Narrative

During these past two weeks of teacher institute, we have been discussing writing.  Here are a few pictures of us taking breaks to play some English vocabulary games... I only wish I could have captured the enthusiasm, cheering, laughter, and overall lightheartedness of these moments!

 

Each morning I start our writing class out with a prompt.  The teachers get about 10 minutes to write their response to the prompt.  We've discussed a wide variety of topics during this time together.  It is exciting to hear the teachers share bits of their stories, their personal narratives.  

In the past few years, as I have been taught and learned more about the gospel and the implications it has in my life, I have seen the Lord break down my walls of isolation and fear.  He has opened me to a deep desire to be in loving community and relationship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I have grown to love opportunities to discover someone's story, the narrative of their life.  To know someone's history, to have them share their families, their friendships, their fears, their joys, their life experiences and their dreams for the future with me is an honor. 

During these summers in Haiti, I have had the particular blessing of making connections with many amazing brothers and sisters, both Haitian and American.  This summer it was a great encouragement to hear more about what is going on in the lives of the Haitian teachers.  They have amazing stories of God's faithfulness in the midst of storms and trials.  I love how quick they are to turn even the most heartbreaking circumstances into an opportunity to praise God.  They are using the narratives of their lives to point back to the goodness of their Savior.  

In my reading and reflecting this summer I have been thinking a lot about how God works all things together for our good and His glory.  This quote from the Gospel Coalition website helps to articulate beautiful truths in the face of my tendency to live in regret and doubt about my past and the narrative of my life...

You know that Jesus gives you a better future. But do you know, Christian, that he also gives you a better past?

Think back over your history, no matter how motley. All the things you did or did not do. All those choices made in cowardice, carelessness, or foolishness. Whether through oversight, ignorance, or sin. Jesus says to you what Joseph said to his fearful, regretful brothers. Be of good cheer. God ordained that all of them would be for your own good, and for his own glory.

To paraphrase John Newton: everything was needful that he sent. Nothing was needful that he withheld. Yes, if you had your time over again, you would choose differently. But know this: Your Father, whose name is Love, would not.

If there is repenting to be done, repent. But then set the chrysalis aside. Look up. Take your place in wonder alongside Joseph’s brothers, and with the rest of God’s people. Know that you did not fall between the cracks of your own life. Nothing in your past, present, or future can separate you from the love of Christ.

Feel that fierce embrace, within which no worldly regret can draw breath.

What a blessing it has been to be reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness by my friends in Haiti!  Thank you for taking time to follow along on this journey with me, I'm praying that you might be encouraged as you have encouraged me with your prayers and faithful reminders of God's truth!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Thrive

Here are some of the long awaited photos of the children in their new home.  The prayer is that this will be a place, a home, where they can live and abide and thrive!

 

Baseball

In the afternoons I have been working with a small group of Haitian teachers on English reading comprehension.  Today we finished reading a biography of Jackie Robinson.  

What conversations this little book led us to!  From the history of segregation in America to the rules of baseball, our book group has 
been full of interesting discussions.  We even took some time out of our studies to learn about baseball firsthand...

Mr. Olritch, one of the high school teachers, showed particular 

skill at pitching.

That's right, I even took a turn at bat.  I think they took it easy on me though, as I managed to get on base!

Mr. Richard, the Bible teacher, has really enjoyed learning different cheers for baseball.  The whole time we were playing he was shouting, "Swing batter, batter, batter!"

Bernaldo, one of the 11th graders, joined in the fun to help balance the teams.

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Although we have had a lot of fun together, our reading group has also discussed some very deep and challenging topics.  Today we wrote and talked about justice...

What do we, as Christians, do with the injustice we see in the world?  We observe unfair treatment and violations of human rights.  What do we do with hate and the actions that are brought about by hate.  What does Christ teach us about these issues?  Something inside us cries out for justice when we or the people we love are victims of injustice.  When we see people suffer, we are moved with compassion.  This isn't the natural human response, instead it seems like the natural response is to repay hatred with hatred and mistreatment with more mistreatment.  But this isn't true for the believer.  For us, we take these evils and are free to respond with Christ's love.  We look in the eye of injustice and find peace and even joy in the knowledge that He is working to make all things new.  After all, didn't He, our perfect Savior, suffer more injustice than any of us will ever know?  He suffered physical pain, emotional anguish, and the overwhelming shame of isolation, abandonment, and false accusations.  In all this, He suffered as the only perfect and innocent One.  He did so for love, so that He could be glorified in the redemption of His fallen creation.  What do we, as Christians, do in response to injustice, segregation, and hatred?  We cling to the hope that Christ has overcome with justice, unity, and love.

Many, many thanks to my friends and family for your continued prayers.  With less than a week left here, I'm praying that Christ could use me to be an encouragement and support to these dear friends as you all have been to me!  Thank you for following along with me on this journey!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Finally

Home.  What a powerful word this is.  It brings to mind a place of safety and welcome.  It speaks of comfort and loving relationships.  It means that you belong.

Since the 2010 earthquake, the more than 30 orphans at Christian Light have been homeless.  Over the past four years they have been shifted from classroom to classroom in temporary camp-like conditions. It has been four years without a real, stable, secure, and comfortable place to call home.

This weekend we helped with the cleaning, packing, and moving of luggage that would help to transition the children to their new home.  Here are some of the younger children (making some silly little faces) sitting on the mounds of clothing that we washed and packed into bags for the move.

As we worked together and I talked with some of the older children, it was clear that they have become a bit disillusioned and don't want to put too much hope or excitement into this move.  I think it's hard for them to believe that finally, they are home.  Their new home is a really beautiful place with a large play area outside. I'm hoping to get some photos in the next few days, once the chaos of the transition has settled.

Thank you, my friends and family who make New Hampshire my home, for following along with me during this time in Haiti.  Thank you for the words of encouragement and prayers that help me to remember that no matter where we are or what is happening in our lives, we are safe and secure and accepted and belong because of who we are in Christ.  What a blessing it is to be reminded of the truth that with Him I am finally and always home!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Body

I started this post last Sunday, so it's actually a week old, but it's still a good glimpse into a Sunday in Haiti...

As Christians, Christ has given us the unique calling to be a part of His body.  This imagery conveys so much.  It speaks to the unity and diversity you find in the church.  It also demonstrates the interdependency we have because we are members of one body.  The image of having Christ as our "head" shows where we get our guidance and direction from.  

When you travel to different countries and interact with believers, it is an interesting and encouraging experience.  Even with the language and cultural differences, the unity of the body still exists.  Joining in a Bible study or church service in Haiti is a time to see how brothers and sisters are growing in their faith and love in this very different culture.

Today we went to Port au Prince Fellowship.  Getting to church was an adventure as we had to use public transportation.  This means jumping onto multiple "tap-taps" which are basically overstuffed trucks.  This is a very blurry picture, which accurately portrays the chaos that is riding in tap-tap.

It was an encouraging time of worship with Americans and Haitians 
together.  The sermon focused on having a heart that longs for the Lord.  I found this reminder from Psalm 42 encouraging and challenging as we remember to keep our eyes and hearts focused on the One who is our Head.

 As a deer pants for flowing streams, 

so pants my soul for you, O God.  

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 

When shall I come and appear before God?  

My tears have been my food day and night, 

while they say to me all the day long, 

"Where is your God?"  

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: 

how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise,

 a multitude keeping festival.  

Why are you cast down, O my soul, 

and why are you in turmoil within me? 

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Thank you for following along with me.  I'm praying that your time of fellowship and worship today would be blessed!  Love in Christ, Jessie