A Glimpse

So many nameless faces today. Driving from one place to another took us through from what felt like a good part of Port au Prince.  I very much felt like an outsider looking in. So many people hurting but without a name. I found myself having more compassion for a stray dog that barely looked alive...I realized that people can hide their hurt, while animals do not have that ability.

It is the same wherever we live. When the faces are nameless, our compassion is fickle. We cannot see through their eyes without hearing their story.

There were so many people living in places we would hardly consider a building, let alone a home. There were lots of markets and mangos. There was so much I only got s glimpse of. I think most of it hasn't really sunk in yet.

I say that one of my reasons for being here is to learn. As much as that is true, I must first see and hear if I hope to scratch the surface of understanding. 

One thing that struck my heart was a message a child had written that said, "Please no more earthquakes"

Children strike a cord with people because they are vulnerable and honest. Teens and adults are not as transparent, it does not mean their suffering is any less.

Today was more of an introductory day. I'm looking forward to putting names to faces and having the opportunity to better understand people's stories.

I did have the opportunity to learn more about what Edner's ministry does and to meet his father and hear his story. 

One thing that stood out was that Pastor Jeanty Sr and three other men translated the entire Bible into Creole French over 18 years. French is commonly spoken, but Creole is what I understood to be their heart language. There are Haitians that only speak Creole as well, so this was the first time they had the opportunity to hear it. We take so much for granted! People are hearing God's word in its entirety for the first time and so many times we think we don't have time to learn more about who Our God is. 

I have another early morning so I should be able to share more tomorrow night.

Please pray for energy and that God would break my heart for what breaks His. As I see and hear, that I would begin to understand.