Another Lesson Learned in Haiti

As some of you know, I just back from Haiti a little over a week ago. As tempting as it is to run to the computer and share what happened while I was there, I try to do my best to process what happened while I was there and what new things God is trying to show me on this journey. This was definitely a different kind of trip. The first two weeks that I was there, I spent time with two teams. The first was a team of six other guys and Vanessa (who is an RN and did her best to keep all us guys in line, which included her own father). The second team was a more equal gender mix which also included Deb with seventeen others. Both teams did a great job getting the new Guesthouse/Girls orphanage and the new Boys orphanage ready to move in. They did all kinds of yard work, electrical work, painting, made shelves, installed two inverter systems, and too many other things to mention. You maybe saying to yourself, "sounds like a pretty typical missions trip to me, why was it different." It felt different to me because we really didn't go anywhere to serve others, we stayed right at the guesthouse and the boys orphanage and worked there. We didn't go share to Gospel with others, we did go feed hungry children, we didn't go put a roof on school that was ready to cave in, we didn't go spend time at other orphanages holding and playing with kids that are starving for affection. We didn't do any of those things. We just worked at home. And there it is...... We just worked at "home" That's when it started to hit me. Maybe the reason it felt so different was for that very reason. These people that took their resources and spent their time to come to Haiti were serving me, Deb, our family, and the children of Good Samaritan.

So from the bottom of our hearts Deb and I can't thank you all enough for everything you did for us and the children of Good Samaritan. There are thirty very special children that have been sleeping in tents for the past seven months that now have two beautiful homes to live in. You have also given our family a place to call home and help provide a place for teams to stay when they come to serve in Haiti.

I also wanted to share with you a lesson that I feel God taught me during my stay. Many of you know that almost every time I go to Haiti, God reveals something to me. One thing I like to encourage people to do when they come is to listen. Listen to what God wants to reveal to you while you're here. Don't just do, but concentrate on becoming. Becoming the person that God wants you to be, and with the help of the Holy Spirit can be.

Since I am usually going about fifty different directions when I'm in Haiti, God usually has to talk to me through action. This time for me to get it, He had to put me on my knees to get it. Let me share with you what happened.

If you spend any time in Haiti, you will take notice that the country is very "class" oriented. Which means that people usually know place in that "class system" and don't deviate from it. I have been told and have seen that the person that is paying the "help" would never work along side the people he is paying to do the work. One of the things that has the potential to be an issue for me in that type of environment is feeling a sense of entitlement. It can be difficult to live and serving in a country that has so much need. Almost everyone looks at you as someone that can better their circumstances, and in most cases you can if you choose to.

That leads me to my story. Before I left for my daily trip to the store to get ice and water for the team, I ordered a load of dirt and stone to be delivered to the house. While I was there, the load was delivered and one of the drivers that works for the Good Samaritan Ministry hired three men off the street to come and spread it throughout the yard with shovels and one wheel barrel. Upon my return I looked over and saw the three men working very hard spreading the stone and dirt, while the driver was standing under a shade tree watching them. I didn't really think much of it. I asked them if they were thirsty, and they said they were, so I went up to the kitchen and brought down a cooler of water and some cups and served them some water. Again, didn't think much about it. While they were taking a short break I took advantage not having to go anywhere else for a while and picked up one of the shovels and starting working. They looked at me at first like I was insane, but then thanked me for the water and began working again. Side by side we worked. The man that was sitting under the tree was baffled and didn't know what to do. He started to work with us for about five minutes, but was so confused that he stopped and went off to do something else. So for about two hours we worked together spreading dirt and sending time together. I saw the strong work ethic they had and shared many smiles with them during our time working. Then we heard it was time for lunch. I asked Vanessa and some others to bring the table and the food down to us since we were covered in dirt and sweat. They did, and they also brought down a bucket of water, a cup, and some soap for us to wash up with. Again not really thinking about it, I got down on my knees as the three men came over to wash up. I poured the clean water over their hands and arms as they began to wash. I continued to do that for each of these young men. One of the men really starred right into my eyes as I helped him wash his hands. It was like he was trying to tell me something without saying a word. After we were done, we prayed, ate together, finished the work, I paid them for their hard work, and they were on their way. At different times during that day I thought about that mans eyes. What was he trying to say? As the day ended and one by one the guys I was sleeping near fell asleep, I laid there wide awake on my mattress. So I got out a book and started to read but couldn't get that man out of my head. What was he saying to me. So I put the book down, closed my eyes and tried to quiet my mind. Then I felt God saying this to me through those man's eyes.

"You have been a part of a lot of things here in Haiti. You have been a part of rescuing a child off the streets, you have been a part of feeding hundreds of children, rebuilding a roof of a school that educates hundreds of kids, you have repeatedly preached in a church to hundreds of people, you have helped get many kids get connected to families in America through sponsorship, you have helped run medical clinics, you helped provide temporary and long-term housing to many after the earthquake, yes you have been a part of many good things. But unless you do these things in the position of a servant, they are not of me. The only way to serve the people of Haiti and the people I put in your path is to do it from your knees. Just as I left my throne in heaven to serve, not to be served, I'm asking you to do the same. So get on your knees and stay there until the race is finished, and I say "Well done good and faithful servant"

If I want to be a Reflection of Christ to people, be in Haiti or anywhere He takes me, I have to be looking up to them, not down at them........



Mesi Savior e Bondye beni ou,

Jeff