I've been home for fifteen days now. Fifteen long days. Somehow, after being in Haiti for just one short week, home doesn't quite feel like home anymore. Don't get me wrong, loving on family, catching up with friends, taking hot showers, eating Chick-fil-a and getting some real rest in my comfy bed has been just shy of heavenly. But, something seems to be missing...
Perhaps it's my heart. I mean, I did leave it there. Haiti captured it and is holding it tight and I'm not quite sure what to do about it.
I've wanted to blog about the trip. But, words just haven't been coming easily to me. There was a lot of emotions coming off such a journey, and I tend to be the overly zealous kind about missions, living abroad and especially comforting those in need. I witnessed first-hand a lot of needs, a lot of hurting in Haiti...and a lot of healing too. So you can imagine the the tug-of-war that has ensued in my heart and mind since returning. I long to go back. There isn't a day that goes by that Haiti doesn't come to mind and work it's way into my prayers. But, as my wise mother cautioned me, "Let the dust settle from the trip and then take it to the Lord." And that's what I've set out to do.
Words such as amazing, awesome, memorable, heart-breaking and epic have been suggested to describe the time spent in Haiti. Those words don't quite cut it. It's hard to properly convey just what it's like there. The poverty, hurt, the pain...all of it is glaring evidence of our fallen world. It overwhelms your senses, rocks your world and positively challenges your perspective on humanity and the Lord.
My journal entry from my first day in Haiti..."Made it to the children's home...wow. Haiti is exactly what I thought it was going to be. Poor, desolate and ruined. But not ruined beyond repair. The phrase "There is always hope in Jesus" keeps ringing in my ears."
Victory in Christ. A theme that became overwhelmingly evident to me as the week went on.
Over the next couple of weeks...or even months...I hope to share a little more specifically what I experienced there and what the Lord taught me.
But in the meantime, here's a quick glimpse at of our time in Haiti (compiled by one of the team members!)...
