“The poor are very great people, they can teach us many beautiful things” Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa is on my “Top 5 Favorite Saints” list. She is a woman of courage, prayer, impeccable poise, has a humble heart and is a servant of Jesus Christ. As I pray with some of the things that she has said, and the life lessons she has left behind, I can’t contain my missionary heart. I know that God has called me to Haiti and I get to serve the poorest 3rd world country in the Western Hemisphere. But God, through the poor, is teaching me more then I could ever teach the Haitian people that I get to share life with.
Often times I don’t know how to answer the age old question “How’s Haiti?” I either clam up, get nervous, explode with some ridiculous story that leaves people confused, or I just respond with “Well, it’s hot.…” But instead, I’m going to share with you a few life lessons that the people of Haiti have taught me during these past 15 months in there.
TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY
I can’t begin to explain the number of families who I interact with that take care of a child, aunt, cousin, brother, that nobody wanted to take care of anymore. Each and every day I learn about a new family that has brought in another person to love, feed, clothe and send to school. The Haitian people understand the importance of family, and in giving more than you believe your means can allow. They know Jesus will always fill in the spaces where they are lacking. One particular family has six children and has taken in a niece because her mother isn’t able to care for her. This family is only able to send 4 of their children to school while 2 of their children live with other relatives in another part of Haiti. But still, they have said YES to little Bernadine living with them, because they are able to provide a meal for her.
TO TRUST IN THE LORD’S PROVIDENCE
A few times a week we are blessed to go on home visits. We pack a bag of rice, beans and our bibles, and walk down the road. Some days we leave the base with a plan to visit a particular neighbor we know is sick, and other days we just pray that the Holy Spirit guides us to those who need to know Him that day. On one such day, as the team started down the road in the hot afternoon sun, we came to Francois’ house. Francois is a 17 year old boy that has never been to school, and who lives with his mother, grandmother, two sisters and niece. That day his mother didn't have any food to give to her children, so when we showed up to pray with her she exploded into cheers yelling “MESI BONDYE, MESI JEZI” (Thank you God! Thank you Jesus!) She shares this moment with us when we sit down. She tells us that she had just offered to God all her prayers because she didn't have a single thing to feed her family that day. She said she trusted Jesus, and that he would not leave her family hungry that day. Through his providence we came to her house that day, shared the Gospel and left her with food. Francois is now an active teen visiting our base daily, goes to school (Praise be Jesus Christ!), and comes over whenever he needs a meal. His family is slowly coming to mass more often, and exploring the Catholic faith.
TO LAUGH
Haitians are some of the funniest people I know. They sit around the table, on the porch or in the yard, sharing stories with each other. Yes, there is a language barrier. But we all laugh in the same language. If you can get the slightest understanding of the story and other people are laughing, then you should probably just laugh too. It’s good for the soul, and reminds you not to take yourself to serious.
TO APPRECIATE LIFE
When I walk into a persons house they bring in chairs from the neighbors, offer you anything they can, and welcome you into their life. There isn’t any hiding behind closed doors, or secrets too shameful to share. God is welcomed into this place of love. The sick and the dyeing are cared for and prayed with, not just tossed aside. The young children are loved, cleaned, feed, educated and hugged. The unborn is given the dignity of life, even though most pregnant women aren’t married or in the financial situation to feed another mouth. The old are treated with respect. Those who are able to work, work with their whole-being and they don’t complain.
These are just a few life lessons that the Lord has shown me through my Haitian family. I know this upcoming year will continue to be a time of growth, struggle, heart break, grace, and an abundance of trust in the Lord. Thank you for the ways you pray, give and sacrifice with and for me. I pray today to be more like Mother Teresa and let the poor into my heart in such a way that I must be changed.
God Wins,
Amanda
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