Praying for Haiti

Since my previous post, I've been asked several times, "How did you choose Haiti?" I didn't really.

God chose me for Haiti...

On January 12, 2010, the already fragile country was rocked by a devastating earthquake. Prior to the 7.0 magnitude quake, over 70% of Haitians were living on less than $2/day. The 2010 quake impacted over 3.5 million people and many remain homeless, even today.

As I watched the coverage of the disaster, tears streamed from my eyes (granted I was 9 months pregnant!). But seriously, there was something about this disaster that was different for me than others...and now I know God was preparing my heart to serve in Haiti.

Photo by WorldHum

I prayed earnestly for the Haitian people and even set up an RSS feed to read the coverage of recovery efforts. I was astounded and inspired by the courage and resiliency of the Haitian people, even in this most awful situation.

Photo by Generally Speaking

In January 2011, I took five beautiful young women to a retreat at Camp Wesley Pines in south Mississippi. The focus was on missions and through the sermons and several conversations with the speaker, Mike Giordano of Life Quest,  I was even more resolved to visit Haiti on a mission trip. I began praying not just for the recovery of this country, but that God would provide an opportunity and the resources for me to go and serve...in His time.

I came home from the retreat and applied for a passport. I began watching YouTube videos to (try to!) learn Haitian Creole and set out to read Haiti: After the Earthquake. I was equipping myself to go and be ready when the time came. It all seemed so silly and even a waste of time at points, but now I am beginning to see the bigger picture.

¹¹"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹²Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." 

Jeremiah 29:11-13

As I flip back through my prayer journals from the last few years, I see time and time again where I prayed for this country and its people in the hopes that one day I would be going. God has been faithful to provide that opportunity, and I am humbled by the events that have led to this trip.

There is still much to be worked out as we consider the financial commitment of the trip with Jeff scheduled to begin seminary this fall and just the single-parent scheduling involved with Jeff juggling our two boys for a week. I am grateful that he is just as committed to me going as I am...

Again, my apologies for those anticipating reading about my running adventures; I hope to post about running again soon but for now, these are the things on my heart and mind.