Haiti
People. Everywhere. There’s not a space where there isn’t a body occupying it. The hustle and bustle of life is right in front of our faces. The market’s full of vendors and customers. Vehicles fill the streets. Honking coming from every which way. Motorcycles driving so close to us that I swear they could stick out their leg and touch us. I sit in a school bus looking out from my seat in literal amazement of what I’m witnessing. The vast difference between countries that are next door neighbors is so crazy.
The country that is crowded with life. With people who have stories, struggles, and hurt. People who have real pain, but also have freedom and joy. Who faithfully pray to the Lord begging Him that they have food for the day. Who are afraid to go to church because they are looked down upon for not wearing the “right clothes”. The clothes that they just don’t have. Who are still being affected by the earthquake that happened years ago. Who are just as human as I am.
It has been so mind-blowing to be able to visit houses and visit these people and hear their stories. Stories that have shaped them into who they are. Stories of precious ones dying. Of being shamed for how they look and dress. Stories of how they came to live where they are. Stories of dreams and hopes to go to school and study. Stories that sometimes aren’t too different than ours. These are real people with real lives and no language barrier can hinder from us seeing that. It doesn’t matter that they live in a different country and have different life styles. It doesn’t matter that in villages its normal for young kids and babies to have absolutely no clothes on. What matters is that these people are just as in need of Jesus as I am, and that is what drives me to push past the uncomfort of having conversations and asking those hard questions. To tune into what the Lord wants me to say to these hurting people. These people who desire to have hope and a purpose in this life.
But for those who do know the Lord and follow Him, their joy and freedom in Him inspires me. The fact that they may have little money and little food to feed families the size of up to 10 and still have the utmost confidence the Lord will provide blows me away. I walk up to houses that are the size of my living room that house more than five people in it with no AC, no fan, and no luxurious feel, but they are content with what they have. They don’t need a flat screen TV, or to go shopping every weekend for more stuff. They don’t need couches that recline, or Netflix, or the “good” comfortable life we Americans have. They have everything they need in that little house with their big families. They have Jesus.
I have been so convicted yet in awe of how little these people have, but the fullness of life in their souls. The way they are so hospitable and go inside and offer us chairs to sit and talk. The way their kids are so open to playing with us and how they want to hold our hands and climb on our backs. How the moment we pull in a village kids literally flood us not just with their tiny little bodies, but with their big hearts that want the love we have inside of us that isn’t like any other. We have something to offer them that they need just as much as we do. They have hearts, they have hurts, they have pains, and they have stories. And they are no different than me and everyone else on this earth. They are Gods creation just as much as I am. They are in need of redemption just as much as I am. And they are in need of the love and freedom that has been so graciously given to me. So, I’m gonna pray for eyes to see these people just as Jesus sees them. To have boldness to open my mouth and tell them and show them that they were created for a reason and a purpose. They are not insignificant. They are not invalid. They matter. Every single one of them.
Oh, and the reason for my title is explained below. (thanks Grace for your cleverness)
P.S. It would be amazing if you could pray for me because I have unfortunately contracted scabies since I’ve been here. I thankfully am in a place where they have a clinic onsite and gave me medicine to treat it and it should be gone within the next 24-48 hours. So prayers that it heals and that I have the willpower to not touch anyone because it is very contagious and ITS SO HARD BECAUSE I AM SUCH A PHYSICALLY AFFECTIONATE PERSON. That is all, thanks you guys.
