What's an "old lady" like me doing in Haiti?

Since this blog was begun, several people have asked me how I got involved in Haiti. Perhaps I should take a minute and tell you.

In 2008, the leader of a medical team from our church to Haiti asked me to go with them. I was unsure how I could be of help since I am not a "medical person." She felt sure that I should go, and I trusted her judgment and went.

At first I was so stunned by the magnitude of the need in that country that I felt almost paralyzed! Then I found a little community of a few hundred people with a tiny school of about 140 children, all of whom were in dire need. The poverty was beyond anything I could imagine, but I recognized immediately with help, I could do something about their need. Millions of people need help, and a small church like ours cannot take on that task. These few hundreds I thought we could at least help a little.

I came home and told the church about Carrenage, the community I had visited. As God seems to have a habit of doing, he used my testimony to awaken a lot of people to an outreach worthy of our efforts. We began to raise money for Carrenage. I have been astonished at how my wonderful church has loved a people whom they have not seen. I marvel at their efforts as they sew for the the children, buy school supplies for the school, send gifts to the teachers, and give so generously to feed the children of the school.

If I were not so old, I would go to Carrenage and stay for a time, working with the children and the faculty of the school. But I confess that the trips are grueling and after about ten days I come home pretty tired. I have decided that for me to stay for a long period would be more work for them than it would be help. So I go once a year to work, maybe a second time to plan, and stay in touch all during the year. I also encourage others to go and experience the joy of working with these people who have almost nothing but have a great love for and trust in the Lord! They also have a joy of life that we could learn from, though by our standards we can barely--if at all--understand their joy!

Our trip in March is postponed, but we will reschedule as soon as I get word from Haiti that the way is clear for our team to work with the school--whether in the classroom or on repairs for the buildings.

God touched my heart by these absolutely beautiful children and by the dedicated adults who work so faithfully to care for and teach them. He said to my heart, "Who will go?" And I answered, "I will go if you lead me. I will hold your children in my heart." (. . .words in the chorus of a song we often sing at church)

And so I go. Thank you for your continued prayers for these who seem so miraculously mine.