Unending

This summer I have come back to Christian Light School and Children's Home with two tasks: lead summer institute for the Haitian teachers and live at the children's home to help support the Haitian staff while the American missionaries have gone back to the States for the summer.  It is the end of my second full day here and some of the important summer routines have already been established. 

Every night I get to make sure the boys in the children's home have teeth brushed and baths taken and then we will gather around for devotions.  We will read about God's story of redemption.  Thank you to my church, Christ Redeemer Church of Hanover, NH for sending me with Christian books and Bibles to share!  One book I have loved sharing with children at CRC is The Jesus Storybook Bible.  Today as I explored the school, I was surprised and really excited to find a Creole version of this same book...

Last night Kervenson picked out the creation story for our devotion time.  We gathered around and read about the beauty of God's creation.  We talked about how God made all things: the sun and the moon, the ants and the mosquitos.  We laughed thinking about the funny animals and thought about God's creativity in forming land and seas and the diversity of living things to fill the earth.  The boys were so enjoying the pictures and the story, they asked to keep reading.  

The next story we read about was the fall of Adam and Eve.  The boys were full of questions about how the sin of Adam and Eve impacts us today.  We talked about how all of God's good and perfect creation is stamped with the mark of the fall.  

I love how the book goes on to say that this is not the end of the story!  When it looks like Adam and Eve are being permanently expelled from the garden and have forever broken their relationship with God, we see that the story is not over!  It is such a powerful passage and is worded so beautifully, I think I will just share it with you...

"Well, in another story, it would be all over and that would have been The End.  But not in this Story.  God loved his children too much to let the story end there.  Even though he knew he would suffer, God had a plan - a magnificent dream.  One day, he would get his children back.  One day, he would make the world their perfect home again.  And one day, he would wipe away every tear from their eyes.  You see, no matter what, in spite of everything, God would love his children - with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love... One day, God himself would come."

I'm so thankful for these moments with the children to share and remember together the hope we have because God has written a very different ending!  Prayers that we would all have our eyes fixed on the hope that comes because we know Christ has made the way for this perfect Story to be written!  

Many thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement at the beginning of this summer's adventures.  I'm praying that you too would find encouragement in the good things God is doing in Haiti and in your own life this summer!  Much love in Christ, Jessie

Perspective

I flew in to Port au Prince yesterday.  Looking out the window I was reminded how important perspective is.  From up there in the clouds, Haiti is an island full of green mountains and sprawling, sandy beaches that rush out to meet a brilliant blue sea.  There are curving roads and homes and communities sprinkled all along the coastline.

That is Haiti.  

But Haiti is also the seemingly endless rows of tin-roofed homes and tent cities.  Haiti is also a place where people regularly respond to the question, "How are you?" by saying, "With Jesus, I am always blessed."  

It's all a matter of perspective.

Since flying in I have been so struck by the need to change my perspective.  It is so easy to have my eyes fixed on what doesn't matter.  I need that vision that only Christ can give.  Those eyes that can look at all circumstances and see hope and joy in Christ's ability to redeem.  And so, as I look forward to this summer in Haiti, and as I think of you all and your various journeys, I'm praying for eyes to see and behold the goodness of the Lord... 

Thank you for following along with me!  Much love in Christ, Jessie