Love

It was said today that our kids can only be loved as much as they love themselves, that their success can only come from within. 
As we all processed these statements we became upset because, forget that it's completely opposite from why we're here, it's completely opposite of the gospel. 
If God were waiting to love us until we loved us ourselves enough, if God were waiting to send His Son until we'd shown ourselves worthy in and of ourselves we'd still be awaiting the first coming of Messiah. We'd be waiting for something that would never come. 
Instead, in our filth, brokenness, insecurities, faults and failures God looked at us and saw worth and value, even when we could not (cannot). He sent His Son when we were unlovable, when we didn't love ourselves. With His Spirit He breathes new life into us.
I say all of that to say I've been reminded why I'm here, my focus has been reeled in. I'm here to love there kids when no one else does, when no on else cares, when no one else believes in them.
I'm here to hug, smile at, talk with, and encourage them, to say "ou kapab?" (you can) when no one else does. Ultimately I pray they see Christ in and through me. These children are beaten, bruised and broken, treated like property rather than people, told they are nothing, unwanted, stupid, worthless and will never amount to anything.
Until these children are shown love they will never know what love is; they will never know to love and respect themselves; That they are valuable because they are children of God, created in His image. Until they are loved, encouraged, and nurtured they will never be successful. 
I'm here to love. If I do nothing else, if my list of "accomplishments" and completed tasks consists of nothing but this one thing, "love. be love," then I have done the one thing God ultimately has me here to do. May I be the love of Christ to these precious children. May you be the love of God to the precious ones He has placed around you.

The Way of Love

13 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

2 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (MSG)

Bon Ane (Happy New Year)!

Written 1.1.14

One year ago today I moved to Haiti. Little did I know at the time that I would still be here calling Haiti home. In some ways it feels like I've only been here for months, while in others it feels like I've experienced years of emotions and events since January 1, 2013.

I witnessed Josh & Megan's marriage, and the multiplying of their family from 3 to 6. I was privileged to be there when the girls moved into Freedom House, I was here when one of those sweet girls transitioned out; I've seen the opening of our secondary building and Cafe, watched the bathrooms, direction office, walls and medical clinic go up,  and the garden expand; I've watched our English students grow as they have weekly Bible study and ask many questions, they are so hungry for truth.
I was privileged to assist in kindergarten, help with summer tutoring and form relationships with "our kids," I'm blessed to live and serve with a house full of amazing people. I've seen physical and spiritual healing take place.
We've had teams from all over come and go, helping in so many ways. I've assisted in clinics doing things I never would have imagined. 
God is good!

I've also been tired, frustrated and worn down, seen and experienced some tough things. 
Children "disappearing" from school, some we find and some we don't; senseless preventable deaths, watching cancer take over a body, seeing students suffer because they need what would be a "simple" procedure in the States but can't get it here, screams of children being beaten, young people so confused by legalism, hearing the words "I'm okay being on Satan's side, he needs more people." 
Dealing with disunity and manipulation, frustration with learning a new language and not being able to fully communicate. Having to personally abandon a child at a police station, forcing them to do their job instead of continue giving us the run around. BUT in these situations I can look back and still say God is good! 
Without some of these difficult situations I wouldn't be able to list some of the joys and privileges that I have. These difficult situations have led to the opportunity for truth to be spoken, for God's name to be made famous, for His work and power to be put on display. It has caused me to see my deep need for Him, that He is the only one who can sustain me. 

I am blessed, humbled and privileged to be serving with Respire and calling Haiti home for this season of life. I look forward to seeing God continue to move in Gressier, making His name known among the people here, and among our team. 
I am thankful for every one of you who have kept up with me, sending encouragement, praying, supporting me financially, sending care packages, reading my blogs and newsletters and sharing them with your friends and family. You are a big part of this journey as well. 
I pray that in this new year you will see God's blessing not only in the good times but also in the difficult times because no matter the situation God is good!

Behold I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

If you would like to support me financially on this journey contact me at respiresharon@gmail.com