The work we have been doing since arriving in Haiti has been varied and unpredictable. Most of us expected to come to Haiti and clear some rubble and build some houses and provide in some small way for the needs of the people here. But God often likes to work differently than in ways we expect:

Some days we paint and clean the "kitchen" (outdoor area under a tin roof) where food is cooked for the tent communities; some days we play frisbee with the neighborhood children; some days we visit tent cities and distribute food or clothing or just prayer and children's games; some days we converse with English students; some days we worship under a 20×100 tent with 6,000 Haitians for 10 hours (not consecutively – though I'm sure they would if we let them!). In all things we strive to speak LIFE over Haiti and proclaim Christ.

 

This week we have been privileged to visit 2 different tent communities. In the first one we helped distribute bags of food from GAIN (Global Aid Network), though it was organized chaos as we split into groups and gave the bags to each tent we passed. It was difficult, almost dehumanizing, because it was so quick and we were unable to really SEE or meet the people we were giving food to. Each of the recipients was in such survival mode and grabbing at us and the bags while we were attempting to calmly and fairly distribute them. To me, we were able to meet a temporary, physical need, but nothing more.

The next night, in our second tent city, our plan was just for evangelism. We walked into the community with our 2 translators and immediately began playing games with the children, singing songs, and attempting to communicate despite language barriers. We were there for only an hour, but got to speak life over the community, visit their tent homes, pray for many people, and develop relationships which we can return to later. However, I still felt lacking, because though we spoke the word of the Lord and I know He will provide for them, we did nothing that night to meet their immediate needs.

 

 

As much as I'd love to be building houses and seeing RESULTS – the fruit of my labor – God is teaching me, along with the rest of my team, that He is so much bigger than a few physical needs here and there. I personally cannot begin to make a dent in aiding the abundant needs of Haiti, but He is the Great Provider. Through my obedience in giving a smile, a cold soda, a dollar, or a prayer, HE will restore Haiti and provide for His people. Even the food and clothing we have distributed in schools and tent cities were provided through other people and organizations, reminding me once again that its not about me or what I do or bring. God doesn't need ME to "fix Haiti". He can do that on His own. But He is allowing me to witness the work He is doing here, little by little.