Haiti 2013

[Faith like I’ve never seen before] Dear Madame Mary, When you asked us for prayer, I told you I would continue to pray when I got back to the states. I took this picture to share your story so that someone might read it and be as encouraged as I was when you stopped and talked to us. I look at these photographs to remember and share my experiences while visiting your beautiful country. I hope to share the ways that God is working in this nation. “Now that I have seen – I am responsible – I will tell the world – I will tell them where I’ve been – I will keep my word.” 

We met her while walking back to camp in Onaville, Haiti – a tent city established by the government after the 2010 earthquake. She was walking across these mountains to sell some goods at a local market. Mary stopped and chatted for a while and had much to say about some of the challenges she is facing. Widowed, homeless, and without any financial security for her or her family – still Mary was one of the most joyous persons I’ve ever encountered. Despite her monetary trials she rejoiced in her savior, Jesus Christ, and cherished her Christian faith over any and all circumstances she faces on a daily basis. She could not stop talking about God’s love for herself and all of us – his children. We prayed together and she went on her way.

“But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:21

Pray for Mary. Pray for Haiti.

[Airport] Dear red eye, Please be good to me. I can’t sleep very well on airplanes. I haven’t gotten much sleep because this Haiti trip hit me in the face so fast. I was definitely preoccupied with school and finals. Dear families, Welp time to say our final goodbyes. I love you mom, I love you dad. Dear Haiti, We be coming for ya. Dear chocolate chip cookies, buckle up and behave. I know I didn’t have dinner, but this is going to be a long flight and I don’t want to see you anytime soon.

[First Sunset] Dear Chambrun,  After 17 hours of travelling, you sure know how to make a welcoming first impression. Looks like you are going to be our new home for the next week. Dear sunset, you and I are going to be good friends by the end of this trip. 

[Mary Dyer] Dear Perudo, thank you for all the laughs, memories, and countless games into the late nights you supplied us with. “12-5s… call me a liar”. Dear Dinning hall, I can’t thank you enough for allowing us to take refuge from hot sun during lunch and dinner. The food was amazing, we always wanted seconds. I’m going to miss the rice, beans, and chicken everyday. However, I don’t think my tongue could handle any more powdered drink mix. It sure tasted better than the water though. I’m not complaining. So. Much. Sugar. Dear Banana Grams, I’m fairly certain “goatz” is spelled with a “z”. Dear Haiti Fam, the countless memories we shared in this tent make me appreciate solid Christ centered community. 10 seemingly random students coming together with Him in common. Such a beautiful picture and opportunity to serve along side my brothers and sisters. These relationships will be some I cherish the most for the rest of my life. #blessedtobless #dishcru #letsgetweird #bocceball #likeablouse

[Sunday Best] Dear Haitian Congregation, I was so encouraged to see you live out your faith. Whether it was the joyous singing in church or seeing families travel and walk from hours away just to come to church. This was definitely a church experience I won’t ever forget. Dear Pastor, You speak with such passion. You speak with the spirit in your eyes. I don’t understand a word you’re saying due to this language barrier. But I can tell you truly love whatever you’re talking about and whoever you are talking to. Dear Haitian kids, don’t stop loving Jesus. don’t stop loving life. don’t stop finding joy in the things that are so often overlooked. don’t stop opening the eyes of us foreigners. don’t stop humbling people like myself. don’t stop being a light to so many people. If I let you hold my camera… the only thing I ask is- please do not drop it. 

[Onaville] Dear Madame Paul, thank you for inviting us into your home and talking with us. God seems to occupy such a huge part of your heart by the way you talk about Him. You love God and you love your family that he has blessed you with. You asked us to pray for you. I will continue to pray and remember the things you encouraged us in by this photograph. I love that your favorite bible verse was from Hebrews 13 because when I got home looked it up, the first thing I read was: “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers”. You are my sister in Christ.

[Yolene’s house] Dear Yolene, it was when we shared testimonies with each other, a mutual reciprocation of encouragement and prayer, that I had a more clear picture that we are all children of God. You said you’d be praying for us. Thank you. Seeing the faith you have, in light of everything you’ve been through, who am I (and my weak faith) to think that I have any wisdom to speak to you… This was something I definitely struggled with throughout the trip. How could we expect to come to this country with any kind of prideful mindset thinking that we’d be a ‘light’ to these people… that we’d ‘serve’ and ‘bless’ them. When in reality, the people of this nation were the ones that were lights to us, blessed us, and served and humbled us. You have reminded me of this great truth: “‘My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

[Open your eyes] Dear Salina, your story is moving. Such a perfect depiction, literally and metaphorically, of how God can open the eyes of those who believe and bring sight and vision for those who ask and come humbly before him. You were once blinded, severely troubled with vision, you feared you would lose your sight completely. You came to trust the Lord and his provision. He became the lamp unto your feet and light to your path – he opened your eyes and now you can see. Life looks a lot different with an eternal perspective.

[Family portrait] Dear Haiti Fam, we look good. we look real good.

[Sittin’ on 24s] Dear Jac Jac the Tap Tap, mobbin’ around Haiti, swerving around pot holes, and protecting us from the sun… you are a real trooper. Thanks for the countless bruises on our butts.