Friday, January 19, 2018

EBC: Making God a Priority (Day 5)

We’ve all heard it… “And suddenly all of the love songs were about him/her”.  After the last few days, this is how music has been resonating with me. During our morning devotions as well as our nightly team-time our leader, Wayne has been playing Christian songs that I have heard time and again. But this week they sound different. As a backdrop to the slideshow of each day’s pictures, these “love” songs are about how God is working in Haiti. It’s become apparent that as many times as I’ve listened, I’ve never really heard the lyrics speaking to me like they do now. Each word feels like God is speaking directly to me. To our team’s mission here in Haiti.
The overwhelming amount of sadness that you can feel for someone is immeasurable. I learned that within the first few steps I took in Cite Soleil. Why them? Why not me? It weighs you down until you feel like you can’t breathe. Then that heaviness is met with an even greater amount of joy that each Haitian seems to naturally possess despite the cards they’ve been dealt. It feels nearly impossible to put into words what our team has seen this week; what we have experienced. Each of the people we have interacted with so far are simply beautiful from the inside out! As I was overcome with emotion and the tears that came along with it, two precious babies, who clung to me with every ounce of strength they had, were wiping my tears away. These little ones who have no pants, no shoes, nothing, were comforting me. And with the most amazing smiles I’ve ever seen, they were pulling on my cheeks to make me smile as if mine could ever compete with theirs. With the abundance that I have and the little they have, it felt surreal to have these sweet souls comfort me. I will never forget that special little moment!
I see God working through all of my team members as well. Their individual strengths are being called upon in the most unique situations. It is evident that God is here. And with the Haitians both young and old. The amount of faith I have felt pouring out of them is inspiring. Haitians cling to God because He is all they have. It is raw and powerful. He is their top priority, and it’s become so clear to me that He needs to be mine as well.
 -Carlee

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon he waters wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith would be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.”   Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Hillsong United

EBC: Good Morning (Day 5)

Good morning from Haiti!

"If you are looking for despair, you will find despair.
If you are looking for hope, you will find hope.
If you are looking for God, you will find God!"

Last night, our team received homework...on Sunday, everyone must share at least one example of "where they saw God" this week. Yesterday, during a tour of the Fleuri bakery and restaurant, long-term missionary Jake explained that God often times puts opportunities in front of us, but often we don't open our eyes until that opportunity "punches us in the face." I know our eyes are definitely open on this trip, but I am excited to hear everyone's story on Sunday!



I am also posting a photo from one of our elder visits yesterday. We had a little extra time to spend with this special individual, and he even asked US for a photo :)