelief the majority of the congregation were on their knees crying out in prayer. Swarms of emotions flooded me, but a voice whispered inside “the Holy Spirit knows no language. He has no language barrier.” In awe, I pushed the thoughts aside to focus on what was now happening: women, men, and children were making their way to the alter to pray and be prayed for. One woman stood out to me. She was the woman waving her arms in praise during worship. I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to walk down front, place my hand on her back, and pray for her. I feel queazy just remembering this moment. Heck no I’m not walking the front of the church, touching a woman I don’t know, and praying over someone who can’t even speak my language. Yet, the nudge only grew in my resistance. I recalled a word of wisdom from my squad mentor from debrief: ” the Lord won’t rob them of a blessing. He will bring someone else; you will just miss out on the opportunity.” I am here to grab every opportunity that comes my way, and this would not be one I would run the risk of missing. I walked the aisle, knelt down, placed my hand on her back, and began to pray aloud. The Lord poured the words out of my mouth ” I see you. You are not forgotten nor have you been abandoned. I see the struggles you are in, and I am with you. Keep holding on.” I prayed words of strength and encouragement over here and trusted the Holy Spirit to interpret for her. When the moment passed we stood and she thanked me with a hug. This was a crucial moment of acceptance and affirmation for me. I returned to my seat and finished out the service overwhelmed at the willingness of Christ to use me as a tool in his belt of ministering to the broken. After church I learned her name is Nickolas. She has 4 children, none of whom are in school due to a lack of funds.
That night, paired with seeing children in villages, has broken a piece of my heart. The village kids have the flu, painful bumps all over their bodies, or are fever. They are orphans or their parents can’t afford to take them to a clinic. Many of them are not in school due to their parents inability to pay for it. Every one of these children break my heart. The inaccessibility here for children to receive an education compared to the nationwide free education in the United States floors me. Our children are forced to go and these children beg for it.
The insurmountable needs here will wreck you. My first time visiting a village, the village of Willamson, I scurried away from the crowd around us into a corner of the room to compose myself and the tears streaming down my face. I began to question how a “just God” could allow such things. Why did he chose me to be born in America instead of Haiti? It’s not fair. The Lord chose this moment to begin teaching me to trust His goodness. “Trust me that I am good. I have good intentions and good plans… for you and Haiti. I see every person and am at work here.” I recalled something my best friend, Chelsea, told me “Remember, we are the pots. He is the potter. He gets to choose where He places His works and what He does with them.” I had to remind myself that we live in a world where sin has created much pain and damage. Yet, the Lord fought to assure me He is a God of justice.
“And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ — everything in heaven and on earth.” Ephesians 1:10
The process now is continuing to abide in trust — trusting my Father and His intentions, love — showing every man, woman, and child I come into contact with the Father’s love, and action.
“Faith without works is dead.” James 2:26
My team has been challenging each other and ourselves to pray BIG prayers. In honoring that, we have chosen to pray specifically for the 1,100 children that are sponsored for school by Mission of Hope to receive sponsorship. These children receive a meal everyday and a Christ-centered education. However, MOH is stepping out in faith by funding these children to give them an opportunity at education, and trusting the Lord will send full time sponsors. There are currently over 4,000 children on the waiting list to attend a MOH school. The shocking news is there is room for them! However, MOH — a non-profit organization– cannot afford to fund all of these children an education. Once the 1,100 are sponsored, MOH can accept more students.
What do I need from you? Prayer for these children to find sponsors to invest in them, people who tell them “I believe in you.” What am I faithfully asking of you? Pray seriously about sponsoring one of these incredibly talented and bright kids. For $35 a month, you can give them not only education, but hope for a life outside of the poverty they live in.
I know what you’re thinking. You’ve seen commercials like this and been at conferences where Food for the hungry is and you always think “ah that’s really great. I know someone will say yes. It’s an awesome ministry, but not really for me. I can barely afford to pay my bills. How do you even know the money really goes to them?” Let me tell you, I’ve met these kids. I’ve hugged them and held them. I’ve painted their classrooms and met their teacher. When you step out in an act of faith, the Lord will ALWAYS come through. Your money changes lives. Even more than your money, your letters of encouragement propel them further than you could ever dream in your wildest dreams.
When we raise up leaders for Haiti, we can change Haiti.
Visit mohhaiti.org and click “sponsor a child” to join us in this movement.
{I see big things happening here and am thankful for BIG prayer requests that stretch our faith and steps of faith that change our faith.}
— your World Racer,
KP
