Haiti 2011 | Blog 1.

Personally, I think that a blog should take each post and focus on one thought, one lesson learned, or one challenge passed. However, I have absolutely no idea what one to focus from the past few days. I had intended to blog everyday to alleviate the pressure of summarizing or writing far too long posts but the internet has not been working since I got here.

Boy, God is good. There is not one moment that I am not positive that He led me here not only for the lives I am coming in contact with but for my own refining, growth, and character. My goal coming to Haiti was to be a blessing to those who already laboring here but I honestly feel that they have blessed me far beyond any blessing I have been.

I love the way people live here. It is definitely not easier but there is something so beautiful about it. Whether it is to washing clothes by hand, never knowing if electricity is going to work, breaking ice by hand, and so many other things that are simply afterthoughts in the United States, there is something so simple about it.

We have been spending most of our time with the children from Wings of Refuge Children’s Home but had an opportunity on Saturday to help run a kids’ program for the children from one of the tent communities. There are still many people living in tents since the earthquake. Can you even imagine? This tent city that we visited with was right next to the Prime Minister’s house, so it is said to be the nicest.

The children are beautiful. Stunning, really. They are so happy, so caring, so considerate, and so helpful. Many of them have close to nothing to call their own but they truly love life. While helping with the program at the Tent City, I noticed there was so much trash all around (which is not a rare scene at all, due to the lack of trashcans). I asked around for a bag (“sha-she” in Creole) and began to pick up trash. At first people just watched but after only a few minutes many children and teenagers had joined in the effort. It got to a point where they were fighting about who could hold the bag for the others to throw the trash into.

The children really don’t want anything except your attention. They want to be held, loved, and played with above all else. Though the clothing and items are appreciated, all they want is you. I don’t think this is any different than any other child in the world, however somewhere along the line it is easier and less disappointing to go for the possessions.

More than anything, I am reminded that Jesus Christ is the hope for the world. No matter the circumstance. No matter the situation. No matter the person or issue. No matter the country. He is the answer and it is how we respond to Him that changes everything. I have been pondering over this story in Luke for a few days now...

“...Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.” [Luke 13:10-13].

I love that in her own strength she could not straighten up at all, but then, Jesus comes on the scene and everything changes. It is easy to become overwhelmed in a country that is so bound by poverty, corrupt government, and spiritual oppression, however, Jesus is the answer. Not just for Haiti, but for the United States. I love that. That does not mean that it will look the same but It really is that simple.

I could go on for about two weeks about what God has been doing, showing me, and challenging me in just these past few days but I want to go help get dinner on the table. Thank you so much for all the prayers and support. Love you all and miss you, dearly! Can’t wait to hear all that God is doing in YOU over these past two weeks.

- Holly Aman