After a long, long trip home and a night on the floor in the Atlanta airport, we were welcomed safely home into the arms of our families on Sunday. With that, we began the task of fitting back into our nicely orchestrated American lives.
Sounds easy, but it is not.
I struggle with this so much that I actually dread it. The last good-bye before leaving home to my kids, grandkid and husband are #1 the hardest of any trip. But no question , #1.1 is leaving Africa in Africa and of course, Haiti in Haiti. The good-byes are tearful on that end too. The God-forged friendship that grows in one week is nothing short of phenomenal. This is true love, the way God intended, in the church. They need hope and we have an abundance and we feed off of each other... both getting just what we need and growing in love and respect each day. Then it ends and we come home, changed AGAIN... and trying to figure out what is next.
The easy and obvious next step is to go back. Which I would love to do, and have worked on since before leaving.
The not so obvious is how to be home and function. But, God gave me an epiphany yesterday.
Poverty looks different here.
But it is still poverty.
The poor in spirit is who I have equipped you to serve.
The poor in spirit cover the planet.
Serve the poor in spirit... wherever I put you.
Once again Debbi Ann... bloom where you are planted.
This is so, so, so good. I know this and I have learned this before and actually gave me this personal perspective about 10 years ago... so this is not new to me, but rather an update. A reminder of what my attitude should be.
God is so good to his people, both here and in Haiti. He mourns with us when we hurt and knows our suffering and he has not forgotten Haiti. This is a time like no other for God to be glorified and revealed to Haitians. Pray that His Kingdom will come, in Haiti and His will be done among Haitians. We will count ourselves honored to be a part of it in some way, and willingly suffer with the Haitians in their immense sorrow for the loss of so many lives.
Lord, reveal yourself to Haiti and be glorified through the servants you have called, equipped and sent. Send more and more and more to serve the poor in spirit. Comfort the Haitians in their time of sorrow and pain. Be near to them in their loss. Minister to them by your Holy Spirit, like no other god they have known. Call to them as their God and pour your love out among the rubble. Infuse the cities with your peace and presence. Be glorified in all that is said and done in your name in Haiti , for decades to come.
On earth as it is in heaven.
You are a modern day Mother Teresa!
ReplyDeleteAs hard as it is to read about your experiences in Haiti, I hope you continue to share the burden God has laid upon your heart to serve the poor in spirit. It reminds us of where our focus should be, which is outside of ourselves and our bountiful, structured, secure, and busy lives. Thanks for doing that, Debbi.