Five days ago when I landed in Haiti I could not have
imagined the pain and suffering I would see. I didn’t realize such desperation
and hardship was happening in this world.
I had no idea what poverty and hunger actually looked like.
In one single moment today I saw all of those things. There I sat in the back of the tap tap
(the vehicle that our team rides in) outside of the general hospital. We were waiting for the team leaders to
come back from a meeting. I was
standing at the front of the tap tap but facing directly out the back
door. As I watched people walking
from building to building a man and his small son walked right up to the
door. I am certain the boy was
around the age of my son (6). His
belly was distended as if he was 9 months pregnant and his breathing was very
labored. His voice was so weak it
was barely audible as he was saying ”papa” and reaching for his father’s
hand. They had no food or money
and were looking for us to give them some. We were not in a situation where we were able to help that
little boy today and that was heartbreaking. I stared deep into his eyes and tried without words to let
him know that I cared about him, that he mattered, that I feel compassion for
him in his desperate situation, that I wished I could take away his pain and
suffering.
The truth is; no matter what I might have been able to do
for that boy today I could not have rescued him. I could not have taken away his pain or healed his
sickness. Anything I could have
done would have been so very temporary.
I wanted to feed him, to love him, to make him feel better. The truth is I can pray for that boy
and today that is all I can do. So, today I pray healing and comfort and
support and love over him. And
most of all I pray he knows Jesus. The truth is; that is the only way any of us
will ever be rescued from this world.
Five days ago when I landed in Haiti I could not have
imagined the beauty, endurance, perseverance, gratitude, faithfulness, and
strength I would see. I am
inspired to watch these beautiful people press on day after day fighting just
to survive. Smiles of appreciation
for our simple acts of bringing food, water, a hug, or a song light up their
faces! I have never seen such pure
worship when we bring music to them.
Praising freely with all that they have and all that they are. BEAUTIFUL!
Five days ago I came to Haiti hoping to bless as many people
here as I could. Instead they have
blessed me beyond measure. It has
been a beautifully difficult time in Haiti. I am blessed.
Five days ago when I landed in Haiti I could not have
imagined how different the world would look to me!!!!
Mandi
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