Tim says...

It has now been one week since we arrived in Port-au-Prince from Washington, DC.  In some ways it feels like many months ago, yet it also feels just like yesterday.  The Lord has taught us much since coming to Haiti last week, especially the importance of trusting in His Character. 

The last sermon we heard before leaving the DC area was centered on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel chapter 3, as they refused to bow down to the King’s idol.  In the face of being burnt alive, these men trusted in God’s character, instead of focusing completely upon his capability to bring them out of trouble. 

As Aimee and I keep moving forward into the year ahead, I am challenged to trust the character of God; namely, what I know about Him and not just focus on His capability to always do what it is that I ask Him to accomplish in prayer.  We pray knowing that God can and will answer our prayer (if He chooses to), but also knowing that “He may not”. 

A large part of the process of being a missionary and Christian person is trusting in who we know God to be, not just what I want Him to do for me. 

Additionally, the Lord has reminded me that though it is uncomfortable to have mosquitoes everywhere, no A/C, and other inconveniences, the point of our situation is not simply be grateful for all of the “stuff” we have back in the U.S.  I am reminded of some years ago, hearing a group of people speaking in a church meeting about their trip to Romania.  One man simply stated that his main take away was that he was so thankful for all of the “stuff” he had, and commented about how sad it was that the Romanian citizens were not as blessed. 

As Americans, Christians or not, we are tempted to believe that our way of life is THE way of life, often feeling sorry for other people groups and nations that do not have what WE have.  However, my interactions with Haitian people this past week has reminded me that there is not necessarily a right or wrong way of functioning as a society. Its exciting to learn new perspectives, ways of thinking and ideas about life.

Haitians generally seem so very calm and tranquil at times, unless of course they are in traffic, and then it’s on!  As we have tried to make a plan for the day or decide on a time to do this or that, we have been told to relaaaaaax. We are learning to go with the flow and settle in to a new pace of life. 

How is it that a people that have so very little material possessions, often appear so very content?  Of course, not every Haitian is a Christian but it does beg the question to us – Are we intended to be made happy through acquiring “things” or are we to be made happy in something/Someone else?