Open House (Karen's Post)

Blessings to you from your Haiti team.

Wow! Amazing! Challenging! Heart wrenching! Inspiring! Unbelievable! That cannot begin to describe our time here in Haiti. As we circled together this morning to pray, Pastor Doyle shared from Isaiah 57:14 “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” With one day and counting, that is our goal. God continues to remind me to come alongside his people and walk, work, pray and cry with them. And they will know we are Christians by our Love. So we organize and put everything in place so that when we leave, they can continue side by side, moving forward the kingdom of God.

We will pray without ceasing, and in all honesty I find that a whole lot easier here than back home. It gives a whole new meaning to clutter in a spiritual sense. I challenge you to un-clutter and keep your spiritual focus. Focus on the eternal perspective. Autumn and Krystle were sharing things they found in their suitcases. Autumn found a battery charger, and Krystle laughed and said “that’s nothing, I found an orange electrical cord in mine.” Every time I think that this is only for a week, I’m reminded that their week is a lifetime. “I Can Only Imagine” is playing in the background. And I can only imagine that their hope will someday be seen in eternity. If we can be the hands and feet of Christ in helping even one more Haitian experience the Golden Streets of Heaven, our time here has been worth every second.

Doyle and Beth from our first meeting overflowed with their love for the Haitian people. In talking with the team, we could not help but be excited to go and be a part of this team. I guess that you could say they are contagious. God’s Love continues to gush from their souls over onto their team. Doyle’s positive attitude and patience stood out even in the midst of challenge and adversity, fatigue and pressure. Beth’s love and sensitivity was evidenced at all times for every child and team member. We laugh and say, “find her a house and a hundred hungry kids (or more) and we’ll have an instant orphanage in Saint-Marc.” They have bridged the gap for us and many others from Michigan to Haiti. Thank you for all you have done and all you have given in all areas of your life.

Robinson, as you may know, grew up as an orphan on streets of Haiti and made the statement that if he ever had a house of his own, he would open it to everyone. He and Naromie have opened their house and their hearts to our team and to the community. He displays wisdom and discernment far beyond his years as well as a love for God and all humanity which stands out among the nations. Rob Rob has shared with us his laughter and joy, his friendly nature, and his soccer playing abilities. Don’t forget he has a unique way of rousing people in the morning. He is the hands, feet, and voice of Christ in this community with a ready smile. He has a constant concern for our well-being and a love that has warmed our hearts for a lifetime.

Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens. Pastor Haiti and Pastor America have demonstrated both in countless ways and a multitude of times.