That is the question people have been asking me as of late. I just got back with a group of seven others from the small island country, and I've been doing more than my fair share of reflecting. This is my second year going down there, and I gotta say it doesn't get any easier the second time. If anything, this year was much harder in light of the earthquake event in early January. It really did shake a whole nation.
It's hard to even put into words what this experience is. People will ask you when you get home from a missions trip to Haiti, how was Haiti? or how was the trip? I don't blame them at all for it is what I would say to if I were on that end. But it has me thinking about how to even describe it.
How is Haiti. Honestly, Haiti is in rough shape. Many folks from those parts have little or no hope for their country. Yet so many still love their country. Haiti is poor. Poorer than anything most people will ever see. Scarsity lives on every street corner. You don't really escape it. So how was Haiti? Well it's rough, we have to just be honest about that.
Don't get me wrong, Haitians are some of the friendliest folks you'll ever meet. They smile lots and are generous with even the little bit they do have. They are also in rough shape though. Many eat only once every two days, and the meal looks like a handful of rice. They don't have many possessions, many live without proper housing, many lack any kind of safety net that so many of us have.
The only thing I can do right now is to offer myself up as a living sacrifice that is willing to lay with these people on the altar of anguish. I think this may just be our divine vocation. Maybe the best thing to do is to simply allow what we see and experience in Haiti to penetrate our hearts, and just weep. May my heart break at that which breaks the heart of God. May I weep over injustice, inbalance of wealth, and depravity of even the simplist daily needs.
God save your people now
Grasp them from depth somehow
Burst forth in saving grace
Show now your face
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1 comment:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I completely relate to laying on the altar of anguish. My heart hasn't stopped aching since I returned from Haiti at the beginning of the week.
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