As I'm painting with a young boy in a Haitian church, he tells me he keeps a diary of his thoughts. I ask him what he writes about. He says he writes about the love he has for his God, his family and his country. After a moment of silence he asks me, "Do you love Haiti?" Disregarding the fact that I had been in Haiti for less than 24 hours, I said I did. That statement remained true for the duration of my trip as I saw a people of no means or prominence impacting lives through the transforming power of the Gospel. God is using this small, impoverished island for his glory and for the salvation of the world.
Incomprehensible -"Who has known the mind of the Lord?"
While in Haiti, it was tempting to question God's character as I saw children without food or clothes. It was tempting to think God wasn't acting for our ultimate good as I met people plagued with sickness or troubled by demons. In the scriptures, it says God has revealed enough of himself for us to follow him. When I couldn't understand the 'why' I turned to the 'who' and realized that I serve a God who doesn't do things my way but limits my understanding so I have to trust him. I think it is a very American mindset to believe that if I cannot understand something, then it cannot be true. I saw Haitians who trusted God, simply because he commands it. That encouraged me to go home and not rely on my own understanding but settle into the mindset that I'm a child with a good Father who simply cannot be fathomed.
Long-Suffering- "I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them"
The Lord was long-suffering towards me as my pride desired to run a sprint instead of a marathon this week. Having an 'experience' is what my mind naturally gravitates towards when I am sharing the Gospel. Instead of continuing the long marathon of faithfulness the Lord has me on, I wanted to run the 100 meter dash in front of a cheering crowd. Instead of punishing me, the Lord gently reminded me that he is working to make me holy and that an experience is not the best way for me to be changed. I also saw the Lord's long suffering he has for the Haitian people when I was welcomed into the home of a voodoo master. Believers have been praying for this woman for many years. She knew the Gospel, but was not ready to receive it. The Lord reminded me he will never stop pursuing us, even when we continue to chase our own idols.
Sovereign- "Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you."
When 3 school buses plus a tomato truck are involved in an accident without any major injuries, God's sovereignty cannot be more evident. Why did the bus that got hit have the least amount of people on board? Why did Mission of Hope's trauma doctor live down the street from the scene of the accident? Because "a mighty fortress in our God, a bulwark never failing." When we are involved in the work of the Kingdom, nothing can interfere. We will never fully know the small and infinitely detailed ways God is working until we reach heaven. It can be frustrating to share the Gospel and not see an immediate harvest. However, just like in Dallas, God works by his own timing and it is perfect. When people's hearts weren't immediately changed or when it seemed like God was not involved in a particularly hopeless situation, I remembered what God said to Job, "Everything under heaven belongs to me."
Being introduced to the work Mission of Hope is doing in Haiti was perhaps the most altering aspect of my trip. They are empowering the people of Haiti towards freedom in Christ without the slavery of North American saviorism. The country of Haiti is being changed, not because the government is advancing or they are becoming more educated. Mission of Hope is transforming lives because they believe the Gospel is the only way for people to know true joy and satisfaction. Learn more here.
