Haiti--The Beginning

I just love that the Lord gave me the name "Journey to 838" for this blog.  Because truly, the journey to Ethiopia as been so much more than we were ever anticipating.  So much more.  And really, our trip to Haiti just falls right into this journey.  I am not sure we would be headed to Haiti had we not said yes those 4 years ago to adoption.  From our first yes, God has been asking us to say yes to so many things along the way.  Mostly, it is ultimately we are learning to just say yes to Him.  We have been broken for the orphan.  We have been broken for the world.  Our eyes have seen that one step away from an orphan is usually a single Mom.  Striving to keep her family together in whatever way she can.  This really got Dave on fire.  A job.  Just a job.  This could be the difference between family and orphan.  So he has pursued ways to start serving with the Global Orphan Project to bring a job to someone so that family would be her option.  And from there.......Haiti.    On Wednesday October 22nd, Dave and I began the journey to Haiti.  We went with a group of 4 familes and two best friends.  Twenty-one total.  To say this trip was a marker for us is an understatement.  For me to even begin to process all that we saw, touched, smelled, experienced, held, loved.....not sure how, but I know that the best way I process is journaling.  So I will write one day at a time for each day of our trip.  Processing.  Introducing you to the people the Lord gave me to love each day.    You see, Dave was called to Africa.  He really felt that the Lord was asking him to pursue a trip to Africa. On our first date 13 years ago, Dave spoke of his desire to go on a missions trip to Africa.  It fit perfectly. For Christmas and his birthday last year he asked only for money to fund this trip.  Trip number one fell through.  We thought there might be an opportunity for us to pursue missions in Africa so Dave thought he might be heading on a vision trip.  That fell through.  Then there was a trip through our church.  But then that felt through.  Ok, Lord.  Now what?    One night Dave came home and said, "for the amount of money it would take to send me to Africa we could both go to Haiti."  I said that that sounded like a good plan.  Then the next day he said he had signed us up.  Wait.  What?    From the start of this, I will be honest, I really didn't want to go.  You see my heart is pretty broken for the orphan right now.  And honestly, my heart is raw to the topic.  I didn't really feel like going and hanging out with orphans was necessary for me.  Didn't really think that I needed help connecting with the plight because God had really done that work in me.  Even though I hadn't seen it with my eyes.  I knew it.  I felt it.  I cried over it.  So my yes to this trip really was obedience to my husband.  I had never been on a missions trip.  Dave had never been on a missions trip.  So I was excited to do this together.  To be a team and united.  Something we had really been praying fervently for....God make us a team.  United in you and your call on our life.    Wednesday (the day of our trip), I decided it was time to pack.  I did have a few encouragers :)  As you can see....I was still in the obedient lane.  So I got some skirts and shorts from a friend, threw in some tshirts, and of course, my tambourine.    

You see in Genesis 15 the Israelites were freed from slavery.  They were able to leave Egypt and pursue the promised land.  So they hurriedly packed even able to take silver and gold from Egypt.  But we learn once they cross the red sea Miriam reaches in her bag.  Her one bag.  With all she has.  All that was important for her to bring.  And she brings out her tambourine.  She begins to sing and dance.  Praising God.  You see, Miriam knew that she would be praising the Lord.  She knew it.  I don't think it was an accident that that is exactly where we were in the Exodus study in BSF the week before I left for Haiti.  Even though I have no idea why I am getting on this plane.  Even though I was afraid of feeling even more broken then I already did.  I was going.  And if I was going....I wanted to be prepared to praise.  I wanted to know God would show up. 

 

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22nd

That evening we dropped the girls at my parents and left for the airport.  Met up with our group.  Some we knew, most we didn't.  Off for the adventure of our lives.  We flew to Dallas for an overnight.  That night I tried to rest as much as possible.  I could feel my heart getting more and more excited as the trip began to get more real. 

 

On the plane I read Isaiah 58 and was stopped by God's words,

"No, this is the kind of fasting I want:  free those who are wrongly imprisoned, lighten the burden of those who work for you.  Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.  Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.  Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.  Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal.  Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind." vs.6-8

 

My wounds will heal?  Do I have wounds?  And my wounds are healed by service?  Service to those who need freedom, need to be lightened, need food or shelter or clothes?  This is how my salvation will come and how my wounds will heal?

 

So I knew that I was going for a fast.  The kind of fast that pleases the Lord.  I asked the Lord what wounds I had that needed healing.  I asked the Lord to show me someone who needed freedom.  Someone who was in bondage.  Someone who needed the practical.  Someone who needed my help.  May I meet them.  Lead me forward and protect me from behind.