Most people don't get us. I understand that, and I'm ok with it. But I would love for more people to get it, to understand our hearts. Especially those whom I love that just think we're weird or crazy or (fill in the blank).
This is my invitation for you to journey with us.
We go to Haiti and do nice stuff. Everybody that knows us knows that. But it is SO MUCH MORE than that. If that was all it was, I'd be over it. Totally. Haiti isn't easy or a ball of fun, and "nice stuff" isn't worth the sacrifices we make...not worth the risks, the expense, or being separated from our family, or even having to sweat so incredibly much. Nice stuff is worth very little.
But God stuff, that is a whole different ballgame.
It is worth EVERYTHING.
I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a... you get the point. I'm a lot of things that are important. But more important than any of these precious titles, I am a follower of Christ. He is #1.
And He has called me to the work I do in Haiti. He has specifically invited Brennon and me to join Him there.
The understanding I have of WHY we should go to Haiti is based on this framework:
Matthew 28:19 - go make disciples of all the nations.
Acts
1:8 - be Jesus’ representative locally, on a regional/national scale, and abroad.
Mark 12:30-31 - love the Lord and love people, that’s the most important
commandment.
I believe these scriptures
give us clear instructions of what the Lord expects and desires us to do.
My agnostic child with Asperger's resentfully asked me why we have to go to Haiti. My simplified answer: God invited us to. I don't know why Haiti, or why us, but He did. And He's so much smarter than us; He knows everything. I know He'll take care of us and reward us soooo much. His gifts are the very best!
Some people say I am brave. No, really I'm not. I just try really hard to be obedient and trust Him. That's where my courage comes from. Do I still get freaked out? Do I want to puke because my nerves are so knotted up? Do I have a few ugly cries as I pack my bags? ABSOLUTELY.
Hear me on this:
I don't like being away from home. I don't like the unknowns.
I hate saying good-bye. I hate making my loved ones sad.
It rips my heart out to be so separated from my older daughter.
Parts of this SUCK SO BAD.
But you must understand this if you are ever going to get why we do the crazy stuff we do:
There is a deep ache in the marrow of my soul to join God in Haiti. The ache has yet to go away. Like a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. Psalms 42:1
When I contemplate where my real, true, most
passionate joy is found… where I feel most alive and totally fulfilled… where
I absolutely hunger to be... it's in rural Haiti, showing love in every way I possibly can
to the hurting, the oppressed, the “least of these.” To encourage my brothers and sisters in
Christ. To reveal Him to the lost. And with each step that I get closer to returning
to Haiti, that ache turns into excitement.
My heart beats stronger, my sense of purpose and self increases.
There is nothing this world can give me that can compare to
the sweetness, the absolute high that I obtain when I totally surrender to God
and let Him work through me. Oh, what
precious moments when someone looks into my eyes and sees Jesus, and I can see
Jesus in theirs.
I know this sounds like foolishness to some, Greek to others, Jesus-freakishness to many. And that's okay. But to those folks, I want to say...
You're missing out.
This God of mine is so good, and He loves me so much. He loves you equally as much, and His invitation for you to join Him somewhere to do something amazing is sitting there on the table.
Open the envelope. See what He's inviting you to do. Trust Him and sink your teeth into His good stuff. It'll be the most delicious thing you've ever tasted. I promise.
Your invitation probably isn't to go to Haiti, but He's inviting you to something. And it is so good.
Be brave obedient and trust Him!
"The
harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
We'll be doing this Haiti gig, and I hope you do your gig.
Let's journey together.
