Haiti, March 3-10, 2012 | Blog 4.

Today was our fourth day in Port au Prince, Haiti. I can hardly believe how fast time has flown by. The day started off much like those before; very peaceful and relaxing. Up to this point, we had been spoiled rotten by the Pastor and his wife, who are essentially serving as our host family. They have been feeding us very well and have gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed. Though we had been helping with cleaning up after meals, I felt guilty for allowing them to do so much for us, when our primary purpose in coming was to serve them. I kept reminding myself that we are not on vacation; however, Pastor Wilson and his wife are so compassionate and other-centered, it seems as though they cannot help but cater to everyone in their company. I appreciate their hard work so much; nevertheless, I couldn’t wait to reciprocate their hospitality. Well, today was the day!

Following breakfast, we cleaned the storage room in Pastor’s house that would store all of the supplies that would be distributed to those in need. The storage room had a significant amount of supplies when we arrived; however, the supplies were not organized, therefore they could not be properly distributed. The lack of organization was initially a little overwhelming and intimidating, but Pastor and Mami Pas (Pastor’s wife) did not hesitate when it came to serving others, so we were determined to do all that we could for them, even if it took us all day. So we started off stripping the shelves of the existing supplies, then we cleaned the shelves, organized the supplies that were already there and stocked the shelves with the supplies that we brought. I was taken back with all of the items that we managed to collect. It was so exciting just to see the myriad of hair products, feminine products, other personal hygiene items, medical supplies, school supplies, candy, linen, clothing and shoes that could potentially make someone’s life a little easier. After stocking the shelves with linen and assisting the rest of the team with cleaning, I had to step back and just observe the abundance of things that we take for granted on a daily basis. GOD deserves praise for everything that HE does for us, but in our world we generally only acknowledge the ‘big blessings’—a new car, a promotion, a raise—but what about the little things? Items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap are blessings too. However, GOD is so generous with HIS blessings that we pick and choose what is worthy of public acknowledgment. GOD’s love for us is unwavering, but HIS grace is not to be taken for granted. If you are reading this and you have taken the aforementioned items for granted, I pray that you realize the true value of those blessings, as I did this afternoon, and convey your gratitude to GOD.

Needless to say, after we had completed all of the cleaning and stocking, we were exhausted. Notwithstanding our fatigue, we felt so great about giving back to those who deserve it. Mami Pas and Pastor were thrilled with our hard work. Though, it took four hours for the nine of us to make the storage room presentable and functional, we still had more serving to do. We were told that we would meet the children residing in one of the ‘tent cities’ and we were really excited, despite not having a clue about what to expect. When we arrived, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The devastation of the 2010 earthquake was very conspicuous in this part of town. Many of the residents were inhabiting tents donated by the U.S. government. Though I wanted to learn more about the situation that was before me, I began to doubt our purpose in being here; what could we possibly say or do in a few hours that could instill hope in people that had been through so much? Struggles of this magnitude were completely foreign to us and almost even incomprehensible. Once we started to mingle with the children, music started to play and the children went wild, dancing and grabbing hold of us. One of the songs that were played was titled “God is Enough” by Lecrae. That simple repetitious phrase was all that I needed to rid me of my doubt—“God is enough.” Though there is nothing about us alone that would make us capable of conveying hope to the people living in those tent cities, the GOD in us would appeal to their emotions. In 1 Peter 4:11, we are reminded that we should serve with the strength that GOD provides us, and I am confident that if it were not for GOD guiding us, we would not have been received the way we were today. I pray that they could see the GOD in us as clearly as I could see the GOD in them.

As we were handing out toys and toothbrushes, my heart was overjoyed. The children were so complacent with their circumstances that it humbled me tremendously. I then realized that I could serve GOD by serving those who carried GOD in their hearts. I became emotionally attached to so many of the children there, that I want only the best for them. I’m not going to ask GOD to shower them with riches, because I refuse to limit GOD’s blessings to the material world. Instead, I just pray that whatever GOD’s plan for their lives is, that it be fulfilled, and that they reap every single blessing GOD has stored up for them. I also pray that GOD shows favor to every individual living in that tent city that we visited today, and that they be encouraged by the promises that GOD makes in HIS Word. Though we could not communicate much verbally, language was not a barrier. I’m convinced the reason for that is that the Holy Spirit in us was communicating with the Holy Spirit in them, and I am just in awe with the splendor of GOD. This trip has truly been an illustration of GOD’s omnipresence, and I cannot wait to see what other revelations HE has in store for all of us.

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. Peace & Blessings!

- Erika Lloyd

Act 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”