I’m sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of the guesthouse soaking in the sounds of kids playing and the beauty and bigness of the sky here- at this moment painted in shades of pink, purple and blue. Some things are magical here. Life is simple. Every gorgeous smile on each precious little face (41!). The sunsets are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The cool breeze that the afternoon rains bring are life giving.
There is a lot that is hard here. It’s hard to be away from family- to miss moments and just being near. The heat that drains your energy and keeps you up at night is hard. It’s hard to not be able to communicate- I miss the ability to really get to know people, to hear their story, to encourage. It’s hard to see such devastating poverty- I cannot seem to comprehend how much we had in the States (and still have so much here) with what I see down every street here… It’s hard to hear about the situations most of these sweet kids have come from. It’s hard to be so noticeably different, to have attention drawn. It’s hard to be out in the market and feel so vulnerable and alone. It’s hard to start on the ground level building all relationships.
It’s hard to have trust God all the time.
What does that say about my heart?
The false security that living in America gives us is so deceiving. I FEEL the constant need for God to help, sustain, protect, provide and I’m so thankful! I saw my need for God in the U.S. but coming here- selling all we have, depending on God to move hearts to give so we can pay bills and buy food, being dependent on strangers here for helping buy groceries, transportation and communication- it really opens our eyes to how big our need for God is in every detail of every day. It also has opened our eyes to how big and good God is! Our faith has been increased and our joy in Christ has exploded.
We are thankful. We are humbled. It’s hard but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Our main job right now is to bond with the kids, learn the language and acclimate to all that is Haiti. Caleb teaches a Bible study each week and Pastor Benito just asked Caleb to preach sometime. I have had some sweet times ‘teaching’ American recipes, teaching English and doling out the hugs and kisses. Pray for us in all of this. Pray also for us to seek the Lord fervently even in the midst of heat exhaustion and tired eyes. Our hearts can only be encouraged and renewed in God’s Word- may we hold onto Him tightly.
I am thankful each evening as I see the sunset in the big Haitian sky and remember how big our God is. May He be glorified and honored!
With So Much Love and For His Glory Alone- Annie on behalf of Caleb, Jael and Zoe
Dearest Little One,
What profit would there be if life was easy, to what end would life be if all we were given to do did not require a giving of ourselves. How would we long for God or our heavenly home if we loved this life more. No life must be heard for it helps us to know our frame that we are a weak and needy people.
Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Praying for you, Caleb and the girls.
In HIS service with you.