3 weeks down - 17 to go

I cannot believe it's been only 3 weeks today since I boarded the plane to come to this amazing place. How can that really be?? So much has changed, so much has happened. And I don't much know how to explain the feeling except to say that it seem time is flying by in slow motion. We have decided that it is the moments that pass by slowly, making it seem like it will be forever till it's done, but the weeks fly by incredibly fast!

This pic is taken from the top of Tapion at sunset. Wow. What an incredible view from the top of the hill... It's impossible to not believe when I see such beauty and experience such things.

So I may try and put into words this last week, but if it doesn't make sense to you, or it gets long, please forgive me... so much happens in our days and weeks here. It is so difficult to try and put it into words that truly express what I see and feel and think.

In this last week I have made many new friendships and seen and met people that I hope to call my friends sometime soon. It is hard thinking about going home in April. Really, my time here is so short. As Steve said the other day... it's really only 126 days away. And that is really only 17 weeks. It's only 4 months. When I think of friends and family back home that I miss, the time frame seems to stretch on for an eternity, but when I think about how little time that it is to make a small difference here, to accomplish the tasks at hand, it seems like I only have so little time to get it all done. I was listening to Pastor Rick's sermon from yesterday and I was amazed to hear about all the devastation of the storm in Grays Harbor. And then I think about how good I have it right now, I have internet almost all the time, power most of the time and running water. Don't need heat cuz it's still pretty warm, though I've actually worn my sweats and long sleeved shirts in the evenings because it's cooler. I was thinking about how before I left, many people told me to prepare for bad conditions here, to rough it, maybe the power will go out because of a huge storm. Maybe terrible things might happen. Prepare yourself for whatever will come. In all the that time in preparing myself I never thought I would need to prepare myself for real loss back home. I didn't think about having to prepare myself for everyone at home to have no power, bad conditions and unfit living spaces. Then I remember, the truth is, anything can happen at any time. Whether I am in Haiti or Aberdeen I am not safe from the threats of the world and of nature. People are people wherever you go. There are similar fears and pain, joy and excitement wherever you go in the world.

I've been on many short term mission trips in my life, but staying in another country, living in another country for a longer period of time has really changed my perspective. I know how it is to come into another country and "feel bad" for the people that live there. I was physically pained to see the people living in poverty in mud huts, seemingly lost and alone. This is what you initially see when you come into a third world country. You're perspective may shift, for a little while. Your heart may soften and be more apt to share what you have. But how easy it is to come to another place and think that because we are Americans or Canadians, we have something better to offer. That these people are incompetent and therefore unable to understand the truth of God's love. Often that they do not need someone shoving Jesus down their throat. They need an offer and a portrayal of that love. They need the truth to be shown to them, not just preached at them. And how dare we as "fortunate" as we seem to be treat these amazing people as less than, with pity and not respect. I think about Jesus and how he went to people that were destitute... you know that when he "had compassion" on them he really loved them and he treated them like people. I want to treat people that I meet here the same as I would anyone else... with love and friendship... knowing that they can offer something to me in friendship and love just as much I can. Not always thinking that I have so much to give... Maybe it's just me, but I know that I have in the past struggled with pride, thinking that I was better because I was born in America. Thinking that I had something to offer but not thinking they really had anything worth giving back to me. These people here in Haiti have so much in their hearts and in wisdom to share that I cannot even understand. They are a beautiful people. Needy for God, but then so am I. So are we. If we were stripped bare of all material things and they were raised up in socioeconomic status and had "things" we would still all just be people, the need and hunger for God would not change.

I have been so challenged to get outside of my comfort zone... and so encouraged when I am reminded by God that I am doing what he asked of me. That He is accomplishing his will through me. That dreams I had of myself... are really happening. I have more to say, but it is getting late and there will always be more to say. I hope this encouraged some of you and challenges you to step up to the plate, whether in prayer or in reaching out to people where you are at. There is a lot to do and we only have one life to live. Today is the day of salvation...