A Renewed Vision

Sometimes (Or a lot of times) God puts you in a situation that IS too much for you handle on your own…just for the fact that it puts you in a place where you have to lean upon Him and in no way upon your own understandings.  Sometimes, a person gets notions when going through these “situations” to try and find a way out through their own human efforts.   I had such thoughts over the last couple of weeks. 

I don’t know how many of you know this, but I got into a car crash about two weeks ago (I’m fine and everyone else is ok too).  After that, I went through a rough day with another random different thing.  I had two days in a row of just being dumped upon.   Haiti in general takes a toll upon you physically and spiritually, so to add these two things to just the everyday living in Haiti made for an “I want a break” moment.  I’ve only been here for about four months but I’ve gotten pretty tired in that time.  I love my job and what God has me here for…however as I said before, Haiti just wears on you. 

So I thought my solution was a nice vacation to the Dominican Republic or to the pirate cove of Tortuga (which is in Haiti) however, God had a different plan in mind…and one that was so much better than anything I could have thought up. 

His plan wasn’t to send me on some vacation or grandiose adventure but to give me a renewed vision of why I am here. 

I have been part of several home-going parties since I’ve been here in Haiti but this last weekend I got to be involved in the beginning phase of the adoption…meaning, I got to witness the first uniting between the loving parents and the needing-to-be-loved child.  We had a Giving Hope Adoptive Parent Visiting Weekend where some of our adoptive parents got to come to Haiti and love on their children for a weekend.  For some of the parents this was a second or third visit, but for a few, this was their first time meeting their child. 

My role throughout the weekend was to play host (along with the other missionaries) and just be there for whatever the families needed.  In my time of interaction with the parents and families God gave me a renewed vision. 

“This is why you’re here.” He said to me.  “You’re here to take care of these kids and to love on them while the parents aren’t here to do so.  You’re not here as a replacement for the parents but as a temporary guardian to invest in these kid’s lives…ultimately preparing them for going home to live with their forever families in America who have given their all to raise these kids.” 

This last weekend was amazing.  Throughout the weekend we had things such as: a talent show, a staff tells all, a couple of public speakers who shared some words of encouragement, a family photo shoot, just some alone family time, and some other fun activities.  This weekend was a great time of interacting with godly families who have given their time, energy, and money to make these kids forever part of their family.    

So, if and when you’re thinking you need a break from that which God has called you to do, know that sometimes all you need is just a renewed vision of why you’re doing what you’re doing.  So pray for that in addition to whatever else you may be asking of God.  I know a renewed vision gave me the oomph to keep on keeping on, and maybe it will do the same for you. 

Facial Hair, Cat Poop, And A New Stove :)

Apparently my attempt at facial hair growth has made individuals question my nationality.  This week I was asked if I was Israeli, French, and Jamaican…by three different people.   I also was told I look like a hippie. lol  

Anyway this week has been one of great joy as we got a new stove.  That’s right.  It’s goodbye to having to start the charcoal every morning and night.  No more waiting for 25 minutes as the flame lights upon the charcoal.  Now it’s just pop a switch, light a match, and BOOM…we’ve got fire to cook upon.  I know all of you are like what’s the big deal about a stove?   Well, I challenge you to try and use a charcoal grill (with no lighter fluid) two times a day for two months and then you’ll know how big of a deal a propane powered stove really is. 

With our new stove came the giddiness of a twelve year old girl going clothes shopping for school.   All of us missionaries just kept going on and on about all the things we were going to make and could cook now that we had an oven.  Our bellies have been quite full the last few nights as we have had mango pie, a birthday cake, and biscuits.   We’ve definitely been eating like royalty :)

Something else that is new that I never blogged about is the new mouth in the household that I am responsible for feeding.  Some of you may be thinking, “He’s at an orphanage…maybe he was put in charge of special care for a child.” Well to put your mind at ease, that isn’t the case.  I got a cat…or “chat” in Creole :)  Her name is Sparrow.  Ryan and Sheena (the other missionaries that are here) also got a cat.  So instead of my room smelling like baby poop and having to clean up from babies (which some have going for them here) my room smells like cat poop and I have to clean up from their messes :)

Prayer…what is it?  It is calling upon or talking with God anytime about anything.  I’ve learned what that means this last week as both the kids and I learned about prayer.  God sometimes calls us to labor in prayer having us ask again and again and again until He answers.  The example that I used/was given this last week was the story of Elijah and the rain cloud.  He prayed seven times before God answered His prayer.  I have no doubt that He would have kept praying longer too if God had not answered after the seventh time. 

So, something I’ve learned about prayer is that sometimes (a lot of times) prayer requires persistence until the answer comes.  But along with that we need to be watching for God’s answer.  In Elijah’s case, the answer came in the form of a cloud the size of man’s hand.  That isn’t very big but Elijah had been praying and he knew it was the answer.  He even got so excited about the answered prayer that he outran a chariot. :)

Along the lines of prayer, I just want to say a GIGANTIC THANK YOU to you all for your prayers.   I can’t say it enough.  But the reason I have gotten thus far in my time here is because of prayer.  Your prayers on my behalf have given me:  patience that is needed, creativity for teaching, finances, energy, consistency, and encouragement.  Thank you.  Know that you all are in my prayers too :)

Love ya guys,
Shane