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).

haiti (sort of)

first off, i want to apologize to Candice Lyerla (haha) and all of the other loving, amazing, faithful followers of my blog.

being in hait, there has been so little to talk talk about and so much time. or is that so little time and so much to talk about... (that would be a delightful spin off quote from charlie and the chocolate factory. sorry, i've been dropping dad jokes like crazy lately. i think it's the water here, at least that's what is going to get the blame).

joking aside, there are seven weeks of absolute joy, sadness, cuts and bruises, babies, kids, 115 year old ladies, hello's and goodbye's, mountain adventures, radical love, God's radical love, flattened buildings, sledge hammers and new re-bar frames, anger, frustration, injustice, peace that passes all understanding, tent city after tent city with thousands of homeless families in each one, rice and beans (lots of rice and beans), late nights and early mornings, early nights and early mornings, (my) selfishness, delicious mangos, a goat, a few pastors, a few ministries, a few (26) friends... and a beautiful story intertwtined with these scenes and so many more.

but i need to think. to reflect.