Whatever comes to mind, whenever

Here’s day two. Let me know if you have any questions, need clarification, or need anything else!

I am always surprised by how much can fit in a day on the mission field. It feels like almost two days pass when it’s really just one day, well, less than one actually. I’m tired, but it’s the type of exhaustion that is satisfying, like after a good work out or a good run.

The day started early, at six, but it didn’t feel too early, Breakfast was served after a time of devotions, which was really a great start to the day, mental and physically.

Nothing like a cup of Haitian Joe to pick you up in the morning! Clearly, I needed it...

I forgot to mention that Jean-Alix told us that a witch-doctor had come to Christ recently. He said that they had to go through and burn a lot of his past things, and it reminded me so much of my walk and what is absolutely necessary in order to follow God. We are not called to have sin remain in our lives to tempt us and prevent us from coming in communion with God. We must through off (and burn) everything that so easily entangles us. But this is the only way that we can come and be with God, unashamed and unrestrained.

After breakfast, we went to Marothiere (pronounced mah-roe-tee-air), where one of the schools sponsored by Jean-Alix’s churches is. We spent all day painting, sanding, scraping, and sweeping the school to get ready to paint it. We had to sweep the ceilings because of cobwebs and mold and flaky paint. Now I can officially say that I’ve swept a ceiling!

Some of the boys from the home came with us and helped, along with a lot fo the boys from the school and surrounding area around Marothiere. They made a mess of things sometimes, but they had very willing hearts to help.

The view along the way to Marothiere was breathtaking. Clouds hung around the mountains and hills, making the mountains look like islands in a sea of soft, white cotton. The road wound through the mountains and cliffs (with about a 100 foot drop or more in some places without a guard rail!) Market places were parted in order to let us through, sometimes hitting the carts and umbrellas as we went by. The mountain roads are so narrow that opposing traffic is always a fun thing.

The last half-mile we had to walk on foot, so Jeff (our fearless leader) was able to point out to us some of the houses that Hope for the Hungry has built, along with some of the stories of the families who live in them.

On the drive back, a boy from the boy’s home sang “We are the World for Haiti.” It was possibly the most precious moment I’ve had yet, to hear an actual Haitian sing the song.

I’m so glad for this trip and people I’m meeting. I keep thinking that missions wont’ change me as much as it has in the past (before I considered myself a “veteran”), but each time I go, it continues to shape me so much. I will never be the same person again, for my call to missions seems so much more evident now, as it always does whenever I’m in the field. We ended the day with a “debrief,” and it was amazing to see and hear what everyone’s hearts and struggles while on this trip.