The Village

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles." Psalm 34:17

I don’t think I’ve ever in my life seen as much suffering and poverty than I have in the past 3 days. We went to one of the most poverty stricken villages right outside the gates of the orphanage.  I have always known and heard stories of people suffering from poverty but this was beyond my imagination. The homes are about the size of my bathroom and they are made of mud and sticks.  There is no electricity, no running water, and no food in the village. The kids are not clothed and most of them are deathly sick from malnutrition. The average Haitian eats one meal every three days, and on a good day maybe every two. As I walked through I saw some older men and women who are starving, just shriveled up with their head in their hands just waiting for their time to be up. Karris and I got to go in some of the homes. It was literally like sticking your whole body in the oven. Every time I get close to a fire or a heat wave I usually back up cause it’s hard to breath. Well that is how they live. I could barely be in one of the homes for about 3 minutes, to know that there is a family in there is mind blowing. 

We were able to give the mother (who is very sick) some formula for her baby, which was such an amazing moment. We are the Lords hands and feet and to know that we were able to provide for that family through God was incredible. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to see or walk through and it broke me down and opened my eyes in every way possible, but I kept on singing to God as I was holding the kids hands, and looking into their eyes, “Nothing is impossible for you, you hold the world in your hands.” God has the power to heal the sick, help the blind, give to the poor, and make beautiful things out of suffering, and I know that His hand is at work through it all.

Last night when I got back to my hotel in Dajabon, I had no air conditioning, my fan broke and I was soaked in sweat. I had to change my clothes about three times. But in that moment I was grateful. I was grateful that at least I had a roof over my head; at least I have a family who is healthy and who is there for me. At least I have water to drink and food to eat. And even though I was sick during the night I had tons of medicine with me and eventually it went away. These children don’t have any of those things. No clothes, no food, no water, and most of them have very sick parents.  And when these babies and families are sick, they have nothing to heal them other than God. It makes your heartbreak but it makes you thank God even more for the little things in life. Although our lives are very different and I can’t even begin to know what a full day is like in the village, I know that one thing remains the same; that is our love for Jesus Christ. 

We are all one family, we much to be willing for hurt for each other, pray for each other, fight for each other, and provide for one another. And through all of that, we must give thanks and praise to our heavenly Father.  I am forever changed.