hope...

I find that hope is one of the hardest things to grab a hold of and even harder to hang on to. In an instant the joy and peace which was so strong can be gone. I can find myself driven to a place of despair, completely unaware of how I got there. I was reading the book of Job this morning and in chapter 42 vs. 5 Job says, My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.

Whatever I have to go through to see you with my eyes and not just hear of you with my ears, I will do it. I want to see Him, not just hear of him. I will hold on to the truth of who I know you are and not how I feel... you are God, and I am not.

food

When you look into the eyes of a starving child who has just been given a little bit of food, you can see that it meant so much.

dancer

She loved to dance. She was beautiful...

resistance

This trench was dug to be the foundation for a wall, not to keep people out, but to divert the rushing flood waters coming down from the mountain. This clinic was located at the base of a mountain which sends flood waters streaming down towards the city, buildings, and tents. We weren't able to finish the project because the government came in and said that we didn't have the permits to build the wall... people's homes were being washed away by raging water and the government who is normally not concerned with anything stopped our work because we didn't have the permits.

I hope it is finished.

mark

Out of nowhere one day walking back to the base from the clinic in St. Marc, this English speaking Haitian man named Mark called out to me. We began a conversation which lasted only a few minutes that first day, but our friendship continued on for the next few days before I left. He was a very gentle and kind man who only asked for friendship and a daily conversation.

naked jaybird

There are no words that can describe that smile.

adoption

I don't remember his name, I don't know his address, I have no way to contact him. I don't know if he has been adopted by someone through Compassion or World Vision, but I have adopted him in heart.

a cry of desperation

How do you say no to a kid who has nothing. A kid who is begging from everyone, not just the Americans walking by. I asked myself this question thousands of times, and I have no good answer. I could minimize everything and say that he was probably fine and just begging for more than he needed, but he didn't have anything. I would say that he had enough to keep him alive, but for how long? How long can his body continue to be fueled by malnourishment? When my heart was bursting to help this kid, I couldn't. I was frustrated and am still frustrated with not being able to help him.

I am not satisfied with the answer, "well, we can't help them all..."

My prayer and I hope yours for this boy would be, God what do I have to give up to help them all?

futbol

I am not much of a soccer player, I do love sports but this is probably my worst. But there is something about the look that comes from the eyes of children, especially ones who are more than excited that you would take time to play with them. These three guys and myself kicked a rugged ball around for a few minutes before I had to head back into the YWAM base. One of the hardest parts of short term mission trips for me is that you can have an amazing time playing soccer, investing time and love into some kids lives and never see them again... I am hoping for their best.

Haiti Stories

It is currently 12:30am on the dot and my plan is to share stories of Haiti through pictures that I had taken. I'm going to go to bed and start this tomorrow. Hope you enjoy and are encouraged (when the stories begin).