Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. ~Psalm 34:5 (NV) Still thinking on this, Sandy Offering this photo as part of Compassion International’s photo scavenger hunt: braids And in community with Deidra and friends
bless the mamas
They mother the motherless, the mamas in this orphan village. The team that traveled to Jeremie, Haiti, the month before us went specifically to love on them. The photo of women washing the feet of women who wash feet nearly undid me. These mamas carry hearts heavy with Jesus. Though some bring their own children […]
haiti: when it’s time to say goodbye
We’ll say goodbye today. I make construction paper cards before we go. Erica’s brought a printer and given me a couple mini photos–one of Sophonie and me, and one of Chilanchi and me. I stick them to the paper. “Jezi renmen ou,” I write. “Mwen renmen ou.” Jesus loves you. I love you. It’s our […]
scripture sunday: haiti: joy to you!
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” ~Luke 2:10-11 In the stillness, Sandy
haiti: when not everyone needs to be rescued
The children talk about it Friday morning. About the four who left in the wee hours. “They go on plane with you?” Sophonie asks. “No.” I shake my head. “They drive.” I clench my fists around an imaginary steering wheel. “New kay. New house.” They’re on their way to an orphanage of transition where, if I […]
Haiti: Is it Enough?
Sophonie, she scratches words on peach-colored concrete with a sliver of yellow chalk. She points to them and then to herself. “God. Me. Father. Mother.” I brim and pull her close. “Yes. God. He’s your father and your mother.” And He’s enough. Jeffrey’s fifteen, he says. He speaks English. I ask how long he’s been […]
Haiti: Just Let Me Be Jesus
He’s standing in the back, watching. I brush my hand across the black nubbiness of his head. I bend over and reach down. “Would you like up?” He raises his arms, and I pick him up, balance him on my right hip. I sway to the music and sing in the dark night of […]
Still Saturday: Choosing Solitude
“Jesus, of course, was well aware His presence and words were in demand. That is precisely why He traded an hour or two of sleep for time alone. For Jesus, solitude and quiet, reflection and prayer, were lifeblood . . . “As Dallas Willard observed, these times of chosen solitude, deprived of noise and activity […]
Ready or Not
I’ve had months to get ready. But I’m not ready. I google “animals in Haiti,” “birds in Haiti,” “snakes in Haiti.” and “Haitian culture.” I immerse myself inFlickr‘ed blue and red and green and pink gingerbread architecture and cough from dust rising in YouTubevideos. I wonder if I’ll have to eat goat.
When Loss is Real–or Not
I’m better this morning. Last night I hid in the bathroom for a few moments where I flushed the toilet (so the husband and the grandgirl wouldn’t ask what was going on with me.) I blew my nose, popped my contacts, rubbed my eyes hard, and ran cold water over my face. I didn’t want […]