Caring

How do we show that we care for each other?  As brothers and sisters in Christ, united by our loving Savior, how do we demonstrate our love and concern for one another?  It can be a challenge for me to live out the truth of the gospel in the lives of others because of a fear of man that becomes an idol in my heart.  So often I am so concerned about how I will be received by the people around me that I fail to show them the loving, self-sacrificing compassion that Christ has demonstrated to me.

Today I saw caring acted out in a simple but powerful way... 

Before leaving for Haiti, I invited some of the families in my church and from my school to participate in a pen pal activity.  I came down to Haiti with a handful of letters from kiddos from the US and intended to match these letters to children of similar ages here in Haiti.  The plan was that then these Haitian children would respond to the letters from their New Hampshire/Vermont pen pals.  Both sides of the exchange would get to experience some of the global community of Christ and could also develop some of their practical writing and reading skills.

This morning, after delivering the letters to the children, I gave them some supplies and they happily wrote letters back to their new friends.  Of course each child's eyes were glowing as they opened the letters and read through the special message written from another child just like them.  The letters contained little goodies and simple messages like: "My favorite color is yellow."  "I like legos." and "I love you friend!"  

Herode, age 4, received a scribed letter from a 4 year old boy from my home church.  The pictures can't express how excited Herode was this morning.  He was jumping up and down when I told him that I had a letter for him, and he listened intently as I read his special message to him.  Then he carefully dictated a letter to his new friend.  He kept repeating his new friend's name over and over again, checking with me to make sure he was pronouncing it correctly.  Then he took about 20 minutes to carefully decorate the letter.  The whole time, he clung tightly to the picture of his pen pal and the little Matchbox car that was enclosed in his letter.

Tonight when I said goodnight to Herode, he smiled up at me and pointed to his pocket.  He was still carrying around his car and photo, the special memories of his new friend. 

I'm not sure that my words here can express how much this simple letter and small gift means to Herode and the children like him at Christian Light Children's Home.  It was a wonderful reminder of how even the small and simple things can impress upon others that they are loved, that they are important, and that they are not forgotten or forsaken.  What a blessing it was to see! 

Thank you to all my family and friends and church family for your support and encouragement in this trip, it means a great deal to me and to the children here!  Love in Christ, Jessie 

Play

Children are children wherever you go.  Granted, the children at Christian Light School and Children's Home certainly have very different life experiences from the children in New Hampshire.  Despite the drastic differences in culture, family, and resources, children all seem to have common innate qualities.  One is the desire to play.  

Most of my "free time" is spent with the children from the home.  The little boys and girls aren't all attending summer school, so they welcome some attention and extra opportunities for play.

Yesterday afternoon a crowd of little boys gathered around the iPad to play their favorite game- soccer.  Many little hands touched at the screen and their voices cheered each other on as the video game played out their favorite pastime. 

Today, I let the girls have a turn with the iPad.  They love to color and create on it.  Any time technology is available, the children all gather around and wait eagerly to see what will happen.

Of course, there are many other games that the children will play.  They love dolls and race cars, jump ropes and building blocks.  It is a joy to watch them settle down in their rooms or in the open courtyard and play together for hours and hours.  

Even with all of the tragedies, loss, and suffering they have experienced, these children are still able to find pleasure in the simple experiences that we value in childhood.  

I am so thankful that God has given them a place that is safe, where they have their needs provided for, where they will be educated, and where they hear about the love of Christ each day.  

Thank you for continuing on this journey with me!  Love in Christ, Jessie 

Worship

Yesterday afternoon we went to a very unusual church service.  The Christian Light School is located very close to an area known as "The Ravine."  Most of the students at the school come from this impoverished part of the capital city.  They live in tin-roofed shacks that line a dirty waterway full of garbage, stray animals, and human waste.  The people here have very little in the way of physical resources.  The area suffers from continual flooding, and was also greatly impacted by the earthquake of 2010. 

The church we attended was meeting under a tree on the edge of the Ravine. We walked up and gathered around the musicians and preachers who had gathered.  Little by little people's faces were peeking out of their homes.  As the music grew, so did the crowd in the street.  

I love the generous spirit of the Haiti people.  As we American visitors stood around, people brought chairs out of their homes to let us have a place to sit.  

Although the message and music were all in Creole, it was very clear what was being said... Jesus is the answer to our questions, He is the hope and forgiveness we need, and in Him we can find meaning for our lives.  

It was an amazing experience that challenged me to live more boldy, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ through words and through simple acts of hospitality.  It was certainly unlike any other church service I've attended, and I will cherish the memory! 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Heavy

The trip began very early on Monday morning.  Thanks to my sister, Leah, and all the rest of my family for generously changing their routines to make sure I got to the airport for the very early flight.  As I walked toward the check-in counter, I said to one of the workers that I was very thankful to not be carrying the luggage all the way to Haiti myself.  My two checked bags were crammed full of school and art supplies, and lots of toothpaste.  Actually, God worked in the hearts of one of the airline workers and he allowed me to pack on a few extra pounds to my suitcases without charging any extra fee.  When I picked the bags up from the airport in Port Au Prince, I found this label attached...

                             

Of course I kind of smirked at the message of the label as I awkwardly maneuvered the luggage through the airport and to my friends waiting outside.  After I arrived at Christian Light School and greeted all my old friends,  I was very happy to unpack and distribute the goodies I had been sent with. Below is a picture of the massive quantity of toothpaste which was generously donated from my church family...

As I lay in bed last night, unable to sleep because of all the different sounds around me, I realized that this message "heavy" from my luggage was also keeping me awake.  My heart is heavy.  My mind is weighed down.  In the less than 24 that I have been in Haiti, I am confronted by my own reliance on what is comfortable, familiar, and safe.  In many ways I am so happy to be here and to see all the kiddos.  I have been on a day-long hugging spree.  I can't say how much I have missed these dear children and cherish each moment with them.  It is amazing to see how they have grown and changed in a year!

Even with all these wonderful moments, my sinful, wandering heart is seeking something more.  Appropriately, the Sunday before I left, our pastor preached about the "hole" in our hearts. This place that is the core of our being- the ultimate meaning of our existence.  He shared a very telling truth about humanity, that we try to fill this hole with many things, none of which are able to satisfy.  I am reminded today that my heart can't be fixed on finding ultimate fulfillment in collecting things, or building relationships, or even doing a service for the Lord.  Instead, my heart must be fixed on Him.  In Him I find my comfort, my security, my purpose, my all in all.  

I realize this message really has very little to do with the place I'm at, but somehow I've found that in Haiti I seem to be more open to God's truths.  Maybe it is the weight of all the good things I enjoy in New Hampshire that can make it hard for me to seek after the God who alone brings ultimate and lasting peace, joy, and fulfillment.  Whatever the reason, I'm thankful for the reminder to tear down the idols of my heart and to look to Christ.

Thank you all for continuing along on this journey with me!  I promise to send pictures of the kids soon and share all about what's going on at the school.   Love in Christ, Jessie