We left our Hostel at 6 A.M., boarded a large bus, and began the multi-hour trek from the Dominican Republic to Haiti. As we moved across the country, we began to see a gradual change from the luscious, tropical vegetation we were familiar with in the DR to a drier, arid landscape. This symbolized a lot of the spiritual climate, as well. We were moving from a Christian-dominate country, to one that has chosen to pursue voodoo and other enemy-saturated interests.
We were about one hour away from the border, and, in the middle of my usual thoughts, I heard a voice say, “Something is going to happen, but I am with you.” I was equally curious and at peace with the words I heard. Did I just hear from God?
Five minutes later, our bus stopped on the road. I peeked out of the window and saw a gentleman with a bandana around his face and a machete in his hand. Someone said it looked like a tree was down in the middle of the road. “That’s odd,” I thought. I assumed the man was chopping it up and had his mouth and nose covered due to any flying particles in the air. It turned out to be a small riot/demonstration and this man was probably more interested in not wanting to be recognized. (To give a little bit of context, Haiti’s president’s term was ending, but there was no elected predecessor. Many Haitians have been holding these demonstrations to either express their dissatisfaction or to push the envelope to see what they could get away with while little authority in is in place.)
We all knew there was no pre-planned stop, so people began getting a little antsy as we slowly discovered what was going on. One girl on our bus requested we pray out loud. The Lord heard our cries, but He already told me He was present and aware of the situation, and I was at peace. After what seemed like the longest 10 or 15 minutes I have experienced to date, the bus started moving again and we were on our way.
When we arrived at the border, I have to admit I was intimidated. I stepped off the bus with my passport and paperwork in hand, and I immediately had items shoved in my face. Many of the locals were trying to sell us things or they were just outright begging, “give me money!” I was a little overwhelmed and disoriented and I had to regain my focus to see where the others were walking. We stepped up to the window on the side of a small building, handed our items, received a stamp, and we left. I returned to the bus a bit more guarded and I think I got rid of my “lost puppy” face long enough to get back to my seat and take a breath without being completely bombarded.
This was my first introduction to life in Haiti, and my heart broke, but I rested knowing God was present and moving in this place and He called us here to partner with Him. Regardless of what happens, He is with us.
