Haiti - Day 1 - First glimpse

Wow, what a week! It is nice to be home and to be able to rest, but it is so bittersweet. 

We miss our new brothers and sisters and we even miss the heat (I've been cold since I've been back!) But most of all, we miss all the hard work - - - God's work. 

Thank goodness we have plenty to do right here until the next journey!

Haiti is an amazingly beautiful country, with beautiful people and hearts to match. We will never forget our time there and hope to see our friends again in the future. Thank you all for praying us through this trip, we could feel God's protection and strength all around us as we worked throughout the week.  We will give you an over view, day by day, of our week. Most of this is coming straight from a journal I kept while in Haiti. Enjoy!

Day 1 - Saturday 6/2/2012

Today was wonderful, stressful, exhausting, and exciting all at the same time. Maybe it was waking up so early (1:30 AM), being on 2 planes, in 3 airports, worried that anything I ate could ruin the rest of the day,  or maybe it was the realization of my complete lack of ability.
Praise God that I am not required to be able or worthy to do His work - because I would fail every time.  I try to make this feeling allow me to focus on God more, to rely on him, to trust him and obey, because it is easy to feel so depressed - like you can't possibly handle any of the tasks at hand, or that you're completely powerless.  I have thought many times today "I don't know if I could do this everyday, long term, different places/climates/food all the time. Is my heart strong enough? Is my faith deep enough? Do I know what I'm doing?" and the resounding answer is "NO!" none of the above... but my God is more than strong enough to make up for all of my shortcomings. All he needs is a willing and obedient heart - That I can do.

Today started early, 4 AM call time to be at the church and ready to go. Neil was the first one there, and Brandon and I were 2nd! (Yay for not being late!) The next car to pull up was such a surprise and blessing. John and Jackie Fry (whose life is a miracle and testimony itself) came to pray with us and see us off! This is what the church is for! Jackie's faithfulness and presence continue to awe and inspire me to deepen my own relationship with God. (Which is exactly why I prayed for complete restoration and healing after the accident. I, among many, have SO much to learn from this strong woman of God! Praise Him that she is doing so well!!!)

We arrived at the airport early and Rachel switched with me so I could sit next to Brandon on the plane to Miami. I am so glad she did because we were able to meet Lindsay. She is a beautiful 23 year old girl who went to Shiloh High School and graduated the year after me (in my same school district)! She is in law school at UGA and wants to become a diplomat and eventually an ambassador. She is fluent in Spanish and is teaching herself french! Her grandparents were actually born and lived in Haiti and moved to the USA where her parents grew up and raised her and her family. She has never been to Haiti before. She was on her way to an internship in the Dominican Republic. She wanted to visit Haiti while she was in the DR, but her mentors told her it wasn't a good idea, her family being Haitian, and the issues with border control between the two countries. We talked a lot about missions, and about faith. She said she appreciated how Brandon and I spoke to her about our faith and our call to missions. I pray that she will find her heart for God again, that she will not let the negative opinions about 'church' dictate her future. If she got nothing else from our discussion, I pray the Holy Spirit reminded her that she is responsible for her own relationship with our Heavenly Father and that she is so useful to the Kingdom. She has a heart full of passion and love and desires to help people. I pray, Lord, that you will keep Lindsay safe during her 10 week stay in the DR and that you lead her down your path and that she may listen to your voice. Thank you for letting us meet Lindsay.

We had a layover in Miami and were able to get something to eat. I was scared to eat anything big, as I knew in about 4 hours the heat would be overwhelming. I ended up eating Wendy's french fries and Brandon got some pizza. (of course he's never worried about anything like that!)

When we got on the plane from Miami to Haiti, I was alone on my little row all the way up until the last 2 people I saw boarding the plane. I was thinking, aw man! So close! But WHAT a blessing and joy, and I am so thankful I was seated next to 2 wonderful people. Casey and Naomi Gustafson. They are from Iowa City, Iowa and attend Faith Baptist Church with their 4 children. They were also headed to Haiti for mission work. Casey is very tall and is built like a super hero and Naomi is very delicate and naturally beautiful (come to find out she is/was a ballerina!). Talking to them throughout the 2 hour flight was rewarding in many ways. Naomi's parents were and are still full time missionaries in Africa! She was born in Bolivia and grew up all over Africa. She had wonderful stories and assured me that growing up as a missionaries' kid was the most amazing upbringing. (so encouraging). Her parents do a lot of work in Northern Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as South Africa. I hope to meet them in our journey there. We talked much about our faith and beliefs and encouraged one another in living a life of doing God's work. I pray for the Gustafsons; for health and safety while in Haiti. That their church continues to fall in love with missions and that Naomi and Casey will be integral in helping their faith family reach the people of the world with the Gospel. Thank you, Lord for a new brother and sister.

Okay. They weren't kidding... it is HOT!!! But it is also beautiful and sometimes breezy! The drive through Port-Au-Prince was breath taking and heart breaking at the same time. Behind flowering trees were rows and rows of tin roofs and tarps, and there is garbage everywhere. But all you have to do is raise your eyes just a little to see the majesty of God's handiwork in this land. The mountains here are green with trees and spotted with homes and villages. This constant backdrop allows you to see this country for the beauty God intended for it. And when you see the smiling faces of the Haitian people, you see it again.  These are His children, also. They are also made in His image. And they are in need.
I am amazed by the local Christians we have seen so far. Raising their voices loudly to the heavens and dressing in suits and ties with shiny shoes through burning, hot, dusty roads lined with rubble and trash. The church we are staying at is 5,000 strong and packs out each service where worship can last over 3 hours. What a family. What a testimony to their countrymen. Lord, if there is anything we can do to help these people, allow our bodies to serve.

The food is wonderful! We got settled into our rooms and had our first Haitian meal: Rice and beans with red sauce, baked chicken and fried plantains with the most glorious fresh cherry juice. Even though I did end up feeling sick and not being able to eat much, I thoroughly enjoyed what I had! [side note---it was not the food that made me sick, but my malaria medicine! resume journal] I pray that I can acclimate to the heat/food/lack of normalcy and not be a hindrance to the mission. Lord give me strength. Protect our bodies and keep us able to do your work he with our Haitian brothers and sisters.

We are showered and bug sprayed, fans are blowing and we are ready to fall asleep on our air mattresses! Lord keep us as we slumber. May the rest provide us with excited and willing minds and hearts as we worship with your church tomorrow morning. Thank you for loving us and for the opportunity to serve you. AMEN.

Hope you enjoyed day 1 - Saturday/travel day! Sunday morning was amazing and we will talk about it on the next blog! View more pictures from day one on our Facebook album: Haiti 2012 Pics