Haiti 2011 | Blog 7.

Mother Teresa once said:

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”

Each child. Each orphan. Each human being. In Haiti. In Williamsburg. Each one - everyone.

How I treat one is how I treat Jesus. What a sobering thought.

Jesus initiated this concept when He said:

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” [Matthew 25:40].

I just wanted to take a this last post to introduce you to the last four children at Wings of Refuge.

Wilson is one of the quieter ones but his facial expressions speak loud and clear. It was easy to see his disapproval of something or someone by some of his priceless expressions.

Adelin can always be found in the middle of all the commotion and fun. He loves to play seems to never run out of energy.

Adeline can often be found jumping rope or combing the Wings of Refuge doll’s hair for the thousandth time. She, like her brother Adelin, seems to always be full of energy and ready for anything that comes her way.

Renelson (like all of them) loves to be held. The hard thing is he is not three or even five so he is much heavier than the little guys. He is on the quieter side and simply loves to have you near him. So many times I would find him right by my side helping hold the tape as I put up a new alphabet or a number chart. He was always quick to help.

I hardly thought it was possible to miss a place and a people as much as I have the past few days. I miss the kids’ smiles and their hugs, I miss their unique mannerisms and personalities. But, one thing is for sure - I will be back very soon and hopefully with a team from CLC!

Haiti 2011 | Blog 3.

In the church we have been visiting (Pastor Wilson’s church) here in Haiti, Psalm 94:17 is painted above the alter. It says,

“Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence.”

I love that. Unless the Lord had come through, there really would not be anything to say. There is a dependence upon the Lord in this verse that I think is so beautiful. There is an acknowledgment of who He is that makes everything else so simple.

A corporate service or prayer service here in Haiti is a different thing. The Sunday service begins at 6am and ends at about 11am. Then, there is the youth service that went from 3pm till about 6pm. And then there is the night service from 6pm to about 9pm.

The church has corporate prayer each morning of the week at 4:30am in a different home and people attend! They also have a monthly prayer service on Friday that goes from 6pm to 12am and then on Saturday from 6am-12pm (where people fill the church with sleeping bags from 12am-6am to rest in between).

The church is filled with people who really seem to believe in what they are doing whether it is engaging the Lord in prayer, worship, talking with others, or listening to the message. They really believe that Jesus is everything and that without Him, they are nothing and this is obvious by the way they pour their lives out before Him. They know how to cry to the Lord and they know how to dance before the Lord. They really don’t care what the person to their right or left thinks of them - that is what a right perspective of God will do for you.

Here is an introduction to one more of the beautiful children from Wings of Refuge:

Erinel is five years old and is the happiest little guy I have ever met. He rarely is not smiling, laughing, wanting to be held, and sweating. We spend most of the day laughing at his little mannerisms - from his facial expressions to his inability to talk quietly, to his fascinating skill in repeating English words and phrases (you have to hear him say “I love you”).

I will be updating the blog shortly with prayer points. Thanks for staying tuned and for all the prayer! I feel it and appreciate you all greatly.

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