In the morning I leave what I have known for the past 7 months. I remember flying into Haiti 7 months ago. On our approach into Port Au Prince, I remember looking out the window thinking, “Seven months...what all will happen in the next seven months of my life?”
Little did I know that my life would be flipped upside down by a beautiful land full of communal people that know how to give love.
It isn’r really fair Christi Barnes...you were the one that fell in love with this place. For several years I fought the call. I came knowing God was calling but had no idea that I would be consumed so much by this place.
I have a thousand stories to tell, but I will share the one happened today.
Kessy is our moto driver. He has cared for our family the last seven months. Whether it was trips to the market, the bank, the hospital, etc. he has been there for us.
This morning when he came into the house, he began to tell us what happened to his mother. His uncle broke into the yard and attacked her with a machete and she was badly injured. We prayed for Kessy and his family and then I was encouraged by the Holy Spirit to share the following verse with him.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
Romans 12: 17-20
He comes back this afternoon to tell us goodbye, in which I had no idea how much it would hurt. I had no idea how much I had become one with this brother.
He brought with him a paper with some verses on it and he asked, “Fre John, m’ bezwen ven souple.” He needed 20 copies. As I began to look at the paper, I noticed it was the scripture that I had shared with him earlier in the day.
He saw inquisitive look and told me...”I need to share these Scriptures with many people.” Are you serious? A time when he could be focused on himself and his hurt, he turns it around for a chance to teach others about a concept in which is countercultural.
I handed the finished copies to him and gave him a big hug and tears began to flow down both our cheeks. I will miss Kessy. I cannot wait to see how much he grows in his Christ journey while we are gone.
It is 6:28 pm here in Haiti and we are about to have devotionals, so I will stop typing.
In closing I want to challenge each one of you, DO NOT IGNORE WHAT YOU ARE BEING CALLED TO. Sure it may be scary, stretching, trying, etc. but I promise you will never fully live until you step out and obey in the direction you are being called.
Christi, thank you for the way you were patient with me. I now ask you to be patient with me as I weep for the place that has become my home.
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