Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Joy.

I experienced a variety of conflicting emotions today. Shock turned to heartbreak, which turned to anger, which miraculously turned to joy. I've seen poverty. I've been to the developing world. But I've never seen this kind of poverty. This kind of poverty rocks your world. Haiti doesn't have "poor neighborhoods." Haiti is poor. Devastatingly poor. And today, our team ventured into the poorest neighborhood in our hemisphere...a slum so chaotic and seemingly overwhelming that few aid 
workers are willing to enter. But Healing Haiti delivers water to Cite Soleil...and I'm so thankful that I was able to be part of it today.

 
As our team pulled into Cite Soleil, water truck in tow, we entered an unending maze of tiny corrugated metal shacks built on feet of garbage. It smelled of sewage and charcoal, and went on as far as the eye could see. But in a place that appeared to be full of suffering and sadness, dozens of little children with huge smiles began running after us. As we slowed to a stop, they shouted, "Hey, YOU" over and over again, and we were nearly tackled by them as we climbed off of the truck! As some of our team filled countless buckets with water, others just played with these kids...ring-around-the-rosie, thumb wars...some games are universal. And you know what? They were so thrilled. The joy of a tiny smile and a full bucket of water in the midst of sadness and suffering...it's unspeakably wonderful. We also took some of the kids to the site of a church being built by Healing Haiti...where we all danced and sang, "God is so good." And He is.


Later in the day, 5 of us went with the Sisters of Charity to their clinic in the city to help with wound care. As someone who has never worked in the medical field, it was definitely outside of my comfort zone. I'll spare you the (gory) details, but after cleaning and dressing the wounds of Haitians of all ages, I was humbled. I was humbled by their strength and by their dignity. I was humbled by the Sisters, who love and serve like Jesus daily...without want of recognition or praise. And I was grateful to be in the presence of both.

As we left the clinic, one of the Sisters gently urged us to view those we serve as Jesus. When we are dressing the wounds, hugging the children, serving the least of these, we are doing it unto Jesus. She encouraged us to be praying for those we're serving while we're with them. What an incredible gift of wisdom from this dear woman!

For me, the big takeaway from today was twofold. First, I'm so thankful that we serve a God who identifies with suffering - who sent His Son to suffer - and who calls us to seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow. And we get to be His hands and feet in this work! And second, when Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive, He was inviting us into joy that transcends sorrow and anger. It IS more blessed to give than to receive.

- Erika Paul




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